Category Archives: Barzin

Sex & Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll & …er…Math!

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Sex

In the next bumper-packed edition of Life Elsewhere we’ll talk with Mandy Smith who recounts in explicit detail, her life as a Virgin Flight attendant. Mandy will tell us the good, the bad and the downright naughty tales of life in the air. Her book, Cabin Fever, The Sizzling Secrets of a Virgin Air Hostess, has just been released in paperback.

Drugs

Dr. David Casarett‘s new book, Stoned: A Doctor’s Case for Medical Marijuana, brings a welcome objectivity to contentious topic by applying a unique mix of science, humanity, and even humor to effectively dispel common myths and misconceptions about medical marijuana. Dr. Casarett joins the program and we’ll ask the important questions, including, “How stoned is too stoned?”

Rock ’n’ Roll

The Hit That Never Was this week features an English rock band who formed inSiv Jakobsen 1963 and were professionally active between 1964 and 1967. They were a popular live attraction at the time, rivaling such groups as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, although, despite releasing a clutch of singles and an album, their record sales never reflected this popularity. The band took their name from the singer, who was the eldest brother of another rock musician who later found fame with the Faces and the Stones. If you can’t name the band, make sure you don’t miss the next Life Elsewhere to find out who is this week’s Hit That Never Was. Also in music, Norman B will introduce you to a talented new singer-songwriter from Norway, Siv Jakobsen. “I’m entranced by Siv’s voice and her adroit use of silences or pauses in her work.” Says Mr. B. who will play two two cuts from her EP, “The Lingering”, a unique cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic and How We Used To Love, which is also released as a single with a beautiful video to promote it. “Siv has that ethereal, haunting quality that reminds me of Life Elsewhere favorite, Barzin.” Adds Norman B.

Math

“I believe you have Discalculia”, mathematics Professor, Jordan Ellenberg tells Norman B, who admits to having difficulty with numbers and being daunted by interviewing the author of How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking. The professor’s book, now out in paperback is all about math, but not the math we learn in school which can seem like a dull set of rules, laid down by the ancients and not to be questioned. Instead Jordan Ellenberg explains to us how terribly limiting this view is. “Math isn’t confined to abstract incidents that never occur in real life, but rather touches everything we do—the whole world is shot through with it, the math.” the professor says.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Legendary Music Interviews.

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Wreckless Eric
Sir Mix-A-Lot
Ian McLagan
Martin “Youth” Glover
Barzin
Martin Atkins

Norman B‘s interviews are legendary, since the late 70’s he has chatted with rising stars to superstars, unexpected newsmakers to career politicians, revered celebrities to aspiring entrepreneurs. His thoughtful and inquisitive approach has led to a vast archive of memorable and revealing conversations, especially with musicians. Yet, artists from the world of music are not always forthcoming or willing to divulge their “real” opinions, but Norman B has a knack of getting his musical guests to talk openly. Here then, is a small selection of recent interviews with musicians who have comfortably disclosed more than the usual talking points:

Wreckless Eric best known for penning the iconic Whole Wide World, spent over three hours offering up his well-considered opinions on almost everything, from religion to The Rolling Stones. Sir Mix-A-Lot, the man who revealed in the early 90’s to the MTV generation how much he liked Big Butts, has proven many times, through his dialogue with Norman B, that he has strong, and sometimes surprising views on everything, from racism to gay marriage. The sadly departed, Ian McLagan enthusiastically chatted with Norman B about not only his early days with the Small Faces, but also the break up of the Faces, touring with The Stones and the importance of a muse in his life. Ian McLagan and Norman B had attended the same art school in London, so the two silver-haired Englishmen had a connection that went way back to make the interview even more poignant after Ian died. Back in late 1979, Norman B was the first DJ in America to play the unique Turn to Red EP by Killing Joke. From that moment on he became an ardent fan of the band. So it was only natural that many years later, Martin Glover, bassist and founding member of Killing Joke, was invited for a lengthy chat. Glover also known as Youth, has gone on to make his mark as a much sought-after producer. In the in-depth conversation with Norman B he talks about the future of music, what he enjoys listening to and offers advice on making a career in the entertainment business. Canadian singer-songwriter-poet, Barzin caught Norman B’s attention with his emotive and beautiful music. The shy, humble musician talks about his influences and explains how he comes up with the hypnotic music he creatively produces. Multi-talented drummer, producer, author and entrepreneur Martin Atkins is one of rock’s legendary drummers, his stellar resume includes playing with PiL, Brian Brain, Ministry, Pigface, Killing Joke and Nine Inch Nails. He is an engaging raconteur, but Norman B was able to take the interview to where Martin’s real-life anecdotes lay bare, the rarely-heard thoughts of a major rock star.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Is Your Hit That Never Was Missing?

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Laura Groves – Pale Shadows
Lizzy Mercier Descloux – Fire
Marvin Gaye / Bob Marley – Let’s Get It On (Waiting In Vain DJ Al Fingers Remix)
Nick Drake – River Man
Bauhaus – Boys
Hugh Mundell – Feeling Alright Girl
Glass Cake – Like A Prayer
The Beach Bullies – Femme Fatale
Gathered Ghosts – Two Apples In A Cherry Tree
Ayo – Down On My Knees
Ski Patrol – Everything Is Temporary
The Guardians – From The Other Side
Wreckless Eric
Samantha James – Rise
Barzin
Jenn Grant – Dreamer
The Teacher – Soul Vibration
Lou Reed – Peggy Sue

Every week at Life Elsewhere we play the Hit That Never Was, selected by a listener. Tell us about a song you think deserves to be the next Hit That Never Was. Send your pick, along with a few words about yourself to: hitthatneverwas@lifeelsewhere.co

Life Elsewhere airs Sundays, at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  and Mondays, at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

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“Evening All”

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hi001263351.jpgFrom 1955 to 1976, each episode began with the genial London bobby, effecting a modest salute as he said, “Evening All”. That opening line became a British household phrase, which lives on to this day as a jocular greeting. It was the BBC TV series, Dixon of Dock Green,  supposedly about daily life at a London police station, with the emphasis on petty crime, successfully controlled through common sense and human understanding. The central character was a mature and sympathetic police constable, George Dixon, played by Jack Warner in all of the 432 episodes. The policeman portrayed in Dixon is a far cry from fictional or real-life officers of the law today. The juxtaposition between real and crime-thriller police are discussed in the next edition of Life Elsewhere. Bestselling author Peter DixonJames joins host, Norman B to talk about his latest book, the tenth in the Roy Grace detective-thriller series. James offers thought-provoking observations about police procedures, criminal minds and the more innocent times of Dixon of Dock Green. Be sure not to miss the early part of the interview when Peter James and Norman B share their respective experiences with stalkers!

Lizzy Mercier DesclouxThis week’s Hit That Never Was features French No Wave cult artist, Lizzy Mercier Descloux with her cover of Arthur Brown’s Fire. The musician, singer-songwriter, composer, actress, writer and painter, became involved in the Punk and New Wave, met with up Patti Smith and Richard Hell when visiting New York in 1975. She moved to New York 1977 and became a name in the No Wave movement. Despite being bankrolled at one time by Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, she never really had much success in the US and moved back to France. In the mid 90’s she moved to Corsica and devoted herself to painting and to writing an unpublished novel. In 2003, she was diagnosed with cancer, from which she died the following year. Fire is from her 1979 album Press Color, but you can also find it on a 2003 reissue featuring tracks from others sessions.

Its Holiday time, so what better than a brand new song for the season?Lola Dutronic are a multi-lingual Electro Pop duo consisting of Toronto-based producer/composer Richard Citroen and Dusseldorf-based vocalist Stephanie B. Their latest single “The Christmas Disco” is a teaser from their new album “Lost In Translation” which will be released in the Spring of 2015. 

Lydia Ainsworth
Barzin

Also in the program, Norman B selects two music choices he thinks are worthy of making a Best of List. First up, Lydia Ainsworth with a version of a song covered by so many people, Chris Isaak’s, Wicked Game. Hailing from Canada, Ainsworth‘s album Right From Realwould make a fine Holiday gift. Coincidentally, so would the latest album from our other north-of-the-border favorite, the talented and charming Barzin with his excellent Something I Have Not Done Is Following Me. We encourage you to start your Monday with the very best in Art, Media & Culture: Life Elsewhere. And, if you happen to miss the program live, you can go to Stitcher to hear the Podcast.

Life Elsewhere airs Monday at 9.00am ET 

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