I’ve been working full time at Triple M since Sept. 2002, and in that time have met and interviewed a lot of rock and rollers, some famous, many up and coming.  But one of my most anticipated (by me) was interviewing Trey Anastasio shortly after his first solo album was released. I had not done that many Studio M interviews at that time and was totally excited and nervous to meet and talk with him.

I knew Trey was a big Frank Zappa fan, so when he met me, held out his hand and said, ” Hi, I’m Trey. Thanks for having me”. I responded with: ” This is a thrill for me only second to the time I made Frank Zappa laugh.” I knew that would get his attention and I was right.

The start to the interview was delayed about 15 minutes, waiting for a client to show up for the Studio M, giving  Trey and me time to chat a bit. Of course he wanted to know all about my Zappa  encounter. When I told him that I had seen Zappa about 10 times, he was actually jealous and said so. It made me stop and think, that no matter how big a star you are and how many tens of thousands of people come to your shows, there is always someone who you admire who influences you.

Check out these candid shots of us: See.. we’re talking!!  ( am I a total dork or what? )

When the interview was over, he asks me to wait a second because he wanted to tell me something. ( Like I’d leave the room before he left).           

So he comes to me with his CD ” Rift” and tells me that he was excited that Frank Zappa had heard this album before he died. he was so cute in his admiration for Frank, and it  made me love Trey just a little  bit more . 

If you’d like to hear the Studio M, click  here

When I think back on my almost 10 years at Triple M, so many thoughts and memories rush in, particularly some of the artists  that I have met through Studio M. Getting up close and personal to people whose music I admire is a precious gift that I do not take for granted.

One of the things I like the most is meeting artists on their way up. The John Butler Trio came in shortly after their first album, and left me slacked jawed at how great they were. I remember North Mississippi Allstars coming in during the time we were playing their song “Eyes”. They were so stoned out they didn’t even remember the lyrics! 

Paolo Nutini stopped by Studio M two times. The first time, he was about 19 years old. He is sweet, soft spoken and talks in a very strong Scottish brogue. Half the time I didn’t even understand what he was saying, but when he laughed I laughed. After we finished taping, we got to talking about his love of R & B and old school soul.  I gave him a copy of James Hunter’s CD “People Gonna Talk”, telling him that I thought he would like the album.  The next year he comes back for another Studio M, and before we even started setting up, he told me how much he loved that James Hunter album. I had even forgotten I had given it to him, and was very impressed that he remembered.  What a sweetie pie!      

Compare that to Los Lonely Boys, whom I interviewed at least three times.  Each time, they totally didn’t remember being here and meeting me.

Warren Haynes made me choke up when he sang “Soulshine” at my request. Dan Hick (and the Hot Licks) gave me a hard time even before we started and I LOVED it.

But my BIGGEST thrill was meeting Trey Anastasio. More on that tomorrow!

The six musicians of Truth & Salvage Co. delivered a tantalizing performance of genuine American rock ‘n’ roll.  If you’re unfamiliar with the group, their music is characterized by a timeless sound and interwoven storytelling.

During 2005, in Los Angeles, Hollywood’s Hotel Café was the place to be.  That couldn’t be truer for the members of Truth & Salvage Co.  Vocalist/guitarist Tim Jones had been serving as the venue’s talent booker at the time.  And after performing together during casual late night jam sessions, the guys quickly discovered their chemistry was undeniable.  It was on that very stage that Truth & Salvage Co. was born.  It was on the Studio M stage that their beautiful four-part harmonies and precise instrumentals won the hearts of our Triple M listeners.   Go to the Live From Studio M link to take it all in.  And watch one of their official videos here:

Truth & Salvage Co. – “Call Back”

Long — whose stripped-down, acoustic style recalls many of the artists he professes to love, including Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams, and the Felice Brothers, as well as more classic acts like Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan and the Beatles — would prefer to be known strictly for his music.  Which is why he avoids playing his single from the Twilight soundtrack whenever he plays for an audience (if we had known, we wouldn’t have asked – oops!).

The British singer-song writer responded tastefully to our request despite his reluctance to humor us.  Instead, he opted to play one of his beautifully written songs.  Watch the following video to see/hear for yourself.

Fitz & the Tantrums were founded by Michael Fitzpatrick, who had begun writing soul music for a solo project on an old church organ he had purchased. It’s been said that that the band members craft “soulful, nostalgia pop that’s not only infectious, but just fresh enough to make it stand apart from its predecessors.” He added friend James King to the group as an arranger and soon after expanded the band to a seven-piece, including several horns. Fitzpatrick shares the vocal duties with Noelle Scaggs. Other members include Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna, and John Wicks.

Check out part of our interview + performance videos from their Live From Studio M set below.

Interview

Moneygrabber

Breaking the Chains of Love

Live from Studio M: Dawes “a little bit of everything” from ryan heraly on Vimeo.

Studio M visited by the band Guster Friday October 15 – you can check out the videos from the session below.

Intern Emily attended their show later that night at Overture – you can read her great review + let us know what you thought of the show!

Satellite

Amsterdam

Do You Love Me

Stay With Me Jesus

Thanks to Ryan Heraly + True Endeavors for the awesome videography

The joy of Michael Franti continues with this exclusive cut from his Live From Studio M performance Saturday October 9.

The story behind the creation of this song is pretty interesting. Towards the end of the Studio M Session, Jonathan asked him what he was going to play next – he responded by saying nonchalantly that he was going to play a song he wrote in Woody Harrelson’s bathroom and proceeded to play the song before Jonathan interrupted him and asked him to explain. Woody + Michael have been friends for a long time – Woody was in San Francisco while making Zombieland and told Michael he could come and stay at his house for awhile to write some music + be alone.

Franti had recorded some chords on his iPod and was playing them while taking a shower – inspiration hit at that moment and words “started flowing” – he wrote the lyrics on the window with the condensation and took a picture of the lyrics on his phone. The best part of the interview was a phone exchange later that day between Michael + Woody:

Listen to the full interview here + check out “Say Hey (I Love You)” below!

Thanks to Ryan Heraly + True Endeavors for the awesome videography