Kid 2000 is one of the tracks on the The New Old Fashioned’s third album, Smalltown, Midwest, USA from Magnaphone Records. The video was directed and filmed by Jake Wisecup. You can find The New Old-Fashioned on Facebook, their website, and Twitter.
Video of The Day: The Nautical Theme – One More Left
One More Left is the second single from the album Lows+Highs, the second full length album from The Nautical Theme.
Story behind the song: Thinking about how One More Left came together for Lows and Highs as this delicate, sweet, and simple arrangement, prominently featuring Tesia playing the mountain dulcimer, it’s funny to remember that the song once had a completely different life as a failed synth-laden indie-pop song. But, this helps to reinforce some of the message and imagery of the song. Despite dark clouds overhead, we can find the strength to try again, at least one more time. Somewhere between the destruction of the six-piece indie band Tesia and Matt fronted and the formation of The Nautical Theme, the duo, along with long-time friend and musical collaborator, Justin Smith, dabbled in synth driven pop. Eventually, that project led Tesia and Matt back to the acoustic, harmony driven music The Nautical Theme has established as their own. The theme of the song is one of picking yourself back up again, finding that you have “one more left”. Matt proposed that, based on the strength of the melodies, the song could be reworked for Lows and Highs. As the album took shape, it became one of the duo’s favorites.
Take Care of One Another
The Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation is adding a lot of stress and anxiety to our lives. If you or someone close to you are experiencing anxiety or mental health challenges and are feeling overwhelmed, please consider letting the people close to you know. Where appropriate, please seek support and information from professional physical, mental and emotional health professionals.
You can also seek resources on stress reduction that can help. If you need someone to talk to right away, text NAMI to 741741 to reach the National Alliance on Mental Illness text hotline. Or you can visit the NAMI website at nami.org for more information.
As our radio show promotes local music and local music venues, please consider reaching out to all of the venues you visit and see if it is possible to buy an eGift card or Voucher or Advanced Ticket or whatever they might offer by way of merchandise so that we can continue to show our support for those who support and bring great music and culture to our communities! Also consider buying albums and merchandise from the local musicians and bands who may be unable to play music during this time. Some may even offer online concerts where you can enjoy live performance. Please consider seeking out those online music experiences when you can do so.
It is important and appropriate to take care of yourself and others that you care about during this challenge. Be well everyone.
Video of the Day – Shamus Dark – Angel Eyes
From Shamus Dark: When talking about songs from the Great American Songbook, I’d say that Angel Eyes is right up there with the best and one of my fave songs of all time. It was written in 1946, with music by the great Matt Dennis, lyrics by Earl Brent and was featured in the 1953 Hollywood movie ‘Jennifer’, starring Ida Lupino and Howard Duff. The song has become a jazz standard over the years with many interpretations by famous artists; K D Lang, Chet Baker, Sting, Pat Metheny, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Neil Sedaka, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck,Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington to name just a few. Ella Fitzgerald, who recorded “Angel Eyes” at least four times, named it her favorite song. This video is a re-upload, now featuring a new music introduction by Pete Millward, who is also Producer. Guitar is by Eugene Pao.
Video of The Day: The Nautical Theme – Break My Fall
Break My Fall is the first single from the sophomore full-length album from The Nautical Theme, Lows+Highs.
Learn more about The Nautical Theme at https://thenauticaltheme.com
Lyrics:
Well you came in like a child
Without the burdens of the world upon your mind
So I stayed for a while
To try and learn the stories held within your eyes
But I never understood enough
Even though they said so much
Phrases I just could not recognize
In a language that I’m sure so sweet
But strangely quite foreign to me
I never had a chance to ask you why
You said goodbye
Now I sit in this pile of the worries and the cares built over time
And I think back to your arrival with all the tethers of the world passing you by
But I never understood enough
Even though you said so much
Phrases I just could not recognize
In a language that I’m sure so sweet
But strangely quite foreign to me
I never had a chance to ask you why
You said goodbye
Wide, you break my fall with your arms open wide
Story Behind the Song:
Break My Fall was one of the first songs written for Lows and Highs. When we were thinking about how to present the song on the album we wanted it to fall into the “highs” side of the “Lows and Highs”, which meant filling out the arrangement. Fortunately our friend and great supporter of the band, Justin Crim was willing to work with us on providing the drums for the track.
The meaning behind the lyrics took a turn for me while we were still working to finalize the song. Originally, the idea behind the first line “well, you came in like a child without the burdens of the world upon your mind” was quite literal, thinking of my children and their innocence of perspective on the world around them. It was about me trying to learn how to see the circumstances of my life with a fresh perspective – to be more like them. Unfortunately, around the time we were writing this song, my grandmother passed away. My memories tend to be very visual in nature. One of the first times I sang those lyrics after she passed, I saw clearly in my mind’s eye one of her visits to a childhood home of mine when I was still very young. She was playing with me just as if she was a child of my own age – so fun, playful, and carefree. So, during the crescendo of the song, when we’re singing “wide, you break my fall with your arms open wide”, I’m thinking about the supportive and loving nature of my grandmother and in general the self-sacrifice of those that come before us who gladly catch us when we stumble and hold us up through our journeys.
This Tuesday: Kevin Serey
This week musician and songwriter Kevin Serey joins Dr. J in the studio to discuss his music and play a few acoustic songs for us. Kevin has an amazing and distinctive voice and his upcoming release promises to be a terrific country album!
Spend some time with Kevin and Dr. J this week from 3-6pm on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on WUDR Radio!
Video of The Day: Olivia Frances – Porcelain
Olivia Frances has an exciting song ‘Porcelain’ from her record Orchid (released this past June). The video captures a dynamic around the consequences of choices that we make and what others believe about those decisions. An energetic and infectious song that captures the energy and powerful presence of a captivating vocalist. Blending honest lyrics with emotional and ethereal vocals alongside natural yet polished guitar arrangements ‘Porcelain’ becomes one of those songs that you just cannot shake. This tune will remain caught in your music consciousness. You cannot help but hum along to the chorus.
Tuesday World Premier: The Nautical Theme – Break My Fall
This Tuesday YTAA will have the world premier of The Nautical Theme‘s first single ‘Break My Fall‘ from the forthcoming record ‘Lows and Highs‘ (release show on March 21st). This powerful song has incredible impact on the listener. We are so proud of Tesia and Matt for creating music that is so insightful.
From the band: ‘Break My Fall’ was one of the first songs written for Lows and Highs. When we were thinking about how to present the song on the album we wanted it to fall into the “highs” side of the “Lows and Highs”, which meant filling out the arrangement.
Fortunately our friend and great supporter of the band, Justin Crim was willing to work with us on providing the drums for the track. The meaning behind the lyrics took a turn for me while we were still working to finalize the song. Originally, the idea behind the first line “well, you came in like a child without the burdens of the world upon your mind” was quite literal, thinking of my children and their innocence of perspective on the world around them. It was about me trying to learn how to see the circumstances of my life with a fresh perspective – to be more like them.
Unfortunately, around the time we were writing this song, my grandmother passed away. My memories tend to be very visual in nature. One of the first times I sang those lyrics after she passed, I saw clearly in my mind’s eye one of her visits to a childhood home of mine when I was still very young. She was playing with me just as if she was a child of my own age – so fun, playful, and carefree.
So, during the crescendo of the song, when we’re singing “wide, you break my fall with your arms open wide”, I’m thinking about the supportive and loving nature of my grandmother and in general the self-sacrifice of those that come before us who gladly catch us when we stumble and hold us up through our journeys.
Join Dr. J at 3pm this Tuesday to hear ‘Break My Fall’ from The Nautical Theme!
Video of The Day: Me & Mountains – Demolish Me
From the first volume of Dream Sequence, Dayton’s Me & Mountains demonstrates that new music from them is an incredible return to a sound that if there was honor in the music industry would make them famous. Desire a return to crunchy guitars, melody for days, driving percussion and a brick foundation rhythm section? Me & Mountains have what you need and crave. We are excited about what the future volumes of Dream Sequence have in store for listeners!
Video of The Day: The Connells – Maybe (live)
From the album ‘Weird Food and Devastation‘ (1996) – The Connells appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien to play the first single ‘Maybe’.
Hologram Concerts: Music’s Future?
A recent essay in the New York Times discussed the rise of Hologram concerts featuring long past musicians such as Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Tupac Shakur, Ronnie James Dio, Frank Zappa among plans for others. What to think of this?
How long before their are digital shows/holograms of Bowie, Joe Strummer, Prince, Petty, among a legion of aging (read post 60 years of age) musicians that management and record companies want to continue to profit on their art by finding a way to keep these artists performing.
Consider the consequence of a band or musicians ever ceasing. In the words of one executive: “We have to put them back on the road.” (Brian Baumley, publicist for Eyellusion quoted in the article).
The idea that companies can buy the rights to these images drawn from concert footage raises a host of questions about long term (perpetual, perhaps?) ownership of music and the image of musicians themselves. A recent episode of Black Mirror seemed to deal directly with this idea. If management cannot control the musician or band, simply digitize. In the end, the management company did not win — in a rare twist for Black Mirror — but in an industry built on the exploitation of artists, musicians, lyricists and other creatives, how accurate is that ending? While that level of control is not widely happening today, one has to wonder how long before it could?
The idea of a concert should be an exchange of ideas, enthusiasm and love of music not a pristine controlled event. Sometimes the most beautiful musical moments are the mistakes, the surprises that arise in the moment of artistic creation. Not planned. Not anticipated. Not controlled.
Read the article here — Old Musicians Never Die. They Just Become Holograms – The New York Times.
Let us know what you think about the practice in the comments or at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on Facebook.
Best of 2019: Rob Perry’s Picks and Thoughts
Below Rob Perry has listed ten albums that are his favorites released in 2019. They are in no particular order but he can tell you that they all are really fine recordings.
- THE GET AHEAD – Deepest Light – April 2019 – Jullian Records
The Get Ahead calls their eclectic blend of music “Americana Soul”. The unique combination of fiddle and saxophone, best done on the title track, naturally had me dreaming of Little Feat and the late Lowell George. Lead vocalist Nathan Earle’s tone really draws you in while the accomplished band is tight and cohesive.
My favorite tracks on the album are Sister Cities, Faint Outline, Deepest Light, and Special Breed.
- HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – Terms of Surrender – September 2019 – Merge
Records
On this latest release, M.C. Taylor appears to have taken his Indie Folk collection of ‘would-be’ songs of despair and woven them into expressions of hope. This album is filled with brilliant flashes of optimism and it’s the band’s best release in the past 5 years. Favorite songs include My Wing, Katy (You Don’t Have to Be Good Yet), and I Need a Teacher.
- NIGHT MOVES – Can You Really Find Me – August 2019 – Domino Music
Thanks to The Current, KCMP radio for turning me on to this fantastic duo. Like the radio station, “Night Moves” calls the Minneapolis area home. This is their third album and boy is it a gem of dreamy psychedelia.
Don’t miss these tracks: Mexico, Strands Align, and Keep Me In Mind.
4. SUMMER CANNIBALS – Can’t Tell Me No – June 2019 – Tiny Engines
Part indie, part punk, this is an all-around razor-sharp record. This is what I imagine The Clash would be like if lead by a strong young woman. Enjoy the low-slung guitars arching upwards to Jessica Boudreaux’s weighty lyrics.
The best songs are One Of Many, False Anthem, and Can’t Tell Me No.
- LIZ BRASHER – Painted Image – January 2019 – Fat Possum Records
With a thundering voice and a soulful style, Liz Brasher dropped her full-length debut LP in January 2019. The album has tinges of country, gospel, R&B, while weaving in elements of the Delta blues. Brasher doesn’t settle on one genre too long as she seems to effortlessly move from one style to another.
Her voice remains rock-steady, though. Must listens … Love Feasts, Cold Baby, and Blood of the Lamb.
- MATTIEL – Satis Factory – June 2019 – Heavenly Recordings
I’ll bet Mattiel Brown grew up listening to all her parents’ albums. You can almost feel the Patti Smith, Velvet Underground, and Jefferson Airplane dripping from the creases of this record. It’s all-over-the-place funky-different, in a good way. I’m impressed with Mattiel’s vocal range and the way she easily seems to be able to switch vocal styles, too.
My favorite tracks are Keep the Change, Millionaire, and Populonia.
- FAYE WEBSTER – Atlanta Millionaires Club – May 2019 – Secretly Canadian
Faye Webster’s new album is full of what I’d call melancholy folk-pop with tinges of soul and a little country thrown in there, too. Most of the tracks are gorgeously arranged and they seem to enhance Webster’s laid-back, hushed delivery. The pedal steel that appears on a few songs helps to add a brilliant and lush, layered sound.
My top songs include Kingston, Right Side of My Neck, and Room Temperature.
- STELLA DONNELLY – Beware of the Dogs– March 2019 – Secretly Canadian
This is an indie pop record chock full of sweet-sounding songs, albeit with a killer bite. Donnelly writes songs that make you laugh, piss you off, and cause you to think. Plus, she’s really good at it. Guitar-driven hooks are her speciality. By the way, the title track is a stripped-down, solo anthem that’s both powerful and dreamy.
Other songs I enjoy are Tricks, Old Man, and Lunch.
- SHARON VAN ETTEN – Remind Me Tomorrow – March 2019 – Jagjaguwar
You’ve probably heard of her. But this time around Sharon’s added some moody synthesizers to the mix. She hasn’t yet become too polite or politically correct but it’s evident she’s stepped out of her comfort zone, pushing boundaries and willing to explore more personal issues. This is her deepest and most complete work to date.
Potential to become a classic. Songs to hear … Comeback Kid, Seventeen, and Jupiter 4.
- JADE BIRD – Jade Bird – April 2019 – Glassnote Records
Let me start by saying that this is not a perfect indie record. It is, though, a very nice debut album by an up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Her two greatest assets: Her gigantic voice and her amazing self-confidence. She won’t win album of the year awards for this record but it is a testament to what I think she’s going to become someday.
Three great songs included on this LP are Love Has All Been Done Before, Lottery, and 17.
Rob Perry is an indie music superfan and one of the nicest people on the planet. His twitter account is @RobPerry64. Rob describes himself as MUSIC LOVER, Dreamer, Fly-Fisherman, USAF Veteran, LGBTQ+ Supporter from Plains GA & Raleigh NC, “Don’t get up gentlemen, I’m only passing through.”
your tuesday afternoon alternative 