State of Sound

State of Sound: Ellie Jackson

Our guest for this episode, Ellie Jackson, joined us for 88Nine’s State of Sound concert lineup in November. The Milwaukee artist's songs deliver a determined vulnerability and emotional exploration through guitars, stories, amplification, and a careful balance of harmony and dissonance. 88Nine music director Erin Wolf spoke with Jackson about “China Lights," her ode to a dissolved relationship in which she learns to read energy more deeply and slow down just a little, but doesn’t let the past freeze her from moving forward.

Clark Rendall of Dark Psychic

Dark Psychic is a two-piece dance-rock band from Milwaukee founded by Clark Rendall and Nathan Greene. Rendall’s drum tracks and bass loops bring to mind synth-pop and disco, while Greene’s guitar tones and melodies evoke new wave and post-punk. Recent influences include Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, Twin Peaks and, of course, ABBA. Their newest tracks shed the veil of pandemic pessimist grunge in favor of a lighter, brighter, more celebratory vibe. In this episode, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf speaks with Rendall about Dark Psychic’s capitalist gripe / working class anthem – and one of their most danceable songs yet – “No One Wants to Work Anymore."

Fred Kenyon of Rat Bath

Our guest, Milwaukee’s Rat Bath, joined us for 88Nine’s State of Sound concert showcase in November. This band of all transgender individuals reclaim queer-coded villains from their childhood as heroes in their storytelling. They describe their sound as "Post-Everything Rat Core" but have also been called Bubble Grunge, Alternative Emo, Dirt Americana and Melodic Hardcore.  Whichever way you slice it, they are fast and loud and have a unique ability to seamlessly blend influences. 88Nine music director Erin Wolf talks with Fred Kenyon about “I Eat My Enemies,” Rat Bath’s poem-inspired song delving into imposter syndrome.

Alberto Kanost of Bear in the Forest

Our guest, Alberto Kanost of Bear in the Forest, joined us for 88Nine’s State of Sound lineup in November. His songs howl with spiritualism built around folk music in the oldest, barest sense: joy and pain and a guitar coming together. In this episode, 88nine music director Erin Wolf speaks with Alberto about Bear In the Forest’s introspectively confident song, “Clear Clean Water.”

Bobby Flowers of Hello, Face

Our guest — Bobby Flowers of Hello, Face — joined us for 88Nine’s State of Sound lineup in October. Flowers and three of his fellow musicians formed the band after growing up in the Milwaukee music scene playing in beloved groups like Maritime, The Championship, Carolina and The Benjamins. Hello, Face has an emotional-yet-euphonious sound they suggest sounds best played loudly in a bar on repeat — a decadent blend of heavy guitar riffs, sweet melodic harmony and head-nodding beats. 88Nine music director Erin Wolf spoke with Flowers about Hello, Face’s more intimate, sucker punch of a song, “No One Else.” Listen to their full conversation, as well as part of Hello, Face’s set from the State of Sound live show.