Terry Walsh Flips the Switch

This Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN we're joined by Terry Walsh of St. Dominic's Trio to talk about the new CD "Switch." Terry will bring along his guitar to play some live music, and he'll be joined by Rich Mattson of The Tisdales. Terry is also part of the Belfast Cowboys, a 9 piece Van Morrison tribute band from Minneapolis. Centerstage MN with Doug MacRostie is every Thursday night and Sunday morning at 6, showcasing the talents of MN Musicians.

Her Voice Still Haunts Me...In a Good Way

by Doug MacRostie

The band name Roma Di Luna translates to 'Gypsies of the Moon' - the name is a mish-mash of different languages and cultures; 'Roma' references the gypsy life-style and the sound in Eastern European folk music, and 'Di Luna' meaning 'the moon' in European and American cultures. This combining of cultures and styles serves as a perfect name to represent the unique and exciting sound that is Roma Di Luna, who take influences from all over the world and combine them into a new style of folk song story telling.

I am very excited to have Channy and Alexei Moon Casselle of Roma Di Luna on Centerstage MN this Thursday night at 6 on KAXE. Husband and wife, Alexei and Channy are the songwriting core of RDL. When I heard their debut release Find Your Way Home back in 2007 I was floored - such moving and compelling vocals with a genuine, bare-bones style of 'new old music.' For their latest release Casting the Bones they expanded to a full band which only served to enhance and elevate the sound further into new sonic territory. Channy's beautifully haunting vocals combined with Alexei's songwriting create a truly original sound that I look forward to talking with them about.

I've also got music from the highly anticipated Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank album Traveling Show which can be pre-ordered at HoboNephews.com. They definitely have a good thing going on and their new CD will be vying for my "MN Album of the Year."

Also, Mason Jennings forthcoming release Blood of Man has arrived at the KAXE Studios, and we'll hear a song off that. Mason has turned up the rock on this new album, but still has his distinct sound and style.

If you missed last weeks show, use these links to listen to my conversation with John Wozniak of Marcy Playground about the new CD Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage and you can listen to my conversation with Matt Ray and Rich Mattson about I.R.O.M.A. and the music scene on the Iron Range.

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.

I'll Ask, "Why Aren't You Naked on the Cover?"

by Doug MacRostie

The first time I picked up an electric guitar I was 12 years old (I think)...it was my Uncles "Terminator" (that's all I remember of the name, my cousin might remember the brand...it had a built in speaker that got nice and distorted if you turned it up loud enough :D). Back in high school, one of the albums I sat in my room and learned all the songs on was the self-titled Marcy Playground. Not just "Sex and Candy", but amazing tunes like 'A Cloak of Elven Kind" and "Opium" (one of the best songs EVER). The unique sound and style continued to evolve on Shapeshifter (1999) and MP3 (2004). But I think my favorite album from Marcy Playground is the new release Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage, and I am SO excited to have John Wozniak on Centerstage MN this Thursday night at 6 to talk about it.

Guitarist and singer with Marcy Playground, John Wozniak's songwriting for the Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage is his most personal to date. Seriously, I want to ask him why he didn't put himself naked on the cover! There is lost love, found love, self-reflection and pure emotion presented with John's trademark soft-yet-intense vocals & melodic music which twists and jumps through life's experiences through the eyes of John. Marcy Playground songs often sound sad, but hopeful; and I'll ask John about his inspiration for songwriting, where the music comes from and what it's like opening yourself up and sharing in such a personal way.

I'll also be talking with Matt Ray and Rich Mattson, founding members of the Iron Range Original Music Association (I.R.O.M.A.), a non-profit group of musicians working to support and promote original music on Minnesota's Iron Range, where there is a blossoming and growing movement of original music.

We'll also hear new music from the Above the Earth EP by If You Will, an alternative rock trio from St. Paul. Their music ranges from hard-edged rock to progressive-roots music, which is why I'll be playing it along with Bemidji's Uncle Shurley, the areas foremost interpretive roots/rock band :D And, I'll play a song from Roma Di Luna's latest release Casting the Bones, a wonderfully unique and orginal form of roots and Americana music. As their website says, "we make new old music." Tune in for this preview of next week's episode, when I talk with Alexei Moon-Cassell from Roma Di Luna.

And here is a little exciting news for you (or ME)! Most of my interview with The Brothers Burn Mountain has been published in American Songwriter - a 25 year old national publication :D, how cool is that?!?! A BIG thanks to Brian Skinness from Terrapin Station for writing the article and originally introducing me to The Brothers Burn Mountain - an exceptional experimental duo.

If you missed it last week, click the links to hear live music and conversation with Amy & Adams, and Les Crawford talking about EvTAP (Eveleth Venues in Technology, Art and Performance).

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 Spider in Your Guitar... or Just Happy to See Me?

by Doug MacRostie

Trying to fit bands and musicians into categories and genres is one of the trickiest parts of my job. You can either WAY over simplify and go with the basics like rock, folk, blues, et cetera. Or you can WAY under simplify...case and point, the last time I had Amy and Adams on Centerstage MN they suggested the genre name, "eclectic folk-rock tin-pan-alley bluesgrass," which sounded about right to me :D

Amy and Adams is the husband and wife songwriting duo of Amy and Mark Adams-Westin from St. Paul. They write and cover music with positive themes and will be debuting music from their still-being-recorded new CD due out by the end of the year. The focus will be enjoying some live music on Centerstage MN, but I'll also talk to them about what's changed since they stopped by last year and what's different as the approach their new album.

I'll also be talking with Les Crawford, an organizer with EvTAP, the Eveleth Venues in Technology, Arts and Performance group. EvTAP is working to re-open the Auditorium in Eveleth for music, arts and community events. They have a goal of supporting local artists and are community oriented. Mixed in with our conversation will be some Iron Range music with Colmekill, Virgil Caine and The Mojosaurus Blues Band.

Also, new music from The Pines hot-off-the-presses release "Tremelo" and a song from Bemidji folk-punker Shannon Murray.

My guests next week will be John Wozniak of Marcy Playground and Rich Mattson and Matt Ray from I.R.O.M.A. I'll talk with Wozniak about the new MP CD "Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage," a very personal and intimate album - it actually might be my fav Marcy album to date :D And then Rich and Matt are founders of I.R.O.M.A., the Iron Range Original Music Association, a non-profit organization comprised of musicians who are located on the Iron Range of northern Minnesota. I.R.O.M.A. performers all have two elements in common: most of them live, work, and reside on the Iron Range & they perform ORIGINAL music!! We'll talk about the organization and their upcoming fundraiser concert on Sat. Aug 29th in Chisholm.

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.

Turn It Up 'Til the Guitars Vibrate In Your Head!!!

by Doug MacRostie

This Thursday evening at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll have an extended conversation with Rich Mattson and Tony Derrick of The Tisdales, an all out rock band from Sparta, MN. We'll be talking about their debut release "Bakers Dozen" which is 14 songs of sing-along choruses, blazing guitars and a general "lets rock" attitude... LOVE IT! Rich Mattson has been playing music in MN for over 20 years and was a founding member of both The Glenrustles and Ol' Yeller and also performs with The Bitter Spills. He also has had a recording studio going since the mid-90's down in the Twin Cities, which is now re-located to an old church in Sparta, MN on the Iron Range. Tony Derrick is from Duluth and played with the Hotel Coral Essex and Giljunko before joining forces with Mattson for The Tisdales. We'll hear one from Rich's solo album and a song from Hotel Coral Essex before the conversation with The Tisdales. Be sure to turn it up, these songs sound the best at high volumes. It's like Rich said, "I just like turning up the guitar really loud & that feeling you get when it's ear-splittingly cranked...I love that feeling."

I'll also be playing Meredith Fierke from her debut solo release "The Procession." Her music is a mix of of alternative, rock, and old-world murder ballads.

And we'll hear from Stellar Echoes, the lastest record from Uncle Shurley out of Bemidji. They'll bring their unique style of roots-rock to KAXE's Annual Meeting and Dance. The meeting and potluck starts at 4 and is free. It's $10 for the Uncle Shurley concert, KAXE members get a $5 discount and the concert starts at 7pm under the Rotaty Tent at KAXE's Amphitheater on the north bank of the Mississippi River in downtown Grand Rapids. This is definitely a performance not to miss!!!

Next week my guest will be The Brothers Burn Mountain for some live music from the KAXE Studios before they kick off the northern MN branch of their midwest tour (they are actually out of WI, but have spent time in MN and it will be a blast having them back on Centerstage MN :D).

You can read more on my blog: myspace.com/macedelic.

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.

Misquotes and Mayhem Tonight on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

With a Pick 3 MN Favorites from MN music legend Rich Mattson, this week is more music and less talking on Centerstage MN, and even so - there is still a lot more music I want to play than I've got time for (but don't feel bad, I'll be joined by Pat Deal from Grand Rapids in studio for some live music and conversation next week :D).

I'll be starting off w/ Prince - his latest 3 CD release includes "MPLSOUND," and with his trademark mix of funk and rock, he is ready to kick off a new revolution out of Minneapolis. He's got plenty of sexy party songs (as you'd expect), but I'm drawn to the groovy and topical "Ol' Skool Company," which sings, "...everybody talking about white-collar crime like it just started yesterday...but people I know, they've been strugglin', at least it seems that way...fat cats on wall street get a bailout while everybody else has to wait....700 billion but in my old neighborhood ain't nothin' changed but the date..."* Of course, there is a lot more to this 7+ minute song than digs @ investment bankers, but my ears seemed to pick up on the word "bailout" pretty easy these days. I'll follow Prince with neo-soul/R&B artist Janey and hip-hip/electronic artist Prophis - both of which will follow the revolution well.

Also, I've got a very unique interpretation of The Beegees' "How Deep is Your Love" from The Bad Plus's latest release For All I Care which has Wendy Lewis joining them on vocals and is just an outstanding album of jazz interpretations of everything from Nirvana to Pink Floyd to Heart. AND, be suer to tell that Dylan freak in your family that I've got another NEW Dylan song from his forthcoming release "Together Through Life."

I'll also be featuring:
Hattie Peterson - she has withdrawn from the MN music scene but we I'll still play her music
The Honeydogs - back to a more rockin' sound with "Sunshine Committee"
Sick of Sarah - 5 ladies from Minneapolis taking indie pop-rock by storm
Take Cover - Rock poppers from Minneapolis/Marcell (North School represent!) :D

Some of the stuff that DIDN'T make it this week, but will soon, is a new recording from Greg and Kiki of Dancing Light, a new album from Bill & Kate Isles called "Matching Baggage" (which Bill came in and gave to me in person yesterday :D) Also, The Ophovens, a family band from the Grand Rapids area who's new CD "I Want to be Ready" was also dropped off yesterday and I think it'll sound good with Charlie Parr. And Two Many Banjos, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Matt Hoskins and Timmy Haus are due for some airtime...and...and...and...

Centerstage MN is every Thursday evening and Sunday morning at 6, streaming live on KAXE.org, or 91.7 in Grand Rapids, 89.9 in Brainerd and 105.3 in Bemidji. You can hear archived interviews at KAXE.org (and click on Centerstage MN on the left).

I hope you can tune in and enjoy, it's like Prince says, "The White House is black...we've got to take the radio back! Power to the people..."*

Rock on,
Doug

* Prince quotes might be entirely wrong, as I don't have a lyric sheet and I can't find them online :p