Via satellite, transmitting from northeast Los Angeles — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm California time, Wednesdays.
34.1090° N, 118.2334° W
Year: 2023
Legion Of Mary :: Oriental Theatre | Milwaukee, WI, 1975 WZMF
Summer approaches and we’re once again under the spell of Legion of Mary, the short-lived bay area live outfit that was home to players Jerry Garcia, Merle Saunders, John Kahn, Martin Fierro and Ron Tutt. Performing around 60 shows between July 1974 to July 1975, the band’s spirited performance at Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre in April of ’75 is one of their best in circulation, and one that, thus far, has yet to see an official release.
Bush Tetras :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
We recently caught up with both Cynthia Sley and Pat Place, in the first smoky days of summer, about Bush Tetras history and evolution, the new album and the legacy they’d like to leave. Said Place, “Girls come up to us after shows, and say that changed my life. We feel like, okay, wow, this is all worthwhile then.”
Transmissions :: Bruce Licher (Independent Project)
Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press and Records joins host Jason P. Woodbury to discuss his album art creations, his time in the Mojave Desert, the Southwestern dream-pop scene of the ‘90s, his letterpress origins, his work with R.E.M. and much more.
Elia y Elizabeth :: Alegría b/w Ponte Bajo el Sol
Circa 1973 by way of 2023, this recently released 7” from the Madrid-based Munster Records comprises two tracks from Colombian sisters Elia and Elizabeth Fleta—the title track to their album Alegría and a slice of sunshine psych from their self-titled lp.
M. Sage :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Paradise Crick feels like a breakthrough for the Colorado-based musician. It’s not so much an album as it is an enveloping landscape, teeming with ever-shifting textures and vibrant colors. We dropped in on Sage in his home studio a few weeks back to get a personal tour of Paradise Crick, in the process attempting to answer a thorny question: can ambient music be funny?
Wall Matthews :: The Dance In Your Eye
Among a near-endless cycle of unearthing the unsung guitar hero, we come across some that truly branch out beyond the realm of the loner guitar soli adherent. And occasionally, those troubadours manage to keep on kicking long enough to see their music reach a wider audience after, sometimes, decades in obscurity. Wall Matthews is one such survivor.
The Lagniappe Sessions :: John Andrews & The Yawns
On the heels of their superb, hypnotically smooth fourth record, we bring you the inaugural Lagniappe Session from John Andrews & The Yawns. While Love for the Underdog examines the cinematic charms of the classic theater experience, this batch of covers expands upon the far reach of Andrews and his talented collective. From lo-fi takes on familiar influences like Arthur Russell and Vashti Bunyan, to the elusive single “Seabird” (also check the Peruvian yacht-rock version) by singer-songwriter duo The Alessi Brothers, there is a plethora of inspired takes to get lost in.
Little Feat :: Thank You! I’ll Eat It Here: Live At The Palladium, Los Angeles, CA (8/28/71)
Hoy hoy! This month we’re treated to a double dose of Little Feat with some seriously tricked-out reissues of two defining albums in a pretty flawless run, Sailin’ Shoes (1972) and Dixie Chicken (1973). There’s perhaps no better reflection of Little Feat than the music a put down on these two records, which represent a crucial junction in both sound and songwriting as the band transitioned from dusty barroom boogie to their breakthrough blend of slick production and southern-fried funk.
Medeski Martin & Wood :: Jazz Econo: Friday Afternoon In The Universe And Shack-Man
…in 1996 the group followed up Friday Afternoon In The Universe with an even more deeply heady and dank offering, Shack-man. MMW as a group decamped to a remote section of Hawaii to record the album (via solar power) in a literal plywood shack where they channeled the island’s native spirits, “The Nightmarchers”, and the funky New Orleans voodoo of The Meters, along with a sprinkle of Europe’s rave scene. The result was something akin to “soul-jazz, hip-hop, and post-punk world beat”.
Bonus Tracks, Vol. 4 :: Willie Nelson, John Cale, Curtis Mayfield
Another dive into the CD shelves, where we’re uncovering more bonus track gold. This time around Justin Gage and Tyler Wilcox have dug up some swampy jams, beautiful b-sides and righteously funky demos, all from that early- to mid-1970s sweet spot. Fire up that Discman and listen in.
The Groundhogs :: Live At Leeds
Of the many albums to play in requiem for (T.S.) McPhee, fearless leader of the mighty Groundhogs, there are none quite like Live at Leeds. It’s one of those right place/right time performances, recorded in 1971 while the band was opening for the Stones with a set comprised entirely of songs from Thank Christ for the Bomb and Spilt.
Tim Rutili on Califone’s Cinematic Village
On villagers, the eighth album from Tim Rutili’s steadfast Califone project, the singer bemoans “a Roxy Music cassette dying in the dashboard sun.” That image serves as a fitting description of the sound here: open pop melodies and soulful singing at the mercy of time, nature, and memory. Rutili joins us to discuss his creative process, after funeral disassociation, and how reality television influenced the album as much as, or more than, his lofty cinematic obsessions.
The Aquarium Drunkard Show: SIRIUS/XMU (7pm PDT, Channel 35)
Via satellite, transmitting from northeast Los Angeles — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm California time, Wednesdays.
34.1090° N, 118.2334° W
Transmissions :: Suss
This week on Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions: ambient country trio Suss. On their own, Suss members Jonathan Gregg, Bob Holmes, and Pat Irwin have been involved in musical projects, with artists like k.d. Lang, the B-52s, John Cale, David Bowie, Norah Jones, the War on Drugs and Wilco—Irwin even contributed music to Nickelodeon’s Rocko’s Modern Life.