• Tag Archives indie
  • The Ledge #496: New Releases (Pt. 1)

    Once again, the wealth of quality new music means that this month’s new release episode is expanding into a two-part series! This week is dominated by artists and labels that can accurately be described as “friends of the show” – artists such as Dave Sheinin, Dan Israel, Old Town Crier, along with our label friends at Big Stir RecordsRed On Red Records, and, of course, Rum Bar Records!

    But there’s also something special for fans of The Replacements! Well, of course there is. This show isn’t named after one of their songs for no reason! Two weeks ago saw the reissue of their very first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash. 100 tracks, 67 of them previously unreleased. Those who purchased the box at the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, however, also received a bonus flexidisc with four more unreleased versions. Thanks to Ledge listener Jim Portesan, tonight’s episode includes those four rarities, along with a miniset of songs from the concert disc of the box.

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

    For more info, including setlists, please head to scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #491: New Releases (Pt. 1)

    It’s almost a given that if Rum Bar Records puts out a sampler, that month’s Ledge “New Release” show will be a two parter, and this month is no exception. Thanks to “Rocktober II”, the massive 38 track collection of new releases, old faves, and other fun selections, there just isn’t enough time to go through all the goodies.

    But we also have fabulous new tracks from our friends at Red On Red Records, Big Stir Records, Stardumb Records, and Spaghetty Town Records. There are also new tracks by our friends Sonny Vincent, Pavid Vermin, and others. And there’s a great new covers record by The Queers!

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

    For setlists and other info, head to scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #490: Songs About Actors

    The idea for this show actually came about earlier this summer when I noticed that over the last few months I had acquired a number of songs about various movie stars. Over the next few days, with the help of a bunch of Facebook friends, I put together more than enough tracks that fit this theme. Tonight’s supersized show is the results of hours and hours of research, and consists of songs about not only classic Hollywood royalty such as Myrna Loy, Joan Crawford, Robert Mitchum, and Clark Gable but relatively recent stars like Keira Knightley, Winona Ryder, Timothy Chalamet, and Emma Stone. It’s a show that jumps from acoustic-based singer/songwriters to classic rockers to some outrageous punk rock.

    BTW, it should also be noted that the intro voice of the Ledge, Max, is now a high school student who has an opportunity to spend a few days in New York City with his school’s performing arts department. Please consider helping him out by donating at his Gofundme page. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/maxwell-to-nyc)

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #488: New Releases

    This is the type of new release show that should appeal to all veteran Ledge listeners. New music by Lydia Loveless! A Stones cover by Brad Marino. A set of nothing but great power pop from Big Stir Records. Always great tunes from Rum Bar Records. Wilco covering Sleater-Kinney, and vice versa! Plus lots of other great new tunes from familar and not so familiar artists.

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #487: Charlie Watts RIP

    The death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts earlier this week created an obvious opportunity for The Ledge to celebrate his almost 60 years of playing behind fellow Stones members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

    But, of course, I didn’t go the obvious route. You don’t get two hours of the band’s greatest hits. You don’t even get the most well known covers of the band. No, instead this tribute consists primarily of bands that fit the true spirit of the “Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World”. The tracks consist of a ton of live encores of Americana artists, garage rock versions recorded for various tribute albums, and a handful of B-sides and other bonus material. Oh yes, and a drunken cover or three found on Replacements’ bootlegs.

    Rest in peace, Charlie. You will be missed.

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #486: Odds and Ends

    The “odds and ends” format seems to have worked the last few times I’ve done it, so why not do another show of this type? For those new to The Ledge, the show consists of material I’ve been listening to in my home over the last few days. Some selections are faves from a few years ago that I haen’t pulled out in a while (Sarah Shook, Lydia Loveless). Others are recent purchases that don’t quite fit the new release shows (live Bob Mould, Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows). Add to that my recent fascination over everything involving Ncio, thanks to the new book, You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, and you get a handful of tracks featuring her beautiful, haunted vocals.

    Of course, news of a new box set including previously unreleased tracks by The Replacements takes priority over everything. This October, a 40th anniversary reissue of their first album, Sorry Ma Forgot to Take Out the Trash will hit the stores, and features 100 tracks, 67 of them previously unreleased. Expect to hear a lot from this in the next few months!

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #477: Summer Means Fun (Plus Recovered Bonus Show)

    On last week’s new release broadcast I had attempted to right a wrong. I definitely missed the boat on the fabulous Minneapolis band Low Rats blend of “proto-punk meets ’90s garage rock style”, as reviewer Carolyn Keddy recently wrote. Their full-length debut, Year of the Rat MMXX came out late last year, and last week they debuted a brand new “double-dose” single, “Taxi Driver/Brand New Cadillac”. I was so pleased to finally give some of their tunes a little airplay.

    And then guess what happened? I had an issue with the file, and I couldn’t upload the episode. Ugh!!! So this week I tried again, and I actually played a couple more songs than I did the week before. And, as an added bonus, I’ve also included a couple of tracks from vocalist Michael Myers’ previous band, Narco States, who I interviewed wasy back in 2015.

    The rest of this week’s show consists of music I’ve been playing around the house the last fw weeks. There are well over 60 years of tunes on this broadcast, including some stories I’ve picked up from a couple of books I’ve recently acquired.

    And you fine people also get as a bonus the surviving portion of last week’s show. The first hour or so of new releases, and I’ve got a question for listeners regarding a band called The Revenents. I’d appreciate a little help about this band that has released well over a dozen albums for free these last few months.

    The combination of these two broadcast means you guys get over three hours of tunes in this week’s download! But please do me a favor and purchase some Low Rats at their bandcamp site. In fact, I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #475: New Releases (Pt. 2)

    This week’s show may be a sequel to last week’s new release episode, but there’s no letdown in quality. Here are two hours of some of the best new music from all over the world – not only the U.S. but Canada, England, Sweden, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Spain. There’s some pure punk, along with power pop, heavy rock, indie rock, and much more. There are longtime veterans with five decades of rocking, along with some brand new bands with their first releases.

    One of the many highlights is the opening set that includes a handful of newly-discovered tracks by an obscure band called The Jacks. Originating in Oklahoma, one member of the band found himself living in Minneapolis. Working in a record store allowed him to befriend members of The Replacements, Husker Du, and The Suicide Commandos. Recordings featuring these amazing musicians have now been released on the album “Make ‘Em Cry”.

    We also have the premiere of three tracks from Geoff Palmer’s upcoming album, “Charts & Graphs”. Due out on July 23, this fantastic collection of power poppish punk should be a highlight of the summer. There’s also new tunes by Dropkick Murphys, The Dictators, Juliana Hatfield, and many others!

    After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy! These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #470: Playing Catch Up

    It’s always rewarding when a confluence of ideas results in a show that has a perfect flow. That’s what happened this week. This show began with a slight nudging from a couple of acts that had submitted tracks earlier this year that had just not yet found a place in a show. Add to that a couple of great records featuring Dirty Truckers drummer John Lynch that he sent when we were putting together the Rum Bar Records episode.

    Then a section of super sweet, relatively new records were discovered at a local record store. I’m talking about mint 2020 releases that I had missed out on when they were first put out. Adding to that secton of the show are a few other 2019 and 2020 albums that I was late in discovering, along with a couple of fabulous archive releases and suddenly I have two hours of great music for tonight!

    After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy! These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #468: First Quarter Report

    Since we are just a few days away from April, it makes sense that the last episode of the month is a look back at the first quarter of 2021. What albums, EP’s and singles have caught my attention? Has it been a great year?

    The answer is the same as always. Despite what the naysayers have to tell you, there’s always great music being released and tonight’s show is living proof. This two hour episode flows from genre to genre, and from the famous to the friendly little local bands that have submitted their tracks to me. If you like independent music, you’re going to love this show!

    After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy! These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

     

    Download MP3 here