Zeitgeist Radio

Marlys Woods is a music therapist who specializes in mental health. She shares the therapeutic applications of music, its ability to facilitate healing, and a caution about how music can cause harm or cause us to stay stuck. We discuss the importance of intentional music selection for personal growth and mental health. She also highlights the adaptation of music therapy practices during the pandemic, offering virtual sessions and resources like DIY workbooks to aid individuals in integrating music into their daily lives for mental wellness.

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Iain Dove McAfee and Cara Weggler Menge are members of the Irish trad band Dòrain. We explore 3 of the main Irish scenes (sessions, dances, and stage performances) and unique etiquette and cultural features of each. We discuss what participating in a living tradition is like, nuances in the scene (don't order a PBR!), common tune types, the Caeli tradition and the key role of dance in Irish music, learning by ear, and the challenges of transitioning from Classical to Folk. They also share how "trying to come up with a band name is like friendship torture!" and how they settled on the name Dòrain... which means "otters" in Gaelic.

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Marcy Irving is the Director and Founder of the Central Coast Gilbert and Sullivan Group. We discuss the history and impact of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, the process of staging productions, and the sense of community within the music scene in San Luis Obispo, as well as the enduring humor and relevance of Gilbert and Sullivan's work and the timeless connection between people and music.

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Arthur Breur is a composer, pianist, and host of the Melodology Podcast. We discuss his unique approach to creativity, his fascination with melody, and the different ways he brings ideas to life in his compositions. He also talks about his work as a Composer in Residence, shares interesting insights about the musical moments that have impacted him, and explains the creation of his entertaining piece, 'The Ambitious Spider'. The episode is filled with engaging stories, important lessons, and a deep exploration of the craft behind creating impactful melodies.

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Melanesia Hunter is the creator and curator of Tha Juice Joint and the Crockpot live music events in LA. Mel shares the origin story and evolution of these community-building music events, which started as intimate gatherings focusing on music and grew into notable venues bringing together hundreds of people weekly. She also talks on the financial, logistical, and emotional challenges she faced in creating these events while emphasizing the powerful impact they have on the community, on relationships, and on artists' music careers in an urban city like LA.

www.thajuicejoint.com

Ig/FB/X : @thajuicejoint

TikTok: @thajuicejointLA

Thor Larsen is a singer and stage manager in San Luis Obispo, CA. In this episode he discusses his role and responsibilities, from setting up the stage and ensuring all equipment is in its place, to managing unforeseen situations and ensuring the smooth flow of the performance. He also provides insight into the etiquette and rules that musicians should know or that he abides by, including handling delicate or expensive instruments and maintaining the stage layout.

Amy Coddington is a professor of music at Amherst College and author of "How Hip Hop Became Hit Pop." We delve into the complexities of radio politics, the evolution of hip hop, and its complex journey towards mainstream acceptance. Amy exposes the biases, challenges, and commercial dynamics of radio, and offers an academia-backed perspective on the forces that shaped how hip hop and rap influence America.

Read Amy's book (for free!): https://luminosoa.org/site/books/m/10.1525/luminos.165/ Or you can buy it on Amazon to support her: https://a.co/d/3G3lWDK

Listen to the book's playlist: 

I'm taking a break through the end of the year. Use this time to catch up on episodes you might have missed!

Brigit Hawley is an audio software engineer based out of the LA area. In this episode we discuss building your own major in college, machine learning applications and possibility, what goes into audio transitioning to digital, gearheads and their passion for audio, compression, lossless vs lossy, how streaming works, what is a microphone, really?, how hardware plays into digital audio, audio drivers, an audio software engineer's pet peeves, the complexity of surround sound, and Morgan tries to wrap her head around HRTFs.

Camilla Lombard is the Executive Fishwife (yes, that's her actual title) for Sea Forager Seafood and member of The Fishwives sea shanty group. In this episode we discuss the difference between sea shanties and sea songs, roving performances and audience interaction, the weirdest gigs ever, and using fun and community to make the fight for sustainability feel good.

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Dave George is bass player and general manager of Festival Mozaic, a classical music festival in San Luis Obispo California. In this episode we discuss how an injury changed the course of a career, shifting classical culture for more accessibility, breaking the 4th wall between performers and audience, the mission and values of the Festival, choosing venues, a new take on master classes, logistics of putting on a music festival, and stories of good moments... and of things gone wrong!

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Andy Watson is a comedian, podcaster and country music performer in Central Coast CA. In this episode we discuss his cowboy comedy duo, Cowboy Jeff and Andy, and his podcast of the same name. He shares his many influences and the Nashville vs Bakersfield styles of country music. We discuss his work teaching in a school of 1000 kids that was built for 400, activism and the need for new immigration laws in a town where 50% of farm workers may be undocumented, and the importance of the arts for underprivileged kids. Andy is a history buff as well, and his songs tell stories from the central valley. His work aims to shed light on his local communities, and he uses musical comedy to connect with all sorts of musicians. There's a mix of cultures in the Central Coast, and Andy says that great art comes out of diversity.

Heidi Davis is a theater producer, musician and music writer out of Portland, OR. In this episode we discuss her theater production company Torchsong Entertainment and the journey from 2 audience members to sell-out shows. She shares how she decides what musicals to write and we discuss the many, many logistics of running a theater company, from finding a location, being scrappy and building an audience (heidi's secret weapon: children!), the chillest auditions ever, choreography, equipment, costumes, and more. We also discuss the process of rebooting fan favorite shows, how a voiceover for a book of poetry turned into a plot musical, and what's next for Torchsong!

Follow Torchsong:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/torchsongentertainment @TorchsongTheaterCompany

Website - https://www.torchsongentertainment.com/

Instagram - @torchsong_entertainment

Youtube - @torchsongentertainmentllc6957

Paul Osborne is a choral conductor out of San Luis Obispo, CA. In this episode we discuss early choral music, key composers like Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Palestrina and the fascinating Gesualdo. I also ask Paul: why did I never enjoy early music until I sang it under his baton? We talk about what brings this music to life (or lack thereof). We also talk musical nerd shop including polyphony, species counterpoint, and ficta.

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Jill Gibson is a music teacher and musical improv coach from San Luis Obispo, California.

In this episode we discuss musical improv "games," why choruses are grounding, performing norms with improv, playing with the elements of genre, how Disney creates its own Zeitgeist. We get distracted by Sondheim because... well, Sondheim!

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I got married this last week and didn’t have the time to put a full episode together for you. However, I didn’t want to leave you hanging!

I thought I’d take this week to share my story. What’s my musical background, and what is this whole Zeitgeist thing anyway?

Follow the Zeitgeist Academy on Facebook and Instagram @zeitgeistacademy

I'd love to hear from you! DM me on socials or send me an email: morgan@zeitgeistacademy.com

Takenya Freeney Battle is a musician and educator based in Texas. In this episode we discuss becoming an army reservist while teaching elementary school music, how describing a sandwich is giving a 7th grade girl her glow up, the advantage a Black Baptist upbringing gave when studying classical music, and her incredible program using singing techniques to help people speak better onstage and in life!

Billy Gerhardt is the owner of Sauce Pot Studio in San Luis Obispo, CA. In this episode we discuss stories from the studio, what you need to make a music video, being hit up by Disney, the secret word "talent," working with Lin Manuel Miranda, is the 10,000 hours true?, confidence, pivoting, rejection, learning from your failures, and what happens when you practice EVERY DAY.

Larissa a.k.a. Zaara is a belly dance performer and teacher based out of Atascadero, California. In this episode we discuss belly dance performances, different types of Renn Faires, balancing things on your head, drum rhythms and dance, and the vibrant cultural history of belly dance! Plus Larissa shares some of her stories from being a Renn Faire performer and the shenanigans that happen after the Faire closes for the night!

Follow Larissa on Tik Tok @larissabarios21

Lindsey Dono is a contra dancer and caller based in Washington. In this episode we try to define contra dance, explore the process of creating an evening experience for hundreds of dancers, and how her philosophy of "I was terrified... and then I did it anyway" has led her to call some of the largest dances and festivals in the country.

Beth is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. In this episode we discuss how the music of the Muppets is deeper than you would think, how looking for a simple set of lyrics led to an unexpected journey, finding comfort in music during a difficult time in life, and the nuance behind the songs of the world's most beloved puppets.

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Alexis Baker is a Music Therapist and Founder and Owner of Bridgetown Music Therapy. In this episode we discuss the 4 elements of music therapy, the settings you might use music therapy, how covid affected the senior care industry and Alexis' masterful pivot, the beauty of video, when music therapy might be good for you, and surprising uses of the macarena!

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Website: https://www.bridgetownmt.com/

Brooke Trumm is a composer and drummer out of New York City. In this episode we discuss behind-the-scenes roles in musical theater, orchestrating a musical, the power of collaboration, and how to stay motivated during the hustle!

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Ed Kopp is a songwriter, teacher, and performer based in Silverton, Oregon. In this episode we discuss the joys and downsides of being in a band vs solo gigs, synchronicities and being open to the "cosmic radio," the songwriting headspace, the impact of a life-changing journey, playing gigs in New York, benefits of a fresh start, and ways Covid has changed the face of music.

Follow Ed:

https://www.facebook.com/edkoppmusic

Milo is a cellist currently working on his Master's degree in Cello Performance in Salt Lake City. In this episode we discuss musical plateaus, the erasure of women in the history of classical music, underrepresented composers, and the mind games and personal growth that arise from learning music. We also review pre-concert self care and mental strategies for performance anxiety. 

Follow Milo on Instagram @bachpaperscissorslizardspock

Dave is a self-described "laptop musician" based out of the Central Coast, CA. In this episode we discuss the evolution of electronic music, the process of making a track, types of sounds of pianos, Ableton live, a "library of loops," a "grid full of buttons,"  AI music, and the flow of generational beliefs about the evolution of art.

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Ian Boswell is a composer, performer, and self-proclaimed "just a musician" out of State College, Pennsylvania.  Ian also composed the music for Zeitgeist Radio and was there when the inspiration for "Zeitgeist" struck! This episode we discuss the college music department experience, the retro-futurist Space Lounge Concert Series, AI music and the future of art, Shape Note singing, video game music, and so much more. 

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http://iancboswell.com/

Christopher Steig is a transcriber and performer in Portland, Oregon. We discuss the wide world of band, the soap opera drama of clarinets, how Beethoven perfected music,  the evolution of the symphony, interesting rhythms, and whether classical music is meant to be serious.

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Self-described "Jaquelin of all trades, master of several" Janna aka Jaqal the Hybrid is a songwriter and performer in Portland, Oregon. In this episode we discuss choosing your influences, the challenges of using a label vs self-publishing, embracing complexity, and music as disruption.

Follow Janna: @jaqalthehybrid