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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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.

Feb 06, 2018

Knot Brothers

WFYI's first Small Studio Session of 2018 features Indianapolis based electro-hop-funk-punk duo, Knot Brothers. Jon Knot and Chris "New-Cents" Johnson use an eclectic collection of sounds, both futuristic and familiar, to create their original music. Keep listening after the session for an interview with Knot Brothers, from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Jan 09, 2018

Our Best of 2017

Listen in to this special Small Studio presentation - Small Studio Shortcuts, The Best of 2017. This special features preview selections of our full Sessions along with features and behind the scenes info on the bands. We'll listen to selections from Bullet Points, Wife Patrol, Tyron Cooper, Richard Edwards, Clint Breeze and the Groove and more - all Indiana based musicians and bands, producing and playing original music.

Small Studio is made possible with a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation with additional support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.

Dec 04, 2017

Pravada

A Small Studio Sessions performance from indie rock group, Pravada. Indianapolis based Pravada was one of the pioneers of the Fountain Square music scene over a decade ago, and they continue to innovate and push their sound forward. Listen in after the set for an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Nov 07, 2017

Crescent Ulmer

Indianapolis based singer songwriter Crescent Ulmer is WFYI's November 2017 Small Studio Session performer. In this contemplative acoustic set, Crescent explores issues of growth and change through tender and reflective storytelling.

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