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Chreece 2023
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Chreece 2023
August 23, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with Oreo Jones, Jane Kim, and J. Brookinz — the organizers of Chreece, an all-day hip-hop festival happening in Fountain Square. This year’s Chreece lineup features over 70 local hip-hop artists, along with the influential producer 9th Wonder, known for his work with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and others.

T.J. Jones
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T.J. Jones
August 16, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an hour of words and music from the Bloomington-based guitarist TJ. Jones. He’s worked with several of the most legendary bands/artists in Indiana music - including Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign, Screaming Gypsy Bandits, Caroline Peyton, and the IU Soul Review. Jones continues to make music in Bloomington today - both as a solo artist and with his band, The Dynamics.

Bob James
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Bob James
August 9, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with the legendary jazz pianist Bob James. Some music fans know James for writing the theme song to the hit television show Taxi, or through the extensive use of his work in hip-hop sampling — he’s one of the most sampled artists in the history of rap music. But few know that James’ first career breakthrough happened in South Bend, Indiana in 1962. James will also discuss his collaboration with Indianapolis jazz legend Freddie Hubbard and offer his thoughts on the use of his music in sampling.

Falu
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Falu
August 2, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to a preview of an upcoming concert by the Grammy-winning Indian-American vocalist Falu. As a child in Mumbai, Falu studied North Indian classical music. Over the years she’s worked with a wide range of artists - including Philip Glass, A.R. Rahman, Karsh Kale, Pretty Lights, and many others. Also hear new releases from Indianapolis musicians Hanna Benn and Jordan Munson.

Steve Earle
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Steve Earle
July 26, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with singer-songwriter Steve Earle, best known for his work in country music. Earle’s songs have been recorded by artists including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Carl Perkins, and Joan Baez — and in 2020, Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. We’ll discuss Earle’s connections to Indiana, and how he’s used his music to advocate for social justice. Plus, a new edition of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis for the second half of his conversation with poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Etheridge Knight’s partner during the final years of his life.

Poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim/ Taylor Hall and Oltanie Charles
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Poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim/ Taylor Hall and Oltanie Charles
July 19, 2023

On the latest edition of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis, our guest will be the poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Etheridge Knight’s partner and companion during the final years of his life. We’ll also listen to new releases from two rising stars in the Indianapolis music scene: Taylor Hall and Oltanie Charles.

Bill Levin
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Bill Levin
July 12, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto, hear an interview with Bill Levin, best known as the founder of Indiana’s First Church of Cannabis. Levin also has a substantial history in the Indianapolis music scene, promoting punk rock concerts and managing punk rock bands - including the legendary Zero Boys.

Ziggy Marley / Dorian Phelps
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Ziggy Marley / Dorian Phelps
July 5, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll talk with the reggae music icon, Ziggy Marley, about his work in the new Spiderman film, his history of performing for PBS Kids’ shows and more. And we’ll catch up with the Indianapolis-based jazz drummer, and hip-hop artist Dorian Phelps about his band, Hurricane and The Gang’s debut recording, Capture the Flag.

Parris Ladame / Hanna Benn
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Parris Ladame / Hanna Benn
June 28, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto, we’ll talk with rapper Parris Ladame. She has a new album out titled “Pressure P”. And we’ll catch up with the Indianapolis vocalist and composer Hanna Benn about how 2023 is becoming her breakout year.

Labyris
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Labyris
June 21, 2023

On a special Pride month edition of Cultural Manifesto, we’re celebrating the legacy of Labyris, a feminist lesbian bar that operated near downtown Indianapolis from 1978 to 1984. Kyle Long speaks with the club’s founder Mary Byrne. He also talks with Lē Weaver, an Indianapolis musician who performed at Labyris, including rare recordings of Lē performing live at Labyris.

Celebrating Indianapolis' Hip-Hop History
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Celebrating Indianapolis' Hip-Hop History
June 14, 2023

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop music. Explore influential figures in Indianapolis' hip-hop history, from the 1970s to today, including Reggie Griffin, Rickie Clark, B-Boy Chilly T, Paul Middlebrook, Grover Wilcher, Steve Weakley, Rusty Redenbacher, N.A.P., B.M.W. and Patrice 2 Fine, one of the first female rappers in Indianapolis to appear on record.

Too Black & The Pendleton 2 Documentary
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Too Black & The Pendleton 2 Documentary
June 7, 2023

Indianapolis-based poet and spoken word artist Too Black discusses The Pendleton 2: They Stood Up, which he co-directed. The documentary tells the story of the 1985 prison uprising at the Indiana State Reformatory, now the Pendleton Correctional Facility. Prison activists John “Balagoon” Cole and Christopher “Naeem” Trotter, known collectively as the Pendleton 2, were issued de facto life sentences for their role in the uprising.

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