27.09.11 California Diner - 'Tippy Canoe and the Bay Area Brit too!'

As you now know, your Chef Mike is not above restating the obvious, or resorting to corny DJ humor. So it should come as no surprise that I’ve appropriated a 170-year-old American political campaign slogan for the title of this week’s show. But why not, since our musical guest this week is none other than San Francisco Bay Area singer-songwriter-uke slinger Tippy Canoe! And I promise it won’t be another 170 years before we get her back on the show. Not only that, but her husband, The Bay Area Brit (aka writer-blogeographer-cartoonist Matty Stone) also joins us this week. A virtual two-fer of creativity and talent! So what was the occasion? Well, in a true expression of the indie ethic, Tippy was invited to headline a house concert at Ukelele University in Sacramento! Let’s break this down for a second. House concerts are the single most cutting-edge advance in the live music experience in years. A chance for the fans and artists to connect with each other in a live, intimate concert setting, right in somebody’s house. No barriers--the music goes right from performer to eardrums. You get to chat with the artists--who are, after all, real people just like you and me. Talk about a win-win! And Ukelele University? Well, we wrote a bit about them in this space a couple of weeks ago, but what a unique concept. I got to see them in action during the night of the concert. A bunch of really fun people who gather to play one of the hottest, most democratizing instruments around these days, the ukulele. They encourage and teach each other, and occasionally sponsor performances by artists who are making really creative music with their favorite instrument. That’s the D.I.Y. ethic come to life! So Tippy, who has been a good friend to my other radio show over the years, chatted with us live in the studio. Her music is good time Americana music, played sometimes with a full band, and sometimes solo. Her upbeat, witty persona will win you over. It took about 10 seconds for her to win me over back in 2008 when she made her first appearance on Twirl Radio. She’s working up a new album, and she’ll favor us with a live performance of one of the tracks from it. Not only that, but she plays DJ and calls out a couple of tracks from other ukulele-led bands that we know and love. And who am I to deny her? It’s all great music. Tippy is one of the leaders of the uke movement in indie pop music, and I can’t wait for you to meet her! www.tippycanoe.net www.ukeuniversity.com The Bay Area Brit is exactly that--a guy originally from London, UK, who now makes his home in the Bay Area of Northern California. But he’s so much more. He writes a most excellent humour blog (note the proper British spelling of “humour”, not the one I usually use) called The Bay Area Brit (naturally!). His real name is Matty Stone, and he’s in the unique position of being able to look at the funny and quirky aspects of American life as a semi-outsider. He’s been here long enough to be considered an insider as well (a double agent, if you will), so he “gets” the differences. He’s written a couple of (so far, unreleased) novels, and is working on a third book, which will be published, and is also a cartoonist. He tells us about his stint as Tippy’s “official tour blogeographer”. If you’re a UK listener of Recharged Radio, you might find his perspective fascinating. Let me or Matty know what you think! www.thebayareabrit.com And oh yeah--in my bid to try to be indie like these two artists, I webcasted the house concert live, and made another musical discovery: Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman. They did the first set that night. They are accomplished bluegrass and Americana musicians, and somehow, got past the guards at Uke U and snuck in a guitar, banjo, and mandolin. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more from these guys as well. http://deliradio.com/melody-walker date 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 California 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 Go National - Begin, Begin, Begin Heiskell - Gasoline Mad Mush - Silent Snowfall Soundserif - John Titor or the Time Traveler Get People - Odyssey Laurie Biagini - Bambuzled Joseph Swidenbank - Coming Up For Air Jimmy Catlett - The Stupid Things Rose Reiter - Top The Big I Am - Clothes Tippy Canoe & The Paddlemen - Champs Elysee Tippy Canoe interview Tippy Canoe - Cowards On Parade (live) Mad Tea Party - Found A Reason The Corner Laughers - Inner Archaeologist Bay Area Brit interview Vinnie Zummo - John Lennon Rob Swanson - Oh No! Little Guilt Shrine - What I'm Thinking Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper Duncan Faure - Man Of A Thousand Dreams Kat Jones - The Night Is A Veil The Handcuffs - Dirty Glitter Maxi Dunn - Messed Up Dave Stephens - Mr. Wonderful Tom Moriarty - Fire in the Dolls House Nushu - Your Girl Apple Rabbits - Wrong Again Sarah Stanley - When I Lose My Heart