Afleveringen
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In this third installment of my series of interviews with new Prog-Rock heroes YYNOT, lead singer Rocky Kuner joins me to discuss how she got involved with the project. She discusses how what she thought would be a one-off project developed into a full-fledged band. We also discuss how she takes care of her voice, and the vocalist even takes the time to answer a few questions from the fans…Rocky Kuner of YYNOT
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Inside the Musical Mind is doing a three part interview with one of the most exciting prog-rock groups to come along in recent years, YYNOT. Recently we spoke with Billy Alexander, the group’s songwriter and guitarist. This time around we sit down with the bands bass virtuoso, Tim Starace.Tim discusses his recent surgery, the bands past two albums, and their future plans…Billy Alexander and Tim Starace.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Starting off as a remarkable group doing a few RUSH covers for fun, YYNOT quickly evolved into an original group in its own right. With two albums of exceptional material under their belts, Billy Alexander, Tim Starace, and Rocky Kuner have amassed a rabid fan base in a few short years.Songwriter/guitarist Billy Alexander joins me to talk about how the band has been keeping busy, and if a third album could be in the works…Billy, Tim, and Rocky.
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Alt-rock Icons Jellyfish released two highly influential albums, Bellybutton (1990) and Spilt Milk (1993) before going their separate ways. After decades of contributing to other high-profile artists, former members Roger Joseph Manning, Eric Dover, and Tim Smith have reconvened to form The Lickerish Quartet.
Named after an obscure Italian erotic film, the name gives an indication of the wonderfully left-of-center approach these guys take to creativity. The debut EP, “Threesome Vol. 1” is a sonic work of art. Harmonies rush in like a wave over shimmering acoustics and flowing keys. It is at once reminiscent of Jellyfish but altogether fresh.
Tim Smith (vocals, bass, guitars) called in to discuss the making of the album, and the specific approaches they took in recording. This is a great peek inside this exciting new project with a promise of more things to come! -
Legendary record producer Ted Templeman is a familiar name to those of us who eagerly read the back of all our favorite albums in the seventies and eighties. Working for Warner Bros Records (now just Warner Records) Templeman was the man behind the sonic goodness of acts like the Doobie Brothers, Montrose, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and more.
Author and historian Greg Renoff (Van Halen Rising) knew that this music icon had a million stories to tell, and he set out to preserve them. Through lengthy research and unprecedented access to the man himself, Greg was able to painstakingly assemble a detailed look into Templeman’s life and career.
The author joins me for a conversation about how the book took shape, and what he learned from his lengthy interactions with one of music’s most respected producers. Listen to our chat and then be sure to get your hands on Ted Templeman : A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music. -
For this podcast episode, I wanted to touch on some new albums and group projects coming up this year. It’s not a comprehensive list, just a quick run down of things I’ve come across recently that should be of interest, especially to guitarists. I do want to point out that I intended to mention Paul Gilbert’s upcoming “Werewolves of Portland” , but I’m an idiot and seem to think winging it is a good way to do a podcast.
In addition to upcoming albums, I wanted to focus on a recent album by virtuoso Nili Brosh. Released just this last December it is another testament to her songwriting and playing skills. Nili was nice enough to join me and share some insights regarding the album and more.
Nili Brosh -
Black Swan was initiated by bassist/producer/engineer Jeff Pilson, and he soon recruited a stellar line up to realize his goal of creating a killer classic hard rock album. Along with Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner) the band features Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Robin McAuley (MSG, Survivor), and Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley). Even with this roster, the total is still greater than the sum of its parts.
Black Swan’s debut album Shake the World, was released on February 14th and is already enjoying tremendous reviews. I spoke with lead singer Robin McAuley to discuss the making of this record, how he has maintained his vocal chops over the years, and why January 20th is a cool birthday! -
As time marches on, many of the legendary rock acts that have been part of our culture for decades retire. Even more tragically, each year a few of these icons pass away. However, this year stands to be a memorable one, with some acts coming out of retirement (Motley Crue), and some embarking on yet another “Farewell” tour (Ozzy Osbourne, KISS).
Metallica will headline Festivals in 2020.
Whatever the reason, now is a good time to catch these classic acts. Time waits for no one, and one day we all will wish we could see a certain group “just one more time”. Here is a video I made going over just a few of the larger bands that have announced tours for 2020. Life is short, buy the concert tickets. -
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced it’s inductees for 2020. Once again it has added questionable members while excluding obvious, deserving members. Here are my thoughts on the matter:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rock Hall of Fame, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Rock Hall Cleveland Architect Photography Ohio architectural photographer -
Mia Berrin started Pom Pom Squad as an idea back in high school. She began writing songs and learning guitar, and discovered the catharsis that can come from creativity. From their first EP “Hate it Here” in 2017 to the most recent release “Ow”, the band, and Mia have shown that there is always a place for authentic expression.
This is the kind of discussion I love. Mia is an intelligent and observant artist who pulls from her personal life for her music, but is keenly aware of the world around her. The music she writes is accompanied by a focused attention on how to present herself and the band. There is a sense of wisdom beyond her years at work here. In this interview we delve into Mia’s influences, her early days of writing music, up to the creation of this latest release.
Pom Pom Squad is shortly embarking on a cross-country tour, and this is a great, ground level look at a talented and genuine artist on the verge of bigger things.
Listen to Pom Pom Squad -
With the release of Psychotic Symphony in 2017, Sons of Apollo established themselves as one of the premier Supergroups. Consisting of Mike Portnoy (drums), Derek Sherinian (keys), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), this is the musical Dream Team. Every member is a virtuoso performer, with a long history behind them. Sons of Apollo.With their second album, MMXX, due out this month, the machine is gearing up again to take this formidable band back out on the road. Lead singer Jeff Scott Soto called in to discuss with me the making of this juggernaut of a record, and how hectic the last couple of years have been, juggling musical projects. He also shares some funny memories of his early days with Yngwie Malmsteen. So as a nice appetizer to the new music, let’s dive in and chat with the voice of Sons of Apollo…
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Well, it’s the year 2020, and that means The Roaring Twenties were officially one hundred years ago! Thinking about this led me to diving into just what people were listening to in 1920. What passed for entertainment?Although the radio had been invented in 1895 by Marconi, it wasn’t until 1913 when an American, Edwin Armstrong invented a circuit that made long range transmissions more practical. Early radios also did not have speakers, until they were later fitted with vacuum tubes that could power them. Until that point the listener had to listen on headphones. The first radio station licensed was KDKA (Pittsburgh, PA.)*. Up until this point not many homes had radios because there wasn’t much to listen to. It was the domain of engineers and hobbyists. The first broadcast of KDKA was the election results of November, 1920 where Warren G. Harding won the Presidency of the United States. ( m.american-historians.org.) Within just four years of this first commercial station, 600 stations had sprung up across the country! (www.pbs.org)A 1920’s radio.Now this is possibly a bigger deal than it may seem at first. For the first time, a whole nation was hearing the same songs, the same news, and enjoying the same on-air skits (at least when NBC, etc. began syndicating). Just a short time before, a rural family in Kansas was never going to hear popular Broadway tunes performed by a full band. Now the whole country could. This literally led to a “collective culture”. In a way it may have helped bring Americans together with a more uniform sense of identity. The only thing that could do that before mass communication was war.In most homes in 1920 there would have been a piano if you could afford one, or perhaps a parlor-guitar. Most families had one or two members who could play an instrument. The phonograph, had been around for some time, and until 1920 the music business was dominated by song publishing firms, not record labels. Sheet music often outsold records. These early recordings were performed live in a room and captured on rudimentary microphones. Things like multi-track recording and overdubs were still some years away.Of note is that Jazz had really started gaining momentum after World War One. With radio and records, it would spread much more rapidly across the nation than ever possible before. This was the first time in history that other musicians could learn music and styles from people they had never seen play! It’s actually rather remarkable when you think about it.Here is a look at the top five songs of the year 1920. (https://tarot.info>music>yr1920)* Al Jolson – Swanee* Paul Whiteman – Whispering* Mamie Smith – Crazy Blues* Ted Lewis and his Orchestra –When My Baby Smiles at Me.* Ben Selvin – DardenellaMamie Smith.What is interesting, is that here one hundred years later we are embarking on an exact reversal of this “collective culture”. With infinite choices, people are no longer confined to Top 40 radio, and the “Big Three” television networks. Everyone is streaming their own particular favorites, no matter how obscure. You can listen to a Scandinavian Death Metal band one minute, and then listen to the latest mix of the song you wrote yourself on Spotify. You can do all this while streaming episodes of Magnum P.I. from 1981. I cut the cord on Cable some time ago and have not missed it a bit. So the point is, although the internet has made the world a smaller place in many ways, it has also made it a much, much bigger one. In the year 2120, someone will thought-transfer some data into your grandchildren’s skulls about how quaint it was that in 2020,
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Guitarist/producer Billy Alexander, upon seeing videos of bass virtuoso Tim Starace approached him about forming an online collaboration. Beginning in 2015 the two went to work on not only impressive original compositions such as the eponymous “YYNOT”, but covers of legendary Rush songs with staggering precision. After recruiting the talented-beyond-her-years vocalist Rocky Kuner, the band continued to churn out incredible music.
Billy Alexander and Tim Starace.
The self-titled debut brought even more favorable attention to this dynamic outfit, and with the addition of drummer Joel Stevenett the line up was complete. Just recently the band (which it has truly evolved into) revealed a second collection of original compositions: Resonance.
One listen to songs such as “Wildest Dreams” shows an ability to wrap complex musical parts into an instantly hummable package. I was able to speak to Billy and Tim recently to discuss the formation of the group and just what goes into producing such exciting new music. In a world of disposable pop “artists”, YYNOT is a shining beacon on the hill!
Watch the interview on our Youtube channel or listen to the podcast!
10 ? with YYNOT -
Van Halen has famously been tight lipped over the course of their long career. In addition to infrequently recording albums, they have also shied away from extensive box sets. While many bands cash in on remastered editions of previous albums by including bonus tracks, previously unreleased songs, and even behind-the-scenes footage, Eddie and company have refrained.
When the band’s albums have been remastered, they have not included any bonus material. Usually these remasters do not even include additional packaging, photos, or liner notes.
So with Van Halen being basically retired (they won’t even tell us that for sure), I have to wonder “What could be in the archives?’. in this video I discuss some of my personal observations and theories about what material could be compiled, and if and when we may ever hear it.
Watch the video by clicking the link below: -
Fresh off of her set of shows with fellow virtuoso Nili Brosh and the legendary Jennifer Batten , Gretchen Menn called in to catch us up on how that tour went, and a myriad of other cool insights.
On this episode of the “10 ? with the Musical Mind” podcast Gretchen and I discuss her early days studying classical guitar, some of her favorite players, and how she approached composing her daunting 2016 concept album, Abandon all Hope.
Click on the player below to hear the interview, or subscribe to “10 ? with the Musical Mind” on your favorite podcast platform! -
After forming the legendary rock band Cinderella, Tom Keifer rose to the top of the scene with rock anthems such as “Nobody’s Fool”, “The Last Mile” and well crafted slower fare such as the hit “Heartbreak Station”. In addition to riding the crest of the wave of success, Keifer had more than his share of real world problems. More than just the usual story of “Grunge came along and killed the rock scene”, Tom faced serious and ongoing health issues. A neurological problem led to multiple surgeries and paralyzed vocal chords. He was told he would never sing again. Showing a determination seldom matched, he embarked on a journey of self-discipline. Daily warm up routines and careful attention to technique have allowed Keifer to still deliver his characteristic growl and howl thirty years later.Photo: Tammy VegaForming a new musical family, The Tom Keifer Band released “The Way Life Goes” in 2013. Now, with their terrific follow up album “Rise” the band have been back on the road. Tom called in to fill in the details on how he has gone about shaping his heartfelt and nuanced music over his long career. I hope you enjoy this insightful conversation in the latest episode of “10 ? with the Musical Mind” – with Tom Keifer.homepage-boxed
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With the sad passing of Peter Steele in 2010, the groundbreaking Type O Negative was all but finished. As cornerstones of that act, Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly went on to form the Doom Metal outfit Seventh Void.As time went on, Hickey began writing material that he felt called for a bit more orchestrated layering, more density. The music changed enough that he felt a new name was in order. Thus, Silvertomb was born.After releasing a single “Insomnia” last year, the band toured to get the word out and build anticipation for their upcoming album. The time has come, and now “Edge of Existence” is set to be released. On listening to tracks such as “Waiting”, and “Right of Passage” it looks to be a fantastic collection of material.Kenny phoned in to discuss the new album, and just how the addition of new members and new approaches to music led to the creation of “Edge of Existence”.
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Mike Keneally got his career off to an ambitious start when, after playing Top 40 covers he was thrust into “expert level”. Mike was selected to join Frank Zappa in 1987 on both guitar and keyboards. From there his unique, quirky style and impressive chops saw him contributing to a plethora of other musician’s work. Playing with everyone from Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa, to Steve Vai, to Joe Satriani he has proven his musicianship and indeed is currently working with legendary creators Devin Townsend and Todd Rundgren , respectively.
But this doesn’t address his own body of work, which is impressive in its scope and variety. From “The Tar Tapes” volumes 1-5 in the eighties through gems like “hat” and “Scambot” Keneally demonstrates that his mind is always creating. He has always been a breath of fresh air by creating music that conforms only to what he finds interesting.
In our in-depth conversation here Keneally and I discuss his early days, how he comes up with new material (as expected, it varies), and the projects he is currently working on!
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Hailing originally from New York, guitarist Barry Richman moved at a fairly young age to Atlanta, GA. The son of renowned tenor saxophonist Abraham “Boomie” Richman, Barry was brought up exposed to both music and musicians.Gravitating to guitar after being enthralled by the British Invasion and captivated by Jimi Hendrix, Richman began a life long love affair with music. His brand of blues is authentic and soulful. His Jazz DNA (Courtesy of his father) lends him a much broader palette than the average blues man.As a result of his unique voice on the instrument Barry has played with a definitive “Who’s Who” of legendary music makers. A full and stunning list of his associations can be found here: https://www.barryrichman.com/press-kitMr. Richman was gracious enough to take time out of his hectic gigging schedule to talk about life. Everything from growing up, getting immersed in guitar. to how we writes his songs and his extensive guitar collection.If you aren’t familiar with his music, I recommend you go to his site and take the plunge. Buy one of his albums. You won’t be disappointed!https://barryrichman.com/https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Barry-Richman-Band-103813632994099/
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Josh Jones has the fire and chops. Legendary musicians have praised his guitar playing across social media, people like David Coverdale, Derek Sherinian, and Mike Portnoy. After hearing his playing myself, I knew I wanted to document Joshua’s journey early on, because I think we will be hearing more from this guy.Watch our interview here!
