Zeitgeist Radio

How do you build a space where musicians want to hang out? John Avilla is a bassist and co-founder of Sound Union in Redwood City, California. In this episode we discuss his transition from a career in marketing and advertising to founding a 'health club for musicians.' We explore how a single community can cater to diverse age groups, genres and musical abilities, promoting a supportive environment over perfectionism. He s...

What makes a folk dance, and what is it like to do these dances socially? The Bay Osos Folk Dancers meet every week to dance to music from Bavaria to the Western Sahara, Polynesia, the Balkans, and more. They share their experiences with the music, how they got started, how YOU can get started, and what keeps them dancing decade after decade.

Follow the Bay Osos Folk Dancers:

http://www.bayososfolkdancers.org/

Facebook: @BayOso...

What is the difference between spoken word poetry and rap? Coco Peila, a hip hop artist and songwriting coach from New York City, has done it all, and career hinges on one surprising comment her sister made on this difference. In this episode. Coco shares her winding journey through the music industry, from shy spoken word artist to performing at prominent venues like the Hollywood Bowl. We talk about her work intertwining art with...

Have you ever held an instrument and felt like it was made just for you? Jeff Hampton started out building a custom guitar for aesthetic purposes, but his interest expanded into ergonomics alongside cool-looking design. In this episode Jeff shares the tools, techniques, and creative processes behind creating a guitar.

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The string quartet has been around for a LONG time. Is it time for a refresh? Members of the Videri String Quartet think so. They are a classically trained string quartet that performs the music of Zelda and Mario alongside Beethoven and Shostakovich. In this conversation they share their philosophy about music and connection, bringing conservatory training to the video game scene, and the massive impact Covid had on creators and p...

Sometimes it seems there’s not much happening in the innovation of instruments. But in the world of electronics, there’s a whole world of creativity! Joe Newman is an arranger and performer out of the Bay area in California. In this conversation he describes an interesting innovation in wind instruments - the EWI, or Electronic Wind Instrument. We also discuss video game arranging competition Dwelling of Duels, and a themed jazz ja...

Who were the top three most influential people in your early life? If you were in music, I bet at least one of those was your music teacher. In this episode I speak with Rachel, a high school choir teacher from Western Washington. We discuss the rewards and challenges of shaping young lives through music. She describes the unique camaraderie among choir members, her approach to selecting repertoire, and the balance of maintaining p...

Video games make a big impact on people, especially kids… and the music from these games can leave a strong imprint as well! This episode I speak with Stemage, a guitarist, composer, performer, and audio engineer out of the Bay Area in California. He shares an overview of the video game music (VGM) scene, the events and festivals where people gather to share their creative covers or new material, and the wildly varied array of styl...

Do you sing? If so, how aware are you about the shape of the different parts of your mouth? This episode I speak with Andrea Veal, a vocal performer and teacher out of Southeastern New Hampshire. We discuss 2 of the many techniques she uses in her studio: Estill, and complementary vowels from Ken Bozeman.

Follow Andrea: 

Website: https://www.andreaveal.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreavealvoicestudio

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How does a college music department define music when it comes to their curriculum? How do they decide what they want students to know, leaving their program? And is the answer to that question, different from what students SHOULD know when leaving their program?  This week I'm speaking with Dr. Chris Gable, a composer, author, and music professor at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND who has been tasked with bui...

Sophie Lippert is a cellist and pianist in Western Massachusetts, and creator of the unique genre-inclusive Connections Concerts series. In this episode, we discuss how Sophie uses her classical background to elevate and expose works by underrepresented composers, while also balancing her roles as a teacher, event curator, and entrepreneur. We dive behind-the-scenes in crafting Connections Concert Series, from musical curation and ...

Sharisa Oie and Lydia McAnerney work with the Tapestry Folk Dance Center in Minneapolis, MN. We explore the center's mission to create opportunities for people to participate in diverse dance and music forms. Sharisa and Lydia share their personal stories and backgrounds in dance, as well as the history and development of Tapestry as both a cultural and physical space. We discuss the importance of community involvement, volunte...

Nate Cutshall is a “harp tech” from Central Pennsylvania. In this episode, Morgan and Nate talk about all things harmonicas! We dig into some of the music theory that goes into playing the instrument, and how to choose which key harmonica to play for a song. Nate shares the history and mechanics of the harmonica and what makes a “good” harmonica. We also delve into the world of harmonica repair and customization, exploring what it ...

Brennish Thomson is a folk musician from Lee, New Hampshire. In this episode, Morgan and Brennish dig into the world of live sound engineering and acoustic transparency in folk music. We discuss the techniques and challenges of achieving “perfect” audio in various venues, from small living rooms to large festival stages. He shares his own innovations with microphone systems by Your Heaven Audio and the technical approach the compan...

Emily Cohen is a rabbi from Brooklyn, NY. In this episode we discuss the rich musical tradition in Judaism and how social justice-minded Jews like herself can use music in their work. Emily provides insight into her role as a rabbi at West End Synagogue, a reconstructionist congregation in Manhattan, and her extensive involvement in music, including her participation in a secular choir and her compositions in Jewish music. The conv...

Marlys Woods is a music therapist who specializes in mental health. She shares the therapeutic applications of music, its ability to facilitate healing, and a caution about how music can cause harm or cause us to stay stuck. We discuss the importance of intentional music selection for personal growth and mental health. She also highlights the adaptation of music therapy practices during the pandemic, offering virtual sessions and r...

Iain Dove McAfee and Cara Weggler Menge are members of the Irish trad band Dòrain. We explore 3 of the main Irish scenes (sessions, dances, and stage performances) and unique etiquette and cultural features of each. We discuss what participating in a living tradition is like, nuances in the scene (don't order a PBR!), common tune types, the Caeli tradition and the key role of dance in Irish music, learning by ear, and the chall...

Anastasia Verdoljak performs with the Ethnic Dance Theater in St. Paul, MN. She also plays in Transylvanian folk band Szászka . She shares her experience with traditional folk dances around the world, joys and challenges performing (complete with full costume changes!) and how performing traditional dance can be a political statement.  

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https://www.instagram.com/ethnicdancetheatre/

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Marcy Irving is the Director and Founder of the Central Coast Gilbert and Sullivan Group. We discuss the history and impact of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, the process of staging productions, and the sense of community within the music scene in San Luis Obispo, as well as the enduring humor and relevance of Gilbert and Sullivan's work and the timeless connection between people and music.

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