Well Rounded Radio Podcasts on Massachusetts Blog

Amanda Palmer: The Well-Rounded Radio Interview

Thu October 23 2008

I will admit I was kind of turned off by the initial onslaught of publicity when The Dresden Dolls debuted here in Boston back in 2001 and 02. I hadn'... read more

I will admit I was kind of turned off by the initial onslaught of publicity when The Dresden Dolls debuted here in Boston back in 2001 and 02. I hadn't heard much of the music, but whenever something gets too overexposed so far, I always tend to look the other way, so I'll chalk that up to why I hadn't known their work better. But a few months back, I had the opportunity to interview Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls for her collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. You can hear that interview here on iTunes. After listening to The Dresden Dolls albums, I dare say I began to get it. For those who haven't heard their music, The Dresden Dolls are part rock, part cabaret, and generally pretty intense. The duo features Amanda Palmer on vocals, piano, harmonica, and ukelele and Brian Viglione on drums, percussion, guitar, and vocals. Their influences seem to range from everything from Kurt Weill to punk rock to performance art to "Brechtian punk cabaret," as Palmer has called it. The Dresden Dolls catalogue includes their albums The Dresden Dolls (2003), Yes, Virginia (2006), and No, Virginia (2008). Palmer's first solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer? was released by Road Runner Records in late September and co-produced by Ben Folds. The album is quite different from The Dresden Dolls, with both sparse songs featuring Palmer paired with vocals as well as lush, orchestral pieces that help push her songs to entirely new sonic tiers. Folds also plays piano on several songs as well. Palmer has also worked on a Who Killed Amanda Palmer? book with Neil Gaiman, best known for The Sandman comic series, Stardust, and American Gods. The book will be released in November. Palmer has also posted a series of music videos on her site for songs from the new album, which is a terrific idea in this era where music videos are all but dead on cable television, but while video is more popular than ever on the web. They are low-budget, but do the trick of letting you hear the music and get a bit of a preview of her live performances. She's out on tour now in Europe and in November in the US; check whokilledamandapalmer.com for dates and details. I met with Palmer in Boston's South End neighborhood just as she was starting rehearsals for her current tour to discuss:* what lead her to starting work on solo material* how she met Ben Folds and why she wanted to work with him* how she is bringing the album to life on the roadSongs featured in the interview include:1) Ampersand (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) (in preview)2) Leeds United (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 3) Runs in the Family (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 4) Girl Anachronism (The Dresden Dolls) 5) Astronaut: A Short History of Nearly Nothing (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 6) Have to Drive (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 7) Guitar Hero (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 8) Strength Through Music (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 9) Blake Says(Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 10) What's the Use of Wond'rin? (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 11) Oasis (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 12) Another Year: A Short History of Almost Something (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) 13) Leeds United (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) read less

San Serac: The Well-Rounded Radio Interview

Sun October 05 2008

Thinking back on it, I'm not exactly sure how or when I found out about San Serac, but I know I came across his Myspace page and I kept going back to ... read more

Thinking back on it, I'm not exactly sure how or when I found out about San Serac, but I know I came across his Myspace page and I kept going back to hear his music, which is not something I do too often on Myspace. I then sought out and bought his third CD, Professional, and found his music to be at an interesting intersection between David Bowie, disco, and electronic dance music. Thankfully, the album did not disappoint.Nat Rabb works under the name San Serac, an artist who plays synthesizer, percussion, guitar, electronic saxophone, electronic drums, and sings. Rabb grew up in Baltimore and played in several post-punk bands including Candy Machine and INK. He now lives and works in the Boston area. San Serac's music reveals his love of music of Roxy Music, Midnight Star, David Bowie, Maurice Fulton, Talking Heads, Shalamar, and Prince. The music touches on electronic funk, house, disco, garage, quiet storm, and freestyle. I love the fact that he's pushing the boundaries of what styles fit or belong together; not since Talking Heads' Remain in Light or Prince's Sign o' the Times have I listened to a record again and again and been rewarded each time. Frankly, I can't wait for San Serac's next release to see where he takes us next. To date, San Serac has released three albums: Human Savagery is a Slippery Slope (2000), Ice Age (2004), and Professional (2006). He's currently working on his next release. San Serac has also remixed a number of other artists’ music, including Faunts, Misty Roses, My Favorite, Ova Looven, Shout Out Out Out Out, Tranzistors, Wilderness, and others. I've included a few of these remixes in the show. San Serac also toured with Junior Boys in 2007. With Johnny Dark, San Serac has also released an album on September 23rd under the outfit Stereo Image and they will performing in Ontario, Canada in late October. Check their Myspace page for details. San Serac will also be touring in November and December 2008 in the US with Wilderness. I met with San Serac in May in Somerville, Massachusetts to discuss:* how he writes and records his albums—essentially all by himself * what the gestation period is like for his own creations * how the changes in the music business are effecting how he manages his own career Photo: Drew JarrettMusic featured in the show includes:1) San Serac: Professional (Professional) (in preview)2) San Serac: Fairlight (Professional) 3) San Serac: Love Tactics (Professional)4) INK: Alger Hiss5) INK: Real Life in the Deco6) San Serac: Market Research (it's Time to Shop) (Ice Age)7) San Serac: Astonishing Murders (Ice Age)8) San Serac: What Price Revenge (Ice Age)9) San Serac: Nihilistic Love (Professional)10) San Serac: Sunlight in Electric Wires (Ice Age)11) San Serac: You, Assassin (Ice Age)12) San Serac: Tyrant (Professional)13) San Serac: The Black Monolith (Professional) 14) San Serac: That Obscure Object of Desire (Professional) 15) San Serac: Command Shift Sexy (Professional)16) Faunts: Instantly Dubbed (San Serac Mix)17) Stereo Image: Dark Chapter (S/T)18) Stereo Image: Exposure (S/T)19) Stereo Image: Pack Moves (S/T)20) Shout Out Out Out Out: In the End It's Your Friends (San Serac Mix)21) Stereo Image: Red Nights (S/T)22) Stereo Image: Your Collapsed State (S/T)23) San Serac: FriendsSan Serac recommends Maurice Fulton, Daft Punk, Faux Fox, Shout Out Out Out Out, and A Certain Ratio. read less

Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity: The Well-Rounded Radio Interview

Fri September 12 2008

Thanks again to everyone who took our recent online survey. I learned some great information about who is listening to the show, what you like and wha... read more

Thanks again to everyone who took our recent online survey. I learned some great information about who is listening to the show, what you like and what you'd like to hear more of. I was especially surprised to learn from the group that responded that 57% of you identified yourselves as musicians. I have had fun doing interviews with music industry thought leaders in recent years as it's obvious that the music business is in a great deal of flux for both musicians and music fans. Truthfully, though, I haven't heard or read many good interviews about these changes. If you go to music conferences or subscribe to things like the Pho list you get to be on the inside of all these changes, but otherwise, it's a classic case of being shut out of ideas that are advancing around you. I hadn't realized that musicians are tuning in to Well-Rounded Radio as an educational outlet, but that does seem to be the case and this episode, with an interview with Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity, it's a perfect case of providing some additional insight that I think can be very helpful to musicians. As Hyatt explains in the interview, she started out doing traditional publicity in the music business, but realized that the world of music marketing was changing and so her own agency changed with it. Ariel Publicity helps artists and labels get their music in front of the growing legion of citizen journalists or prosumers, as folks like me have started to be called, who are creating text, audio, and video for others to access via the Web. Hyatt and her team also help to educate musicians through various online and in-person boot camp sessions and seminars and they're helping to connect independent musicians with independent media outlets like Well-Rounded Radio. At the same time, music fans are discovering music in a wide range of new ways, from podcasts and audio blogs to recommendation engines, streaming stations, and mobile devices to simply speeding up the word of mouth process that have always happened, but now is happening faster and globally with new technologies. As print publications cease production, terrestrial and satellite radio tries to evolve, and more people around the world start using these technologies as a matter of course, how will we each discover our next favorite band? I have heard the story again and again how music fans who used to simply listen to what was in the charts or featured on the cover of music magazines now are finding they listen to very little mainstream music and are finding all kinds of niches online that take their curiosity in new directions. The idea behind the Long Tail is very much changing what we consume. This episode features a number of artists that Ariel Publicity has worked with over the last year or two. You can find out more information about them and links at wellroundedradio.net/arielpublicityI met with Hyatt at her office in mid-town Manhattan back in February to discuss:* how the agency came to be born and her own experience leading up to it* some myths about the old music guard that need to be shattered* how musicians can be smarter and strategic about using social media to advance their careersIf you enjoy this interview, be sure to listen to other interviews I have done with music industry thought leaders. Tell me who else you'd like me to interview and I'll do my best to get them on the show. Music featured in the show includes: 1) Le Rug: Gloss (Bleenex) (in preview) 2) Fiskum: The Crossing (Darkness/Fire/Dancing)3) Kaliopi: Naked (Around the World) 4) Kito Peters: CEO (Stories) 5) Booze Monkey: Solitaire (The Old Way)6) N Side: Bad Manners (Just a Broke Brotha' Trying to to Come Up!) 7) Howard Britz: Scatterbug8) Dudley Saunders: Take Me Back Home Again9) Sarah VonDerhaar: It's Not the First Time10) Animate Objects: Clive (Riding in Fast Cars with Your Momma)11) Black Fortress of Opium: Dulcet TV (Black Fortress of Opium) 12) Blood Red Sun: Pray for Rain (A Nation of Saviors) 13) Inga Swearingen: Black Crow14) The Callen Sisters: Wake Up15) I/O/I: Compass (I/O/I)16) Michael Wolff: Solar17) Yahweh's People: Oh My Lord (Yahweh's People)Photo: Greg Kessler read less

Well-Rounded Radio Mix 008

Fri September 05 2008

Back with another mix...if only had more time to do these, I certainly have the music to choose from!For all 15 artists on this show who wanted to sha... read more

Mike Dreese of Newbury Comics: The Well-Rounded Radio Interview

Sun July 27 2008

Newbury Comics started as a comics store on Newbury Street, a famed block for shopping in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, but now each of their 27 loc... read more

Newbury Comics started as a comics store on Newbury Street, a famed block for shopping in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, but now each of their 27 locations sells CDs, vinyl, DVDs, posters, toys, books, magazines, sports merchandise, clothes, shoes, housewares, and much more. Given how much time (and money!) I have spent at Newbury Comics over these last eight years and how much great music I have discovered there and subsequently brought to my listeners, I was glad to be able to interview Mike Dreese, the co-founder of Newbury Comics, as we had a great conversation about the state of record retailing and the state of the music business in general. If you live here, you already know why it's such a fun place. If and when you visit New England, be sure to stop by one of their stores and experience it for yourself. Newbury Comics now has locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island with the majority of stores in Greater Boston. Check newburycomics.com for address location and to shop online as well. Our timing of featuring Dreese on Well-Rounded Radio's 50th episode is good as this year is Newbury Comics' 30th anniversary and they are opening two new stores this summer. One is a super store in Norwood, Massachusetts in a space formerly used by a car dealership, which sounds like it might give the Amoeba Records stores a run for their money, and a second store will be located at historic Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston. Maybe there is a future for the record store, yet.So, I have made it to episode 50....yeah.While I am not one to make too much of numbers, my arrival at it after producing the show for the last six years does make me stop for a minute to think about the path I've traveled and where it might be going. Well-Rounded Radio was an idea born just outside Seattle on a sidewalk in Kirkland, Washington with my friend Marion Seymour back in 1999 during a conversation we were having about the great music interviews we both used to hear when growing up in the New York City area. For me, it was hearing interviews with musicians from Jeff Foss on Hofstra University's Radio station (now called WRHU), on WNYU’s New Afternoon Show (which, I’ll admit, influenced my choice of NYU for college...), and from Vin Scelsa and all the New York radio station’s he’s been on over the years and who continues today on WFUV in New York and on Sirius Satellite Radio. For Marion, it was listening to great rock and roll radio in New Jersey where she grew up and as a pioneering DJ herself in Seattle on KZAM, where she broke all kinds of programming boundaries and interviewed everyone who was anyone when they came through Seattle for more than a decade. Since this kind of programming wasn’t something that existed to our satisfaction, I thought, why not create it myself? In late '99 I moved back east and my wife Stacey and settled in Boston. Well-Rounded Radio started to formulate into an idea in 2000 and 2001. September 11th motivated me to do something I'd been thinking about, instead of just talking about doing, so I created a demo with a plan to pitch it to NPR. Little did I realize at the time that NPR is more competitive than most commercial radio syndication...and of course it is, because anyone with any taste would prefer to be on it! Then came blogging and then came broadband and then podcasting. Then there was less of a need to find the distribution channel and more of a desire to take my passion for music and my joy in helping others discover really, really good music in an era where it seemed like mainstream radio didn’t care about anything but really awful hits. Of course, that’s only gotten worse. I also hoped my show would make you feel like you were listening in on a conversation instead of it seeming like the host was trying to grill the subject or simply fawn over them. Hopefully I’ve succeeded at those goals to some degree. As we all know, the media landscape is changing radically and while it's fascinating to watch it happen, and in some ways be a part of it, I'm sad about the passing of No Depression and Harp magazines and I'm sad that so many record stores are struggling and closing. Part of the reason that I love record stores like Newbury Comics is that as someone who started out on vinyl and moved on to CDs and now mp3s, I think it will be sad when there are no longer these kind of physical places to interact with other music lovers and to discover new artists in surprising ways. Staring at your laptop can be fun, but it can also be pretty damn lonely, so I’m hoping "record stores" can evolve into something more than just a place to pick up an encoded physical product. I could regale you with the time Bob Bortnick of the Dancing Hoods was working behind the counter at Slipped Disc, convincing me of the merits of The Velvet Underground and Nico, or all the hours spent digging through the vinyl at St. Mark’s Sounds or Bleecker Bob’s or Pier Platters or Midnight or Tower or that great record store on Northern Boulevard in Little Neck that I have long since forgotten its name, but who always got the import Clash albums in first!Getting a tip from the record store clerk, picking up an album because the sticker on its shrink wrap had name-dropped all the right artists, or finding a used LP that was just cheap enough to make you want to buy it and give a band a chance...all those methods of introduction seem to be passing us by, even as new methods of introduction are becoming the norm. I'm not saying they are better or worse, but it is worth thinking about what we might be losing even as we move forward. As a musician myself, I'm thrilled that musicians will have more power in their hands via the Internet, but I'm not that thrilled that the reduction of record stores, magazines, and record labels means that the power will rest in the hands of fewer corporate gatekeepers, like Wal-Mart, iTunes, Amazon, Microsoft, Napster, Rhapsody, Target, or whoever. Not that I have anything against any of these companies, but it's never good to have the power rest with too few, even if the Internet can connect us one to one in so many other ways. Of course there are bloggers and podcasters and other tastemakers, but distribution has always been the most valuable commodity in any media industry and that’s not likely to change. Over the last year or two I have been looking at how I can take Well-Rounded Radio from hobby into something that I could make a living doing. I can tell by my web site traffic, emails from listeners, and the music coming to me from around the world that people like what I’m doing. My numbers keep growing and it’s clear that music fans still need real human people to filter their choices for them, just as record labels, DJs, music journalists, and record stores have done for decades. (If you want to help with this, you can take our online survey and tell us a bit about yourself.) As a hobby, I've been careful to not let Well-Rounded Radio consume too much of my life as I raise a family and work a paying job, but it’s also something that I know is helping to connect independent musicians and an audience of listeners who also love that sense of discovery when you find a new artist that you connect to and, to put it plainly, fall in love with. In many ways I’ve taken my activity from my 20s in making mix tapes and CDs for a group of friends combined it with my own professional experience in marketing, and upped the ante using the net. In an era where the role of DJs, music critics, and music journalism is in flux, maybe all that we need is some ways to help us find things that we want as well as be open enough to discovering something new that might just fill some current need we have in our lives. Although some of the artists and thought-leaders I've interviewed have been from outside Boston, the vast majority who have been on Well-Rounded Radio are from Boston's amazing music scene, which doesn't get nearly the kind of national press that it should. Which brings me back to Boston and the 50th show. It also makes perfect sense that Dreese is on this episode because when I was in my band Falling Stairs in the late 80s and early 90s, we used to come up to Boston from New York City to record at Fort Apache. We made it a point to go to a variety of great guitar stores in Allston and always made a stop at Newbury Comics, which was the kind of record store that I always wished we had in the New York area. Now I've been in Boston for almost nine years and I take Newbury Comics for granted (and yes, I still shop in brick and mortar stores!), but when I go to other cities, I realize that record stores are becoming more rare each year. Given Newbury’s success, part of me wanted to pick Dreese’s brain for how they've maintained their success and provide some ideas to other music retailers around the world to help them evolve as the music industry changes. I’m sure there’s a brilliant business plan in there just waiting to be born...The show features a mix of music from the late 70s up to today, much of it from Boston artists. I met with Dreese at Newbury Comics' offices and warehouse in Brighton, Massachusetts to discuss:* how the regional chain got its start and grew to where they are today* how the music business has changed since the late 70s and how they’re evolving with it * the return of vinyl and what it might mean in the scheme of all the changesMusic featured in the interview include:1) Classic Ruins: 1 + 1 < 2 (in preview) 2) Willie Alexander: Mass Ave3) The Clash: Complete Control4) The Cure: Boys Don't Cry5) La Peste: Better Off Dead6) The Lyres: I Want to Help You Ann7) U2: Fire8) The Neats: Red and Grey9) Human Sexual Response: Jackie Onassis10) The Proletariat: Options11) Jerry's Kids: Uncontrollable 12) Treat Her Right: I Think She Likes Me13) Dinosaur Jr: Kracked14) Buffalo Tom: Crutch15) Salem 66: Across the Sea16) Throwing Muses: Bea17) Mary Timony: Look a Ghost in the Eye18) The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: The Impression that I Get19) Mr. Lif: I Phantom20) Dresden Dolls: Coin-Operated Boy21) Ho-Ag: Golden All Night22) Marta Gomez: Dejalo ir23) Tulsa: Breathe Thin24) Frank Smith: Cut Right Through25) The Radio Knives: Stone StoneMike recommends Flobots, Velvet Rope, Twist and Shout, Waterloo, Amoeba, The Record Archive, and Criminal Records.Charlie recommends visiting Newbury Comics and newburycomics.com and finding your local or regional record store through the Coalition for Independent Music Stores and buying locally! Bring a friend and help keep them all going. read less