Centerstage MN is a Fool for Marc Gartman

by Doug MacRostie

When your muse is working it's important to embrace that flow and let the creativity out, and that is something that Marc Gartman has definitely done over the last couple of years. With 4 albums released in the last year (and 3 or 4 the year before...), Marc has clearly been inspired. Marc is the songwriter, singer and one of the banjo players with Two Many Banjos - but when he puts the banjo down the music is then released by The Marc Gartband, and Marc will be talking with me about the new album "I Am A Fool For You" this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN.

From Duluth, Marc also performs/records with Coyote, Nice Bears and Little Grey House. The new album is another outstanding collection of songs, and this time Marc did the songwriting and recording on an Irish Bouzouki - an instrument he first picked up to play with Little Grey House. "I Am A Fool For You" has a great mix of sounds and styles, from sweetly-slick love songs like "Till There's Nothing Left" to wordly exotic songs like "Abu Dhabi." Each time Marc releases a new album I think it's his "best writing yet" and this album is no exception - be sure to tune in for this interview with Marc Gartman!

I'll also be doing a demo set - and just because the sound quality is a little lo-fi doesn't mean the creativity, energy and passion isn't shining brightly :) We'll hear from The Rosebud Social, a garage rock/indie folk band that has been making original music in Grand Rapids for almost 10 years. And Zombie Season from Minneapolis, sort of a post-punk rock band with a lot of creativity and gothic imagery - perhaps you could describe it as indie-vampire-opera, idk :p And we'll hear from another Grand Rapids songwriter, Pat Deal. Pat has strong pop influences with an obvious enjoyment of punk attitude.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

A Canoe Grass Revival on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Tall people can make good music too, and it's wrong of you to think otherwise!!! Case and point is Pat Surface - as you can see in this picture, even on my tip-toes with my neck stretched out I barely reach his shoulders, hehehe. He has been making music for over 30 years, developing his own blend of acoustic styles. I have met Pat many times (there's something to be said for an established musician who still stops in to give the station his new CD by hand :D) and I might go so far as to say he is THE friendly giant - with an obvious passion for music, love and life. I'll be talking with him tonight on Centerstage MN.

Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys' 6th CD is called Canoe Grass Revival, a mix of original and interpreted tunes presented in a 100% recycled package. Hailing from the Ely area of the Great Northwoods, Pat and the Boys' signature sound of "Canoe-Grass" is a mix of folk, blugrass, swing, celtic and more. The music is very true and authentic, heart-felt and positive.

I've also got new music from The Marc Gartband tonight, the uber-new release is called "I Am a Fool For You." Marc Gartman is the singer/songwriter and one of the banjo players with Duluth's Two Many Banjos. But, when he plays guitar instead of banjo it becomes The Marc Gartband. Marc is one of my favorite MN songwriters and we'll also hear from another new project he's doing called Little Grey House - that new CD is called "Howlin' Moon" and we'll hear from both those releases to start the show.

I've also got new music blues and R&B legend Willie Murphy and we'll hear from the debut self-titled release from Marvelle. And we'll hear a new voice to MN's jazz scene: Nancy Harms debuting tonight on Centerstage MN.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Full Speed Ahead w Two Many Banjos!!!

by Doug MacRostie

Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN on KAXE I'll be talking with Marc Gartman, lead songwriter, singer and banjo player with Two Many Banjos out of Duluth. Their new CD is called "Can't Slow Me Down" and TMB continue to push the limits of bluegrass/folk music. It's their 4th CD in 2 years (with another due out later this year) and Marc's songwriting is in full stride with "Can't Slow Me Down." Marc has been on Centerstage MN a couple times before and he always has interesting/entertaining things to say about his music.

And, Heidi will tell the story of taking Alex Kelly (from StoryCorp) to Hibbing to meet one of Bob Dylan's earliest influences, BJ Rolfzen.

I've also got new music from Clawthroat, The Magic Castles and The Darbuki Kings:

From Grand Rapids, Joseph Downing is the singer and guitarist with Clawthroat and he'll join me in studio next week to talk about their new EP "Know Yr Roots" - and I asked him to bring his guitar along and the word on the street is he'll debut a brand new song LIVE for us next week! w00t!

The Magic Castles first CD, "The Lore of Mysticore" was a self-produced, self-released dirge into psychedelic rock - some of it more slow-moving than others, all over it floating out at the limits of musical-space, and I am glad to say nothing has been lost with their sophomore release "Dreams of Dreams of Dreams." In fact, I think they've only gotten better! While the songs may be a little shorter and the hooks a little clearer, they stuck with their unique sound and presentation and took it to another level! These guys screen their own album covers on recycled paper board by hand, and there is definitely a high level of art and presentation beyond the music.

The Darbuki Kings new CD is called "Been Laden You Too Long." Antone and Adnan are at it again, connecting with the inner rhythms of the universe and using them to transport their listeners through the cosmos with multiple world drums, Bouzouki and Octave Mandolins, Indian Tabla and Flutes and more. I leave their connection with Boiled In Lead for you to figure out ;)

Oh, and I'll be starting the show off with the title track to Uncle Shurley's debut CD "in Bemidji" from back in 2005. Uncle Shurley will be performing at KAXE's Annual Meeting and Dance on Saturday, June 6th. The Potluck Diner and Meeting starts at 4 and is free, the Uncle Shurley concert starts at 7p and is just $5 for members of KAXE, or $10 for the general public. This is going to be f***ing awesome, be sure to come out and enjoy!

Centerstage MN is Thursday evening's at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.