Cultural Manifesto podcast

#WFYI Public Media #Kyle Long #Music

6:43

In 1910, Dorothy Arnold—a wealthy, educated socialite from New York City—left her home for a shopping trip and never returned.

Cultural Manifesto

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

Each week on Cultural Manifesto, Kyle Long reveals stories and sounds from the creative frontlines of the past and present. Through music, archives and artist interviews, discover how creators shape meaning with sound, in Indianapolis and well beyond. Tune in each week to this WFYI Public Media show for discoveries that will delight your ears and expand your understanding of our shared world.

534 епізодів

Cultural Manifesto

updated 7 днів тому

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

534 епізодів

#WFYI Public Media #Kyle Long #Music

All episodes

Cultural Manifesto

1
Indianapolis composer Hanna Benn debuts new work with the ISO 10:52

7 днів тому10:52

10:52

This June, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new work from the Indianapolis composer, vocalist and musician Hanna Benn. Benn’s piece is a double concerto for oboe and bassoon titled "A Through Line." Listen to an interview with Hanna Benn, along with ISO’s principal oboe Jennifer Christen and principal bassoon Ivy Ringel. Benn’s solo work defies classification, featuring intricate vocal layering with refined electronic production. She’s contributed to high profile projects across the modern music landscape. As a vocalist, she can be heard on Meshell Ndegeocello’s Grammy winning album "The Omnichord Real Book" and the Academy Award nominated soundtrack for "Everything Everywhere All at Once." As a composer, her work has been performed at Carnegie Hall.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Beach Boys’ founder Brian Wilson on the influence of Indianapolis’ The Four Freshmen 6:12

7 днів тому6:12

6:12

Listen to a 2017 interview WFYI’s Kyle Long recorded with Brian Wilson, the visionary composer and producer behind the Beach Boys. He died on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, selling over 100 million records and charting 37 songs in the U.S. Top 40. Much of that success was due to Wilson’s visionary production style. which included unorthodox instrumentation, innovative recording techniques, and most notably the band’s iconic vocal harmonies. Those trademark vocal harmonies were directly inspired by the Indianapolis group The Four Freshmen. The Four Freshmen were formed on the campus of Butler University in 1948. Wilson credited the Four Freshmen as his main influence in crafting the Beach Boys’ sound. Wilson was such a big fan, he even recruited Four Freshmen arranger Dick Reynolds to work on several Beach Boys projects. During his conversation with WFYI, Wilson discussed his deep appreciation for The Four Freshmen.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Fort Wayne’s Nitish Kulkarni explores Indian American identity on Indigo 40:38

14 днів тому40:38

40:38

Listen to an interview with Fort Wayne, Indiana-based musician, composer, arranger and producer Nitish Kulkarni. His latest album Indigo blends traditional Indian music with contemporary electronic sounds. Kulkarni began his musical journey as a tabla player, later expanding to keyboards and production. He released his debut album Synesthetic in 2015, and since then he’s released a steady stream of recordings. In addition to his solo work, Kulkarni has performed alongside legendary artists like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Shridhar Phadke.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
The Gary, Indiana composer Jlin is revolutionizing electronic music 35:10

21 день тому35:10

35:10

Listen to an interview with the acclaimed Gary, Indiana composer and electronic music producer Jlin. Her music has been praised by Pitchfork, NPR, Vogue, Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and she’s collaborated with artists including Björk and Philip Glass. Born Jerrilynn Patton in 1987, Jlin’s bold, genre-defying work has reshaped the landscape of experimental electronic music. Her rhythmically dense and emotionally intense style emerged from footwork, a high-speed dance music rooted in the underground music culture of Chicago. But Jlin’s sound evolved over time, becoming an unmistakably original voice that transcends categorization. Jlin rose to prominence with her 2015 debut Dark Energy. The album was immediately hailed as a landmark in contemporary electronic music. Both The Quietus and The Wire named it Album of the Year, and Pitchfork included Dark Energy in its Top 20 Albums of 2015. Her follow-up album, Black Origami further solidified her status as a leading avant-garde composer. The album received almost universal acclaim, with The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, and The Guardian including Black Origami in their the Best Albums of 2017 lists. Jlin’s latest, album Akoma has also garnered widespread critical acclaim. Beyond her solo releases, Jlin’s influence has expanded into the worlds of dance, classical music, and performance art. She has composed for the renowned Kronos Quartet and her music has been used by choreographers including Wayne McGregor and Kyle Abraham. Despite her international recognition, Jlin has remained firmly rooted in her hometown Gary, Indiana.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Taylor Hall / Jenny Boyts 49:50

28 днів тому49:50

49:50

Listen to an interview with the musician and activist Taylor Hall. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so Hall chose the month of May to release her latest collection of songs, Cheaper Than Therapy. During her recent conversation with WFYI’s Kyle Long, Hall said she hopes the project will help to destigmatize mental health and provide her fans with a message of hope. Also hear a conversation with Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5, a locally owned Indianapolis production company specializing in live music events. Forty5 owns and operates local venues including The Vogue and Turntable, and produces live concert series like Rock the Ruins at Holiday Park. Boyts rose to prominence in Indianapolis through her work with Indy Pride, serving as Indy Pride’s board president for 4 years. Boyts says the relationships she created while building community with Indy Pride have informed her work with Forty5.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with Indiana musicians 17:51

5 weeks тому17:51

17:51

Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from musicians and composers connected to Indiana. Listen to pop, folk, electronic, classical, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock music featuring Indiana musicians representing Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar and more.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand on the lost history of Indianapolis’ El Barrio 48:13

6 weeks тому48:13

48:13

Listen to an interview with historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, director of a new documentary titled Beyond el Barrio. The film focuses on the history of El Barrio, a small community of Mexican immigrants living on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis during the mid-20th Century. Also, hear an interview with musician Rick Espinoza. He grew up in El Barrio during the 1960s and performed Mexican music with the Indianapolis band Los Latinos.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Deantoni Parks discusses Technoself, Andre 3000 and his early years as a drumming prodigy 35:29

7 weeks тому35:29

35:29

Listen to an interview with the percussionist, composer and technologist Deantoni Parks, known for his genre-blending approach and boundary-pushing performances. Parks has collaborated with an extraordinary group of musicians, including Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Andre 3000, Mars Volta, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Cale, Sade and more. He’s also an accomplished composer, releasing critically acclaimed albums, under the name Technoself, and scoring films for directors including Paul Schrader and Mark Ruffalo. Parks was born and raised in Newnan, Georgia, but he’s spent the last few years living in Indianapolis.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Gary Bartz on Andy Bey, jamming with Wes Montgomery and Malcolm X 17:44

7 weeks тому17:44

17:44

Listen to an interview with legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz. Bartz has performed with Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and McCoy Tyner. In 1970, Bartz joined Miles Davis' band, contributing to the seminal Live-Evil sessions. But its Bartz work as a bandleader during the 1970s that cemented his reputation as a jazz icon, from his recordings with the Mizell Brothers, to performances with his group Ntu Troop. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Bartz was recently named an NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Kate Lamont and Devon Ashley 48:49

8 weeks тому48:49

48:49

Listen to an interview with Kate Lamont and Devon Ashley. Kate Lamont is a versatile musician, singer, and songwriter known for her soulful voice and genre-blending approach to music. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s with MAB LAB—an experimental, Indianapolis-based band that explored jazz, rock, soul, and hip-hop. She was also a member of the folk ensemble Blueprintmusic. Kate launched her solo career in 2010 with the release of her album After the Rain. Her latest project is a remastered reissue of her self-titled 2013 album. That record was produced by prolific Indianapolis drummer Devon Ashley, best known for his work with The Last IV, The Lemonheads, The Pieces, and Simirit. Kate Lamont currently lives in Oakland, California—but she’ll be returning to Indianapolis on April 27 for a performance at the White Rabbit Cabaret. Also, listen to a new episode of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis, an ongoing segment exploring the people and places connected to the Indianapolis poet Etheridge Knight. This week, Mat’s guest will be the Indianapolis poet, artist and dancer Mijiza Holiday.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Todd Rundgren / Nnenna Freelon 45:19

9 weeks тому45:19

45:19

Listen to an interview with Todd Rundgren, a pioneering musician, songwriter, and producer known for his eclectic style and innovative approach to technology in music. Rising to fame in the late 1960s with the band Nazz, Rundgren gained widespread acclaim with his 1972 solo album Something/Anything? which included the hit singles “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw the Light.” Rundgren is also a sought-after producer, working on landmark albums by the New York Dolls, Hall & Oates, XTC, Meatloaf, The Psychedelic Furs, and Patti Smith. Rundgren has charted multiple Billboard hits and earned widespread critical acclaim. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rundgren’s genre-defying work spans rock, pop, soul, and experimental electronic music. He’s been recognized as a visionary for his early adoption of music videos and interactive media. But his latest project looks into the past. Todd Rundgren will be performing music from the late songwriter Burt Bacharach in Indianapolis on April 18, as part of What The World Needs Now: The Burt Bacharach Songbook Live tour. Also hear an interview with Nnenna Freelon, a prolific jazz vocalist, whose career spans over three decades. She’ll be performing at the Jazz Kitchen on April 18th. Freelon issued her debut LP on Columbia Records in 1992, marking the start of an accomplished recordings career. Freelon’s music has attracted significant recognition, including seven Grammy nominations, and she’s collaborated with numerous jazz luminaries, including Ray Charles, Ellis Marsalis, Kenny Baron, Pat Metheny, Christian McBride Al Jarreau, and Herbie Hancock. Hear music from Freelon’s latest album, titled Beneath the Skin.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Sean Imboden discusses his debut album with The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble 35:13

10 weeks тому35:13

35:13

Listen to an interview with Indianapolis-based saxophonist, bandleader, composer and educator Sean Imboden. He’s the director of the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, a 17-piece modern jazz big band. The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble will be issuing their debut recording Communal Heart later this month, and the band will be hosting an album release party at The Jazz Kitchen, on April 26th. Sean Imboden was born and raised in Central Indiana. Local music fans may know Imboden for his work with The Tucker Brothers band, but he’s performed with a wide variety of musicians, including Slide Hampton, Aretha Franklin, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz / jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine 37:51

11 weeks тому37:51

37:51

Listen to a conversation with the vocalist and actor Micky Dolenz, best known for his work with The Monkees. Dolenz will be performing in Central Indiana on April 25 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. In 1966, during the height of Beatle-mania, The Monkees premiered on NBC. The show focused on the lives of a fictional California rock band, featuring Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz. The Monkees would quickly grow beyond their television roots, recording four chart-topping albums and three chart-toppings singles. Dolenz provided lead vocals for many of the group’s best-known songs, including "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "I'm a Believer”, and "Last Train to Clarksville”. Also hear an interview with jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine, he’ll be performing at The Jazz Kitchen on April 9. Ballantine has built an impressive discography of releases, featuring a unique mix of indie music, Americana and straight jazz. His albums, including the 2021 release Reflections/Introspection: The Music of Thelonious Monk and the 2019 project Life is Brief —The Music of Bob Dylan have earned praise from publications including DownBeat and All About Jazz.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Steve Allee on the Naptown sound 34:47

12 weeks тому34:47

34:47

Explore a new album from the Steve Allee Big Band, titled Naptown Sound. The project pays tribute to the musicians, teachers, mentors, history, and places that contributed to the development of the Naptown sound. The pianist, composer and bandleader Steve Allee has been part of the Indianapolis jazz scene since the 1960s. He came of age at a time when many historic Naptown jazz players were still active on the scene. Allee was befriended and mentored by legendary Indianapolis musicians, including Jimmy Coe, Claude Sifferlen and Errol Grandy. Allee began performing professionally as a teenager, touring with the legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich. His debut recording, a 1973 session with the the Baron Von Ohlen Quartet, remains a favorite among jazz fans around the world, with original copies seeking for over $200 on the collector’s market. Over the years, Allee has worked with a long list of jazz luminaries, including Slide Hampton, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Curtis Fuller, Jeff Hamilton, Milt Hinton and many others. Allee has also gained notoriety for his work as a composer. He’s written work for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and his compositions have been used in documentaries and television programs.…

Cultural Manifesto

1
Suzanne Vega on punk rock, Lou Reed, and Flying With Angels 22:24

13 weeks тому22:24