Above The Basement - Boston Music And Conversation

Ladies and Gentlemen and all fans of On Your Feet! Here is our final installment of Take 5 Tuesday where we offer you a snippet of the conversation with On Your Feet! band members Jorge Casas (bass) and Clay Ostwald (music director/keyboards), two of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine. Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation podcast sat down with these fine musicians who helped bring their iconic songs to the Broadway stage. We are pleased to share with you portions of that conversation with our Take 5 Tuesday episodes. So, take 5 minutes and sit back and enjoy each “Take 5 Tuesday!” Click here to listen to the entire episode: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-091-on-your-feet Or go to www.abovethebasement.com. Song List: All songs from On Your Feet - Original Broadway Cast Recording Song 1: Get On Your Feet Song 2: Rhythm Is Gonna Get You

Illustrator and author Tony Diterlizzi got his start drawing for Dungeons & Dragons but soon began "worldbuilding" though his books that include Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, The Spider and Fly and with writer Holly Black The Spiderwick Chronicles to name only a few of his wonderful books. Angela has worked as a make-up artist in film and TV including Saturday Night Live and MTV and musicians including Dave Matthews Band, Duran Duran and Depeche Mode and is the author of several award winning children's books that include Say What, Some Bugs and Baby Love. They are both amazing. Song List: A portion of The Spiderwick Chronicles audiobook (Tony DiTerlizzi/Holly Black) Read by Mark Hamill   Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

Ladies and Gentlemen and all fans of On Your Feet! Here is our fourth installment of Take 5 Tuesday where we offer you a snippet of the conversation with On Your Feet! band members Jorge Casas (bass) and Clay Ostwald (music director/keyboards), two of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine. Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation podcast sat down with these fine musicians who helped bring their iconic songs to the Broadway stage. We are pleased to share with you portions of that conversation with our Take 5 Tuesday episodes. So, take 5 minutes and sit back and enjoy each “Take 5 Tuesday!” Click here to listen to the entire episode: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-091-on-your-feet Or go to www.abovethebasement.com. Song List: All songs from On Your Feet - Original Broadway Cast Recording Song 1: Get On Your Feet Song 2: Rhythm Is Gonna Get You

Violist and holistic educator, Ashe has played all over the world with a number orchestras and ensembles, and has collaborated with many living composers including Thomas Adès, Steve Reich, and Jeffrey Mumford to name just a few. She has become a voice for social change through her work as Artistic Director of Castle of our Skins – a Boston-based concert and educational series devoted to celebrating Black Artistry through music and is currently working with the Cross Cultural Collective a Black arts collaborative that elevates, celebrates, and promotes African diasporic arts and their creators in Boston and beyond. Song List: Song 1: Calvary String Quartet, Movement 3" by Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson (Olga Patramanskaya & James Dargan, violins; Ashe Gordon on viola; Javier Caballero on cello; performed by Castle of our Skins) Song 2: Sanctum for Viola and Piano by Adolphus Hailstork (pianist Anthony Green) Song 3: Through the Filtering Dawn of Spreading Daybright" by Jeffrey Mumford (Lizzie Burns, double ba

Ladies and Gentlemen and all fans of On Your Feet! Here is our third installment of Take 5 Tuesday where we offer you a snippet of the conversation with On Your Feet! band members Jorge Casas (bass) and Clay Ostwald (music director/keyboards), two of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine. Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation podcast sat down with these fine musicians who helped bring their iconic songs to the Broadway stage. Every Tuesday for the next 3 weeks, we are pleased to share with you portions of that conversation with our Take 5 Tuesday episodes. So, take 5 minutes and sit back and enjoy each “Take 5 Tuesday!” Click here to listen to the entire episode: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-091-on-your-feet Or go to www.abovethebasement.com. Song List: All songs from On Your Feet - Original Broadway Cast Recording Song 1: Conga Song 2: Rhythm Is Gonna Get You

The local evening news in the 80's was such a big part of our day. At 6pm we’d sit down to watch TV and get our fill of what’s happening in our city and the world. A lot has changed since those days, but the names and faces of the anchors who spoke to us every day are as familiar as they have ever been. There was recently a reunion of sorts with the Boston WBZ team of Jack Williams, Liz Walker, Bob Lobel, Bruce Schwoegler and of course, Arts and Entertainment reporter Joyce Kulhawik, and it was as if no time had passed since we last saw them. We ran into Joyce at a Yo Yo Ma Silkroad performance in Cambridge and immediately decided that she needed to come on the show. Joyce continues to be an advocate for the arts in Boston and also offers her insight and Theater/Movie reviews through her Joyce’s Choices blog. She is a motivational speaker and as a 3 time cancer survivor she has become a tireless crusader against cancer and has raised millions in the support of American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Boston th

Ladies and Gentlemen and all fans of On Your Feet!: Here is our second installment of Take 5 Tuesday where we offer you a snippet of the conversation with On Your Feet! band members Jorge Casas (bass) and Clay Ostwald (music director/keyboards), two of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine. Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation podcast sat down with these fine musicians who helped bring their iconic songs to the Broadway stage. Every Tuesday for the next 3 weeks, we are pleased to share with you portions of that conversation with our Take 5 Tuesday episodes. So, take 5 minutes and sit back and enjoy each “Take 5 Tuesday!” Click here to listen to the entire episode: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-091-on-your-feet or go to www.abovethebasement.com. Song List: All songs from On Your Feet - Original Broadway Cast Recording Song 1: Mi Tierra Song 2: Conga

We sat with Luke, Russ and Brendan Condon - three brothers from the Boston band Town Meeting a few weeks ago and it quickly went off the rails. In between several simultaneous conversations we talked tipping, harmonies, Lavar Burton, acoustic music, playing live for a guy and his dog, the meaning of the word Cajon, podcasts…we were all over the place. But it was certainly a hoot. These guys sound great and are amazing live. Enjoy! Song List: Song 1: Dirty Ol' Demon Song 2: Till I Die Song 3: In The Morning Live Songs: Song 1: Till I Die Song 2: Trip Down West   Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

Ladies and Gentlemen and all fans of On Your Feet!: We would like to introduce you to the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan as told in the Broadway national tour of ON YOUR FEET! The Musical. You can now hear about it from the perspective of On Your Feet! band members Jorge Casas (bass) and Clay Ostwald (music director/keyboards), two of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine. Our friends at Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation podcast sat down with these fine musicians who helped bring their iconic songs to the Broadway stage.  Every Tuesday for the next 5 weeks, we are pleased to share with you portions of that conversation with our Take 5 Tuesday episodes. So, take 5 minutes and sit back and enjoy each “Take 5 Tuesday!” Click here to listen to the entire episode or go to www.abovethebasement.com.

A performance by Brent Shuttleworth - Live at Rapscallions - April 11, 2018 in Acton MA. Recorded after our first ConcertCast - a conversation and performance in front of a live audience. To listen to the entire conversation, go here: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-093-brent-shuttleworth Song List: Song 1: Black Swan Song 2: Doc Brown Song 3: This Must Be Love Song 4: Just You and Me Song 5: Where We Begin Song 6: She Was A Dancer Song 7: Money Ain't Everything   Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

When we got word that Brent Shuttleworth was coming to town, we saw it as an opportunity to celebrate the Nashville / Boston connection, new and old friends, and experience a fresh unique style of songwriting and performing. We wanted to do something new so we gathered some ATB friends and fans together at Rapscallions Table and Tap in Acton, MA and did our first LIVE episode that we are calling a ConcertCast. Brent immersed himself into the audience with his music and strong spirit. He worked his craft of combining a classic singer-songwriter vibe along with new beats and loops via a control surface called "Maschine". We talked about his journey and method, his love for visual art and expression, and how his terrifying assault by several men that caused a head injury and almost killed him changed his perspective on life and his music forever. This was also a sort of homecoming for Brent as he spent several years here as a kid and we were excited to invite him to the ConcertCast stage for music and conversati

Hip-Hop artist and proud "Queen of the Bean", Dutch ReBelle has earned national attention for her lyrical punch and powerful performances. In 2014 she was named the Boston Music Awards “Best Hip-Hop Artist” and continues to make her mark in the fantastic Boston Hip-Hop scene. We talk about her Haitian roots, food, her experience in the Congo and her foray from pre-law into a hip-hop force to be reckoned with. Song List: Song 1: I Can't Song 2: Sunday Morning (feat. Amandi) Song 3: No Less (ReBelle Diaries) Song 4: Stripper (feat. 6ixlayne & Prince Smooth)   Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

ON YOUR FEET! The musical is a story of rhythm and resilience. It covers the lives of Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio Estefan to and through success, and tells a story of setbacks and love. The foundation is built upon music and at its core is the legendary Miami Sound Machine. We sat down with Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald of the original members of the Miami Sound Machine, who help bring all these iconic songs to the Broadway stage. We talk about the tour and the transition of pop-Latin-jazz to theater, the accident that changed everything, and the recovery and success of “cross over” Cuban American Music that Gloria, Emilio and the Miami Sound Machine brought to the world. The show is currently playing at the Boston Opera House through April 29th, 2018. Go to www.boston.broadway.com for more information. Song List: All songs from On Your Feet: Original Broadway Cast Recording Song 1: Get On Your Feet Song 2: Conga Song 3 Rhythm Is Gonna Get You Photo credit: 2480: ON YOUR FEET! Band featuring members

What is the first song that comes right to your mind? When you think of the world around us, or a social issue - why does this song resonate? These are the kinds of questions we asked the students at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School as part of a music and society discussion.  While we always look try to raise these important questions during our conversations, we can’t take credit for this one... it was senior Natalia Ruiz who spotted an ATB sticker somewhere in Cambridge, looked us up and proposed a collaboration. We were honored to ask questions, facilitate discussion with, and most  importantly learn from these inspiring juniors and seniors about what music inspires them, why it moves them and what artists create the music and lyrics behind it all.  Along with the students we were joined by two staff at Cambridge Latin, a teacher and the assistant principal, who is - fittingly - an accomplished jazz saxophonist himself.  We talked the charisma of Kanye and the social responsibility of Kendrick and co

We first saw Ryan Montbleau back in 2012 in Boston on a Rock and Blues Cruise that featured the Ryan Montbleau Band. It was a full boat and was packed with Ryan Montbleau fans and the band totally rocked the house. Or rather the boat. The singer-songwriter and bandleader has been a relentless road warrior. His last album called I Was Just Leaving is a bit more introspective than his previous but certainly shows off his songwriting chops. His most recent project is a duo with the wonderful Hayley Jane called Yes Darling. Our occasional co-host Ike Walker joined us at our usual location in Concord, MA and we talked jury duty, moving, writing, dreams…uh…eggs…lots of stuff! Song List: Song 1: Moving Too Fast (I Was Just Leaving) Song 2: Fast Car (feat. Tall Heights - All Or Nothing) Song 3: Misplaced Anger (Yes Darling) Song 4: Eggs (Patience On Friday) Song 5: Bright Side (I Was Just Leaving) Live Songs: Song 1: Call Your Mother Song 2: Looking Glass Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovetheb

Internationally acclaimed soloist, composer and educator, Wu Man is a master of the Pipa, an instrument that dates back almost 2000 years. Wu Man co-founded The Silkroad Project with Yo-Yo Ma and has collaborated with many illustrious composers including Phillip Glass, Tan Dun and Terry Riley and has written for The Kronos Quartet. In 1998 she was awarded The Bunting Fellowship at Harvard University and was the first Chinese traditional musician to receive The United States Artist Fellowship in 2008. We caught up with her on tour with the Huayin Shadow Puppet Band at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall and had a wonderful talk about Silkroad, the challenges of composing for different instruments and her association with Boston. Song List: Song 1: White Snow in a Sunny Spring (Wu Man and Friends) Song 2: Sound of a Voice Suite (Wu Man/Phillip Glass - Theater Music Vol. 1) Song 3: Four Chinese Paintings - Gobi Desert at Sunset Composed by Wu Man on pipa, arranged for string quartet by Danny Clay © 2016 Krono

Jonatha Brooke's first band - the critically acclaimed The Story with the talented Jennifer Kimball was the beginning of an impressive run of beautifully written songs that today culminate in her latest project – a Broadway musical play called My Mother Has 4 Noses. Currently touring the US, this musical play explores her relationship with her mother who suffered the devastating effects of Alzheimer's. We caught up with her just before she played a fantastic concert at City Winery Boston and talked first kisses (don’t worry we bleeped out names to protect the innocent), alternate tunings, Woody Guthrie poems and her new life in the theater. Song List: Song 1: So Much Mine (The Story - Angel In The House) Song 2: My Flowers Grow Green (Jonatha Brooke - The Works) Song 3: Where Were You (Jonatha Brooke - Plumb) Song 4: Wind (Jonatha Brooke - My Mother Has 4 Noses) Live Song: Song 1: Put The Gun Down Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

This is part two of a two part episode. We met Sir David Minehan when we walked up the stairs to the wonderful rooms of his recording studio Woolly Mammoth Sound to begin recording our Butler Frog EP. David is in the seminal Boston band The Neighborhoods that won the very first WBCN Rock 'N' Roll Rumble in 1979 and has toured with David Bowie, The Ramones and Cheap Trick among others. He has since been running Woolly Mammoth Sound for 20 years while also taking time to tour with Paul Westerberg and The Replacements as their lead guitarist. The Neighborhoods just completed recording a new studio album, which should be released soon! Listen to Part One at http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-085-david-minehan-part-one Song List: Song 1:   Think It Over (The Last Rat - Live) Song 2:   Prettiest Girl Join us at Above The Basement! Go to www.patreon.com/abovethebasement for more information.

We met Sir David Minehan when we walked up the stairs to the wonderful rooms of his recording studio Woolly Mammoth Sound to begin recording our Butler Frog EP. David is in the seminal Boston band The Neighborhoods that won the very first WBCN Rock 'N' Roll Rumble in 1979 and has toured with David Bowie, The Ramones and Cheap Trick among others. He has since been running Woolly Mammoth Sound for 20 years while also taking time to tour with Paul Westerberg and The Replacements as their lead guitarist. The Neighborhoods just completed recording a new studio album, which should be released soon! Listen to Part Two at http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-086-david-minehan-part-two Song List: Song 1: Pure and Easy (The Last Rat - Live) Song 2: Prettiest Girl Song 3: Peeping Tom (The Last Rat - Live) Join us at Above The Basement!   Learn more at patreon.com/AboveTheBasement

This is part two of our conversation with RIPE so if you haven’t heard the first, go to abovethebasement.com/episodes to listen. Coming out of Berklee College of Music, RIPE has been called many things - from neo-soul to funk/pop to jam band - but whatever genre they fall into, their infectious licks, lyrical grooves and high energy performances made us immediate fans. We sat with 3/7ths of the band out in Allston, MA a week or so after seeing blow away the crowd a The Paradise. Singer Robbie Wulfsohn and guitarists Tory Geismar and Jon Becker joined us for a conversation about their roots, vision, and the love they have for the fans - which is a palpable entity if you have ever been to a RIPE show. Song List: Song 1: Goon Squad (Hey Hello) Song 2: Down With The Dark Side (Produce The Juice) Song 3: Caralee (Hey Hello) Live Song: Goon Squad Join us at Above The Basement!   Learn more at patreon.com/AboveTheBasement