Above The Basement - Boston Music And Conversation

We met up with phenom guitarist and singer Arielle and her band as they road tripped in from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to The Red Room @ Cafe 939 at Berklee College of Music. Arielle has toured North America and the UK, opening for the likes of Eric Johnson, Greg Alman, Heart, Joan Jett and many others and none other than Brian May of Queen hand picked her for his production of We Will Rock You which was based on the songs of Queen. She’s been on the cover of Guitar Player magazine and Vince Gill proclaimed her as one of the top 5 Best New Guitarists. She has quite a story, and you should read her entire bio and hear her music at www.imarielle.com. \We talked about guitars, lyrics and melody, and women in music and took questions from the cozy audience at Café 939 and then had the treat of watching her play for a house full of Arielle fans. We had a great evening taking to this thoughtful and talented musician. Song List: Song 2: Magick Again Song 3: Devil's Disguise

Kabir Sen, AKA MC Kabir is an educator at heart who teaches through music. He teaches at Shady Hill School in Cambridge and his students are some of his biggest fans, as we discovered when several of his students attended our latest ConcertCast at City Winery Boston. Kabir also plays with hip-hop reggae band Krush Faktory and they appear often at local establishments like the Lizard Lounge, The Plough and Stars and Bull McCabes. He’s gotten great reviews in Billboard, The New Yorker, Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, Boston Herald, SPIN, VIBE, NPR and others. We all met up in front of an intimate crowd at the Haymarket Lounge to talk hip-hop, education, lyrics and their message.

When we first began this podcast and started putting together names of people we would like as guests, Billy Beard was on the primary list. Not necessarily because we had heard him play, but because we saw him playing with everyone else. Billy got his start in Boston with the pop band Face To Face. And not to date ourselves but we totally remember their hit song and video 10-9-8. He has worked over the years with Patty Griffin, Melissa Ferrick, Kris Delmhorst, the late Mark Sandman from the great Boston band Morphine, Rose Cousins, Lori McKenna and Kim Richey to name just a few. Billy is part of the award-winning band Session Americana, and has toured extensively in the US and Europe and is another example of how he continues to draw amazing musicians together. We just caught him recently at the Lizard Lounge playing with some of the same wonderful singer-songwriters with Sub Rosetta – a smaller version of the Sub Rosa collaboration with some of Boston’s great musicians. They will be at the Lizard Lounge ever

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins is a rock-star of science who was instrumental in the identification of multiple genes for hereditary disease including cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s and neurofibromatosis. He led the Human Genome Project in the 1990's that resulted in the mapping of the entire human genome sequence in 2003. In 2009 he was nominated by President Obama to be Director of the Nationals Institutes of Health, with unanimous confirmation by the Senate. Since that time, he has boosted research efforts in Alzheimer’s disease, innovative brain science, set the stage for precision medicine, and many other areas. We had the great honor to sit down with Dr. Collins and talk about scientific surprises and musical exploration, about the importance of collaboration and listening, and about how music, family and spirituality seem to travel in similar circles. Song List: Song 1: Hallelujah / Leonard Cohen, performed by: Francis Collins, Renee Fleming and the National Symphony Orchestr

A performance by A Far Cry - Live at City Winery Boston - February 28, 2019 in Boston, MA. Recorded after our fourth ConcertCast - a conversation and performance in front of a live audience. To listen to the entire conversation, go here: http://abovethwww.abovethebasement.com/131-a-far-cry Johannes Brahms, Viola Quintet in G Major, Op. 111 Antonín Dvorák : The Terzetto in C, Op. 74 (B. 148)  

Episode 131 - a ConcertCast Event with A Far Cry Classical music is pretty much the only music in the world that still sounds beautiful when the musicians are tuning up. It sounded so great we decided to start the episode with a brief tuning session. We were joined by Megumi Lewis, Omar Chen Guey, Caitlin Lynch, Jae Cosmos Lee, Michael Unterman and Jason Fisher, several of The Criers from the Boston based chamber orchestra A Far Cry. We invited these fine musicians to City Winery Boston for another live ConcertCast. Founded in 2007, A Far Cry has been nominated for three Grammys. Playing music from various time periods they incorporate both new and time tested works with the goal “to wrestle the music they love back from the cultural baggage it's accumulated”. Throughout the episode you will hear movements of Dvorak’s Terzetto, played by Jae Cosmos Lee, Omar Chen Guey and Jason Fisher. Caitlyn Lynch then joins Jason and Jae for a conversation with us and they answer a few questions from the audience. The fina

Episode 130 - a conversation with Ari Hest. With a distinctive voice and beautiful melodies, Ari Hest has carved out a diverse career as an independent artist. Several of his songs have appeared on TV and Film soundtracks, and 2014 collaboration with Judy Collins earned him his first Grammy nomination for their album Silver Skies Blue. Now with a brand new baby in the mix, he and his wife, the very talented musician Chrissi Poland, have settled in the South Shore of Massachusetts. We sat with him at of Lucky Finn Café overlooking the harbor in Scituate, Massachusetts. While sipping our espressos, we talked about how he started out in music, guitars, collaboration and babies. Special guest co-host David Moore otherwise known as MALIN sits in for Ronnie Hirschberg this time around. Song List: Song 1: Bird Never Flies (The Break In) Song 2: Heart of a Lion (Natural) Song 3: I Choose Love (Silver Skies Blue with Judy Collins) Live Songs: Song 1: Sato (Single) Song 2: Leaving Her Alone (The Break In)

Episode 129 - a conversation with Livingston Taylor. Boston’s own Livingston Taylor is a musician, teacher and interested man. Yes – we said interestED, not interesting. Not that Livingston isn’t interesting, because he certainly is. This will all make sense in our conversation. Liv is a full professor at Berklee College of Music where he teaches Stage Performance. He is currently celebrating a 50+ year career with a brand new album called "The Best of LIVe – 50 Years of Livingston Taylor Live". This album has 11 tracks from his upcoming box set of the same name featuring unreleased live performances spanning his career from 1969 through 2016. There is also a fantastic documentary called "Livingston Taylor: Life Is Good” that won The Van Gogh Award for the Feature Documentary category at the Amsterdam International Film Festival and you can check that out on Amazon. Livingston has played with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffett, and Jethro Tull to name just a few and he continues to pl

We are taking a little detour from our usual format to bring you this very special episode. We hosted a conversation between the illustrious sports reporters Gordon Edes and Steve Buckley with arguably the most well know Presidential Historian in the world - Doris Kearns Goodwin. With the 2018 Red Sox World Series Trophy in the room, we talked, sang and celebrated Red Sox Baseball while raising money for the amazing Pete Frates Family Foundation. We would bet that most of you listening either participated in or at least heard of the Ice Bucket challenge. Started by Pete Frates who was struck with ALS a few years ago, with his parents John and Nancy and the millions of people who took part in the challenge, the foundation has raised a ¼ of a billion dollars to fight ALS, which is just astounding. We were truly honored to have John and Nancy Frates join us on that Sunday evening to say a few words as well as Red Sox great Sam Horn, Red Sox Poet Laureate Dick Flavin and the Sox Fenway Park organist Josh Kantor.

Episode 127 - a conversation with Jared Bowen. We took a ride early one morning to the WGBH studios in Brighton, Mass to sit with arts and entertainment reporter and Boston native Jared Bowen. Jared has talked with all sorts or amazing people. Jared can be found, well – really everywhere. He is an Emmy award-winning host of the TV series, 'Open Studio with Jared Bowen', a contributor to the WGBH magazine program, 'Greater Boston” and you can also hear him the radio on 89.7, where he talks about what’s going on in Boston for the performing arts on WGBH’s 'Morning Edition' and 'Boston Public Radio'. He is also a coach and judge on the choir competition show 'Sing That Thing!' These are only a few of the things Jared does. He is a busy guy and we were happy to get a chance to sit and talk Boston arts and culture. Music and narration outtake courtesy of WGBH Boston from Open Studio with Jared Bowen

Episode 126 - a conversation with Oompa We first ran into Oompa at Boston One Night Band back in 2018 – listen to Episode 123 for our conversation with Richard Bouchard about that event - but Oompa immediately stood out to me and I quickly put her down as someone to reach out to. Fast forward almost exactly a year later and we happily got a chance to sit with her and also guest host and Hip Hip know it all Ike Walker for a great conversation. Oompa is fresh off her two Boston Music Awards for Best Unsigned Artist and 617 Sessions winner and is currently in the studio to release her next album. We talk hip hop of course, but also touch on teaching, writing, and her being the gay auntie of Boston. Oompa is all energy and is passionate about her music, poetry and the City of Boston. Song List: Song 1:   Nicky’s Song (November 3rd) Song 2:   Say Her Name (November 3rd) Song 3:   Dear Mama (November 3rd) Song 4:   Dope Song 5:   Catch 22 (November 3rd)

Episode 125 - a conversation with Peter Gammons. As a Boston Red Sox fan living in the NY/NJ area back in the 90’s and early 2000’s, life as a Sox fan was...well...difficult. Especially after Game 7 of the ALCS when the New York Yankees walked off the Sox in 2003. But that was just the beginning of a Red Sox renaissance that eventually brought the city of Boston 4 World Series Trophies since - including the recent 2018 championship. With 11 championships since 2001 – Boston fans really have nothing to complain about when it comes to sports. But during that painful time of losing before all the winning, there were a few people we turned to for our Red Sox fix. Peter Gammons was number one on that list. So what is a world class sportswriter and analyst doing on a music podcast? Peter is also a songwriter and guitarist and has played with the likes of Eddie Vedder, Will Dailey, Buffalo Tom and many others. He also started Hot Stove, Cool Music – which is the signature fundraiser for The Foundation To Be Named La

Every so often we get the opportunity to catch a musical coming through Boston and then sit with the actors or musicians for a chat. We were especially lucky to have a conversation with the lovely Zina Ellis who plays the Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA at the beautifully restored Emerson Colonial Theatre. We saw the show the night before talking with Zina and had a fantastic time. The show is a fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess. Hilarious and romantic, CINDERELLA combines the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, a pumpkin and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. But we aren’t going to give anything more away – you’ll just have to catch the show before it moves on to another town. Cinderella runs in Boston through December 30th and you can get your tickets at www.emersoncolonialtheatre.com

Episode 123 - a conversation with Richard Bouchard. Last year we went to our first One Night Band event at The Sinclair and left with a long list of possible guests – Thalia Zedek, Cliff Notez and Oompa to name just a few. We thought we would get to the bottom of this by talking with the guy who started this unique event, Richard Bouchard. We tend to run into Richard everywhere. He currently works with the band Sidewalk Driver and runs a business that supplies on demand management, booking and promotional campaigns for bands that need a hand with short or long term projects. But the One Night Band is really different. 40 or so musicians are organized into bands (for one night – get it?) Then the magic happens. Song List: Live songs recorded at The Sinclair - Boston One Night Band 2018 Song 2: Five Steps (Sidewalk Driver)

Episode 122 - a conversation with Jenee Halstead. We are no longer surprised that our guests are much more than just musicians. Jenee Halstead is a great example. In addition to being a singer-songwriter, Jenee is also a learner and teacher and recently started a new project called The Inner Song, where she is a holistic vocal and self-expression coach, spiritual teacher, and energy healer. In her own journey through music, training and self discovery, Jenee now shares how people can safely and authentically discover their own true voice and power of expression. She has a beautiful singing voice made all the more special by her songwriting skills. You only need to hear her sing to understand why Jed Gottlieb of The Boston Herald called her "a tremendous voice in an otherworldly, shadowy soundscape". She also has her own podcast that she hosts with musician Danielle Miraglia called Let's Put It Off that we sincerely hope is resurrected, as - I am sure you all agree - we need more great podcasts in the world. S

Mike Block - Live at Indian Hill Music - November 17, 2018 in Littleton, MA. Recorded after our Mike Block ConcertCast - a conversation and performance in front of a live audience. To listen to the entire conversation, go here: http://abovetheb.libsyn.com/episode-121-mike-block Song List: Song 01: Slow Day At The Cafe Song 02: Sweet Tea On The Porch Song 03: Julienne Johnson Song 04: Courante 3 Song 05: Saygun’s Partita for Solo Cello Song 06: Can't Ya Hear Me Callin’ Song 07: The Blackest Crow Song 08: Cornelia’s Song Song 09: Prelude 6 Song 10: My Heart Goes ——— Song 01: Prelude 4 Song 02: Lay Down Your Weary Tune Song 03: The Chicken Song 04: Raghupati Ragava Raja Ram / Where The Soul Never Dies Song 05: Prelude to a Dream Song 06: Never again Song 07: “HAPPY” with Indian Hill Music students

Cellist, educator, innovator and pioneer, Mike Block breaks the mold and the norms. He plays, sings and creates percussion with what is normally imagined as an orchestral instrument while he moves around the stage with his strapped on Cello. He surprises you with music usually reserved for other instruments - his takes on classical, folk and pop songs are unique and his own compositions invigorated the crowd at Indian Hill Music. This is another episode for our ConcertCast series – Mike Block, Live at Indian Hill Music, where we had a great conversation with Mike in front of a live, sold out crowd, followed by a two set performance that we will publish as a separate episode. Mike is a member of The Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo Yo Ma, who called Mike “the ideal musician of the 21st-Century”. As you will hear from our conversation and the concert that followed, Mike is committed to inspiring musicians and connecting communities through music. Full episode of the two part performance coming soon! Song List:

Berklee College of Music in Boston is one of the premier music schools in the world. We have talked with many fantastic Berklee grads, including the folks from Honeysuckle, RIPE, Alison Keslow and Matt McArthur to name just as few as well as musicians and Berklee professors Bonnie Hayes and Susan Cattaneo. We wanted to talk with the man who helped make this school the institution it is today so we jumped at the chance to speak with drummer, humanitarian, entrepreneur and Berklee president Roger Brown. Roger has had a prolific career, including co-directing one famine relief program called Land Bridge on the Cambodia-Thailand border which was the largest emergency food distribution effort ever attempted and another called Save The Children in Sudan. Later he co-founded Bright Horizons Family Solutions, which provided on-site child care for client-company employees and is also the founder of the Horizons Initiative, which provides services for homeless children, and the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children,

We were honored to sit with the amazing Pardis Sabeti who is doing her part to help those in need with her work at The Sabeti Lab where she is working to eradicate the Lassa and Ebola viruses. Dr. Sabeti completed her undergraduate degree at MIT, her graduate work at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, got her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and she was named a TIME magazine ‘Person of the Year’ as one of the Ebola fighters. But perhaps the coolest thing she does is perform as the lead singer and co-songwriter of the Boston based rock band Thousand Days. Song List: Song 1: Breathe In (Turkana Boy) Song 2: One Truth (Small Joys) Song 3: Phoenix (Single) Song 4: Neda (Radiate)

Music has a way of bringing people together, and is a language we share.   Recovery has its own language, within its own culture of addiction. We are all affected by substance use disorder (SUD) - personally, through family and friends, and as a society, economically and politically.   The numbers tell part of the story, however it’s the people that who have lived this struggle and the people who fight for recovery and education everyday that bring this story to the surface - into our living rooms, boardrooms, schools and the stage.   Above The Basement met with people who care deeply about this cause: those in recovery, the doctors who treat and support our patients and families who have lost loved ones, and musicians who have had first hand experience of with addiction and understand the toll it can have on careers and families.   Our discussions began in August 2018 with Kristen Williams Haseotes, the founder of Above the Noise Foundation, Maureen Cavanagh, author of "If You Lo