KUPR 99.9
  • Home
    • 10th Anniversary Schedule
    • Weather report
    • KUPR listeners
  • Schedule
    • Archives
    • Archives: Let's Get Creative interviews
  • This Week on KUPR
  • Talent
  • Support KUPR
    • Supporters
  • Calendar
  • Submit
  • Contact

Let's Get Creative interview archives

Tuesdays at 5pm is a time to turn the spotlight on local (New Mexico) talent. We start off with some poetry and most weeks have a local artist interview. The late Jim Fish shared many of his own poems with our listeners, a spot since taken over by Larry Goodell. Jerry D brings local musician profiles and interviews. Jerry started doing radio in 2012 on WUSB in Stony Brook, NY - early mornings twice a month, filling in for other hosts, recording promos and also helping out with live sound when local performers would be featured. After relocating to New Mexico in 2014, he could be heard occasionally on KUNM as a fill in host, and since June of 2015 has a weekly time slot on KMRD-LP in Madrid, NM. Below are some previously aired interviews. Brando has recently been making guest appearances as the host of the local music segment of Let’s Get Creative on KUPR. When not hosting and producing content for KUPR, Brando is active in the local performing arts community as an actor and stage-director, as well as in the local music community with his alternative rock band, Port Alice. 

Picture
  Pherkad is a genre bending, experimental four-piece Jamband, based in ABQ- even though one member has moved to AZ- he still comes back to NM for gigs a few times a year. These melodic grooves will have your feet forging a path into the unknown- named after a star in the Ursa Minor constellation,  they have some interesting original tunes, and do some well known covers with a Jam style twist... Jerry had a chance to interview them in Aug 2021 at the Four Corners Jamfest in Aztec, NM.

Picture
   Lonn Calanca has worked for years making a name for himself in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas as one of the premiere jam artists, specializing in Grateful Dead and the like.  As the lead guitarist and vocalist of Let it Grow and the Lonn Calanca Band, he has been consistently playing live music at every corner of the region for the past seven years. Lonn’s performances capture the essence and spirit of Dead live music community, and it is evident by the size of the Deadhead community that loyally attend them. In another guest-hosted episode, Brando and Lonn discuss his introduction to the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, and how it led him to becoming the most notable Garcia tribute artist in the Southwest.  We also get the treat of listening to some choice live cuts of Let it Grow and Lonn Calanca Band, as well as a special exclusive (prerecorded) on-air solo performance.

Picture
   Sugarmotor has dwelled the dusty venues of Albuquerque thirsty for the next gig. Fueling itself on the sweet nectar of audience connection, this beast loses itself in music, amp feedback, and the desire to bare its soul on a stage of noise, friendship, chaos, and harmony.  Creativity, friendship, experimenting with sounds, and their audience, are what Sugarmotor is all about.  In a guest-hosted episode, Brando hangs with the members of Sugarmotor to chew the fat and check out songs from their upcoming release title Bubblegum Fatalism.
Picture
    The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus began in 1981 with the name The Brash Ensemble. It started as a sixteen-member group and has varied in size from eight to forty. As one of the country’s first gay men’s choruses the new ensemble functioned as a performing group within its parent organization, Common Bond.  As surprising as it may seem today, early members worried about being openly gay and often found it hard to find a director willing to conduct an openly gay group. The brave conductors during its first decade were Bill Boyer, Alan Stringer, Bob Morris, John Roberts, David Arellanes, Sean Dougherty and Stephen Montoya. For more than half its history, the chorus rehearsed in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque, with members driving between the two cities and from as far away as Los Alamos and the East Mountains. No other gay chorus in the country ranged over such a wide geographic area.  In a guest-hosted episode, Brando catches up with conductor and artistic director, Aaron Howe, and accompanist, Mike Boring, about the organization’s rich history, the challenges of COVID-19, and what the choir is doing to stay active during the ongoing closure of live performance events.

Picture
  Constant Harmony is made of up siblings, Amy, Jenny, and Lee Sillery, and has been an active fixture in the ABQ independent music scene since the early 2000s.  Unique to this group, each band member switches instruments as they thrash through heavy-hitting punk tunes such as Push Your Friends and draw you into the more relaxed vibes of songs like Acid Rain, both featured on their 2018 release title Phonological Assimilation.  In a guest-hosted episode, Brando chats with the Sillery three about where they come from, and what’s coming up with the forthcoming release of their self-produced split-EP with fellow local rockers, Shrewd.

Picture
  Shrewd is an Albuquerque rock band that has been gaining quite a bit of steam lately in the scene. Made up of members Moe, Aaron, Kevin, and Michael, Shrewd blends elements of grunge, alternative, and punk, into an original blend of rock music. In preparation for the release of their forthcoming split-EP recording with fellow local band Constant Harmony, Brando chatted with the band in July 2020 about their beginnings and how they have developed into local heroes of the hard rock scene.


Picture
This episode, recorded on Feb 12 2020 features Paul Trulillo who has been helping musicians and poets for years. He is also friends with Larry Goodell, who's Poetry segments precede these interviews when they air on KUPR.  Included in the show are a couple of hand picked selections from Sharon Shannon and Blackbird & Crow, along with some original spontaneous music performed for this edition.  Interesting discussion about music in general, and even a couple of Poetry readings complete the episode.
Contact info can be found here:  www.facebook.com/duendepromotions66/

Picture
  This edition of the show featured Bernalillo resident Amy Tuthill, recorded in late January of 2020. She has performed for people suffering from Dementia and also Alzheimer's, and noticed an immediate improvement when they were exposed to music.
  Back in the early 90s she also put together an EP of original songs- some of which are featured here. The track "Polarized" (at 24 minutes into the episode) summarizes today's political climate, even though it was written and recorded some years ago... She is planning to record some new songs, and will let us know when they are ready. There are also a few tunes performed live for this episode of "Let's Get Creative".  She can be reached by email at  [email protected]      Thanks for listening!         


Picture
     Bonnie Bluhm was our guest for this episode, recorded in late June 2019. She has been singing professionally since the early 60s in Greenwich Village, NY, and also lived and performed in the Midwest, the West Coast, and the Northwest. She has called Albuquerque home since 1973. One of the first places she performed at in NM was in Placitas at the old Thunderbird Bar, opening for various bands including Asleep at the Wheel.
   She was also part of Bonnie and The Boomerangs, starting in 1978, and also the duo Bonnie and Maude with Maude Beenhauwer in 1995- and has been involved in other projects also.
   Bonnie did perform a couple of live songs for this show, and tracks from the earlier CDs were also featured, including the latest album of originals called Rio Grande released in 2015.  For more info including references, booking and Resume contact:   [email protected]    Enjoy!


Picture
     Local composer  John Bullock returns for a 2nd visit, recorded on June 4th 2019.  In the episode we explore John’s collaboration with poet Gary Brower - “Leaving Cairo as if it were a Dream”  and also John’s 3 “Geriatric Songs” from his upcoming album titled “Songs of an Old Boomer".
     See below for the earlier episode from August of 2017.


Picture
   Clark Andrew Libbey and Kristen Rad are the guests in this episode, originally aired on 12/27/18. Four original tunes were performed live for this show, along with some discussion about the songs, and other subjects including:  songwriting and recording, upcoming projects and gigs, even science & sci-fi!  A 2nd interview was done with Clark in Dec 2020.  More info can be found at    www.clarkandrewlibbey.com/   and   www.facebook.com/kristen.rad.1   

 



Picture
   Jerry interviews Sevren in this edition, aired on 9/6/18. After playing Electric & String Bass on a professional level for 40+ years, in many different types of gigs- he now is concentrating on his own original music.  Sevren writes, records, produces and performs all of the music on the 2018 release "Backwash Of The Past" - of which 5 tracks are featured in this show. There is just something special about making your own original music! He loved every minute and would like to share that love with you. Thanks for listening. More info at his website: sevrenmusic.com/


Picture
​   On this edition-Jerry interviews Nancy Haubrich and Robert Danielson, who together perform as Alchemie, an  Albuquerque based band that plays original Rock and Pop. Their 2017 album "Dark" won 2 NMMA nominations, and some tracks are featured in this show. There is some in-depth discussion about songwriting, recording, and music in general. The show aired on 7/26/18 -just days before an appearance with previous guest Roger Jameson (see below). More info at  www.alchemielab.com/   


Picture
 Award winning Blues and Americana singer-songwriter Anna Rudolph is featured in this episode,aired on 7/5/18. Originally from Dallas,she has been in NM since 1989. Jerry D speaks with Anna about her recent CD "Darkest Angel" and a few tracks are featured, along with a live performance of a new song "On Fire". They also talk about the songwriting and recording process, and Anna's musical influences growing up.


Picture
Michael Crofoot and Mike Chynoweth graced the KUPR studios with music and wit - throat singing and didgeridoo. Michael has been a fixture in Placitas for over 20 years - studying the history, geology, plants, birds and animals of our little spot in the High Desert and recording his studies with text and pictures. Recent health issues made him decide to relocate to the Pacitic Northwest and a lower elevation where he will no longer need oxygen. He will be missed.


Picture
James de Champlon has long been a fixture in Albuquerque's Old Town, but you may not know that he was also a creative force with Little Kiss Records, a local label, for some time. Jerry D had a great conversation with James and they shared some tracks from Little Kiss recordings along with some history of some of the musicians.


Picture
John Thomas Bullock is a life-long musician who grew up in a musical family in New York. He learned to play guitar at an early age and performed with bands throughout New York City and Long Island. Formally trained in composition, harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration, he is composer-in-residence for the Placitas Artists Series. In 2015, he was co-writer of the song The Ghosts of San Francisco, sung by legendary Motown artist Chris Clark, for the feature documentary-drama, When the World Came to San Francisco. The music video of the song was an official selection at the New York Jazz Film Festival and was was the winner of the Mixed Genre Jazz Film Award.


Picture
Jose Antonio Ponce is a song writer, performer, writer, actor and documentary film producer, (Mariachi Spectacular; Lewie Wickham-A New Mexico Original) and producer of the New Mexico Music Awards, the longest running and most prestigious music awards program in New Mexico. Tonight Jose brings KUPR up to date on the 2017 New Mexico Music Awards.


Picture
​Jerry D. interviews guitarist Jim Casey. Jim plays in the styles of Jazz, Blues, Old School R&B and Soul, and is part of The Chill House Band and The Buster Brown Band. Jim and Jerry talk about current and past projects including "Miles Goes Wes" - a CD featuring new interpretations of Jazz classics originally done by Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery and others.They also talk about the 2/12/17 KUPR Celebration & Fundraiser-since Jim performed at this event-in two bands!


Picture
​Jerry D interviews singer/songwriter Dave Payne. Dave was with the Saltine Ramblers for 10 years, and also recorded with Russel James Pyle, The Silver String Band, 3 String Bale, and Leeches of Lore. His current project is Salt Cedar, an Albuquerque based 4-piece band that plays original songs with a country influence.This episode features Dave debuting some new tunes live.


Picture
​D'Santiago "El Brujo" Nava is a native of Santa Fe, NM with musical bloodlines that go back over 300 years In Europe, Latin America and the USA. D'Santi brings a blend of rhythmic sounds from his indigenous cultures, childhood love of classic rock, classical guitar training, nuevo flamenco and all eras of blues. He currently plays lead guitar with Shelley Morningsong, Underground Cadence, duo with local vocalists and as a soloist. His main influences range from Santana, Hendrix to Jesse Cook, and Los Indios, Strunz and Farah to the Gypsy Kings. D'Santi Nava believes playing music brings healing to the soul! A 2nd interview was done in Nov 2020.


Picture
Felix Peralta—who goes by the stage moniker Gato Malo--stopped by Jerry's studio to talk about the band's new work. Felix y Los Gatos plays a variety of musics from the south and southwest. Zydeco, Americana, Blues, Funk, Rancheras Cumbias, Country, Tex-Mex, Swing...all of these diverse genres can be heard in the band’s engaging live blend. In fact, Santa Fe calls their music “Zydejano”, a fusion of New Orleans Zydeco and Texan/Northern Mexican Ranchero music.


Picture
Acoustic guitar and bluesy harmonica player Jimmy Abraham shares some carefully crafted songs that range from soulful to silly with Jerry - and talks about his newest CD, Songwriter's Notebook Volume 2.


Picture
Caroline and the Carolines is one woman's take on a 'one man band' concept in an age where anything is possible. Making music with other musicians is always a joy, but sometimes going it alone is an excellent journey as well. The CD has been Caroline Jenny's complete focus this past year since the breakup of 'Blue Moon Prairie', a trio devoted to the power of three part harmonies. She believes that anything is possible if you trust in your own vision.


Picture
Eileen & the In-Betweens is the musical vehicle for Albuquerque-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eileen Shaughnessy. Eileen, originally from Minnesota, has toured around the U.S. with Eileen & the In-Betweens and previous band the ExLovers. Eileen has gained a committed following in Albuquerque by regularly performing around town solo and with the band. When she’s not performing, Eileen teaches at the University of New Mexico in the Sustainability Studies and Women Studies Programs. Eileen’s songs often reflect the complex material she teaches: feminism, racial justice, and concern for the earth.


Picture
Jerry delivers another spot on interview with a New Mexico musician. Few local singer-songwriters and bandleaders have been at the game as long or longer than Roger Jameson. In fact, Jameson co-led the brigade of singer-songwriters that, back in the early '90s, blazed the trail for others to come with regular showcases at the long-lamented Dingo Bar. On his own and as leader of the Jaded Heart Band, Jameson has released five CDs and continues to make fresh, relevant folkish pop that's unmistakably Roger Jameson. He resides in Albuquerque.


Picture
​Jerry interviewed KUPR's very own Charlotte Perry and A. Michael Martinez, hosts of Wednesday night's Red Road Radio. Michael's career in music goes back to the late 60s and they now perform together as Amistar, write and record music, and travel the world in search of indigenous music. Enjoy the conversation and the music.


Picture
Inspired by struggle and triumph, the natural world, and spoken with a sincerity that touches deep, Russell James Pyle's songwriting "has it's fingers placed firmly on the pulse of American life," (New Mexico Americana Music Society). His performances, whether solo or with his backup band, Dry Heat, are passionate, energetic, and delivered in his trademark vibrato rasp.Thank Jerry for another great interview.


Picture
​A KUPR first - Jerry and George Koinis recorded a house concert in Placitas on June 11 2016 and then followed up with an interview with two of the musicians, Patty Stephens and Mark Dankert. What a great setting for some great


Picture
Jerry D caught up with Bébé La La at a live performance in 2016 and captured this interview for us. Bébé La La features singer-songwriter, guitarist, and violist Alicia Ultan and vocalist-accordionist Maryse Lapierre, who is originally from Quebec. Bébé La La has been nominated for three awards for the NM Music awards and took home two!


Picture
​Jerry DiTata interviewed Las Cruces musician Zach Caruso in April 2016 for KUPR talking about the new record "Afternoons With Miss Jones", touring, and some tracks from his last album "Might Be The Rain".


Picture
​Wayne Wesley Johnson is an award winning guitarist who performs on acoustic, electric, nylon & steel string guitars and guitar synthesizer in a variety of musical styles and genres. He performs in thumbpicking, fingerstyle, and flatpicking styles...playing jazz, world, new age, latin & rumba flamenca and with classical techniques. In addition to leading his own bands, he formerly performed and toured with guitar legend Les Paul and has performed and recorded with many others. Wes is currently a guitar instructor and member of the faculty of the Santa Fe Community College and also teaches at Grandmas Music & Sound, Albuquerque, NM. This interview took place in March 2016, and there was also a 2nd one.


Picture
​Kim Perkins is a self-taught harper (harpers play lever or Celtic harps, harpists play pedal harps) but was classically trained on the piano. Kim lives in Placitas and shared her story and music with KUPR's Jerry D, in Feb 2016. You can listen to the entire segment below and her CD is available at Hoot Art Gallery in Placitas. Learn more about her at www.kimperkins.org.


Picture
​Jerry interviews Cali Shaw in May of 2016, and plays cuts from his new album Under The Olive Tree (released November, 2015). On it, Shaw continues his unique vision of modern acoustic music by employing instruments not normally associated with folk and making them seem perfectly at home and in proper context within the boundaries of his songs.


Picture
​Sunlight is a husband and wife folk duo spreading love and sunlight through their music. Aaron Lewis is a classically trained guitarist. Paula Manning-Lewis is a visual artist and this is her first musical project. Their songs are about acceptance, love, being yourself, hard times and more. Listen to their music and interview with Jerry D. below and learn more about them at www.reverbnation.com/nmsunlight

Picture


​KUPR is a project of Las Placitas Association - 
protecting open spaces, wildlife and watersheds since 1974

On the Air 24/7

email: [email protected]

Telephone

505.771.9007
  • Home
    • 10th Anniversary Schedule
    • Weather report
    • KUPR listeners
  • Schedule
    • Archives
    • Archives: Let's Get Creative interviews
  • This Week on KUPR
  • Talent
  • Support KUPR
    • Supporters
  • Calendar
  • Submit
  • Contact