WYEP Music Blog

Singer-Songwriter Jonathan Kingham is joining Toad the Wet Sprocket on tour this year.  Toad will be coming to the Pittsburgh area soon.  (You can check out the WYEP Concert Calendar for more information.)

Barb WYEP’s Sunday Mix Host (WYEP):  Hello Jonathan!  Thanks for taking the time, while you are out on the road with Toad, to respond to some questions via e-mail for the WYEP Music Blog!

Jonathan Kingham (JK):  My pleasure. Thanks for having me!

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WYEP Presents Dr. Dog // Thurs. 2/17 @ Mr. Smalls Theater – 9pm

Words by Justin Jacobs:

For longtime fans, to track the growth of Philadelphia band Dr. Dog — from its humble beginnings around 1999 to one of indie rock’s most revered bands today — is a lot like watching your child grow up. Ok, ok, that might be a bit hyperbolic. But follow me here.

For Dr. Dog’s first few albums, the band created extremely lo-fi folk rock that was equal parts catchy and silly, like a kid saying his first words. There was even a song on second album Toothbrush called “Say Ahhh.” Dr. Dog’s next few records, We All Belong and Fate, showed serious growth, like an adolescent band, realizing its strengths and weaknesses, sounding smarter and more self-assured. And with last year’s breakthrough album Shame, Shame, Dr. Dog finally reached adulthood — the album cast aside completely the lo-fi whispers of the band’s childhood in favor of a clean and professional, but still inspiring sound.

Now, a trajectory like this often brings out calls of “Sell out!” for indie rock bands, but not so with Dr. Dog. While the band’s actual recordings have changed shape, these Philly boys have maintained the core of their music — idiosyncratic doo-wop harmonies, lyrics filled with child-like wonder and adult ruminations on love and death, melodies hummable for days.

And the best part? You get to see Dr. Dog this Thursday, when the band stops at Mr. Smalls. The show’s at 9 p.m. See you there!

WYEP Presents Dr. Dog // Thurs. 2/17 @ Mr. Smalls Theater – 9pm

In mid-February, Mr. Barb and I embark on our 4th  journey through song.  This year, we are on a larger ship, The Pearl.  Sold-out.  Almost 2,400 passengers on a 7-night cruise visiting ports-of-call in the US & British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.  Three days at sea, including Valentine’s Day.  It’s yet another stellar line-up of over 30 acts.

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Lubriphonic plays on Friday January 28th @ The Thunderbird in Lawrenceville

Info on Lubriphonic here
Preview by Justin Jacobs:

Like all good Americans, you like your winters snowy and white, your eagles bald and soaring and, most importantly, your funk music hot and heavy. We lucked out in Pittsburgh this month with a wild show from Maceo Parker (he of James Brown and George Clinton band fame) at the Byham Theater. On Friday, Jan. 28, we’ll get another dose — up-and-comers Lubriphonic will hit the Thunderbird. Where Maceo’s brand of funk included a bit of jazz, this Chicago septet rolls up the funk in a driving rock’n'roll package. I’m not too sure where they’ll fit all seven players in the small Lawrenceville venue, but that should make for a loud, brassy show. Lubriphonic’s latest is called The Gig Is On; seems appropriate, as funk has always been best presented with a few stiff drinks someplace where you can dance. Check them out this Friday.