May 25, 2007
Laura Veirs and Saltbreakers
Brainy, whimsical Laura Veirs sings about meteors, birds and bugs, and the occasional mermaid. Storms and natural destruction also find their way into her lyrics. Kurt talks with Veirs and she performs with her band, Saltbreakers, live in the studio.
May 18, 2007
Alsace Lorraine
Paul Francke, who plays bass, is finishing up seminary outside of Washington, DC. Isol, who sings vocals, is a children's book author and illustrator from Buenos Aires. The unlikely pair made Alsace Lorraine's new album Dark One, without ever meeting face to face. This special Studio 360 set marks the first time they've ever performed live together.
April 20, 2007
Grant-Lee Phillips
You may know Grant-Lee Phillips as the “Town Troubadour” on the TV show “The Gilmore Girls” – but he’s also a veteran of the alternative rock scene who has been charming audiences with his velvety vocals since the early 1990’s. Grant-Lee tells Kurt about how he started off doing vaudeville, and performs live in Studio 360 from his new album Strangelet.
April 20, 2007
Bonus Track: “Soft Asylum”
Grant-Lee Phillips performs “Soft Asylum” from Strangelet in Studio 360.
April 20, 2007
Bonus Track: “Far End of the Night”
Grant-Lee Phillips performs “Far End of the Night” from Virginia Creeper in Studio 360.
March 23, 2007
Dean & Britta
When guitarist Dean Wareham needed a new bassist for his band Luna, he placed an ad in the “Village Voice” classifieds. Britta Phillips answered, and the two have been making rainy day indie-rock ever since. They perform songs from their new album “Back Numbers” live in our studio.
March 02, 2007
Ruthie Foster
Though she came from a home where Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke played on the stereo, Ruthie Foster built a robust musical career on the folk festival circuit. Kurt talks to Ruthie about her new album, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, which brings the artist back to the classic soul sound of her youth.
February 09, 2007
Enough with Silly Love Songs
Love may be something to sing about, but what if you can’t carry a tune? Hire someone to do the serenading for you. Singer-songwriter Corey Dargel will write and perform a 3-4 minute, custom-built love song for your lover, friend, family member, pet, whomever. Kurt finds out how Corey creates his commissions – and he announces a contest in which listeners can win their own custom, musical valentine.
February 09, 2007
More from Corey
Love songs aren’t just for lovers. Corey Dargel writes tributes for family members too – like this one, for a friend whose mother was suffering from Alzheimers.
January 26, 2007
Rotary Downs
New Orleans is famous worldwide for its R&B, brass bands, piano players – not its indie rockers! The band Rotary Downs doesn’t sound like the New Orleans we’re used to, but their music still captures the anger and melancholy of the city now. They join Kurt in the studio to play a few songs off their latest album, Chained to the Chariot.
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December 22, 2006
A Robyn Hitchcock Holiday
Singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock leans toward the surrealistic. Robyn was in the studio recently with his band the Venus 3, and we asked them for a Christmas song. They put one together on the spot, and it has a strange holiday spirit all its own.
December 15, 2006
The Soldier and the Folksinger
When we hear about the musical tastes of the American troops in Iraq, it's usually heavy metal bands like Slayer or Drowning Pool. Marine Sergeant Matt Lowy's favorite music is a bit different: Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens — and the singer-songwriter Jess Klein. Not long ago, the marine contacted Klein over the internet, and an unlikely friendship formed. Produced by Jesse Dukes.
