Blogs

The Russ Tolman Goodtime Hour – Feb. 27, 2025

Russ Tolman welcomes the vivacious and effervescent Jon Langford (Mekons, Three Johns, Waco Brothers, Pine Valley Cosmonauts...!) back to the KDRT airwaves as the featured guest on this week's Goodtime Hour, coming your way at 9p Pacific on KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org — also streaming via your favorite podcast app. Don't miss it!

 

Divine Intervention – Feb. 21, 2025

Are your ready for some Divine Intervention? Stay tuned at 6 p.m. Pacific for hand-picked new releases (Black Viiolet, Edvard Graham Lewis, Freckle, Guided By Voices, Lambrini Girls, Moles...), forgotten favorites, a featured goddess, and our Vinyl Vespers "rare-record" pick (yikes...!) — all here on KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org — streaming thereafter via your favorite pod apps.

 

Farfisa-mania! The Audio Ecotone for Feb. 21, 2025

It may have lacked the jazzy groove of the Hammond B3 or the soulful sophistication of the electric piano, but the raspy, wheezy, oh-so-slightly out-of-tune electronic whine of the combo organ was in integral part of the garage and psychedelic sounds of the 1960s and beyond. While the name of one of the largest manufacturers -- Farfisa -- is often used to refer to them, a number of manufacturers produced these instruments during their heyday in the 1960s and 1970s: Vox, Yamaha, Gibson, Fender, Acetone, Elka, Cordovox, Rheem (yes, the water heater folks) and a bunch more. Though they were supplanted by digital synthesizers in the 1980s, their distinctive sound can still be heard today not only in rock, but also in jazz, international, alternative and even contemporary classical music.

On this week's Audio Ecotone, we'll explore some of these sounds with selections from The Sir Douglas Quintet, Stereolab, Elvis Costello, The Darts, Dengue Fever, Steve Reich and more. And we'll make a special announcement about an upcoming show! So listen live on Friday, 2/21 at 3 p.m. Pacific on KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis or online. The show replays Saturday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 a.m.

The Russ Tolman Goodtime Hour – Feb. 20, 2025

This weekThe Russ Tolman Goodtime Hour brings you a very special broadcast featuring guest Matt Piucci, who tells all about the Rain Parade, Boatclub, Hellenes, Crazy Horse, and rocking with Country Joe McDonald. Catch Russ and Matt at 9 p.m. Pacific on KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org — or stream it via your favorite pod place.

The Electric Compost Heap – Feb. 14, 2025

ICYMI: This week's Electric Compost Heap with DJ Dug Deep features some tracks that have nothing to do with Valentine's Day. Also spotlighted, some tunes from David Johansen (pictured at left) — the former member of the New York Dolls is battling cancer and complications and can really use your help right now. Stream the replay and visit David's Sweet Relief fund to show your support.

 

ICYMI: LIVE DiRT with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder John McEuen and DJ Rocky Outcrop!

Grammy award-winning banjo legend John McEuen is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  He joined DJ Rocky Outcrop for another edition of Live DiRT  on Feb. 3 — stream it here. John and his band also appeared at venues in Grass Valley, Mill Valley, and Livermore. Learn more at JohnMcEuen.net.

Musicals! On Audio Ecotone, Feb. 14, 2025

In the 1930s and 1940s, musicals provided a weary world a little bit of respite and reminders of joy to help revive and recharge the spirit. Sadly and incomprehensibly, this is needed again. On this Valentine's Day,  my valentine to you, faithful Audio Ecotone listeners, is a little bit of escapism, with favorite selections from musicals from the 1920s to 1980s as well as a surprise appearance by the Nicholas Brothers! Listen live at 3 p.m. Pacific on KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis or online at kdrt.org. The show replays at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. on Tuesday, and is archived for two weeks at https://kdrt.org/program/audio-ecotone.

For more show and music announcements, follow me on Bluesky at @eddy-owt.bsky.social.