Author Archives: Evan Toth

There has been tremendous growth in the topic of vinyl records and record collecting over the last decade or so. There are podcasts (like this one), articles, and video channels dedicated to folks who blab about their treasured collections, and then there are those who shout from the rooftops about new releases the minute the news gets out. But what about holding a face-to-face conversation with another person about our beloved discs? When was the last time you looked someone directly in the eye and engaged in some good old analog repartee?

If you’re going to chit chat with an individual about this topic, then Corey duBrowa should be at the top of your list. After years of writing about music for publications like Rolling Stone and GQ, he no doubt commands a strong understanding of the subject matter. That’s not to mention the other exciting side of his career: a world of global corporate communications for many brands and companies that would be familiar to you. Like all good communicators, he has focused his interest on a brand new book that he’s written exploring the format of the EP. It’s titled, An Ideal for Living: A Celebration of the E.P. – Extended Play (Hozac Books) and it contains a history of the unique format coupled with reflections about noteworthy EP releases through the ages from his many friends and colleagues.

While our conversation via video featured me holding up many of the albums we’re discussing, you, dear listener, are relegated to using your imagination to fill in some of the blanks. I’m confident you’ll catch on. The discussion you’re about to hear is quick-witted, exciting, and chock full of absorbing details and anecdotes. This talk with Corey was a delight and I’m certain that you’ll have as much fun as I did by just listening.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

It’s not everyday that one gets to speak with “The Most Beautiful Woman in Norway”—according to Elle Norway—but that’s just a bi-product of the fact that this episode’s guest is a multifaceted personality who has made successful inroads in the music, fashion, and modeling industries.

Maya Vik is a Norwegian bassist, songwriter, and singer who—in addition to her previously mentioned skillset—is also infatuated with a sound that’s very near and dear to my nostalgic heartstrings: the late ’80s and early ’90s. Her newest release, Hustlebot leans strongly on the FM offerings of those years and achieves a compelling simulacrum of a time when youngsters clad in Guess jeans roamed America’s sprawling shopping malls.Maya, of course, infuses her own Nordic spin into the sound.

So, join us and find out more about how she juggles her many talents, the path that led her to the bass guitar, how she connected with the excellent producer Initial Talk, and what her next plans are. Given Maya’s history so far, there’s no telling what surprises are in store.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

There’s nothing like the sound of an old Motown record. Whether you hear it in your hometown of Detroit, or turn it up in Kathmandu; it doesn’t matter, the music is great regardless of location and, truth be told, those recordings are inimitable.

One could say they encapsulate a certain time and place, but that wouldn’t be fair to the level of sorcery that was achieved in Motown’s studios during their hey-day. It wasn’t just music they were creating, instead it was an almost existential sound; sure, go ahead: they made magic.

Motown’s catalog is vast and while much of it has been grafted onto the American experience of the ’60s and ’70s, there are many recordings that still wait to be re-discovered by music lovers and record collectors. Elemental Music was founded by Jordi Soley in Barcelona in 2012 and is best known as a jazz reissue label. Recently, however, they’ve been given the opportunity to reissue a significant chunk of the Motown catalog. Achieving this keeps these important Motown milestones in print, but the label is also committed to doing it right so these releases proudly represent the timeless grooves located within their cardboard sleeves.

Joining me on this episode from Elemental is Kevin Keeley. Together, we discuss the process that Elemental is undertaking to bring these eternal tunes to a new generation of vinyl lovers. In a nutshell, this show is a guy from Ireland who works for a record company in Barcelona talking to a fella in New Jersey about music made in Detroit more than half a century ago. If that doesn’t show the worldwide, timeless appeal of Motown’s music, then I don’t know what to tell you.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

It’s not easy to be consistent in show business, to continually release albums and to perform at a high caliber at all times. However, some musicians have the ability to hand in strong works through most of their careers. There are performers who have built lifelong bonds with their dedicated fans because of these reasons.

Raul Midón is one of those artists and he has recently released a strong new album titled, Lost and Found which finds the multi-instrumentalist experimenting with and exploring several different genres and voices. And—if my data is correct—although he’s released albums since his first solo release in 1999, this is the first time one of his records has been released on vinyl. This is fitting, too, as Raul joins me soon after participating in this year’s Making Vinyl conference which took place in Nashville, TN.

As you’ll hear, at the conference, Raul found a new appreciation for vinyl, not just from the auditory point of view, but through other facets that you’ll soon learn about. One way to remain as consistent as Midón has over the years is to continue to challenge yourself to create the best work possible. In this interview, Raul will share a little bit of his process of doing just that.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

Andy Summers, renowned as the influential guitarist of The Police, reveals a multifaceted creative persona that extends far beyond music. He openly embraces his diverse interests, seamlessly integrating them much like he does with his guitar, weaving them into a cohesive tapestry that defines his prolific body of work.

While the guitar remains his primary artistic tool, Andy’s pursuits extend to photography with his Leica camera and creative writing with a keyboard. His latest endeavor, The Cracked Lens + A Missing String tour, ingeniously merges these passions together. Here, Andy not only performs music but intertwines his photographic art and narratives, transcending a mere recapitulation of his greatest hits. It’s a testament to his belief in the evolution of artistic expression in order to engage varied audiences with his restless visions.

In our discussion, guitars naturally take center stage alongside anecdotes from his iconic Police days; we even muse about guitar hunting. Yet, our focus remains forward-looking. Andy reflects on a journey marked by towering achievements and vast experiences, but he is now afforded the luxury to discover recurring themes and seek the synchronicity in his life’s narrative.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

Becoming who we are takes years. Our personality develops long before we’re aware of it. Some of us are more comfortable with ourselves than others, but generally, we understand our own identity and hope that we grasp how others perceive us—that part can be a challenge. Given the chance to be someone else, who would you choose? How would you be different? What rules would you break if you weren’t yourself?

In music, alter egos are common. Bowie’s Ziggy and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper Band are famous examples. Today, newer artists, like Aiden Berglund, explore their art without the name they were ascribed at birth. Aiden, under the pseudonym Grimsøn, has recently released his debut album, Climbing Up the Chimney. The record blends rock with a touch of the baroque.

Join me and Aiden in Germany as we delve into his past and how it shapes his present. It’s a chance for him to reveal the person behind the performer, to shed light on his new album’s songs and his creative journey. Perhaps you will be inspired to consider who you would become if you were someone—or something—else. That other you might be a more significant part of you than you realize.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

Multitasking is a popular trend in musicianship today, but, like in other aspects of life, it has its critics. Those against multitasking argue that the human brain performs best when focused on one task at a time. Just because we can multitask doesn’t mean it’s the most effective approach. What if we devoted all our time and energy to a single pursuit instead?

Molly Miller embodies this principle through her lifelong dedication to the guitar. Proficient in its complexities, she not only creates music with the instrument but also shares her expertise with others. Her latest album, The Ballad of Hotspur, created with her trio, showcases her deep connection with 20th-century guitar music. With a jazzy, meticulously composed finesse, the album also highlights her role as a guitar instructor at USC’s Thornton School of Music.

Also explored is Molly’s upcoming tour with Jason Mraz, with whom she serves as guitarist, and her experiences managing her various guitar-related endeavors. The release party for her album is set for Sunday, June 16, at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego, CA.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, let’s give Molly the same focused attention she gives to her guitar.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

When you reach a certain age, you get used to the experience of processing bad news or difficult times in your life. It may be hard to explain the consistency of that behavior as processing trauma is an amorphous experience, sometimes different things heal the wounds that life tosses at us at different times.

Cancer is a particularly dark development in anyone’s life or family, and while medical treatments for the disease have come a long way over the years, there is plenty of sage wisdom out there that says our mindset plays a large role in recovery from the unwanted spectre of cancer.

Donna Lewis is best known for her 1996 megahit, “I Love You Always Forever” which can still be heard frequently on radio dials and while wandering around your local drug store at 11PM. At the time, it was a vivaciously bubbling love pop song with just the right amount of breathy spookiness to infiltrate a post-grunge world ready for new sounds in a new century.

In 2021, Donna hears the diagnosis that no one wants to receive, she had breast cancer and then embarked on a course of treatment that was, thankfully, ultimately successful. However, during days and nights that must have been hauntingly frightening, she found inspiration and therapeutic relief in composing music that illustrated her journey. The result is Rooms With a View which finds Lewis’ signature voice describing her experiences in an incredibly powerful way.

Join Donna and me as we discuss her latest album, her virtual work with producer and musician Holmes Ives, and what’s coming up next in support of this album. As you’ll learn during our chat, the music on Lewis’ new work got her through a tough time, but will most certainly be heard by other folks moving through their own difficult days. Donna may have made this album to help herself through the darkness, but it’s also there to comfort others, too.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

PHOTO: LOUIS BOO | It’s miraculous, really, that great new music is revealed to us each passing week; we need only to be open to exploring it to enjoy it. There’s nothing wrong with reveling in your favorite songs, artists and albums that are deemed classics by some listening community, but it’s continuing to explore new releases that really gets us thinking about music: both where it’s been and where it’s going and how new sounds might enrich our busy lives.

That’s when it’s fun to discover an artist like Liam Bailey who offers a slice of many of your favorite records on his newest release, Zero Grace, yet he maintains a voice that is all his own. Liam is not really a “new” artist, but his latest album is a bit of a rebirth. His first full release dates back to 2014 and jointly came out on the Sony Masterworks and Flying Buddah labels. But his latest album on the Big Crown label feels like a return to Bailey’s roots; a true representation of who he is rather than someone else’s idea of who he should be.

And Liam wouldn’t have things that way anyway. As you’ll find in our chat, he’s his own man and he resists any temptation to avoid the truth; he approaches things head-on and makes no excuses. And for someone who is a music lover, and who appreciates a steadfast creator making music on their own terms, it can be an exciting experience to discover Liam Bailey. So, let’s do it!

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

We all make boo boos. Usually, however, when the boo boos happen, we more or less move on, apologize if necessary, and try to watch out for similar situations in the future. Sometimes, however, as we’re bobbling that thing that we’re about to break, we manage to tap-dance our way into some sort of a solution; even if it doesn’t look pretty.

I’d been hoping to interview Graham Parker for many years and when the opportunity came up in the past, it just didn’t work out. So, when the chance came up in connection with his latest release, Last Chance to Learn the Twist, I jumped and wanted to make everything run as smoothly as possible. Graham and I had a great, fun chat. Except, as Murphy and his law might have predicted, I messed it up and was unable to use any of the footage that we created together.

Instead of running away with my tail in between my legs, I bravely stood up, raised my hand, and said out loud, “I goofed!” to which Graham and his team kindly responded in the positive: “Don’t worry, mate. We’ll do it again.”

So, enjoy take-two of a double-take of my interview with Graham Parker. He’s as fun of a chat as you might imagine and his wealth of experiences and strong and solid body of work make him a character who anyone would enjoy speaking with. He’s smart, he’s funny, and he’s not above giving a bloke a break when that bloke has made a boo boo. Thanks, Graham.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

If you’re like most people, at 20 years old, you’re still figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life. And there’s nothing wrong with that, especially in today’s day and age, young people now have the luxury of waiting just a little bit longer before they make up their mind to point their lives in a specific direction. However, like compounding interest in an investment, the longer you spend—and the earlier you get started in a particular thing—the sooner you become an expert and reap the compounding interest and dividends of your patience and time.

Joey Alexander may only be 20 years old this year, but he’s already got a dozen years of experience and success in the jazz world to lean upon. Seen as a wunderkind, Joey was born with an innate understanding—technically and emotionally—of jazz. After finding success in Europe, he gained further popularity and was showcased for a wider audience by Wynton Marsalis. Since then, he’s played for Presidents, been featured on 60 Minutes, and is also the first Indonesian artist to have an album make the Billboard 200 chart.

While his young age may have been part of the package in selling his talents, at 20 years old, Alexander proves that, as he grows older, he’s got much more to say to his audience through the language of jazz. His latest album is titled, Continuance (Mack Avenue) and aside from showcasing his piano chops, it also highlights a fabulous composer in the making.

Much of the time, when I approach a guest on Radar, I’m confident that I can find some unique topics to discuss. However, with Joey, I was sure he’d been asked everything I had in mind. We discussed his long/short career, his new album, what’s coming next, and I might even dig up a topic or two that he hasn’t been interviewed about yet. Joey Alexander has accomplished so much at a very young age; the most impressive takeaway of my time with him was excitement over what the next decade might bring.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

Going somewhere else is sometimes the only thing you can do to really find your true voice. And I don’t mean taking a vacation or a daytrip. Moving from one state—or, coast—to another is a very adventurous move, but emigrating to another country to live is truly beyond what most of us might even consider doing. Can you imagine leaving your family and friends, everything you know in search of a new life? Looking for new employment opportunities? And don’t forget that eternal search for love.

Chiara D’Anzieri left her hometown of Turin, Italy and ended up in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Of course the relocation had to do with music, but we all know what would instigate such a bold move: love certainly played a part. When she was younger, Chiara spent time in her Italian homeland studying cello in conservatories. However, she was ready to create some rock and roll and her Italian heritage coupled with her classical background gave her a unique lens with which to make this a reality. All she needed now was a new stage name, a professional moniker—make that Santa Chiara—named after her favorite monastery in Naples, Italy.

And so she joins me on this episode to discuss her life and her latest record called, of course, Imported. The new album explores the immigration process from her point of view, but there’s more here, too. There’s hope and light connected with the anxiety and excitement of finding one’s way in a new country—not only is Santa Chiara finding her way around, learning how to fit in and stand out, but she’s making great art out of it, too. As the saying goes, “When in Rome.” Or, in Chiara’s case, it’s “when in Philly.” For now, at least.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

There’s a unique quality that actors and actresses bring to songwriting and musicianship. Oftentimes, they create works that lean heavily on the idea that the singer, or narrator, is a character. Of course, all musicians and songwriters do this to some extent, but there’s another level of commitment when it’s done by a musician who also happens to be an actor.

Rebecca Pidgeon is well-known in both worlds, as an actress and as a musician and songwriter. This year she’s released her 11th full-length album titled, Songs of LA which explores the City of Angles’ by simultaneously studying its daytime sunshine alongside the town’s hauntingly dark nights. Pidgeon’s long-time writing partner, David Batteau, worked on many of these songs with Rebecca before the pandemic sidelined the project. Here, Rebecca fuses her acting chops with her songwriting and performing prowess.

Join Rebecca and me on this episode as she takes me on a journey through some of Tinseltown’s creepiest back-alleys as we discuss her new album, her multifaceted career, and how everything that glitters in La La Land isn’t always gold.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

PHOTO: GREGG ROTH | It’s no secret that marriage is hard work. It requires heavy lifting by both partners to keep the boat afloat. It’s labor, but of course, it’s a labor of love; that’s what it’s all about. However, if you take the marriage and relationship deal and split it with a job in the entertainment business for both parties involved, well, now you’ve really got a challenging situation with which to build a successful marriage.

Larry Campbell and his wife Teresa Williams are no strangers to the road with plenty of frequent flier miles between them. Teresa has a long-time career as an actress, vocalist, and musician which led her to meeting Larry, a long-time session musician who’s resume includes a seven-year stint in Bob Dylan’s Neverending Tour and being the musical director at Levon Helm’s popular Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY. Larry and Teresa were also both key parts of Levon Helm’s fantastic final albums, Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt. Married in 1988, they’ve become a musical powerhouse over the years, so much so that their relationship and musical work was evidenced in a 10 part docuseries which can be found at some of your favorite streaming outlets.

Separately and together, they’ve both worked with many high-profile artists, but there’s always something special in store when they work with each other. Larry and Teresa have just released their fourth album as a duo, it’s titled All This Time and features music and concepts that were born out of the pandemic era and Larry’s personal battle with Covid. On this episode, I’m lucky to have both Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams join me to discuss the new record, highlights from their storied careers, and, of course, how two musicians make the music of marriage.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

Maybe I’m a little guilty of nostalgia on this one, but aren’t we all from time-to-time?

When I look into the past with my rose-colored glasses on, they take me to that time of life when most people find themselves experiencing glowy memories of the past: high school. In my case, it was high school in the early to mid 1990s. As is true of every generation, there were certain songs that were inescapable during that time, some music that was simply a part of the cultural wallpaper. Music that is ingrained to that extent into society’s psyche can face both pros and cons. On one hand, the song is at risk of being overplayed and over consumed and of course, we all know what familiarity breeds. On the other hand, it’s extraordinarily rare for a certain music to be considered definitive and infinitely attached to a particular place in time in human history.

In 1997, Paula Cole released two iconic songs that had a significant generational impact. “I Don’t Want to Wait” became a radio staple and gained immense popularity as the theme song for the popular TV show Dawson’s Creek. “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” became Cole’s only top-ten hit in the US, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also earned Cole three Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Paula joins me on this episode to discuss her brand new album Lo, it’s her first batch of originals in a decade and it is a strong work that makes an occasional nod to her sound in the ’90s, but showcases Cole as the forward-facing performer that she is. We discuss the new record, and learn about a few recording secrets from the 1990s and how some of those tricks of the trade worked their way into her recent production.

We also explore the latest reissue of This Fire which was released last year in celebration of the album’s 25th anniversary and talk about how, in many ways, those songs are as relevant as ever having been discovered by a new generation of listeners because, as you’ll find out, good art may represent a certain generation, but it isn’t anchored to it. That’s the feeling you’ll get digging through the past, present, and future of Paula Cole’s catalog.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.