88.5 FM receives so much music on a daily basis... CDs, downloads, reissues, box sets, cassette tapes, vinyl records and more. Songs are generally chosen by committee at the station, but it's the job of the music director to go through the stacks and stacks with a fine tooth comb. This blog may include major label releases, independent artists, even random submissions for your listening pleasure.
Music Director Picks #9
JOHN THE MARTYR - CROSS THE LINE
Described as "good old-fashioned Harlem soul power and next generation New Orleans voodoo" this 10 piece collective has one of our favorite songs on the air right now. The story behind this band starts with musician Kyle Ridley who moved from NOLA to NYC and was looking for a singer to collaborate with on some new songs he had written. While waiting for the subway Ridley discovered the powerful voice of Bill Hudson, a singer in his 70’s performing with a doo-wop group for the busy commuters. “Everybody was sort of just walking by and going about their day, but I just stood there and watched. I had to reach out” Ridley said.
THE RACONTEURS - NOW THAT YOU'RE GONE
In a surprise move, Jack White released two brand new songs with his band The Raconteurs... the more melodic track is “Now That You’re Gone” and is sung by Brenden Benson. The band’s first new songs in over a decade were delivered to 88.5 FM, but if you have a Third Man Records Vault service subscription, you probably got the new releases as well. No word on a full length album just yet.
DAVID GRAY - A TIGHT SHIP
David Gray will always be considered and friend and supporter of 88.5 FM as he graciously performed at a benefit concert for us in the past. We’ve heard about there being a new David Gray song… so we waited and waited and waited. Now we have “A Tight Ship” a single offered along with some album details and a tour announcement. The new LP will be available early March, it will be called Gold In The Brass Age and David Gray will be returning to SoCal late June.
