A Toast to The Arts

Warr Guitarist Jason Blake

This episode of Big Blend Radio features guitarist Jason Blake who has established himself as “one of the most distinguished technicians on the Warr.” The Warr guitar is a unique twelve-string instrument incorporating the range of a guitar and bass that is played by tapping the strings, a technique known as touchstyle. “Subsequent Ruins" is Jason's new solo instrumental progressive rock album that features the Warr guitar as the sole melodic instrument along with Marco Minnemann on drums. The songs work as a modern retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln (The Pied Piper), whereas screens play the title role. The six song album was mixed in Chicago at Gravel Road Recording by Amery Schmeisser and mastered by Andy VanDette (Rush, Porcupine Tree). Hajo Mueller (Steven Wilson, Mariusz Duda) completed the thought provoking artwork for the release. More: https://www.jasonblakemusic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Chick - Traveling Photographer William Henry Jackson

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, artist Victoria Chick talks about the legacy of traveling photograher, painter, and explorer William Henry Jackson (1843-1942). he's known for his photography showcasing Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Scott's Bluff. Read her article about his life and work here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/the-life-and-legacy-of-traveling-photographer-william-henry-jackson/Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. See her work: https://victoriachick.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Margaret Klaw - Every Other Weekend

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Writers & Authors" Show with Books Forward features Margaret Klaw, an award-winning family lawyer, writer, and author, who discusses her new novel, "Every Other Weekend." WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/PwAkee3pd4s “Every Other Weekend” (She Writes Press, May 23, 2023) is Klaw’s first novel using her extensive professional experience to create an engaging and darkly humored multi-perspective look at one family’s journey through the complexities of divorce and custody. More: https://margaretklaw.com/ More about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experimental Electronic Music Artist Billy Yfantis - Birds in Space

This episode of Big Blend Radio features experimental electronic musician and author Billy Yfantis, who discusses his new digital album “Birds in Space.” WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/o68o9QDZEvY The album consists of 27 experimental tracks that explore space from a musical and conceptual perspective. The concept refers to a flock of birds that travel in space among various space objects (clusters and galaxies). The album's song titles refer to real space objects that exist in the science of astronomy.More at: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com/album/birds-in-space Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park - Friends, Art & Culture & More

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast To The Arts & Parks" Show focuses on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.FEATURED GUESTS:- Tanya Ortega, Founder of National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who discusses their unique artist residenty programs, one of which is at Hawai'i Volcanoes NP. More at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/- Elizabeth Fien, President & CEO for the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) who talks about their various programs that support the park. More at: https://www.fhvnp.org/ Located on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Spanning over 500 square miles, this park boasts over 150 miles of hiking and biking trails, and showcases the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Islands. Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a refuge for the island’s native plants and animals and a link to its human past. More: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Noble - Pardon the Interruption Band

Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, prog-pop troubadours PARDON THE INTERRUPTION (aka PTI) are taking their place and asserting their voice in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area. This episode of Big Blend Radio features David Noble, founder, lead singer and guitarist of Pardon the Interruption who discusses the band's music and latest album HOT N’ FRESH, that finds them in full stride with nine original tracks mining every corner of the indie-pop-funk spectrum, always with a self-effacing smile and a nod to the progressive rock of the ’80s and ’90s that is the quartet’s uniting influence. More at https://www.ptimusic.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer-Songwriter Liz Lenten - Favorite Mistake EP

UK singer-songwriter Liz Lenten, founder of the Americana Ensemble AUBURN, returns to Big Blend Radio and chats about her music, life during the pandemic, and brand new EP "Favorite Mistake." After lockdown, desperate to reconnect with music, Liz spent a year with The Songwriting Academy, writing at home in her Lincolnshire countryside studio. After a few song assignments, she ended up with a whole bunch of new songs….recording initially at home, then adding instruments and musicians via cyberspace in London, Wales, Sussex and even Australia – until sending everything to Nashville to award-winning long-time collaborator and producer, Thomm Jutz, to finish off recording and mix.The first 4 completed tracks make up the digital “FAVOURITE MISTAKE EP”, which will be released on April 28th. Details on shows, music pre-order and purchase, or streaming on Spotify, are here: http://www.auburn.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Life and Art of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, talks about the life and art career of famed Southwest artist Ted DeGrazia. Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia was an independent and creative spirit, that not only defied the rules by doing everything his own way–but he made money at it. He was well-educated, knew the rules, but decided to paint the way he wished to paint, on whatever surface he chose to paint, with whatever materials he wanted. He experimented tirelessly with different mediums and left a legacy of artwork, music, writings, and a gallery where his defiance can still be felt.Hear about his childhood in the mining camp in Morenci and then in Italy, his apprenticeship with Mexico artists Diego Riviera and Jose Orozco, and how he started and built his own gallery, a great reflection of his independent spirit and personality. The podcast also covers his protest against the inheritance taxes on works of art. His media presence most likely led to his “Los Ninos” oil painting being chosen by UNICEF in 1960. It was reproduced as a holiday card that sold millions worldwide. From that point on, his gallery thrived with thousands of people visiting and buying his work. He was an artist for the people.DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.