Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On Andy McCluskey, the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (also known as OMD). Andy joined Spotlight On producer and guest host Michael Donaldson to discuss topics as varied as the political messages behind their latest work, post-modern society, Kraftwerk, and the Bauhaus art school.OMD is not working the nostalgia circuit, though no one would blame them if they were. Instead, they continue to release new music that fans and critics rate as among the best of their classics and already have plans to spend a large portion of 2025 on the road.Bauhaus Staircase, OMD’s latest album, and their recent EP, Kleptocracy, are out everywhere you get your music.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the OMD album Bauhaus Staircase)–Dig DeeperVisit Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark at omd.uk.comPurchase OMD’s Bauhaus Staircase from The OMD Store or Qobuz, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow OMD on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Twitter (X)Kraftwerk changed my life: 20 artists pick their favourite Kraftwerk records of all timeThe Man in the Machine: How Oskar Schlemmer’s Triadic Ballet left its mark on David Bowie and New OrderDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight shines On JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist Gordon Grdina.Gordon’s work defies limitations, be they geographical, distance, time, or genre. He incorporates avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, indie rock, and Arabic tradition into his music.So much music, so many collaborators, and so much ground to cover in our talk. We made the most of our time together, exploring projects, processes, the fusion of musical traditions, appropriation, authenticity, and more.If you are open to the idea that music can be a tool for communication and understanding between people and peoples, Gordon Grdina will give you plenty to consider.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Gordon Grdina’s The Marrow with Fathieh Honari and the Grdina/Lillinger album Duo Work)–Dig DeeperVisit Gordon Grdina at gordongrdinamusic.comPurchase Grdina/Lillinger’s album Duo Work from Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choicePurchase Gordon Grdina’s The Marrow with Fathieh Honari from Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Gordon Grdina on Instagram and FacebookGordon Grdina - Free Form Improvisation on OudDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight shines On trailblazing songwriter and now memoirist Steve Wynn.Steve first hit public consciousness in the early 1980s with his band The Dream Syndicate, frequently mentioned in the same breath as REM and The Replacements as the pioneers of American indie rock.The Dream Syndicate’s initial run did not outlast the decade that birthed them, but Steve’s career did, with over 30 years of solo albums and collaborations to his credit—including a relaunched Dream Syndicate in the early 2010s.Steve’s latest projects are something of a pair—I Wouldn’t Say It If It Wasn’t True, a memoir recounting his early life through the initial run of The Dream Syndicate, and Make It Right, a new album of music inspired by the writing and reflections for the book.Our conversation spanned Steve’s formative years, his musical relationships over time, his process, roads not taken, and a glimpse into his near-term future activities, which include a bunch of time on the road promoting the book and dates with the indie rock “supergroup” The Baseball Project.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Steve Wynn’s album Make It Right)–Dig DeeperVisit Steve Wynn at stevewynn.netPurchase Steve Wynn’s memoir I Wouldn’t Say It If It Wasn’t True from Bandcamp or AmazonPurchase Steve Wynn’s album Make It Right from Fire Records, Qobuz, or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Steve Wynn on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter (X)Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Satoko Fujii, an incredibly unique and prolific artist.Satoko works at the intersection of jazz, contemporary classical, rock, and traditional Japanese music, composing for ensembles of many sizes and configurations. However, she is especially adept with the jazz orchestra format. For all of her efforts, Satoko is widely decorated as an improviser, composer, arranger, and band leader.Satoko has released over 100 albums as leader or co-leader, at a clip of several each year. Music seems to tumble out of her.The discussion you are about to hear was recorded back in late March of this year. Satoko was a thoughtful and generous conversationalist and provided insight into her creative and production process and her evolution as an artist. She also shared a bit about the unique challenge of making a life as an artist in Japan.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the albums Jet Black by the Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio and Unwritten by the quartet Kaze, also featuring Satoko Fujii)–Dig DeeperVisit Satoko Fujii at satokofujii.comPurchase Unwritten by Kaze (featuring Satoko Fujii) on Qobuz and Bandcamp and listen on your streaming platform of choicePurchase the Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio’s Jet Black on Bandcamp and listen on Apple MusicFollow Satoko Fujii on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTubeSatoko Fujii, a Pianist Who Finds Music Hidden in the Details of LifeDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight shines On the musician and producer David John Haskins, better known to the world as David J, bassist and co-founder of both post-punk goth band Bauhaus and, subsequently, Love and Rockets.As if having such a luminary visiting our podcast isn’t enough, today’s talk is guest-hosted by Spotlight On producer Michael Donaldson, who filled in for me for this and another special episode we will tell you about soon.David came by to talk about Tracks from the Attic (released on Independent Project Records), his career-spanning triple album made up of home demos recorded between 1984 and 2004, hand-selected for inclusion by the artist himself. He also discussed the Love and Rockets tour opening for Jane’s Addiction (which kicks off this week) and a lot of very, very interesting esoterica.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from David J’s album Tracks from the Attic)–Dig DeeperVisit David J at davidjhaskins.comPurchase David J’s Tracks from the Attic from Independent Project Records, Qobuz, or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow David J on Patreon, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X)Love and Rockets (Bandcamp)The ultimate beginner’s guide to BauhausShiva SavesDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight was meant to shine On drummer, percussionist, and composer Ches Smith, whose album Laugh Ash was released earlier this year on Pyroclastic Records. As we arranged to get together, Ches suggested we include Shara Lunon, the transdisciplinary poet, vocalist, composer, and improviser featured on the album.Laugh Ash is one of the most intriguing records I have encountered in quite some time, with its mix of form and improvisation, acoustic and synthetic, quiet and explosiveness.In addition to Ches and Shara, the album includes an all-star cast from today’s creative music scene: flutist Anna Webber, clarinetist Oscar Noriega, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, trumpeter Nate Wooley, violinist Jennifer Choi, violist Kyle Armbrust, cellist Michael Nicolas, and bassist/keyboardist Shahzad Ismaily.It is an exciting work and we had a great conversation. Enjoy.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Ches Smith’s album Laugh Ash)–Dig DeeperPurchase Ches Smith’s Laugh Ash on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceVisit Ches Smith at chessmith.com and follow him on Instagram and FacebookVisit Shara Lunon at sharalunon.com and follow her on InstagramChes Smith’s ‘Laugh Ash’ Is Exhilarating MusicChes Smith About ImprovisationListN Up Playlist: Shara LunonDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today’s episode is a recording of our recent live event, which took place at The Royal Room in Seattle, WA, on June 22, 2024. The event, Improvisation in Music and Life, featured me in conversation with and performances by James Falzone’s Division Ensemble.The Division Ensemble is a group of master improvisers that includes James Falzone on clarinet, Ray Larsen on trumpet, Wayne Horvitz on piano, Abbey Blackwell on bass, and Rocky Martin on drums.During the live show, we explored the nature of improvisation in music and how its principles are relevant to all aspects of life. James and the band performed his compositions and a completely free, composed-in-the-moment piece.The music in this episode:G.F.O.P. (Falzone)There Is Often Another Way (Falzone)Brooklyn Lines (Falzone)Everything Is Now Equalized (an open improvisation) (Falzone/Larsen/Horvitz/Blackwell/Martin)Room 307 (Falzone)A Dream In Which Appeared Marc Chagall (Falzone)We are offering a poster, t-shirt, and mug based on the artwork from our live show, which is now available at spotlightonpodcast.com/store. Have a look.Special thanks to James Falzone and the members of his Division Ensemble: Ray Larsen, Wayne Horvitz, Abbey Blackwood, and Rocky Martin. Thank you to Aleida, Sheridan, Simon, Ben, and the entire team at the Royal Room. Thank you to David Gorman for the wonderful poster art. Thank you to Alyssa Seng, JazzED, and Tim Carey at Jazz Night School. And thank you to everyone who attended the live show.–Dig Deeper with the extensive show notes and links found at https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Modena, Italy-based sound artist and percussionist Riccardo La Foresta.Riccardo has spent the last several years exploring the Drummophone—an array of bass drums that create sound by being confronted with compressed air and which, in turn, produce complex acoustic drones. By combining the Drummophone with other electro-acoustic devices and changes in the air pressure in the room where it is set up, a generative system results, one that can create endless possibilities in sound.In this engaging conversation, we discussed Riccardo’s musical journey, his experimentation in percussion, and his exploration of new techniques and approaches to drumming. We also got into the evolution of drums and percussion instruments, the influence of acoustics on composition, and the potential for drumming education in conservatory settings.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Riccardo La Foresta & James Ginzburg’s album Six and Forty​-​Six)–Dig DeeperVisit Riccardo La Foresta at riccardolaforesta.comPurchase Riccardo La Foresta & James Ginzburg’s Six and Forty​-​Six on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Riccardo La Foresta on Instagram and YouTubeRiccardo La Foresta: playing drums without playing (video)Drummophone’s ManifestoThe Experimental Underbelly of Italian Electronic MusicRiccardo La Foresta: ‘Curating has taught me how to share’Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.