Announcing: Radio Summer Camp 2011

…and a whole lot more.

Four-day passes are now available and get you into every Radio Summer Camp show from July 27 – July 30 (update: this now includes the Kick-Off show with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on July 27th at Turner Hall Ballroom). This means that over the course of three days you get to see over 60 bands at 10 different venues for only $20. Pretty cool, huh?

You can browse the tabs at the top of this page for the full Radio Summer Camp schedule, Backyard BBQ details and all the great sponsors that make this festival possible.

The Non-Lemmy Music Docs

Last week we gave you the heads up about Lemmy, today we give you a brief run-down of all the other documentaries in the series we are sponsoring. For a full festival schedule go here.

Ride, Rise, Roar – David Byrne is has been making great and creative music for a few decades now, but unlike a great many aging musicians, he hasn’t lost a step. This film chronicles Byrne’s 2008-09 tour (you might have see the Milwaukee show) “that melded pop music and modern dance in innovative ways.”

Variety said, “At the start of “Ride, Rise, Roar,” as a white-suited David Byrne launches into an exuberant rendition of “Once in a Lifetime” backed by a perfectly attuned ensemble of similarly clad dancers, vocalists and musicians, it’s clear: This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no humdrum concert documentary.”

Soundtrack for a Revolution – Soundtrack for a Revolution, an aptly titled film that demonstrates how music is often intertwined with the world at large. Music didn’t just act as a passive companion piece to a revolution, it played a key role in inspiring protests during the 1950’s and ’60’s civil rights movement. We may never again see music wield such massive influence over an entire generation of progressive thinkers.

Cut with footage of that time, you’ll hear and see clips of the music that played so important a role, and you’ll also see and hear vibrant new renditions of enduring civil rights anthems by current artists including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Joss Stone, TV on the Radio and The Roots.

Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talking About Him)? – Harry Nilsson is that kind of songwriter that everyone recognizes, but nobody knows. OK, maybe YOU, the Frontier Radio audiences is more knowledgeable than most and know exactly who is Harry Nilsson. But your are hardcore music fans, not just background music listeners.

Nilsson is loved by some of the world’s most important artists. From musicians like the Beatles and Brian Wilson to filmmakers the irk of Tarantino, pop culture icons of the last several decades have been immensely influenced by this enigmatic songwriter.

“This one really hit me between the eyes. As someone who grew up listening primarily to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, of course I knew of Harry Nilsson, but I really knew nothing about his life. I even didn’t realize that a few songs I love… were his songs.”— Ain’t It Cool News

Rejoice and Shout – We were going to try to put our own spin on this, but it was so perfectly laid out by Spinning Matters.

“Rejoice and Shout, the latest music documentary from director Don McGlynn is the most thoroughly researched and exhaustive film about African-American gospel music ever committed to film. In telling the story of gospel in America, it simultaneously mirrors the entire narrative of the African-American experience, beginning with slavery and ending with the election of the nation’s first black president.”- Spinning Platters

Right?

Mark My Words – Finally, we bring you Milwaukee and the spoken word crafters so often invisible to the general public, but who always, always pack a significant cultural and artistic punch.

Having spent parts of his youth in Milwaukee, Film Wisconsin founding board member Brad Pruitt returns to his erstwhile hometown with Mark My Words, a documentary that focuses on 24 hours in the lives of nine local spoken word poets. With this project, the Emmy-winning Pruitt seeks to reveal the transformative power of words for individuals and communities at large. Showcasing the celebratory and powerful performance of local poetry and music, the film gives audiences intimate access into the poets’ thoughts and the passions and struggles that inspire their stirring compositions.

“This is Milwaukee …out of the box, out of the comfort zone, and most importantly out in the open. Feel the power of emotion as each artist takes you through a cascade of words that will drown you in emotion.”— Milwaukee Community Journal

The Full Symposium Schedule

We’ve told you about the general idea of the Symposium. We’ve introduced the key-note speaker and a couple of the session experts. Now let’s get straight to the whole day, all the topics and presenters. And don’t forget to pre-register and answer the question, “What do you hope to learn from the symposium?”

Coffee, Bagels and Donuts – 9:30am

First Session Topics 10:20am to 11:10am
1. Getting Gigs. Learn the process bookers use to select bands. Learn what they’re looking for in a performer and the best methods for approaching venues for potential gigs.

Expert Panel:
Marc Solheim, Booking Agent; Turner Hall, Pabst Theater and Riverside Theater
Scott Ziel: Owner, Pursuit Live agency and Booking Agent; Summerfest

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director; WMSE

2. Basement Tapes. What does it take to record a good demo? How do you build the best basement studio for the least amount of money? What do you need to do Before you get to the professional studio? What happens during the recording process?

Expert Panel:
Billy Ciccarelli, Recording Engineer; WMSE

Moderated by: Dan Niedziejko, Drummer and home studio builder

3. I’m Sick! Musicians face special challenges in navigating the maze that is Health Care Policy. Learn about programs available to help musicians gain health care insurance, emergency health care and other low cost health care choices available.

Expert Panel:
Alex Maiolo, founder; Health Insurance Navigation Tool (via SKYPE)

Moderated by: Cody Christenson

Second Session Topics 11:20am to 12:10pm
1. Building Community Resources. Milwaukee Artists Resource Network is active in the arts community. MARN works to assist and advocate for all artists, providing FREE business of music classes, arts advocacy and an opportunities bulletin board. Learn more about how MARN can help you build your network and resources in Milwaukee.

Expert Panel:
Melissa Musante, Executive Director, Milwaukee Artists Resource Network

Moderated by: Tuc Kreuger

2. Equipment 101: It’s one thing to own your Les Paul; it’s totally another to keep it in good repair. Your vintage Marshall stack may sound great today, but is it going to sound great tomorrow? Learn some basic skills you can do to prevent expensive repairs and unnecessary damage to your gear.

Expert Panel:
Jeff Benske, Owner; Top Shelf Guitars and multi-vendor authorized repair expert
Jon Blick, Owner; Blick Engineering

Moderated by: Dan Niedziejko, Drummer and drum restorations

3. Sympathy for the Devil Record labels: What do they really do and can they do it for you. Learn more about the real function of a label and the pros and cons about signing to one.

Expert Panel:
Bruno Johnson, Owner; Okka Disk

Moderated by: Tom Crawford, Station Manager, WMSE

LUNCH BREAK: 12:20pm to 1:30pm

1:30pm to 1:40pm Information on Pablove. The mission of The Pablove Foundation is to fund pediatric cancer research and advances in treatment, educate and empower cancer families, and improve the quality of life for children living with cancer through hospital play, music and arts programs. This foundation was founded by Milwaukee native and Dangerbird Records founder Jeff Castelez.

Third Session Topics 1:45pm to 2:35pm
1. This is Where I Belong Find out how to make a passion for music into a lifelong career. From playing in a touring band to teaching music to others, learn about how to live your life in  music.

Expert Panel:
Scott Schoenbeck, bass player Dashboard Confessional
Erica Breitbarth, Choir teacher at Reagan High School, winner; Wheaton Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition and freelance Conductor/Director/Singer

Moderated by: TBA

2. Press Darlings! Being a professional musician means more than just writing catchy pop tunes. Learn about developing your band’s style, image and presentation. Also, developing your web presence, using social media and how to get the media to notice you.

Expert Panel:
Fred Gillich, Owner & Designer; Too Much Metal For One Hand
Ryan Matteson, Muzzle of Bees Blog & Podcast, and Director of Public Relations on Social Media for Pabst/Riverside/Turner Hall Ballroom

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director; WMSE

3. Jazzbos and Classical Hep Cats Jazz, that singularly American art form, is alive and well. The same is true for classical music int he modern world. Be a part of this discussion about current trends in Jazz and classical music. Also, discuss opportunities and resources in the Jazz community.

Expert Panel:
Steve Peplin, Musician, Composer and Teacher
Scott Tisdel, Musician, Milwakee Symphony Orchestra & Prometheus Trio

Moderated by: Chris Stawski, DJ “Dr. Sushi”; host of WMSE’s Free Jazz Barbeque

Fourth Session Topics 2:45pm to 3:35pm
1. Contracts, Band Agreements and the Legal Stuff There comes a time in the life of a band or musician that legal questions bubble up to the top. What percentage of songwriting credit does the drummer get? How can I tell if that contract is fair? What are my legal rights if someone rips off our songs. Learn all this and more.

Expert Panel:
CJ Krawczyk. Attorney at Law; Kravit, Hovel & Krawczyk s.c.

Moderated by: Jeff Schwartz

2. Selling Out As the world becomes smaller through technology and media outlets merge and converge, new outlets and opportunities for getting your music into the ears of listeners. Learn how to license your music for television programs, commercials, fashion shows, movies and more.

Expert Panel:
Darren Wilsey, Musician and Author; The Musicians Guide to Licensing Music
(via SKYPE) —  NOTE: Limited copies of Darren’s book will be available for sale at the check in desk and is always in stock at Boswell’s Books on N. Downer St.

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director WMSE

3. On the Road Again Going on tour requires more than jumping in the van. Whether you’re playing Budokon or CBGB’s; learn how to plan and execute a successful road tour without killing the bass player, crashing the van, losing money, getting sick and breaking up the band.

Expert Panel:
Pete Jest, Owner, Alternative Concert Group and Shank Hall
Jon Mueller, Owner Crouton Music and Musician, Collection of Colonies of Bees

Moderated by: Tom Crawford, Station Manager; WMSE

The Symposium – Health Insurance for Musicians

Photo of Punk Rock Orchestra by Jeffrey Goldsmith © 2005.

On Saturday at The Symposium, we’ll have twelve different breakout sessions centered around topics important to any musician looking to make a career out of music. One of those topics is:

I’m Sick! Musicians face special challenges in navigating the maze that is Health Care Policy.  Learn about programs available to help musicians gain health care insurance, emergency health care and other low cost health care choices available.

Nationwide, one of the organizations doing the most to help musicians with health insurance is the Health Insurance Navigation Tool, or HINT. Founded by the Future of Music Coalition with Alex Maiolo and Chris Stephenson, “HINT provides informed, musician-friendly support and advice to musicians who need information about health insurance, for free.”

HINT doesn’t provide health insurance, but they are a resource offering advice from musicians, to musicians, regarding health care options. Here’s what they have to say:

“Make an appointment to get personal advice from health insurance experts who are also musicians. We see this project as a safety net for those musicians who remain uninsured because of lack of support or clear information. Those musicians who reach out for help will get it. With this small step we hope to bridge the gap between confusion and need.”

Leading this breakout session on Saturday will be none other than HINT founder, Alex Maiolo. We’ll be using SKYPE to remotely connect with Alex, so hopefully we don’t have any tech glitches. Hopefully Mr. Maiolo will be able to ease some of our musicianly anxiety about that tough decision revolving around getting out in the world or staying in town at our whatever job just so we don’t lose health insurance. This is a huge barrier for a lot of bands, especially bands that have families and children to raise. Health insurance should not be what keeps musicians from chasing their dreams. Hopefully with HINT’s advice, we’ll all learn that health insurance can’t keep us from our goals, or happiness.

The Symposium – Victor DeLorenzo

The Radio Summer Camp Symposium is right around the corner, so make sure you pre-register and help us understand what information you would find valuable.

Today we’re honored to tell you a little bit more about the Symposium’s Key-Note Speaker, Victor DeLorenzo. On top of being the drummer for one of the most famous bands ever, and certainly the biggest to ever come out of Milwaukee, Mr. DeLorenzo is an accomplished educator in the music field. Rather than us just telling you about Victor and why his knowledge should be disseminated widely, we’ll let another music educator tell you why. That educator is Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum (also an accomplished musician in his own right), Senior Lecturer at the Peck School of the Arts music department. Here’s what Rosenblum had to say about DeLorenzo.

“Victor DeLorenzo has lectured in my History of Rock and Roll classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts, Music Department; the class is in the area of Music History and Literature, and enrolls well over five hundred students a semester.

Mr. DeLorenzo spoke on the history of oral tradition music and how it impacts upon popular culture, and the students not only learned but were witness to a rare breed of presenter – one who has, indeed, impacted upon music as well as culture and who is articulate about both.

It is very unusual to be able to be an artist, especially one who has altered the nature of both music as art as well as its cultural presence, and also to be capable of lecturing on these subjects as a historian.

Victor DeLorenzo is a prominent figure and as such carries immense authority, true, but is also able to articulate within the context of a college course that which is pedagogically intact. It is not hard to be an inspiration, given DeLorenzo’s credentials, but it is difficult to be instructive, informative and decidedly linear as well, as is Mr. DeLorenzo. Teaching at the college level is something that Victor DeLorenzo accomplishes with ease and perfection.

His ability to relate important content is unsurpassed and the form he chooses, that of immanently educated narrative, replete with the drama of factual items coming to life, is awe-inspiring. He teaches with the flair of one who understands that theater, that is reaching an audience with generous entry, causing immediate comprehension, is diligent form; and that this technique is filled with the material of an educated historian is what makes Victor DeLorenzo stand out from artists as well as teachers as an accomplished lecturer.

There is seriousness, humor, proper academic deployment of fact, and an uncanny ability to communicate with precision while still keeping subject matter alive. Victor DeLorenzo lectures with the power of the important artist that he is, tempered by the educated scholar that he is as well, and the result is the perfect learning environment.

He created this environment of learning in a number of my classes, and the students, though this was a few years ago, are still discussing the classes he conducted. He absolutely reached them intellectually and emotionally, and therefore produced a memorable experience that was enduring.

Mr. DeLorenzo is a speaker: There are few who can equal his ability as a lecturer, and fewer yet who are able to instruct with such valid objectivity and originality of inspiration equally combined.”

Radio Summer Camp – The Symosium

Saturday, August 21st: MSOE’s Student Life and Campus Center (1025 N Broadway Ave), 9:30am – 6:00pm

As an extension of our Radio Summer Camp music festival, WMSE has gathered a group of people to help you, the Milwaukee musician, learn how to, well, be a better band or musician. You’ll walk away with a better idea how to market yourself, license your music, book a tour, record your music and much, much more.

Whether you are a high-school band student looking to understand your future possibilities as a professional musician, a 25 year-old in a rock band or anyone of any age looking to learn more about the ins and outs of being a professional musician, the Radio Summer Camp Symposium should provide you with some answers.

The Symposium will be held convention style, with breakout sessions delving into topics such as developing band and brand identity, licensing, recording, booking and touring, financial planning, careers in music beyond playing in a band and more. These break-out sessions will be followed by a key note address from Milwaukee legend Victor DeLorenzo, who, if you have been under a rock for the last 30 years, is most well-known for being the drummer for The Violent Femmes. Victor, though, is still an active and important part of the Milwaukee music community.

We’re asking that if you plan to attend the Symposium that you pre-register. Again, it’s a free event; we simply want to know how many people to expect. Pre-register here and make sure to answer the question, “What do you hope to learn from The Symposium?”

RSC Club Shows – Bayview Brewhaus

This week we’ll be featuring music from all the bands playing club venues during Radio Summer Camp. Today we feature shows happening at the PyraMax Bank meChecking-Sponsored Stage at the Bayview Brewhaus. A huge thanks must be given to Kevin at Dusty Medical and the Get Drunk DJs for doing all the hard work on this one.

Don’t forget, full festival passes are only $25, and online pre-sales end Thursday at 10:00am.

Photo by Lizzie Burnham

Friday, July 16th:

Jack Oblivion & the Tennessee Tearjerkers – The release Kevin sent over said is way better than what we could write, so:  “Jack “Oblivian” Yarber of The Tearjerkers was a key figure in the influential, Memphis based Compulsive Gamblers and the legendary ’90s garage-punk band The Oblivians. Though, to only ramble on about Yarber’s work with The Oblivians and skim over his other bands would be a cryin’ shame. Beside the stack of gritty garage-punk that Yarber contributed to, are all of his other records that have consistently become more polished and focused throughout the years.
Yarber was born 100 miles away from Memphis in the small town of Corinth, Mississippi. However, by 1987, the bright lights of Memphis called and Yarber became a permanent fixture in the city that arguably invented rock-n-roll.”

Listen: The Lone Ranger of Love

John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives – Again, from Kevin’s release: “John Paul Keith is a native of Knoxville, TN, who has moved around a lot and played in a lot of bands (The V-Roys, Ryan Adams, The Nevers, Stateside, Harlan T. Bobo, Jack Oblivian, and Jim Dickinson’s garage rock project, Snake Eyes).
Keith moved to Memphis a couple of years ago and hooked with Alvin Youngblood Hart’s former rhythm section, a pedal steel guitarist, and a keyboard player. The result is the grand tradition of Memphis rock n roll, updated for modern ears.”

Listen: Knoxville Town

Fair Weather Friends – Almost brand-new to the Milwaukee scene, you can probably guess, given the rest of the line-up, where Fair Weather Friends sit on the musical spectrum. They call themselves a “Wisconsin super group featuring members of Mystery Girls, Goodnight Loving, Juke boyds, Bear Proof Suit, and Sunday Sinners. Yeah, should be super fun, right?

The Get Drunk DJs – Do we really need to tell you about the Get Drunk DJs? Why yes, we do. Kevin and Luke just celebrated five years of doing their thing, and we could say all sorts of nice things about that, but instead, we’ll just re-post what Luke said, unedited, on their MySpace…because, well, it’s entertaining.

“WE COULD ALL PRETEND THAT I CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING MILDLY AMUSING, BUT SERIOUSLY KEVIN AND I PROMOTE, BOOK AND DJ (SEMI)TASTEFUL ROCK SHOWS. I’M NOT TRYING TO BE ALL “HEY LOOK AT ME, I’M SO COOL. MY NAME IS LUKE AND SHIT. I LOOK LIKE A FAG!” IT’S JUST THAT THIS IS WHAT THIS, OUR, MY, SPACE IS ALL ABOUT. PLUS THIS WOULD ACTUALLY BE REALLY FUNNY IF THERE WAS A WAY TO HAVE A BUNCH OF FART NOISES, SLIDE WHISTLES AND OLDE TYMEY BIKE HORN SOUNDS INSERTED RANDOMLY IN THIS PARAGRAPH. AND IF TONY SAGGER COULD BE DOING THE IMPERSONATION OF ME IN THE ABOVE MOCKING, SURLY QUOTE. FEACE OUT, FEE-OTCH LUKE CHAPPELLE”

Saturday, July 17th:

Codebreaker – WAY on the other end of the spectrum from Friday’s line-up, Saturday at the Brewhaus brings a mad dance-a-thon if we’ve ever seen one. Headlining are the hard-working stalwarts of their Milwaukee scene, Codebreaker, masters all those things that make the booty shake…remixes, beat building, etc. We’re really excited to have them for the festival, and it was pretty cool selecting them, then building the rest of the show around them.

Listen: R.I.M.L.

You, You’re Awesome – Once you see this band you will no doubt say, “Yes, they are, in fact, awesome!” No joke. We don’t know if Cincinnati is know for fantastic electro-rock, but these guys found inspiration somewhere. We feel obligated to mention that they listed by SPIN.com as one of the “25 Artists to see at CMJ.” We don’t feel obligated, however, to share their music with you. We simply think it’s great, so we think you should hear and see You, You’re Awesome.

Listen: How to Get the Most Out of Your Istuctional Videos

The New Loud – One of the hardest working bands in Milwaukee, The New Loud are constantly putting out music and videos. They play a pretty energetic brand of something like Electro-Indie-New Wave (sorry, we had those categories but we need to say something, right?) that should be a great way to get the crowd moving.Listen: Don’t Dance

RSC Club Shows – Shank Hall

This week we’ll be featuring music from all the bands playing club venues during Radio Summer Camp. Today we feature shows happening at the Battomi-Sponsored Stage at Shank Hall. Don’t forget, full festival passes are only $25, and online pre-sales end Thursday at 10:00am.

Photo by Michael Meysarosh

Friday, July 16th:

9:00pm
Red Baraat – If you were fortunate enough to see Red Baraat at Global Union a while back, you know just how ridiculously entertaining and imaginative the band is. Led by drummer Sunny Jain, Red Baraat is the first and only dhol ‘n’ brass band of its kind in the States, melding the infectious North Indian rhythm Bhangra with brass funk and expressing the human spirit through improvisation and a powerful live sound.

Don’t just trust us, head on over to Red Baraat’s site and check out just one of the many YouTube videos available (just past the fold).

Watch: Various YouTube Videos

8:00pm
DJ Warp – By day, Brian Keigher organizes events for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, including World Music Festival, SummerDance and events at the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. By night he is DJ Warp, a staple DJ in Chicago, playing at various venues supporting some of the world’s top touring talent, acts like Tabla Beat Science, Baaba Maal, Bebel Gilberto, Zap Mama, Cheb Khaled, Toubab Krewe, Rachid Taha, Habib Koite, Sidestepper, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and Art Of Noise to name a few. He can also be found producing his own events such as the long running India themed electronic club night called ‘Bombay Beatbox’ which hosts likeminded artists such as Cheb I Sabbah, DJ Rekha, Talvin Singh, Midival Punditz, and Karsh Kale.

Saturday, July 17th:

10:00pm
John Doe – As one of the founding members of the Los Angeles punk band X, John Doe was one of the most influential figures in American alternative rock during the early ’80s, but when he launched a solo career in the early ’90s, he decided to pursue a rootsy, country-rock direction instead of continue with punk. That’s the bio line, but we just want to say JOHN DOE! A legend we are very fortunate to have playing Radio Summer Camp. We’re humbled. Very humbled.

Listen: Broken Smile

Robbie Fulks w/ Nora O’Connor – Robbie is one of our favorite people making some of our favorite music. If you bring up the music industry he’s a smart-ass. If you talk about music he’s an honest and thoughtful songwriter. This combination, along with masterful guitar skills, make Fulks one of the most well-round, if still overlooked and under appreciated, songwriters making music today.

Now, add the sought after Nora O’Connor to the stage with Robbie and this should be one of the best opening sets you will ever see. She’s recorded and performed with about a gazillion people, among them Andrew Bird, The New Pornographers, Jeff Tweedy, Archer Prewitt, The Aluminum Group, Janet Bean, Chris Mills, Neko Case, and soul legends Otis Clay and Mavis Staples. The voice gets you, but it’s the personality that holds you:

“Nora O’Connor was born and raised as a first-generation Irish-American on the scrappy south side of Chicago. Mugs down “dere” tend to shoot first, ask questions later–and always get the mother effing job DONE. The doe-eyed (no pun intended) Miss Nora is no exception. In addition to being one of the most versatile and sought-after singers in town–she is also a legendary bartender, a midwife’s assistant (doula) and an ordained reverend. Whether you need to be serenaded, soused, birthed, or hitched, O’Connor has the goods, and how. Nora is now the mom to two handfuls of cuteness, so she doesn’t play out much, so when she does, we recommend you get out there and see her.”

Listen, Robbie Fulks: Jean Arthur

Listen, Nora O’Connor: Bottoms

RSC Club Shows – Cactus Club

This week we’ll be featuring music from all the bands playing club venues during Radio Summer Camp. Today we feature shows happening at the AV Club Milwaukee Stage at the Cactus Club. Don’t forget, full festival passes are only $25, and online pre-sales end Thursday at 10:00am.

Friday, July 16th:

11:45pm
Collection of Colonies of Bees – The instrumental Milwaukee band that has set the bar for all others in Milwaukee, COCOB blends guitars, drums and bass with keyboards and their signature Mac to achieve a “dynamic attack of sonic maximalism.” It’s this attack that led COCOB to Volcano Choir, a collaboration with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon whose first release was released last year on powerhouse indie lable JagJaguwar. Below, check out the first of four movements from their latest release, Birds.

Listen: Flocks: I

10:45pm
All Tiny Creatures – “Stacked melodies, distorted organs, stretched chords, reimagined vocals: Collections of Colonies of Bees/ Volcano Choir multi-instrumentalist Thomas Wincek drops his Emotional Joystick handle for the glorious themes of All Tiny Creatures.”

A perfect way to lead into COCOB, All Tiny Creatures (Hometapes) have released the EP, Segni, which they’re telling us is “a prelude to [their] debut LP—which will feature vocalists Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Megafaun, and Ryan Olcott (12 Rods, Mystery Palace)—due in early 2010.” Below, listen to the closing track from Segni.

Listen: Street Lights Ten Thousand Feet

10:00pm
Castle Thunder – Very little is yet known about this upstart Milwaukee band, but part of Radio Summer Camp is unveiling unknown talent to music fans in Milwaukee. Check them out on Local/Live this Tuesday, July 13th. Then, get there early on Friday to catch their live set.

Saturday, July 17th:

12:15pm
Samantha Crain – “Consider some of the songs on Crain’s palette: the slightly grunge-flavored rocker “Equinox,” the Bonnie Raitt-style, blues-heavy “Santa Fe” and the garage-band-sounding “Two-Sidedness.” Not many artists can pull off such a musical feast, yet Crain does so while keeping it all genuine.” Nancy Dunham, The Washington Post

Samantha Crain is a firecracker! Watch just one of her live shows and you’ll be hooked on the intensity, the raw output of emotion and most importantly, the songs. Take a listen to the aforementioned “Two-Sidedness” to hear just what we’re talking about.

Listen: Two Sidedness

11:15pm
The Loom – Sometimes bands have perfect bio/press info on their websites; The Loom is one of those bands: “The New Yorker recently described The Loom as ‘the beloved Brooklyn sextet who have lately been guiding their chamber-folk sound to decidedly louder sonic territory,’ while the website nyctaper.com wrote recently of their live show that, ‘To say that The Loom’s performance was a revelation would be to understate the significance of this unit.  They combine musical talent, strong writing, and an abundant amount of band camaraderie into an intense amalgam.’”

Not much more we can add to that, other than, DAMN! we want to see the live show described above. Listen below to a track from the band’s debut LP, At Last Light, while keeping in mind that the band promises “a decidedly louder sonic territory” on their forthcoming album, Teeth. You can hear a couple of the forthcoming tracks at the band’s website.

Listen: Song for the Winter Sun

10:20pm
Heidi Spencer & the Rare Birds – Unheralded Milwaukee musician…you know  what, just go read Heidi’s interview with the AV Club Milwaukee. She touches on a lot of different issues, including how her forthcoming album – to be released by Bella Union – features songs that have graduated to “moody” compared to her earlier, much sadder records. But until we get a taste of the new album, check out a track from Heidi’s 2005 release, The Luck We Made.

Listen: While Away

9:30pm
Strand of Oaks – Just a wail of a voice that grabs the attention of anyone within 100 feet, Philadelphia’s Tim Showalter has in the last year developed quite a strong fan base in Milwaukee. After last year’s appearance at Radio Summer Camp, Tim also played an intimate house show in March of this year that further cemented his place as one of Milwaukee’s favorite national acts. Expect another great show full of both heart-wrenching and sometimes just plain weird songs from the on-the-rise songwriter. Check out the Strand of Oaks Daytrotter.com session, and hear below a track from his 2009 debut LP, Leave Ruin.

Listen: Dogs of War

Announcing: The Backyard BBQ

One of three facets of our Radio Summer Camp music festival (club shows and symposium being the other two), The Backyard BBQ – presented with help from the Pabst Theater – will be held on Sunday, July 18^th. The Backyard BBQ is an all-day, outdoor, FREE concert featuring country, bluegrass, blues and roots-leaning music. Think straw hats, lemonade, great BBQ and some of the finest bands around. The music starts at 11:00am and goes to sundown.

There will be two more acts announced soon for the BBQ, but today we announce:

As you can see, we’re mixing the “countrypolitan” of national act Southern Culture on the Skids with the “streetgrass” of local favorites .357 String Band. Add the Carolina Chocolate Drops nod to historical African-American sounds, the swampy New Orleans blues of Eric Lindell, the bar-room country of Jonathan Burks and the energetic blues-rock of The Ragadors, and what we have here is a distinctly American event.