Tuesday, June 29, 2010

29.06.10 Tuesday Night Diner - 'Vegas With Randolph'


Washington, D.C. What do you think of? Well, if you're American, you think of our nation's capital: gleaming monuments to presidents and wars past, stately buildings, the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon, and the Treasury Department. You also think of powerful politicians and the overzealous lobbyists and press corps trying to get to them (and usually succeeding). The corridors of power. 

  
I was there once, years ago. It was a brief, four day trip. Not nearly enough to see even a good chunk of it. I saw a few monuments—for instance, the Lincoln Memorial. It's depicted on the back of the U.S. penny. It's much larger than that in real life. I also saw the Smithsonian Institution—our nation's greatest collection of museums. It's got 19 museums and 9 research centers. On this brief trip, I decided to devote an entire hour and a half to it. This was right after eating really gooey, sticky ribs at an outdoor street festival. Needless to say, the guards looked askance at me, and it was all they could do to keep me from touching the antiquities with my barbeque sauce-coated hands. 
  
So years later, I washed up, got into radio, and found a band that hails from right there-the Washington, D.C. area. They're called Vegas With Randolph, and they do great power pop-soaked tunes. Their debut album came out a couple of years ago, and we've been playing them on the Diner. They're currently recording tracks for their follow up, and issuing them one by one, like Presidential vetoes and pardons. Only these songs are more fun than any U.S. President could ever think up. 
  
We'll get to chat with Eric Kern and John Ratts, the principal songwriters, and find out what drives their music. They've been kind enough to let us preview three tracks off their forthcoming release. I think you'll like them. 
  
http://www.myspace.com/vegaswithrandolph 
  
And don't forget—there's tons of other great music on this week's show as well. You won't want to miss it. 
  
If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com. 


This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com. 

  
See you then! 
  
Chef Mike 
mike(at)rechargedradio.com 
MN2BDNC 

Winzenried - Can't Stay at My Apartment 
Charlie Cheney - Giant Chicken 
Natasha Davies - Giggle 
Buzz Radio - Don't You Make A Fool Out Of Me 
Black Mustangs - Now Is The Time 
Little Guilt Shrine - Exit Flagger 
Tom Alford - What Could Have Been 
Nushu - Another Rainy Weekend 
Heiskell - Gasoline 
Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul 
Perfume_Karim_Fanous 
Interview with Eric and John of Vegas With Randolph 
Vegas With Randolph – Some Time To Live 
Vegas With Randolph – Above The Blue 
Vegas With Randolph – The Better Part 
Allyson Seconds - Obviously Love 
The G-Men - Hot Rod Mama 
Soundserif - Brian Adams 
Michael Miller - I Made You Up 
Dirty Amps - Fingertips 
The Big I Am - Right About Now 
Man or Mouse - Jackson 
Benson Klemme - Butterfly 
Laurie Larson - Corporate Chew Toy 
Joseph Swidenbank - Coming Up For Air 
Maxi Dunn - Weather Warning 
Maple Mars - Transcendental Guidance 
Laurie Biagini - A Face In The Crowd 
The Corner Laughers - Shrine Of The Martyred Saint 
Sarah Stanley - Not Gonna Leave 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

22.06.10 Tuesday Night Diner - 'No More Lonely Guy Edition!'

Remember way back when, in the early days of Recharged Radio's Tuesday night programming—it was just me on the station? You only had two listening choices—either listen to my show, or listen to nothing. Many of you chose to listen to my show, even ahead of nothing, and I'm grateful for that. It's always been a thrill to be on the air, but I am no longer alone—I'm now surrounded by greatness!



The legendary Rob One, of the 20/20 Hip Hop show made his mark on Sunday nights. Well, we of the Tuesday nights snagged him away from weekend land, and on to the bright lights of the week nights! He'll be starting off your Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. GMT, right before my show.

Fiona Ledgard is another radio legend in the making. She started her Manchester-based Anything Goes Evening Show a couple of months ago, and she's on fortnightly (that's every other week to us Americans). She comes on right after my show, at 10:00 p.m. GMT, and does an amazing variety of interviews, live sessions, and interesting music. She's not afraid to get out into the field, and record it all for us studio-bound types. This is the week she's on with us--we guys are going to have to be on our best behavior when there's a lady in the room!

Oh—and the music. That's what my show, Tuesday Night Diner, is all about. This week's show is chock full of great tunes. Many different genres are represented.

Kate Burkart is a San Francisco Bay Area-based singer/songwriter. Interestingly enough—you don't often see singer/songwriters pictured on their album cover photos with a Fender bass, rather than the typical acoustic guitar. Her crystal-clear singing voice was recorded in a very intimate manner that I think will reach out to you and gently demand your attention. Her album Faith To Fall features eleven original compositions about love and lost love, and how you deal with it all in a dignified manner. Some great Bay Area musicians were called in to help craft this fine album, and we'll hear a track off of it as our “appetizer” on this week's show.

www.kateburkart.com

A couple of other highlights—Pete Hackett once again barricaded himself in the Cult of Wedge bunker, deep in the West Midlands, and refused to come out until a great pop song emerged. And this new gem is sort of an English World Cup Football song—but catchy and groove-laden enough that even us “soccer”-impaired Americans can appreciate it too. And if that isn't enough—check out the backing vocals by Maxi Dunn herself!


And finally—being all caught up in the excitement of last week's double interview/session show, I completely forgot to play one of the most exciting tracks we've found in a great while. The band is called Man or Mouse?, and I was called a “tool” when I fessed up to forgetting to play them last week. Well, I've corrected that this week. I'll be playing a track of theirs that is so great, you'll be kissing perfect strangers on the street and playing air guitar, vocals, and drums in front of your mirror when you should be dressing for work.

www.myspace.com/manormouse1

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.


See you then!

Chef Mike
mike(at)rechargedradio.com
MN2BDNC

-----------------

With Music From....



Black Mustangs - Now Is The Time
Kate Burkart - The High Road
Karim Fanous - So Long Jenny J
Rob Bonfiglio - Blow Me Away
Benson Klemme - Blue Skies
Laurie Larson - Endless Thank You Loop
Kaz Murphy - Hardly Think About That
Joe Swidenbank - Picture Framed
Ricky Berger - Michael's Song
Cult of Wedge - St. George and the Dragon
Man or Mouse - Jackson
Chancellorpink - Muster
Raistalla - Supermodel
Maple Mars - Big Imagination
The Clutter Family - Rendering Vat
Adrian Bourgeois – Mr. Imaginary Friend
Boomchick - Operation Imperialism
Vegas With Randolph - Be The One
Laurie Biagini - Happiness Looks Good on You
Tom Alford - Look To The Stars
Laura Pharoah - Sweet Apple
Maxi Dunn - Seattle In The Sun
Jespa - Loves Lost Tourists - Church of Steve Honest session
Little Guilt Shrine - What I'm Thinking
Mark Bacino - Middle Town
The Taters - Fun At Home
Winzenried - Soul is Mine
Joey Oskys - Better Days
The Corner Laughers - Stonew

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

15.06.10 Tuesday Night Diner - 'Sessions Galore'

Good fortune continues to arrive at the Tuesday Night Diner, and we`ve got a main course for each hour! So much musical dining pleasure, we probably won`t even have room for dessert.


Our first treat is an interview with New York City singer/songwriter Mark Bacino. Mark has been plying the power pop waters for many years in the big city borough of Manhattan. Then, family life beckoned. He celebrates his and his young family`s return to his home borough of Queens, NYC with a brand new album called “Queens English”. This is a nifty little journey through the Great American Songbook. Flourishes of ragtime and power pop, shades of Randy Newman and The Raspberries. A New York native friend of mine told me that “Queens English” was an early tongue spoken by her family! A fun album, and a fun conversation with Mark!

http://www.markbacino.com

And just when you thought that you were full—you`d better save room for an in-studio session with Sacramento-based singer/songwriters Adrian Bourgeois and Ricky Berger. These up and coming young artists have really garnered a lot of well-deserved good press around these parts, and you`re about to learn why. Both accomplished, talented musicians and songwriters, they chat with me in-studio about their recently-completed two month driving tour of the United States. You`ll hear them perform three of their songs live for you.

http://www.adrianbourgeois.com
http://www.myspace.com/rickyberger

And one thing that isn`t on the menu, but ego requires me to mention it. My American radio show, Twirl Radio, was featured in a vlog (video blog to us newbies to the media) on YouTube. My longtime friend, video producer Rich Samuels, made it up to Sacramento from Los Angeles, and featured all of the above action in an episode of The World According To Rich. Check it out, and subscribe to his YouTube channel, worldaccordingtorich, if you`d like.

http://www.youtube.com/user/WorldAccordingtoRich (Rich`s channel)
The video you want is “Twirl Day and a Giveaway”.

If you`d like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you`d like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you`d like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike
mike(at)rechargedradio.com
MN2BDNC



-----------------

With Music From.....


Jimmy Catlett - Red, White and Black
Laurie Biagini - A Far-Out Place
Vegas With Randolph - Buses, Trains, & Planes
50ft Woman - Ice Cream Man
Heiskell - The Death of Knoxville Cool
Beth Thornley - You're So Pony
Goodfinger - Sounds Of The City
Nushu - Another Rainy Weekend
Mark Bacino Interview
Mark Bacino – Downtown Girl
Mark Bacino – Queens English
Mark Bacino – Happy
Mark Bacino – Bridge & Tunnel
The Taters - Required By Love
Rich McCulley - Just a Few Miles To Go
The Corner Laughers - Inner Archaeologist
Tom Alford - Wasp Lands On Sunflower
Joe Swidenbank - Crash Course
Rob Batley - Church of Steve Honest Session: Small Potatoes
Maxi Dunn - Pull You Down
Field - Saturday Soldier
Buzz Radio - One Too Many
Thinking For Tuesday – Falling
Adrian Bourgeois/Ricky Berger Interview/Session
Adrian Bourgeois/Ricky Berger – Stingy
Adrian Bourgeois/Ricky Berger – Parachutes
Adrian Bourgeois/Ricky Berger – If

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

08.06.10 Tuesday Night Diner - 'Big, Fake, Mad'

As the sweet musical memories of the IPO Liverpool festival fade off into the distance, and our hot Sacramento summer starts breathing down my neck, I`m feeling Big, Fake, and Mad! What in the world is that crazy Chef Mike talking about now? Is it heat stroke? Nope—I`m staying hydrated. Old age? Naah—my age is still in the double-digits! Boredom? Well, it`s definitely not boredom—how could I be bored when I`m playing The Big I Am, Fake Teak, and Mad Tea Party on this week`s Tuesday Night Diner?




The Big I Am are an acoustic trio from Liverpool, led by Peter McPartland. I`ve been aware of them for over a year now, but they`ve sort of been under my radar for no good reason, except that Pete is a really nice guy, not very pushy at all. So long story slightly less long—I did this special radio program on the International Pop Overthrow Liverpool festival. Only after it was all in the can, and ready for airplay, did I realize that TBIA was one of the many great acts playing there. They did the requisite two sets at the Cavern Club, apparently did a great job, and were yet again under my radar. Tactical error on my part, which I have since corrected. Pete sent me a dozen songs—very melodic, acoustic folk gems, and we`ll hear one of them on this week`s show.



http://www.myspace.com/bigiamrash



I`m kind of an electronics/computer/music/radio geek. Okay, you probably already knew that. And I`ve always wondered to myself, “is there a band out there that describes their music as `A planeload of seventies computers crashing into a Clash gig`?” Fortunately, such a band exists—Fake Teak! Andrew Wyld and company have this really cool, synth-driven electronic sound, and the few songs I`ve heard of theirs have a high tech sheen. They sing of such things as transistors and circuitry, so what`s not to love? I`m as rootsy as the next American, but these guys are just downright cool! This London band recorded some songs at Steve Honest`s studio, and you won`t want to miss this week`s pilgrimage to the Church of Steve Honest!



http://www.myspace.com/faketeak



Anybody who`s been listening to my radio shows for the past couple of years knows that Asheville, North Carolina`s Mad Tea Party are one of my favorite bands. They are a rootsy, upbeat duo who sound more like a trio or quartet. Ami Worthen writes incredibly witty songs, and plays a ukulele with flames painted on it. Jason Krekel is a multitasking guitarist/foot drummer, who`s even played both of those instruments AND harmonica at the same time! I know—I`ve seen it in person. He takes the lead vocals on the track that we`ll hear on the show.



http://www.myspace.com/themadteaparty

If you`d like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you`d like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you`d like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.



See you then!



Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

------------------------

With Music From......


Handcuffs - I Just Wanna' Be Free, Man 
Jimmy Catlett - 3.0 
Vegas With Randolph - Be The One 
Life In Film - Get Closer 
Hail The Size - Crazy Girl 
Nacional - Telephone 
Go National - Begin, Begin, Begin 
Raistalla - Supermodel 
Fake Teak - Church of Steve Honest session - Post Office Tower 
Mark Bacino - Middle Town 
The Clutter Family - Head 
The Big I Am - Right About Now 
Mad Tea Party - Everyway 
Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul 
Kids Love Lies - Stars 
Cy Taggart - Cut It Out 
Maxi Dunn - Sinking In The Sand 
Kat Jones - Those Expensive Eyes 
Imani Hekima - Nothing's What It Seems 
Heiskell - Your Touch 
50ft Woman - (Strictly) Only Swinging 
Joseph Swidenbank - What Did You Want? 
Buzz Radio - So Sad About Us 
Laurie Biagini - Crazy People on the internet 
The Corner Laughers - Shrine Of The Martyred Saint 
Rob Bonfiglio - Nothing Will Hold You Down 
The Taters - Right B4 My Eyes 
Goodfinger - Untouchable 
Anton Barbeau - Bending Like a Spoon 
Splitsville - Pretty People 
Little Guilt Shrine - One Two 
Tom Alford - Strawberry Robot 
Nushu - So Long (Maybe) 


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

01.06.10 Tuesday Night Diner - 'Happy'

Well, why am I so happy? There is a lot to be happy for, but a couple of things stand out. New tracks to play this week from Raistalla, The Clutter Family, Rob Swanson, Shabby Rogue, as well as a brand new release from Mark Bacino.


 

Out of all my friends, only one can say they've toured with Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Britney Spears, and that would be dancer Raistalla. But she's also a musician, and she snuck me a sneak preview of her latest track.

http://www.last.fm/music/Raistalla

The Clutter Family is led by L.A. based comedy writer/comedian Jim Earl. We'll hear the first track off of their novelty song laden debut.

http://www.myspace.com/theclutterfamily

Rob Swanson is a rootsy, Americana singer-songwriter based in Colorado. We became friends a couple of years ago, and he occasionally sends some tracks down the mountain for this valley boy to play on the radio, and we'll spin his latest.

http://www.myspace.com/robswan99

Alex, our head of music, just sent me a track for consideration by Shabby Rogue. I hadn't heard of them before. The track started out kind of slow, which often means “pass” for me. However, if Alex picked it, I knew there was a reason. You don't question Alex's taste. And good thing for me, because this smoker of a tune builds to a full head of steam, and you realize it ended up somewhere quite different from where it starts. We'll give a listen on this week's show.

http://www.myspace.com/shabbyrogue

Vegas With Randolph has been around for a few years, based out the greater Washington, D.C. Area. They were kind of enough to discover me and send me their self-titled album. Mark Bacino's Queens English album just came out a week or so ago, and it's getting rave reviews. So what do Vegas With Randolph and Mark Bacino have in common? They each have a song called “Happy”, and you'll hear them both on this week's show.

http://www.myspace.com/vegaswithrandolph
http://www.markbacino.com

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

See you then!


Chef Mike
mike(at)rechargedradio.com
MN2BDNC


With Music From......

Heiskell - The Chubby Guy Song 
Maxi Dunn - How Was I To Know? 
Nushu - Here's To Feeling Free 
Kaz Murphy - Midnight Fire 
Maple Mars - Big Imagination 
Baby Scream - Suddenly 
The Clutter Family - Artist In The Office 
JESPA - Taking it All (Church of Steve Honest session)
Anton Barbeau - I Used to Say Your Name 
Kate Burkart - Cross The Street 
Raistalla - Supermodel 
Mark Bacino - Happy 
Chad Neaves - Wonderful Day 
Soundserif - King Of The Night 
Laurie Biagini - Bambuzled 
Shabby Rogue - Old Man 
Jimmy Catlett - That River 
June & The Exit Wounds - Cathy Dennis 
Vegas With Randolph - Happy 
Joe Swidenbank - Better On Your Own 
Todd Dillingham - Wombats Overhead 
The Taters - Spend a Little Time With Me 
Uncle Meat and the Highway Children - Long Gone Mobile 
Karim Fanous - Thin Bits 
Laurie Larson - Endless Thank You Loop 
Rob Swanson - Lillie White 
The Corner Laughers - For The Sake Of The Cat 
Model Society - Lux 
Onward Chariots - War Hero 
Rich McCulley - Tell Me, I'm Listening 
Beth Thornley - There's No Way