Category Archives: Music

A Conversation With Vanessa Briscoe Hay

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Pylon Reenactment Society is fronted by former Pylon frontwoman Vanessa Briscoe Hay, whose inimitable vocal textures and phrasing define Pylon’s sound for most listeners. A sonic powerhouse, Hay also numbered among Paste Magazine’s list of “The 25 Greatest Front Women of All Time”. Pylon Reenactment Society formed from the ashes of Pylon, one of the most influential bands at the outset of what became known as the ‘Athens, GA music scene’, along with other frontrunners The B-52’s and R.E.M. Over 30 years ago, these three bands were heavily featured in the original feature documentary ‘Athens, GA: Inside/Out’, propelling them into the international spotlight. Pylon Reenactment Society (a.k.a. PRS) was founded in 2014, five years after Pylon’s celebrated history came to a sudden end in 2009 with the death of guitarist Randy Bewley. Since then, PRS has turned into a tight touring unit having performed at festivals and venues on both coasts, the Midwest and the Southeast. In addition to Hay, PRS is rounded out by Jason NeSmith (Casper & The Cookies) on guitar, Kay Stanton (Casper & The Cookies) on bass guitar and backing vocals, Damon Denton (Big Atomic) on keyboards, and Joe Rowe (The Glands) on drums. At the end of 2018, they released a 7” vinyl single of two original songs – ‘Messenger‘ and ‘Cliff Notes’.

Photo by Sloan Carroll Rainwater

The Podcast is available at NPR One, Apple Podcasts & Mixcloud

Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3
Sundays 10.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Mondays 5.00pm PT & Wednesdays 2.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio
Thursdays 6.00pm ET at Internet Radio Network
Fridays at 9.00pm GMT on Cornucopia Radio

If you miss any editions of Life Elsewhere, go here then go to the Listen On-Demand panel, choose the date of a show and click play.

Life Elsewhere Music airs:
Sundays 11.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Wednesdays at 3.00pm Pacific Time on NWCZ Radio
Fridays at 10.00am Eastern Time on IRN
Cornucopia Radio airs Life Elsewhere Music throughout each week
You can hear all the volumes over at Mixcloud

Show #329

A Conversation With Kristin Hersh

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“You need to know…perhaps forewarned if you can’t take the raw honesty of her emotions she expresses so readily.” Says Life Elsewhere host, Norman B. Adding, “Listen carefully, you’ll be captivated, but be prepared to be moved.” He is referring to Kristin Hersh, most recognized as the front person for the influential art-punk band, Throwing Muses and power trio, 50FOOTWAVE. In the early ’80s, Throwing Muses gained traction playing alongside bands like The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. Kristin’s solo career spun off in 1994 with the widely acclaimed ‘Hips and Makers’, featuring ‘Your Ghost’, a duet with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. Kristin has since released a steady stream of distinct solo albums with 2010’s ‘Crooked’ the first release in the inventive book/CD format she is now known for. In addition to a series of frighteningly intense mini-albums via 50FOOTWAVE, Kristin’s writing career has also flourished with the highly acclaimed ‘Rat Girl’ and the award-winning ‘Don’t Suck, Don’t Die’, a personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt.

Kristin’s tenth studio, Possible Dust Clouds was released a short while ago and she is soon to embark on tour with Throwing Muses. Often known as the Queen of Alternative Releases, Kristin’s latest album showcases her extraordinary talent, a powerful, yet at times vulnerable voice and writing talent that reaches deep into her psyche. ‘We talk about, Possible Dust Clouds, but we also talk about so much more.” Norman B says. “I could chat with Kristin for hours and hours. Her smile comes through the airwaves. And, she delivers memorable quotes instead of searching for a perfect answer.” For example, this is Kristin Hersh on music: “My map is music.” On music videos: “How bizarre is it that you are expected to imply that you will sleep with thousands of strangers!” And, “Everyone should be insulted by every move you make that implies that you are going to sleep with anyone except the person you love!” On feminism: “It will mess with you if you think you have to draw on a different face before you leave the house.” And, “It doesn’t mean you have to put on shoes you can hardly walk in to be considered lovable?”

photo by Peter Mellekas

The Podcast is available at NPR One, Apple Podcasts & Mixcloud

Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3
Sundays 10.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Mondays 5.00pm PT & Wednesdays 2.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio
Thursdays 6.00pm ET at Internet Radio Network
Fridays at 9.00pm GMT on Cornucopia Radio

If you miss any editions of Life Elsewhere, go here then go to the Listen On-Demand panel, choose the date of a show and click play.

Life Elsewhere Music airs:
Sundays 11.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Wednesdays at 3.00pm Pacific Time on NWCZ Radio
Fridays at 10.00am Eastern Time on IRN
Cornucopia Radio airs Life Elsewhere Music throughout each week
You can hear all the volumes over at Mixcloud

Show #328

A Conversation With Klive & Nigel Humberstone of In The Nursery

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Alternative, Ambient, Atmospheric, Cinematic, Electronic, Experimental, Industrial, Modern Classical, Neo-Classical, Soundtrack, these are just some of the labels used to describe In The Nursery, the Sheffield-based musical project centered around the nucleus of twin brothers Klive and Nigel Humberstone who have been producing music since 1981. Even their own publicity reads, “Their cinematic style blends electronics, classical arrangements, orchestral percussion, and soundscapes evoking a timeless quality.” The conundrum of slotting In The Nursery into a convenient genre is made all the more enjoyable or difficult depending on your skill at understanding how the brothers Humberstone present themselves. On exploring their vast and exemplary catalog you soon discover that Klive and Nigel have maintained a distinctive image since their beginning. But, contrary to their controlled and unsmiling visages, in conversation, the brothers are unaffected and congenial.

“I have been a longtime unabashed fan of In The Nursery.” Says Norman B, “To be able to spend an hour chatting with Klive and Nigel was a delight and I’m so pleased to be able to share our conversation with listeners to Life Elsewhere.” Examples of In The Nursery’s excellent work are included throughout the conversation including an unexpected version of John Lennon’s Imagine by Klive’s separate project, Everly Pregnant Brothers. Plus the twins talk about how their reworking of a sample from Sabres of Paradise’s Haunted Dancehall may be used on BBC Radio 1 in a loop on the announcement of Queen Elizabeth’s death. Make sure you don’t miss this informative, engaging conversation with Klive and Nigel Humberstone of In The Nursery.

             Playlist

  1. In The Nursery – Twins (LP Twins)
  2. In The Nursery – Grand Corridor (LP 1961)
  3. In The Nursery – Touched With Fire (LP Anatomy Of A Poet)
  4. Sabres Of Paradise – Haunted Dancehall (In The Nursery Mix)
  5. Everly Pregnant Brothers – Imagine (LP Beats Working For A Living – A Tribute To Martin Lilleker)
  6. In The Nursery – Miracle Of The Rose 11 (LP Stormhorse)

The Podcast is available at NPR One, Apple Podcasts & Mixcloud

Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3
Sundays 10.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Mondays 5.00pm PT & Wednesdays 2.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio
Thursdays 6.00pm ET at Internet Radio Network
Fridays at 9.00pm GMT on Cornucopia Radio

If you miss any editions of Life Elsewhere, go here then go to the Listen On-Demand panel, choose the date of a show and click play.

Life Elsewhere Music airs:
Sundays 11.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Wednesdays at 3.00pm Pacific Time on NWCZ Radio
Fridays at 10.00am Eastern Time on IRN
Cornucopia Radio airs Life Elsewhere Music throughout each week
You can hear all the volumes over at Mixcloud

Show #324

A Conversation With Bruce Pavitt – Part 1

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“I remember you had just received a strange 12” record, directly from London. Let’s put it on and find out what it’s all about, you said. It was Bauhaus. That’s my first memory of meeting you.” Says Bruce Pavitt at the beginning of a long, intimate conversation with Norman B. At that time, back in the late ’70s, Bruce was a student at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington State. Norman was in his fledgling days as a DJ and music curator, He had a Friday night show at KAOS, the campus radio station. Getting together again to chat after thirty or so years, was a special treat for both men and it also meant the conversation could veer off into personal anecdotes occasionally. This is a helpful hint that you are not going to hear a typical interview about the history of a small, quirky record label that took the world by storm and became one of the most recognizable names in popular music. Instead, you will hear a fascinating conversation between two people whose passion for music, the arts, and culture has taken them on incredible journeys. “Historic!” Is how creative director, Robert Newman describes this conversation between Bruce and Norman. His insight is unique, in that he was instrumental in the careers of each man. The conversation with Bruce is long, so we are airing it in two parts. Plus, Norman asked Bruce to select music to accompany their conversation. Bruce’s selection will surprise and delight music lovers everywhere. See if you can take a guess at his playlist?

The Podcast is available at NPR One, Apple Podcasts & Mixcloud

Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3
Sundays 10.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Mondays 5.00pm PT & Wednesdays 2.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio
Thursdays 6.00pm ET at Internet Radio Network
Fridays at 9.00pm GMT on Cornucopia Radio

If you miss any editions of Life Elsewhere, go here then go to the Listen On-Demand panel, choose the date of a show and click play.

Life Elsewhere Music airs:
Sundays 11.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Wednesdays at 3.00pm Pacific Time on NWCZ Radio
Fridays at 10.00am Eastern Time on IRN
Cornucopia Radio airs Life Elsewhere Music throughout each week
You can hear all the volumes over at Mixcloud

Show #316

A Conversation With Michael Ciravolo Of Beauty In Chaos

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The first thing you discover when interviewing Michael Ciravolo is here is a man who has been around the rock ’n’ roll business for many years, yet he displays no hint of the jaded or nonchalant attitude all so prevalent in an industry that is known to eat it’s own. Instead, you hear the enthusiasm of a man who loves what he is doing, he talks respectfully about fellow musicians, he unabashedly acknowledges his wife’s talent and obviously treasures his two daughters. In short, Michael Ciravolo is one of those rare creatures you enjoy talking to as the interview easily becomes a comfortable conversation. His band, Beauty In Chaos, based in Los Angeles has a new album, Finding Beauty In Chaos. Guitarist, Ciravolo credits himself as curator of the album, featuring a collection of music luminaries, including Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Simon Gallup (The Cure), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Pete Parada (The Offspring), dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T (Body Count), Michael Aston (Gene Loves Jezebel), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Dirk Doucette (Gene Loves Jezebel), Ashton Nyte (The Awakening), Pando (A Flock of Seagulls), Evi Vine (Evi Vine), Betsy Martin (Caterwaul / Purr Machine), Marc Danzeisen (The Riverdogs), Kevin Kipnis (Purr Machine / Kommunity FK), Rudy Matchinga (Red Scare), Johnny Indovina (Human Drama) and his wife, Tish Ciravolo, the quintessential LA rock queen. Norman B and Michael got to together over Skype for an in-depth conversation that will air on a future Life Elsewhere show and Life Elsewhere Music Volume 119.

Life Elsewhere Music airs:
Sundays 11.00am ET at WNRM The Root
Wednesdays at 3.00pm Pacific Time on NWCZ Radio
Fridays at 10.00am Eastern Time on IRN
Cornucopia Radio airs Life Elsewhere Music throughout each week
You can hear all the volumes over at Mixcloud

LEM Vol 119

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