Author Archives: Evan Toth

It’s not exactly a comeback. Instead, the dB’s are reconnecting with their loyal audience, who have always valued their brief but impactful body of work. The New York City band (by way of North Carolina), crafted a distinctive sound by blending edgy late-’70s NYC new wave and punk with the Southern indie-rock essence of Big Star. This fusion produced a unique mix of jagged rock and roll, complemented by thoughtful lyrics and intricate songcraft.

During their peak, the dB’s released just two albums with their original lineup—Chris Stamey, Peter Holsapple, Will Rigby, and Gene Holder. Both Stands for deciBels and its quick successor Repercussion came out in 1981. Although the band’s original run was brief, they released a well-received reunion album in 2012. Meanwhile, each member has continued to pursue music outside of the dB’s. This year, the dB’s have partnered with Propeller Sound Recordings to reconnect with long-time fans and attract new ones.

Notably, their first two albums were initially available in the US only as imports. While the albums have been reissued in various formats over the years, this is the first time they will be released on vinyl in America. Both records have been remastered and are available in different color variants.

In this episode, band members Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby join me to discuss their upcoming live performances with the original lineup and their excitement about introducing and reintroducing their music to fans who cherish the sound they created that has captivated so many “in the know” music lovers over the years and how these fresh releases might find new ears, too.

Read More »

TVD’s Radar: The Podcast with Evan Toth returns for a new season on September 9. —Ed.

It’s a real luxury to sit for a while and chat with musicians who have been a part of your life for – well – all of your life. To actually speak with the people who made the sounds that have served as your life’s soundtrack, to ask those things you’ve always wondered about. Who gets to do that? For better, or worse, I’m one of the lucky son of a guns who is allowed to engage directly with many musicians whose work has impacted my life in one way or another for many years. I’m sure you all have some Police records in your collections; what would you ask those fellas if you had a moment of their time?

I asked Stewart Copeland about his newest musical endeavor, it’s called Police Deranged for Orchestra and it features a fresh take on many of the Police classics that you know and love, but they are infused with a new and exciting energy by this musically restless, 7 time Grammy award winning rock star and drumming great. He’s taking the show on the road and wants this new album to serve as a representation of what you might expect in the audience. He’s also completed a new coffee table book titled, Stewart Copeland’s Police Diaries which looks at the lean early years of the Police where Stewart was their drummer, but also their manager.

So, what would you ask Stewart Copeland if you had the chance to chat with him? Well, you’d probably ask questions that are different from mine, but that’s only because his work and music has impacted so many different people in so many different ways that we’d each have our own unique list of comments and questions to bring to him. The best part of speaking with Stewart, however, is listening to him respond! If you’ve ever caught a moment of his interviews, he is funny, candid, intellectual, and straightforward. So, pull up a drum throne; let’s savor the opportunity to speak with one of the greats!

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.

TVD’s Radar: The Podcast with Evan Toth returns for a new season on September 9. —Ed.

David Duchovny is one of those rare entertainment birds who has managed to craft a career in show business utilizing his many passions. Everyone is familiar with his portrayal of Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files and his successful run with Californication, both of which afforded Duchovny Golden Globe awards. But there are other artistic outlets that he continues to explore.

An English major and graduate from Princeton University, it’s natural for Duchovny to express himself with a word processor. He’s written four books which have received strong reviews. His latest is titled, Truly Like Lightning: A Novel (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). But he’s also a songwriter and musician. Music serves to fuse together the literary Duchovny with the on-screen actor. With music, he is able to both write and play a part, even if the part he’s playing is himself.

His newest album, Gestureland is his third record. Duchovny explains in our interview that it focuses on signs and signifiers of our modern culture, and the mysterious interest humans have by trying to find meaning in things that may not mean what we think they mean. Sounds like something Agent Mulder might focus on if he played in a band on his off nights from the FBI.

Join Mr. Duchovny and me as we talk about the creative process, his new record, the fabled Princeton eating halls, and much more. If you’re hoping that he’s as intensely conspiratorial as Fox Mulder, well, you might be a little let down, but the fact of the matter is that—like all of us—Duchovny is grappling with what the last few years of our lives mean. We may not be able to quite discern what that is yet, but like Agent Mulder, we all want to believe.

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.

TVD’s Radar: The Podcast with Evan Toth returns for a new season on September 9. —Ed.

She’s a woman of mystery: she goes by the moniker A Girl Called Eddy, but doesn’t mind if you call her Erin Moran; her last album came out in 2004, but then appears with a new project that is so fully realized and produced that you feel as though she hasn’t missed a beat; she’s from New Jersey, but the word on the street is that she’s living somewhere in England. The cover of her latest release—Been Around—features Moran, sunglasses on and coat collar popped, seemingly in a fast vehicle whisking her away to somewhere intriguing. Or, maybe she’s just trying to get by like the rest of us.

Been Around is an excellent album—with a great-sounding white vinyl release, as well. If you’re on the hunt for a sophisticated blending of theatrical composition coupled with hooks and earworms that will haunt you for days, then consider this interview your ticket to the show.

Join us as we chat with Erin Moran from her West Village safe house to discuss the production of her new album, her many musical influences and how—even if you become a sophisticated global jetsetter—when you’re from New Jersey, you’re always from New Jersey.

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.

The Beatles confidently proclaimed that “Love is all you need” during the summer of—well, you know—love (1967). And while no one can argue with the fabs’ proclamation, the 21st century finds human beings on a search to define exactly what love is and how it can mean so many different things to just as many people. We each have our own love language, but just like everything else on planet Earth, it’s our individual perceptions of those feelings that sometimes cause our miscommunications.

Enter Suzanne Jamieson who has released a string of albums that aren’t exactly children’s music, they’re more like bundles of concepts and catchy music appropriate for the whole family. Her newest album is titled Love Is… and explores varied paradigms of love, providing context for each exploration backed with a purely pop production provided by co-producer and co-writer—and three time Grammy nominee—Jason Rabinowitz who himself has been recognized for his work with his children’s group, The Pop Ups.

So, hang out with Suzanne and me as we discuss her new album, performing for a diverse audience, and a few special friends that she and I have in common. We can all agree that love is all we need, but let’s take a moment with Suzanne to explore exactly what love is.

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.

The Beatles confidently proclaimed that “Love is all you need” during the summer of—well, you know—love (1967). And while no one can argue with the fabs’ proclamation, the 21st century finds human beings on a search to define exactly what love is and how it can mean so many different things to just as many people. We each have our own love language, but just like everything else on planet Earth, it’s our individual perceptions of those feelings that sometimes cause our miscommunications.

Enter Suzanne Jamieson who has released a string of albums that aren’t exactly children’s music, they’re more like bundles of concepts and catchy music appropriate for the whole family. Her newest album is titled Love Is… and explores varied paradigms of love, providing context for each exploration backed with a purely pop production provided by co-producer and co-writer—and three time Grammy nominee—Jason Rabinowitz who himself has been recognized for his work with his children’s group, The Pop Ups.

So, hang out with Suzanne and me as we discuss her new album, performing for a diverse audience, and a few special friends that she and I have in common. We can all agree that love is all we need, but let’s take a moment with Suzanne to explore exactly what love is.

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 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.