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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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.

Set List:

1. Sunkiss
2. Cute Drunk (featuring Sirius Blvck)
3. Alive & Well
4. Nosebleeder

Musicians: Michael Raintree "Oreo Jones", Mark Tester, Brian Allen, David "Moose" Adamson, Patrick Okerson, and featuring Sirius Blvck

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.

Set List: Zani, Cold Coffee and Strange Idea
Musicians: Charlie Ballantine, Chris Parker, Jesse Wittman
Support for Small Studio comes from Sun King Brewing.

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.

Set list:
1. Phoenician
2. Forever
3. Beautiful
4. Free Again

Band Members:
Jeremiah Little - Guitar/Vocals
Davina Lani - Bass Guitar
Ceres - Keyboards/Cello
J.J. McGinnis - Drums/Percussion

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.

Premium Blend Set List:
1. Trane of Thought
2. Theresa
3. Starmaker
4. Vices

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

BYEBYE

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.

Sep 04, 2018

White Moms

Afro punk band White Moms is WFYI's September 2018 Small Studio Sessions featured act. The Indianapolis-based group features four multi-talented musicians. The band completed a southern tour and stopped at our Small Studio to record their session. Stay tuned right after the session for an interview with the band. Small Studio is made possible with support from Sun King Brewing.

Set List:
1. Grape Soda
2. Why?
3. It's So Easy

Aug 06, 2018

Brother O' Brother

Brother O’ Brother is WFYI’s August 2018 Small Studio Sessions featured band. The Indianapolis rock duo plays over 100 live shows a year as they release numerous singles, EPS, and full length albums from their successful vinyl record company. Stay tuned after this three song session for an interview from WFYI's Jill Ditmire with Chris Banta and Warner Swopes of Brother O' Brother. Set list: Grab The Rope, White Dove, and 16 Flowers

Jul 03, 2018

Bashiri Asad, Indianapolis Soul Singer-Songwriter

Indianapolis based soul/jazz vocalist Bashiri Asad is our July 2018 Small Studio Sessions act. Asad is joined for this session by his backing band, Be On It. Bashiri Asad is a lifetime lover of music and decided a decade ago to make singing and songwriting his career. Listen after the session for an interview with Asad from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Jun 05, 2018

Hex Mundi

WFYI's June Small Studio Session features the sounds of Indianapolis-based Hex Mundi. With a lineup that includes a custom-designed electric mandolin, it's tough to pinpoint their music to a single genre, and that's just the way the group likes it. In this Small Studio Session, Hex Mundi performs three songs from their upcoming EP "Quixotic Musings." Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI’s Scott McAlister.

May 01, 2018

Hayley Costas

Last year, WFYI held a contest for local musicians at Sun King Brewery in Fishers. It was called "Bar to Star" - as the winner that night would perform again on a professional stage and in the WFYI studio.
Hayley Costas of Indianapolis won. In January she performed at Clowes Hall on the opening night of the Carole King musical, Beautiful. Now she is our May 2018 Small Studio Session performer. Hayley's brother, Tyler Costas, joins Hayley for this session on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Apr 03, 2018

Unicorn Derby

This edition of Small Studio features indie band, Unicorn Derby - a whimsical name that reflects both the music and the unusual way this band got together. They became a band by luck as their names were literally drawn out of a hat at an annual Indianapolis event called the Random Band Challenge. Listen in for the full session and an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Mar 06, 2018

Chad Mills

Indianapolis based Chad Mills plays a contemplative set of original acoustic songs in this four song set. Cellist Grover Parido joins Chad for this layered and rich performance.

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All Audio

Outlaw Country Star Shooter Jennings

Outlaw country star Shooter Jennings plays WFYI's Small Studio and talks with Jill Ditmire about the role country music played in his life and his recent project with Tanya Tucker.