Simon Barrett

Bay Area music ensemble On Dolphin will be releasing their debut album “LAYERS” on vinyl on July 22, 2016! Fronted by Melissa Lyn, the band’s music has been described as “Indie rock for people that are hopeful and curious.” The band’s new album explores the evolutions of ideas from curiosity and experience to beliefs and knowledge. And, finding comfort within the structures of family and community while making space to be. After years of playing solo acoustic shows, Melissa dusted off her electric guitar and teamed up with her husband, engineer and producer Ryan Clark to create On Dolphin’s debut full length album “LAYERS” to be released on vinyl July 22, 2016. The band’s influences include Spoon, Aimee Mann, Cat Power, Billie Holiday, Jets to Brazil, Belle & Sebastian & Des Ark.

A look at politics and current events. Lots to talk about, little of it good.

Lots to talk about this week. The events in Dallas are most disturbing. On the political front, the conventions are looming and they do may be headed into stormy waters.

It has been another busy week. Bill chatting with Lorreta on the tarmac at Sky Harbor, Trump being sort of presidential, but not actually telling facts. ISIS continue to rain terror where they can. The UK is still bealing with a huge hangover from Brexit.

Brooklyn-born Reggae pioneer Rocker-T announces the release of his newest album, The Return of the Tru Ganjaman, featuring Reggae Legends Mykal Rose (Black Uhuru), Prezident Brown and UK Reggae Superstar Gappy Ranks. The new album showcases some great original songs, along with some inspired remixes of some older songs from some well-known producers. The 19-track release (16 songs on the CD and 3 bonus tracks on the digital album) is put out through Luvinnit Productions, Rocker-T’s own independent record label, on June 17th, 2016. The album has many other amazing guest features including Mr. Williamz, Skip Wicked (Indubious), Mama-T, RasIndio, and Jah Wave, and spans many genres while staying rooted in the conscious Dancehall reggae that Rocker-T is known for.

Lots to talk about, brexit, Trump, Gun Control, the list is long

British progressive rock pioneer, Ray Bennett of Flash, is reissuing his 2001 solo epic “Whatever Falls” for the first time as a digital release, available now on iTunes, and in most digital stores worldwide for purchase and streaming!   With it's original release just days after the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, the hauntingly beautiful title track, “Whatever Falls” was, by eerie coincidence, appropriate and especially moving. But every track of this extraordinary work is an adventure into the innovative mind of an artist who helped define the progressive genre of rock. I'll be sitting down with Ray and playing a couple of tracks.  

Donald continues to try and Trumify the GOP, but it is not clear that the GOP is quite ready to be Trumpified. The Brits are on the verge of Brexit, it is an important choice that the UK needs to make.

Trump and Clinton duke it out. Can the GOP muzzle trump?

Lots to talk about this week. In the world of politics it has been wall to wall Trump, none of it good, but Trump doesn't seem to care. Trump U, press abuse, etc, oh and he picks up an international endorsement, but I am not sure it is such a great thing to have North Korea on your side. Hillary is still feeling the Bern. It is unlikely that Bern can do anything, but he is being a thorn in her side.

I read an article this morning about Donald Trumps favorite conspiracy theories, it listed 58 of them. I think the only ones missing were Roswell and Area 51, but i am sure they are on his mind. The search for Egyptair 804 continues. Why is it so damn difficult to find a plane? A cheap smart phone can tell you where you are. Why can't a many millions of $ plane do the same thing?

The press release opens with.. Psychedelic Post-Punk band Bulgogi have finally released their highly anticipated third album “Juan Dissed The Cyclops Baby”! The band's music has been described as a “twitchy, dancey, textural adventure through nightscapes, static dreams and startlingly sweet melodies.” Howling with operatic falsettos, pounding with sad giant drums and textured with incorporeal, corpse-lit guitars, “Juan Dissed The Cyclops Baby” is a soggy, serene sermon of schadenfreude for the mad children of today. The message: be free, be crazy, espouse chaos. Eat man flesh. I couldn't wait to listen to the music. Tune in and enjoy some 'fire meat' for yourself.

Was it Col Mustard with the knife in the library ot Miss Scarlett in the drawing room with the rope? Clue is a fun game, as a kid I loved it. Of course it is a little old, now it has new characters and new rooms, even new weapons. Was it the butler with a memory, the ex first lady with an email server,  or the PR guy Mr Miller with the telephone? Only time will tell who is the new Clue villain. One thing is clear, this is a board game rather than a bored game.

Possibly one of the most anticipated releases of this year is the debut single and video by Texas rock band Those Damn Eyes entitled “Mysterious Mixture.” Founded in Austin, Texas Those Damn Eyes exudes powerful, sexy aggression through its sonic display of heavy-pop-rock. Led by front woman Alyssa Ehrhard and guitarist Daniel Corder, the two have created a strong collection of material that is bursting with high-range, beautifully sung melodies and finely-crafted musical arrangements that stimulate and embolden listeners to just…..give in. I will be sitting down with the band to talk about 'Mysterious Mixture' and other works.

It has been another busy week in the battle for the Whitehouse. Trump is the last man standing, but he hardly has the backing of the party

Trump continues on his quest, is it time for the GOP to admit defeat and get behind him?

Film  maker Charles Boswell's latest project is MindBlinders. In it the subject of Autism is explored. The rate of autism has gone from a rate of 1:5000 births in 1975, to a rate of 1:68 today. Why? That question has many people scratching their heads.

Which Trump is the real Trump? That is the question bothering the RNC. Is it time for the RNC to admit Trump to the club, or just close up shop? Bern is feeling the Hil burn with closed primaries. Is Bern done?  If the RNC play games, and the Dems pick hils. Will both sides be wondering in novenber... "where have all the voters gone"? Last week we ran a special on Autism, we may well pick that subject up again.

The Security Project, featuring members of King Crimson, Shriekback and Peter Gabriel’s original band bring the genre-less masterpieces of Peter Gabriel into the 21st Century on their new live album “Live 1”. Seattle-based Trey Gunn and Michael Cozzi join esteemed drummer Jerry Marotta and NY keyboardist David Jameson to harness the core of these songs. Added to the pedigree of these players is the voice of Brian Cummins, whose interpretations add haunting authenticity to the immaculate arrangements. These live recordings are a first – no one has dared take on Peter Gabriel’s material at this level before!

April is Autism Awareness month. We have decided to focus the program on this subject. It is fair to say that this year the subject of autism has got a great deal more  publicity than in prior years. That has largely been because of a very controversial film 'VAXXED" and its very controversial director descredited Dr. andrew Wakefield. Please join us for what is likely to be a lively discussion.