Talk Music Talk with boice

In 1996 filmmaker Stephen Kijak released his debut narrative film, Never Met Picasso. 25 years later he returns to the genre with his homage to The Smiths, Shoplifters of the World. Set in Denver, Shoplifters follows a group of friends mourning the 1987 breakup of the British group, while another friend holds a local DJ hostage and forces him to play only The Smiths. In between the two movies, Kijak has crafted multiple music documen...

Black Diamond Queens, the second book from Maureen Mahon is an examination of African-American women in rock. The book is not only a fascinating study of their achievements, but also illustrates their wide influence in the genre. From Big Mama Thornton and her original version “Hound Dog” to girl group The Shirelles and of course, Tina Turner. Despite their contribution, these legends weren't always paid their dues, figuratively and/...

In 2001, The National’s self-titled debut was released on Brassland, a label co-founded by band members Aaron & Bryce Dessner and Alec Hanley Bemis. Two decades later, under Alec’s guidance, Brassland has consistently boasted an adventurous roster that has included Bartees Strange, Hannah Georgas, Fusilier, Las Palabras and Bryce Dessner/So Percussion’s Music for Wood and Strings. [This is episode features an exclusive ten-track Br...

Producer and guitarist BLKLN (pronounced Blacklion) says that he makes music like a visual artist. One listen to his avant-garde instrumentals and you'll swear you could lay your hands on them. His two EP’s on Cohrran Records (Speaking in snake tongue and Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the emperor of Rome) provide 13 neo post-punk reasons. [This episode features “Lafillequi” (Speaking in snake tongue) and “richard pry...

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leo Sidran’s new studio album, The Art of Conversation, is a knowing wink to his interview podcast, The Third Story. In its 7th year, the podcast continues to celebrate the creative mind with long form conversations from the likes of Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Butch Vig...and yours truly. The engaging interviewer helped me celebrate my 200th Talk Music Talk episode in 2019. The Art of Conv...

Whatever setting you find hip-hop legend Mike Ladd rapping, he is resolutely himself. From the Paris- based rap artist’s solo albums or whether he's collaborating with jazz pianist Vijay Iyer on their multiple projects. Mike’s latest release continues his streak of restless creativity with TheDeadCanRap, a collaboration with street artist and producer Remi Rough. [This episode features “21st Century” from TheDeadCanRap’s self-titled...

Soft Glas, the solo project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jõao Gonzalez, returns to TMT on the eve of his new release, How Strange. How Strange is the Grammy-nominee’s third full-length album and it unites the spirit of college radio, Cuban-laced rhythms and jazz-tinged instrumentation. The influences arrive effortlessly considering Jõao grew up on 2000s indie/ emo rock and his father is celebrated Cuban jazz pianist, Go...

Past guest Sam Pearce returns to TMT on the eve of two new projects: Hold Me Rare Animal, the just-released EP and a full-length (Bay State) arriving later in the year. While the singer- songwriter’s Bay State album bears the marking of a complete artistic statement, the EP is a collection of meaningful moments. All Bandcamp proceeds from Hold Me Rare Animal will benefit The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. [This episod...

The name of songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Rafael Cohen’s latest project is Las Palabras. Las Palabras’ self-titled Brassland debut finds him singing in Spanish for the first time and was inspired by post-tropicália Brazilian pop music. Rafael was previously in the Dischord band El Guapo and is a core member of !!!, who are working on their ninth album. [This episode features “Condesa” and “Juan Pared” from Las Palabras (Brassland)...

Neurologist Dr. Richard Cytowic is the author of multiple books on synesthesia. Synesthesia is a neurological condition where the stimulation of one of our senses leads to an automatic, involuntary triggering of one or more other senses. Musical artists such as Billy Joel, Kanye West and Stevie Wonder claim they can see colors when they hear music. Since the 70s, Dr. Cytowic has dedicated his career to what he calls a “young scienc...

Singer-songwriter Ben Rice refers to his music as Big City Americana; a nod to both his New York roots and guitar-centered songs. His debut solo album, Future Pretend, details joy, loss and figuring out how to remain present in a fast-forward world. Ben is also a celebrated record producer and runs his own recording studio, Degraw Sound, located in Brooklyn. I first had the pleasure of working with Ben when he produced my debut album...

Singer-songwriter Chris Garneau’s new album, The Kind, charts his journey through the dirty work of healing from lifelong trauma and learning to experience actual joy. Chris’s fifth studio album is one revelation after another rooted in a ten-year estrangement from his father and his recent passing. The Kind is the first great album of 2021. [This episode features “Old Code” and “Telephone” in their entirety from The Kind.]

Visit Chr...

Even a pandemic couldn’t stop singer-songwriter James Tillman, who returns for his second TMT conversation. In a under year he’s released his first studio album in four years (Modern Desires), a mixtape (VM2) and a single (“Arizona”). James just dropped After Hours, a live EP released post-Inauguration, which feels apropos for this D.C. native who continues to expand his unique take on alternative-soul. [This episode features “Ways”...

Sonny Burnett is the electronic solo project of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Sam Ford and was born in the wake of his prior group, Goodbye Heart. The Seattle-based musician just released his debut album, Death of an Empath, which features the single “Golden.” Sam also directed and shot the new “Golden” music video on an iPhone. [This episode features “Golden” from Death of an Empath in its entirety.”]

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Ten years on and the Miami-based duo, TWYN, continue to evolve their sound. Comprised of Aaron Glueckauf (drums/vocals) and Jason Matthews (keys/synths), their music effortlessly careens through hip-hop, modern jazz, alternative and electronic elements coalescing into their singular style on both instrumental and vocal tracks. TWYN’s debut EP, Eudaemonia (la réserve), comes out on December 11. [This episode features “Good Demon” fro...

Happiness Becomes You is the book Tina Turner has been wanting to write for decades. A book about her 50 year Buddhist practice, specifically Nichiren Buddhism. Her dream is finally a reality and was made possible with one of its co-authors, Taro Gold (along with Regula Curti). However, Happiness Becomes You isn’t just for Buddhists; it’s for anyone who’d like to have more joy in their life. It’s also a wonderful insight into the spi...

Producer Gian Stone is having a moment. A moment that is the result of years of putting in hard work. In May, he topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Producers Chart as the sole producer of Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s quarantine #1: “Stuck with You.” Gian is also a musician, engineer and songwriter with co-writing duties on Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” and Jonas Brothers’ “Like It’s Christmas.” Additionally, he vocal produced Madonna (M...

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mobley had a new EP, Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme, all prepped for release until the pandemic hit. His tour-in-progress was also shelved. The EP is forthcoming with the lead single/video from it “Nobody’s Favourite” out now. As for touring, that's up in the air, but the Austin-based performer has been making the most of his time. A Home Unfamiliar, a 25-minute visual album he ...

Queens native Richardine Bartee is always ahead of the curve when it comes to music. As the CEO (and journalist) of Grungecake, an online music blog, she relishes the championing of up and coming artists, particularly from the Afrobeats genre. That's her thing: recognizing tomorrow’s talents today. In addition to being a tastemaker, Richardine also provides A&R and publicity/content management for celebrities. [This episode feature...