Episode 59 - Sha-Rock (Funky Four Plus One)

My guest this week is the legendary Sha-Rock, of Funky Four Plus One. They were one of the biggest hip-hop groups in the era before rap records, and they went on to release classic singles in the late 70’s and early 80’s. She was the first female MC in hip-hop, and they were the first hip-hop group to play on Saturday Night Live. She’s one of my favorite MC’s in the history of rap, and it was honor to have her on the show.

She talks about her initial entrance into hip-hop as a B-girl, and her pioneering use of the echo chamber (which Run-DMC would later cite as an influence). We talk about their journey from packed shows in the Bronx to a sold-out nationwide tour with Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Sequence, Sugarhill Gang and more. She explains their role in bringing rap shows to the punk rock world for the first time, and the influence they had on groups like The Beastie Boys.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to James Brown’s There It Is. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Episode 58 - Dylijens

My guest this week is Dylijens. He’s a member of the Llamadon collective, and the main guy behind Baltimore’s Beet Trip night. We first met at a show in his hometown of Frederick, MD, and I’ve admired his grind ever since.

He tells me about Llamadon’s formation in a defunct Jewish frat house in Pikesville, MD. We talk about their unique approach to touring, and he recaps their recent west coast tour. He breaks down the future he sees for LLamadon, and for Baltimore’s music scene as a whole.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to MC Shan’s Born To Be Wild. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Episode 57 - Tom Kessler (Part Two)

Height Zone World 57. This is part two of my interview with Tom Kessler. Tom is the man behind She Will Rise Media, through which he’s documented hundreds of Baltimore shows. I first met him when he appeared with a camera at my record release show. Tom is a tireless documentarian and supporter of Baltimore music and arts, and I was happy to get his perspective on things.

We talk about some of the local photographers and videographers he admires, and discuss his insecurities about measuring up to them. He explains the game-changing experience he had while filming Acme Corporation’s 24-hour marathon of Samuel Beckett’s “Play.” He breaks down his long-term plan for She Will Rise, which involves Tom writing and directing his own plays. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to House of Pains’s self-titled debut. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Episode 56 - Tom Kessler (Part One)

Height Zone World 56. My guest this week is Tom Kessler. Tom is the man behind She Will Rise Media, through which he’s documented hundreds of Baltimore shows. I first met him when he appeared with a camera at my record release show. Tom is a tireless documentarian and supporter of Baltimore music and arts, and I was happy to get his perspective on things.

He talked about being initially turned on to Baltimore music by Dan Deacon and Future Islands shows at the 2640 space. He tells me about being driven to document shows on the regular after being blown away by early Microkingdom performances. We talk about the frustrations he has with his non-stop grind, and his desire to step his game up.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to House Of Pains’s self-titled debut. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Episode 55 - Mike Apichella (Part Two)

Height Zone World 55. This is part two of my interview with Mike Apichella. Mike is the main man behind the band Human Host. He’s spent the past few years creating Towson-Glen Arm Freakouts, an in-depth archive of the early 90’s music and arts scene in north Baltimore County. He currently contributes to Splice Today. (Who also host this podcast) I’ve been a fan of his music since 1996, and I was (very briefly) a member of Human Host.

In this episode, we talk about his earliest touring experiences with The Superstation, and about the ideas that led to him forming Human Host. We talk about the endless grind of booking tours, and his desire to leave the D.I.Y. scene and enter the D.I.F.M. (Do It For Me) scene. He ends the episode by reading some of Human Host’s written work.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Trick Daddy’s http://www.thug.com. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.