Tag Archives: Mark McKay

Radio Crystal Blue is free to share and listen, in accordance with Creative
Commons License 3.0, full attribution, non-derivative, non-commercial.
*************************************************************************
HOW TO LISTEN:
Feed Player at my home page of http://www.radiocrystalblue.net  It is active as apopup window. Within the page you can stream/share/download the audio. You can put the player up on your site or blog too.
If you cannot access the Feed Player or do not have Shockwave/Flash in your browser, try a different browser or go to http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu  This page contains a bona fide workable version of the Feed Player.
RSS: http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss

This is the magic link to the popup player. It’s also at the home and archive tabs of my website  http://fp.bigcontact.com/fp/flash/fp/fp.swf?xmlurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbigcontact.com%2Fradiocrystalblu%2Frss&r=1&t=1001

CONTACT:
EMAIL: cblue456@comcast.net
personal FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/radiocblue
RCB FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20805478312
RCB DISCUSSION FACEBOOK group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/273953255983866/
LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/danherman0
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/radiocrystalblue
VIDEO content: http://www.youtube.com/user/cblue456
TWITTER @radiocblue 854 followers
STAT BLOG: http://www.cblue456.tumblr.com
************************************************
NEXT SHOW will be published on or about February 29
You will hear music in several segments of top indie/DIY/underground songwriters and bands.
RCB Novus Ordo will also air separately. On this show I spin one song from as many as 8 songs in one sitting and give you background info  of each artist.
**********************************************************************************
Typing this week’s news while finalizing details of who will be aired on the next show. Should be a good deal of artists…as we come out of the Millenium Music Conference and Folk Alliance events, and head toward SXSW.  You might hear from artists playing SXSW, otherwise more in the next few weeks.  I am glad I had steered my airplay toward supporting artists whose music I have, spun right alongside those whom I target.
2 weeks ago I began to work as a reporting ‘station’ for Roots Music Report.  This organization has the definitive airplay chart featuring indie and mainstream artists in the Americana, Roots and other genres and subgenres. All the music that befits the airplay data is part of the master list.   Much more info at http://www.rootsmusicreport.com

Along the lines of roots and such, I have a question for you all (and those reading on facebook and via Twitter); what is your definition of folk? what is your definition of roots?  Here’s my two cents, one at a time:
FOLK is old-style journalism and editorializing.  Folk tells stories of what goes on down-home, across the hall or across picket fences to the neighbors. Folk comments on poliitics. Sometimes it even politicks.  Folks presents a sense of community, at once urban, rural, and metaphorical.  We can relate to the music. We can relate to the songwriter. It is our kin, our kinfolk, as it were.  Relatedness. Get it? Listen to storytellers in song like Danny Schmidt as a good example.
ROOTS music is about our yearning and search for one’s security, one’s roots, one’s place in one’s heart, one’s earth, one’s universe, as well as one’s community as with folk.  Roots takes us back in time; it doesn’t preach necessarily. There is a time warp, a reminder of days gone by, as you might have possibly remembered it, or even imagined it.  The first roots albums were in a comparative way, roots rock, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s take on rockabilly.  or Dylan’s ‘Blonde On Blonde’.  For an indie comparison, how about Kathleen Edwards, or Mark McKay?     And how do we explain Spuyten Duyvil, with those old-time instruments and a youthful spirit making songs fit for the urban landscape?  Or The Defibulators, who go steps further and brand something totally their own?
These 2 categories are highly subjective.   What are your definitions of these genres?

I’m typing this while preparing interview questions for Marybeth D’Amico. She is the opening act for Meghan Cary at Milkboy Coffee tomorrow night in Ardmore, PA.   Meghan is a client of RCB sponsor Ariel Publicity.   I think Marybeth and I met years ago in NYC and kept in sporadic touch over the years while she was in Germany.  Already you’ve heard music from her latest effort “The Light Inside”.  Now it’s my chance to see both Meghan and Marybeth. I’ll provide some photos and some video from both sets.

I’ve not yet received approval of my inteview of Lisa Biales. Once I do, itwill appear at my field recording FeedPlayer:  http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalbluefield

*************************************************
TWITTER FIVE TO FOLLOW:  @great_unknowns @FinleyandPagdon @ulachi @AndyHermannLA @ThisWayBand

*****************************************************
COVERAGE:
I do audio interviews, photos, video, and audio of live events.  You can see and hear evidence across my Facebook and YouTube channels, plus the field recording FeedPlayer.Time, location and expense will be taken into account before taking on a job.
Currently I’m attending one show (see above) on 2/25 in Ardmore.   Then: 3/7 at The Tin Angel back here in Philly.
********************************************************************
RCB REVIEW:
On RCB Novus Ordo: One Alternative is a long-term, long-running musical project started by an oboeist and 2 guitarists. Essentially the project combines classical music, jazz, folk and other styles, and is purely instrumental.  Wampus Multimedia client Johnny J. Blair returns with a new album. I spun an updated and electrified version of the title track “I Like The Street”.  You’ve heard me cite Song Dogs & The Nightjar before; the local classic rock band gets their RCB debut here. Sarah Bowman (sister of Claire) returns to my airwaves with a new disc. I gave you a holiday tune from Gina Forsyth (re Mardi Gras Day);
RCB proper:  A few weeks ago I received a CD from Canada from the electronica group Forces Of Nature; the band is on a label by uber-DJ Clare Large. The music is deep house, some breakbeat and chill sounds alongsides.  The music is quite up my alley, and one track, “Statis” served as the opening music for my show.  Segment 1 went from organic songs (Aurical, The Symbols)  to depressing songs (Fellaheen, The K’s).  Dylan Connor’s new CD on Greta Gertler’s label (Goldfish Prize) is the fulcrum here. Dylan perorms ‘release’ shows in NYC, Philly and DC in the immediate future.  That electronic track before Dylan’s is also his; it sounds like an excerpt from a child’s first computer game.  Segment 2: includes another from the new album by My Pet Dragon, they share billing with NYC/Ireland’s Stand on 3/10 at The Saint in Asbury Park NJ. I spun both artists back-to-back.  Songs hinting and implying endings alongside beginnings colored Segment 3.  Shane Cooley & Rosa Wallace are both performing on 3/8 at The Rogue Bar in Scottsdale AZ.  2 Philly artists heard back-to-back, Carsie Blanton (listen for Rob Hyman on the organ on her song “Together Too Long”), and Ryan Tennis (who continues his Clubhouse (house) Concert series here in South Philly.    Segment 4 gave us female archetypes who’ve had it ‘up to here’ (Kellylee Evans, Shanna Underwood, Lara Ewen).

AIRPLAY SUBMISSION:
Send CDs to
Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
1701 Snyder Avenue, #4
Philadelphia, PA 19145
CDs MUST have a 2012 release date or have been released no earlier than April 2011..

I also accept EPKs through these companies. For EPK submissions I select artists on their body of work and the completeness of the press kit
SONICBIDS: http://www.sonicbids.com/radiocrystalblue
MusicSUBMIT: http://www.musicsubmit.com.
(For those in Australia) GIG LAUNCH: http://www.giglaunch.com.au
All you have to do is a search on these sites for Radio Crystal Blue.

Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
http://www.radiocrystalblue.net
http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
cblue456@comcast.net
@radiocblue on twitter
215 995 2234