The independently produced podcast that explores the sounds all around us; in art and music movements through history.
Memphis Concrete Fest 2025 by Sonosphere Podcast
Memphis-based Charlie Davis (Trash Goblin, Detachment Kit) and David Johnson (James and the Ultrasounds, Tall David) met in Governor's school in 1998. Late night jams and decades long friendship resulted in the creation of Recent Future. Their respective artistic mindsets meld into bleeding edge synth punk that is both danceable and doom-laden - great for dancing your way into the uncertain, recent future.
Dr. Artina McCain joins us today on Sonosphere. Dr. McCain curated the Mahogany Chamber series in partnership with PRISM ensemble and Crosstown Arts. The series is about bringing voices to the stage you don't often hear. The first one was around poetry and music, second was supporting MLK holiday and the next one features rhythms from around the world. Piano-flute duo and piano-piano duo make up the Dazzling Duos exploring Caribbean rhythms! You can check out this concert on Feb 23rd at Crosstown Arts Green Room, 2-4pm!
Today we are joined by professor at the University of Memphis Scheidt School of Music, flute player and member of the wind quintet called The City of Tomorrow and leads a band called The Overly Sensitive Orchestra. Elise brings a great group of compositions from Crumb's Black Angels (which was a Vietnam War protest), some Anthracite Fields by Julia Wolfe (climate change/environmentalism), some music by LJ White (gender and trans visibility), Workers Union by Andriessen, and others.
Today we spoke with Gabriela Fogo and Roberta Dos Santos - two Iris Collective Fellows from Brazil. Here the sounds from all over the country from Brazilian Classical music to bossa nova and beyond! Come listen to the Sounds of Brazil with us!
Iceberg New Music Ensemble is back! Visiting Memphis and working with the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra! Check out the conversation we had with Iceberg members as well as members of Memphis' own Blueshift Ensemble. Don't miss the show at the Beethoven Club this Friday 8/23 at 7:30!
Coming to you live from WYXR Studios Amy and Jenny welcomed electronic music artists Suroor and W1ndow. We talk about women in Memphis music, their new albums and the hard to pin down sound of the new electronic and experimental music movement in Memphis.
From the WYXR studio Sonosphere welcomes experimental sound artist and founder of Memphis Concrete, Robert Traxler. We play some tunes and talk about a few local and regional artists who recently played in Memphis. Join us!
Today on the show I feature songs with the Moog synthesizer. I had the opportunity to visit the Moogseum in Asheville, NC. It is funded by the Bob Moog Foundation and I feature tunes from Lisa Bella Donna's commissioned album for the Moogseum's 15 anniversary. Bob Moog saw himself as a tool maker, creating tools for artists and muscians to bring their audio visions to life.
On Sonosphere today we hear live from the WYXR studios my chat with Kid Maestro of Unapologetic collective and Brandy Cassius with the Memphis Music Initiative. They teamed up to put on a free arts workshop for Memphis youth! On March 16, MMI is partnering with UNAPOLOGETIC. for an artist & engineer music recording workshop. Kid is and the UNAPOLOGETIC crew are top-tier, local industry pros. The youth will learn how to get high-quality recordings as an artist or recording engineer.
On this week's Sonosphere show on WYXR 91.7 FM, Optic Sink joined me for a live DJ set! You'll hear lots of dance tunes and a couple tracks from Optic Sink's latest album, Glass Box out now. Check it out! The band is on tour in Oct. don't miss them in your town!
C Major shares his journey through his career in music. And we'll hear a few tracks he shares, why he chose them and some advice he has for anyone looking to come up in the music industry. Join us! www.sonospherepodcast.com
Joe Rainey is a Pow Wow singer. He is not used to singing solo, because pow wow is inherently communal, but this debut is every bit as powerful. The album is Niineta, released on Justin Vernon and the Dessner brothers' 37d03d label, showcases his command of the style - faithful to tradition - accompanied by cinematic, bass-heavy production from Andrew Broder. Join Sonosphere as we dive into the sounds of contemporary pow wow fused with vast experimental and electronic oceans of sound. Joe Rainey lent his voice and experience to this episode and I think him for sharing his story through his learning of, preservation of and lifting up of pow wow and indigenous music. For more visit www.sonospherepodcast.com
On this episode of Sonosphere we highlight the life and compositions of composer Margaret Bonds. So many people who made invaluable contributions to classical music have been nearly lost to history or are underappreciated in their time. Bonds is one of those characters. We learned more about her when we covered one of her mentors, American composer Florence B. Price earlier in 2021 - be sure to check out that episode. Bonds like Price is lesser known in the field of classical music - being both female and African-American - often not covered among classical European-based composers dominating the history of classical music. One of Bonds' largest and perhaps most important works–Montgomery Variations, written in 1965 during the Selma-to-Montgomery Freedom March and dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this MLK Day we celebrate composer Margaret Bonds. More information at sonospherepodcast.com
Welcome to Sonosphere the podcast that explores the sounds all around us in art and music movements through history. Sonosphere is now on WYXR 91.7 FM in Memphis, TN every Monday from 4-5pm. Today's episode is a harrowing tale of a natural disaster that ravaged much of middle America, especially the South.In this episode we will discuss the formation of the Mississippi River, the events that led to the flood, the red cross' response and how they used the media to shape public opinion, as well as Blues songs that helped inform the public about the human turmoil that was a direct result of the flood. Listen in as we hear from Christopher Morris, Scotti Parish and David Evans about this extraordinary event. Learn more at sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod
Welcome to the Sonosphere podcast. This episode we feature our talk with Steven R. Smith. Steven is behind projects like Hala Strana, Ulaan Khol, Ulaan Passerine, Ulaan Markhor and releases solo recordings under his label, Worstward Recordings. Active since the mid-90s, Smith releases a solo album this year called Spring and out in September is his project's Ulaan Passerine's Sun Spear. We will hear tunes from both plus a playlist curated by Steven himself. Join us!
Today we feature a live performance by Model Zero from the WYXR studio in Memphis, TN. Sonosphere interviewed the band after their latest single release, "Little Crystal." The band performed this song and the b-side "Leather Trap" on our show along with a few other songs from their self-title LP from 2019. We also talked with the guys about the difference between the last album and this new single. Join us! www.sonospherepodcast.com
Today we discuss the first black owned recording company Black Swan Records which sold popular music to black audiences. Its existence was brief, it was only active for two years from 1923 to 1925. During this time however, the label released over 180 records - more than any other black owned record company until the 1950s. Today we'll talk about the historical context in which the founder, Harry Pace, began and operated the label with mentor W.E.B. DuBois and how his partnership with Memphis blues man W.C. Handy kicked off Pace's interest in the music industry. For more info and track listing visit www.sonospherepodcast.com @snspod
Today on Sonosphere Amy talks with Christian Fennesz, electronic music composer and musician. Amy caught up with Fennesz at the annual Big Ears Festival in Knoxville. As the first in-person fest in two years, Big Ears was bigger than ever. Acts from all over the nation and the world descended upon the smokey mountain city and brought amazing sounds, visuals, and excellence in musical composition. Always a Sonosphere favorite! Join Chris and Amy live from WYXR studio in Memphis for some tunes by Fennesz and collaborators like Sparklehorse, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ulver, and more! For a full track list visit www.sonospherepodcast.com
Today we talk with Detective - a collective of musicians, singers, songwriters and friends. In 2019 they released an album showcasing the range of their skills - from Blaxploitation to eerie sci-fi synths, this group really does it all! We discuss Detective's influences, favorite movies and technique's they used to arrange the album. We also talk with Josh Breeden, aka St. Francis Elevator Ride, the "visual maestro" of the group. Josh brings video and digital art and design, driving the whole band's film noir and horror aesthetic. Come out to Black Lodge on Friday, March 18th 2022 for the entire experience.
Today on Sonosphere we feature Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield aka Black Swan in the vocal concert tradition of late 19th century America. We will hear from Professor Adam Gustafson who has written about Greenfield as America's first black pop star for The Conversation an academic journal and is a professor of music at Penn State. We talk about the Greenfield's early life and rise in the operatic and pop scene in the 19th century. Get the track list and more info at www.sonospherepodcast.com
Welcome to the last Sonic Tonic mixtape in 2021. We don't know what's in store for 2022 but we will dance somehow. Today we're bringing some dancing tunes, some yacht rock, nervous new wave, and so much more in this Sonic Tonic 2021 Finale mix. Share with your party guests and enjoy (cautiously) the ride into 2022.
It's been 5 years since Darius Jones last released a record under his own name, and Raw Demoon Alchemy (A Lone Operation), a solo saxophone record, breaks new ground for the genre and for Darius as a recording artist. Sonosphere had the pleasure to sit down with Darius and discuss his approach to Raw Demoon Alchemy, his childhood in Virginia, improvisation and black futurism.
Join Sonosphere as we talk with Ben Seretan - his approach to composition, songwriting and his latest album - Cicada Waves. sonospherepodcast.com wyxr.org
Sonic Tonic #5 Tracks Cloudbusting - Wild Nothing Always - Xiu Xiu Sunny Skies - Pink Playground Original One - Tor Lundvall Quiet - Hauschka Flight - Tor Lundvall Flameout - Jerry Goldsmith Alleys of Your Mind - Cybotron Lucky Cloud - Arthur Russell Approach on Tokyo - Iko Mains dans la main - Elli & Jacno Leonard Cohen Afterworld - Tempers ??? Drawing Seeds - Kuniyuki Takahashi Another Day - Ogak Jay Oke
We talk with Angelica Olstad about her process and new album Transmute. Angelica provided us with some songs that kept her moving through the pandemic that you will hear after the episode.
Deniz Cuylan takes you on a journey about his new album, his inspiration, and the aftermath of the pandemic.
In 2009 hundreds of Florence B. Price compositions were recovered from an abandoned house in southern Illinois. Throughout the past decade these pieces began to be transcribed and distributed throughout the world. Florence B. Price’s works pull from negro-spirituals and music of the times. On this episode, part 7 of our Birth of Modern Music series, we dive into the life and work of Florence B. Price. We talk with Karen Walwyn, A. Kori Hill, Douglas Shadle and Maeve Brophy about who she was, and how her music told her story. www.sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod
Sonic Tonic # 4 Track list: Doctor Destructo - Tangerine Dream Rivers - Föllakzoid Citizens of Science - Yellow Magic Orchestra To Yelasto Pedi - Mikis Theodorakis Qui fine arrivé - Claudio California Dreaming - Denial Repetition - The Soft Moon The Orchids - Psychic TV Shoo Be Doo - The Cars The Empress And The Ukraine King - Can Polaroïd/Roman/Photo - Ruth Avenue B - Major Thinkers Moogies Bloogies - Delia Derbyshire and Anthony Newley Raz Dwa - Belgrado Lady Greengrass - The Ones Confrontation - Tangerine Dream
Sonic Tonic Mixtape Happy Hour with Natalie Hoffmann on WYXR 91.7 Memphis Songs featured: Nakweda Dream - Zru Vogue Interzone - Joy Division Model Worker - Magazine Floss - Gomme Private Idaho - B-52s Half-Life - Martin Lloyd Maquinas - Cuidad Lineal Palais D’amour - Bal Pare Running After Ganymede - Jack Name Pretender - Black Marble Mickey, Please. - Bene Geserit Lidda - Mammane Sani Et Son Orgue Fire By The River - Harumi Change In Autumn’s Feral Depths - Nonconnah Feat. Owen Pallett & Jenn Taiga
Sonic Tonic Happy Hour Mixtape #2 Featuring: OMD Hama Severed Heads Delia Derbyshire Arthur Brown Saâda Bonaire Them Are Us Too X-ray Pop Hailu Mergia Turquoise Days Meca Rythm The Books Oppenheimer Analysis Holger Czukay The Plugz
This week on Sonosphere we end 2020 with our 100 years of the Theremin episode. We’ll start with a brief history of the theremin and with Theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore. We then combined our conversations with thereminists and composers Caroline Eyck and Dorit Chrysler to give you the ultimate Theremin filled episode. Sonosphere is now on WYXR 91.7 FM Mondays from 4-5pm CST in Memphis, TN. sonospherepodcast.com
Sonosphere goes live from the WYXR Studio in Crosstown Concourse Memphis, TN for a monthly mixtape session with special guest Natalie Hoffman. Tune in every last Monday of the month from 4-5pm on 91.7 FM or at wyxr.org
Welcome to Sonosphere. Here we feature our second show live on WYXR. We couldn’t be more excited for today’s show. Last week, we featured an interview with abstract turntablist Maria Chavez and vocalist Christina Carter. Today, we will continue our journey exploring the record player. You will hear some music from Cut Chemist, Handel, Lee Scratch Perry, Cab Callaway, Grandmaster Flash and others during the next hour. We will highlight the rise of the radio disc jockey and sampling. Check us out every Monday on WYXR 91.7 FM in Memphis 4-5pm CST www.sonospherepodcast.com
We are releasing a conversation we had with turntablist and composer Maria Chavez, and singer/songwriter and musician Christina Carter on their performance at Memphis' Crosstown Concourse in May 2018. Christina Carter's call and response with Maria Chavez's shattered records had folks heading to the stairs at Crosstown Arts spiral staircase. In this episode we hear from Christina and Maria's vision for the space in their first site specific duet. www.sonospherepodcast.com
On this episode on Sonosphere Wu Fei tells us about how the global pandemic has affected her as a musician and mother. She has shifted her focus from live shows to releasing new material daily. Fei also released an album with Abigail Washburn during this unsure time.
On this special episode we catch up with a couple composers we’ve featured on Sonosphere to see how they’ve been faring in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we hear from producer and electronic composer Tara Rodgers, aka Analog Tara. Tara performed here in Memphis for our Sound Observation series a couple years ago in partnership with Crossotown Arts. Then we’ll hear from theremin master, musician and composer Carolina Eyck. For information on tracks in this episode and more visit www.sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod
Welcome to Sonosphere Radio where the podcast features shows curated by artists, musicians, enthusiasts and music fanatics from Memphis and around the world. Today we hear songs chosen by Citizen of Tomorrow. Enjoy! Artists featured in this show can be found at sonospherepodcast.com
In this episode of Sonosphere we highlight master theremin player and curator of the Theremin 100 compilation celebrating 100 years of theremin, Dorit Chrysler. Check out more info info at sonospherepodcast.com and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
This month on Sonosphere we hear from Ken Zuckerman, co-founder of the Ali Akbar College in Basel, Switzerland and sarod aficionado. Peter Lavezzoli, author, percussionist and vocalist also joins us as we discuss how Indian Classical Music has influenced modern rock, pop and ambient music today. While we only scratch the surface of Indian Classical Music, you'll find how one man in particular, Ali Akbar Khan, took America and popular music by storm through his teachings that span across the world and across musical genres. More information at www.sonospherepodcast.com
Welcome to Sonosphere Radio. Bring in the new year with this month's host, Andrew Earles. Andrew Earles has been a music/cultural critic, journalist & biographer since 1999 and has authored three books as well as writing and editing work in 14 other multi-author titles. He has contributed writing in both a staff and freelance capacity to over 55 online and print outlets since 1999, including Spin, Pitchfork, Vice/Noisey, The Onion, Decibel, The Washington City Paper, Numero Group, Magnet Magazine and many others. For full track list and more info go to sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod now on spotify
Welcome to this episode of Sonosphere where we underscore Ami Dang, South Asian-American vocalist, sitarist, composer and producer from Baltimore Maryland. We discussed how her cultural heritage rooted in the Sikh religion informs and influences her work today, and how she approaches the sitar while utilizing modern noise, ambient, and electronic sounds in her music. We also discuss the making of her latest album Parted Plains out now on Leaving Records. More info: www.sonospherepodcast.com
How has information shaped our lives? Are we really privy to all the knowledge available? David T. Little's new album, AGENCY, seeks to investigate these questions. On this episode we highlight composer David T. Little. The composer has a background that is as eclectic as his new album, AGENCY. By combining all of these influences David is ushering in a new age of opera. Sonosphere enjoyed a phone call with David as we talked about AGENCY as well as his path to this point in his illustrious career. more information at sonospherepodcast.com
On this episode we talk with Carolina Eyck, one of the world’s foremost thereminist, about growing up with classical music and how she knew the Theremin would be her thing. Eyck releases her third LP for Butterscotch Records, Elegies for Theremin & Voice, on September 27th. Ten pieces form a haunting work reflecting sadness and loss, anger and depression. Eyck shares with Sonosphere the process of composing the record. She reminds us it's okay to feel it all, necessary even, to properly remember and love those we miss. Her U.S. tour dates and more at www.sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod
This episode of Sonosphere features the North Indian instrument, the sarod. One of the most popular instruments in Hindustani music, the sarod's 20th century master was Indian composer, teacher and musician, Ali Akbar Khan. We speak with contemporary sarod virtuoso, Ken Zuckerman about mastering the demanding instrument and how he and Khan brought various innovations and inventions to the sound. For more info visit www.sonospherepodcast.com @sonospod
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