Cultural Manifesto

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine. Hear a preview of his new album “Love Letters and Graffiti”.  Also, hear an interview with the children’s music duo 123 Andrés. They’ll be performing at Día del Niño Be My Neighbor Day! on Saturday, April 27 at Central Library.

Earlier this month the Indianapolis guitarist and bandleader Mike Woods passed away. He was 67 years old. Woods is best known for his work with the funk band Soul Relation. The group recorded their debut single “Mongo Strut” in 1972 while Woods was a student at Arsenal Tech High School.  “Mongo Strut” has become an international collector’s item with music fans around the globe. So too has Woods’ 1988 LP with the electro-soul band Style.  This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to a 2020 interview with Woods, along with rare and unreleased music from Soul Relation and Style.

Uncle Funkenstein, Zerfas, and Hamilton Movement may be unfamiliar names to most Hoosier music fans, but record collectors around the world pay thousands of dollars for these rare Indiana discs.  This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to the top 10 most valuable Indiana LPs and 45 RPM singles of all time. Also, hear interviews with the musicians and record labels behind the music.

According to a 2023 report from Luminate, formerly known as Nielsen SoundScan, over 120,000 new tracks are uploaded to the music streaming service Spotify every day. That’s over 36,500,000 tracks per year. According to that same report, over 45 million of those tracks never received a single play. That’s bad news for musicians as Spotify recently announced that it would cease making royalty payments for songs with less than 1,000 annual streams.  But all hope is not lost, Ulyssa, an Indiana-based record label, is dedicated to discovering and celebrating the vast trove of unheard music on Spotify. This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with Ulyssa founders John Williamson and Eric Deines.  Ulyssa also issues a wide variety of lo-fi, electronic, and experimental music from across the globe. A recent release, titled Contrahouse, features the Grammy-winning pianist and singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby. Ulyssa has even coined a new genre of music, they call it Toejazz, a reference to the 1991 Sega Genesis video game Toejam and Earl.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the classical music pianist Joshua Thompson, creative partner-in-residence with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Hear Thompson discuss his upcoming concert with the ICO titled "Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts”.  Also hear interviews with Thompson’s twin brother, saxophonist Jared Thompson, and Dana Stone, executive director of the ICO. Joshua Thompson is recognized nationally for his expertise on classical composers of African descent. He’s also the host and creator of the award-winning podcast Melanated Moments in Classical Music.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz saxophonist Rob Dixon. He’ll discuss Salon Noir, a public conversation focused on the jazz history of Indiana Avenue as it relates to the present and future state of Black creative production in Indiana.  Dixon will be joined on Cultural Manifesto by the award-winning poet and educator Lasana Kazembe, jazz musician and educator Oliver Nelson Jr., and Robert Montgomery, the youngest son of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.  Salon Noir is part of Dixon’s artist residency with the Center for Africana Studies & Culture at IUPUI.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the women pioneers of Hoosier music, including Vivian Carter, Dena El Saffar, Mary Byrne, Priscilla Mclean, Margaret Hills and Anna Mae Winburn. Vivian Carter was a legendary disc jockey and co-founder of Gary, Indiana’s Vee Jay Records. Vee Jay released hit songs by artists including The Impressions, The Dells, Gladys Knight, John Lee Hooker, and Gene Chandler. Vee Jay also issued significant jazz and gospel titles, including the first full-length LP by the Staple Singers, and Wayne Shorter’s debut album as a leader. In February of 1963 Vee Jay became the first American record label to issue music from The Beatles. Vee Jay’s release of ”Please Please Me” pre-dated The Beatles’ first Capitol Records release by a year. Mary Byrne is the founder of Labyris, an influential feminist lesbian bar that operated in Downton Indianapolis from 1978-1984. During the 1980s, Byrne also served as director of the National Women’s Music Festival in Bloomington, Indiana. Byrne’s work creating stages for women performers in Indiana was unprecedented at the time, and remains a significant achievement in the history of Indiana music. Anna Mae Winburn was raised in Kokomo, Indiana. Winburn gained international notoriety as the bandleader and vocalist for the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, a trailblazing multi-racial, all female big band that was active from 1937 to 1949.  The multi-instrumentalist and composer Dena El Saffar is the founder of Salaam, a Bloomington-based Middle Eastern music ensemble. The music of Salaam draws from El Saffar’s Iraqi heritage. For over 30 years, Salaam have educated audiences around the country about the music and culture of Iraq.  Kokomo, Indiana's Margaret Hillis was an influential figure in American choral music and a trailblazing pioneer for women in classical music. Hillis is best remembered as the founder and director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, she led the ensemble from 1957 to 1994. Hillis’ work with the chorus earned her nine Grammy Awards.  Composer Priscilla Mclean studied electronic music at IU Bloomington during the late 1960s. During the 1970s, Mclean created groundbreaking electronic music works at IU South Bend. Mclean was among the first Hoosier women to attain national notoriety in the world of electronic music.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz musicians Rob Dixon and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd.  Their new project From the 317, seeks to document and export the Indianapolis sound. From the 317 features a wide variety of guest musicians, including Rusty Redenbacher, Josh Kaufman, Charlie Ballantine, Steve Weakley, Maxie, Foxd’legend and more. Enjoy a special sneak preview of this new album.

The Texas politician and author Beto O’Rourke joins Karla López Owens to discuss his book “We’ve Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible”. Beto also shared how punk rock music influenced his work in politics.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with Breezey Fox and Krista Hoose of the Indianapolis-based country music band The Indy Annies.  We’ll also have another edition of Rebel Music with Karla López Owens. This week Karla's guest will be the Texas politician and author Beto O’Rourke. During the 1990s, Beto was also a member of the El Paso-based punk band Foss. Beto will share how punk music informs his work in politics.

The Gary, Indiana music legend Donald Kinsey passed away earlier this month at the age of 70. Here in Indiana, Kinsey is best known for his work in blues music. This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll explore Kinsey’s connection to reggae music icon Bob Marley. Kinsey toured with Marley during the late 1970s and performed on Marley’s1976 album “Rastaman Vibration”. Also, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis jazz trombonist Andrew Danforth. His debut album “Homegrown” explores themes related to the historic Indiana Avenue music scene. Plus, catch up with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, he was back in his hometown last week to support music education at Indianapolis Public Schools.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the Indianapolis composer, performer, and multimedia artist Jordan Munson. He has a new album out titled Heartless Fools. The music was recorded at Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavík, Iceland, and features contributions from Indianapolis musicians including Hanna Benn, and Charlie Ballantine. According to Munson, the music on Heartless Fools is a response to the complex social and political landscape of present day America. The album features a constantly shifting sonic palette, reflecting order and chaos, contemplation and impatience. Also, music journalist Katherine Yeske Taylor will discuss her new book She’s a Badass: Women in Rock Shaping Feminism. Tomorrow Bookstore will present an author talk with Taylor on February 20th at the Indy Fringe Theatre. She’s a Badass: Women in Rock Shaping Feminism features Taylor’s interview with 20 influential women in rock music, including Ann Wilson or Heart, Gina Schock of the Go-Go’s, Exene Cervenka of X, Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Suzanna Vega, Lydia Lunch and others.

This week’s edition of Cultural Manifesto is all about making a comeback. We’ll join the legendary Indianapolis jazz trombonist Phil Ranelin at the Chatterbox for his first gig after suffering from a debilitating stroke in 2021. Ranelin is best known for his work with the Tribe, a Detroit-based collective of avant-garde jazz musicians and activists. Ranelin has performed and recorded with artists including Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Pharoah Sanders, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more.  Plus, listen to an interview with Indiana reggae music pioneers Keith Baptiste, Tim Johnson, and John Loflin of Reggaenomix. Reggaenomix has reunited for the first time in over 25 years. Their music mixes Jamaican rhythms with socially conscious lyrics. We’ll discuss their 1990 song “Who Killed Michael Taylor?”, written about a 16 year old Indianapolis resident who was found dead in police custody in 1987. We’ll also listen to the band’s new single “I’m Not Against the Police (I’m Against Police Brutality.)

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. He’ll discuss his cabaret act Och & Oy!, a collaboration with the Scottish actor Alan Cumming. The pair will perform Och & Oy! in Indiana this February. We’ll also discuss the life and music of the Indiana songwriter Bruz Fletcher, a pioneer of LGBTQ+ music during the 1930s. Born into one of the wealthiest families in Indiana, Bruz was raised in Laurel Hall, an extravagant mansion located in northeast Indianapolis. His life was filled with both luxury and tragedy. The singer-songwriter took his own life in 1941 at the age of 34. Author Tyler Alpern talks with host Kyle Long about the music of Bruz Fletcher. Alpern is the author of the 2010 biography "Bruz Fletcher: Camped, Tramped and A Riotous Vamp.” If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with the jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Branford Marsalis. Also, playwright Cheryl L. West and actor Maiesha McQueen will join host Kyle Long to discuss the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of “Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer.”

Branford Marsalis grew up immersed in music in Louisiana. Along with his brother Wynton, Branford has played a large role in shaping the style and sound of contemporary jazz. Branford has achieved a level of public notoriety that is rare for jazz musicians. From 1992 to 1995, he worked as bandleader for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, and throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Branford participated in high profile collaborations with rock and rap musicians including Sting, The Grateful Dead, and Public Enemy. Branford has also worked extensively as a composer, scoring over a dozen films and television programs. Branford Marsalis will make two appearances in Indiana this January.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, host Kyle Long speaks with Alan Bacon, co-founder and president of the Indianapolis-based arts and culture organization GangGang. We’ll discuss GangGang’s I Made Rock ’N’ Roll Festival. It’s happening May 18th at the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, honoring the Black roots of rock music and will feature performances by Janelle Monáe, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Randolph Band, Joy Oladokun and more.  We’ll also continue listening to memorable interviews of 2023, including words and music from Lara Downes, Angela Brown, Hanna Benn, Meshell Ndegeocello, Morgan Rae Webster and Parris Ladame.

Listen back to some of our favorite interviews of 2023. Join us for words and music from Skypp, Aye Marcay, Zakir Hussain, 123 Andrés, La March Nueva, Dwani Phiri, and Kronos Quartet.

NPR has released their best of 2023 music lists. We'll explore the Indiana musicians featured among the year’s best, including Hanna Benn, Omar Apollo, Durand Jones, and The HawtPlates.  We’ll also have another edition of Rebel Music with Karla López Owens. Karla's guest is the Indianapolis-based visual artist Alejandra Carrillo who creates work under the name El Rallonadero.

Rebel Music with Karla López Owens is an ongoing series on Cultural Manifesto exploring the relationship between music and activism. On this episode, Karla’s guest is Alejandra Carrillo, a chicana activist, artist and art educator. She creates art under the name “El Rallonadero,” which translates to “the scribbler.” Her work has been featured in many prominent spaces - including the Eiteljorg and the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. In the Fall of 2023, Alejandra completed a mural for the Mexican Consulate in Indiana.