Tag: ohio

BGS 5+5: Joshua Radin

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Joshua Radin
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Latest albums: Here, Right Now (LP) and Acoustic From Sunset Sound (EP)

Which artist has influenced you the most … and how?

I have no idea how to answer that. There are way too many to choose, and not just musicians. But to name a few, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Paul Cezanne, Henry Miller, J.D. Salinger, Dostoyevsky, Hesse, Picasso, Tolstoy …

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

The first time I headlined and sold out the Bowery Ballroom in New York City. I had lived in NY for years and that was my favorite spot to see music. So when I finally decided, later in life, to start playing and writing music, being on the other side of that stage was magical.

What’s the toughest time you ever had writing a song?

Hmm, that’s a good question. I’d have to say that this happens very frequently. And nine times out of ten, I’ll end up scrapping the song because if it seems like too much effort, I always feel like it wasn’t meant to be written.

What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?

I have so many on tour. And at home. But on tour, I wake up on the bus, Google “best coffee near me” and start my day from there. Then I’ll usually walk around the city snapping photos, stumbling down streets without a plan. Everything on tour is planned out once I’m at soundcheck that day, so before that, I like to experience as much spontaneity as I can.

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

Another great question! Especially because when I’m out on the road, ninety percent of what I think about is where I’m going to eat my next meal… tough to decide but maybe — eating Prince St. Pizza in New York on a stoop, while Bob Dylan busks on the street for change with an open guitar case on the sidewalk.

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

WATCH: Arlo McKinley, “Walking Shoes”

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Artist: Arlo McKinley
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Song: “Walking Shoes”
Album: Die Midwestern
Release Date: August 14, 2020
Label: Oh Boy Records

In Their Words: “When the idea of writing ‘Walking Shoes’ came to mind it was originally about how hard it was for me to remove myself from a relationship that was obviously failing. It was me wanting to and knowing that I should walk away from the relationship but not wanting to hurt someone even more than I already have by leaving. As I continued to write the song it became more about starting everything over and realizing what I needed to let go of to do so. It’s about realizing that you can’t live a meaningful life and offer anything to anyone until you’ve walked alone long enough to figure yourself out. ‘Walking Shoes’ to me is about saying goodbye to what once seemed so necessary and taking a gamble by saying hello to the unknown in hopes it brings me happiness.” — Arlo McKinley

Photo credit: David McClister

WATCH: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, “A Folded Flag”

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Artist: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Hometown: Xenia, Ohio
Song: “A Folded Flag”
Album: For the Record (vinyl LP, limited edition bonus track)
Release Date: May 22, 2020
Label: Billy Blue Records

In Their Words: “We enjoy recognizing veterans from the stage and dedicating a song to remember their sacrifices. With this song though, we also get to remember the family members of those who are no longer with us. Whether a father, son, daughter, brother or sister, every audience contains people who are proud of and thankful for a loved one’s service. Many servicemen and women do not see combat, but those flags are folded up and given to their family in honor of their service every day. JMRR was blessed to sing the song at the Grand Ole Opry last summer, and our friend Mark Brinkman, one of the song’s co-writers, was in the audience. After we did the song, he found he was seated beside a World War II veteran and they both thanked each other!” — Joe Mullins

Photo credit: Amy Richmond

LISTEN: Devil Doll, “It’s Only Make Believe”

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Artist: Devil Doll
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Song: “It’s Only Make Believe”
Album: Lover & A Fighter
Release Date: May 1, 2020

In Their Words: “I remember the first time I heard ‘It’s Only Make Believe’ and I was frozen in the vulnerable conviction of Conway Twitty’s words and the swerve with which he delivered them. He had this way of fearlessly putting his heart on his sleeve with such a confidence that blurred the memory of any lover that may have come before him. He embodied the things dreams are made of. He made commitment and the idea of growing old with someone sexy. Recording this song has been on my bucket list for years and I wanted to make it special, so I gave it a little Devil Doll flair and even recorded it in French (to be released later this year), which has never been done before. Imagine one of the sexiest songs ever written being sung in one of the sexiest languages in the world. I did. I hope he’s smiling.” — Devil Doll (Colleen Duffy)

Photo credit: Tim Sutton

WATCH: Mike Oberst, “Up on the Roof”

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Artist: Mike Oberst with Clyde Brown and Kate Wakefield
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Song: “Up on the Roof”
Album: Six Feet of Earth
Release Date: October 12, 2019
Label: Reggieville Records

In Their Words: “I think one of the greatest things about experiencing music as a kid is that some songs can take you to a different world. The best songs are the ones that can still work that magic once you’ve become an adult. ‘Up on the Roof’ was always that song for me. I used to scribble the title in notebooks over and over, so as not to forget it, and pray I would hear the opening notes of The Drifters’ iconic version on early morning drives in my mother’s car to school.

“In 2015, at a raucous show with my band, The Tillers, I chanced to meet Mr. Clyde Brown, a legendary member of The Drifters living right here in Cincinnati. I couldn’t believe it! I was starstruck, but kept it cool. Turns out that Clyde Brown is the nicest human being on the face of the Earth. He has the biggest smile and the biggest heart. We became fast friends. It is an absolute honor to get to sing this song with Clyde and to have collaborated with Kate Wakefield, from the band, Lung, on the cello accompaniment. Take a listen. Drift away!” — Mike Oberst

Photo Credit: Rachael Banks
Video Credit: Evan and Alex Hand

LISTEN: RJ Cowdery, “Girl in the War”

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Artist: RJ Cowdery
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Song: “Girl in the War”
Album: What If This Is All There Is
Release Date: May 17, 2019
Label: GoosePie Music

In Their Words: “The first time I heard ‘Girl in the War’ was by Elephant Revival on YouTube. I wasn’t aware that Josh Ritter was the writer at the time, just that it was a compelling song. I was drawn to what felt like this uncertainty about the world we live in within a love story. I instantly connected with the song and knew I wanted to cover it. I love sharing this song and making it my own.” — RJ Cowdery

Photo Credit : HenrY Leiter

WATCH: The Tillers, “The Old General Store Is Burning Down”

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Artist: The Tillers
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Song: “The Old General Store Is Burning Down”
Album: The Tillers
Label: Sofaburn Records

In Their Words: “Nestled along the banks of the Ohio River lies a quaint little northern Kentucky town called Rabbit Hash. A quirky and vibrant town frequently filled with musicians, artisans, river folk, old-timers, bikers, hippies, punks, and many other colorful travelers. The indisputable heart of this bend in the river is the Rabbit Hash General Store, built in 1831. The general store is a mecca for the region’s folk music scene and has hosted concerts behind the big wood stove for many years. The general store has survived many a flood and many a floorboard stomping hootenanny, but on a cold night in February 2016 the general store caught fire and was destroyed.

“After the tears had dried, the people of Rabbit Hash picked themselves up by their bootstraps, gathered around, and with the generous help of folks all over the world, rebuilt the general store in just about a year’s time. ‘The Old General Store is Burning Down’ is a song dedicated to the good people of Rabbit Hash and to the unwavering spirit of community and togetherness that they promote and embrace. The words of old-time fiddle player Tommy Taylor still ring true: ‘Rabbit Hash Kentucky is where I want to be. Cornbread molasses and sassafras tea.’ Long live Rabbit Hash, Kentucky!” — Mike Oberst, singer-songwriter-banjo player, The Tillers

Photo credit: Michael Wilson

LISTEN: The Shootouts, “Cleaning House”

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Artist: The Shootouts
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Cleaning House”
Album: Quick Draw
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Label: MRI Entertainment/MegaForce Records

In Their Words: “‘Cleaning House’ is one of my favorite songs to sing from Quick Draw. It was written by Shootouts sideman Al Moss, who has performed with us since shortly after the band started in late 2015. Al wrote the song many, many years ago. When we were looking to add some new songs to the catalog, I asked Al if he had any songs that might fit the band. He humbly and quietly offered to see what he had lying around. A week or two later he offered up ‘Cleaning House’ and I was blown away. I was immediately hooked. It’s such a fun tune, and I love the play on words. It seemed like a natural song to open up the album.” –Ryan Humbert, The Shootouts

Photo Credit: Aimee Lambes

LISTEN: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, “The Wind”

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Artist: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Song: “The Wind”
Album: Stranger in the Alps
Release Date: March 15, 2019

In Their Words: “‘The Wind’ came quickly as a natural co-writing situation, with Bill Baldock (bass) supplying lyrics and Matt Wabnitz (guitar) on music and arrangement. It’s an introspective departure from some of the high-octane numbers we do. The 12/8 time makes this a lilting waltz, something not akin to anything in our catalog. Scott Risner stretches his chops on the archtop guitar, departing from the bevy of instruments he’s already incorporated into the group, to deliver beautiful counter-melodies.” –Buffalo Wabs & Price Hill Hustle

Photo credit: Kenny Dunn

WATCH: Cave Twins, “Walk Together”

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Artist: Cave Twins
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Walk Together”
Album: Best Friends For Now
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Label: Tiger Spa

In Their Words: “Atheists do got songs! We love everything about gospel music, except the message. So we worked up a little ‘humanist gospel tune’ about the glory of friendship and the power of human kindness. We paired it with this 1983 good old-fashioned family vacation to Cedar Point, all shot on a super 8 camera. Hot dog!” — Cave Twins

Photo credit: Roger Hoover