The finale to our first season of the Two Cat Kitchen features our good friend and expert on all things Narragansett Bay Courtney Schmidt. Courtney takes us on a talking tour of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program and all the great work they do and shares a few cocktail recipes- a first here at the Kitchen! Sara Grady and The Coconotes are busy this episode with 3 new songs, including another favorite by The Cure. And we conclude our conversation with noted star of stage and screen Mme LesMe...

"Once they bought into the idea of doing the show they deep dived into the internet and quickly found the hardcore fans of the musical and would show up to rehearsal and they would have all of these theories that they had never heard of before." This episode features the 2024 St. Clair College Production of CATS where I was joined by the director Kristyn Wiklanski who also played Cassandra on the 5th US National Tour in 2006 as well as Tatum Roy and Camryn Winnicky-Lewis who played Bombalurina and

"I have a thing that I call ‘Cat Story Time’ and I sit down with the cats and I tell them my version of the events, and tell them sort of what I know." This episode features Chaz Wolcott who played the magical Mr. Mistoffelees on the US National Tour 5 of CATS and has been the director and choreographer for multiple regional productions of the show. Hear Chaz share how he booked the show multiple times with perfect timing, his experience on tour, and how he tells the story when he's directing a

Drums and percussion are more than just the heartbeat of the music. Dr. Drums joins the pod to share her experience developing and performing music for percussion ensembles, letting the rhythm take center stage. ⁠We discuss the cultural background of modern rhythm, the different musical styles that have evolved, and ways that music fans can support this essential part of the musical arts!⁠ Explore more of Leah's projects and connect further with her at: Leah's IG | Leah's Upcoming Shows

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Mia Lust of Manchester based psychedelic-garage-post-punk band, Chemtrails.Mia talks about her appreciation for lyrics that use words in a creative and often unexpected way and how she tries to emulate that approach with her own lyric writing. She also discusses challenging herself to try new methods and processes to elicit specific responses to her songwriting. Mia also talks about the common themes in Chemtrails' lyrics across their three

How do you write music down? How do I convey my musical ideas to you without being in the same room or without recorded music? These questions have puzzled musicians for thousands of years! But now, the question is: Is our current method of music notation the best it can be? Should innovation stop here? Join us as we break down the history of music notation and explore its future in this episode of LMM. Want to hear my music? Check out my links and dance around the lights at:

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Jamie, Justin and Tom of Surrey based punk/post-hardcore band, Stay//Asleep.The band talk about the joy of working collaboratively and how that process plays out from Jamie's initial lyrics to the finished song. They also discuss their own relationship and preferences with lyrics and how that varies within the band. Jamie also talks about turning to a more direct approach to lyrical themes and messages, as well as applying that to more

West Taylor is back on the podcast to talk about his new album "Available Parts" and we have a special co host with us this episode, Cy Kincaid (Sitting With Cy), to dive a bit deeper into the album making process. Listen to "Available Parts" on Spotify here! Listen to West guest on Sitting With Cy here! Buy "Available Parts" on Bandcamp here! Visit Space Canoe Records here! Music: Losing My Way Mile Higher No Exes Available Parts

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Cal Hudson of Norfolk noise/punk/indie/post-hardcore band, Other Half. Cal talks about the importance of lyrics to him personally, as well as some of the biggest (and at times surprising) influences behind his own lyrical approach. He also talks about the process of writing lyrics to fit a narrative across albums and how much personal experience plays a part in that. Cal also talks about the balancing of more violent themes alongside a often

We are thrilled to be joined by Gage Thomas of Dog Man: The Musical! Gage chats with BTC about playing Harold & Others, theatre for children, and the importance of PLAY. Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. Best buds George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re in 5th grade, they figure it's time to level up and write a musical based on

"I had seen the show after it opened and I knew that Skimbleshanks was the role for me. I knew that was the role that I wanted to do in the show." This episode features Kevin Winkler who performed as Skimbleshanks on the US National Tour 4 of CATS and is the author of a new book called "On Bette Midler". Hear Kevin share his crazy audition stories, why he knew he was perfect for Skimbleshanks, and some fun stories from his time on tour. Plus, Kevin shares more on his book and Kevin and Mike cast the

This week, host Jason Jefferies is joined by North Carolina Music Hall of Famer and former Squirrel Nut Zipper Tom Maxwell, who discusses his new book A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene 1989-1999, which is published by our friends at Hachette Books.  Topics of conversation include North Carolina musical history, the Cat's Cradle, the temptation to label something as 'the next' something else, Dexter Romweber and the Flat Duo Jets, the desire for profit vs. the desire to

"When I got the audition appointment I was like this would be a blast to pretend to be a cat at this audition. Let's do it. I texted Kim and asked - How much cat do you give at the audition?" This episode features Mackenzie Warren who was Bombalurina in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS. Hear Kim discuss seeing her friend Kim perform as Demeter in the show, how she created her backstory for Bombalurina, and her experience on the TV show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt which had a CATS episode. Plus,

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Callum Cant of Scottish anti-fascist black metal band, Tyrannus. Callum talks about the choice to use otherworldly concepts and narratives to communicate very real universal truths and socio-political views and the balance of clarifying an idea with leaving room for personal interpretation. Callum also talks about the importance of prioritising community and love through the lens of black metal and discusses how some of his lyrical approaches

We sit down with Chris Shaw to talk about Shaw Brothers Band, Topher James and the Biscuit Brigade, Move Your Music Forward, and so much more! Check out Move Your Music Forward! Topher James Music Andy Shaw Band Shaw Brothers Music Music: Better Things   Tell Your Story   Kinda Heartbreaking   Let Go Of The Fear

It's OK if you'll stick around, you will make my week if you listen to the new #MusicalConnections podcast I'll be mixing down! On this week's #NextIIConnect, I connect with Mark Manning and Aaron Collis of Rum Ragged! They talk about Gone Jiggin', their first full album in five years! Plus, they talk about their musical journeys, some of their career highlights, and more! Music Featured in Episode: New Found Releases (April 14-20, 2024)Song: Dusty RhodesArtist: Albert Dalton, Cat Café, New

"Watching the 1998 VHS which I rented on Netflix. I got the DVD mailed to me." This episode features Lucy Horton who played Jellylorum on the US National Tours 5 of CATS and in multiple regional productions. Hear Lucy share how she actually booked the show multiple times but had to turn down the contracts before joining the 5th Tour, how she approached the show on tour and regionally, and why Grizabella is still her Jellicle choice. Plus, Lucy shares a crazy story about being stuck in the tire at a

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with singer/songwriter, Katie Malco.Katie talks about the subconscious influence of lyricists that she looks up to as well as the personal, at times very direct, nature of writing autobiographical lyrics and how that can complicate the relationship to older songs over time. Katie also talks about new music that is planned for release later this year as well as giving some interesting insights into how she is still discovering new themes and outlooks