Here's a blast from the past: our Arcade Fire interview at The Orange Peel in Asheville NC from January 2004. Joe Kendrick, John Murphy and Jason Lineberger talk with the band about their then new album Funeral (in between some of their songs), how David Byrne had been showing up at their concerts, Merge Records' etiquette training, and how Beethoven sold out once he got syphylis. We're pretty sure they were pulling our leg on that last one.
Episode 237: The Business of Music, part 2
Streamed live on iamavl.com on January 4, 2013, this is the second half of the conversation with Jessica Tomasin, Michael Selverne and Josh Blake.
Michael begins this part of the show with analysis of how the music industry failed to utilize digital technology and the turning point of when Wilco was dropped by their label even though they brought in many millions in sales.
Episode 236: The Business of Music, part 1
Streamed live on iamavl.com on January 4, 2013, this conversation with Jessica Tomasin, Michael Selverne and Josh Blake explores where the music industry has gone wrong, how musicians and music professionals make ends meet on a full-time and part-time basis, and much more.
The last half of the show is in Episode 236
Episode 229: Sacred Cows
What It Is brings back an episode which aired before this blog was created. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by panelists Jeff Eason and Fred Mills in this conversation about artists and bands that are, to a great many people, so revered as to be above reproach and any criticism. However, we bring along an axe and a chopping block to the doorsteps of several Sacred Cows that we feel are overdue for a visit. Grateful Dead, Robert Johnson and John Lennon fans be aware that answering the doorbell to this visit by the What It Is crew may be an unwelcome surprise.
Reaction to the show was polarized: folks either loved it or hated it. We got a great number of email responses and I will work to publish these in an article on the What It Is blog soon.
Original air date 7-9-2008
Episode 4: Hard Act to Follow
What It Is Radio Episode 4: Hard Act to Follow
The fourth episode of What It Is Radio, Hard Act to Follow. The What It Is crew has fun talking about the instances they recall when an opening act blew away the headliner, or the headliner imploded.
Episode 3: Trends In Music
What It Is Radio Episode 3: Trends In Music
The third episode of What It Is Radio, Trends In Music. Parrish Ellis, Roland Dierauf and Carol Rifkin join Joe Kendrick in a conversation about musical trends that we would like to see go away and traditions that stand the test of time.
Episode 2: Visual Elements In Live Music
What It Is Radio Episode 2: Visual Elements In Live Music
The second episode of What It Is Radio, Visual Elements in Live Music. Carol Rifkin, Parrish Ellis and Roland Dierauf join host Joe Kendrick in a topic suggested by Roland: why do you say that you're going to "see" live music rather than "hear" live music? What It Is takes a turn at conversing about the emphasis (or lack thereof) on showmanship, lasers and other elements of spectacle in live musical performance.
Episode 1: Where Are They Now
What It Is Podcast Episode 1: Where Are They Now
The first episode of What It Is Radio. Do you ever wonder what happened to artists no longer active in music? Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and Joe Kendrick talk about icons like Don Was, Captain Beefheart, Todd Rundgren and Andy Partridge. Originally broadcast 11-7-07