LOCAL NEWS
NASHVILLE
Get to know Brian Bunn Artist, Producer, Songwriter
Get Booked on Nashville Radio
Mando Blues Served Up Mondays by Brad Hardisty
One of the most unique local radio shows in Nashville, Mando Blues, is recorded every Monday and broadcast Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Radio Free Nashville 107.1-FM. The show’s host is longtime local music entrepreneur Whit Hubner. Mando Blues looks at blues as an evolving scene, rather than just heritage. The show is a combination of classic recordings, live performances and interviews. Recorded on top of a wooded hill in an army surplus tent, in front of a small live audience, different types of roots music are thrown into the mix while homecooked food is served to crew and audience alike. Musical guests have varied from Boscoe France, Tommy Womack, Mike Farris, Nick Nixon to The
McCrary Sisters. Hubner is always looking for some new acts to book for the show. The show focuses more on blues as a style that has influenced American music and not just traditional Delta blues styles. Even though they play classic blues, the artists they feature can range from bluegrass to straight up bluesinfluenced rock. Touring bands as well as regional acts can contact Hubner at whit@mandoblues.net for consideration to perform live for radio broadcast.
For more, visit mandoblues.wordpress.com.
Killer Indie Merch in Nashville
/ Hanging Out with Kangaroo Press by Brad Hardisty / photo by Roderick Trestail Located in a strip mall in a sketchy part of Nashville, Ryan Nole’s Kangaroo Press is one of the best examples of current silkscreen work for indie bands and artists. Ryan has done work for The Black Keys, Fugazi, My Morning Jacket, The Black Belles, Bright Eyes and Third Man Records as well as Nashville’s boutique jean brand to the stars, Imogene + Willie. Nole started in the straight edge hardcore scene doing bootleg-style t-shirts for bands like Chewbacca that had the motto, “Let the Wookie win – Go vegan.” Nole is drawn to well thoughtout branding and logo styles, especially classic American brands like Coca-Cola. He is always collecting memorabilia that includes a life size E.T. for inspiration. Lately, Nole has been developing everything for My Morning Jacket from designing posters to wearing a classic ’60s bear costume onstage that is from his personal collection. The Kangaroo Press website includes contact information as well as examples of Ryan’s work and classic indie gig posters and shirts that are available. For more, visit www.kangaroopress.com.
10 APRIL 2013 PERFORMER MAGAZINE
interview by Brad Hardisty photo by Jeffri Rimmer What’s your background? In 2005 my band, DecembeRadio, signed with Spring Hill out of Nashville and we released three albums over seven years. I have toured with Third Day, Newsboys, and David Crowder. In the past five years I have been expanding my home studio, Southern Attic, by working with many up and coming artists like The Amorous. I’m also part of new country trio, JEBtown. Why should we know you? So we can make great music together. You never know if the next person you meet could play a very important role in your musical journey, whether it be helping write a hit song or record a work of art. Every John needs A Paul! What are you trying to do in music? Anything that pays! The music business has changed drastically in the last 10 years, so it helps to be well rounded. If touring is slow I can work with new artists in the studio and help pick up the slack or vice-versa. As an artist, I have to stick with one style of music, therefore I enjoy working with artists in the studio on anything from art rock to folk to country. Top achievements? Grammy nominated for Best Rock Gospel Album of the Year in 2006, I won two Dove Awards for Best Rock Album of the year in 2006 and 2009, and as the producer of The Amorous, who won a contest with over 10,000 entries, Unsigned Only in 2012. Top 3 current favorite local artists? The Rhett Walker Band, The Amorous, and The Kicks. For more, visit www.facebook.com/brian.bunn.98