E Polyphony
by Steve Chase

We continue our journey through the frontiers of online music by exploring some new media formats. By now you’ve likely heard of a podcast. These are audio programs that can be created by just about anyone with a computer and a microphone—students, retirees, housewives, musical groups, pundits, activists, anyone who wishes to tell a story, sing a song, or make a point can make a recording and post it on the internet. Listeners can then play the podcast on their computer, their Ipod, or other mp3 player. This is an audio revolution in which anyone can be a radio producer or recording artist.

Sometimes the music podcast is used as a purely promotional tool, with minimal music interspersed with commentary by the artist. Sometimes bands post a set of music from recent live concerts. Regardless of how much music is there, the podcast is a powerful way to distribute material, and you can benefit from this. So where can we find some good music podcasts?

The first stop is iTunes, which has literally thousands of podcasts available for download every day. That’s a lot to listen to. For example, National Public Radio offers podcasts of its “All Songs Considered” program, which provides over 75 concerts from an eclectic variety of bands. Established groups, some recognizable, some not, produce podcasts as well. Examples include They Might be Giants, Tea Leaf Green, Umphrey’s McGee, Pat Metheny, and Switchfoot. There are also genre podcasts with titles like Garage Punk, Dead Pod, and Indie Scottish Music—that all give listeners a variety of music from different artists on each program. To find these and other podcasts, all you do is download iTunes onto your Mac or PC (it’s free at www.apple.com/itunes/download), hook up to the internet, and click on podcasts in the iTunes store.

At podcastingnews.com you can find an index of music podcasts listed by genre. There’s a lot of music to go through here—some good, some not so good. The same site features what they call “31 days of free music,” which will keep your ears busy for a month. Find the link at www.podcastingnews.com.

The Live Music Blog (www.livemusicblog.com/archives/podcasts/), while not always active, also provides a good assortment of podcasts. Check out Podcast #058, KVHW Down in the Wetlands, which features the music from the band KVHW. The band toured nearly a decade ago, featuring Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, Alan Hertz, and Ray White. This band rocks. Archive.org has more KVHW concerts to download for free, if you want to explore their performances further.
I like to use iTunes as a data management tool to corral my podcasts and keep them organized. Podcasts listed on iTunes can be subscribed to and automatically downloaded when they are published by the producer. At last count, I have a couple of hundred podcasts, and I plan to keep adding them to my collection as more bands realize the power of these audio programs to spread their music to the world, and your ears.

CD Review: Core’s Walk On

On first listen Core: Walk On, might recall seventies progressive rock bands like Traffic, joined with the quieter side of the recent works of Porcupine Tree, and the jam pop of the Dave Mathews Band. But really, Core has created their own sound—what drummer Josh Kruger calls “aggressive acoustical.” On each track, the band builds layers of acoustic textures, backed by solid rhythmic grooves and brought together with the earthy vocals of guitarist and lyricist Keith Kruger. This father-and-son team was joined by talented musicians who work to provide listeners with intelligent and multifaceted progressive music that accomplishes much artistically with their alternative instrumentation. Of particular note is saxophonist Sean Cookus, who reminds me of the 70s Canterbury-scene saxman Mel Collins. Cookus’ bluesy hooks and melodic phrasing provide constant response to Kruger’s vocals. Listen to tracks 4 and 10, which especially grabbed me to the core.

You can get Core: Walk On on iTunes, or buy the disc at J. Cooper Gallery or the Peruvian Culture Art Gallery in Shepherdstown. Core will perform in Shepherdstown at Tony’s on June 6 and July 11. Learn more at www.coreexperience.net.

What If Life Had a Remote?
What if life had a remote?
Could I stop all your lies
maybe erase all the tears you
made me cry
or maybe rewind back
to when we had good times
or fast forward past the part
when all the problems start?

What if life had a remote?
Could I mute you when you
spoke words that I refused to hear
could I pause you
when I needed you there
and when I couldn’t understand
what you were going through
could I select menu to see how
you feel
so I could help you deal

What if life had a remote?
could I play you
how you played me
or show how you
hurt me repeatedly
or repeat when you
lied and said you love me?
What if life had a remote?
how would you use it?

—LH

CATF Expands Offerings

In addition to expanding the its season to five plays in 2008, the Contemporary American Theater Festival is offering more programs to accompany its productions. Here’s a rundown of the extras.

Talktheater. Enjoy breakfast with CATF Founder and Producing Director Ed Herendeen, Sundays in July at 10am in the new Center for Contemporary Arts. Over continental breakfast you can talk about the theater, the CATF season, art, and whatever else moves you at that time of day. Cost is $20 per person; seating is limited. Reservations at 304-876-3474.

Humanities lectures. Every Saturday after the matinees on the Frank Center Lawn, Under the Tent features conversations with playwrights, scholars, and writers with insight on the topics explored in this year’s plays. These are free, casual events; you can come in your gardening or home-repair clothes. Begins July 19 and goes through August 2.

Post-show discussions. Meet the actors and (sometimes) the playwrights, as they talk about their craft and the play. July 16 following Pig Farm and Wrecks, July 17 following The Overwhelming, July 23 following A View of the Harbor, and July 24 following Stick Fly.

Staged reading. Actors from the CATF company and guests will read the new play, UMKOVU written by Eisa Davis. Tuesday, July 15.

Art installations. Jane Ping, Rhonda Smith, Kristy Cherry, Barbara Chapman, and Mike Mendez will have exhibits at CATF venues.

The season begins with a “Pay What You Can” previews July 9 for The Overwhelming and A View of the Harbor, July 10 for Wrecks, Pig Farm, and Stick Fly. The traditional opening night reception will be on the Frank Center Lawn July 11 after the evening’s performances.
For event times and the full schedule, see www.CATF.org.

Conservation Film Fest Gets Humanities Grant

The American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF) was awarded $8,200 from the West Virginia Humanities Council to support the festival’s “Context for Conservation” initiative. During the Festival 2008, lectures by invited scholars, essays on conservation topics in the festival program, post-screening filmmaker forums, and workshops for youth will supplement the film screenings. The festival is scheduled for November 6–9 in Shepherdstown. ACFF developed the program in response to audience members who wanted more information about conservation topics explored in the films. “The new initiative will provide greater context for conservation issues facing society by heightening the understanding of the interplay between environmental stewardship, community and culture,” said ACFF president Amy Mathews Amos. For information visit www.conservationfilm.org, or call 304-876-7373.