Small Studio Sessions: Recent Episodes
WFYI Public Media
WFYI's Small Studio Sessions feature bands playing stripped-down, acoustic sets in the WFYI Studios. Dive into the audio and video sessions today.
81355 (pronounced “bless”) is a collaboration between three of the Indianapolis music scene’s elder statesmen: Sirius Blvck, Sean Oreo Jones, and David Moose Adamson. While the three have worked together in the past, this is the first instance in which they have bonded together from conception to execution. This four song set is WFYI’s first Small Studio Session for 2023.Set List:Bright Side of the SunTears Come DownBurnt SkyThumbs UPBand Members and Instruments:Moose Adamson – Sampler and VoxOreo Jones – VoxSirius Blvck – VoxSharlene Birdsong – BassDimitri Morris – GuitarPat Okerson – Drums
Queen Delphine and The Crown Jewels – Indianapolis based blues band, featuring Indiana’s “Queen of the Blues”.
Indianapolis based pop musician Addie Kosten is our latest Small Studio Sessions artist.
The Palace is a six-person, energetic rock, soul, and funk band that melds blues and rock riffs with powerful and complex vocals. The Palace won the city's Battle of the Bands at the Hifi right before the pandemic, and is ready to get back to high intensity live shows throughout the city.
Kara Cole and Landon Keller didn’t plan on forming a band. On a whim, they played a song together on a festival stage in Greenfield, Indiana. The crowd’s enthusiastic response inspired the duo to form a musical partnership and a lasting friendship.
Ohmme is an experimental indie rock duo from Chicago, signed to Indianapolis record label Joyful Noise Recordings. The band’s latest album “Fantasize Your Ghost” is their second full length recording with Joyful Noise.
WFYI presents Indianapolis based Public Universal Friend in this episode of Small Studio Sessions.
Indiana based singer songwriter Jamie Nichole presents this acoustic Small Studio from Home Session. Jamie Nichole explores themes of love and relationships in her music.
Indianapolis based musician Cole Woodruff presents a four song acoustic Small Studio from Home Session Americana singer songwriter Cole Woodruff also plays guitar and harmonica.
Indianapolis' own Marrialle Sellars started playing music as a pre-teen and made it all the way to the Top 20 in the 2014 season of American Idol, at just 17 years old. She's grown as a performer and plays music throughout the city. Listen in to this vibrant three song acoustic set from Marrialle on vocals and guitar, recorded at home. Set list: Love Me, Naked and You Wanna Be.
This audio only Small Studio Session was recorded with Joshua Powell in 2018. Powell plays solo in the session, with narration on his music and life as a touring musician.
In this solo three song set, Indiana based musician Jamie Nichole shares stories of her original songs and her path to becoming a musician. This audio only extra edition was recorded in 2018 at WFYI's Small Studio
Katherine Nagy is an Indianapolis based singer songwriter. She plays an original blend of acoustic folk and Americana, with Celtic influences - brought about by her time living overseas in Ireland as a child, and worldwide travels. Katherine is joined in this Small Studio Skyline Session by musicians Austin Johnson and Tim Wright. Stay tuned right after the four song set for a chat with Katherine. The session was filmed in downtown Indianapolis at sunset, rooftop at WFYI. Support for Small Studio Sessions is provided by Sun King Brewing.
Singer-songwriter Joy Caroline Mills presents WFYI's first Small Studio from Home. Mills just released a layered and lush new single, Episodic Bliss. The solo track explores her battle with mental health, in the midst of a global pandemic. Mills filmed the session outdoors at her childhood home, near Fishers, Indiana. You can find more of Joy's music at joycarolinemills.com.
Lani and the Tramps play a multi-genre blend of rock, pop, Americana, soul, and blues. The unifying message of the band is love - and sharing that feeling through their music. Listen in to this four-song set and stay tuned right after for an interview with the band.
ameriKKKen entered NPR's 2019 Tiny Desk Contest, and we noticed her powerful performance at WFYI. The musician and college student is our latest Small Studio Sessions artist. Her name reflects her slogan Knowledge and Kindness is Key, as she takes negatives and turns them into positives. ameriKKKen's performance captures an artist searching for a career breakout, and a young person searching for meaning in a chaotic world. Stay tuned after the three song set for an introduction to ameriKKKen from Cultural Manifesto host, Kyle Long.
The Voice winner and Indianapolis native, Josh Kaufman. Set List: Levity, Lie to Me, Won't You See Me, and One More Night (featuring Cliff Ritchey)
Joshua Powell plays inventive psych rock across the country, and counts over 800 live shows in the past several years. Along with his band, "The Great Train Robbery," these Indy-based artists are proving it's possible to be full time, working musicians in the city.
Our Small Studio band this month features the high energy sound of the group Pavel & Direct Contact.
Rock band Moxxie is October 2019's Small Studio Session featured act. The band describes their melodic music as Bubble-Grunge. Stay tuned right after the three song set, as WFYI's Jill Ditmire talks with the four women of Moxxie about what it's like to make their own music in a mostly male dominated field.
He calls himself an outlaw rocker yet country music is in his blood. Shooter Jennings is the son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. He has several solo albums but says his true passion is creating projects for other performers. He won a Grammy this year for producing Brandi Carlile's latest record. Shooter Jennings is our September Small Studio Sessions performer.
Michael Raintree describes his music as "experimental R&B." He's created a unique soundscape for the project, featuring distorted layers of synthesizers and drum machines with heavily-processed vocals. Raintree is joined by Sirius Blvck for the second song of the session. Stay tuned right after the four song set for an interview with Michael Raintree / Oreo Jones from WFYI's Kyle Long.
Our latest Small Studio Session showcases the work of jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine and his trio. His newest album is called, "Cold Coffee." Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with Ballantine from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Tank and the Bangas were in good spirits when they stopped by WFYI to record their Small Studio session. That positive energy is a big part of the band's dynamic and sound, which matches an improvisational approach to jazz, soul, and hip-hop with the spoken word/sung vocals of the group's leader Tariona "Tank" Ball. Tank and the Bangas have plenty of reasons to be feeling good these days - their visit to WFYI came on the heels of a performance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in support of their anticipated sophomore LP Green Balloon. Tank and the Bangas are poised on the threshold of a major breakthrough into the world of popular music, and they attribute much of that success to public radio.
Progressive indie rock band Robots And Magic Powers is this month's featured Small Studio Sessions act. The unique four piece group incorporates a zine, videos, and an energetic stage show to complement their music. Stay tuned right after the four song set for an introduction to the band.
This month's Small Studio performers take jazz, soul, and hip hop to a new level. The talented musicians create a signature sound that reflects the band's name, "Premium Blend". Stay tuned right after the four song set for an interview with Premium Blend from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Our March Small Studio Session performer is singer-songwriter Meghan Cristeen Martin. She just released her second album, an EP called Breaking Points. She performed several of the tunes in our Small Studio along with her dad, well known Indianapolis musician Jon Martin.
Soulful singer-songwriter Allison Victoria presents our first Small Studio Session of 2019, with an inspirational four song set. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with Allison Victoria from WFYI's Jill Ditmire. Set list: Let Go, Beneath the Dust, Sweet Love, The Cure
A life in rock n' roll is not easy. Just ask Indianapolis' Craig Bell. He's gone from a member of one of the country's most influential -- yet unsung -- 1970s proto-punk bands to giving up on music, and now playing with a new band. Stay tuned right after the five song set for an interview with Craig Bell from WFYI's Eric Weddle. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewery. Set List: 1. '62 Hawk - 2. She's Alright - 3. My Chatelaine - 4. Let It Rain - 5. Out Of My Mind. Band - Craig Bell - Lead Vocals & Bass, Nick Pryor - Guitar, Dusty Privette - Drums, Brad Wallace - Keys, Guitar
Indie rockers BYBYE describe their music as vintage psychedelic-soul combined with cinematic, upbeat rock. The Indianapolis based five piece band plays songs from their latest album, Metamorphasize, in this four-song set. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band, from WFYI's Jill Ditmire. Set List: 1. Sci - Fi, 2. Thursday, 3. Silence, 4. Happily
Some bands have trouble fitting into one genre and even shun the idea of sticking to a single style of music. Indianapolis based Carmichael is no exception. When pressed, the members of Carmichael say they feel closest to the Americana sound. A step softer than rock, a notch harder than folk, and a sound that stops just short of going full country - the band prides themselves on making music that can bounce between genres. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band from WFYI's Scott McAlister. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewing.
Afro punk band White Moms is WFYI's September 2018 Small Studio Sessions featured act. The Indianapolis-based group features four multi-talented musicians. The band completed a southern tour and stopped at our Small Studio to record their session. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewing.
Set List: 1. Grape Soda 2. Why? 3. It's So Easy
Brother O' Brother is WFYI's August 2018 Small Studio Sessions featured band. The Indianapolis rock duo plays over 100 live shows a year as they release numerous singles, EPS, and full length albums from their successful vinyl record company. Stay tuned after this three song session for an interview from WFYI's Jill Ditmire with Chris Banta and Warner Swopes of Brother O' Brother. Set list: Grab The Rope, White Dove, and 16 Flowers
Indianapolis based soul/jazz vocalist Bashiri Asad is our July 2018 Small Studio Sessions act. Asad is joined for this session by his backing band, Be On It. Bashiri Asad is a lifetime lover of music and decided a decade ago to make singing and songwriting his career. Listen after the session for an interview with Asad from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
WFYI's June Small Studio Session features the sounds of Indianapolis-based Hex Mundi. With a lineup that includes a custom-designed electric mandolin, it's tough to pinpoint their music to a single genre, and that's just the way the group likes it. In this Small Studio Session, Hex Mundi performs three songs from their upcoming EP "Quixotic Musings." Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI's Scott McAlister.
Last year, WFYI held a contest for local musicians at Sun King Brewery in Fishers. It was called "Bar to Star" - as the winner that night would perform again on a professional stage and in the WFYI studio. Hayley Costas of Indianapolis won. In January she performed at Clowes Hall on the opening night of the Carole King musical, Beautiful. Now she is our May 2018 Small Studio Session performer. Hayley's brother, Tyler Costas, joins Hayley for this session on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
This edition of Small Studio features indie band, Unicorn Derby - a whimsical name that reflects both the music and the unusual way this band got together. They became a band by luck as their names were literally drawn out of a hat at an annual Indianapolis event called the Random Band Challenge. Listen in for the full session and an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Indianapolis based Chad Mills plays a contemplative set of original acoustic songs in this four song set. Cellist Grover Parido joins Chad for this layered and rich performance.
WFYI's first Small Studio Session of 2018 features Indianapolis based electro-hop-funk-punk duo, Knot Brothers. Jon Knot and Chris "New-Cents" Johnson use an eclectic collection of sounds, both futuristic and familiar, to create their original music. Keep listening after the session for an interview with Knot Brothers, from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Listen in to this special Small Studio presentation - Small Studio Shortcuts, The Best of 2017. This special features preview selections of our full Sessions along with features and behind the scenes info on the bands. We'll listen to selections from Bullet Points, Wife Patrol, Tyron Cooper, Richard Edwards, Clint Breeze and the Groove and more - all Indiana based musicians and bands, producing and playing original music.
Small Studio is made possible with a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation with additional support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.
A Small Studio Sessions performance from indie rock group, Pravada. Indianapolis based Pravada was one of the pioneers of the Fountain Square music scene over a decade ago, and they continue to innovate and push their sound forward. Listen in after the set for an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Indianapolis based singer songwriter Crescent Ulmer is WFYI's November 2017 Small Studio Session performer. In this contemplative acoustic set, Crescent explores issues of growth and change through tender and reflective storytelling.
With seven talented musicians, Indianapolis based Clint Breeze and the Groove is making a big impact on the Indy music scene.
Indianapolis based indie rock musician Vess Ruhtenberg is a veteran of esteemed local and national bands like Zero Boys, The Pieces, United States Three, and The Lemonheads. But now, Vess is going solo. This analog set features several songs from Ruhtenberg's latest album "Tremendous Downtime." Track List: 1. Soda Machine 2. Grease is the Word 3. Feel the Sunrise 4. on a rug on the floor in the afternoon 5. It's Ok to Try New Things 6. One Van Against
Rob Dixon & Triology is our August 2017 Small Studio Sessions band. Rob Dixon is known as the "Mayor" of the Indianapolis jazz scene and has a stellar reputation across the country as an accomplished musician, composer and educator. In this session, you'll hear four original compositions from Rob and his band. Indianapolis based drummer Richard "Sleepy" Floyd and keyboardist Steven Jones joined Rob for the set. 1. Predator Font 2. Ten Thousand Ships 3. White River, Black Sky 4. 10X
If you ask the musicians of Eliot Bigger to classify their sound, you'll get a mix of progressive, tech, and classic rock, along with a bit of pop and even a hint of classical drumming. Guitarist/vocalist Kara Tucker, guitarist Joel Tucker, bassist Jameson Rhodes, and drummer Erin Jeter formed Eliot Bigger around an Indianapolis home fireplace in 2012. In this Small Studio Session you'll hear songs from their debut album, Murals. Track List: 1. 1934, 2. Paffos, 3. Jane Doe, 4. Murals, and 5. Robot Suicide
Richard Edwards, former member of Margot & The Nuclear So and So's, debuted his first solo album this spring; "Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset". Over the past couple of years Edwards has had quite the personal journey with illness and heartbreak which is present in his writing. Edwards joined us in our Small Studio featuring songs from his album, and also new songs from an upcoming album.
The members of Bigfoot Yancey don't like to categorize their music. They jokingly call it part blues-part "city" billy. You'll hear a well-blended version of Americana, roots, blues, folk, country and rock in the Indianapolis-based band's sound.
Listen in to WFYI's April Small Studio Session - featuring Indianapolis based alt rock trio, Wife Patrol.
WFYI's February Small Studio Session features Indianapolis-based blues/soul act "Tad Robinson Band." Tad is a seven-time Blues Music Award nominee; his song "Rained All Night" was nominated for Blues Song of the Year at the 2011 Blues Music Awards. You can hear that song and three more in this bluesy and soulful Small Studio Session. Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Tad from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
December's Small Studio Session performer is Indiana-based singer-songwriter, Jennie DeVoe.
Grammy award winning, Indiana based songwriter Carrie Newcomer stops by WFYI's Small Studio.
Listen in to our October Small Studio Session, featuring Indianapolis electroclash act "Andy D."
September's Small Studio Sessions features Indianapolis based singer songwriter Brett Wiscons with guest musicians Rob Dixon & Julie Ann Hess.
Tune in for an acoustic session featuring roots blues musician and one man band, Scott H. Biram. This session was recorded at WFYI's Small Studio before Biram's show at The HiFi in Fountain Square in early 2016. Small Studio is made possible by a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and with support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.
Our June Small Studio Session features Indianapolis hip hop and spoken word artist, Tony Styxx. In this session, Tony's band The Graveyard Shift joins him on the songs, "M.T.A," "Name Of The King," "Refuge," and "Get Down."
Our May Small Studio Session features Indianapolis based and internationally acclaimed folk pop musicians, Lily & Madeleine. The sisters have a new album out, "Keep It Together." Lily and Madeleine stopped by WFYI's Small Studio to share some of their new music and conversation.
April's Small Studio Session features Fort Wayne, Indiana family pop band, Oferle - winners of the ONCE singer songwriter contest. Small Studio is made possible by a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and with support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.
Check out March's Small Studio Session, featuring vocalist & guitarist Ko, along with her band. Ko is signed to Indianapolis based record label, Joyful Noise Recordings.
Check out WFYI's February featured Small Studio Session band! Members of the Indianapolis indie rock band There are Ghosts have known each other for years - and that sense of trust and respect is reflected in their music.
This Small Studio Session features UK folk musician Sam Lee & Friends. Sam brought his friends to the US this summer on a tour through the Midwest - and made a stop at WFYI's Small Studio - sharing the ballads, chants and traditional songs of their country.
Check out this new episode of WFYI's Small Studio Sessions with our November band - Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars.
Check out WFYI's October Small Studio Session band, S.M.Wolf. The fuzzy, psychedelic, power pop "family band" from Indianapolis just released their LP "Neon Debris."
This month's Small Studio Session features Stranger Cat - the electronic music project of New York's Cat Martino of the Indianapolis indie label, Joyful Noise Recordings.
This episode of Small Studio features legendary musician Graham Nash. Graham is accompanied by guitarist Shane Fontayne.
Indianapolis electro-pop band "manners, please." plays four songs in this Small Studio Session. After the session, listen for an interview with the band and WFYI's Jill Ditmire.