Back to: Cultural Manifesto
Listen
Taylor Hall / Jenny Boyts
May 21, 2025
Listen to an interview with the musician and activist Taylor Hall. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so Hall chose the month of May to release her latest collection of songs, Cheaper Than Therapy. Also hear a conversation with Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5, a locally owned Indianapolis production company specializing in live music events.
Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with Indiana musicians
May 14, 2025
Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from musicians and composers connected to Indiana. Listen to pop, folk, electronic, classical, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock music featuring Indiana musicians representing Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar, and more.
Historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand on the lost history of Indianapolis’ El Barrio
May 7, 2025
Listen to an interview with historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, director of a new documentary titled Beyond el Barrio. Also, hear an interview with musician Rick Espinoza. He grew up in El Barrio during the 1960s and performed Mexican music with the Indianapolis band Los Latinos.
Deantoni Parks discusses Technoself, Andre 3000 and his early years as a drumming prodigy
April 30, 2025
Listen to an interview with the percussionist, composer and technologist Deantoni Parks, known for his genre-blending approach and boundary-pushing performances. Parks has collaborated with an extraordinary group of musicians, including Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Andre 3000, Mars Volta, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Cale, Sade and more.
Gary Bartz on Andy Bey, jamming with Wes Montgomery and Malcolm X
April 30, 2025
Listen to an interview with legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Bartz was recently named an NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Kate Lamont and Devon Ashley
April 23, 2025
Listen to an interview about Kate Lamont’s latest project, a remastered reissue of her self-titled 2013 album, which is produced by prolific Indianapolis drummer Devon Ashley. Also, listen to a new episode of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis. His guest is Indianapolis poet, artist and dancer Mijiza Holiday.
Todd Rundgren / Nnenna Freelon
April 16, 2025
Listen to an interview with Todd Rundgren, a pioneering musician, songwriter, and producer known for his eclectic style and innovative approach to technology in music. Also, hear an interview with Nnenna Freelon, a prolific jazz vocalist, whose career spans over three decades. Both artists have performances in Indianapolis on April 18, 2025.
Sean Imboden discusses his debut album with The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble
April 9, 2025
Listen to an interview with Indianapolis-based saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator Sean Imboden. He’s the director of the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, a 17-piece modern jazz big band, issuing their debut recording this month.
The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz / jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine
April 2, 2025
Listen to a conversation with the vocalist and actor Micky Dolenz, best known for his work with The Monkees. Also hear an interview with jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine, who has built an impressive discography of releases, featuring a unique mix of indie music, Americana and straight jazz.
Steve Allee on the Naptown sound
March 26, 2025
Explore a new album from the Steve Allee Big Band, titled Naptown Sound. The project pays tribute to the musicians, teachers, mentors, history, and places that contributed to the development of the Naptown sound.
Suzanne Vega on punk rock, Lou Reed, and Flying With Angels
March 19, 2025
Listen to an interview with the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. Vega is known for her poetic lyrics and distinctive voice. She helped to pioneer the acoustic folk movement of the 1980s. She will be issuing her 10th album, “Flying With Angels” this May.
The Chatterbox
March 19, 2025
Listen to a 2022 conversation with David Andrichick, owner of the Chatterbox, an important jazz club in Downtown Indianapolis. The Chatterbox made national news this week when a video depicting a dispute between the club’s bartender and a Trump supporter went viral online. But many news reports and social media posts about the incident left out crucial context about the club’s history. Here in Indiana, the Chatterbox is known for celebrating the rich jazz history of Indianapolis and embracing a diverse community of patrons.