Listen to an interview with the composer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Todd Johnson. He creates classically inspired ambient music under the name Airport People. Johnson will discuss the new Airport People release “Midwest Dispossessed”, a collaboration with photographer Michael Ginda. The album includes a 136-page book of photography by Ginda, along with Johnson’s score. “Midwest Dispossessed” has been described as a “blend of visual and auditory art, that explores the current state of rural c...
Jul 31, 2024•31 min
In the summer of 1928, the Vocalion Record Company visited Indianapolis in search of the city’s best musical talent. The label’s trip to Indianapolis was a success, Vocalion discovered and recorded several early stars of Indianapolis country, blues, jazz, and pop music — including blues legends Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, Black country music pioneers Lulu Jackson and James Cole, future Hollywood star Dick Powell, and more. This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll listen to Vocalion’s histori...
Jul 24, 2024•21 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with jazz bassist and educator Bethany Robinson. Robinson earned national recognition as a music teacher at Noblesville High School and was recently appointed as leader of the Purdue jazz program. Also hear a selection of notable new Hoosier music releases from artists including Airport People, Los Aptos, Hanna Benn, Jordan Munson, Jlin and more.
Jul 17, 2024•31 min
Hear an interview with the Indianapolis rock band The Last IV. The group features a quartet of local music luminaries who’ve made significant contributions to punk, hip-hop, and indie rock music in Indiana.
Jul 10, 2024•20 min
Last month, the legendary bassist and singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello recorded a session for NPR’s Tiny Desk. The vocals for that performance were handled by The HawtPlates, a musical ensemble co-founded by the Lafayette, Indiana siblings Justin and Jade Hicks. The HawtPlates have worked extensively with Ndegeocello and contributed to her Grammy-winning 2023 album "The Omnichord Real Book”. This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with Justin and Jade Hicks.
Jul 10, 2024•17 min
It’s been 50 years since The Beach Boys released their chart-topping compilation album Endless Summer in 1974. The band’s 2024 tour Endless Summer Gold celebrates the legendary Beach Boys hits featured on that album. This week on Cultural Manifesto, Beach Boys vocalist and co-founder Mike Love will share his thoughts on the band’s legacy, and discuss The Four Freshmen, an Indianapolis vocal group that deeply influenced The Beach Boys’ sound.
Jul 03, 2024•36 min
Celebrate Pride month by exploring the work of historically significant Indiana LGBTQ+ musicians. Listen to interviews with Lē Weaver of Software, and writer Tyler Alpern, author of the 2010 book “Camped, Tramped and A Riotous Vamp” a biography of the Indiana songwriter Bruz Fletcher. Software was an Indianapolis synth-rock band that played a crucial role in the Lesbian music scene of Indiana during the 1980s. Stoughton “Bruz” Fletcher, a pioneer of LGBTQ+ music during the 1930s. Bruz was born i...
Jun 26, 2024•44 min
Listen to interviews with the Indianapolis vocalist Bayem, and keyboardist Simon Marvin of Hiatus Kaiyote. Bayem’s music blends elements of R&B, with ’80s pop, and electronic music. His 2022 EP “Afterglow” accrued millions of streams online. Bayme’s most recent EP “OASIS” is inspired by the futurism of internet vaporwave music. Simon Marvin is keyboardist for Australia’s critically acclaimed jazz-funk band Hiatus Kaiyote, they’ll be performing in Indianapolis on June 21st. Hiatus Kaiyote’s u...
Jun 19, 2024•40 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to a conversation with Dave Samuelson, a record producer, writer, radio host, and country music historian based in Battle Ground, Indiana. Samuelson has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, and written liner notes for albums by Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. During the 1970s, Samuelson founded the Puritan Records label. Puritan issued rare archival music from country pioneers, and contemporary releases from Indiana-based artists.
Jun 12, 2024•45 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, explore the history of Palestinian protest music with the Bloomington-based Palestinian music researcher David McDonald, an associate professor of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University. McDonald will discuss his book “My Voice is my Weapon: Music, Nationalism, and the Poetics of Palestinian Resistance”, and share examples of Palestinian protest music from artists including Sabreen, Dam, Kamal Khalil and Baladna, Firqat Aghani al-'Ashiqin, and more....
Jun 05, 2024•46 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the rock and roll legend Carlos Santana. He’ll discuss the influence of the Indianapolis jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery on his work. Santana has called Montgomery one of his primary musical inspirations. Santana will be performing in Central Indiana in June. Also, hear the first edition of a new series on Cultural Manifesto exploring the music history of Lafayette, Indiana. Host Kyle Long will talk with Zechariah Baumhover, an Indianapo...
May 29, 2024•45 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, explore the music of Bill Wilson, a legendary Central Indiana songwriter who died in 1993 at the age of 46. Wilson’s debut album “Ever Changing Minstrel” was released by Columbia Records in 1973. “Ever Changing Minstrel” was produced by the esteemed Bob Johnston, known for his work with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen. Columbia promoted Wilson as the next Bob Dylan, but “Ever Changing Minstrel” was a flop at the time of its initial release. Over the year...
May 22, 2024•17 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from Asian musicians and composers connected to the Hoosier state. Enjoy pop, folk, classical, and electronic music featuring Indiana musicians representing Vietnam, Myanmar, China, India and more.
May 15, 2024•26 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with the legendary jazz pianist Bob James, he’ll be performing at the Jazz Kitchen later this month. Some music fans know James for writing the theme song to the hit television show Taxi. Others know James’ work through its extensive use in hip-hop sampling — he’s one of the most sampled artists in the history of rap music. But few know that James’ first career breakthrough happened in Indiana. In 1962, the Bob James Trio competed at Notre D...
May 08, 2024•35 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to a discussion on the past, present, and future of Indianapolis R&B. Featured guests will include Damon Karl, 4Cast, and Sid Johnson of M.E.C.A.P. Music. Damon Karl and 4Cast are rising stars in the Indianapolis R&B scene. Guitarist/vocalist Damon Karl has performed across the United States, including appearances with the Indianapolis R&B legend Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. 4Cast are a three-piece R&B vocal group featuring Alvin “Big AL” Hest...
May 01, 2024•45 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine. Hear a preview of his new album “Love Letters and Graffiti”. Also, hear an interview with the children’s music duo 123 Andrés. They’ll be performing at Día del Niño Be My Neighbor Day! on Saturday, April 27 at Central Library.
Apr 24, 2024•42 min
Earlier this month the Indianapolis guitarist and bandleader Mike Woods passed away. He was 67 years old. Woods is best known for his work with the funk band Soul Relation. The group recorded their debut single “Mongo Strut” in 1972 while Woods was a student at Arsenal Tech High School. “Mongo Strut” has become an international collector’s item with music fans around the globe. So too has Woods’ 1988 LP with the electro-soul band Style. This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to a 2020 interview...
Apr 17, 2024•40 min
Uncle Funkenstein, Zerfas, and Hamilton Movement may be unfamiliar names to most Hoosier music fans, but record collectors around the world pay thousands of dollars for these rare Indiana discs. This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to the top 10 most valuable Indiana LPs and 45 RPM singles of all time. Also, hear interviews with the musicians and record labels behind the music.
Apr 10, 2024•30 min
According to a 2023 report from Luminate, formerly known as Nielsen SoundScan, over 120,000 new tracks are uploaded to the music streaming service Spotify every day. That’s over 36,500,000 tracks per year. According to that same report, over 45 million of those tracks never received a single play. That’s bad news for musicians as Spotify recently announced that it would cease making royalty payments for songs with less than 1,000 annual streams. But all hope is not lost, Ulyssa, an Indiana-based...
Apr 03, 2024•48 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the classical music pianist Joshua Thompson, creative partner-in-residence with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Hear Thompson discuss his upcoming concert with the ICO titled "Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts”. Also hear interviews with Thompson’s twin brother, saxophonist Jared Thompson, and Dana Stone, executive director of the ICO. Joshua Thompson is recognized nationally for his expertise on classical compo...
Mar 27, 2024•49 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz saxophonist Rob Dixon. He’ll discuss Salon Noir, a public conversation focused on the jazz history of Indiana Avenue as it relates to the present and future state of Black creative production in Indiana. Dixon will be joined on Cultural Manifesto by the award-winning poet and educator Lasana Kazembe, jazz musician and educator Oliver Nelson Jr., and Robert Montgomery, the youngest son of jazz guitarist Wes Montgom...
Mar 21, 2024•50 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the women pioneers of Hoosier music, including Vivian Carter, Dena El Saffar, Mary Byrne, Priscilla Mclean, Margaret Hills and Anna Mae Winburn. Vivian Carter was a legendary disc jockey and co-founder of Gary, Indiana’s Vee Jay Records. Vee Jay released hit songs by artists including The Impressions, The Dells, Gladys Knight, John Lee Hooker, and Gene Chandler. Vee Jay also issued significant jazz and gospel titl...
Mar 13, 2024•47 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz musicians Rob Dixon and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd. Their new project From the 317, seeks to document and export the Indianapolis sound. From the 317 features a wide variety of guest musicians, including Rusty Redenbacher, Josh Kaufman, Charlie Ballantine, Steve Weakley, Maxie, Foxd’legend and more. Enjoy a special sneak preview of this new album.
Mar 06, 2024•32 min
The Texas politician and author Beto O’Rourke joins Karla López Owens to discuss his book “We’ve Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible”. Beto also shared how punk rock music influenced his work in politics.
Feb 28, 2024•28 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with Breezey Fox and Krista Hoose of the Indianapolis-based country music band The Indy Annies. We’ll also have another edition of Rebel Music with Karla López Owens. This week Karla's guest will be the Texas politician and author Beto O’Rourke. During the 1990s, Beto was also a member of the El Paso-based punk band Foss. Beto will share how punk music informs his work in politics.
Feb 28, 2024•46 min
The Gary, Indiana music legend Donald Kinsey passed away earlier this month at the age of 70. Here in Indiana, Kinsey is best known for his work in blues music. This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll explore Kinsey’s connection to reggae music icon Bob Marley. Kinsey toured with Marley during the late 1970s and performed on Marley’s1976 album “Rastaman Vibration”. Also, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz trombonist Andrew Danforth. His debut album “Homegrown” explores themes relate...
Feb 21, 2024•35 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis composer, performer, and multimedia artist Jordan Munson. He has a new album out titled Heartless Fools. The music was recorded at Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavík, Iceland, and features contributions from Indianapolis musicians including Hanna Benn, and Charlie Ballantine. According to Munson, the music on Heartless Fools is a response to the complex social and political landscape of present day America. The album feat...
Feb 14, 2024•46 min
This week’s edition of Cultural Manifesto is all about making a comeback. We’ll join the legendary Indianapolis jazz trombonist Phil Ranelin at the Chatterbox for his first gig after suffering from a debilitating stroke in 2021. Ranelin is best known for his work with the Tribe, a Detroit-based collective of avant-garde jazz musicians and activists. Ranelin has performed and recorded with artists including Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Pharoah Sanders, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. Plus, l...
Feb 07, 2024•44 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. He’ll discuss his cabaret act Och & Oy!, a collaboration with the Scottish actor Alan Cumming. The pair will perform Och & Oy! in Indiana this February. We’ll also discuss the life and music of the Indiana songwriter Bruz Fletcher, a pioneer of LGBTQ+ music during the 1930s. Born into one of the wealthiest families in Indiana, Bruz was raised in Laurel Hall, an extravagant mansion located in northeast Indiana...
Jan 31, 2024•48 min
This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Branford Marsalis. Also, playwright Cheryl L. West and actor Maiesha McQueen will join host Kyle Long to discuss the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of “Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer.”
Jan 24, 2024
