WNXP Podcasts

Music Citizens Episode 6: The Syncmaster

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Behind every Instagram ad, commercial, or TV trailer you see, there is a fierce battle over what song will get to play in the background. Music sync is one of the last places where independent artists can still make money, but it’s an increasingly crowded field. Meet: the Syncmaster, Katie Jelen, who’s fighting to get their songs placed.

Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
Justin Barney — Reporter
Kate Jelen — Sync Rep, Honestly Good Music
Madeline Dowling — Music Supervisor
Lynn Grossman — Owner, Secret Road
Que Parks — Musician
Annalisa Franklin — Musician

This episode was produced by Emily Siner, Justin Barney and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Scoring by Jay Ragsdale. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Celia Gregory, Megan Jones, Leigh Mayo, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.
Institutional support from Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Foundation. Follow WNXP on social platforms as @WNXPNashville

What Where When-sday: 55th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week on What Where When-sday, we feature the 55th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair happening at Centennial Park this Friday through Sunday. A celebration and opportunity for attendees to shop crafted artwork directly from award-winning artists while learning about what inspires them.

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WNXP On The Record: Madison Cunningham

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:19:14 -0000

Madison Cunningham's third full-length release, Ace, came out in October 2025 and she performed at Nashville's The Blue Room on two consecutive nights this March. On the second show day, the Grammy-winning artist stopped by WNXP to discuss the intention and execution of Ace, which was recorded in Upstate New York in one of the "best times of [her] life." In addition to the album's duet "Wake" with Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, Cunningham has recently collaborated on records with WNXP favorites Whitney, Lucius, Deep Sea Diver and Andrew Bird.

TEASER: Music Citizens Episode 6

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0000

What Where When-sday: Flat Rock Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week on What Where When-sday, we feature Flat Rock Fest happening this Saturday at Glencliff High School. The free, volunteer-led community festival brings together live music, local vendors, community organizations, and a kids zone with an instrument petting zoo while focusing on the diversity and energy of the neighborhood.

On The Record with WNXP: Gabriel Jacoby

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:01:10 -0000

R&B artist Gabriel Jacoby joined us to discuss his South Carolina and Florida upbringing that inspired his latest record Gutta Child. He also discussed his musical influences, working with Justin Bieber and the meaning behind the album's boxing motif.

What Where When-sday: Rites of Spring

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week on What Where When-sday, we feature Rites of Spring happening this Saturday, April 18th, on Vanderbilt Campus at Alumni Lawn. Hosted by the Vanderbilt Programming Board’s Music Group committee, the event features artists including Ravyn Lenae, Natasha Beddingfield, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, as well as student bands Creek Beagle and Spring Training. This annual event connects students and the community with local vendors, campus life, and a variety of established and emerging music.

What Where When-sday: Viva Spring Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:56:13 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature the Viva Spring Festival happening at Centennial Park this Saturday, a free, family-friendly event featuring minority-owned food trucks, music, art, and cultural dances celebrating the Latin communities in Middle Tennessee.

On The Record with WNXP: Warren Haynes

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:37:06 -0000

Legendary singer, songwriter, guitarist and philanthropist Warren Haynes returns to Nashville with his long-running project Gov't Mule on April 22. Earlier this spring, we got him On The Record with WNXP.

What Where When-sday: Freely Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Freedom Forum is a nonprofit organization working to empower everyone to understand and exercise their First Amendment freedom. The organization will Freely Fest next Wednesday (April 8) at Bridgestone Arena featuring performances from Avery Anna, Janelle Monae, T-Pain, Dominic Fike, and The Killers, mission is to inspire artists and audiences to come together around music and the First Amendment freedoms that protect it.

What Where When-sday: In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century at the Frist Art Museum features paintings, sculptures, installation work, and fiber pieces made by 28 different artists and celebrates the prominent position of women artists in Nashville. The exhibit is showing now through April 26.

On The Record with WNXP: Langhorne Slim

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:09:53 -0000

Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, Langhorne Slim has been based in Nashville for more than a decade and that's where he ran across fellow Music City residents Greta Van Fleet. The arena rockers might seem a strange collaborative fit for an artist who has largely made his name in the Americana space but Langhorne says Greta bassist Sam Kiszka and drummer Danny Wagner brought an unexpected energy out of him that resulted in his most rock and roll release yet. Langhorne takes us deep inside The Dreamin' Kind in this On The Record conversation including why his songs might not be about what you think they're about and why he still loves, and believes in, Nashville.

What Where When-sday: Music City Baroque

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Music City Baroque playing at Second Presbyterian Church this Saturday. The ensemble founded in 2005 explores the music from the 17th and 18th centuries in the way it would have been heard during that time period while offering a valuable contribution to the art form.

On The Record with WNXP: Jack Antonoff

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:16:51 -0000

Bleachers are on the edge of their biggest year yet. Fresh off their 2024 self-titled album and gearing up to release everyone for ten minutes in May, Jack Antonoff is leading the band into a new era shaped as much by cultural exhaustion as it is by the love, grief and community that have always defined Bleachers. Ahead of the new LP, we went on the record with Antonoff to talk about his "Bleachers people," protecting art from commerce and why you definitely should not expect to see Bleachers at the Sphere anytime soon.

What Where When-sday: St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival happening this Saturday in East Nashville’s Five Points district. Organized by Irish Network Nashville, their mission is to create opportunities for Irish, Irish-Americans and friends of Ireland to connect through business, cultural, and community events.

On The Record with WNXP: Ratboys

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:16:24 -0000

Midwest indie twang quartet Ratboys became a big internal favorite for everyone at WNXP a few years ago after their ripping Sonic Cathedral session and their equally wholesome and hilarious interview. They're back with a new album, Singin' to an Empty Chair (on the Nashville-based New West records), and it has only cemented their reputation for us and their growing fanbase. During a recent stop at the station, the band explained the deeply personal inspiration behind its title, what the "thesis statement" of the record is and how they turned a literal dream into one of the LP's standout tracks.

What Where When-sday: Good Neighbors Listen

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Good Neighbors Listen concert series happening this Saturday at The East Room. It takes place on the first and last Saturday of the Month until May and is hosted by Music Neighbors.The event focuses on music, wellness and community.

On The Record with WNXP: Venus & The Flytraps

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Venus & the Flytraps joined Jason Moon Wilkins On The Record as WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month. They talk about how riot grrrl and late ’80s/early ’90s rock shaped the sound of their debut album Demonette, the wave of female-fronted bands changing Nashville and what touring has taught them about community.

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What Where When-sday: Science of Beer

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Science of Beer, happening at the Adventure Science Center on Friday, is a 21 and older event brings beer-lovers and science enthusiasts together featuring local, national, and non-alcoholic breweries, food trucks, themed activities, and live demonstrations.

On The Record with WNXP: idk.

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:28:50 -0000

London born, Maryland raised Hip-hop artist idk. sits down with The Cypher to discuss his new mixtape, e.t.d.s. (Even the Devil Smiles). idk. discusses the redemption arc of his life and how that directly relates to this new project, being a rapper that really cares, working with a hip-hop legend and more.

On The Record with WNXP: Mannequin Pussy

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Missy and Maxine of Mannequin Pussy caught up with WNXP on the Modest Mouse Ice Cream Floats cruise, an indie rock festival at sea, after the two artists had hosted an Austin Powers trivia game on the ship. The band is working on new music and will soon play stadium gigs on separate summer tours headlined by Florence & The Machine and Foo Fighters.

What Where When-sday: Chinese New Year Celebration

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville founded in 2012 to promote the awareness and enjoyment of Chinese visual and performing arts through dance productions, educational workshops, and exhibitions for adults and children. They will host the Chinese New Year Celebration at Centennial Park Musician’s Corner this Saturday. The free, family-friendly event welcomes the community to a discovery and celebration of Chinese culture.

What Where When-sday: Fat Ham

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Fat Ham happening at TPAC this Friday through Sunday February 22. Presented by Nashville Rep and Nashville Shakespeare Festival this Pulitzer Prize-winning play reimagines Shakespeare's Hamlet centering on a young, queer Black man named Juicy who is visited by his father's ghost at a family barbecue and tasked with avenging his murder.

On The Record with WNXP: 7xvethegenius

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:46:21 -0000

7xvethegenius (pronounce Love The Genius), the Buffalo, NY based multi-hyphenate lyricist, stops by The Cypher to give the inside scoop on her writing process, collaborating with the likes of Conductor Williams and Monie Love, and her latest albums, Self 7xve 3 and Desired Crowns.

What Where When-sday: 615 Indie Live 2026

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

615 Indie Live, happening this Saturday at various venues from The End, DRKMTRR, The 5 Spot, Rudy's Jazz Room, and more, is a celebration of Nashville’s independent music venues showcasing the local, diverse music ecosystem by raising awareness on these venues’ importance while supporting local artists and Music Venue Alliance Nashville.

What Where When-sday: Paul McCartney: Photographs 1963-64 Eyes of the Storm

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Paul McCartney: Photographs 1963-64 Eyes of the Storm gallery featured at the Frist Art Museum will wrap up on Monday January 26, the last opportunity for fans to experience an intimate look into the Beatles at the start of Beatlemania. The photos in the exhibit were taken by McCartney himself and offer a personal perspective into the Beatles during the early days of their global stardom.

What Where When-sday: Jazz on the Move

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Jazz on the Move at the Frist Art Museum is a free community program presented by Nashville Jazz Workshop that blends live performances and engaging education on an influential artist of the genre. The event series celebrating 20 years is happening this Sunday (Jan 18) with two other events on February 15 and March 29.

On The Record with WNXP: Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses (2022)

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:44:56 -0000

On The Record with Band of Horses front man Ben Bridwell around the release of the group's sixth record Things Are Great in 2022. Their debut record Everything All of The Time celebrates its 20th anniversary in March of 2026 with the release of a deluxe/expanded version of the LP.

What Where When-sday: Buchanan Arts Center

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature the Buchanan Arts Center. Located in the heart of North Nashville, the non-profit organization's mission is to use art to build community through paid pottery classes, public workshops, youth programs, and a community garden.

WWW: Charlotte's Web at Nashville Children's Theatre

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Charlotte’s Web at the Nashville Children’s Theatre. The oldest children’s theatre in the country going back nearly a century providing professional theatre to young audiences and ensuring that all Middle Tennessee area kids have access to the theatre arts experiences.

On The Record with WNXP: Wolf Alice

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:42:17 -0000

North London quartet Wolf Alice were fairly fatigued after a lengthy tour for their third album, 2021 release 'Blue Weekend,' which was made during COVID-19 and therefore also took longer than usual to complete. What refreshed these songwriters and players after some time recovering turned out to be a more minimalist approach to, as well as a sense of positivity in, the construction of a song. “We were kind of eager to make music that didn’t make us feel depressed,” said lead singer Ellie Rowsell. “It felt like a challenge to write music that wasn’t dark.”

The band’s most scaled back production to-date, a collection of classic (think 1970s) rock and pop-leaning tunes written mostly at home in the U.K. then recorded in Los Angeles, is 'The Clearing,' which was released in August 2025. Amid the European leg of the Wolf Alice world tour, Rowsell and bandmate Joel Amey met me virturally to talk On The Record with WNXP.

What Where When-sday: It's A Wonderful Life at TPAC

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Nashville Rep presents "It’s A Wonderful Life" happening from Friday December 12 through the 21st at Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The Nashville Repertory Theatre founded in 1985 by Martha Rivers Ingram and Mac Pirkle is celebrating over 41 years of presenting musicals, new plays, and reimagined classics to Middle Tennessee.

What Where When-sday: Solus & Synergy at Oz Arts Nashville

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Solus and Synergy happening at OZ Arts Nashville this Friday (Dec 5) and Saturday (Dec 6). A double bill of original premieres merging dance, film, and music featuring local artists Becca Hoback and Shabaz Ujima and Thea Jones of shackled feet Dance! with the music of Rod McGaha.

What Where When-sday: One Vision: A World AIDS Day Tribute to Queen

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Portara Ensemble, the auditioned chamber choir here in Nashville, is partnering up with MashUp!, an organization started in 2017 to address health inequities and social injustices for the Black LGBTQ+ community through education and advocacy.

One Vision: A World AIDS Day Tribute to Queen is taking place at Eastside Bowl on Monday, December 1 featuring Viktor Krauss and the Getdown band, a full choir and guest singers including Devon Gilfillian, Katie Pruitt and Mike Grimes. The participating artists will perform the music of Queen while bringing awareness to the work of MashUp!

On The Record with WNXP: Parcels

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:00:00 -0000

Patrick hetherington and Louie Swain are two-fifths of Australian disco pop-rock band Parcels, which stopped in Nashville on the final non-festival date of their October tour of the U.S.

Hear the singers and multi-instrumentalists on the record with WNXP discussing the third Parcels LP 'LOVED' and shed light on the creative history of the quintet, who've made music together since their teenage years.

What Where When-sday: IndigeNash Fest 2025

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Shayna Hobbs is a Stockbridge-Muncie Mohican musician who grew up in Nashville when her father, musician Bill Miller, moved their family here to pursue his own musical journey. Hobbs said she had the vision for IndigeNash for what felt like years. She connected with some other Native artists and musicians and found out they shared a similar vision. The more she talked to Natives, the more she saw something like IndigeNash was a need.

IndigeNash says they are dedicated to the rich heritage and bold, contemporary contributions of Indigenous artists. Their second annual Indigenous Arts Festival features events happening tonight (Nov 19) through Sunday (Nov 23) taking place at various locations from The Forge, Frist Arts Museum, and The OG Basement, and honors Native voices that shape culture today featuring visual art, music, film, comedy, and storytelling.

What Where When-sday: Music City Oratorio Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature a local music festival centered on the holiday season’s iconic Handel’s MESSIAH. The Music City Oratorio Festival is a 2-day event: Saturday has sessions to learn about the music from scholars and artists, followed by a concert. Sunday is a sing-a-long that’s open to the public.

The festival is hosted by Early Music City and Christ Church Cathedral. WPLN Afternoon Host LaTonya Turner talked with organizer and classical artist, Patrick Dailey.

Music Citizens Episode 5: The Tastemaker

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Music Citizens Episode 5 goes inside the highest stakes job in the industry - A&R. Through the lens and life of A&R lifer Kim Buie, we get to see that this glamorous job is mostly about losing. Missing out on artists who become superstars (her near-miss tale of N.W.A. is amazing), knowing that the majority of albums you help shepherd into the world will flop and being the person who has to say no to a musician’s lifelong dream. Buie explains what’s kept her going through all that, what shaped her tastes and how her approach differs from the way most major labels are approaching talent acquisition in the TikTok era.

· Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
· Justin Barney — Reporter, Producer
· Kim Buie — A&R legend
· Pete Ganbarg — A&R Executive
· Ben Folds— Musician
· Aaron Lee Tasjan - Musician

This episode was produced by Justin Barney, Emily Siner and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Scoring by Jay Ragsdale. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Tasha A.F. Lemley, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.

Institutional support from Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts Thrive and First Horizon Foundation. Follow WNXP on social platforms as @WNXPNashville

TEASER: Music Citizens Episode 5

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:57:26 -0000

Buie explains what’s kept her going through all that, what shaped her tastes and how her approach differs from the way most major labels are approaching talent acquisition in the TikTok era.

On The Record with WNXP: Momma

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:49:03 -0000

The alt/indie rock band Momma is co-fronted by singers, songwriters and guitarists Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman, who sat down to chat with WNXP between a couple legs touring the country this year. In the spring, the band's fourth album, 'Welcome to My Blue Sky," was released to critical acclaim.

What Where When-sday: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

We are officially in the holiday season and this week for What Where When-sday, we feature the Alex Murphy Trio presents Charlie Brown Thanksgiving happening at Rudy’s Jazz Room. Although this event isn’t until November 23rd and 26th, their previous Halloween show, The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown sold out. Murphy will bring A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Vince Guaraldi to life in an evening of soulful, swinging jazz that captures the heart of this Peanuts classic. Murphy, who performs regularly and teaches at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, describes Guaraldi’s work and how it influenced him.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Henry J. Star

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:28:19 -0000

Dystopian fiction has dominated screens and pages for a while now but a Nashville-based artist may have just crafted the first dystopian emo album. In some ways it sounds like what if the band Pinegrove made a soundtrack for a Hollywood doomsday epic with big choruses and a deeply personal backstory.

Ok, maybe that’s a little reductionist, but it approaches some of the underlying sounds and themes presented on The Soft Apocalypse, the debut album by Henry J. Star. That's the artist name of Devin J. Badgett, originally from Knoxville, who says this truly is a concept album about the end of the world told through the lens of three characters. During his Sonic Cathedral interview with WNXP, Devin shared the stories behind the songs, the intense process of bringing this album to life and how he faces hard truths through music.

What Where When-sday: Muse of the Macabre

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

this week What Where When-sday, we feature Muse of the Macabre happening at Faeker’s Theater. Music City Muse is a Nashville-based arts platform connecting music, film, and visual art to highlight the creative side of the city that exists outside traditional genres. The event will be part film, part concert, part art installation with the goal of celebrating Nashville’s creative culture.

What Where When-sday: William Edmondson Arts & Culture Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

William Edmondson was the first African American artist to have a solo show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1937. He was a self-taught limestone carver who carved tombstones and garden ornaments at his workshop, which sat outside of his house in Edgehill. Although he had no intention of being a career artist, he became a trailblazer.

For the last 20 years the site where he had worked and lived has been used as a neighborhood park in South Nashville’s Edgehill neighborhood. William Edmondson Homesite Park and Gardens formed in 2018 when the city tried to sell the property and their mission is to foster a creative, vibrant, and safe public space for all of Nashville to enjoy. The fourth annual William Edmondson Arts and Culture Fest (We Fest) happening this Saturday is a free, family friendly event looks bring to the forefront the importance of William Edmondson and his work.

On the Record with WNXP: Alax Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Ahead of their show in Nashville, Alex Kapranos stopped by the WNXP Studio to talk to Jude Mason about Human Fear, the community-building power of radio and the joys of stumbling across your new favorite band.

On The Record with WNXP: Wishy

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 13:36:50 -0000

Indianapolis band Wishy, co-founded by high school friends Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites, burst through with debut LP 'Triple Seven' in 2024 followed quickly by the 'Planet Popstar' EP this year. They talked On The Record with WNXP at Kilby Block Party festival in Utah in May and will return to Nashville for a show on November 10.

What Where When-sday: DRKMTRR Fest 2025

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature DRKMTTR Fest 2025 happening on Friday and Saturday. Celebrating 10 years of the local, all-ages music venue that has built a community in the underground music and arts scene in Nashville. The event will feature vendors and live music and a few of them tell us how important the DIY space was for them.

What Where When-sday: You Got Gold - Celebrating the Life and Songs of John Prine

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature the fourth annual You Got Gold, celebrating the life and songs of John Prine. Starting on Thursday through Sunday featuring tribute shows at The Basement East, Ryman, CMA Theater and a finale at Imogene + Willie along with events from a Trolley Ride around Nashville to a Guitar Pull and Brunch at Brown’s Diner. Jack Prine, one of the event producers says these shows and daytime events are located at places that hold a very special place in his family's and his dad's heart.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Snooper

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:54:54 -0000

Nashville indie crew Snooper went from the city’s underground DIY scene to international festival favorites and critical darlings thanks to their over-the-top live shows and their Third Man Records release Super Snooper, a compilation of re-recorded versions of their previously released material. While they emerged from the “egg punk” sub-genre, they’ve set themselves up to grow beyond that scene with their debut Worldwide. It was produced in Los Angeles with John Congelton the studio whiz who has worked on everyone from Phoebe Bridgers to Earl Sweatshirt, and explores the edges of the band’s sound while still retaining their furious pace and sharp, social commentary. In their discussion with WNXP they cover the choice of Congleton, why the egg punk label doesn’t bother them, how Devo’s art-first ethos inspired their approach and, when it comes to their aesthetic, why “fun doesn’t mean that it’s silly.”

What Where When-sday: Esencial at The Blue Room

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Esencial happening at the Blue Room this Friday. The community dance party highlights Latin cultural roots through music featuring local DJs spinning records backed by live percussion players.

What Where When-sday: The Wiz at TPAC

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature The Wiz happening at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center through Sunday September 28th. The Tony-Award winning musical will kick off TPAC’s 2025-26 season and features a couple of Nashville members in the cast. They spoke with WPLN afternoon host LaTonya Turner about the show.

On The Record with WNXP: HAIM

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 22:12:28 -0000

The west coast sister trio HAIM returns to Nashville September 30 for their 'I quit' tour, named for their fourth LP released this year. Este, Danielle and Alana Haim joined Celia Gregory before they hit the road to discuss the album, being funny on the internet and quitting what no longer serves them.

What Where When-sday: The Forge Front Lawn

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The Forge Nashville is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 with their mission to advocate for artists and makers and provide a pathway and place to pursue their craft in the community.

Located on 217 Willow Street, The Forge offers a makerspace, wood and metal shops, art gallery, private creative offices, and artist studios. This Saturday The Forge Front Lawn will be a celebration of all the makers and artists who call The Forge their creative home and future makers of the space.

What Where When-sday: Stay;Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:45:41 -0000

Stay;Fest is a one day, multi-genre festival happening this Saturday (Sept 13) promotes mental health resources in the Middle Tennessee area through music with the goal to help build community and ending the stigma of getting help.

Rebekah Cole, event promoter for RAC Books Nashville, says she's struggled with mental health since she was a kid and music has always been a safe refuge. She knew she wanted to bring the two together, but it wasn't a one person thing. As soon as she met Zhaklina Spencer, founder of Mental Health Songwriter Nights in Nashville, it all came together in a perfect marriage.

What Where When-sday: Shades of Black Theatre Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:45:00 -0000

Shades of Black Theatre Festival came together in 2006 when Shawn Whitsell was apart of a theatre company called Dream 7 Productions. They booked the Darkhorse Theater at the same time as production company Sista Style and Robin’s Nest, which were all owned and operated by black artists. They thought it was a unique coincidence and decided that they were going to help each other promote each other’s shows. That idea grew into some events and workshops and eventually turned into a festival. Its purpose is to provide an outlet to uplift the voices of Black artists.

On the Record with WNXP: The Black Keys

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:00:00 -0000

For The Black Keys Radio Special WNXP’s Jason Moon Wilkins sat down with the Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney at Easy Eye Sound studio around the release of their new album No Rain, No Flowers. The duo share how Nashville changed the way they make music, how they’re highly publicized tour cancellation changed their approach to the music business and share their unique perspective on the Old Nashville vs New Nashville debate.

On The Record with WNXP: Daniel Donato

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Nashville artist Daniel Donato went from busking on Lower Broadway as a teenager to a regular gig at a honky tonk and now brings his "Cosmic Country" band and brand to way bigger stages, like that of the revered Ryman Auditorium, just paces away from where he got his start playing guitar. His new record, the third studio LP, is called Horizons.

What Where When-sday: Prospect House Music

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:37:17 -0000

This Saturday August 30 is also Play Music on the Porch Day. The idea behind the international event is what if everybody took one day and stopped and we all just listened to music. One of the places participating in the day is Prospect House Music, located in the historic Edgehill area. Sunny McClure, home owner and facilitator of Prospect House hopes to provide a creative space where musicians from all over can come together.

On The Record with WNXP: Jahnah Camille

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:51:43 -0000

Alabama native Jahnah Camille released her 'My Sunny Oath' EP in June, having worked with one of her favorite producers Alex Farrar in Asheville, North Carolina to write and record this batch of six songs. Sourcing some softer lo-fi sounds and also emulating fierce female rockers from multiple generations, like Liz Phair and Paramore, Camille continues to evolve her songwriting and embrace touring.

What Where When-sday: Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Shakespeare

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:05:00 -0000

This week we feature Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Shakespeare performances of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" happening Thursdays through Sundays from August 21 to September 21 on The Yard at OneCity. The Nashville Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1988 by a group of actors who wanted to do Shakespeare free-of-charge in Centennial Park. Growing over the last 37 years to be what it is today, the mission of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival is to educate and entertain the Mid-South community through professional theatrical experiences.

What Where When-sday: Artsy Fartsy at Brooklyn Bowl

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Artsy Fartsy is a semi-annual event started by Nashvillian Morganne Allen. It began in her front yard in 2022 with three bands and three vendors. After her landlord threatened to evict her if she did it again, she expanded to venues all across Nashville.

Happening this Thursday (August 14) at Brooklyn Bowl, each event aims to raise funds for local charities through raffles or canned food drives while featuring live performances from artists such as Avalon, Summer Joy and Jarren Blair alongside vendors including visual artists, chefs and tattoo artists. The fest is designed to ensure that all people have the opportunity to share their talents in a welcoming and accessible space.

What Where When-sday: Pre-Mater Party at The East Room

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week is the 2025 Tomato Art Fest on Friday and Saturday in East Nashville’s Five Points. Featuring activities and contests, the parade, Bloody Mary Garden Party, of course tomato art, and musician performances from Nashville artists Brennan Wedl, Gee Slab, Pressure Heaven, BEAN., and more. If you are looking for pre Tomato Art Fest activities, there’s a pre-view party on Thursday. An unofficial Tomato Art Fest celebration is Pre-Mater Party happening at the East Room on Thursday (August 7).

What Where When-sday: Pro Wrestling Symphony

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Pro Wrestling Symphony mission is to provided pro wrestling for everyone in the heart of Music City. The promotion officially ran their first show back in June with their latest event happening this Sunday (August 3) at Brooklyn Bowl blending wrestling and live music from Nashville band Year of October.

Owners Rory Miller, Connor Casey, and Pat Dooley, met at a wrestling training school. Wanting to go to wrestling shows consistently and feeling like no one was running them in Nashville properly, the three thought, why not us? Miller says they put a lot of care, time, and attention into this, wanting to see pro wrestling succeed on the independent level, especially with its history in Middle Tennessee.

On the Record with WNXP: How Morgan Freeman is keeping the Delta Blues alive

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:10:21 -0000

The Symphonic Blues Experience will stop in Nashville on Friday, September 26, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. According to the show's description, this immersive musical performance fuses the raw, aching power of authentic Delta Blues with the grandeur of a symphony orchestra, creating a soundscape that is both deeply rooted and breathtakingly expansive.

Featuring cinematic narration by Freeman and powerful storytelling, masterful performances by Blues artists from Ground Zero Blues Club, and sweeping orchestral arrangements, Symphonic Blues unveils the Delta’s profound cultural legacy and its indelible influence on music across the world.

What Where When-sday: 2025 Kindling Arts Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This year's 2025 Kindling Arts Fest is happening Thursday through Sunday. Kindling Arts is an organization that helps support and provide the practical infrastructure necessary for creatives to make original, innovative and independent live performances. The festival will feature 19 original projects ranging from an electropop musical and contemporary dance to interactive performances at eight different venues across Nashville.

What Where When-sday: Walk Bike Nashville's Open Streets Summer Series

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we feature Walk Bike Nashville’s Open Streets Summer Series happening this Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.. The local nonprofit has been around for over 25 years dedicated to making Nashville more walkable, bikeable, and livable for everybody.

Meredith Montgomery, executive director of Walk Bike Nashville says they want people to be able to get wherever they need using whatever mode of transportation they want to use. And behind the scenes, the organization is doing a lot of grassroots work with the neighborhoods to inform and educate people so they can help shape their streets into great spaces.

On the Record with WNXP: Adrian Younge

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:00:00 -0000

Adrian Younge, multi-instrumentalist and composer that has worked with the likes of Roy Ayers, Tony Allen, The Delfonics, to Kendrick Lamar and Ghostface Killah, provided scores for Luke Cage and Black Dynamite and one of the brains behind the Jazz is Dead series with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. He just released a new album Linear Labs: Sao Paulo featuring appearance from Snoop Dogg & Bilal and his third installment of his Something About April series.

On the Record: Mark Mothersbaugh on 50 years of DEVO-lution

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:30:00 -0000

Ohio band DEVO, some of the founding fathers of New Wave, continue celebrating 50 years of "Devo-lution" on an extended American tour, which will soon feature dates with The B-52s. The "DEVO" documentary begins streaming on Netflix in August. Frontman Mark Mothersbaugh caught up with WNXP before DEVO's festival performance in Utah to discuss the band's origin, its message and how he sees technology interacting with art of all kinds.

Music Citizens Episode 4: The Wrangler

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0000

When you go to a live show these days, you are expecting to see a spectacle — some artistic production that will blow you away. Behind the scenes, there’s one person responsible for bringing this production to life, wrangling dozens of people and fixing daily snafus - the Production Manager. Episode 4 of Music Citizens goes behind the scenes with Nashville production manger Tori Butash. We explore how her job has become more complicated in recent years and how the pandemic continues to impact touring. Voices in the episode include:

· Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
· Justin Barney — Reporter, Producer
· Tori Butash — Production Manager
· Nick Sanborn and Amelia Meath of Sylvan Esso — Touring Musicians
· Michael Pollard— Touring crew member
· Various Wilco tour members

This episode was produced by Justin Barney, Emily Siner and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Scoring by Jay Ragsdale. Tape sync by Brian Burns. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Marquis Munson, Cindy Abrams, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.

Institutional support from Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts Thrive and First Horizon Foundation.

On The Record with WNXP: Hank Azaria

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:51:01 -0000

We have a famous actor paying tribute to a rock legend. Hank Azaria brings his EZ Street Band to the Franklin Theatre tomorrow night. The acclaimed actor and voice artist, best known for his decades of work on The Simpsons, will be using his talents to celebrate Bruce Springsteen. Azaria spent months creating an impression of Bruce’s speaking and singing voice but he told our very own Jason Moon Wilkins during an interview that the concert experience is more than just a night of cover songs. He also tells us what Springsteen and Julia Roberts have in common and what the Boss himself thinks of the EZ Street Band.

TEASER: Music Citizens Episode 4

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:15:00 -0000

When you go to a live show these days, you are expecting to see a spectacle — some artistic production that will blow you away. Behind the scenes, there’s one person responsible for bringing this production to life, wrangling dozens of people and fixing daily snafus - the Production Manager. Episode 4 of Music Citizens goes behind the scenes with Nashville production manger Tori Butash. We explore how her job has become more complicated in recent years and how the pandemic continues to impact touring. Tori Boutash is The Wrangler. Coming July 9 anywhere you get your podcasts.

What Where When-sday: Shops at Porter East’s First Sunday

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:10:00 -0000

his week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Shops at Porter East’s First Sunday. Located at 701 Porter Road in East Nashville, Shops at Porter East is a go-to shopping center for locally owned businesses featuring bakeries, boutiques, floral shops and more. The first Sunday of every month they host a family friendly event to bring together local vendors, food trucks, and the community, to raise awareness for the shopping center.

Allison Holley, who owns Apple & Oak, talks about starting First Sunday told me how she came up with the idea and why she opened a shop at Porter East.

What Where When-sday: Nashville CARES at Pride Festival

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0000

This week is also Nashville Pride with the festival and parade this weekend. One of the Grand Marshals this year is former WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Joy Oladokun, and performers include Chrysalis, Estelle, Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes and Big Freddia with Nashville in Harmony.

There’s also interactive booths throughout Bicentennial Park including one for Nashville CARES, celebrating their 40-year anniversary. Founded in 1985, Nashville CARES is the premier HIV/AIDS service organization in Tennessee. Dr. Kassem Bourgi says Pride is more than just a festival or a celebration, but an event that would allow them to serve the community.

On The Record with WNXP: U.S. Girls

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:00:00 -0000

Recorded live to tape in Nashville with an all-star band initially assembled for a southeastern festival performance, Scratch It is the new full-length album by Meg Remy, who performs as U.S. Girls. We got Remy on the record with WNXP discussing lyrical inspiration, the weighed risk/reward of touring and the new-to-her process of making Scratch It.

What Where When-sday: Juneteenth programming at the Tennessee State Museum

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:33:00 -0000

Tomorrow is Juneteenth with programming happening throughout Middle Tennessee including Juneteenth Kickback at Brooklyn Bowl, Community Day at the National Museum of African American Music, and the annual celebration at Fort Negley. This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Juneteenth programming at the Tennessee State Museum. Stephanie Davis, Communication Assistant at the museum, tell about the importance of black history in Tennessee and their event on Thursday.

On the Record with WNXP: Joseph Patel, Producer of "Sly Lives (aka The Burden of Black Genius)"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Celebrating the music of Sly Stone, who passed away at the age of 82 earlier this week. For someone who wants to dive into his story further, there is an documentary titled Sly Live (aka the Burden of Black Genius) on Hulu and Disney Plus. Directed by Questlove and produced by Joseph Patel, Patel joins for Soulphonic Sounds to talk about the documentary and the legacy Sly Stone left on music.

On The Record with WNXP: Justice

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:26:16 -0000

French electronic duo Justice plays a late night set at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this year. Acclaim for their most recent LP Hyperdrama, including hit collaborations with Tame Impala, has grown their audience. So has their legendary live stage production.

What Where When-sday: AfricaNashville at The Blue Room

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss a performance from AfricaNashville happening at The Blue Room this Friday. The group’s stated mission includes aspiring to train the upcoming generation of dancers & drummers within the Nashville community and helping African music find its rightful place in Music City. We spoke with Windship Boyd, who co-founded AfricaNashville with the saxophonist, Jeff Coffin, about the organization and this week’s show.

On The Record with WNXP: Chrysalis

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0000

In the sea of musicians in Nashville, it’s hard to stand out. It’s even more of a challenge to carve your own path in a folk and Americana scene that seems to grow by the minute. Yet chrysalis has done just that. As their name suggests, their artistry is ever-growing and ever-changing. Grounded in folk sensibilities, their sound blends indie production with traditional instrumentation. They describe themselves “as a patchwork amalgamation of genres and sounds,” drawing inspiration from Joni Mitchell to Indigo De Souza.

Watch chrysalis perform “do you?,” “too early” and “how much longer?” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

On The Record: Tennis on the group's final album and tour

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, a married couple that started their musical project Tennis 15 years ago writing songs on a sailboat, have just released what they're calling their final record, Face Down In The Garden. They've also embarked on their final tour, which stops in Nashville June 7. We caught up with them at the Kilby Block Party festival in Utah in May.

What Where When-sday: Jorts Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the 3rd annual Jorts Fest hosted this year on both Friday and Saturday. This community gathering features 40 bands including big name touring acts Laura Jane Grace, Bass Drum of Death and Illuminati Hotties, plus lots of locals like Nordista Freeze and Dad Hats. Co-founder of Jorts Fest Joe Halby dropped by WNXP to chat about what attendees might expect on the 6th and/or 7th.

What Where When-sday: Celebrate Music City

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Music Neighbors' Celebrate Music City happening at New Heights Brewery on Sunday from 12-6 p.m. The free, all ages community festival will highlight Nashville’s Latin music scene featuring artists ranging from Jazz, to Soul to Rock.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: BEAN.

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 23 May 2025 21:00:00 -0000

Kobe Miyake was in his dorm room in Belmont when he heard someone playing Led Zeppelin down the hall. It was a guitar player from Annapolis, Maryland named Jake Robuck. The two formed a bond and founded the band BEAN. WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month. The band is now using more contemporary influences and techniques to create a whole new vibe in Nashville’s music scene.

On The Record with WNXP: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Aussies Psychedelic Porn Crumpets from Perth have returned to the U.S. in support of their new album, Carpe Diem, Moonman, and the five-piece band also alluded to another full-length to be released later this year. Hear the riffy rockers On The Record with WNXP describing the modes of writing and recording, plus the often grueling nature of touring, in addition to each band member's favorite song to play live right now.

What Where When-sday: A Live Music Tribute to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 21 May 2025 10:30:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss a live music tribute to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater happening at the Basement East this Friday. For people of a certain age, I’m including myself in this, video game soundtracks– like Hawk’s skateboarding series– played a big part in music discovery. I discussed the lasting cultural impact with Brandon Bruce, CEO of Mellow Rebel and the music director of the event.

What Where When-sday: OZ Arts Nashville's Brave New Works Lab

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 14 May 2025 11:05:00 -0000

OZ Arts Nashville’s Brave New Works Lab is happening Thursday (May 15) through Saturday (May 17). A celebration of local innovation and creativity with short-form performances by Nashville artists. One of the works that will be shown is Welcome to Paradise — A trippy multimedia-music experience by Landry Butler and Inglewood Social Club. Butler talks about his work and the basis of the film.

On the Record: Samara Joy on new album 'Portrait'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 12 May 2025 19:30:00 -0000

Being on the road with her current band is what inspired her latest record Portrait. With her band, Samara Joy will be on stage Tuesday, May 13 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Hear the full conversation with Samara Joy talking about her musical upbringing, introduction to Jazz, and her new album Portrait above the article or head over to WNXP Podcast, where you listen to your podcast.

What Where When-sday: Music City Movement's Spring Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 07 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Music City Movement's mission is to foster a creative collaborative environment for musicians and creatives through open mic, educational sessions, and networking events. They will be hosting Spring Fest this Saturday at Honeytree Meadery featuring local artists and vendors.

On The Record With WNXP: Lucius on their self-titled LP

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 05 May 2025 17:05:20 -0000

For nearly two decades as one half of the band Lucius, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig have been sending us to space, and also wrapping us up like Snuggies, with their vocal harmonies. The new Lucius record, self-titled and self-produced by drummer Dan Molad, represents what Wolfe said is “the most honest and unfiltered” version of the group, including impressions of domesticity, growth and loss. Laessig said making this as just the four-piece “felt like a coming home.”

On The Record with WNXP: Neil Sugarman, co-owner of Daptone Records

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Sat, 03 May 2025 03:36:50 -0000

Daptone Records released the 20 Year Anniversary of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings second album Naturally, with songs like “How Long Do I Have to Wait For You” and “This Land Is Your Land” this record that not only helped Daptone become a household name, but helped Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings cement their legacy in soul music in the process. Neil Sugarman, co-owner of Daptone Records and sax player of the Dap-Kings joined us to discuss the formation of the label and the impact of the record.

What Where When-sday: Cinco De Mayo

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Cinco De Mayo with WPLN’s Rachel Iacovone with events from Plaza Mariachi's five-day celebration to a Rudy's Jazz Room residency, Secret Bodega’s Taco Bell-inspired takeover at Pearl Diver, and It's Giving Global at Cherries out East.

On The Record with WNXP: Vundabar

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:19:35 -0000

When in Nashville for a special performance at Grimey's record store, Boston trio Vundabar stopped by WNXP to talk about their new full-length, 'Surgery and Pleasure,' as well as learnings from their 10+ years playing together.

What Where When-sday: Independent Bookstore Day

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:13:19 -0000

This Saturday is the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day, celebrating indie bookstores across the country with everything from exclusive books to literary items. Participating stores in Middle Tennessee include Parnassus, Fairytales, The Bookshop, The Grumpy Bookpeddler, and more. But today, we talk with the owners of Novelette, located in East Nashville.

An interview with Father John Misty

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:51:05 -0000

Josh Tillman is the person behind the persona of the musician Father John Misty. Or, is it the other way around? Tillman’s reputation as a provocateur and chimera reached a fever pitch about seven years ago and the songwriter stopped talking to the press and public all together, only performing. In a rare interview, Tillman talked to Music Reporter Justin Barney, about his latest album, Mahashmashana and his disappearance from the spotlight.

What Where Whens-day: Duke's 10 year anniversary

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Nestled in the heart of 5 Points, Duke’s has become a mainstay for the local music community. I’ve fallen in love in this bar, had my heart broken, made business deals, commiserated and celebrated everything along the way. With a decade under their belt, many Nashvillians can say the same.

Duke’s is celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a parking lot blowout this Saturday featuring music from some of old Nashville’s finest including William Tyler, Be Your Own Pet and Heavy Cream. Ahead of the celebration, I sat down with co-owner Sara Nelson to talk about the bar’s impact on the city.

On the Record: Rhian Teasdale on Wet Leg’s forthcoming record ‘moisturizer’

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:00:00 -0000

WNXP got Rhian Teasdale -- one-fifth of the Isle of Wight band Wet Leg -- on the record about their forthcoming sophomore release, moisturizer, out on June 11. This buzzy group played WNXP's 2nd birthday show in 2022 and won two Grammys for their first record in 2023. The first single from moisturizer is "Catch These Fists."

Bon Iver "SABLE fABLED" — an interview on what may be his last record

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0000

The forlorn falsetto of Justin Vernon’s voice has propelled Bon Iver into indie stardom. But fame only seemed to make Vernon retreat into his sadness more.

Now, with the new album called “SABLE, fABLE,” out today, Vernon appears to be in bloom. He granted a rare interview to Music Reporter Justin Barney where they talked all about how Vernon changed his tune.

Learn more at WNXP.org.

What Where When-sday: The Disco Ball: Spellbound

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This Sunday (April 13), Eastside Bowl will turn into a underground disco with the third annual Disco Ball. This event is a benefit for Kindling Arts Festival, their annual summer festival that uplifts local artists. Daniel Jones, Producing Artistic Director of Kindling Arts, describes the event as a fun party with a cocktail hour and immersive performances, with a stage program that features local artists working in dance, theater, music and drag.

On The Record: 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' writers and stars Tim Key and Tom Basden

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 18:51:11 -0000

Now in theaters, "The Ballad of Wallis Island" is a feature film based on the 2007 award-winning short film created by the comic actors Tim Key and Tom Basden. With the addition of a new character, a former bandmate and lover played by Carey Mulligan, the expanded story set in a fictional remote place in the UK explores new dimensions of artist-fan relationships, creative integrity and nostalgia. The film's soundtrack includes 14 original songs written by Basden.

Music Citizens Episode 3: The Tuner

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Episode 3 of Music Citizens tells the story of Brent Arledge who is the most prolific piano tuner in Nashville, and possibly the world. He tunes the Ryman, the Schermerhorn and the Grand Ole Opry. He services dozens of studios and is trusted in the homes of countless Nashville musicians. Arledge’s craft can be heard on every song coming out of Music Row that features piano.
But elite piano tuning is grueling work. It’s taxing on the body, it strains relationships, and it never leads to fame or glory. How does someone become the top piano tuner in Nashville? And why would they want to?
Voices in the episode include:

Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
Justin Barney — Reporter, Producer
Brent Arledge — Piano Technician
James Arledge — Piano Technician
T Bone Burnett— Producer, musician
Ian Fitchuk — Producer, musician
Georgia Middleman— Singer/songwriter

This episode was produced by Justin Barney, Emily Siner and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Rachel Iacovone, Char Daston, Tasha A.F. Lemley, Meribah Knight, Jesse Strauss, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.

Institutional support from Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts Thrive and First Horizon Foundation.

On The Record: Carl Broemel talks My Morning Jacket's 'Is' and music discovery

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Carl Broemel, guitarist for My Morning Jacket, spoke with us about the band's 10th LP called Is ahead of its March release and a couple weeks in advance of their curated and hosted One Big Holiday Festival in Florida. Broemel, who lives in Nashville, also highlighted collaboration with the band Futurebirds, finding new music via different methods and expanding his collection of gear.

TEASER: Music Citizens Episode 3

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Music Citizens Episode 3: The Tuner ready for launch on Sunday, April 6th.

Episode 3 of Music Citizens tracks down Brent Arledge, Nashville’s, and possibly the world’s most prolific piano tuner. Arledge has played an uncredited part of every top ten hit featuring piano to come out of Music Row for the past 25 years. He tunes The Ryman, The Schermerhorn and The Grand Ole Opry. He is trusted in the homes of so many Nashville musicians.

In a city that is often so good at recognizing the key players on a song, service workers like Arledge are often forgotten. This episode gives credit where credit is due.

Fans, friends, collaborators: Annie DiRusso and Ruston Kelly's Music City magic

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:40:55 -0000

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Annie DiRusso pretty rapidly went from fan to friend and collaborator of fellow Music City artist Ruston Kelly. This month both DiRusso and Kelly released albums featuring the other one, and hosted hometown shows where they were special guests. Here's the tale of two songs, more or less, stories straight from their mouths and sound from each of their concerts.

Record of the Week: Michigander 'Michigander'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0000

Our Record of the Week on WNXP is an album ten years in the making. Michigander's self titled debut. We sat down with him in his home here in Nashville to talk about being a frontman, finally feeling ready to release his debut and watching videos of U2 at his local library when he was in grade school.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Annie Dirusso

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:29:41 -0000

WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month Annie DiRusso released her first full-length album Super Pedestrian this month. Having first moved to Nashville to find the indie scene male-dominated, she's grown in influence and confidence as a songwriter and guitarist. Like it or not, and Annie quite likes it, this is no longer the boys' club of yesteryear.

Record of the Week: Benjamin Booker 'Lower'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0000

Benjamin Booker has been relatively quiet since releasing his 2017 album Witness. He released a song called “Black Disco” in 2020 and has collaborated with Armand Hammer as well as Billy Woods & Kenny Segal back in 2023. Almost eight years since his last project, during that down time he has been working towards his new album Lower, this week’s WNXP Record of the Week.

What Where When-sday: Match Records Showcase

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Match Records is a multi-genre, student-led record label service company out of Middle Tennessee State University. It gives students hands-on experience within the music industry and assists student-artists with distributing and promoting their music. The label will be doing their first showcase at The Basement on Sunday, March 23.

Record of the Week: Deep Sea Diver 'Billboard Heart'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Billboard Heart is the fourth album from Deep Sea Diver, a Seattle band fronted by guitarist Jessica Dobson, who shared insight with WNXP about tapping into her childlike spirit to make the record, enlisting Madison Cunningham, stage presence inspiration from Karen O and more.

On the Record with WNXP: LA LOM

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:00:00 -0000

LA LOM stands for Los Angeles League of Musicians, paying homage to the trio’s hometown. But with the release of their self-titled debut, LA LOM stands in a league of their own. Drawing inspiration from the diversity of the Los Angeles sound, the instrumental group blends everything from surf rock and rockabilly to cumbia and boleros. Bottom line, it’s groovy. It’s also unique — while it feels nostalgic of the ’50s and ’60s, the sound (consisting solely of guitar, drums and bass) somehow feels contemporary and exciting. Perhaps because few artists in dance music are bold enough to take such a simple and direct approach to music making. No fancy production or special effects needed for LA LOM to get you on your feet.

Watch LA LOM perform “Danza de LA LOM,” “La Tijera” and “Alacrán” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: SEC Basketball Tournament

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:05:00 -0000

The SEC Basketball Tournament has bounced from one host city to another, depending on the year, but now Nashville will be the host for the next decade. As mostly everyone will be filling out their bracket, there’s a chance that more than 10 teams from the conference could potentially compete in the NCAA Tournament, making this tourney as close as we can get to a Final Four in Nashville.

On this week's What Where When-sday, WPLN's Rachel Iacovone and WNXP's Marquis Munson talk about why the SEC chose Nashville as its host city and options for those trying to watch the games this week, including events at Acme Feed & Seed, Skydeck on Broadway and Music City Walk of Fame Park.

Record of the Week: Mereba 'The Breeze Grew a Fire'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0000

LA based artist Mereba dug into her Ethiopian roots and preserved some sage wisdom from her late father on her beautiful new album, "The Breeze Grew a Fire" which is our Record of the Week on WNXP.

What Where When-sday: Belcourt Theatre presents David Lynch: A Retrospective

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0000

In honor of David Lynch's passing, Nashville's Belcourt Theatre presents David Lynch: A Retrospective throughout the month of March, featuring showings of his work (Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, Eraserhead and more) along with two seminars on his work. On this week's What Where When-sday, we talk with the theater's program director, Toby Leonard, about Lynch's legacy and impact on the film industry.

Record of the Week: Jasmine.4.t 'You Are The Morning'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:10:03 -0000

Jasmine.4.t’s album, “You Are The Morning” is so much more than a debut album and our Record of the Week. Behind the record, is a story that includes getting ripped off by a promoter in Bristol, a happenstance booking, journeying through self-actualization, being embraced by Boygenius, and making a historic recording in one of the United State’s most famous studios.

What Where When-sday: The Pinnacle

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday we discuss Nashville’s newest venue, The Pinnacle, opening Thursday night with Kacey Musgraves. We discuss different elements of the space — including parking.

On The Record with WNXP: Orion Sun

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0000

After songs like “Mirage” and “Dirty Dancer” saw huge streaming numbers, Orion Sun landed herself on countless “artists to watch” lists, and her debut was one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2024. The 14-song collection exceeded expectations and garnered the LA-based R&B artist fans across the globe. With her sensual delivery of vulnerable topics like heartbreak and self-discovery, Orion’s modern take on the genre draws likeness from contemporaries like Frank Ocean and SZA.

Watch Orion Sun perform “Already Gone” and “These Days” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Bartees Strange 'Horror'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:00:00 -0000

"The things that were so scary in life just become a part of it." Finding peace in every day's horrors is the theme of Bartees Strange's wonderful new album, Horror which is our Record of the Week on WNXP.

On The Record with WNXP: Ben Blackwell on 1975 Ted Lucas re-release

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:45:03 -0000

It’s not just because the late Ted Lucas shared a hometown with Third Man Records co-founder and co-owner Ben Blackwell that the Detroit native became obsessed with reviving Lucas’ music. But that surely sweetened the pot. The one and only solo LP by Lucas, self-titled and from 1975, is re-released on vinyl and with digital extra tracks on February 21. We learned more about the artist and these songs from Blackwell inside Third Man’s Nashville HQ.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Mon Rovîa

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Liberia-born, Tennessee-based artist Mon Rovîa began his career making music more adjacent to alternative R&B. But it was after he stripped his songs back to a simple, binary presentation of voice and ukulele, that his music began connecting deeply via livestreams on TikTok. Fans and big time influencers were drawn to his meditative melodies and spiritually inquisitive, often uplifting lyrics. That led to millions of plays and a sold out tour, including a late January show at the Basement East celebrating his new EP, Act 4 – Atonement. Right Before that show Mon Rovia stopped by WNXP's Sonic Cathedral for a performance and an interview about his incredible journey.

What Where When-sday: Requiem for Colour

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Requiem for Colour, a musical, literary and visual journey happening at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University this Tuesday.

Record of the Week: New Translations 'Vacation'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0000

The synth-tastic indie rock quintet called New Translations (formerly known as Jive Talk) formed in Nashville by way of the chemical reaction of old friends combined with new acquaintances and a heavy dose of eastside bar magic, tale as old as time. They’ve since signed with local label War Buddha (led by two members of country rock trio The Cadillac Three) and recorded the majority of these new tracks at Polychrome Ranch in rural Hartsville, Tennessee with producer Jared Corder, one half of the celebrated regional band *repeat repeat. Before the release of New Translations’ official debut full-length on Valentine’s Day, bandmates Oliver Pierce (singer) and Andrés Ahogado (multi-instrumentalist) joined me at WNXP to talk about the making of Vacation.

What Where When-sday: Johnny Bragg panel discussion at the CMHOF

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss a panel discussion and musical performance celebrating Nashville soul singer Johnny Bragg happening at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday.

Record of the Week: Freak Slug 'I Blow Out Big Candles'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:00:00 -0000

Our Record of the Week is from Freak Slug, which is the musical identity of Xenya Genovese. Her album, "I Blow Out Big Candles" is effortless, catchy and honestly, just a really fun time. She will be in Nashville playing at The Blue Room on March 18th.

What Where When-sday: NMAAM Black History Month

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 12:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the National Museum of African American Music’s Black History Month programming happening throughout the month of February.

In her memoir, Neko Case fights hard, loves more and walks a whole lot

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:06:49 -0000

Recording artist Neko Case -- with more than a quarter-century as a solo artist and as a member of The New Pornographers -- has just published her memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. Hear Case in conversation with Celia Gregory about the book. A new full-length album is expected later this year.

WNXP Record of the Week: Cymande 'Renascence'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:40:13 -0000

British funk group Cymande’s journey to Renascence has multiple different layers. From a successful debut album in 1972. Going on an extended hiatus only a couple of years later and a rediscovery of their music thanks to the early stages of hip hop with breakbeats and samples. Cymande returned with their first album in 41 years back in 2015 and now they’ve returned with a new album Renascence, this week’s WNXP Record of the Week.

On The Record with WNXP: English Teacher

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0000

English Teacher’s highly anticipated LP This Could Be Texas is a perfect debut, even earning the esteemed Mercury Prize. The Leeds quartet held little to nothing back across the 13 song collection. With piano refrains, guitar riffs and poetic lyrics, the album defies genre, toeing the lines of post-punk and indie-prog and everything in between. It’s expansive and sonically spacious without feeling too unapproachable.

Frontwoman Lily Fontaine explains, “I want this album to feel like you’ve gone to space, and it turns out it’s almost identical to Doncaster. It’s about in-betweens, it’s about home, and it’s about Desire Paths.”

Watch English Teacher perform “Broken Biscuits” and “Albatross” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: 615 Indie Live

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss 615 Indie Live happening this Saturday at various independent music venues across Nashville with Chris Cobb, the president of Music Venue Alliance Nashville.

On The Record with WNXP: SPRINTS

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Dublin four-piece SPRINTS lives up to their band name with their frenetic, garage-punk sound. The fast-paced energy of their music is equally matched by frontwoman Karla Chubb’s intense lyricism. The band’s debut full length Letter To Self “transforms pain into truth, passion into purpose and perseverance into strength.” Chubb tackles issues like bodily autonomy, mental health and social injustice. The quartet channels this “negative energy” into a cathartic 40 minutes with moments of thrashing anger and melodic meltdowns. Similar to contemporary post-punk counterparts IDLES, SPRINTS aims to bring about change in the world, or at the very least, within ourselves. Chubb explains, “No matter what you’re born into, or have experienced, there’s a way to emerge from this and be happy within yourself.”

Watch SPRINTS perform “Adore Adore Adore,” “Feast” and “Up and Comer” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Rubblebucket 'Year of the Banana'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:45:46 -0000

The core members of NYC band Rubblebucket, Alex Toth and Kal Traver, joined us to talk about their seventh LP, 'Year of the Banana,' which is WNXP's Record of the Week the same week the group returns to Nashville on tour.

What Where When-sday: Echo Chamber Music Series

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the Echo Chamber Music Series at the Parthenon. It’s happening this Sunday with Sista Strings, followed by two more shows in February and March.

Record of the Week: Nilüfer Yanya "My Method Actor"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:08:40 -0000

British singer-songwriter and guitarist Nilüfer Yanya released her third LP, My Method Actor, in September of 2024 and it made loads of reputed Best of the Year lists come December. We caught up with the artist on tour in October and discussed the record’s symbolism, her continued collaboration with producer Will Archer, her fandom of PJ Harvey and more. Now it’s WNXP’s Record of the Week.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Yola

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

The British-born, Nashville-based artist Yola has a new EP called My Way. That’s a fitting title for the work of a singer and songwriter who’s resisted labels that others have put on her throughout her career. WNXP’s Marquis Munson talked with the Nashville Artist of the Month about showing another side of herself musically.

What Where When-sday: Nashville MLK Day

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:04:41 -0000

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day — with celebrations happening at Schermerhorn Symphony Center this weekend and the National Museum of African American Music on Monday. But this week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Nashville MLK Day with different events happening today through Monday. Cheryl Mayes is part of the planning committee.

Record of the Week: Ok Cowgirl: "Couldn't Save Us From My Gut"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:57:54 -0000

Intense emotion expressed through slamming guitars is the hallmark of Ok Cowgirl's new album, "Couldn't Save Us From My Gut," our Record of the Week on WNXP. We caught up with lead singer Leah Lavigne on a porch in East Nashville to talk about it.

What Where When-sday: Woven Nashville

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Woven Nashville: An Evening of Music, Art, and Conversation hosted by Chuck Beard and Jason Eskridge happening tomorrow at the Frist Art Museum with special guest singer-songwriter Shannon LaBrie and host of WPLN's This is Nashville Khalil Ekulona.

Record of the Week: Magdalena Bay “Imaginal Disk”

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Magdalena Bay is an imaginative duo from LA who released “Imaginal Disk” an album chalked full of wild production and smooth beats that ended up on many End of the Year lists, including ours. Our Record of the Week is "Imaginal Disk" by Magdalena Bay.

What Where When-sday: Sound Journey

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 14:05:00 -0000

Live music this week ranges from R&B with Eric Roberson at City Winery to a collection of artists at the Blue Room for Juanaroo and Mollaplooza. For more events, head over to WNXP.org/events. But this week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Sound Journey featuring Kayce Laine happening at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Inspiration behind "Trainload of Sky" by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0000

For a songwriter, the muse can be illusive. But for WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month, Gillian Welch, it was right in front of her eyes, and ours. In East Nashville, WNXP Music Reporter Justin Barney stumbled upon the inspiration for their new song.

On The Record with WNXP: Angélica Garcia

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:00:00 -0000

Angélica Garcia is honoring her lineage. Born in Los Angeles by Mexican and El Salvadoran parents, Garcia was surrounded by music her entire life — her mother was a successful Latin pop recording artist — but it wasn’t until her latest record Gemelo that she truly embraced her culture. The singer, songwriter (and dancer) fuses hybrid-pop with Hispanic influences, and now on Gemelo, she builds on this foundation by singing primarily in Spanish. The record explores the different stages and types of grief, but with a vibrant instrumentation that still feels fun and light-hearted.

Watch Angélica Garcia perform “Juanita,” “Gemini” and “Paloma” from Gemelo live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Christmas Pop-Ups Part Two

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we are talking holiday pop-ups with WPLN’s own Rachel Iacovone. Listen to our conversation for family-friendly recommendations, and check out the list below for all the holiday takeovers at local bars. (Rachel and I did a Christmas bar crawl last year, which you can check out here.)

On The Record with WNXP: Still Woozy

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Sven Gamsky doesn’t want to be boxed in. The producer and musician who performs under the pseudonym Still Woozy has found comfort in psychedelic bedroom pop but continues to push the boundaries of his sonic approach. His sophomore effort Loveseat showcases this experimentation and vulnerability both lyrically and sonically. The expected synthesizers are still present but paired with sweet, layered vocals and occasional fuzzed-out guitars. The result is an expansive, welcoming 13-song collection that pushes Still Woozy’s artistry to new heights.

Watch Still Woozy perform stripped-down versions of “Lemon” and “Shotput” from Loveseat as well as the breakout single “Goodie Bag” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

On The Record with WNXP: Pearl & The Oysters

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:00:00 -0000

On the surface, Pearl & The Oysters (the brainchild of Juliette Pearl Davis [Juju] and Joachim Polack [Jojo]) could be described as a breezy indie pop band. But a closer listen surfaces the complexity and intentionality in their songwriting. From music school in Paris to making records in Los Angeles, Juju and Jojo have stayed loyal to their love of jazz. While it’s a bit less obvious on their latest space-aged LP Planet Pearl, the jazz-inspired arrangements can still be heard throughout the synthscapes and bleeps and bloops of the feel-good album. The duo wrote the record from perspective of a space-dwelling castaway exploring Earth, but it touches on very human topics like mental health and the state of the world.

There are few bands with as much chemistry as Pearl & The Oysters. It can be heard on every piece of work the duo has released, but becomes even more apparent when watching them live. Watch the band perform “Big Time,” “Side Quest” and “Pacific Ave” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Grimey's 25-year anniversary celebration

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:30:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Grimey’s 25-year anniversary. The celebration is happening at the Basement East this Saturday, and we caught up with co-owner and founder Mike Grimes and co-owner and “vinylist” Doyle Davis.

Record of the Week: Moses Sumney "Sophcore" EP

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 22:00:00 -0000

The music world took note when Moses Sumney posted on socials about Hurricane Helene damaging his Asheville home. For an artist like him — who selects his surroundings as carefully as the genres he works in — the impact on his outlook has been profound. Senior music writer Jewly Hight spoke with Sumney about how grounding himself in the mountains has shaped his work, including his first R&B project, the “Sophcore” EP. It's WNXP's Record of the Week.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:30:00 -0000

Over the last three decades, the Nashville singing and songwriting duo of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings has contributed a lot of songs to the folk canon. And the great tunes are treasured because they tell stories broad enough to be sung by all sorts of people.
But senior music writer Jewly Hight says that with their latest album, Woodland, Welch and Rawlings have subtly turned the attention towards their own, singular musical journey. So she rambled down that path with WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month.

What Where When-sday: Nashville Ballet presents Nashville’s Nutcracker

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, the Nashville Ballet presents Nashville’s Nutcracker happening at TPAC throughout the month of December.

What Where When-sday: Holiday Sip n' Shop Market

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the 2nd Annual Holiday Sip n' Shop Market at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery.

Record of the Week: Elke 'Divine Urge'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:00:00 -0000

Elke's new album contains multitudes. It is a pastiche of sounds and ideas that are as complex and energetic as Elke herself. "Divine Urge" is our Record of the Week.

Music Citizens Episode 2: The Operator

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Episode 2 of Music Citizens tells the story of Piper Payne, a scrappy, independent record manufacturer who opened up in the middle of the recent vinyl boom. But as her story unfolds, we discover the vinyl industry is at a profound inflection point that no one has reported on — until now.
Voices in the episode include:

Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
Justin Barney — Reporter, Producer
Piper Payne — Owner and founder of Physical Music Products
Drake Coker — CEO at Nashville Record Pressing
Scott LeMasters — Owner of The Vinyl Lab
Mark Michaels — CEO of United Record Pressing
Cam Sarrett — United Record Pressing
Alex Barnes – Physical Media Products
Leo Lydon – Rickshaw Billies Burger Patrol

This episode was produced by Justin Barney, Emily Siner and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Scoring by Jay Ragsdale. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Rachel Iacovone, Marquis Munson, LaTonya Turner, Meribah Knight, Jesse Strauss, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.

Institutional support from Metro Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts Thrive and First Horizon Foundation. Follow WNXP on social platforms as @WNXPNashville

What Where When-sday: IndigeNash

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss IndigeNash, a multimedia event showcasing Native artists happening at the Forge this weekend

On The Record with WNXP: Orla Gartland

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Many artists have fallen victim to the sophomore slump. It’s hard to follow up the success of a widely-accepted, slam dunk debut. Yet, Orla Gartland has struck gold once again with her second LP Everybody Needs A Hero.

After launching her career as a teen on YouTube, the London-based, Dublin-born singer, songwriter has continued to use her quick wit to win fans over. Listeners often find themselves in on the joke before being sucker-punched with Gartland’s equally emotional songwriting. This rollercoaster is prevalent throughout her sophomore effort. The 12-song collection explores the turmoil of romance and womanhood. The instrumentation takes a similar ride — transitioning from soft, gentle arrangements to pop-punk riffs. It builds on the foundation Garltand built with 2021’s Woman on the Internet and shows a range well beyond her years.

Hear her discuss the inspiration behind the record and the struggles of touring while on the record with WNXP. Watch Orla Gartland perform “Little Chaos,” “Backseat Driver” and “Late To The Party” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: The Hard Quartet’s ‘The Hard Quartet’

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:32:31 -0000

The Hard Quartet is a new four-piece composed of Stephen Malkmus, Emmett Kelly, Matt Sweeney and Jim White, each of whom boasts big bona fides and decades of output in indie rock. The band's sonically diverse self-titled debut record on Matador features the members taking turns on lead but always gelling thanks to their affinity for each other and the "social experience" of music-making. Hear Kelly and Sweeney discuss the LP and the enviable, agenda-free hang that is The Hard Quartet.

TEASER: Music Citizens Episode 2

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0000

What Where When-sday: Frist Arts Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:15:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the Frist Arts Fest happening this Sunday with Meagan Rust, Interpretation Director of the museum.

Record of the Week: Pressure Heaven 'Head Start'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:21:51 -0000

Pressure Heaven is a new band in the Nashville music scene that's making big waves. They were named Best New Band by the Nashville Scene in their Best of Nashville issue. Pressure Heaven's sound is Deftones meets Sleigh Bells meets Nine Inch Nails, and we love it. Their EP "Head Start" is our Record of the Week.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Chuck INDigo

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:05:50 -0000

Over the last several years, Chuck INDigo has emerged as a leading voice in Nashville hip-hop. The Nashville Scene alt-weekly just named him the city’s best rapper, and he's WNXP's Nashville Artist of the Month. But senior music writer Jewly Hight says that it’s taken INDigo until his seventh project, Until I Get There, to figure out that where he wants his music to come from is where he really does come from.

On the Record with WNXP: Royel Otis

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:17:07 -0000

After three EPs and a few viral videos, the world anxiously awaited a full length from Australia’s Royel Otis. The Sydney duo comprised of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic delivered a debut well worth the hype with Pratts & Pain. Produced by esteemed indie mastermind Dan Carey (Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg, Foals), the feel-good, breezy album is indie pop perfection. With infectious hooks and smooth baselines, the 13-song collection is sonic sunshine.

Watch Royel Otis perform stripped-down versions of “Sofa King” and “Til The Morning” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Third Coast Improv Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0000

After a grueling election week, we can all use a laugh. In this What Where When-sday, we discuss the 8th annual Third Coast Improv Fest happening this weekend with Emma Supica, founding director of Unscripted, and Luke Watson, co-owner of Third Coast Comedy Club.

Record of the Week Joy Oladokun 'Observations from a Crowded Room'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0000

This week our WNXP Record of the Week is Observations from a Crowded Room from Nashville singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun. Dealing with hard times while on tour, she had a day off in Bend, Oregon where she wrote the first song for the new album “Letter From A Blackbird” a response to The Beatles “Blackbird.” The album’s songwriting from there would take a raw and honest account of what its like being a Black, queer artist in spaces that aren’t always welcoming. She hopes this album will serve as accountability for some and inspiring for others coming behind her.

What Where When-sday: Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken and Jewish Arts & Music Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we talk with Jesse Feld about the 9th Annual Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken and Jewish Arts & Music Fest happening this Sunday at the Gordon Jewish Community Center.

Record of the Week: Porridge Radio 'Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Porridge Radio's Dana Margolin said she wrote much of the band's new LP Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me in a period of disorienting stillness that she experienced in the wake of an aggressive touring schedule. Spanning identity and healing from the end of relationships, some of Margolin's rawest, most revelatory songs make up the British band's fourth album, which is WNXP's Record of the Week.

What Where When-sday: Halloween

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Halloween, since many of us will be celebrating ahead of the Thursday holiday this year. Joining us with some ways to get your spook on is WPLN’s Rachel Iacovone.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Kings of Leon

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:00:00 -0000

For the first time ever we dedicated an entire show to just one artist — our current Nashville Artist of the Month Kings of Leon. Earlier this year Jason Moon Wilkins sat down with the most successful rock band in Nashville history at their newly built studio and rehearsal space. The wide-ranging conversation covered their new album 'Can We Please Have Fun' as well as particularly timely topics like why they have stayed out of politics up to this point and where they stand on the trend of “going country.” The unexpected influence of Ronnie Milsap shows up as well.

Record of the Week: Lutalo 'The Academy'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:34:57 -0000

WNXP’s Record of the Week is The Academy by Lutalo. The Vermont-based songwriter who has ties to Big Thief was initially cast as an indie folk artist but Lutalo says this album was meant to shrug off those limitations. Playing every instrument, they show off a masterful command of multiple styles and genres to tell crucial, and often heartbreaking, stories of their first quarter of life while also making commentary on consumerism and politics in a way that never feels preachy.

The week before the release, Lutalo joined us to share some reflections on the album and insight into how a particular Nashville-based artist gave them a peek into what was possible as an artist of color in the overwhelmingly white world of indie music.

What Where When-sday: DRKMTTR Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

DRKMTTR Collective is a local, all-ages music venue that hopes to build a community in underground music and arts scenes. This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss DRKMTTR Fest happening on Saturday and Sunday. Katy Kirby, one of the event’s performers and worked at the space for a few months, joined us to talk about how important the DIY venue was for her through her journey.

Record of the Week: Styrofoam Winos 'Real Time'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:31:39 -0000

Styrofoam Winos are a radically equal in that there is no set lead singer, guitarist, drummer or bassist. It's unusual, but it works. Each song on their new album Real Time, has a different perspective and voice, but the beauty is the harmony they all create as one.

Interview: Tucker Zimmerman

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:43:46 -0000

Musician Tucker Zimmerman is a bit of a musical Forrest Gump. In his 83 years he has sipped coffee with the Beats in San Francisco, taught David Bowie how to record in a studio, and now he has made an album with Big Thief. Dance of Love is a freewheeling album that brings intergenerational hippies together into one common feeling.

What Where When-sday: Concert and Conversation: Night Train to Lovenoise

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Concert and Conversation: Night Train to Lovenoise: A Generation Journey of Black Music in Nashville. The event is taking place this Saturday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum from 2:30 to 4.

Record of the Week: A.G. Sully 'Premonition of Rain'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 21:00:00 -0000

A.G. Sully grew up in Hartselle, Alabama, just a few hours away from Nashville. She describes it as very small and very conservative, but it’s a place that shaped her to become who she is today. She said she started writing around sophomore year of college writing her first songs "Lil Mama" and "FOMO" which she wrote inside one of the practice rooms at MTSU. The music she started to make was a far cry from the Christian music she was used to singing.

She describes her songwriting as linear and wouldn’t say it was super structured. Like many artists, she takes inspiration from what’s going on in her personal life. Her life between Space to Think and her new record, Premonition of Rain, has been vastly different and its reflected in the songwriting.

Interview: Gordon Gano of Violent Femmes

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:15:24 -0000

Alt-rock legends Violent Femmes are touring in 2024 celebrating the 40th anniversary of their sophomore release 'Hallowed Ground.' But in certain cities -- including Nashville on October 9 -- they're playing a wide selection from their discography with the accompaniment of symphony orchestras. Femmes frontman Gordon Gano shared with WNXP about the experience playing with so many instrumentalists, and also the sustained musical chemistry with bandmate Brian Ritchie.

What Where When-sday: Celebrate Nashville

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:12:20 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival happening this Saturday at Centennial Park.

New Music Experience: JD McPherson

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:05:00 -0000

Our special guest this week is former Nashvillian JD McPherson. He explains why the new record, Nite Owls, took seven years to arrive, how his daughter inspired one its greatest songs and how his covers EP opened the door to the new album’s direction.

Record of the Week: MJ Lenderman 'Manning Fireworks'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 19:47:36 -0000

Our Record of the Week is with newly crowned guitar god, MJ Lenderman, where he talks about his new found attention, the character studies of Manning Fireworks and learning about rock music through Guitar Hero.

On The Record with WNXP: Paris Paloma

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 18:42:35 -0000

After her single “labour” took the internet by storm, audiences worldwide impatiently awaited Paris Paloma’s debut full length. Luckily, Cacophony lived up to the hype. Inspired by Stephen Fry’s book of Greek myth retellings “Mythos,” Cacophony processes anxiety, oppression and trauma through brilliant songwriting and ethereal vocal layering. It’s hauntingly beautiful and unexpectedly textured.

Watch Paris Paloma perform “my mind (now),” “bones on the beach” and “labour” from Cacophony live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

New Music Experience: Honeyglaze

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0000

Honeyglaze, the South London trio whose Fat Possum debut Real Deal has already produced two singles you’ve heard on WNXP in “Don’t” and “Pretty Girls” and whose ability to add soaring melody and nuanced vocals to a post-punk foundation helps them jump the line of soundalikes.

What Where When-sday: Show Yourself Music and Activation Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Show Yourself Music and Activation Fest with Alex Wong and Leah Light. Happening this Sunday at the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition in South Nashville, the fest will feature music from Wong, Mike Floss, Ruby Amanfu, Brassville, Vienna Teng and Steph Jacques, and will be hosted by comedian Cortney Warner with appearances from Equity Alliance and TIRRC Votes.

On The Record with WNXP: Slow Pulp

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 18:35:36 -0000

Chicago’s indie music scene is bursting at the seams with young talent. Yet few are as cohesive as laid-back quartet Slow Pulp. Country-tinged indie rock with a hint of shoegaze combined with emotional songwriting makes Slow Pulp’s music sink into your body like a warm cup of coffee. It’s breezy and welcoming. Their latest full length Yard embraces that sense of comfort, blending fuzzy guitars with sweet instrumental arrangements that showcase Slow Pulp’s undeniable chemistry as a band.

Watch Slow Pulp perform Yard standouts “Doubt,” “Slugs” and “Cramps” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Nada Surf "Moon Mirror"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Nada Surf's "Moon Mirror" the veteran indie rock band's 10th LP now out on New West Records, is WNXP's Record of the Week. The band's front man Matthew Caws dropped by our studio to talk about the record and play songs solo acoustic.

Feature: "Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:00:00 -0000

There’s a sub-genre of documentaries that track down figures who’ve disappeared from public view. A new film called “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” captures Shane as a powerhouse R&B performer and a Black, trans woman who got her start in Nashville, then took the Toronto scene by storm in the 1960s. She eventually stopped performing and no one knew where she was. Decades later, Shane was excited to be found by a filmmaker, but she died before they could really get to work.

Senior music writer Jewly Hight says the challenge became figuring out how to do justice to a performer who’d never been properly appreciated even in life.

Record of the Week: Hinds "VIVA HINDS"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Hinds is the duo of Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote who hail from Madrid, Spain and have made "VIVA HINDS" our Record of the Week.

Interview: "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted" with Isaac Gale, Paul Lovelace, and Swamp Dogg

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 01:05:00 -0000

Legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Swamp Dogg has a new documentary called "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted" which you can check out during Americana and Nashville Film Fest. Director Isaac Gale and editor Paul Lovelace joined us to talk about the film and the subject of the film Swamp Dogg talks Americana Fest & new album Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th ST.

Record of the Week: L10N "Speed of Love"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

One name that has kept popping up in the Nashville hip-hop scene since the late 2010s is Lul Lion. At shows, on projects and in collectives, she was often the only woman in the mix. And her music is really the only record there is of her story — she’s rarely given an interview.

The Tennessee native seemed to drop off the radar last year. Senior music writer Jewly Hight tracked her down in her current home LA, where she’s been reinventing herself. Her new EP, “Speed of Love,” is WNXP’s Record of the Week.

On The Record with WNXP: Real Estate

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:32:41 -0000

After six full length records, indie rock veterans Real Estate show no sign of slowing down or staying complacent. Their latest record Daniel showcases the band’s ability to create consistently hooky songs that are universally approachable and pleasant, but it also pushes their sound to new bounds. Recorded at the historic RCA Studio A in Nashville, the New Jersey quintet embraced a bit of twangy tradition, following the current trends of many of their indie peers. Still, Real Estate stays loyal to the jangly guitars and sweet songwriting fans have come to expect.

Watch Real Estate perform “Water Underground,” “Flowers” and “Haunted World” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Hispanic Heritage Month

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we talk Hispanic Heritage Month with WPLN’s own Rachel Iacovone.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Conner Youngblood

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0000

Most artists move to Nashville to be part of the music community and land opportunities in the business. Not Conner Youngblood. He’s the WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month. And he’s quietly done his thing here for a dozen years. Senior music writer Jewly Hight met up with him at the one place that tenuously connects his new latest project to Nashville.

What Where When-sday: Silent Book Club

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Silent Book Club with the founder of Nashville’s chapter and the owner of the local bookstore that’s co-hosting. Silent Book Club is happening at various locations throughout the month of September, and on.

Record of the Week: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds 'Wild God

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds have been a band since 1983 and have gained a cult following around Nick Cave's persona as a sort of Prince of Darkness. But about ten years ago, he encountered real tragedy that changed him and his music completely. Wild God, is The Bad Seed's 18th studio album, it deals with Cave's journey through grief of the past decade and landing on new, long dormant emotions like joy, that the band are experiencing once again. WNXP was granted this rare interview with Nick Cave.

What Where When-sday: Nashville Public Library’s Courtyard Concert Series

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the Nashville Public Library’s Courtyard Concert series taking place near their downtown location at Church Street Park. It’s happening every Tuesday from September 3rd to October 22 with Ed Brown, Public Information Officer for the library.

Record of the Week: BEAN. 'BEAN. EP'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Nashville band BEAN. has only been together for a few years but has been rising through the Nashville music scene with their blend of bedroom pop and alternative soul. Their connection all started in the dorm rooms of Belmont University the same place where the wrote songs off their debut self-titled EP.

On The Record with WNXP: Gustaf

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Gustaf are a post-punk band from Brooklyn, a description that fits what seems like hundreds of bands during this current “post-punk revival.” But few stand out like Gustaf. Yes, their music embodies the familiar sounds of the genre — agitated guitars, dynamic bass lines and talk-singing preaching — but their latest record Package Pt. 2 is also experimental, unexpected and often uncomfortable. It’s obvious the five-piece is willing and able to push their sonic boundaries beyond the simplicity of punk. Their instrumental layering and the vocal stylings of maniacal frontwoman Lydia Gammill are commanding in ways that make the band incomparable to their peers.

Watch Gustaf perform “Starting and Staring,” “Close” and “Ground” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Live From DRKMTTR Listening Party & Tape Swap

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 13:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Live From DRKMTTR Listening Party & Tape Swap happening this Saturday with Billy Campbell, who produced and engineered the record.

On The Record with WNXP: Ratboys

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Bootgaze, freak folk, whatever you want to call it, it’s no secret country-leaning indie rock is having a major moment. So much so, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to stand out in the ever-growing popular “genre.” Chicago’s Ratboys met that challenge with their most transformative record yet. Recruiting acclaimed indie rock producer Chris Walla, The Window combines the perfect amount of twang and punchy riffs to create swelling, cinematic moments that the settle into comforting, front porch-sitting familiarity.

Watch Ratboys perform “It’s Alive,” “Black Earth, WI” and “Country” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Iron & Wine 'Light Verse'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 15:40:00 -0000

More than 20 years into the Iron & Wine project, 2024 finds singer-songwriter Sam Beam having released both a new studio album, 'Light Verse,' and a concert documentary film, 'Who Can See Forever.' Beam stopped by WNXP studios to discuss creative momentum and the importance in taking risks even though life, as he says in the documentary's trailer, has "no safety ropes." The Iron & Wine 'Light Verse' tour stops at Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, August 24.

On The Record with WNXP: Squid

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 20:00:00 -0000

They’ve been dubbed post-punk, but that doesn’t quite encompass what Brighton’s Squid is capable of. Drummer and singer Ollie Judge has gone on the record calling the quintet’s sound “some sort of twisted, 21st-century jazz,” pairing rock guitars with classical and jazz instrumentation. It’s chaotic and frenetic, but intentional. Their latest LP O Monolith showcases exactly that. Regardless of its lack of “genre,” everything Squid does is expansive and all-consuming. It’s bigger than the sound they create. It’s a work of art.

Watch Squid perform “Fugue (Bin Song),” “Undergrowth” and “Swing (In A Dream)” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Eastside Jam

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Eastside Jam, happening every Sunday at Inglewood Lounge in East Nashville, with Jody Lee. Lee is the drummer and organizer of the event.

Record of the Week: Fana Hues 'Moth'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Fana Hues started her career as a musician at two years old. "Moth" shows her expertise, blending serious song craft into pop R&B bangers. We talked to her on the balcony of The Ryman before her performance at the Mother Church.

What Where When-sday: East Nashville Facebook Page The Musical

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we sit down with Emma Supica to discuss “The East Nashville Facebook Page: The Musical” happening this Saturday at Riverside Revival.

What Where When-sday: The Sweetness of Life Culinary Experience/Family Ice Cream Social

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:53:34 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss The Sweetness of Life Culinary Experience/Family Ice Cream Social taking place this Saturday at the Frist Arts Museum with Lokelani Alabanza of Saturated Ice Cream.

Record of the Week: Remi Wolf 'Big Ideas'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:20:00 -0000

Remi Wolf grew leaps and bounds between the release of her 2021 debut Juno (which she made entirely in bedrooms during COVID times) and this summer’s launch of sophomore record Big Ideas. This period represented near-constant touring, and writing in short spurts when home in California, as the artist grappled with surging through her mid-twenties while simultaneously becoming an indie pop star.

She said, "Along with it came so many new feelings. Of loneliness, isolation, community, love, friendship, confusion about my own identity, confusion about relationships. It was all a big whirlwind.” Hear Remi Wolf talk about the collaborative new record and some of her influences in this discussion.

What Where When-sday: NashFeels 6th Anniversary

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss NashFeels. The popular, social event highlights genres from hip-hop and R&B to Reggae and Afrobeats. It will be celebrating its 6th year with two nights at Brooklyn Bowl on Friday and Saturday. I spoke with the headliner for night one, Nashville rapper Starlito, and co-founder D’Llisha Davis.

Interview: Starlito

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

NashFeels, the popular, social event highlights genres from hip-hop and R&B to Reggae and Afrobeats, will be celebrating its 6th year with two nights at Brooklyn Bowl on Friday and Saturday. We spoke with the headliner for night one, Nashville rapper Starlito about performing at the event, building up the Nashville hip-hop scene, and his new album Imposter Syndrome.

On The Record with WNXP: Buck Meek

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:05:00 -0000

There’s no denying Buck Meek’s integral role in one of the buzziest contemporary indie bands in the world. But Meek’s solo work pushes his artistry beyond the bounds of Big Thief. His third solo effort Haunted Mountain is arguably Meek’s most ambitious work yet. His sweet, warbly vocals highlight his impressive storytelling and somehow shine through deeply textured musical arrangements complete with big Meek riffs. The contrast shouldn’t work, but his ability to fill space in unique ways is unmatched. His modern approach to country-rock is refreshing and proves why Meek is becoming one of the most revered musicians of his genre.

Watch Meek perform “Haunted Mountain,” “Paradise” and “Where You’re Coming From” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Rosali 'Bite Down'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0000

Now residing in North Carolina where she made a record inspired by the nature of Appalachia, Rosali's "Bite Down" is our WNXP Record of the Week.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Meg Elsier

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:05:00 -0000

An artists’ debut album is often a chance to tell the story of their life, and new Nashville artists are usually eager to get that story out. But that’s not the case for Meg Elsier, who is WNXP’s Nasvhlle Artist of the Month. She told WNXP’s Justin Barney that instead of telling a story through her debut album, Spittake, she wanted to make a record based on feeling.

What Where When-sday: The RESET: An Immersive Sound Healing Experience

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we focus on health and wellness with The RESET: An Immersive Sound Healing Experience with Davin Youngs at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Sunday.

Record of the Week: Veaux 'Love in the Midnight'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:05:00 -0000

Having been in Nashville for a while, the trio Veaux were trying a bunch of different things musically, but nothing clicked until they decided to make what they want to make unapologetically. Over the next two years, the band would release singles, including their most streamed song “Strawberry Blues,” and tour the country. Now they've put together their first official project as Veaux is the new EP titled Love in the Midnight.

What Where When-sday: Pink Pony Club: Chappell Roan Night

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:05:00 -0000

Chappell Roan released her debut, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, back in September 2023. You’ve probably heard "HOT TO GO!," "Red Wine Supernova," and "Pink Pony Club" on WNXP and all over the internet. Just this week, Roan earned her first top 10 Billboard-charting track with "Good Luck, Babe!" Her career breakthrough has been fun to watch this year, especially if you are a longtime fan. WNXP’s resident Chappell Roan expert Carly Butler joins me to talk about Pink Pony Club: Chappell Roan Night at Brooklyn Bowl this Friday — and the impact her music has made on fans.

Feature: Black Opry Records

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:05:00 -0000

On a June afternoon, it seems like business as usual at the independent music company Thirty Tigers, as staffers file into its Nashville conference room, and colleagues dial in remotely. But this isn’t just any marketing meeting. They’re joined by Holly G, the founder of the Black Opry platform and its new record label, and the first artist she signed, Jett Holden. Everyone’s here to strategize about a one-of-a-kind album launch.

Record of the Week: Angelica Garcia 'Gemelo'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:05:00 -0000

In 1991 the artist Angelica took a song from Rosie and the Original, kept the bubblegum pop melody, but swapped the instruments out for a fat synthesizer and released this version of Angel Baby, it was a hit, reaching number 29 on the Billboard hot 100.That singer is Angelica Garcia’s mother. Garcia has released Gemelo, our Record of the Week on WNXP. It’s an album that is similarly in love with the sounds of a synthesizer. Just like her mom’s album.

Interview: Deanie Parker of Stax Records

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:05:00 -0000

Deanie Parker has worn many different hats at Stax Records. From a songwriter, singer, arranger, collaborator, and publicist for the since the beginning of the label existence. Decades later continues to persevere the history of Stax. President and CEO of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Stax Music Academy and executive director of Soulsville Foundation. The Grammy Award winner joined us to discuss her legacy with the legendary label out of Memphis, Tennessee.

What Where When-sday: Queer Qlassics

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we talk about an event that kicks off next Wednesday through August 7. Queer Qlassics — that’s “classics” with a “q” — returns to the Belcourt, Nashville’s nonprofit film center. Films will include "The Color Purple" (July 10), "Saint Laurent" (July 17), "The Last of Sheila" (July 24), "Hard Candy" (July 31), and "Hairspray" (August 7). Our special guest is Belcourt historian and archivist T. Minton.

On The Record with WNXP: Ty Segall

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

It’s a challenge to capture the energy of a gritty rock club once an artist graduates to larger stages and better resources. Yet Ty Segall continues to make music that feels as dynamic and spirited as his early DIY days. The prolific musician has released 15 studio albums as a solo artist, and that doesn’t even begin to cover his other projects and collaborations. With every release, Segall pushes the boundaries of what’s expected. He’s proven he’s more than fuzzed out, distorted guitars, but continues to bring a youthful sense of experimentation to everything he does. Clocking in at 66 minutes, his latest solo effort Three Bells embodies this sense of sonic exploration while staying true to Segall’s garage rock royalty status.

Watch Segall perform “The Bell,” “Void” and “My Best Friend” from Three Bells live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Hana Vu 'Romanticism'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

L.A.-based indie artist Hana Vu's sophomore record 'Romanticism' explores the inner workings of her mind at age 22. Working with producer Jackson Phillips (Day Wave), Hana Vu layered synths and beats under her strong vocals and alt-grunge rock leanings on this follow-up to her acclaimed debut LP 'Public Storage.' Her tour stops in Nashville July 30.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: T Bone Burnett

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:00:00 -0000

There are legends and elders in music, and then there’s T Bone Burnett. He’s produced more than his share of historic projects over the last six decades. This year, he put that care into an album of his own. Reporter Justin Barney went to Burnett’s house to find out how the WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month keeps finding new life in old things.

On The Record with WNXP: Nathaniel Rateliff

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:20:24 -0000

Nathaniel Rateliff dropped by WNXP in advance of his band, The Night Sweats, releasing its fourth record South of Here on the Stax label out of Memphis on June 28. After performing an early album single "Heartless" solo acoustic, Rateliff sat down to talk about making this record with producer Bradley Cook, getting on top of his perfectionist-leaning anxiety, is his native Missouri the South (?) and hitting the road with another beloved live rock band, My Morning Jacket, this year.

What Where When-sday: The East Room

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0000

The East Room opened up in 2012 in East Nashville. The independent venue has been a space for up-and-coming local and touring artists as well as a space for dance parties, theater and comedy acts. This week for What Where When-sday our special guest is Taylor Cole, talent buyer and GM of the venue.

Record of the Week: Aaron Frazer 'Into the Blue'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:06:08 -0000

Aaron Frazer fell in love with soul music dancing around his living room to Michael Jackson playing on the turntable as a kid. But, in a way, his love of soul amplified thanks to hip-hop and the first CD he ever owned, Will Smith’s 1997 album Big Willie Style.

Frazer got a soul education at the age of nine listening to the interpolation of “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers, Smith’s “Men in Black” rap to Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots,” the George Benson sample on “Miami,” and the biggest song on the record “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” a melody taken from Sister Sledge's “He’s the Greatest Dancer.” Studying classic hip-hop records helped Frazer develop his instrumentation through the years and some of that hip hop philosophy can be heard on his second solo album Into the Blue.

Music Citizens Episode 1: The Lifer

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 11:15:00 -0000

In Nashville, there are more people who work in the music industry per capita than any other city in the world. It’s the perfect setting for Music Citizens, a series about the people behind the scenes who make music work.

Episode 1 is about Bruce Fitzpatrick, owner of The End. We’re doing this series at a time when independent music venues like The End are in trouble. And it’s all precariously held together by one 80-year old man who does the job of 10 people.

Voices in the episode include:

Jason Moon Wilkins — Host
Justin Barney — Reporter, Producer
Bruce Fitzpatrick — Owner of The End
Alyson Estes — Assistant GM of The End
Michelle Egnasko — Legacy Promotions
Jason Ringenberg — Lead singer of Jason & the Scorchers
Danie Pujol — Lead singer of Pujol
Brennan Wedl – Musician
Amy Dee – Owner of Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge

This episode was produced by Justin Barney, Emily Siner and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Rachel Iacovone, Marquis Munson, LaTonya Turner, Meribah Knight, Jesse Strauss, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, Emily Young and everyone who helped.

Institutional support from Metro Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts Thrive and First Horizon Foundation.

Follow WNXP on social platforms as @WNXPNashville. and for more on Music Citizens you can head over to WNXP.org/musiccitizens/

Interview: Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 01:05:00 -0000

Interview: Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill

Record of the Week: Daisha McBride 'People Like Me'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:56:29 -0000

Daisha McBride was just messing around when she started posting raps from her MTSU dorm room about a decade ago, but quickly got serious about her hip-hop career. She could’ve chased trends, or a record deal. Instead, she’s learned to veer away from what doesn’t work for her while steering towards what does. The paradox is that her new project, an EP titled People Like Me, offers both the clearest view of her creative and professional ethic to date and her most multi-faceted music-making. Senior music writer Jewly Hight, who’s chronicled McBride’s evolution over the years, digs in to the latest phase.

TEASER: Music Citizens

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:05:00 -0000

WNXP and Nashville Public Radio are proud to announce a new podcast series about the people in the music industry who make music work: Music Citizens. Each episode will explore the behind the scenes jobs of music's working class and the folks who do them. Episode one features The End’s owner/operator Bruce Fitzpatrick, “The Lifer.”

Music Citizens launches its first episode on Thursday, June 20, on 91.ONE FM, at wnxp.org and through all podcast outlets.

Interview: Donald "DJ" Johnson of Khruangbin

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Donald "DJ" Johnson is the percussionist for, and one third of, the Texas trio Khruangbin, which released its fourth studio LP called A La Sala in April. The band that draws inspiration from funk, soul and psychedelic rock made all across the globe is currently touring the states and playing A La Sala front-to-back. They also play Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee June 14. Hear Johnson describe dusting off the rust to prepare for touring this year, how the band continues to grow and connect with each record, how festival sets necessarily differ from Khruangbin headlining shows and an item he's learned he cannot live without while traveling.

What Where When-sday: 615 Day at The Basement East

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 12:05:00 -0000

Saturday is 615 Day with a daytime event happening at the National Museum of African American Music, and at night, our subject for this week’s What Where When-sday: 615 Day at The Basement East. WNXP spoke with Gee Slab of Six One Tribe about the event.

Interview: Terrace Martin

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 10:55:50 -0000

Before his show at City Winery Nashville on Monday, Terrace Martin, producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, joined us to discuss when he fell in love with music, his creative process, working with Dinner Party, and what to expect from his live show on Tuesday.

What Where When-sday: Sound Makers at NMAAM

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:45:00 -0000

In honor of Black Music Month, this week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Sound Makers happening throughout June at the National Museum of African American Music with Dion Brown and Noelle Taylor.

Record of the Week: Hermanos Gutiérrez 'Sonido Cósmico'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:46:21 -0000

Brother duo Hermanos Gutiérrez's second LP for Nashville-based label Easy Eye Sound is called Sonido Cósmico, which finds the instrumental guitar band leaving the desert and ascending to space thanks to their trusted blood relative synchronicity you just can't fabricate, plus the help of extra instrumentalists in Music City. Hear the conversation with Estevan and Alejandro Gutiérrez from WNXP's Sonic Cathedral discussing our Record of the Week, Sonido Cósmico, released in full on June 14.

What Where When-sday: Blue June Music Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 29 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Blue June Music Fest with John Vincent III. Happening at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, the touring one-day music fest will highlight folk, Americana, roots and country through local and non-local artists from Cece Coakley, Kara Jackson, and Vincent himself. He joined us to talk about how the event came together.

Record of the Week: Bleachers 'Bleachers'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 28 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Jack Antonoff has produced albums for Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent and FKA Twigs in the past couple years, he even co-produced the most recent Kendrick Lamar diss track, but what is a Jack Antonoff album like when he is in front of the mic instead of behind the producers booth? The result is our Record of the Week on WNXP.

On The Record with WNXP: Mannequin Pussy

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 23 May 2024 18:30:53 -0000

Mannequin Pussy is impossible to ignore. Sure, the name catches your attention immediately, but the music holds you hostage. The Philadelphia rock band combines power pop with punk to create unapologetic, in-your-face anthems. On paper, the combination shouldn’t work, but Mannequin Pussy’s latest album I Got Heaven proves time and time again that it does, weaving in and out from lush harmonies and hazy guitars to abrasive yelling and shredding.

Watch them perform “Loud Bark,” “Ok? Ok! Ok? Ok!” and the title track off I Got Heaven live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

What Where When-sday: Mindful Creative “Off the Record”

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 22 May 2024 17:33:28 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Mindful Creative “Off the Record.” Taking place at 100 Taylor on Thursday, the mix and mingle for the creative community of Nashville will be a vinyl show and tell, discussing your favorite records and the art that inspires us to create. Kaylah Symone, the founder of Mindful Creative, spoke to us about the event.

Record of the Week: Chicano Batman 'Notebook Fantasy'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 20 May 2024 21:31:03 -0000

When you hear the title of Chicano Batman's latest album, Notebook Fantasy, you might be reminded of that time in school when your imagination took you in another direction from the subject the teacher was teaching. As our minds would float off into these hopes and dreams, as young people, we would use our notebook to illustrate those ideas.

Guitarist Carlos Arevalo says it represented this time when you were young, or you could be any age, and you write down your hopes, dreams and aspirations in your journal. This was that him, Bardo Martinez, and Eduardo Arenas vision on this record. Aspiring to be greater than the last record and the records before that.

Interview: Kane Strang of Office Dog

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 17 May 2024 19:25:27 -0000

Office Dog is a newer band out of Auckland, New Zealand — just now about to embark on its first U.S. tour in support of New West Records labelmates Nada Surf — born from the solo artist burnout of singer-songwriter-guitarist Kane Strang, who sought the collaboration of friends Mitchell “Mitch” Innes (drums) and Rassani “Ras” Tolovaa (bass). Office Dog’s debut record is called ‘Spiel’ and we spoke to Strang about its creation.

Feature: MGMT

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:48:24 -0000

Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were in their early twenties when they painted their faces for the album cover of their decade-defining album Oracular Spectacular in 2007. They were self-proclaimed psychonauts exploring the subconscious unknown though heroic doses of psychedelic drugs, looking to find what any twenty-year-old is looking for, the answers to life. And what did they find? The answer comes after a decade of reflection in the last song off their new album Loss of Life, which is a bit of a trip in itself.

What Where When-sday: Creative Girls Rock Expo

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 15 May 2024 13:05:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Creative Girls Rock Expo: Broken Crayons Still In Color at Tennessee State University with founder and CEO Charmin Bates. The organization based in Nashville mission is to educate and empower young girls to utilize their creative talents in unique ways. In honor of Mental Health and Wellness Month, this Saturday they are offering a Creative Girls Rock Expo: Broken Crayons Steel C.O.L.O.R., an acronym for Cultivating Our Lives One Radiant Hue at a time. Main host, along with Creative Girls Rock, is an organization called Smooth founded by Sabrina Greenlee, the mother of DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans.

Record of the Week: Kyshona 'Legacy'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 13 May 2024 14:01:00 -0000

Former WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Kyshona has a collaborative songwriting program called Your Song whose mission is helping people find their voices through songs, writing their story, and find healing through songwriting. On her latest album Legacy, our WNXP Record of the Week, she does just that. An album she’s been making for a decade goes back multiple generations of her family legacy and history. She discusses the album’s concept and the importance of family on this record.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Rainbow Kitten Surprise

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:01:00 -0000

Most bands that start in a college dorm room don’t last past graduation. Not Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The group came close to calling it quits, but its willingness to evolve has kept it going for well over a decade. Leading up to the new album “Love Hate Music Box,” R-K-S underwent profound change. Senior music writer Jewly Hight reports it’s the band’s first project since singer Ela Melo transitioned ... and imagined new musical possibilities for the group.

What Where When-sday: Strawberry Jubilee & Mother's Day

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 09 May 2024 20:18:55 -0000

This Saturday, the Strawberry Jubilee makes its return. Courtney Cotton oversees marketing at the Nashville Farmers Market spoke about the event and Sunday is, of course, Mother’s Day. So, if you don’t have plans yet, listen up. Nashville Public Radio’s resident foodie Rachel Iacovone is here to save the day.

On The Record with WNXP: Arlo Parks

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 07 May 2024 15:01:38 -0000

Arlo Parks became an international sensation after the release of her 2021 breakout album Collapsed in Sunbeams earned the singer, songwriter several Grammy and BRIT award nominations. With this newfound success, Parks took an even more introspective approach on her highly anticipated sophomore effort My Soft Machine. The deeply personal record narrates Parks’ transition into adulthood with a much more dynamic soundtrack than her debut, showcasing a new exploratory approach to her artistry.

Parks’ vulnerable storytelling is backed by dreamy arrangements that make for pleasant listening for all. Watch her perform “Blades,” “Dog Rose” and “Devotion” off My Soft Machine live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Eric Slick 'New Age Rage'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 06 May 2024 15:00:26 -0000

Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and singer Eric Slick, best known as the drummer for Dr. Dog, released his second solo record 'New Age Rage' in April. Before embarking on tour for this funky, dance-y, sample-rich and obviously highly percussive album, Slick visited WNXP’s studio to talk about the new music and his elation to get back in front of people. The Nashville show is Friday, May 10 at The Blue Room.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Phosphorescent

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 01 May 2024 22:21:43 -0000

WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month for April is Phosphorescent. The man behind that project is Matthew Houck. Over two decades he’s compiled a library of songs, some of the best are anthems, epic in scope and often dealing with melancholy. Most are written though from a standpoint of assuredness, like that wild-hearted character whose bones are steel in “Song for Zula.” The new album Revelator takes a different perspective.

What Where When-sday: It’s Giving Global’s Cinco De Mayo at Golden Pony

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:02:21 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss It’s Giving Global’s Cinco De Mayo event at Golden Pony. Taking place on Sunday, the event will feature DJs spinning Latin and global sounds with food and clothing vendors.

Record of the Week: Gloom Girl MFG 'Polycrisis'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:36:44 -0000

The four songwriters and instrumentalists that make up Nashville punk/garage rock band Gloom Girl MFG have only played together for a couple of years, but they've quickly gelled as a group and attracted lots of positive attention for their high-energy live shows. Counted among their enthusiastic local fan base is Cage the Elephant guitarist and producer Brad Shultz, who asked to work with Gloom Girl MFG on the band's first official studio recording, Polycrisis, a six-song EP out May 3. The band joined Celia in-studio to discuss this release track by track.

Record of the Week: Alice Randall's 'My Black Country'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:30:58 -0000

Everybody’s been talking about how Beyoncé’s new album spotlights Black country and cowboy traditions. But even before she teased that project, author and songwriter Alice Randall had already announced her own book and album, both titled “My Black Country.” Randall’s been lifting up foundational Black country voices for a lifetime, and senior music writer Jewly Hight reports she’s finally being treated as one herself.

What Where When-sday: Black Opry Presents Three-Year Celebration Honoring Alice Randall at City Winery

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:24:50 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Black Opry Presents Three-Year Celebration Honoring Alice Randall at City Winery. The Black Opry has been a platform for black artists and fans of country, roots, folk, and Americana in an industry that doesn’t often offer them the space. They are celebrating their third year by honoring Randall, whose songwriting contributions have been overlooked in that space. Those songs are now being reimagined and performed by Black women for the first time on her album My Black Country and at the City Winery show. Senior music writer Jewly Hight spoke with Randall about the show.

Interview: Nick Harmer of Death Cab for Cutie

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:03:31 -0000

The high-demand 20th Anniversary Transatlanticism and Give Up tour, co-headlined by Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service in celebration of their respective records first released in 2003, has extended into 2024 with a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 29. Death Cab’s founding bass guitarist Nick Harmer, who connected from home in Seattle before tour began, shared some of the “real-life time machine” feelings that have come up in rehearsing and performing the band’s breakthrough record in its entirety.

What Where When-sday: Earth Day N' The Hood

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:13:44 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Earth Day N’ The Hood with Jaffee Judah, executive director of Recycle & Reinvest. Starting as a local community cleanup crew in 2018, the organization’s mission is to provide safer communities and greener environments while promoting sustainability — and using music in the efforts to raise awareness of environmental importance to the next generation.

Record of the Week: Gustaf 'Package Pt. 2'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:36:32 -0000

The songs that make up “Package Pt. 2” from Gustaf are a logical continuation of the powerful debut LP by the NYC five-piece, with more loud, in-your-face punk songs but also some surprising detours into experimental grooves. Gustaf’s singer and lyricist Lydia Gammill shed light on this new LP, WNXP’s Record of the Week, in advance of their U.S. tour, which stops in Nashville May 17 for a WNXP Presents show at DRKMTTR.

What Where When-sday: OZ Arts' 10th Anniversary Bash

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:00:40 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss OZ Arts’ anniversary bash with Executive and Artistic Director Mark Murphy. Housed in a renovated, former cigar warehouse in West Nashville, OZ Arts is celebrating 10 years with this event on Friday. The evening will be a culmination of the first decade with pop-up performances and visual art installations. Murphy, who worked in the contemporary art space before landing at OZ , says it was the organization’s avant garde approach that drew him in.

Record of the Week: Waxahatchee 'Tigers Blood'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 11:02:00 -0000

In 2012 Katie Crutchfield took the moniker of a creek by her house in central Alabama, the Waxahatchee creek and released the album American Weekend. Where she garnered a good amount of buzz in the blog era for being a songwriter in her early 20’s who was a vividly personal storyteller. “My life was so chaotic. As many people’s in their 20’s are, you know? It was just chocked full of drama. Everything was so intense and melodramatic and every slight or heartbreak was intensely recorded on those records.” Those records resonated, and then in 2020, just before everything happened, she released the album Saint Cloud.

It’s ease and beauty sound tracked many people’s pandemics and made Waxahatchee a much larger success. It was a record that sounded like an artist no longer trying, but finding their truest self. She’s followed that with Tigers Blood, our Record of the Week on WNXP.

On The Record with WNXP: Yard Act

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:01:38 -0000

Leeds’ four-piece Yard Act made a massive splash in a crowded post-punk wave with their 2022 debut The Overload. Frontman James Smith was impossible to ignore, and the band’s humorous approach to the genre was a refreshing addition to the established acts leading the scene.

On their follow-up Where’s My Utopia?, Smith’s charisma is still front and center, but a bit more self-reflective, and the agitated guitars have been replaced with synths and dance beats. Co-produced with Gorillaz member Remi Kabaka Jr., the disco-inspired dance-rock album drastically expands on their post-punk minimalism.

Watch Yard Act perform “Petroleum” and “Dream Job” from Where’s My Utopia? as well as 2022’s “Payday” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Feature: The Return of Boom Bap

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:01:59 -0000

There are number of series making hip-hop, soul and R&B more available to Nashville crowds. From NashFeels, Motown Monday, Sunday Night Soul, among others. But there is one that’s making its return this weekend that captures the essence of hip hop from the late 80s and early 90s.

The series Boom Bap started as an event in Nashville in late 2000s with local and eventually legendary DJs from Jazzy Jeff to 9th Wonder playing hip hop in spaces that normally wouldn’t. After a couple year hiatus the event is back happening at Blind Barber on Saturday. We spoke with the organizers about how the idea for the party came together.

What Where When-sday: Linking Arms for Change

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:01:02 -0000

Today is the anniversary of the Covenant School shooting, which killed three adults — Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce and Cynthia Peak — and three children — Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs — on March 27, 2023.

Last year, there were many events, both planned and organically happening, in the weeks and months after. This year, there is really the one, collectively. This week for What Where When-sday, we talk to some of the organizers behind Linking Arms for Change, which will form a human chain from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to the capitol tonight. Organizations like Moms Demand Action and local clergy have announced their attendance.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition behind the event, Voices for a Safer Tennessee, began 11 months ago and now has chapters in all 95 counties in the state. Its board chair, Todd Cruse, and well-known musician and performer, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, sat down with us to discuss the event and the last year.

On The Record with WNXP: Hotline TNT

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:00:57 -0000

While the music industry has labeled them as “shoegaze,” Hotline TNT’s sound expands far beyond what that description would suggest. The brainchild of Brooklyn-based musician Will Anderson, the project features a rotating cast of players with Anderson’s DIY brilliance at the helm. His dedication to the craft and the scene made their third LP Cartwheel one of the most highly-anticipated releases of 2023.

Watch Hotline TNT perform “I Thought You’d Change,” “History Channel” and “Stump” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Record of the Week: Adrianne Lenker 'Bright Future'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:44:26 -0000

Adrianne Lenker is reaching the status of folk hero. Her stick-to-your-gut, freewheeling attitude is one that Adrianne Lenker brings to her new solo album, “Bright Future” our Record of the Week. “I wanted to make this record feel like you’re in the room with us. ”In order to actually bring you into the room, Lenker’s record label brought us to a studio in Greenwich Village to capture an interview with Lenker and three songs, live in the room, mistakes and all.

What Where When-sday: The Rock and Roll Playhouse

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:01:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays the Music of The Beatles at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday. The kid-friendly live concert series brings the music of iconic musicians to allow parents to share their musical experiences with their children in an atmosphere that’s fun and engaging for both parties, including games, face painting and, yes, a parachute.

Record of the Week: Britti 'Hello, I'm Britti'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:13:39 -0000

New Orleans based artist Britti had the vision she would work at a Guitar Center in Nashville and that was how she would get discovered. Although that’s not exactly how it worked out, she bought a guitar and during the pandemic would sing covers on her Instagram from Lainey Wilson to John Denver. This caught the attention of Tom Osborn of Easy Eye Sound who would fly Britti out to Nashville for writing sessions with Dan Auberbach. That journey led her to her debut album Hello, I’m Britti our WNXP Record of the Week.

Interview: Blonde Redhead

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0000

The trio known as Blonde Redhead formed in New York City in 1993, therefore just celebrated 30 years together with the release of their fall 2023 release called Sit Down for Dinner, the band's first full-length in nine years. Their 2024 American tour supporting this record included a February stop at Nashville's Basement East, where WNXP host Celia sat down backstage with bandmates Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amadeo Pace. They reflected on their history as a band, the look and feel of their fan base, collaborating to pull this record together throughout and post-COVID, and also memorable meals.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Mama Zu

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Posthumous music releases are tricky. Especially for the creative decision maker left behind. You’re navigating loss, assumption, expectation, doubt... all without input from the voice. In the case of Mama Zu, the voice is Jessi Zazu, a crucial figure in the Middle Tennessee indie music scene who died from cancer seven years ago at the age of 28. Before her death, Zazu had been making what became Quilt Floor with Linwood Regensberg her longtime bandmate in Those Darlins and the person responsible for finishing Mama Zu's recordings without her. There had been talk of the recordings around town for years but it took time for Regensberg to even restart it.

What Where When-sday: Music City Irish Fest

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

It’s Saint Patrick’s Day this weekend! So this week for What Where Wednesday, we are highlighting Music City Irish Fest. It’s been happening since March 10th so you can start your celebration as soon as today at venues across the city. Brenda Willis is owner and CEO of the group putting this on this event.

Interview: Jenny Lewis talks show at the Ryman

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:00:00 -0000

Jenny Lewis is playing the Ryman Auditorium this Wednesday March 13. It's a venue that she's played before but this will be her first time playing it as a Nashville resident. Jenny Lewis talks to Justin Barney about moving to Nashville and playing the Ryman.

Record of the Week: Mannequin Pussy 'I Got Heaven'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:46:46 -0000

Philly hardcore? Indie? Punk? band Mannequin Pussy is our Record of the Week on WNXP. The album was brought to light in an effort with super producer John Congleton and shows Mannequin Pussy in their fullest dynamic range, from a screaming rage that burns with the heat of a thousand suns, but also, the hushed tones of a brushed drum stick playing softly under delicately delivered lyrics from Missy Dabice.

What Where Whens-day: Soul Brunch at Acme Feed & Seed

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:37:19 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Charles “Wigg” Walker’s Soul Brunch at Acme Feed & Seed with co-owner Lauren Morales and drummer for the Nashville soul legend Pete Abott. The building at 101 Broadway has served many tenants since 1890 — from Southern Soda Works to Tennessee Wholesale Drug company and a few transfer and storage operations. In 2014, Tom Morales and his partners leased the building and turned it into a rare spot on Lower Broad that is inclusive of all music.

Record of the Week: Bats 'Good Game Baby'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:34:14 -0000

Nashville native Jess Awh hated country music. Until she moved away and started missing home. Now she’s back and she’s written an album that is country in its core but also dabbles in long extensions of layers of found sound that she has been collecting since she was 15, big droning guitar. For Nashvillians there are detailed references to what it’s like to drive on Dickerson Pike after a DRKMTR show after 11 o’clock at night and the relatable song title, “Downtown Sucks You Can’t Park Anymore.” Jess Awh’s band is Bats and their new album, Good Game Baby is our Record of the Week.

Interview: Maseo of De La Soul (2023)

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 22:00:00 -0000

Legendary hip hop trio De La Soul released the 35th anniversary of their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising featuring some previously unreleased records. Around this time last year their music became available to fans on streaming platforms for the first time and Maseo of De La Soul spoke to WNXP’s Marquis Munson back in 2023 about the impact of their music being released on streaming services, sampling, the impact of producer Prince Paul and celebrates the life of fellow member Trugoy the Dove.

Making Noise: The Next Generation

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0000

If one generation found Nashville inhospitable to their hip-hop and R&B ambitions, what about the next wave of artists? And what role could Lovenoise play for them? After 20 years of mounting influence for the company, the final chapter of “Making Noise” examines the work that is still to come.

What Where When-sday: Analog Soul - A Celebration of Making Noise

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:00:18 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Analog Soul - A Celebration of Making Noise with Jewly Hight and Nicole Kemp. Nashville Public Radio’s podcast series Making Noise tells the story of the music promotion company Lovenoise, who for 20 years provided a platform for Black music and reaching underserved audiences across generations. The final episode airs tomorrow, and the event at the Hutton Hotel will be a celebration of Lovenoise's journey through conversation, spoken word and music. Senior music writer Jewly Hight spoke to me about the series reaching its conclusion.

Record of the Week: Real Estate 'Daniel'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Real Estate, a band with New Jersey roots but now spread out around the country, convened in Nashville to lay down their sixth LP, Daniel. A return to some of the early sounds of Real Estate -- uncomplicated, melody-forward, easy and breezy indie rock -- 'Daniel' showcases the songwriting of frontman Martin Courtney, who spoke with Celia about his vision for this full-length. Also reached to talk about the making of WNXP's Record of the Week was Daniel Tashian, the Nashville-based artist and producer who led Courtney and his bandmates through a quick, nine-day recording blitz in RCA Studio A on Music Row.

Making Noise: Leveling Up

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:01:00 -0000

By the early 2010s, Nashville was exploding as a destination for tourists and new residents. If Lovenoise wanted to make a difference in a city on the rise, they’d need to figure out how to tap into that growth — and try to make sure music-makers holding down the R&B and hip-hop scenes didn’t get left behind. Or pushed out.

What Where When-sday: Regeneration Live with Mike Floss & Rod McGaha

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:04:35 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Regeneration Live at The Blue Room with jazz trumpet player Rod McGaha and Nashville hip-hop artist Mike Floss. The latter is known for his immersive shows from his Contraband EP release show to the Meat and Three series. Now, the father and son duo will perform together this Saturday night to bring together their respective social movement and visual art.

Record of the Week: Keyon Harrold 'Foreverland'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Keyon Harrold has showcased his trumpet playing for various artists in the studio and on the road, most notable Jay-Z on his 2007 hit “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is).” The trumpeter from Ferguson, Missouri started playing around the age of six studying the greats from Miles Davis to Clifford Brown and Clark Terry. His journey led him to a jazz camp in Colorado when he was a teenager, that’s where he met future collaborators Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin. Touring with Common for his breakout album Like Water for Chocolate in the early 2000s. Although grateful for the opportunities to share the studio or stage supporting different artists, he has branched out into his own work. Harrold and his trumpet are back front and center on his third solo project Foreverland.

Making Noise: History Lessons

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:02:00 -0000

Last week, we introduced you to Lovenoise. Now we’re zooming in on exactly how they pushed through barriers that had long existed in Nashville. We’re also going to travel further back in time, to the heyday of Nashville’s Black music scene, and the role the city played in unraveling it. Then we’ll meet the first generation of R&B players, hip-hop MCs and neo-soul singer-songwriters who found what they’d been looking for at those Lovenoise Sunday nights.

In the early 2000s, Holt and his fellow Lovenoise founders may have been new to putting on events – aside from the party promotion that some of them had dabbled in – but they were savvy enough to learn from what was already working in Nashville. That meant borrowing from the strategies of a couple of country-oriented showcases that were considered institutions in the city.

What Where When-sday: Music in my Neighborhood with Nashville Symphony

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:00:12 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Music In My Neighborhood with Kimberly Kraft McLemore, VP of Education and Community Engagement for the Nashville Symphony. It’s a weeklong musical takeover of the North Nashville and Bordeaux neighborhoods — in a partnership with the symphony and local organizations to highlight the history, culture and residents.

Record of the Week: Madi Diaz 'Weird Faith'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:03:32 -0000

Record of the Week artist Madi Diaz has a lot going on. Since her reign as WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month a couple of years ago, she’s been co-signed by Muna and Waxahatchee. Her friend Kacey Musgraves jumped on a duet. She was picked by Pitchfork as a top album and Rolling Stone recently proclaimed this “the year of Madi.” Oh and Harry Styles handpicked her to not only open some shows but to join his band for a massive world tour! In our interview Madi explains how that experience “blew the lid off” her thought process around songwriting and recording. She shares a unique, recurring performance dream and a real-life nightmare (with a happy ending) that brought that feeling to life while opening for Styles. And she walks us through several tracks on Weird Faith, expanding on the big picture themes she tackles in songs like “Kiss the Wall,” “God Person” and “Obsessive Thoughts.”

Making Noise: The First Flyer

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, a concert can be so big that it makes the local news. Like in 2021, when legendary rapper Nas performed with the Nashville Symphony. So how did that watershed moment come to be? Behind the scenes — for some 20 years — the music promotion company Lovenoise was laying the groundwork, carving out “a safe space for Black culture,” and boosting artists of color.

“Making Noise” is a joint production by WPLN and WNXP, the sister stations of Nashville Public Radio. Senior Music Writer Jewly Hight reported the stories and hosts the show.

The editors and producers are Tony Gonzalez, Justin Barney, and Marquis Munson, with additional editing and guidance by LaTonya Turner, Meribah Knight, Nicole Kemp, Jason Moon Wilkins and Magnolia McKay. Fact-checking by Emily Siner.

The logo is by Mack Linebaugh, the accompanying live event on March 3 is directed by Nicole Kemp, and digital support comes from Rachel Iacovone and Carly Butler.

The music you heard comes from Blue Dot Sessions and from the creative commons of the Free Music Archive, where we found the artist Holizna and his tracks “Bus Stop,” “Chills,” “Life on Cassette,” and “Busking in the Sunlight.”

What Where When-sday: Live From $ville with Chuck Indigo

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Chuck Indigo: Live From $ville with Carlos Partee, owner of Cashville etc. There’s a ton of nicknames to describe Nashville. Music City, more recently the It City, but Cashville as a moniker has embraced the city's black community. Partee has taken the name and turned it into a clothing and community brand highlighting black creatives through fashion and music. I sat with Partee at Cashville store front in 100 Taylor’s Arts Collective to discuss what the word Cashville means to him and the music showcase happening on Thursday.

Record of the Week: Marika Hackman 'Big Sigh'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Big Sigh is the fourth LP by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marika Hackman, and her first original material in several years. The songs that make up Big Sigh are lush, expansive, thoughtful, and deep, so unsurprisingly my conversation with Marika Hackman felt that way, too. Hear Hackman discuss the making of Big Sigh -- a collection of tunes about "relief, release and acceptance" that comes with the "tackling of quite dark themes."

Trailer: Making Noise — How a Sunday night party changed Nashville

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0000

"Making Noise" is a four-part series by WPLN and WNXP about how the music promotion company Lovenoise has changed the music landscape of Nashville. Subscribe now!

What Where When-sday: Jefferson Street Sound Museum

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Black History in Music: Work, Worship, and Celebration at Jefferson Street Sound Museum with Lorenzo Washington, founder and curator, and Karen Lynn Coffee, vice president. Taking place every Saturday during the month of February, the event features an exclusive art exhibit that aims to celebrate businesses and entrepreneurs that made Jefferson Street a musician haven. Washington and Coffee discussed the event and the museum’s mission to keep the memory of thriving times on the historic street.

Record of the Week: Katy Kirby 'Blue Raspberry'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Our Record of the Week is Katy Kirby’s Blue Raspberry. After graduating from Belmont University here in Nashville Tennessee, Katy Kirby released Cool Dry Place on the Keeled Scales record label out of Austin. The record received acclaim far and wide. The folks over at Anti- Records, home of Tom Waits and Fleet Foxes noticed it too and signed a record deal with Katy Kirby. The new label has a new expansion of sound on the record and features many Nashville musicians and explores concepts of religion, personal identity and what it is to be real.

Interview: WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Brian Brown talks sports

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:59:14 -0000

Outside of being one of Nashville's most prolific MCs, Brian Brown's passion outside of music is sports. You can hear it in his lyrics you can see it on his social media the avid Detroit Lions fan and our WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month spoke about his love for the Lions and playoff prediction, the Tennessee Titans new head coach, and playing NFL Blitz while writing his breakout 2020 project Journey.

What Where When-sday: Cannery Hall

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:39 -0000

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Cannery Hall with general manager Brent Hyams. The site off 8th Avenue South formerly known as Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge and the High Watt, sold to a New York-based real estate company back in 2019. After undergoing renovations for the new space, the new Cannery Hall is set to start running shows starting tonight. Hyams discuss the process and vision for the venue.

Record of the Week: Ty Segal 'Three Bells'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 15:00:06 -0000

Ty Segall is inarguably prolific. The indie rock artist will drop his 15th full-length album, Three Bells, early this year. It must be a combination of all the aforementioned factors, with the underpinning of just being a very cool dude, that keeps the SoCal native pumping out the jams. His tour brings him to Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on April 24, and we talked about Three Bells right before he began rehearsal for this new batch of songs.

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What Where When-sday: Abortion Access Benefit at DRKMTTR

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0000

Our guest this week is Rachel Scarbrough, a former Nashville resident who’s worked with Ground Control Touring to bring Saturday’s Abortion Access Benefit at DRKMTTR to fruition. This fundraiser show (100% of ticket proceeds go to regional organizations supporting reproductive rights) is one of five held around the country on the same night, and Nashville’s boasts a stacked bill of some of our favorite acts, including current Nashville Artist of the Month Brian Brown, plus WNXP regulars Soccer Mommy, Snõõper and Mali Velasquez.

Record of the Week: Alanna Royale 'Trouble Is'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 03:07:00 -0000

Nashville singer/songwriter Alanna Royale uses her classic soul and R&B influences to explore the highs and lows we universally experience in life while sharing her own personal experiences on her latest album Trouble Is. She linked up with Kelly Finnegan of Monophonics to produce the record during the pandemic and during a time when she was dealing with her own personal trauma. Going to therapy helped her in her songwriting for this album and helped her be more vulnerable and honest with the stories she wanted to tell.

What Where When-sday: Let Freedom Sing

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:18:44 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the 31st annual Let Freedom Sing with Dr. Jeffery Ames, director of choral activities at Belmont University and conductor of the event. Happening at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center this Sunday, the choose-what-you-pay community event honors the life, legacy and triumphs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Nashville Symphony, Celebration Chorus and their Youth Chorus will perform classical works. Ames, who is going into his third year conducting the event, talks about his vision for the performance.

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Record of the Week: Olivia Barton 'Big Sad'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Olivia Barton is a bighearted songwriter who wears her emotions on her sleeves and in her songs. 2023 was a big year for Barton, she featured on a song with her partner Corin, whose artist name is Corook on the song “If I Were A Fish” which has now been watched and listened to over 20 million times and has been made into a children’s book. In December Barton released her EP Big Sad which is our Record of the Week.

WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Brian Brown

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:30:00 -0000

Generations of rappers have made music repping where they came from and how it’s shaped them. After spending most of his 30 years in Nashville, hip-hop artist Brian Brown has arrived at his own way of doing that. Senior music writer Jewly Hight says the Nashville Artist of the Month has a keen eye on those who’ve been shoved aside in his changing city.

What Where When-sday: Analog at the Hutton Hotel

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Analog at the Hutton Hotel with Director of Programming Meredith Dimenna. Located on West End Ave, Analog provides an intimate space for artists and songwriters to engage and interact with their audience, giving them an up-close and personal experience while also featuring recurring events from Super Felon, Southern Rounds, and Analog Soul on Sundays. We spoke with Dimenna and discussed how the space came together and the overall mission for the venue.

What Where When-sday: Killjoy's NYE Party

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 18:47:42 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss a booze-free option to bring in the new year with Stephanie Styll, owner of Killjoy, Nashville’s first booze-free beverage shop in the Wedgewood-Houston area. Killjoy will host A NYE PARTY at The Eastsider and she joined me to discuss the event and how the idea for the shop came together.

What Where When-sday: Christmas Pop-Ups

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:00:07 -0000

This week for What Where When-sday, we (WNXP's Marquis Munson and WPLN's Rachel Iacovone) set out to show you a different side to the holiday pop-up scene. Yes, we've compiled them all in our interactive map below, but the places we stopped on our personal bar crawl were away from the downtown rooftops, all offered food and were two-out-of-three family friendly.

Feature: May & Them Pups

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0000

In 2021, Nashville-based Megan Piphus made headlines, when she became the first Black woman puppeteer on Sesame Street. That led to another big milestone: her first album, “Spaceships & Dreams.” Senior music writer Jewly Hight says that, too, is a head-turning project, a hip-hop kids album with a colorful cast of guests.

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Feature: Year-In-Review with Six One Tribe

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0000

Late last year, the Nashville hip-hop collective Six One Tribe released its first album and put on its first real show. Senior music writer Jewly Hight says that was just the prelude to the group’s incredibly productive 2023. She went back to TRIBE headquarters to get the rundown on what the former Nashville Artist of the Month accomplished over the last 12 months.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Corook

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 19:48:19 -0000

This past spring, Nashville artist Corook had an emotional day — then put on a green frog shaped bucket hat, spent 10 minutes writing a silly song, uploaded 50 seconds of it to TikTok and changed their life.The comments on the video, now viewed more than 19 million times continually say how wonderful it is to see someone who is so authentic and fun. But Corook says that for them to figure out who they really are, a couple things had to happen first.

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Record of the Week: Chappell Roan 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Chappell Roan balances piano ballads about leaving home to achieve her dreams and lusting to meet an ex with outright bangers about the joy of starting a little drama on a Saturday night and ditching basic dudes for super-ultra-modern-girls like herself.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Stephen Sanchez

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0000

It’s been a big year for Nashville’s non-country music scene from the triumphant return of emo powerhouses Paramore to the rabid response to indie queen Mitski. But there’s only one artist who’s racked up a billion combined streams on a single song.

Stephen Sanchez tapped into a multi-generational audience with the throwback sound of “Until I Found You.” It was a hit on the radio, YouTube, and yes, TikTok. While Sanchez is not alone in achieving virality it’s how he’s handled the spotlight and who he’s shared it with that sets him apart.

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Record of the Week: Deeper 'Careful'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Chicago-based quartet Deeper is currently touring in support of their third full length and our Record of the Week Careful! WNXP’s Celia Gregory spoke with the band when they stopped in Nashville earlier this month.

The 13-track album marks Deeper’s debut on the revered indie label Sub Pop and demonstrates a wow-worthy evolution of their already tight sound. While the post-punk outfit calls to mind classic guitar rock from the likes of The Cars, David Bowie, The Cure and Television, these guys have modern tools in their arsenal that obviously weren’t available in the ’70s and ’80s like effects pedals allowing for loops and layers, drum triggers and endless options for tone.

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Record of the Week: Vagabon 'Sorry I Haven't Called'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Laetitia Tamko’s speaking voice is as sultry and instantly soothing as her singing voice, and that’s saying something. Connecting with me via Zoom from Paris, where she was touring with Arlo Parks, the artist who makes music as Vagabon greeted WNXP’s Celia Gregory smiling, seated in the borrowed bedroom of a friend’s child. It was just days after the release of her third LP Sorry I Haven’t Called, an album she calls “a miracle” to have even been made.

It’s not a record about grief – in fact it’s quite whimsical, sassy, sexy – but most of these songs were born out of the chosen solitude she afforded herself to mourn the loss of a dear friend and musical collaborator, Eric Littman, back in 2021.

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Record of the Week: Tre Burt 'Traffic Fiction'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Some of Tré Burt’s earliest musical memories are from watching “The Temptations” television miniseries, and listening to recording artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, War, and Bobby DeBarge. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter especially cherishes those musical moments because he was able to share them with his grandfather Tommy Burt, who was the inspiration for Tré’s third album Traffic Fiction.

Around the time he was writing these songs, Burt’s grandfather was struggling with early onset dementia and was slipping away each time Tré saw him. He preserved those moments of connection by using a tape recorder during some of those final conversations. In early 2023, his grandfather Tommy Burt would pass away, and Tré would use some of those voice recordings throughout the record.

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Record of the Week: Ratboys 'The Window'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0000

On this album, The Window, Ratboys recruited one of most sought after producers in indie rock, Chris Walla. He produced breakthrough records like The Decemberists’ The Crane Wife, Tegan and Sara’s The Con, and both Transatlanticism and Plans for his former band, Death Cab For Cutie. Walla’s touch on The Window maximizes the ten years of Ratboys coming together to make the transformative album of their career. It’s earthy and comforting. It accomplishes big moments without sounding like it’s trying too hard. Moments soar, moments wander, moments come back to earth and settle in.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Allison Russell

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:34:00 -0000

It was big news when the founder of Rolling Stone magazine spelled out his view that the musical geniuses are white men, and artists who happen to be Black or women don’t have much to say that’s worth hearing. Allison Russell is one Black woman whose artistry and activism is taken seriously, and after last week’s Americana Music Awards, she has the trophy to show it. She’s also WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month for September.

Senior music writer Jewly Hight says that Russell’s recent work — from her new album to her community organizing — transcends limitations.

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Record of the Week: Nation of Language 'Strange Disciple'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Brooklyn-based trio Nation of Language has referred to their new full-length record as one for the emotional “wayfarer.” They elaborated on the theme that pervades their third LP Strange Disciple and connects its ten robust, synth-forward tunes.

Record of the Week: Jalen Ngonda 'Come Around and Love Me'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Jalen Ngonda has described his music as modern soul and R&B, while trying to fit the Beach Boys and the Beatles somewhere in between. The DC-born, London-based singer-songwriter’s music could sound like a call back to the days of Motown and Stax Records and you can hear those elements on his debut album Come Around and Love Me. But it wasn’t digging through crates or going through his parents’ record collection that helped him discover the music that would later influence him.

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Record of the Week: Becca Mancari 'Left Hand'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0000

On “Over and Over,” the first single released from Becca Mancari’s Left Hand, they relive an important, early phase as a queer and gender expansive person: They call back to the youthful disregard and fleeting bravado felt after they escaped the rejection of the religious world in which they were raised, found a new home in chosen family and an uninhibited way of presenting themselves. With longtime collaborator Juan Solorzano, Mancari cast off restrictions and finally produced themselves on Left Hand, creating their most expansive work yet.

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Record of the Week: Snooper 'Super Snooper'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Nashville band Snõõper’s debut LP is not a concept record preaching the gospel of exercise. But the group does punch above their weight.

Having formed just three years ago, the first songs and videos born out of COVID infections and forced off-work time for singer Blair Tramel and guitarist Connor Cummins, they’ve landed incredible opening slots and generated loads of hype for a new band, here and abroad. Their songs are so fast and compact, you might double-check your playback settings when streaming Super Snõõper, which is shorter than the average Nashville commute, 14 songs totaling just 23 minutes.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Be Your Own Pet

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 18:33:34 -0000

Back in the mid-2000s, Be Your Own Pet frenetically tuneful punk sneered at the trappings of adulthood with snottily on-the-nose wit. After a 15-year hiatus, the second lineup reunited and recorded Mommy, a nervy new album, funkier, keener and muscular than any of BYOP’s previous work.

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Record of the Week: Mick Jenkins 'The Patience'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:44:37 -0000

After a collection of mixtapes starting in 2012 with The Mickstape, Mick Jenkins released his breakout project The Water[s], prequel to his third mixtape Trees & Truths. Despite releasing bodies of work dating back to those collections of mixtapes, EPs, and albums from The Healing Component and Pieces of a Man. It was after his third album Elephant in the Room where he knew something had to change.

With this new level of freedom, Jenkins was able to create his latest project The Patience and album title appropriate for the patience he had to endure to get to this stage of his career.

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Record of the Week: Janelle Monae 'The Art of Pleasure'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0000

The Age of Pleasure is that “paradise found,” where she can, and does, love quite freely. “We’re in the Age of Pleasure baby, the Age of Pleasure,” Monáe reinstates to me over Zoom. On her last album, Dirty Computer, Monáe’s alter-ego Jane 57821 led a group of Black femme dissidents who broke free from The New Order, the totalitarian group of oppressors, and now they are living and loving in the Age of Pleasure.

The “paradise found” in The Age of Pleasure is an island of Black beauty, somewhere in the humid Caribbean, where it’s always golden hour, fresh fruit is being served in abundance to a beautiful group of people who do not make a distinction between friends and lovers.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Bully

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:33:04 -0000

The bulk of Bully, the musicial monkier of Alicia Bognanno, fourth full-length LP Lucky For You serves as “one big love song to” 80-pound Shepherd-Husky mix named Mezzi. So when Mezzi passed away last year it upended Bognanno. It’s still a characteristically loud collection of tunes drenched in distorted guitars but it also captures the tenderness Bognanno felt and still feels now in Mezzi’s absence.

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Feature: Lo Naurel reinvention on "Draft Pick"

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Plenty of other artists have communicated significant matters through name changes this century. (Think: ANOHNI shedding Antony for a name that aligns with her identity as a trans woman; The Chicks distancing themselves from a regional term that romanticizes the old, segregated South; Yasiin Bey retiring the moniker Mos Def in favor of owning his personal evolution and conversion to Islam.)

Lo Naurel’s decision to no longer make music as Lauren McClinton falls squarely into that tradition of signifying artistic transformation.

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Record of the Week: Bonny Doon 'Let There Be Music'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Bonny Doon’s new record Let There Be Music is our Record of the Week. It’s a sunshiny record, dare I say breezy with its “ohh sha laa laa”s and “nah nah nah nah”s. It’s a cold beer on a hot day kind of record. It’s as comforting as a worn-in porch chair. It an album that is decidedly happy and sounds like a group of friends who are relaxed and comfortable in their identity as a band.

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Record of the Week: Palehound 'Eye On The Bat'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Before Palehound released “The Clutch,” a rippin’ rock song and the first single off of their new LP, Eye On The Bat, we’d most recently heard the vocals and elevated guitar work of El Kempner as one half of the duo Bachelor. Kempner teamed up with Melina Duterte of Jay Som to form the supergroup and deliver the stand-out 2021 record Doomin’ Sun. But just as the recording of Doomin’ Sun was finished in early 2020, and Kempner hit the road with Palehound to tour their own solo work, the world shut down.

Eye On The Bat, a 10-song collection written around and largely about that holiday break-up, finds Kempner once again excelling at the plainspoken.

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Record of the Week: Killer Mike 'Michael'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Michael is Killer Mike’s most personal and vulnerable album to date — an audio biography of the nine-year-old Michael Render on the album cover, a boy with a halo and devil horns over this head dreaming about being an emcee and the challenges he would have to go through to get there. From drug dealing in Atlanta on the song “Something for Junkies” to saying his mother, Denise, was dead for the first time on the song “Motherless,” each song on the album serves as chapters in the journey of Michael Render.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Six One Tribe

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 18:32:24 -0000

Hip-hop is known as aspirational music. Six One Tribe, Nashville’s largest hip-hop collective, is living its own version of that. The group is working to accomplish what once seemed impossible for the genre they love in the city they call home. Senior music writer Jewly Hight digs into the vibe of TRIBE, our WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month for June.

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Record of the Week: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 'Weathervanes'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:00:00 -0000

“If we hear some old adage or southern euphemism, we expect it to be honest and valuable to us, but sometimes it’s really not,” Jason Isbell says about the song “Cast Iron Skillet,” in which he delivers bits of folk wisdom over acoustic guitar, before giving dark details that counter the presumption of authority in an old saying.

Isbell has been doing that for years with his music, and online presence, and in-person presence. But in Weathervanes, his latest album, he injects it into the characters in his songs, who are proud and strong-willed, but who are also flawed and complicated.

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Record of the Week: Jenny Lewis 'Joy'all'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Joy’All is Jenny Lewis’s fifth solo effort, and her first on the historic Blue Note record label. It’s also her first full-length release since the pandemic. Splitting time between Los Angeles and Nashville, her mostly solitary quarantine experiences gave her a lot to think and sing about in the tunes that make up Joy’All, several of them stemming from a virtual, song-a-day writing workshop led by Beck (with whom she’s touring on the West Coast later this summer).

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Peter One

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 17:21:07 -0000

Peter One’s story is incredible in itself. Peter is from Africa’s Ivory Coat. In the 1980’s he released an album that was very successful in Africa and had him touring the continent. In the 1990’s he came to the United States to make music, but found himself in a much more stable career, nursing, here in central Tennessee. And in his mid-sixties he released his second album, “Come Back to Me” in May.

But an incredible music story would be nothing if the music didn't back it up. “Come Back to Me” stands up on it’s own without the story. It’s a warm cup of coffee on a slow Sunday morning kind of record. There is a kindness in his voice that makes you realize why he made a profession out of caring for people. You can hear the softness of his soul.

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Record of the Week: Durand Jones 'Wait Til I Get Over'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 29 May 2023 17:00:00 -0000

The history of Hillaryville, Louisiana can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s. Located along the Mississippi River, the small community was founded by eight slaves who received it as a form of reparations after the Civil War. The stories of green sugarcane, longshoremen on the river, and rice farmers in this deep rural south of Louisiana are passed on generation after generation, including Durand Jones’ grandmother who describes it as “The place you’d most want to live.”

Jones takes listeners on a journey through his views of the history and his own personal experiences on his debut solo album Wait Til I Get Over.

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Record of the Week: Pearl & The Oysters 'Coast 2 Coast'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 22 May 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Pearl & The Oysters Bandcamp bio reads,

“After winning a free trip to the ★Ostreoid Asteroid Resort★ (from whence came their name) on the back of a dehydrated cereal box, a joyous society of galactic gleaners began making music together under the Neptunian moniker: 𝒫ℯ𝒶𝓇𝓁 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒪𝓎𝓈𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈. ✩ ☾ ❈❖✢❖”

Here we have the real story. Starting with a picklemonger from Brooklyn to two high school students in Paris who bonded over Burt Bacharach and then moved to Florida with two carry-ons full of tiny instruments and made Coast 2 Coast an acid trip of a journey to outer space.

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Record of the Week: Indigo De Souza 'All Of This Will End'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 15 May 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Indigo De Souza has adopted, and been warmly embraced by, a new community since the making of her 2021 record Any Shape You Take. Her third LP, All of This Will End, is beautifully illustrative of De Souza’s recent shifts: shifts in mindset, in the people from whom she draws support and/or inspiration, and — as a result — in songwriting.

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Record of the Week: Joy Oladokun 'Proof of Life'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Wed, 10 May 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Initially self-released, Joy Oladokun’s 2020 record In Defense of My Own Happiness was created in pandemic isolation; she doodled her way to emotional, relational and social verities, mainly using the instruments, microphones and software she had on hand. For Proof of Life, she entered into a partnership with Verve Forecast and Republic that didn’t break her of DIY recording habits so much as vastly expand her cast of collaborators and enable her to pursue a wider array of sonic ideas.

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Record of the Week: Blondshell 'Blondshell'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 01 May 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Listening to Blondshell’s self-titled debut can feel like a punch to the gut. The relatability in Sabrina Teitelbaum’s lyrics may explain the instant buzz behind her latest project. Channeling the angst of ‘90s alt-rockers like Hole, The Cranberries and PJ Harvey, her sharp-tongued one-liners are backed by riffy guitars and scant drums, highlighting the emotion in Teitelbaum’s vocals.

The coming-of-age record hones in on searching for intimacy while dating sleazy men and partying too much. Written in the midst of the pandemic, Blondshell covers the gambit of fragile topics from addiction to heartbreak and violence against women, but Teitelbaum says it was never intended for a real audience.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Devon Gilfillian

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:31:36 -0000

It's been a decade since Devon Gilfillian landed in Nashville and set about slowly building his career in music. In that time, he's had a major label breakthrough — and also a parting of ways with that label. Now Marquis Munson says Gilfillian is having another moment through his activism, his latest album release, and WNXP's Nashville Artist of the Month.

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Record of the Week: Anna B Savage 'inFlux'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:00:00 -0000

On her new album, in|FLUX, London-based artist Anna B Savage zigs where many musicians zag. in|FLUX is all low end. There is a clarinet, a low saxophone and what sounds like a leopard’s growl. Lean in and you might hear a chime way in the background or something unexpected altogether. Savage’s parents are singers. Both classical. On in|FLUX, her poetry is in the forefront, but from first listen the element that catches you is her voice. It’s settled and comfortably low, yet somehow it still yearns.

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Record of the Week: Wednesday 'Rat Saw God'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:00:00 -0000

The band Wednesday stitch together the details of their lives with triumphant guitar riffs and tragic lap steel. They see the big by zooming into the small bits of life in and around North Carolina. Their new album is our Record of the Week, Rat Saw God. In it, Wednesday are authors of a new Southern Gothic.

Record of the Week: The War and Treaty 'Lover's Game'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:00:00 -0000

Lover’s Game, the first The War and Treaty full-length released on a major country label Mercury Nashville, the two work up naturalistic, slow-burning, piano-driven arrangements of several of their originals, songs that spill over with devotion or need or take on the relational labor of giving comfort instead of slipping into cruel indifference. The Trotters sing them with a grown-up sense of pacing and phrasing, lingering here and there on meaning that’s hard to express.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Michigander

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 18:31:03 -0000

Last year was shaping up to be great for Michigander. The Michigan born, Nashville-based artist was set to release an EP It Will Never Be The Same, he’d booked his first, major headlining tour and was about to mark a career milestone with the song “Stay Out of It” entering a top ten radio chart. But a pair of life-changing accidents altered the course of his career and revealed an unexpected source of support.

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Record of the Week: The Hold Steady 'The Price of Progress'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0000

The Hold Steady celebrates its 20th anniversary with the release of their ninth studio album 'The Price of Progress.' Singer, songwriter and frontman Craig Finn said that recording these songs together felt like a homecoming for him and his bandmates Bobby Drake, Tad Kubler, Franz Nicolay, Galen Polivka and Steve Selvidge. After swapping song stems and lyrics remotely, the six-piece got together in Rhinebeck, New York to make a joyful noise in-studio. There, they rejoined Heavy Covenant collaborators engineer D. James (Dan) Goodwin and producer Josh Kaufman to bring these 10 new, rich storytelling tunes to life.

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Record of the Week: Caroline Polachek 'Desire, I Want To Turn To You'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 18:35:22 -0000

Pop artist Caroline Polachek brings her addictive beats, synths and vocal acrobatics to Ryman Auditorium for her American tour in support of her newest LP called Desire, I Want To Turn Into You. On a February day she was preparing to play in Paris, after some show cancellations due to winter illness, Celia Gregory snagged some time Zooming with a rested-up Polachek, one of modern music’s inarguable “It Girls,” to discuss her songwriting process and multiple interpretations of the album’s title.

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Record of the Week: De La Soul's '3 Feet High and Rising'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:35:03 -0000

Interview with author Dan Charnas about the impact of De La Soul's 1989 debut album '3 Feet High and Rising' ahead of their catalog release on streaming services.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: R.A.P. Ferreira

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0000

Rory Allen Philip Ferreira is an artist with a bit of mystery. He’s lived in eight different cities and gone by five different names. He’s never had a publicist or a PR campaign, and yet he’s been acclaimed by The New York Times and The Needle Drop and his records sell for $150 a piece. Let’s dive into the myth of our Nashville Artist of the Month, the uncompromising artist, R.A.P. Ferreira. He’s a poet of scholarly whimsy, rapping casually and poetically about Rhonin, paladin, 1950’s beat poets, Garcia Lorca and other expressions of enduring wisdom.

Record of the Week: Sunny War 'Anarchist Gospel'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0000

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sydney Ward, known as Sunny War, says there are two sides of her. One of them is very self-destructive and the other is trying to work with the other half to keep things balanced. From a devastating break-up and the loss of her father, the conflict of pain and preserving, the balance between a break-up album and an uplifting project, this became the theme for her fourth album Anarchist Gospel.

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Record of the Week: White Reaper 'Asking For A Ride'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0000

One of the first singles released from the long-time-coming 4th LP of Louisville, Kentucky band White Reaper, called Asking For A Ride, was the track “Pink Slip,” which laments: “Hard to believe us when we grow up so slow.” Sure, the eternal youth modeled and perpetuated by a thrashy, bratty, moshy rock band is alluring in even the best of times and we can all agree the times since their last record, 2019’s You Deserve Love, have been anything but “best.” It would be easy and forgivable to disappear into disassociation, as artists and as fans, refusing to grow up until the world out there seems a little safer to grow up in.

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WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Samia

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:29:58 -0000

On Honey, Samia’s second solo album, the indie singer-songwriter has actually refined and defined her voice by venturing away from that sort of certainty. By envisioning how differently someone else might have perceived an interaction and letting her questions for them hang in the air, she’s subtly enlarged the scope of her songs.

Senior music writer Jewly Hight spoke with her about choosing that approach, and a number of other decisions she made on her way to this point, beginning with going into the entertainment business like her folks, Kathy Najimy and Dan Finnerty, did before her.

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Record of the Week: R.A.P. Ferriera '5 To The Eyes With Stars'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 20:04:45 -0000

Being good at talking is what makes R.A.P. Ferreira, full name, Raury Allan Phillip Ferreira a great rapper. “5 to the Eye with Stars” is a line Ferreira lifted from vocalese master Kurt Elling. Five to the eye is a knockout punch. Like Elling, you might call Ferreira’s artform vocalese. Bending words into abstraction, using context clues to fill in the details, landing a syllable in an unpredictable way is the through line of Ferreira’s work.

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Record of the Week: Adeem the Artist 'White Trash Revelry'

mack@wpln.org (WNXP Nashville) — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 19:34:43 -0000

Adeem the Artist’s 2021 album Cast Iron Pansexual, rendered with shaggy charm and a mixture of DIY and old-time string band sensibilities, was celebrated within the coalescing community of queer roots music devotees. They brought their strengths and insights together more fully on White Trash Revelry, a collection of keenly knowledgeable and arresting songwriting delivered over spirited, full-band arrangements with a charisma that can feel needling, mischievous or vulnerable.

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