Author: julgiamb

Brad Kolodner: Charm City Junction

julgiamb

2591867 At the Delaware Valley Bluegrass festival on Sept. 4, 2016, Mandorichard sat down with Brad Kolodner, banjo player for the acoustic roots quartet, Charm City Junction. Brad is rooted in the traditions of Appalachian folk music, and embodies the next generation of old-time musicians both respecting the music that’s come before and modernizing the tradition with his artistic style and original compositions. In addition to touring and recording with Charm City Junction, Brad also performs with his father Ken Kolodner, a world-renowned hammered dulcimer player.

According to their website, Charm City Junction “creates a fresh soundscape” that has “taken the acoustic music scene by storm.” Patrick McAvinue, fiddle; Brad Kolodner, clawhammer banjo; Sean McComiskey, button accordion; and Alex Lacquement,upright bass blend their different musical backgrounds together creating a common ground on which to develop their unique sound. Charm City Junction released their debut album in the fall of 2015, and are at work on their next CD.

Mandorichard especially enjoyed talking with Brad about his gig as a weekly radio DJ for WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, a 24/7 Internet bluegrass and folk radio station in Washington D.C. “The Brad Kolodner Show” is a radio program that features contemporary bluegrass, americana and old-time music, as well as interviews with touring bands passing through the D.C. area.

To learn more about Brad and Charm City Junction, check-out our interview!

The Interview

Brad Kolodner hosted by Mandorichard. Recorded Sept. 4, 2016. First aired Oct. 4, 2016.
28:37
54.9 MB

The Music

Artist Song Album Year
Charm City Junction Train on the Island Charm City Junction 2015
 Ken and Brad Kolodner  Bradley’s Tune (excerpt)  Otter Creek  2010
Charm City Junction Joe Banes’ Barn Dance Charm City Junction 2015
Red Tail Ring I’d Rather Be The Devil (excerpt) Fall Away Blues 2016
Charm City Junction I’m Troubled Charm City Junction 2015

Ola Onabule

julgiamb

ola_pictureOn September 5, 2016, British-Nigerian singer/songwriter, Ola Onabule Skyped in to WVUD’s The Music Room to talk about his most recent album It’s The Peace That Deafens. Ola’s career, spanning over two decades, has been a testament to his dedication and determination. After giving up an education in law in order to pursue music, Ola chose not to work with big record labels, but instead to create his own label Rugged Ram Records.

According to his website, this most recent work is both an exploration and a declaration with songs about identity, reconciliation and nostalgia. During our conversation, Ola passionately spoke about his Nigerian roots and how they inspired him to make this album. He tells Mandorichard the story of seeing James Brown perform in Lagos, and talks about how growing up in both Nigeria and London has shaped his musical path.

Through the experience of creating his new album, Ola discovered the willingness of his fans to experiment with him and be receptive to his new music. Ola’s humble and positive attitude powerfully came through in his conversation with Mandorichard and his passion for music is what will take this new album to wider audiences around the world.

Learn more about Ola and his new record by checking out the podcast!

The Interview

Ola Onabule hosted by Mandorichard. Recorded Sept. 5, 2016. First aired Sept. 26, 2016.
29:37
56.8 MB

The Music

Artist Song Album Year
Ola Onabule Lagos Boy Ambitions for Deeper Breadth 2002
Ola Onablue Soul Town In Emergency, Brake Silence 2005
Ola Onabule Soul Town (CW Remix) Soul Town (remix) – Single 2015
Ola Onabule It’s the Peace That Deafens It’s the Peace That Deafens 2015

 

Laura Cortese: Fiddling everywhere

julgiamb

150930_0Mandorichard had a great time chatting with singer, songwriter, and fiddler Laura Cortese, on Sept. 6, 2016. Laura studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has since submerged herself in the city’s indie music scene. Her vocals and fiddle have been notably featured on numerous albums, but her most recent work, All In Always, is something she is incredibly proud of. She explains to Mandorichard how she was inspired by other artists and their shared appetite for melody–no matter what country they live in. Laura loves being drawn-in instrumentally by other artists and these moments of inspiration lead to some amazing cross-cultural collaboration on her album.

It was interesting to hear Laura talk about her previous works, her initial desire to be a performer, and her hopes for the future. Right now she is running a “pledge music” campaign with her band “Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards” so that fans can contribute to and be a part of the making of their upcoming album.

For more information on Laura and her most recent projects check-out the podcast!

The Interview

Laura Cortese hosted by Mandorichard. Recorded live on Sept. 6, 2016.
26:09
50.2 MB

The Music

Artist Song Album Year
Laura Cortese  I Am The House  Into The Dark 2013
Laura Cortese  Mångatskrinna  All in Always  2015
Laura Cortese California Is Calling
(Podcast contains an excerpt.)		 Forthcoming album