Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On an episode from about a year ago, our conversation with photographer Harold Sherrick. Harold joined Spotlight On to talk about A Pig's Tale, a book he co-authored which tells the story of the legendary bootleg record label, Trade Mark of Quality, and the adventures of its founders in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Trade Mark of Quality was really the first bootleg record label of its kind, spawning many later imitators. From the end of the '60s to the mid '70s, the label released groundbreaking bootlegs from Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and countless others. A Pig’s Tale tells the stories of the releases, the cast of characters and includes beautiful images of all of the records. Harold takes us back to a free-wheeling time in an industry just on the cusp of corporatization. We are excited to resurface this conversation to you. Get A Pig’s TaleLearn More About Harold SherrickHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On New York-based jazz innovators Jane Ira Bloom and Mark Helias, who join us to discuss their latest collaboration with drummer Bobby Previte, 2.3.23.I’d like to read from Mark’s notes for the album, “2.3.23 was an outgrowth of the improvisational recording project that emerged between myself and Jane Ira Bloom beginning at an early stage of the pandemic in April/May of 2020. We struggled to come to terms with the technological limitations of playing remotely over the internet. The initial motivation was to play music with another musician, something that we had become accustomed to and took for granted until the pandemic arose. As we became adept at the advances in software and the tamping down of the inherent latency of remote recording we managed to produce two wonderful collections of spontaneous duos that documented our shared need for human and musical connection in a trying time…At one point I sent a duo track of myself and Jane to Bobby Previte to see if he might want to add drums and percussion to the track. It was just a thought on my part but the result was stunning. Bobby was able to interact so deftly with our improvised duo that I felt that we were now venturing into new territory conceptually that brought into question many suppositions about improvisation, interaction and issues of time and being…”These recordings completely challenge any preconceived notions the listener might have about any “right way” to collaborate or create improvisational music. To paraphrase Elvis Costello, talking about these recordings is like dancing about architecture, but we gave it a go and an enlightening and intriguing conversation was the result.Get 2.3.23Learm About Jane Ira Bloom | Mark Helias | Bobby PreviteHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On John Brodeur, leader of the music project, Bird Streets. John conceived of Bird Streets as his return to a band format after a long career as a solo artist. The new band point of view proved to be artistically freeing, and John joins us today to talk about Lagoon, the second Bird Streets album.Among John’s collaborators on Lagoon are Pat Sansone of Wilco, Michael Lockwood, who has worked with Aimee Man and Fiona Apple, Ed Harcourt, John Davis of Superdrag, and Jody Stephens of Big Star. Lagoon is a lush and complex record, filled with moments of intense emotional vulnerability and second-to-none pop songwriting. John brought his openness and storytelling ways to this talk as well. About Bird StreetsHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Australian jazz heavyweight Christopher Hale. Christopher has been called “one of the most unique and respected musicians in Australia” (Glam Adelaide) and an “unconventional virtuoso of the bass guitar” (The Age). His new release, Ritual Diamonds, came out on March 3 through Earshift Music. The work reimagines Korean ritual drumming and contemporary jazz, creating music that is mysterious, complex and beautiful. On it, Christopher is joined by collaborator and friend, Korean drumming innovator Minyoung Woo and a group rounded out by some of Australia’s finest jazz artists: Jamie Oehlers on saxophones, Andrea Keller on acoustic and electric piano, Theo Carbo, guitars and Simon Barker on drums.Christopher was a very generous and engaged conversationalist, giving a lot of insight into his philosophies, process and approach. I hope our discussion spurs you to search out his music. About Christopher Hale and Ritual DiamondsHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On rising electro soul artist, Nick Locke, who performs under the name Phyphr. A songwriter and producer, Phyphr combines his own live guitar playing with electronic elements to create a unique, vibrant twist on electronic funk, soul and blues. Phypht and host Lawrence Peryer had a great time connecting which hopefully comes across in this recording. About Phyphr and his musicHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a live recording of a conversation Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer had in Santa Barbara, at the FestForums conference, with American musical treasure, Jesse Colin Young.  Jesse Colin Young has been a pioneer of American roots music for more than half a century and has left his unique mark on the intersecting worlds of folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock & roll. As the frontman of the Youngbloods, he immortalized the ideals of the Woodstock generation with "Get Together," an international hit that called for peace and brotherhood during the turbulent 1960s. During the decades that followed, Young expanded both his audience and his artistic range, releasing a string of solo albums that mixed socially-conscious lyrics with top-tier guitar skills and gorgeous vocals. An acclaimed songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, producer, label owner, podcast host, and longtime social/environmental activist, he has established a permanent place in America's musical landscape, while continuing to make modern music that's every bit as vital as his work during the counterculture era.Later in the talk LP and his guest were joined by Jesse’s daughter Jazzie, a performer in her own right.About Jesse Colin Young | Jazzie YoungHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the spotlight shines on the German electronic jazz collective Conic Rose. Their new, self-released debut album Heller Tag (or, Bright Day, in English), is out tomorrow, February 17, worldwide.  Members of the group who joined our talk included Trumpeter Konstantin Döben, keyboardist Johannes Arzberger, bassist Franziska Aller and guitarist Bertram Burkert. All come from diverse musical backgrounds, with their individual projects including work with artists like arena-filling German pop star Clueso and Jazz icon Joy Denalane.Conic Rose’s music interweaves electronic elements, cinematic jazz, vibey soundscapes and hints of German art rock. All songs are written, recorded and produced by the group in their own recording studio in Berlin.Enjoy our talk and check out the new album.About Conic RoseHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the spotlight shines on Janishia Jones, CEO & Founder of Fresh 'N Sassy Productions, a holding company whose mission is to empower and create an ecosystem of safe spaces for women of color in the music industry.Janishia had four main initiatives to tell us about: The Pub Royalty Queen Podcast, The Juke Joint Non-profit Foundation, her consultancy Encore Music Tech Solutions and Market Research Agency A Seat at the Table. Each of these projects contributes to Janishia’s mission in its own way, and our guest breaks down exactly how in today’s episode. The discussion lingers longest on A Seat at the Table’s research report, A Perspective on Women of Color in the Music Business, which anyone with an interest in equity and inclusion needs to read. Janishia is doing powerful and relevant work and it is an honor to have her as our guest. About Janishia Jones Host Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the spotlight shines on two companies doing interesting work at the crossroads of music and technology. In our first segment, we talk to Adam Hasslert, CEO of online digital audio workstation and beatmaking platform Soundation. Every month, Soundation’s online music studio is used by over 100,000 creatives who produce music directly in their web browsers. Focusing on building the next-generation music software for upcoming music producers with professional ambitions, Soundation offers a collaborative workstation, a vibrant online community, and many learning tools. The company's mission is to facilitate musical creativity around the world.Next up we have Max Goldberg and Steven Segel of Hotdrop, a new app that addresses the current generational shift underway in music discovery and consumption. 30-second snippets enable rapid discovery, are easily shared with other music superfans, yielding high virality for emerging artists. Hotdrop enables exactly this.Whether you create, promote or enjoy new music, today’s episode has something that should appeal to you.Host Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the spotlight shines on musicians Bart Wirtz and Emiel van Rijthoven who perform and record together under the name WAAN (Dutch for ‘Craze’). WAAN have a new record, Echo Echo, out on February 24 through the Sonar Kollektiv label. As of this recording three tracks have already appeared on streaming outlets and through the band’s bandcamp page. In fact, just hours before we spoke the final advance track, Omi, dropped. If you are a fan of Floating Points, BADBADNOTGOOD, Ezra Collective or any of the other modern artists making jazz more electronic or electronic music more improvisational, WAAN is for you.More about WAANHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.