Music

August 5, 2022 - 11:00am

Cover photo from Horses by the Patti Smith Group

Wisconsin Public Radio's "BETA" talked with Caryn Rose, author of "Why Patti Smith Matters," about Smith's career as a poet, writer, musician and visual artist.

African American Music In Paris

August 5, 2022 - 10:00am

When African Americans in the U.S. finally got the golden opportunity to stretch out and explore the world, France would become a prime destination in the early part of the 20th century - eager to put their exploratory instincts to the test in an environment where two distinctively diverse yet thriving cultures would intersect.

Simply Superior, August 5, 2022

August 5, 2022 - 10:00am

The band One Less Guest with members Drummer Cody Thoreson (above on van roof) Bassist Nick Glass (sitting lower left) Nick Muska on guitar (lower center) and Violinist Ren Cooper (sitting right.) Also on the show, Republican Tom TIffany (center photo wit

Republicans Tom Tiffany and David Kunelius debate before the Aug. 9 primary for the 7th US Congressional District seat. One Less Guest members Nick Muska and Ren Cooper talk with host Robin Washington about their move from Minnesota to California.

🌍 #1467 August 6, 2022 Broadcast

August 5, 2022 - 8:00am

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Synth-pop band Sylvan Esso to release 4th studio album in August

July 30, 2022 - 5:00am

The husband-wife duo is about to hit the road to open for Odesza’s The Last Goodbye tour. And while Sylvan Esso is on tour, its fourth studio album, "No Rules Sandy," will drop on Aug. 12.

Simply Superior, July 29, 2022

July 29, 2022 - 10:00am

Jason Wussow, Veikko Lepisto, Chanz Green, John Schey

Democrat John Adams faces the winner of a Republican primary race between Chanz Green and John Schey who face off on Aug. 9. Woodblind plays at the Concert Cafe.

Spectrum West, July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022 - 10:00am

Contributor Dean Kallenbach talks with the winner of the Women’s World Horseshoe Pitching Championship which just took place in Monroe, La., Sarah Chaffee, a 15-year-old from Chippewa Falls.

Simply Superior, July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022 - 10:00am

photos of three people, left to right: Angie Spivak, Scitt Lustari, Sarah Knott

First elected in 2009, 73rd Assembly District state Rep. Nick Milroy is retiring this year. Hoping to replace him is a fellow Democratic from Superior, Laura Gapske, who will not face a primary challenger, and two Republicans: Angie Sapik of Lake Nebagamon and Scott Luostari of Lakeside. The two were invited to share their thoughts on “Simply Superior” this week ahead of their Aug. 9 primary.

The Call Of Exotica

July 22, 2022 - 10:00am

The sound of exotica relies heavily on many instruments, including conga and bongo drums, flutes, reeds, strings, gongs from Indonesia and Burmese, bells from China, bamboo sticks, logs from Tahiti, the Japanese koto, shrieks, and bird calls - both uttered by human voices and the roar of big-cat-like creatures.

🌍 #1465 July 23, 2022 Broadcast

July 22, 2022 - 8:00am

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Vinyl records comeback, Future of air conditioning

July 18, 2022 - 8:00am

We talk about the increasing popularity of vinyl records with a pop music charts researcher. Then, a reporter discusses the evolution of air conditioning as grapple with summer heat.

Looking back on vinyl records and hit music

July 18, 2022 - 8:00am

closeup photography of vinyl record playing on turntable

Last year, vinyl records had their biggest sales year since 1986. We take a spin with the head researcher of Record Research around the hits of Billboard's top charts.

Being heard: Indigenous composer’s piece 'Voiceless Mass,' performed in Milwaukee, wins Pulitzer Prize

July 16, 2022 - 6:05am

Raven Chacon’s achievement, “Voiceless Mass,” told a story without words. The Indigenous composer’s piece for a Thanksgiving concert inside a Milwaukee Catholic church won the Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Simply Superior, July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022 - 10:00am

Andre LeTendre-Wilcox (left) and Maria Lockwood (right) as the characters Malachi and Fanny in the play "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" at the Time Arc Theatre July 2022 in Superior. Photo courtesy of the Time Arc Theatre.

A villain, a damsel in distress, and of course a charming hero are among characters in “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down,” a musical melodrama premiering this week by the Time Arc Theatre at the Elks Lodge in Superior. Its creators, writer Kathy Laakso of Oulu and songsmith Bruce Nelson of South Range (familiar to regular listeners as the composer of our theme song) join “Simply Superior'' host Robin Washington to talk about their collaboration and its setting in 1890s Superior – with a little bit of Chicago’s World’s Fair thrown in for good measure.

🌍 #1464 July 16, 2022 Live Broadcast

July 15, 2022 - 8:00am

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City bands of Wisconsin march on

July 12, 2022 - 7:30am

In Wisconsin, city bands are found in every corner of the state, performing nearly every night of the week. During peak concert season we hear from a veteran conductor and city band advocate about the volunteer groups that play the marching sounds of summer.

The changing separation between church and state, Celebrating city bands

July 12, 2022 - 7:00am

Grace Bible Church facilities manager Kenny Sitton sanitizes entry door glass at the church

First, the head of an organization in Madison reacts to recent Supreme Court rulings that critics say threaten the separation between church and state. Then, we talk about the importance of city bands with the president of the Association of Concert Bands.

Gregorian Chant

July 8, 2022 - 10:00am

Studies confirm that listening to certain styles of music can have a calming effect that's soothing to the soul, comforting to the mind, and decreases stress and your heart rate. Gregorian chant has been adopted or liberated for its therapeutical value. Why? Perhaps it is because it contains similar stylistic characteristics to what is known as ambient or new age music.

Simply Superior, July 8, 2022

July 8, 2022 - 10:00am

From left to right: Classie Dudley and Emma Jean with her arms around two unnamed friends. Photos courtesy of same.

This week on “Simply Superior,” host Robin Washington is joined by NAACP Branch President Classie Dudley. The Duluth native is the new executive director of Community Action Duluth. The area’s largest anti-poverty agency, CAD offers a variety of services – from free tax preparation to skills training – to residents from all walks of life on both sides of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, as does the Duluth NAACP in its advocacy for justice. Dudley discusses the challenges and rewards of both vital organizations.

Plus, how do you get to be the warm-up for one of the region’s most popular bands? For singer-songwriter Emma Jeanne Rothwell – or simply Emma Jeanne, as she prefers – it was winning the Palomino Grant, a competition that carried with it a $5,000 award presented by the band Trampled By Turtles, plus an opening spot at the group’s Bayfront Festival Park concert July 9. Emma Jeanne shares her music and speaks with Washington about her budding career.

🌍 #1463 July 9, 2022 Live Broadcast

July 8, 2022 - 8:00am

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'Not precious about it at all': Patti Smith's legacy of work

African American Music In Paris

Simply Superior, August 5, 2022

🌍 #1467 August 6, 2022 Broadcast

Synth-pop band Sylvan Esso to release 4th studio album in August

Simply Superior, July 29, 2022

Spectrum West, July 28, 2022

Simply Superior, July 22, 2022

The Call Of Exotica

🌍 #1465 July 23, 2022 Broadcast

Vinyl records comeback, Future of air conditioning

Looking back on vinyl records and hit music

Being heard: Indigenous composer’s piece 'Voiceless Mass,' performed in Milwaukee, wins Pulitzer Prize

Simply Superior, July 15, 2022

🌍 #1464 July 16, 2022 Live Broadcast

City bands of Wisconsin march on

The changing separation between church and state, Celebrating city bands

Gregorian Chant

Simply Superior, July 8, 2022

🌍 #1463 July 9, 2022 Live Broadcast

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