West of Twin Peaks Radio: Recent Episodes
MJ Call
Brand new music with a hyper local focus on Bay area artists and bands, including a weekly chat and deep sonic dive with a featured guest artist/band.
In this Best of West of Twin Peaks Radio, interviews with four recent guest artists who dropped four of the best albums this summer. Oakland's Madeline Kenney, Berkeley's Maya Elisa, LA-by-way-of-the-Bay Zelma Stone and San Francisco's Marika Christine.
On this episode, meet San Francisco jazz/pop fusion, chill wave 4-piece group The Breathing Room...a band that met seven years ago at Community College and has been living together and making music ever since. Hear our chat and deep dive into their debut self-titled LP. Plus, two hours of fresh new music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, a special guest artist double header, featuring Oakland's Madeline Kenney with a very revealing conversation about a life-altering break-up while diving deep into her new LP "A New Reality Mind," and LA-by-way-of-the-Bay artist Zelma Stone who discusses dancing through grief and life in her new EP "A Dance." Plus tons of fresh new music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode - introducing Broken Compass Bluegrass, an extremely talented young band out of the Sierra Foothills that's lighting a fire in the California bluegrass scene. Meet the four musicians and dive deep into their astonishing debut LP, "Fools Gold." Plus two hours of bluegrass and bluegrass-adjacent new music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, Berkeley's Maya Elise (and The Good Dream) joins me with an extremely thoughtful conversation about her evolution from folk to mixed genre-indie, reading a room from a performing artist's perspective, and how her sound has evolved on the band's new LP "Everything We Watered." Plus, new music from SF acid-psych band The Spiral Electric, a mini-chat with Ellie Stokes about the new Grooblen LP, and tons more fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode meet San Francisco's Marika Christine, a musician that's part of a youth art and music explosion that's re-energizing the City's cultural scene. We chat about that and dive deep into her new debut solo LP, "Soft Like an Apricot." Plus two hours of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, a chat with San Francisco indie artist Luke Sweeney about his new LP "Rishi," a sonic, spiritual journey through India following the passing of his baby daughter. Not a depressing record by any means....a joyful tribute filled with unexpected sounds and emotions. PLUS two hours of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, we dive into the new LP "out of love in the face of a shadow" by East Bay band Credit Electric, and have a revealing chat with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ryan about the isolation in which he wrote and began recording this deeply personal album. Plus a two hour eclectic mix of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, guest artist and indie band veteran Tom Conneely talks about why an ill-fated trip to LA spent in lockdown led him to step out and start fronting his own band, Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise. We chat about that while spinning through the band's debut LP, "Cappuccino Springs." PLUS 2 hours of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
Evocative singer/songwriter Anna May is featured guest artist this episode. We chat about heavy stuff like self-knowledge and songwriting -- interspersed with her evocative music and the tale of a black bear encounter that both scared and inspired her. Plus 2 hours of eclectic fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
Long-time Bay area guitarist and lyricist Nyles Lannon is featured guest artist, as he talks about the new project he's started with his teenage son Skye on the drums, called Nyte Skye. They're releasing their debut LP this month. Plus we preview this coming Sunday's grassroots community event San Rafael Porchfest, featuring dozens of local artists and bands playing for free around the city's Gerstle Park neighborhood. And of course, two full hours of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, the hottest sounds of the Summer of '22. Plus a great conversation with guest artist, San Francisco composer and music historian MARK MONTGOMERY FRENCH, who dives deep into the suppression and erasure of African American musicians in his lecture series and podcast, "All Your Favorite Music is (Probably) Black."
On this episode, meet RAINBOW CITY PARK, a NorCal band of six musicians who'd never met a year ago -- but have since recorded singles, played a dozen gigs and even booked a festival supporting indie darling Japanese Breakfast. Find out how they did it -- and dive into their music. PLUS a two hour eclectic mix of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, Oakland's Simi Sohota, joins me for a revealing convo and deep dive into his new LP "Paradise," a sonically sunny/lyrically deep album with a Beach Boys/Burt Bacharach façade, underneath which is an exploration of the emotional damage the past two years has wrecked. PLUS a 2 hour eclectic mix of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode meet Bay area legend Mickey Darius, owner/founder of Broken Clover Records and The Ivy Booking Agency, as well as General Manager of The Lost Church's new San Francisco music venue. He gives us a peak behind the scenes of the local music biz as it struggles through COVID, while we listen to new and unreleased music from his stable of worldwide artists. PLUS 2 full hours of brand new tunes from the Bay and beyond.
Kick back and enjoy this alt-Americana leaning episode featuring homegrown Sonoma County artist Frankie Boots...with a chat and deep dive into his new NorCal/New Orleans blended LP "Free Range Songs." PLUS two hours of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, meet bi-city duo Deep Talk -- the project of San Francisco's Christina Li and Portland's Jordan Maslov. We chat about how a group formed during the pandemic makes the transition from remote-only song creation, to performing together in-real-life on live stages. And we take a deep sonic dive into their music. PLUS an eclectic two hour mix of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode meet queer country queen Cindy Emch of SECRET EMCHY SOCIETY as she prepares to release her new LP "Gold Country/Country Gold." We talk about the new faces of 21st Century Country music, touring in unfriendly regions, and why as a young gay woman she embraced Country music. PLUS a full two hours of brand new tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, meet LUPA ROSA, the pandemic project of three long-time Bay area artists Neil Rodenmeyer, Julie Zielinski and Nyles Lannon who re-connected during lockdown to make magical music together. We have a great convo and dive deep into music, including unreleased tracks off their forthcoming debut LP. PLUS a two hour eclectic mix of new tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode we celebrate the release of the new LP "The Muscle and the Meaning" from the Oakland band CAVE CLOVE. Founder and front woman Katie Colver is guest artist with a convo about recovery and a deep dive into the album. PLUS two hours of terrific new music from the Bay and beyond.
Two hours of eclectic new music with a spotlight on Bay area cross-psych projects. PLUS a guest artist segment featuring local musician/producer Jason Quever - aka PAPERCUTS - with a chat and deep dive into his new LP "Past Life Regression."
On this episode take a spin to "Fantasy Fest 2036" with Bay area rockers MICHAEL MICHAEL MOTORCYCLE. I chat with founder/frontman Michael Pannone about all things music and dive deep into their brand new Fantasy Fest LP. PLUS a two hour eclectic mix of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode meet whirlwind cabaret dream pop/punk artist Grooblen, aka Ellie Stokes. This San Francisco artist just released a new LP "One of Four," and also created and runs her own non-profit BIG LEAP COLLECTIVE which promotes and provides stages for new and young breaking artists in the Bay area. Hear her story and music. PLUS two full hours of eclectic new tunes from the Bay and beyond.
120 minutes of awesome new music, topped off by a chat and deep dive with my guest artist of the week, emerging indie pop singer/songwriter Yasi Lowy of San Francisco -- aka BAD TIGER. Yasi is an emerging artist who's not embarrassed to admit that she wants her introspective indie music to be more "danceable," and we have a great convo about how "pop" music bridges the gap between genres and people. We also dive deep into her new EP "Sanctuary." PLUS tons of incredible new music from artists like HAIM, Nilufer Yanya, Channel Tres, The Beths, Say She She, Mallrat and Hurray for the Riff Raff.
My guest artist this episode is BACK PORCHESTRA, a group of touring musicians who banded together during lockdown to create music together as therapy for themselves, and music fans in the Bay area. We chat with founder Tim Eschliman and dive deep into the band's debut LP "Voices in My Head (Genre Whiplash)." PLUS a two-hour eclectic mix of music from the Bay and beyond, keeping with the theme "genre whiplash."
On this episode, the empowered East Bay trio Artemisia are guest artists. We dive deep into their ephemeral debut EP and chat about bonding together in harmony, and getting women's voices heard in the male-dominated music industry. PLUS two hours of brand new music from the Bay and beyond.
In this episode, Oakland cosmic country singer/songwriter Mikayla McVey joins MJ as guest artist as she releases her fantastic new LP "Time Turns Everything," with a revealing convo and deep dive into the album. Plus tons of fresh music from the Bay and beyond.
Featured guest artist Greg Loiacono, co-founder of legendary Bay area band The Mother Hips, talks about the band's 30th anniversary celebration, AND the release of the group's critically acclaimed new LP "The Glowing Lantern." We dive deep into the album and have a great convo. PLUS a two hour eclectic mix of fresh new tunes from the Bay and beyond. This show rocks!
On this episode, emerging San Francisco singer/songwriter ZOLA is my guest artist, as we dive deep and chat about her terrific new EP “The Kid” -- a break-up album about a label rather than a lover. It's a great cautionary tale and rising from the ashes conversation. And better yet, its fabulous music. PLUS two hours of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
We jazz it up on this pre-holiday episode of WOTP Radio, with a chat with San Francisco jazz vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Jimmy Kraft, who is celebrating the release of his new EP "Lilacs." Plus a full two hours of brand new music from the Bay and beyond, some (but not all) of it holiday-themed.
On this episode I'm joined by Rachel, Chloe and Erika Tietjen....aka the T SISTERS, who are releasing singles for an upcoming LP called "Big Girl Pants." We chat about how they are balancing babies and the band, female empowerment, and how a pre-pandemic experience abroad as sonic ambassadors working with young girls and women, has impacted their music and their mindsets. PLUS a full 2-hours of brand new music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode - a full two hours of brand new music INCLUDING a chat and deep dive with SF-to-LA indie artist GEOGRAPHER, aka Mike Deni, celebrating the release of his new LP "Down and Out in the Garden of Earthly Delights." PLUS tons of fresh tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, Santa Cruz singer/songwriter/producer Henry Chadwick chats about the release of his brand new LP “We All Start Again.” We talk pandemic productivity, the noise of 2019, The Beatles, his all-time favorite albums and why the LP is NOT a lost art. Plus we dive deep into his new music. AND of course, brand new Bay area tunes from artists like GEOGRAPHER, THAO & THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN, BOBCAT ROB, HOWLIN RAIN, MITCH ROCKET, THE REDS, PINKS & PURPLES, NINA DURANGO, SETH LAEL and J SIAM.
On this episode we meet at the intersection of country, folk, Americana and indie....a place filled with numerous artists who have country in their soul, but have turned it into a next-gen sound all its own. Think Robert Plant & Alison Krause, Norah Jones, and classic artists like Bobbie Gentry and k.d. Lang. You'll also meet guest artist Ash Powell, who's upcoming debut EP "Bound for Nowhere" is a prime example. She plays a some live acoustic songs, chats and shares new music from the impending EP.
On this final episode of WOTP Radio, Kai Killion of Santa Cruz collective GETAWAY DOGS is live in studio to perform some acoustic songs, and dive deep into the band's new music, and chat about where his bedroom bossanova/dream surf sound comes from. PLUS, Marc and Federico call in to chat about the reconstituted LOFI SATELLITES and drop a world radio premiere of their new single. AND of course tons of brand new music.
On this episode, meet emerging Bay area singer/songwriter Dominique Gomez, who just released her debut EP "Seasons of the Heart." We chat about her influences (Carole King, Linda Ronstadt), her spirit princess (Jasmine) and how her music has matured with her. She'll play a live acoustic song and dive deep into her EP. Plus, Andrew St. James calls in to drop a new single, and tons of fresh new tunes from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, Andy and Jim of the Industrial pop band RETURN TO MONO are guest artists this week – with a live chat and a deep dive into their new LP “Blackbox” – a brilliant LP that straddles electropop and indie, and beautifully incapsulating our collective mood swings between despair and hope. Plus - KING DREAM, aka Jeremy Lyon - checks in to chat about a new Duets EP with Rainbow Girls’ Caitlin Gowdey, AND he’ll premiere his new song “Oberon." PLUS tons of brand new tunes from across the genre rainbow – many from local artists including MILD UNIVERSE, MAE POWELL, ZELMA STONE, KATZROAR, DOMINIQUE GOMEZ, ZOLA and more!
This episode features Oakland's MAYA ELISE AND THE GOOD DREAM live in-studio as guest artists. Their debut album as a fully realized band, “Songs from the Breakdown,” releases a week from today, and Maya along with vocalist Jordan dive deep into the new LP, play some acoustic tunes, and chat. PLUS local tunes, new releases & live show news from Bay area artists, and a full first hour of brand new tunes making up a tasty sonic slurpy for your summer listening pleasure.
On this episode meet SHADOW BASKET, a project out of Santa Cruz that is much more than a band....it's a collective of artists who are crossing disciplines and making music and art in an incredibly creative and powerful way. Project co-authors Kyle Lutz and Jacey LaManna are live to dive deep into the music and talk about their upcoming debut LP. PLUS a hyper-local second hour of Bay area music, and a full first hour of brand new tunes. Keyword: COLLABORATIONS!
On this episode - an embarrassment of local musical riches with TWO guest artist segments. In the first hour, Oakland baroque/pop cellist, singer/songwriter, composer Mia Pixley is live to talk about her debut full-length album "Margaret in the Wild." And in the second hour, Bay area jazz/indie quartet Flora Flora is live to discuss their debut EP "Canopy." PLUS tons of brand new music from the Bay and beyond.
On this episode, Bay area violinist and composer Justin Ouellet is live sharing some brand new unreleased music -telling the story of the challenge and complexity of recording multiple musicians remotely (most of them tucked away in their bedroom closets) and mixing dozens and dozens of tracks to create beautifully produced jazz originals. PLUS a hyper-local segment featuring fresh tunes from Bay area bands and artists. And a full first hour of new music leaning on the jazzier side of the spectrum.
On this episode, my guest artists, emerging Oakland band KATZROAR, cast a sonic spell with sensual, dreamy, nostalgic psych vibez and grooooovy guitar licks. Katy and Rory are live in-studio chatting about their forthcoming debut album, playing a live mini-set of unreleased music and diving into their debut singles. PLUS Deep Talk's Christina and Jordan call to talk about a live show tomorrow in San Francisco. AND a full first hour of music leaning into the many artists from many genres who are folding psych into their songs. This is a mood you won’t want to miss!
There’s a new face in the Bay area music scene! CAITLIN COBB-VIALET has returned to Oakland from New York armed with a theatre resume and a fresh, indie-pop sound made up of distinctive lyrics and complex arrangements. Along with her keyboard, Caitlin joins me as guest artist this episode to play a live mini-set, chat about the release of her debut single “I Confuse Us,” and discuss finding that sweet spot between musical theater and indie pop. That, PLUS of course a whole first hour of fresh new music from artists like Spaceface, King Giz, Wet Leg, Mindchatter, Rostam, and Mdou Moctar.
This is a red. white and blues episode of West of Twin Peaks Radio ..... with sonic fireworks courtesy guest artist, Sacramento blues powerhouse KATIE KNIPP, playing some live songs, and digging deep into her Billboard charting EP "The Well." PLUS, the incredible Chloe Studebaker of ZELMA STONE calls in to talk about her new single “Gift Horse.” And of course a full first hour of BRAND NEW MUSIC leaning heavily today on Americana, roots, blues, folks, country and soul.
On this episode, queer Oakland indie artist Emily Afton calls in to release a new single off her upcoming EP "Reconsideration," and talk about headlining the KXSF PRIDE benefit. Also, guest artist Sarah Gagnon, front woman of Bay Area band Hectorine, joins me live in studio with a great conversation about the band's new LP "Tears" including a deep dive into the album. And of course, tons of brand new music.
On this episode, Alexi Glickman of San Francisco band Sandy's joins me live to dive deep into the group's cinematic new LP "Magic Mind," and chat about its concept and how it created a new world during a time when we were all locked away at home. Plus Aki Ehara of the Seshen calls in to chat about the band's first gig in 16 months....opening this weekend's Stern Grove Festival. And a full first hour of brand new music from African American and Black artists worldwide celebrating Juneteenth.
On this episode, a celebration of re-emergence! Oakland's WATERSTRIDER, aka Nate Salman, is live as guest artist to dive deep into his new EP "Sublimate" and chat about how it captures our transformation from despair and disconnection to hope and love. PLUS, Nate introduces his new duo project TALMIRAGE, and why it's funky, dance-y sound is one of joy and connection meets the moment. ALSO, a chat with Ilana Vasconcelos with the Stern Grove Festival shares the news that the Festival WILL BE HELD LIVE at Stern Grove on Sundays throughout the summer, with some changes. And of course, tons of great new tunes that fit the moment.