It’s been my pleasure to work with Dennis Elsas over the past 7 years at WFUV radio. To paraphrase the fat man in The Maltese Falcon, I’m a man who likes talking to a man who likes to talk and what an engaging, encyclopedic, and enthusiastic guy Dennis is when […]
WFUV Radio
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Smoking hot R&B is what Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats deliver on their self-titled debut album out on Stax Records. Yes, this band is worthy of rebooting the legendary record label. The 8 man outfit crowded into WFUV’s Studio A and duly burned it down! Click HERE for the […]
Upon hearing Shawn Colvin had a new album of covers, Uncovered, her first such collection in 21 years, I looked forward to the album release with something similar to the feeling of sitting down for brunch at La Bonbonniere. That is, I knew I was going to be happy. There […]
Photo Credit: Nick D’Agostino It was a brilliant week at WFUV radio where a pair of Juniors – both amazing guitar players – stopped by for conversations with me and to lay down live versions of songs found on recently released albums. Follow the links to hear the chats and […]
Yesterday I participated in the final broadcast of The Alternate Side radio station. It was emotional! After Russ Boris, Alisa Ali and I played New Order and Joy Division back to back, I recalled the once in a lifetime pairing of Iggy Pop and New Order performing a couple of […]
Australian rockers DMA’s, who recently released their self-titled EP in the States, are regulafellas. The guys in this exciting rock band still have day jobs back in Sydney and are tormented tenants too; they told me how they plan to trash their house above a hairdresser’s salon before they move […]
The Loveless brothers Eoin (pronounced Owen, pictured above) and Rory, better known as the hard-rocking English band Drenge, have a name that sparks associations with grunge. That parallel isn’t necessarily incorrect since fans of Soundgarden’s sonics might appreciate the sludgy goodness that this duo have crafted on their second album, […]
Before his recent gig at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, I had a rare chance to sit down with an artist who has given us decades of innovative and engaging work: Paul Weller. The Modfather discussed his accomplished new album Saturns Pattern, among other things, and you can listen […]
Before heading to Brooklyn for a Northside Festival show, rock duo Best Coast dropped by WFUV radio for a session. Their gig (with 3 additional touring members) is this Saturday June the 13th; the multi-faceted event runs June 8 – 14 2015. Prepare for the show by enjoying 2 interviews with the […]
The music of Algiers is intense. Its rooted in drums and percussion that create mesmerizing rhythms. Rumbling bass adds momentum and depth while slashing guitar adds texture and urgency. Commanding vocals deliver lyrics that rail against post-colonial power imbalance and injustice. There is anger and intelligence. I spoke with lead […]
Here comes a Sydney, Australia outfit led by singer-songwriter Tim Rogers, aka Jack Ladder – he of the weighty baritone voice and wryly melancholic delivery – and supported by his accomplished backing band, The Dreamlanders, featuring guitarist Kirin J. Callinan who has a solo career as well. (Try his album […]
Zach Williams’ first NYC gigs were at the Rockwood Music Hall and it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. He was the first guy to play Stage 2 when it opened and when it came time to record his band‘s debut album, they converted the venue into a studio […]
To open their self-titled second album released last spring, The Apache Relay recorded something of a masterpiece in the song “Katie Queen of Tennessee.” Singer/guitarist Michael Ford Jr. and Brett Moore (keys/guitar/mandolin) were quick to share credit with the string arranger Jimmy Haskee (who has an Emmy and three Grammys) and Johnathan […]
The Kooks fourth album Listen surprised me – not because I like it so much which I expected to because I was on board with the first three – but why I did, which I couldn’t have seen coming. The songs that made me a fan of these guys like Always Where […]
Holiday Cheer for WFUV is a brilliant annual event – the last 5 years of its 10 year life at The Beacon Theatre – that raises dough for non-commercial New York City rock radio station WFUV, as well as her sister The Alternate Side. The last few years have featured […]
In October, Yusuf released his third album under that name, Tell ‘Em I’m Gone, which followed 11 albums released between 1967 and 1978 as Cat Stevens. The new record was produced by Rick Rubin and features appearances by Richard Thompson, Charlie Musselwhite, and Tinariwen. That same month, his first concert dates […]
When the new album from The Decemberists, What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World comes out in January – it will have been just over four years since their last release so there was a lot to talk about with Colin Meloy. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has hardly been idle. He wrote […]
When The Wytches’ Kristian Bell tested his microphone before this interview and session for WFUV’s The Alternate Side in The Bronx, he said “We Have Assumed Control!” Evidently this is KB’s preferred phrase for checking levels because he applauded me as the first person who recognized that he was referencing the […]
Having a chance to speak to Nick Cave is among my most favorite interview opportunities. As Jack Nicholson said of Stanley Kubrick, “Everyone pretty much acknowledges that he’s the man, and I still feel that underrates him.” With The Bad Seeds, solo, and through collaborations with other artists, Cave has […]
The irrepressible Billy Bragg dropped by the FUV studios in The Bronx to give a taste of his philosophy as well as his latest album. Full radio interview and three complete songs on video HERE.
Stars were really great when they stopped by WFUV and even bought pizzas! Full interview and video of two songs HERE.
I recently traveled to the home of Columbia Records in the Sony Building on Madison avenue to visit with Patti Smith. The hallways there are filled with beautiful framed photographs of legendary Columbia artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Adjacent to the door of the room where we met […]
I’m all about Dr. John and enjoyed him wildly recently in New Orleans and at Prospect Park so I was relishing the chance to see him in a venue with acoustics as opposed to outside. The circumstances were special – a three week residency (consecutive Thursday through Saturday engagements) at […]