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Small Studio Sessions
On the first Tuesday of each month, WFYI's Small Studio Sessions releases a new session featuring musicians playing sets in the WFYI Small Studio. You might see bands or musicians you haven’t heard of yet or well-known artists. Small Studio features a mix of genres, with an emphasis on giving local & regional musical talent a chance to shine. Scroll through this page for every session, with both audio and video versions.
Are you interested in playing WFYI's Small Studio? Submit your info at http://www.wfyi.org/smallstudioentry
You can find Small Studio podcasts and subscribe to the sessions at iTunes.
WFYI’s Small Studio Sessions is made possible by Sun King Brewery.
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Mar 03, 2020
Lani and the Tramps
Lani and the Tramps play a multi-genre blend of rock, pop, Americana, soul, and blues. The unifying message of the band is love - and sharing that feeling through their music. Listen in to this four-song set and stay tuned right after for an interview with the band.
Feb 04, 2020
ameriKKKen
ameriKKKen entered NPR's 2019 Tiny Desk Contest, and we noticed her powerful performance at WFYI. The musician and college student is our latest Small Studio Sessions artist. Her name reflects her slogan Knowledge and Kindness is Key, as she takes negatives and turns them into positives. ameriKKKen's performance captures an artist searching for a career breakout, and a young person searching for meaning in a chaotic world. Stay tuned after the three song set for an introduction to ameriKKKen from Cultural Manifesto host, Kyle Long.
Jan 06, 2020
Josh Kaufman
The Voice winner and Indianapolis native, Josh Kaufman. Set List: Levity, Lie to Me, Won't You See Me, and One More Night (featuring Cliff Ritchey)
Dec 03, 2019
Joshua Powell
Joshua Powell plays inventive psych rock across the country, and counts over 800 live shows in the past several years. Along with his band, "The Great Train Robbery," these Indy-based artists are proving it's possible to be full time, working musicians in the city.
Nov 04, 2019
Pavel & Direct Contact
Our Small Studio band this month features the high energy sound of the group Pavel & Direct Contact.
Oct 01, 2019
Moxxie
Rock band Moxxie is October 2019's Small Studio Session featured act. The band describes their melodic music as Bubble-Grunge. Stay tuned right after the three song set, as WFYI's Jill Ditmire talks with the four women of Moxxie about what it's like to make their own music in a mostly male dominated field.
Sep 03, 2019
Shooter Jennings
He calls himself an outlaw rocker yet country music is in his blood. Shooter Jennings is the son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. He has several solo albums but says his true passion is creating projects for other performers. He won a Grammy this year for producing Brandi Carlile's latest record. Shooter Jennings is our September Small Studio Sessions performer.
Aug 05, 2019
Michael Raintree
Michael Raintree describes his music as "experimental R&B." He's created a unique soundscape for the project, featuring distorted layers of synthesizers and drum machines with heavily-processed vocals. Raintree is joined by Sirius Blvck for the second song of the session. Stay tuned right after the four song set for an interview with Michael Raintree / Oreo Jones from WFYI's Kyle Long.
Jul 02, 2019
The Charlie Ballantine Trio
Our latest Small Studio Session showcases the work of jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine and his trio. His newest album is called, "Cold Coffee." Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with Ballantine from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Jun 04, 2019
Tank and the Bangas
Tank and the Bangas were in good spirits when they stopped by WFYI to record their Small Studio session. That positive energy is a big part of the band's dynamic and sound, which matches an improvisational approach to jazz, soul, and hip-hop with the spoken word/sung vocals of the group's leader Tariona "Tank" Ball. Tank and the Bangas have plenty of reasons to be feeling good these days - their visit to WFYI came on the heels of a performance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in support of their anticipated sophomore LP Green Balloon. Tank and the Bangas are poised on the threshold of a major breakthrough into the world of popular music, and they attribute much of that success to public radio.
May 07, 2019
Robots And Magic Powers
Progressive indie rock band Robots And Magic Powers is this month's featured Small Studio Sessions act. The unique four piece group incorporates a zine, videos, and an energetic stage show to complement their music. Stay tuned right after the four song set for an introduction to the band.
Apr 01, 2019
Premium Blend
This month's Small Studio performers take jazz, soul, and hip hop to a new level. The talented musicians create a signature sound that reflects the band's name, "Premium Blend". Stay tuned right after the four song set for an interview with Premium Blend from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.
Mar 05, 2019
Meghan Cristeen Martin
Our March Small Studio Session performer is singer-songwriter Meghan Cristeen Martin. She just released her second album, an EP called Breaking Points. She performed several of the tunes in our Small Studio along with her dad, well known Indianapolis musician Jon Martin.
Jan 08, 2019
Allison Victoria
Soulful singer-songwriter Allison Victoria presents our first Small Studio Session of 2019, with an inspirational four song set. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with Allison Victoria from WFYI's Jill Ditmire. Set list: Let Go, Beneath the Dust, Sweet Love, The Cure
Dec 04, 2018
Craig Bell
A life in rock n' roll is not easy. Just ask Indianapolis' Craig Bell. He's gone from a member of one of the country's most influential -- yet unsung -- 1970s proto-punk bands to giving up on music, and now playing with a new band. Stay tuned right after the five song set for an interview with Craig Bell from WFYI's Eric Weddle. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewery. Set List: 1. '62 Hawk - 2. She's Alright - 3. My Chatelaine - 4. Let It Rain - 5. Out Of My Mind. Band - Craig Bell - Lead Vocals & Bass, Nick Pryor - Guitar, Dusty Privette - Drums, Brad Wallace - Keys, Guitar
Nov 06, 2018
BYBYE
Indie rockers BYBYE describe their music as vintage psychedelic-soul combined with cinematic, upbeat rock. The Indianapolis based five piece band plays songs from their latest album, Metamorphasize, in this four-song set. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band, from WFYI's Jill Ditmire. Set List: 1. Sci - Fi, 2. Thursday, 3. Silence, 4. Happily
Oct 02, 2018
Carmichael
Some bands have trouble fitting into one genre and even shun the idea of sticking to a single style of music. Indianapolis based Carmichael is no exception. When pressed, the members of Carmichael say they feel closest to the Americana sound. A step softer than rock, a notch harder than folk, and a sound that stops just short of going full country - the band prides themselves on making music that can bounce between genres. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band from WFYI's Scott McAlister. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewing.
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