The High Note

Mike Savino, the brainchild and founder of Tall Tall Trees, is my guest on The High Note to chat about his most recent album "Stick To The Mystical, I" which was released Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 via Joyful Noise Recordings. We talk about his journey in music from being a metalhead to a deadhead to being classically trained in acoustic bass to creating his own instrument, the Banjotron 5000. In addition to the songwriting process on his most recent album with Josiah Wolf, also get into his musical influences and the album he recorded earlier this year with JD Pinkus, "Ponder Machine." Read my review of his most recent release on The High Note. See Tall Tall Trees on tour throughout October 2023 and get "Stick To The Mysical, I" at talltalltrees.com. Apologies for the slight audio interference and the delay in getting this episode out - hopefully, we exterminated all the technical bugs. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music,  Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Singing songs, surfing and sailing the seas of Web 3; is there anything Emily Faye can't do? I met the multi-talented British-based singer-songwriter at VeeCon 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she captivated a packed crowd with her song "Playstation" at Lucas Oil Stadium with Gala Music. During our conversation, we dive into her journey in web3, her inspiration, how her fiance Jay inspired "Playstation," her love of country music and surfing, and her ongoing series "5 Minute Song Friday." Follow Emily Faye on all social media platforms at @emilyfayemusic, where she shares updates about her music and announcements about her upcoming live shows and get her NFTs on Gala Music. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Valerie Ann is a Utah-based songwriter with a magical touch for creating children's music that appeals not only to the young ones but also to the adults who care for them and those in between. I met Valerie Ann at VeeCon this past year in Indianapolis, Indiana and thankfully, we re-connected just this past month. She's a talented songwriter and pioneer in the children's music industry, taking strides in the NFT music platform, Gala Music. In this episode, we discuss her songwriting process, how she manages to craft tunes that resonate with children and adults, her journey into the NFT music world, and her latest hit song, "Road Tripping." "Road Tripping" is a joyous anthem for all those who love an adventurous journey on the open road. It's available everywhere, and you can also check out its delightfully charming music video here. Be sure to follow Valerie Ann on Instagram and Twitter and see more of her NFTs on her Gala Music profile. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Keller Williams and Steve Poltz are both accomplished singer-songwriters individually who together have performed a "Shut the Folk Up and Listen" series across America. They join me for a conversation about their careers, folk music and their run of shows.  You can see them Friday, March 3 at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday, March 4 at City Winery Philadelphia and Sunday, March 5 at City Winery New York City. They will each perform a set of music and then perform together. Keller Williams will return Friday, March 17 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, New Jersey. You can also join them for BaHOOTenzie for a song school May 2-4 and a folk festival May 5-6, 2023 in Joshua Tree, California.  "Outre Mer" by Garage A Trois is Keller's favorite soundtrack from a movie and this is Steve's second time on the podcast.  Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts.   Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Crys Matthews stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw her perform. Join me in a conversation with one of my favorite singer-songwriters about her songwriting process, her journey in music and how growing up as the daughter of a preacher influences her on stage. She is based in Washington D.C. and is currently on tour including stops Thursday, Feb. 9 at The Linda WAMC's Performing Arts Studio in Albany, NY, Saturday, Feb. 11 at Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair, New Jersey and she will be returning Sunday, March 26 at Joe's Pub in New York City. Her most recent album "Changemakers" is available everywhere including her website and you can subscribe to her Patreon.  You can follow her on social media @CrysMatthews on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play.   Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Mohsen Amini is probably the best concertina player you have ever heard. I met him as co-founder of the multi-award-winning Celtic trio Talisk, based out of his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. Amini talks about his adventures since we last spoke last at the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival including his tour with Talisk and Ímar, jamming with his friends, getting ready for the band's performance at Celtic Connections in Glasgow and the 2023 Talisk world tour which includes stops in Philadelphia and New York City. See Talisk Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and Monday, Feb. 20 at City Winery in New York City and see all the band's tour dates here. Follow Mohsen Amini on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine.   The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Perry Thompson is the president of the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society based in Atlantic City, New Jersey whose mission is to preserve and promote Black music culture through education and experiences. He has held lectures in person at Stockton University featuring Reggie Reg from Cash Crew and singer and pianist Nina Simone as well as online seminars covering the legacies of Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Snoop Dogg. Follow the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization that accepts donations via check or money order to P.O. Box 7401 Atlantic City NJ 08404, or Cashapp $RBPSOC18 Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

BRAN NU is a rapper and artist based in South Jersey. He has been rhyming since he was in high school and is currently touring throughout the east coast.   During a brief break in his touring schedule, we chat about his influences, his music career, his most recent tour and the projects he is currently most excited about.   You can see him on the Full Blast Fall Tour featuring CL Smooth beginning Nov. 3, 2022. His mixtape "Total B.S." is available on Soundcloud and you can listen to his projects on YouTube. You can see all his projects via his Linktree and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.   Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Mike McKenna Jr. is a helluva singer-songwriter from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. He carries on the Canadiana folk music tradition in his songs his homespun lyrics with historical references and a warm voice. We talked Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 at the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival where he was a performer throughout the weekend. His latest album is "At The Edge of the World." He is showcasing Saturday, Nov. 5 at Nova Scotia Music Week at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney, Cape Breton, Thursday, Nov. 10 at The Carleton in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn in Cape Breton, Novia Scotia. Follow him on social media @mikemckennajr. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

South Korean shamanic folk-pop band ADG7 quickly became one of my favorite acts of the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival - so much so that I, along with many, many others, saw the nine-piece band Saturday night and again Sunday morning. See all the show notes, links and photos here. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon. Photos by Justyna Smith.