Shuffle: Recent Episodes
WKSU
Get to know the talented musicians and community influencers in our backyard. Hear the stories that inspired them, the music that they play, and how they impact our world. Join us, and celebrate the local talent that lifts us all.
Dave Rich, a longtime Akron musician has hundreds of new songs, and he is getting some help from other big names in the music scene to play them live. Chris Butler, David Giffels and "Friday Mike" Wilkinson round out Dave Rich and His Enablers.
Alex Bevan has been writing and releasing his original folk songs for five decades. The Cleveland native joins Shuffle and Applause Performances for a special in-studio performance and interview.
Singer-songwriter Lee Miller Matsos released his debut EP, "Metamorphosis, Pt. 1," in late 2023. It is the first of three albums that chronicle the artist's growth as a musician.
A pair of debut albums from Northeast Ohio bands top the list of this year’s favorites for Ideastream Public Media’s music podcast Shuffle. Hosts Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader discuss their picks.
Jazz vocalist Ava Preston learned to pen lyrics and refine her vocals from mentors around Cleveland. Now, she's hitting stages around the country and performing for her music heroes.
Canton rapper Jéan P the MC released his new album Oct. 6. Jéan Pierre Johnson, the writer and emcee behind the moniker, has had a prolific career in Northeast Ohio and says he's ready to reach the next level.
Grace Sullivan found the courage to put her original music out into the world during the pandemic. As her alter ego, Wish Queen, she recorded a debut album to be released Oct. 27.
Northeast Ohio band Soleo pulls from family experiences, Iranian history and Middle Eastern musical traditions on their debut prog-rock album.
Despite years of shyness, singer-songwriter Ngina Fayola found her voice as a musician in Cleveland. She will soon find her way back to her homeland of Guyana to record her next album.
Lorain County native Ri Rosecrans is gaining momentum as a musician after participating in this summer's Artist in Residency program at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The opportunity inspired the singer-songwriter to transform her sound from country to hard rock.
Anya Van Rose is a dream-pop band from Canton that just released its debut full-length album with support from the Realgrey Records studio and local songwriting community.
Akron four-piece band Detention formed when most of its members were in elementary school. The rockers have been a staple of the PorchROKR stage and will headline the festival this year.
Kristy Kline is known for her covers of popular rock songs on the electric harp. Now, the Cleveland singer and harpist is trying her hand at her own pop songs.
Cleveland blues artist Austin Walkin' Cane recently released an acoustic, 15-song album recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Cleveland rapper Marcus Smith released his second solo album this month. Smith considered quitting music until new opportunities to collaborate with renowned hip-hop artist Asher Roth and an artist residency program at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame set him on a path to success.
Nonprofit music organization Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future is working to support area artists with new opportunities and revenue streams after the pandemic.
Electronic artist Zeerak Ahmed broke barriers in her native Pakistan before moving to Cleveland. The musician's new album under the Slowspin moniker explores the immigrant experience and fuses traditional vocals with technological soundscapes.
Longtime Cleveland reggae artist Carlos Jones will perform with the P.L.U.S. Band at the Rock n Reggae Fest May 28.
Greyt Outdoor concert series films music performances in beautiful Northeast Ohio landscapes. Audiences can then watch the videos from wherever they are online.
Asia “Raven” Clark, who goes by Uniity, was named a Panza Foundation grant recipient for 2023. The avant-garde musician will tour nationally this year while working to connect with and unify the local independent scene in Cleveland.
Former basketball star Kahrin Spear is a full-time musician in Cleveland. She will release her sophomore album inspired by her grandfather's poems April 19.
Akron musician Kofi Boakye has been performing for a decade. Last year, he got his big break by appearing in a film and performing at the Apollo theater.
Cleveland indie-folk-hop duo the Baker's Basement makes original music with unconventional instruments. They're set to release new songs this year.
Akron pop-rock band Big Pop has released a handful of episodic music videos this year and is recording its debut, full-length album. The band will perform at Cleveland’s Brite Winter Music and Art festival for the first time this Saturday, Feb. 25, on the West Bank of the Flats.
The band Church of Starry Wisdom is part theatrics, part rock ‘n’ roll, blending a vast range of styles and concepts. The result is bombastic storytelling through song that is best experienced live.
Chayla Hope. a popular voice in Cleveland’s indie-rock scene, is launching the next chapter of her career – as a pop star.
After touring the country in a rock band, musician Aaron Troyer has settled back down in his hometown of New Philadelphia. On this week’s Shuffle, we hear about Troyer’s solo music and his new recording studio that’s uplifting other musicians in his community
It was a big year for Northeast Ohio’s music scene, as many bands and artists ramped back up from the pandemic slowdown. On this week’s Shuffle, Ideastream Public Media’s Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader share some of their favorite local independent releases of the year.
Holiday rockers the Ohio City Singers gear up for seasonal shows this December amidst an international rerelease of their debut album.
Cleveland jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci's jazz and storytelling performance, in collaboration with Army veteran Jaymes Poling, returns to the stage this month. The pair received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to bring the 'Modern Warrior Experience' to veterans and organizations around Ohio.
Music fans turned to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music out of necessity during the pandemic, yet these platforms notoriously pay artists very little. Northeast Ohio musicians weigh in on earning money through industry and listener changes.
Anthony Taddeo started the group Alla Boara to bring near-extinct Italian folk songs back to life for new audiences. The project features six Northeast Ohio musicians and will release its debut album this month.
Anthony Taddeo started the group Alla Boara to bring near-extinct Italian folk songs back to life for new audiences. The project features six Northeast Ohio musicians and will release its debut album this month.
New Philadelphia singer-songwriter Megan Bouman wrote a song about nearly losing her faith, which helped her discover her true passion for music.
New Philadelphia singer-songwriter Megan Bouman wrote a song about nearly losing her faith, which helped her discover her true passion for music.
The band, which describes its sound as exploratory rock, talks about the pandemic, their alter-ego jazz group and the local music scene.
The band, which describes its sound as exploratory rock, talks about the pandemic, their alter-ego jazz group and the local music scene.
Grammy Award-winning rapper Kid Cudi will host a festival celebrating his hometown in The Flats called Moon Man’s Landing. On this week’s Shuffle, we hear from rapper Chip Tha Ripper, who has been on tour with Kid Cudi this summer and will perform at the festival.
Grammy Award-winning rapper Kid Cudi will host a festival celebrating his hometown in The Flats called Moon Man’s Landing. On this week’s Shuffle, we hear from rapper Chip Tha Ripper, who has been on tour with Kid Cudi this summer and will perform at the festival.
Youngstown bassist Dante Basista has a released a prolific amount of “jazztronica” music under the Unc D moniker, and is embarking on a new genre he's calling "mumble jazz."
The popular PorchRokr festival returns to Akron's Highland Square neighborhood to celebrate a decade of art and music.
The popular PorchRokr festival returns to Akron's Highland Square neighborhood to celebrate a decade of art and music.
Music journalist Rob Harvilla revisits the songs that scored his teenage and college years in Northeast Ohio with a popular podcast called “60 Songs that Explain the ‘90s.”
The spotlight is on local clubs during Independent Venue Week, but pandemic struggles continue as venue owners look for new ways to draw in crowds and support.
The spotlight is on local clubs during Independent Venue Week, but pandemic struggles continue as venue owners look for new ways to draw in crowds and support.
Northeast Ohio journalist Eric Sandy is releasing an expanded version of an oral history he wrote in 2016 on the defunct Cleveland venue Speak In Tongues. The book will be released in July and details the significance and lasting impact of the underground club.
Tri-C JazzFest returns to Playhouse Square June 23-25. Some involved in the local scene say more can be done to unite larger events like this one with smaller venues to showcase Cleveland jazz year round.
Chanelle Kazadi is breaking barriers as a Black, gay and female rap artist in a male-dominated industry. Her latest album, "Make It Work," is climbing the charts on streaming platforms, and she's set to tour the album across the country this summer.
Spirit of the Bear formed in 2014 in the Youngstown area when its members were in high school. This past year the band signed a record deal and have begun to release new music.
The pandemic brought gig playing to a halt for many musicians, including Cleveland blues singer-songwriter Taylor Lamborn. But, that hiatus helped her find a new way to share music she mostly had kept to herself.
The pandemic brought gig playing to a halt for many musicians, including Cleveland blues singer-songwriter Taylor Lamborn. But, that hiatus helped her find a new way to share music she mostly had kept to herself.
Singer-songwriter JD Eicher released his first novel and companion album in 2022 after the pandemic halted his usually busy touring schedule.
Guitarist and composer Dan Bruce's modern jazz ensemble, :beta collective, brings improvised grooves to audiences. The group releases its new album April 29.
As Youngstown rockers The Vindys gain a regional following, they're making sure the spotlight continues to shine on their hometown's revived music scene.
Cleveland chamber ensemble Les Délices will return to in-person performance with its production of "The White Cat" this weekend.
A concert Saturday will merge tradition with technology, as the Akron Symphony Orchestra collaborates with Akron’s EarthQuaker Devices to add electronic effects to musicians’ acoustic instruments.
After taking a year off from in-person programming in 2021, the Brite Winter festival is returning to the West Bank of the Flats Saturday.
Brian Straw released his debut album, “Baby Stars/Dead Languages,” in January after stepping back from music while he struggled with addiction. The album was years in the making, with Straw finally completing the project during his road to recovery.
Local artists help tell the story of the city’s historic sites in eight-part Akron Heritage Music Project podcast, interview and live stream performance series.
The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the ability of many artists to make music. But Cleveland singer-songwriter Ray Flanagan says the isolation freed his creativity and challenged him to develop new skills. He released two songs every month in 2021, and plans to continue this year.
Shuffle's Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader share their favorite local music of the year, plus a Spotify playlist with over five hours of music released in 2021.
On this week's Shuffle, we hear about The Sonata #6 Project, an exhibit in Cleveland that explores the relationship between music and visual art. A group of artists created sculptures, mixed media, textiles and other pieces based on their interpretation of a piano sonata composed to evoke emotions and images.
Damian Goggans, 18, went from picking up an instrument at an after-school program to Oberlin Conservatory of Music in just five years.
We catch up with contributor Kenny Averiett, an Akron-based writer, booker for the Highland Square PorchRokr Music & Arts festival and co-manager of the Oakdale House. He discusses the return of local house shows and how the pandemic has affected the area's DIY community.
Free Black!, the hip-hop collective developed by Floco Torres and Holbrook Riles III (HR3), released its third album, Black Tuesday! in October. The album explores themes around the economy and working class and includes an assortment of features from Akron-based musicians.
Alec Wightman is a corporate lawyer, board member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and author of the memoir, "Music in My Life: Notes from a Longtime Fan." Wightman started his own concert production company, Zeppelin Productions, in 1995. He has spent decades promoting concerts for national singer-songwriter acts in Columbus, Ohio.
Musician and Warren, Ohio native Dave Grohl will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the second time with his band, Foo Fighters. Warren residents dedicated Dave Grohl Alley in 2009, and they hope to restore it to its original glory as the rocker puts a new spotlight on the region.
We talk with Cleveland Scene music writer Jeff Niesel ahead of this month’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions. He shares his views on the class, Devo’s snub and what he learned from his recent interview with inductees, the Go-Gos.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will induct its newest class this month. And while the spotlight will shine on icons from Tina Turner to The Go-Gos, the Rock Hall is sharing the stage with the musicians right outside its doors. We look at the evolving relationship between music’s past and present in Cleveland. Music featured in this episode: Sarah Bailey, Uptight Sugar.
On Oct. 1, Cleveland indie artist Holden Laurence releases his new EP, 'Floating, Drifting.' The six songs were written and recorded during the pandemic when Laurence was struggling with panic attacks and anxiety. He says finishing the album felt like "a cathartic breakthrough."
Cleveland trumpeter Theresa May talks about the challenges of navigating a classical music career for Black women, and a new nonprofit she helped create to break down those barriers. The Chromatic Brass Collective (CBC) is a national group of brass musicians that celebrates, performs, mentors and educates to increase the visibility of racially and ethnically underrepresented women and gender non-conforming people throughout the brass world.CBC recently launched $25,000 fundraising campaign to fund a mentor program, provide concerts, commission underrepresented composers and provide educational presentations. Contributions are being accepted through Oct. 4.
Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader each share the new albums and music they're most looking forward to this fall. Featured in this episode: Free Black! Marc Lee Shannon, Jeff Klemm, JD Eicher, Samantha Grace/Big Pop.
When musicians Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn moved to Akron in August 2020, it marked 15 years since they experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina firsthand.
Cleveland singer-songwriter Emily Keener grabbed the nation's attention in 2016 as a finalist on The Voice. Now, she's serving with AmeriCorps and keeping the spirit of her music alive during this new adventure. Brittany Nader talked with Keener about her journey, her new album, "I Do Not Have to Be Good," and what's next for the indie-folk artist.
On Aug. 18, more than a dozen venues across Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown announced they would require that attendees show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of entering their doors.We look into how the policy will work, how it's being received and how some other upcoming events in the region are taking a slightly different approach.
Hear details about Akron's outdoor music festival, PorchRokr, which returns to the Highland Square neighborhood Saturday, Aug. 21. We also go through every hour of the schedule with our must-see picks!
A Cleveland artist described as a one-woman choir is out with an album that combines experimental music, guided meditation and breathing exercises. Listen back to our January conversation with Christa Ebert, who performs as Uno Lady. She says she hopes “GROUNDED” will help listeners find peace amid the stresses and anxieties of the pandemic.
Brittany Nader talks with contributor Larry Gargus, who has been active in the Northeast Ohio music scene for decades, playing in bands like Persistent Aggressor and The Unholy Three. Larry started his own podcast, "Bleachmouth Post Script," during lockdown in 2020 to replicate the conversations he'd have at the bar or after concerts with other music fans. He also reflects on Akron's music scene past and present, and shares some of his local musical influences.
Children and their parents flocked to Akron’s Hardesty Park to attend a hip-hop “boot camp” this July. The event was hosted by Alien Arts, a new Akron nonprofit founded by Ameer Williamson, who performs as Minus the Alien. Williamson's organization is working with kids in the city to help them experience the four elements of hip-hop culture: DJing, MCing, breakdancing and graffiti art.