The new year begins with all of the vibrancy of a guitar on overload! And that is because the latest full-length album from the power-pop-punk of the Joe Anderl-led The 1984 Draft arrives this week on January 19th! The Dayton quartet’s latest record will remind you that music does still matter and perhaps it means even more today. The new album combines the urgency of The Smoking Popes with the intensity of Bob Mould’s post-Husker Du project, Sugar, thrown headlong into the pure and direct heartbreak of The Replacements. The Draft plays every song like their lives depend on it.
The new record comes our way courtesy of the fine music-loving folks at Dayton, Ohio-based Poptek Records with assistance from Sell the Heart Records and Engineer Records (in the UK and EU). You can order the 12″ vinyl now or get a copy at the big record-release show in Dayton on January 20 at the legendary Yellow Cab Tavern. And we highly recommend that you go to the concert!
And speaking of that show, The Draft has invited friends and sonic heroes like Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), Paige Beller, Shane Sweeney (Two Cow Garage), Josh Goldman (The Raging Nathans), Narrow/Arrow, Abiyah, and Josh Arnold to play the record release celebration. Best friends forever, indeed!
Time is running out to make your plans! But today is your lucky day because we are here to help! You can scoop up your advance tickets now and save $5 off the admission to the Yellow Cab Tavern in Dayton by grabbing that ticket a few days before the big show. Be a friend of The Draft and get a ticket now.
This Friday, December 9, 2022, Heather Redman releases her first solo record! This is fantastic news. A rock and roll record with soul, funk, country, and RnB influences, this record is real. In fact, if you were to look up the definition of authentic in the dictionary you would see a picture of this artist. Heather has some of the most impressive vocals that you can imagine. She has energy and more virtuosity than you can shake a stick at — or in other words, we mean it when we say we would listen to her sing the phone book.
Heather Redman has assembled a crack band featuring the rhythm section from Dayton giants Shrug — Dan Stahl (drums) and Bryan Lakatos (bass) and kickin’ guitar from Matt Webster (The Professors, oh let’s be honest far too many bands to mention) and the multi-instrumentalist David Payne (The New Old Fashioned, Midwest Business Machine, not to mention his own stellar solo recordings)! The album was produced by “The Wizard” Patrick Himes, who contributed more than a few sonic touches to this excellent album.
If you add it all up and you have a recipe for music textures that illuminate their influences while adding new musical territory to the map of songcraft called ‘Heather Redman & The Reputation.
To help you get ready for this new record, care of the fine folks at Magnaphone Records, Heather has released a music video for her second advance single “Wait For Me.” From the start of the thrill of the keyboards to the shot of the drum and strum of the bass string followed by Heather’s hairs standing up on your neck vocals, the sway and swirl of this song will capture your heart. But fear not, you can have it back in a little over three minutes.
Our friend Paul Monin of Age Nowhere and Neo American Pioneers has a solo single ‘No One Cares.’ The video is an interesting take on the ideas in the lyrics. It also has a silly appearance from YTAA’s own Dr. J. Paul has written a song that asks the listener to stop and look around themselves and ask what matters and what we are focusing our attention upon. You can get more information from: https://linktr.ee/pauljmonnin.
Dan Spaugy and Billy Swayne of Neo American Pioneers came on the YTAA program to discuss their upcoming Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute show ‘A Song for Everyone’ at The Yellow Cab Tavern on Saturday, May 7, 2022!
According to the Pioneers: Take a trip to Cosmo’s Basement and celebrate with the Neo American Pioneers as they present “Wrote a Song for Everyone: A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival.” on May 7th at The Yellow Cab Tavern!
A full evening of music, they will be featuring a selection of 25 CCR hits across their seven studio albums in an intimate club setting. Capturing the raw rock and roll energy of CCR’s early years, before they were headlining stadium tours and iconic festivals like Woodstock, you will not want to miss this.
Cover starts at 8pm with music starting at 9pm. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the doors. All ages are welcome with a guardian. **Discounted presale tickets end at Midnight on May 6th Presale tickets available here: https://ten-high-productions.square.s…
Yellow Cab’s resident truck, The Pizza Bandit, will be set up and serving through 10pm. Produced by Level Up Productions Location: The Yellow Cab Tavern 700 East 4th Street Dayton, Ohio 45402
Hello there Music Friends! It is Spring and what better way to celebrate than with music!
Today we have a brand new Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on WUDR Flyer Radio with the incredible Dayton-based musician, guitarist and songwriter and all around great guy Nick Kizirnis!
Nick has been making incredible music for years across genres and styles! Whether you want to hear surf rock, indie, guitar-led orchestra, power pop – Nick is accomplished across several styles of music. His 2020 album ‘The Distance‘ was one of our favorites of the last several years! It is a real pleasure to welcome him to the show today! We are excited to hear him play a few songs live in the studio!
Join us from 3-6pm today! And hey, just so you know… most of the music we are playing today was chosen specifically by Nick!
Dayton musician, songwriter, guitarist and producer Rich Reuter joined D. J on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on March 22, 2022 in Dayton, Ohio on WUDR Flyer Radio at The University of Dayton. He played live and chatted about his recent music, new EP ‘Endless Parade‘, his work on Nicholas Johnson’s Back Upstate record and his work on his next full length ‘The Captain II’. You can discover his music at bandcamp. We discussed his approach to songwriting, production and performing the music.
You can follow Rich on social media. He is on Twitter and Instagram! You can listen to Rich’s music at Soundcloud! And Spotify:
On Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative this coming Tuesday — March 8th — we have a terrific electro indie pop artist, Serin Oh! We were fortunate to see her perform at the Dayton Battle of the Bands contest and were truly impressed with her stage presence, amazing voice and clever arrangements. It is fair to say that she had that audience raptured with her songs and effortless vocal delivery. She even persuaded the crowd to chant Korean to one of her songs. It was a fun, engaging and dynamic performance.
We immediately were struck by the thought that her music adds an important element to the thriving Dayton Music Scene! Born in Suwon, South Korea, Serin moved to Ohio with her family at the age of six. Growing up in church, she was surrounded by gospel music in her formative years. During her time at the prestigious Berklee College of Music she discovered her love for jazz and R&B, whilst also rediscovering her Korean roots through the lens of K-Pop.
Serin has started a musical journey in her effort to search for a sound that would allow her to express the duality and contradictions of her identity through her music. Serin’s goals extend beyond music to using music culture to create opportunities for other musicians and creatives who are often not part of music culture. She hopes to uplift ‘third culture kids’ in the creative world through her music, especially fellow ‘third culture kids and secret outcasts.’ Using music to forge connection is a welcome approach!
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Serin Oh to Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! You can find out more about her and her music through her social media, Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages!
Samantha J. King joined Dr. J in the studio for Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. This was our sixth show of 2022! Sam talked about her approach to songwriting, where she draws inspiration for her music, her experience of working on music with Patrick Himes in the Reel Love Recording Studio and much more! Sam’s current song, Southpark released on January 7th and is available everywhere you can experience music.
You can learn more about her on Facebook and get her music on Bandcamp.
You can watch more videos of past studio guests on this page or over at our YouTubeChannel. Past episodes of YTAA are available on Mixcloud. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Dr. J on gmail at drjytaa.
Dayton’s own neo-soul electronic groovemachine Lavender Honey have a new video for us music lovers! Their latest song ‘Did It In The Dark’ swings with a shimmering electronic swagger. The video was created by OnlyNoise and set in the Zen Lounge in Dayton, Ohio and captures the magical dreamscape that Lavender Honey expertly craft with their music. We are excited about the band’s forthcoming debut album that was recorded with Samuri Sound. You can hear more of their music on the Lavender Honey’s bandcamp page.
One of our favorite Dayton-based bands, Seth Canan & The Carriers! This song is taken from their self-titled first release.
This song captures the feeling of being out of sorts and managing, maybe just barely. How often do we find ourselves in situations where we are ‘just getting by’. Perhaps today that feels all the more real to us. When Seth sings about wearing ‘Saturday’s shirt on a Sunday morning’ – that is a feeling or actual decision that we all can understand. This personal music helps us reflect on feeling being wrong. But there is a joy in the song that we can move on and feel better, do better, be more than what we were in the past.
Ever hear a record that you did not know anything about and were completely surprised, enamored and then drawn into a new musical world? Well, that has happened to us here at YTAA.
We are currently listening to the new record from Nicholas Johnson and to say that we are impressed is an example of classic understatement! The music he makes sways from sounding like Whiskeytown (‘Come Around’), smooth LA sounds of the ‘70s (‘I’m a Ghost’, Night Ride’) to rocking like a midwestern Lucero (‘Lonely Girl’), the story closes on a bluesy swirl about getting out and embracing experience (‘Nashville’). The record explores a music space that is reminiscent of the past and stands squarely in the present. For us the standout track is the shimmering vulnerability of ‘Sinner’
‘Sinner’ is a powerful, convincing and decisive tune. If you hear that song and do not feel the naked emotion, then you have some work to do. This song captures heartache, emotion and the soul ache that is part of living. In addition, the backing vocals from the always stellar Amber Hargett are just simply perfect and compliment the contemplative delivery of Johnson. Their voices together elevate the song. When Johnson sings: “I’m a sinner, ’cause I hate myself, I’m a sinner because I want to be” — you feel it because the Ryan Adams like patience in Johnson’s delivery makes it matter, you have felt this way too. You may not want to embrace your brokenness but it is there inside us all, just the same.
We would not be doing our job if we did not complement Rich Reuter’s production on this album which allows each song to shine on its own and as part of the collection. Reuter is a musical chameleon on this record playing guitar, bass, lap steel, mandolin, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals and percussion in addition to producing, engineering and mixing the songs. We have no doubt that the gathering of musicians who worked with Johnson on this record including some powerhouse alums of the Dayton Music Scene Khrys Blank, Jenna De Gruy, Amber Hargett, Patrick Himes, Eric Reith, Sara Gomes and Rob Spahr who all share a musical companionship and vision. Johnson not only has ties to the Dayton area but also has interesting stories from being a touring musician in Italy and throughout Europe. Some of those connections are demonstrated through the contributions of Lorenzo Testa on banjo and Lorena Vezzaro on violin.
Johnson draws on his music and storytelling influences while showcasing his unique focus on the textures of each song. While the songs stand on their own, the assembled music together paints a narrative that is relatable and meaningful. This approach should occur far more often than it does in music. And Johnsons voice is perfectly authentic as he sings across forms and styles in this incredibly catchy collection about human foibles and insecurities without sounding downtrodden.
Nicholas Johnson has crafted a fantastic record that has strong Dayton Music Scene connections both behind and in front of the microphone. Our compliments to Ninja Jam Records. Get this record! Get it right away!
Today’s Short Takes arrives from the pen of singer, guitarist Lisa Gain of Lisa Gain & The Rusty Silos. She has a new song ‘Run’ featuring Tino and Erin Coburn. The song is a Columbus – Dayton – Cincinnati “Ohio Super Collab” and will be released on August 27th!
Lisa’s powerful voice captures such raw and stark emotion that to experience her music is to be transported into a space where we reflect on the decisions we and others make everyday. Her arrangements vary from Americana, folk, rock, country and beyond. The songs paint a picture on the emotional canvas.
We greatly appreciate Lisa taking the time out of her busy schedule to share the music that she is listening to right now with us.
Dr. J: What are you listening to right now?
I have always been a true lover and supporter of local Ohio music! I’m blown away by someone every time I get to go out and see live music in Ohio! So I am proud to say that the majority of my digital music library is currently music by Ohio musicians. Many of whom I’ve been fortunate to meet over the years. Ohio is chock full of talent! So before I get to the local musicians I’ve been jamming to lately, I’ll start with the much more widely known artist Suzanne Vega and her hit song “Luka” from 1987. I was only 10 years old when this song came out. All I knew was it was a nice happy tune that I found to be very catchy and enjoyed hearing on the radio as a child. Once I started playing coffee shops back in the mid 90’s I decided to add “Luka” to my setlist. Almost 10 years later hearing the song again, learning those lyrics it hit me that whoa this tune was really heavy! The story is way heavier than the sound. Suzanne Vega has some great more recent slower acoustic versions of this on youtube that are more fitting to the mood and I prefer those versions over the original recording now. Unfortunately there are a lot of Luka’s out there so the subject of domestic abuse is still relevant 34 years later and sadly it will always be a subject that should be spoken about and acknowledged.
My second recent jam is provided by Dayton’s Rap Artist TINO! (P.S. I’m SOOO Excited about our collaboration that will be coming out soon “Run”!!! I am not worthy!). His EP “Past Due” that he put out during the pandemic (May 2020) is great! One of the reasons I reached out to Tino and asked him to work with me is because in my opinion he has that old school 90’s sound that I always loved! I think some of the best rap music came out of that era and he takes me back to that time! His opening track “You know” is a great example of that. Nice catchy hook and you will know it’s TINO-O! His track “95 Tribe” really takes me back since I graduated High School in 95′. It’s always nice when you have a personal connection to a song. Even if it may mean something different to us the listener sometimes than what it means to the artist who wrote it. If you buy the EP you will get his bonus track “Summertime” which is one of my favorite tracks on the EP and it’s PERFECT for this time of year to jam to! All in all I love every track on this EP and highly recommend that you check out TINO and his other collaborations!
My third recent jams are provided by Cincinnati based Blues/Rocker Erin Coburn! I bought her album “Out from Under” at a live show a couple months back and had her sign it because if you don’t know who Erin is yet I’m sure you will in the near future! She recently got 2.9 million views on a Facebook live stream concert and I predict she is on her way to doing big things! I am so happy to support her along her journey! (P.S. Erin also collaborated with Tino and I on our upcoming single “Run”. I am not worthy!!.) She just turned 20 and has been playing guitar since she was just 7 years old. She plays like no woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to personally meet! Like an old soul that should have played in Woodstock! This album proves that not only is Erin a genius on the Guitar she also has soul in her voice and the subjects she writes about. The ENTIRE album is Fantastic, but some of my favorite tracks are the title track “Out from Under”. “Diggin’ you Heavy” is Amazing! “Your mind Gun” has a great guitar solo in it that reminded me of something Slash would do. “Trip on this” grabs you at the 1st line “Trip on this we don’t need the shrooms to get high”. Honestly all 11 tracks are standouts to me! I also HIGHLY recommend you see her live if you get the chance! She and her current band mates are phenomenal!!!
And last, but certainly not least is Dayton’s very own Gem, Windsor Knotts. I bought his album “Forgotten… But not Gone” the last time I went to the Dayton Songwriters Showcase Thursdays at the Yellow cab Tavern last June. I feel like Windsor is one of those unsung heroes. I met him over a decade ago when he was hosting the Showcase at the Canal Street Tavern here he is 10 years later still doing it to feed us artists. To feed our Souls with what we love to do. He and the yellow cab tavern helped me to keep my sanity by continuing to host these safe outdoor events during Covid-19 and providing me with a creative outlet that unfortunately my hometown of Columbus was not able to offer me at the time.
I can’t thank them enough for supporting local artist’s such as myself to the ones that may just be beginning. Windsor cheers us all to get on stage! I feel like I found a second home in Dayton with my music and the songwriters showcase is a huge part of that! It’s where I have meet so many other talented musicians! So when I bought Windsor’s album he warned me and said “It’s not normal”. I played it several times on my ride back home to that night. I truly enjoyed this album! Even the “Opossum” singing… lol. I’d describe it in the vein of Bluegrass/Country. Sometimes it reminded me of old Grandpa Jones that my Dad used to spin on record. Comedic sometimes, yet other songs are serious. If you see Windsor out and about in Dayton buy his album and then please thank him for encouraging so many Ohio artists like me!
Many thanks to Lisa for sharing some of her musical journey with us!
If you would like to contribute to a future Short Takes essay, just let us know at drjytaa on gmail.com! Our contact us through this page. We would love to feature more artists and listeners of Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! Photos of Lisa Gain taken by Dr. J in the WUDR Studios.
Streaming Forward, Powered By The Past - if you love the 80s music, new music, Eurovision, cheesy pop and awesome playlists then let's get this pop party started!
Today’s Short Takes arrives from the pen of singer, guitarist Lisa Gain of 
And last, but certainly not least is Dayton’s very own Gem, Windsor Knotts. I bought his album “Forgotten… But not Gone” the last time I went to the Dayton Songwriters Showcase Thursdays at the 
your tuesday afternoon alternative 