Blogroll: January 2022
Reading material:
-Saberpages issue 1
Founded by Andres Nelso in 2017, Saber is a music and culture outlet based in Kansas City. After releasing eight issues of its longform print and digital magazine, the first issue of a new monthly publication called Saberpages was released in November. This 40 page book includes short features on rapper Zeph France and KC Mac N Co. owner Dwight Tiller II, a journal entry about the frustrations of online sex work, a near-future sci-fi involving racial politics, and more. Nelso’s background in graphic design (he’s attended school at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design) is apparent in this full color edition as well. This issue is available for purchase at The Black Pantry in Kansas City or online at SaberMagazine.com.
-Riley The Musician went to Montana and came back Ana - Allison Harris, The Pitch
If you’d like a brief introduction to the music of Riley The Musician before you dive into our 80 minute Shuttlecock Podcast episode with her, you can find a profile written by Allison Harris in the October issue of The Pitch (and on the magazine’s website).
-Skeletons and constant sorrow - Nick Spacek, The Pitch
This profile on Lawrence country-rock band The Roseline highlights the relatively unconventional writing and recording process of the band’s new album Constancy. Also discussed: primary songwriter Colin Halliburton’s townie lifestyle, escaping the trap of writing too literally about the pandemic, and the tweaks made to the band’s signature sound this time around. Find it in the December issue of The Pitch or online.
-Writer Dan Ozzi on his new book Sellout and the rise of punk on major labels - Nick Spacek, The Pitch
Veteran punk rock journalist Dan Ozzi, who in addition to his many bylines helped Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace craft her first book, talked with Nick about how punk rock and major labels have interacted since the genre’s inception in the late ‘70s. Get a taste of the new book and find out who Ozzi believes are some of the most important and interesting bands in this ongoing subcultural exchange.
-The Epitome isn’t just a sound, it’s a world - Nick Spacek, The Pitch
Read this profile and get to know better one of Kansas City hip-hop’s foremost nerds.
-BLK + BRWN bookstore aims to amplify America’s most vibrant voices - Cameron Capers, The Pitch
First off, a belated salute to friend of the magazine Cameron Capers on his first Pitch byline (he has since logged interviews with Porches, Crumb, and Colony House). In his debut piece, Capers interviews Cori Smith, the owner of the BLK + BRWN bookstore (located at 104 ½ W. 39th St., Kansas City, Missouri) which opened in June 2021.
-Dave One wants you to know, and see, his name - Chase Castor, The Pitch
I can’t recall a more polarizing figure in my time living in Midtown than Dave One. Reddit threads and social media posts regularly lament his presence and a dedicated website has catalogged his work. The mysterious and remarkably prolific graffiti writer is humanized in the piece written and photographed by Chase Castor, exploring what motivated the young vandal to write his name on every inch of real estate he can manage. Cheers to The Pitch for running this even though Dave had previously tagged the front door of the magazine’s office.
-How Ed Asner’s brother Ben and his Capers Corners record store rocked Kansas City’s music scene - Randy Mason, The Kansas City Star
Another Blogroll, another story about a long-closed area record store. Ben Asner sounds like a character I would have enjoyed meeting. Fun fact for any Sippin’ On Some Soda podcast fans: JFK (the 1991 Oliver Stone film featuring Ed Asner as Guy Bannister) is Kirby’s favorite movie.
-Patria y Vida: Spine fights for a free Cuba on Himnos Mambises - EvanMC, Cvlt Nation
This Cvlt Nation interview with Antonio Marquez and Max Chaney of Spine includes talk on the music of the band's latest EP, its decision to release it on a DIY label, and the revolutionary politics in Cuba that inspired it.
-Hautepop - Allison Harris, Ringtone
Allison Harris is one of my favorite Kansas City area music writers and I’m very excited about their new column in Ringtone Mag which will aim to explore fashion in the hyperpop scene. Runway shows, music videos, social media posts, photo shoots, and concert looks will all be dissected. The column thus far has included bits on Charli XCX, Arca, Bladee, Ecco2k, and the late Sophie. As of now, three editions are available for you to read.
Audio content:
-Kevin Morby on How Long Gone
If you can tolerate or (as I often do) enjoy the snarky but self-aware hosts of How Long Gone, their recent episode with Kevin Morby is a winner. Chris Black and Jason Stewart disclose that they had not listened to Morby’s latest album, Sundowner, but Morby doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, they chat for about an hour about their varying levels of tennis skills, Morby’s adult pastime of hitting the batting cages, handling overzealous concert attendees, and how his song “Harlem River” ended up being used in three different commercials.
-Stik Figa on Long Play Listening Party
Long Play Listening Party is a music discussion podcast hosted by Kansas City area musicians/producers Howie Howard (Mars Lights), Nate Holt (Asterales), and Royce Diamond. Back in November, they uploaded three half-hour podcasts featuring Kansas (now Texas-based) rapper Stik Figa. The first episode includes discussion on his recent East Of MacVicar Ave EP, the second features his recent self-titled EP, and the third “goes deep” on anything and everything else Stik Figa.
-Hard Stance Hardcore Podcast
If that lengthy My Favorite Merch interview with Antonio Marquez (Spine) wasn’t enough for you, press play on the first few episodes of the Hard Stance Hardcore Podcast. Hosted by Marquez, John Hoffman (Weekend Nachos), and Nick Donahue (Droids Blood, Broken Prayer, Violent End), each episode includes a lengthy conversation on one classic hardcore album and a shorter segment about a newer record. Episode one features some Gorilla Biscuits hot takes and Electric Chair praise.
-Vagrant Records: 25 Years On The Street
Vagrant Records became a big name in punk rock and emo in 1999 after signing The Get Up Kids and releasing their hit album Something To Write Home About. So who better to host a podcast series about the label’s 25 year anniversary than Get Up Kids vocalist/guitarist Matt Pryor. The series features an episode on the label’s origins before getting talking to some of their most popular bands. I personally loved the Alkaline Trio episode. Members of the Trio talk about how they signed to Vagrant because they trusted the judgment of The Get Up Kids, how the tone used on their album Crimson directly inspired the production on Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” and how Gerard Way borrowed a member’s priest costume, wore it on stage, and never gave it back.
-Jim Suptic on Third Gear Scratch
Host and fellow Kansas City area rocker Allen Epley (Shiner, The Life And Times) sits down with Jim Suptic from The Get Up Kids to talk about Suptic’s involvement in the annual charity event Thundergong, The Get Up Kids’ early years, their record deal, and touring with Weezer.
-Liam Kazar and A.C. Newman on the Talkhouse Podcast
Two men with plenty of indie rock bona fides sit down for this episode of the Talkhouse Podcast. Newman (known for his solo music and his work in The New Pornographers) interviews recent Kansas City transplant Liam Kazar about his new album, songwriting process, his family, social media, and more. (Hopefully by now you’ve listened to Kazar’s debut album and seen his episode of Record Shopping with Shuttlecock).
-Center Cuts podcasts
Shaun Crowley stopped by on episode 29 of Center Cut Records’ podcast to discuss Kansas City’s music scene, his band Momma’s Boy, and his project of building a nonprofit record store and bar in Kansas City, Kansas. Station To Station (Michelle Bacon’s podcast on the Center Cuts feed) also featured an episode with The Greeting Committee’s vocalist Addie Sartino (the band’s new album, Dandelion, is out now).
Video content:
-Coop Sessions
Since our last Blogroll, Coop Sessions has uploaded new performances from Bummer and Hembree. Both come with the Shuttlecock Seal Of Approval. (Hembree also filmed a killer live cover of Talking Heads’ “Girlfriend Is Better” recently, which you can find on the band’s YouTube channel.)
-Frogpond live session on 90.9 The Bridge
After a long-awaited reunion, the Kansas City quartet hit the 90.9 The Bridge studios to play three songs from their new album TimeThief.
-Live @ KJHK
Recent uploads from the University Of Kansas radio station’s studio include sessions from Chicago indie band (including a sibling of Liam Kazar’s) Ohmme and local R&B ensemble Supermoto.
[This article first appeared in Issue 5 of Shuttlecock's free monthly print edition. Click here to order a copy online, or pick one up for free at locations around KC/Lawrence/JoCo.]
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