Midwest Unplugged

Our season two premiere highlights Kiss the Tiger vocalist Meghan Kreidler. We get a chance to see how much has changed for traveling acts in the year since our last episode, and also get a special guest appearance from Meghan's little stinker. We also discuss the different ways people digest their music, and KTT's favorite places to play. The band released their 3rd LP earlier this year Vicious Kid, which the Star Tribune has named one of Minnesota's best records of the year so far. Website: www.kissthetiger.com Facebook Instagram Keep supporting NIVA and the fight for independent music venues: https://www.nivassoc.org/ 

With an infectious personality and unique lyrics, Nur-D had built up a reputation as one of the Midwest's best up and coming hip hop artists heading into this year. But when social justice was brought back into the public conscious this summer with the death of George Floyd, he felt the need to speak and be heard. His latest project 38th is one part of a two-part project that shares the personal experience of those rising up against racial and social injustice in Minneapolis this summer. We dig deep into 38th, and also "Nur-D" out for a little while! Learn more at https://nurdrocks.com Facebook Twitter Instagram Spotify Keep supporting NIVA and the fight for independent music venues: https://www.nivassoc.org/ 

Gooding's music is described as "Rock N' Roll From the Plains", with years of cutting their teeth across the central U.S. shining through even on their newer, darker album "The Darkest of Hours". We talk new music, how Adam came across the band in the first place, and how their live project "Funding the Future LIVE" has helped hundreds of thousands of teens learn financial literacy. We also pay tribute to one of America's finest broadcasters Orion Samuelson, who just announced 2020 will be his last year behind the mic. Learn more about Gooding and Funding the Future LIVE here: https://www.goodingmusic.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodingmusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodingmusicInsta: https://www.instagram.com/goodingmusic/ Continue to support NIVA and #SaveOurStages: https://www.nivassoc.org/take-action

In our final episode of the Save Our Stages Series, we recognize the work and efforts of Jason Anderson, Executive Director of the Pablo Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and sit down with Gary Witt, Executive Director for the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee and co-founder of the National Independent Venue Association. Gary shares his thoughts on the recent Democratic National Convention, and we learn more about the history of NIVA, its mission, and how listeners can get involved.Learn more about the Pabst Theater Group here: https://pabsttheater.org/Support the National Independent Venue Association here: https://www.nivassoc.org/take-action

In Part Two of our Save Our Stages Series, we chat with Andy Slania and Justin Wexler of the X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy, WI, a member of the National Independent Venue Association. We discuss the growth of DIY music in the Milwaukee area, and how an all-ages venue can coexist with at-home shows during a pandemic. Also, we brainstorm some ideas that independent venues can and have tried to cope with the financial losses hitting everyone right now. Support X-Ray Arcade's mission here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-xray-arcade-staff-through-pandemicSupport the National Independent Venue Association here: nivassoc.org/take-action

We begin our Save our Stages Series, an exploration of those working behind the scenes in music and how they're adapting to a new pandemic-minded industry. Our first conversation is with Nate Nelson, the production director for Treedome Productions in Winona, Minnesota. We discuss the ways the organization has tackled this "new normal" we find ourselves in, as well as highlight some professional accomplishments they've achieved despite the challenging times. Find more info on Treedome at https://www.treedomemn.com/Support the National Independent Venue Association here: https://www.nivassoc.org/take-action

We explore what happens when a prog metal group decides to transition to a DIY-influenced indie-math rock-punk outfit by analyzing the 2018 album Spring Cleaning by Minneapolis, MN-based Why Not.

The stars at night are big and bright *clap clap clap clap* deep in the HEARRRRT of Texas! We interview country music artist Tanner Usrey and discuss his successful 2019 EP Medicine Man, plus we preview his newest single "The Light" dropping later this month and lament on peoples' driving abilities."The Light" available for pre-save right now; full release on July 24thFind Tanner's work at these links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TUsreymusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TannerUsreyMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tusreymusic/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSqhwC38IqG4b_Ajr8Z15Q?view_as=subscriber Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ZGVS1OWpdvELiQyx3vkO7?si=qRDtt11oTf2-b1SqbdYFEA Apple Music: https://www.apple.com/us/search/Tanner-Usrey?src=globalnav

Seth James from Fond du Lac, WI joins the show. We hear about his plans during the pandemic, as well as the psychology of planning performances during a great time of concert uncertainty, his time spent in Joplin, Missouri in the wake of the historic 2014 tornado, and also his ties to South Africa.Find more Seth James music/content at these links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sethjamesartist Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SethJames Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethjamesartist/?hl=en

Despite all the insanity of the last two months, we are preparing to push forward into this new world of virtual concerts and interviews! Adam provides an update on the show and what we are looking forward to in the next half of season one!

One of the hardest working bands out there, The People Brothers Band is a Madison, WI-based group which has won numerous awards from the Madison Area Music Association and the Wisconsin Area Music Industry. On this episode, we discuss the group's recent performance at the Big Turn Music Festival in Red Wing, Minnesota, their travels to Jamaica in January, and plans for the spring and summer including the 12th annual People Fest.Listen and learn about The People Brothers Band here: http://www.peoplebrothers.com/index.html 

David Nash is a folk artist from Rochester, Minnesota, who has just recently released his newest project, The Man In the Pines, an album with an accompanying novel due out in April 2020. David plays us a few samples from that work, plus shares his experience competing in the Great River Folk Fest Singer Songwriter Contest, his Tiny Desk Contest submissions, and the folk music scene in the Midwest.Check out The Man In the Pines: https://open.spotify.com/album/7ts7LDfeJ62nvaixL42KjTDavid's website: https://davidnashmusic.wordpress.com/

Alina Baraz is a young pop artist with Midwest roots that has gained a lot of traction since working with Galimatias on her 2015 debut EP Urban Flora. On this episode of Midwest Unplugged, Adam and Dovie present a deeper look at her 2018 release The Color of You.

Solo artist Austin Skalecki joins us for the first full-length episode of Midwest Unplugged. He shares his experience opening for former Boston lead vocalist Fran Cosmo, his journey to Nashville, and plays two originals, including one that will have a music video coming out soon! Austin's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkullyGuitarist/Austin's Twitter: @skullyguitaristMidwest Unplugged Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwunpluggedMidwest Unplugged Twitter: @mwunplugged Music Beds: audionautix.com

As the title suggests, we begin our journey with a description of what to expect from Midwest Unplugged, what our first few episodes will involve, and how to get involved with the show!Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwunplugged/Follow us on Twitter: @mwunplugged