Height Zone World

My guest this week is R.M. O’Brien. He’s a poet and a playwright and the main man behind Nuclear Power Pants. We’ve been friends since we first played a show together at Purchase College in 2004, and we’ve gone on several tours together throughout the years. He talks about forming Nuclear Power Pants at Purchase College, and then reforming the band in Providence and then Baltimore. We talk about the inherent frustration of touring, and the point where touring with his band began to clash with his role as a family man. He explains his conversion to Sikhism, and how that’s affected his outlook on life and his approach to creative pursuits. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Def Jef’s Soul Food. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guest this week is Ceschi Ramos. He’s a rapper/singer-songwriter, as well as one of the founders of the Fake Four label. He’s made a big impact in the underground music world, and we’ve shared many bills together over the years. We talk about the early incarnations of his Anonymous Inc band, and his first taste of the music business big leagues with his Toca project. He tells me about his first solo albums, and how a tour with Germany’s DJ Scientist influenced him to change his approach to the music game. I ask him about starting Fake Four at a time when indie labels were dropping like flies, and he talks about the slow-but-steady growth they’ve experienced since 2008. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to The Pharcyde’s Labcabincalifornia. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guest this week is CX KIDTRONIK. He’s a producer, DJ, vocalist and videographer with a musical resume that goes back to the 80’s. We first got to know each other when he contributed to my Height With Friends Versus The Continental MC’s album. We talk about his childhood in Madison, WI and the hip-hop and hardcore punk that influenced him there. I ask him about his collaborations with Atari Teenage Riot, Saul Williams, Rammellzee and Kanye West and what he took away from those experiences. We also discuss releasing his two Krak Attack albums through Stones Throw Records, working as a fetish clip director and his new Sewer Rats BK project. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Mantronix’s In Full Effect. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Height spinning tunes by Human Pippi Armstrong, Mrs. Paintbrush, Kate Ferencz, Diogenes, Lil Cake and Jack Toft, Eze Jackson, Barter Boys, Al Rogers Jr. and Uncommon Nasa. Mike Riley's artwork this week is an homage to MC Breed's 20 Below. The episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is UllNevaNo. He’s an MC from the MGNTK crew. He’s released a large catalogue of music over the years, including his full-length collaborations with Logic Marselis, Illien Rosewell and {w}. We talk about how he learned the craft of rapping in southern California, and how he refined the business end of music upon moving back to the east coast. He discusses making the switch from focusing on being a battle MC to releasing full-length projects. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s All Souled Out. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guests this week are Pete Faust and Mary Alice Hamnett of The Electric Grandmother. They’re a self-described Sitcom-Core duo from Hawaii/Ohio. We first met a few years ago, when our tours crossed paths in Toledo, Ohio. We talk about how the band started as Pete’s solo bedroom project before morphing into a live duo. We discuss the constant TV and movie references in their music, and they explain why sitcom characters have been popping up in Pete’s poems and songs since the mid-90’s. Pete talks about some of the confusion that stayed with him after a near death experience as a teenager, and how it came to a head after moving to DC and working on their new album. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Crucial Conflict’s The Final Tic. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guest this week is Al Rogers. Al is a young MC from Baltimore. He recently released an excellent full-length collaboration with Drew Scott called Luvadocious. We talk about how he began making music during his reckless teenage years, and how music put him on a new path. He discusses his first live performances, and his change from doing standard hip-hop sets to putting on energetic dance-heavy performances. He breaks down his new album Luvadocious, and how Drew Scott, Blaqstarr and Baltimore radio host LaDawn Black all contributed to the project. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Outkast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guest this week is Mrs. Paintbrush, aka Jackson O’Connell-Barlow. Jackson is one half of Pittsburgh’s Grand Buffet, and he’s put out three solo releases as Mrs. Paintbrush. We’ve been friends since we first toured together in 2000, and he’s always been a rap older brother to me. We talk about his early influences, and his personal Mount Rushmore of Chuck D, David Bowie, Kate Bush and David Lee Roth. He breaks down his early shows with Grand Buffet, and how he developed into a formidable live performer. We talk about his recent Mrs. Paintbrush releases, and where he wants to take the project in the future. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to The D.O.C.’s No One Can Do It Better. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

My guest this week is Cody Jones, aka Stillborn Identity. Cody is an MC from Pittsburgh, PA. We’ve played many shows together through the years. He stopped by my house for an interview after his recent Baltimore show. He talks about growing up skating and playing in punk bands, and how he entered the hip-hop realm. We talk about the inherent confusion involved in traveling the country playing small shows, and what inspires him to keep going. We also discuss his TheThrowAwayDays zine and his new Slow and Steady EP. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Tha Alkaholik’s 21 and Over. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Al Lover. Al is a great producer currently residing in Austin, TX. We first met when we played on the same bill in Asheville in 2007, and we’ve been friends and collaborators ever since. We talk about his early work with North Carolina’s Fist Fam, and his transition from being an MC to creating a one-man instrumental act. He talks about the excitement he felt while first discovering the contemporary psych rock scene in San Francisco, and how his remixes of that music led him down a new path. We reflect on how we went on the worst (but most fun) tour in the history of the music business, and he tells me about his more recent touring success in Europe. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Height Zone World 74. My guest is Scottie B. He’s a legendary Baltimore DJ, and the cofounder of Unruly Records. His DJing and his work with Shawn Caesar, Miss Tony, Bob The Equalizer and many more are all a huge part of what made Baltimore what it is today. He talks about the Baltimore club scene of the 80’s, and how that milieu led to the creation of Baltimore club music. He explains how his and Shawn Caesar’s unique DJ styles blossomed into a recorded art form and a genre of it’s own. He explains how he sees himself as part of the always-evolving culture of dance music, and not just a player within the sub-genre of Baltimore club. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Professor Griff’s Last Asiatic Disciples. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Uncommon Nasa. He’s an MC, a producer, an engineer, a radio host and the guy behind Uncommon Records. We first met when he took part in the NYC Rap Round Robin. He talks about getting his start interning at NYC’s Ozone Studios, and later mixing many key projects for Def Jux artists. He tells me about his love for 90’s NYC hip-hop radio, and how that influenced his Uncommon Radio show. We discuss his new projects, and his recent drive to tour and to grow as a live performer. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to 3rd Bass’s The Cactus Album. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Mike Riley and Height spinning some of our favorite tunes from Height Zone World guests. Mike’s art this week is an homage to Run-DMC’s Christmas In Hollis. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Brzowski. He’s been a staple of the New England hip-hop scene for many years, and he’s made fans/friends across the world through his relentless touring. We first crossed paths in 2004, and I was happy to learn more about his mission. We talk about his two official full-length albums, as well as his Blood Drive compilations. We discuss the logistics of the DIY touring system, and the pros and cons of being your own booking agent. He breaks down his new project called Vinyl Cape, and explains where he wants to take that project in the near future. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to UGK’s Super Tight. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Jeff Blinder. Jeff is one of the most consistent promoters on the US DIY circuit. He’s been the primary force behind many show spaces, including the Spazzatorium in Greenville, NC, and Danger Danger Gallery in Philadelphia. I’ve been playing his shows since 2003, and I was excited to learn more about how and why he does what he does. He talks about his first encounters with the world of DIY shows, by way of the vibrant house show scene in New Brunswick, NJ. I ask him about the first shows he set up in Greenville, NC, and we reflect on what made shows in that small college town unique. He talks about restarting his operation in Philadelphia, and makes an announcement about his next move. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Da Bush Babees’ Ambushed. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

This is part two of my interview with Lord Grunge. We recorded this on his front porch in Pittsburgh, on Black Friday. We start the conversation by talking about Grand Buffet’s B-sides record Dicer, and how it later played a hand in them going on tour with Third Eye Blind. We talk about some of Grand Buffet’s later releases, and some of the frustrations they faced upon putting those records out. We discussed making music as an older guy and his new day job as an EMT. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Black Sheep’s Non-Fiction. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is James Nasty. He’s a DJ and a Baltimore club producer. He’s a mainstay in Baltimore, and his music has made noise all over the world. He talks about learning to record at UMBC studios, and turning his college dorm room into a night club every weekend. We talk about his early days working in studios and producing for rappers, and why he made the transition to DJing and making club music. We talk about his recent EP’s, and the full-length album he wants to complete in the future. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Seth On Gray Street. Seth is a solo MC and also one half of the group Human Speakers. We first met when I saw his group open for Ghostface in Manchester, NH, and we’ve played many shows together over the years. He talks about growing up in Farmington, NH and getting his hip-hop education through listening to WUNH’s hip-hop show. He tells me about cutting his teeth through tagging along with NH’s Def Rock, and forming Human Speakers with Eyenine. I also spin a few of my favorite Seth Of Gray Street tunes. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to ED O.G and Da Bulldog’s Life of a Kid in the Ghetto. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Neru. She’s an MC and singer from Baltimore. I saw her perform at The Windup Space last winter, and I’ve wanted to learn her history ever since. She talks about feeling like a black sheep as a kid, and gradually finding her way into music. She talks about her first group, and how she became a solo artist. We talk about her Enlightenment Era album, and her other forthcoming projects. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Joshua Emmitt. He’s one half of the group Something Complex, as well as a photographer, a video director and a part of the Reverb Collective. We met when he first moved to Baltimore in 2011. I’ve always dug his work ethic and passion, and I’ve been wanting to get him on the show for a while. He tells me about growing up in Pine Island, Florida, and his early art and music experiments. He talks about his days in FL metal bands, and his transition from metal to making beats with his bandmate Drew Scott. We discuss the difficulty and the rewards of moving from a small town to a city. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to MOP’s To The Death. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.