Podcast Open Mic

POM 7/22 No.1: Spook Handy (from 7/21, the final POMotR broadcast)

POM 7/22 No.1: Spook Handy (from 7/21, the final POMotR broadcast)

A year ago this month Podcast Open Mic on the Radio had its final broadcast.  But my last guest was a goodie and needs to be reheard.: Spook Handy, the only guest I have found via Portland Hour Exchange...

Spook Handy performed alongside Pete Seeger at festivals and concerts more than 50 times from 2003 – 2013 learning firsthand many of Pete’s songs and the stories behind them. Even more, he learned who Pete Seeger was and what he stood for. Spook is now traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with his “Remembering Pete Seeger” World Tour, keeping alive Pete’s tradition by sharing a few songs by Woody Guthrie (Pete’s most notable mentor), plenty of songs by Pete Seeger and a healthy handful of new songs Spook wrote under Pete’s tutelage.

Spook’s sixth studio album, “Pete, Woody & Me, Volume II – Dedicated to the Proposition” reached the No. 3 position on the International Folk Radio Charts in May, 2019. His fifth studio album, “Pete, Woody & Me, Volume I – Keep the Flame Alive,” held the No. 3 position on the same charts in June and July , 2016 with his original song, “Vote!” reaching No. 2. Recorded with his backup band “The Seed Planters,” the CD is more than just a tribute to Pete. It is a work that, as John Weingart of WPRB Radio says, “certainly rests on the shoulders of the past but is unmistakably steeped in the present.” 

Spook was named Best Folk Artist by Upstage Magazine, Gannett New Jersey, The Courier News, The Home News and About.com. His song “Whatcha Gonna Do?” was used in the BBC documentary film “Doomsday Code,” and four of his sings, including “Bring Back Abiyoyo” were used in a theatrical adaptation of Pete’s children’s story, “Abiyoyo.” Spook is a well known speaker and workshop facilitator at festivals, conferences and colleges around the country. 

“The passion, purpose and spirit of American Folk Music are alive and well with Spook Handy and his Remembering Pete Seeger World Tour and concert.”
… Gary Wien – Editor in Chief, New Jersey Stage

POM 3/22 No.1 Emelia Dahlin Live at Make Music Portland 2021 & new single

Wielding a voice that defies the size of her body and strong storytelling sensibilities, Emilia Dahlin has carved out her name as a unique songstress. She weaves mesmerizing tales (complete with Greek myths, robotic messiahs, epic floods, and tax evaders) with raw, rootsy folk and dynamic jazz vocals. Her well-crafted songs sound as if they've been left outside where time and weather have worn cracks for the wind to whip through. Her sky-rocketing energy is delivered with honesty.

Throughout a sixteen-year musical performing career that has taken her through the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Europe, Emilia Dahlin has made Maine her home. Known for memorable performances, Emilia garnered national awards, from Telluride Troubadour, Winner of the Starbucks Music Makers Competition, Winner of Boston Music Conference Songwriting Competition, and the Great Waters Songwriting Contest.

Emilia garners great joy from collaborating and co-creating and believes that music and storytelling are some of the most powerful tools to foster connection between people and create positive social change. A teaching artist, who facilitates songwriting as a means for personal expression, creative collaboration, and language exploration, Dahlin’s also a fellow of Noel "Paul" Stookey's (Peter, Paul & Mary) organization, Music To Life, which supports and amplifies the work of musician-activists.

 

New Single "Something Outside" video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUEilM2J7xg

POM 1/22 No.2 Dano

Dano’s music infuses modern folk, post rock, and groove oriented rhythms with poetic lyrics creating a unique brand of conscious music that uplifts and inspires.  

Born and raised in the Buffalo suburb of Tonawanda, Dano’s role models were The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, David Bowie, Simon and Garfunkel.

As a youth during 70’s, Dano began leading the band Odysseus at the age of 13, playing guitar and singing at school events and neighborhood parties. At 16 years of age he switched to bass and joined the band Crossroads. He was immediately thrust into the Buffalo music scene playing some of the biggest venues and supporting international touring bands such as Judas Priest, Ambrosia, John Cougar Mellencamp, Modern English, Spirit, as well as many others. After a lineup change Crossroads would become the Beez and Dano would leave to start The Western Voice and his song writing was now front and center. With The Western Voice there was label interest from A&M records as well as production interest from Mitch Easter and the band began traveling extensively, often playing CBGB’s and the Peppermint Lounge in NYC. Dano moved to NYC to further pursue his music career starting the band Zider Zee and playing regularly in the Greenwich Village scene. Dano would later form the band Swift Running Water with collaborator and lifelong friend Kevin Henneman as well as members of the legendary NYC blues band King Dice. Dano now lives in Maine and continues to write, record, and perform.

DISCOGRAPHY 

Beez – Me and My Girl/Losing Time

Beez – Handle on My Heart/Please be Mine

The Western Voice – SCREAM

Bandano – Bandano

DanoMatt – Jazz Holidaze

 

POM12/21 No.2: Jason Lambert + A Christmas Bonus!

Jason Lambert has been playing music for more than a quarter century. It started out as solo acoustic ballads, with some rock n' roll mixed in, and has eventually evolved into other musical outlets, including 80s influenced synth pop, and old school hip-hop. All the while, he has continued to write heartbreak ballads on the acoustic guitar. Lambert is also an author, who, this past summer, self-published a work of young adult fiction set in late 80s Portland. It is called Sophomore Summer and has been well received. 

plus, one of my favorite holiday Lorenzo Commentaries.

Happy Holidays & stay safe!

POM 09/21 No. 2: Heart Shaped Rock

Heart Shaped Rock is Rock Shaped with Heart!  
We are: Sheridan: vox/Bret Mills: Guitar, b vox/Replica A: Guitar/Eric Eaves: Bass, b vox/Dave Bloom: Drums

All veterans of the Maine/Portland Music scene currently working on our 8th body of music. You can find us on most social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, Bandcamp, Spotify and many more.

You can check out our "Award winning video" by Peter Giordano here:  "Spyder Mylk"" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ehxuaT13TS8

Or our spaced out love song here: "Unconditional"" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/78KYh0AStmo

heartshapedrock.co

POM 08/21 No.1: Wildcat O'Halloran

The Wildcat O'Halloran Band has been thrilling audiences in Western Massachusetts for over thirty years, and is currently promoting its 16th album “You Can't Fall Off the Floor"... building on the success of the previous:  "Deck of Cards" " NYC Chill", "Hot Pulldown", "Midnight Service Call","Party Up In Heaven", and “Drinkin' With the Harp Girls” each of which was played on over 200 stations, and called “crazy-fun” by the Boston Blues Society and “a great release” by the UK's Blues Matters. Living Blues Magazine wrote: “Wildcat emerges as one of the most entertaining songwriters in contemporary blues...and his band doesn't know the meaning of dull!”

 

The band has opened for just about every major blues artist to visit Massachusetts, from Greg Allman to John Lee Hooker to The Stray Cats, and has been backup band for Bo Diddley and James Cotton. Recently, they opened for Duke Robillard at Greenfield's Hawks and Reed Music 

 Often featured at Millenium Music Conference, and  longtime host of the  Sunday Blues Jam in Northampton, the Wildcat (guitar and vocals) will often be accompanied by "Dr." Kathy Peterson(Bass), “Dr. Luscious”….Emily Duff (sax), Devin Griffiths (guitar, vocals) and drummer Mark Chouinard Hall.

https://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/2021/05/transperformance-live-tribute-music.html

Living Blues added these kudos : “the grooves are so damned infectious, and the guitar playing so stirring....The Wildcat O'Halloran Band can make you dance and make you laugh if you let it...irresistible”

https://wildcatohalloran.com

POM94 From Listen Up!: Captain Boss Dog "Rock and Roll Doughnut Shop"

Listen Up! Music is a Portland, ME-based nonprofit that supports musicians with intellectual uniqueness in writing, arranging, recording, and performing their music. We are affiliated with Composition Studio, The Art Department, Publication Studio, and Creative Trails, and collaborate with other organizations and musicians to make our music heard.

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POM90 Kevin Tacka "Medley"

Kevin Tacka = Visual Artist, Musician, Theatrical Performer/Producer, Building Trade Artisan, Educator.

Kevin Tacka has been located on/near Congress Square Portland since 1994. Specializing in Fresco Murals, Fountains, Painting,  Art Restoration, Plaster - Paint -Cement Surfaces, Song/Story Producing, and Campfire Cowboy Appearances. Appearances that have resulted in 100's of Adventures Of The Black Toad and Big Bad Dan Stories,  performed live at the local Cable Access Station. Kevin also enjoys being the Portland Chapter Coordinator for The Plein Air Painters of Maine since 2014.

As a 2 time University of Southern Maine Graduate ( Fine Arts, Art Education ), Kevin has been in the WMPG Radio community since 1984.

POM88 Deline "For Life" (explicit)

First person!

I’m a 19 year old artist who’s used music as a way to express myself. I’ve been performing for about 6 years. I’ve been through a lot in my life , but I’ve overcome so much with the help of writing and recording music. I hope to help people see that they can overcome anything. 

POM87 FBb "That's the Way I Play"

FBb has been playing together for about four years. The original members were James Fletcher on bass guitar and Nathan Fletcher on lead guitar and lead singing. Hayden Bachman (drums) joined the band in the September of 2017. Now, the band features other people like Annabelle Brooks on piano, Emma Moreau on alto saxophone, and Cooper Swartzentruber on alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. Also, the manager and soon to be sound guy is Aidan Collins.

They have played at such notable places as Hella Good Tacos, Empire, One Longfellow Square, and even all the way in Rochester New Hampshire on multiple occasions. The bands main genre is Rock.