The Upful LIFE Podcast

098: MIKE RIVARD [bass/sintir: Club d'Elf] + LONNIE MARSHALL [bass/vox: Weapon of Choice, daKAH, Joe Strummer]

Episode 098 brings a double dose of low end theory, welcoming a pioneering pair of underground bass legends percolating on opposite coasts, both cats deep in the streets and boasting decades in the game, with the catalogues and collaborators to prove it. * 0:00 - ep.098 preview * 3:30 - High Sierra Music Festival 2026  [https://www.highsierramusic.com/] * 6:30 - The Upful Update * 12:00 - intro: Club d'Elf's MIKE RIVARD [aka Micro] * 15:00 - INTERVIEW w/ MICRO [83m] * 1:38:00 - introducing LONNIE MARSHALL * 1:42:00 - INTERVIEW w/ LONNIE [43m] * 2:24:30 - afterglow x ViBE Junkie Jamz   First up Mike Rivard [https://microvard.com/] [aka Micro] - bass/sintir/founder/visionary of Boston's jazz-trance-dub-hop institution known as Club d'Elf [https://clubdelf.com/]. Twas an honor and privilege to finally tap in with Micro after a quarter century of fandom and awe. We chop it up at length about his group's unicorn career, magnificent co-conspirators like the late Mark Sandman, John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane (RIP), Joe and Mat Maneri, Dave Tronzo, and (Friends Of The Pod) Mister Rourke, Adam Deitch, Ryan Zoidis, Jonny G, among several others. We learn about Moroccan sintir [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sintir]; the healing powers of Gnawa trance music; plant medicines and Terrence McKenna; Micro's personal trials and tribulations along the way; his perspective on the integral role of independent music venues; interpolating NOLA Second Line rhythms in tandem with Morrocan traditions; and revisiting his embryonic journeys with the Grateful Dead as a wide-eared, curious youngster. In April 2026, Club d'Elf unveiled their latest full-length LP Loon & Thrush, a positively magnificent affair in a deep, eclectic d'Elf canon brimming with brilliant configurations and bold adventuring. We chase that inspired dialog with another informative chat featuring LA-based bassist/badass Lonnie Marshall from pioneering underground funk/hip-hop squadron Weapon of Choice [https://lilbigups.bandcamp.com/]. Lonnie was kind enough to hop on the line and discuss his life of Nutmeg Music, his bombastic and eclectic history and colorful persona, lineage from the P-Funk family tree and his teenage era rolling with Bootsy Collins' Boot Camp [https://www.facebook.com/9490092348/photos/a.453228512348/10154860024357349/?_rdr], storytelling and dope collabs, daKAH [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DaKAH]hip-hop orchestra, recording/gigging with Joe Strummer's debut solo LP/group, reflections on his brother Arik Marshall's brief, chaotic moment with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and long-term run backing Macy Gray. Plus a whole lot more in this educational inspirational get down with the most mega-nutt mug to ever bless these podwaves! Weapon of Choice: "Nutty Nutmeg Phantasy" video/remix 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75CwZ6QfsRE&pp=ygUVbnV0dHkgbnV0bWVnIHBoYW50YXN5] Bassist/sintir sorcerer Mike Rivard [aka MicroVard] defies any sort of rigid genre-specifics or generic categorization. The cat finds himself at home in a bewildering array of musical/cultural settings: from the good ol' Grateful Dead to the melancholic-rock of his late friend Mark Sandman and Morphine, to the mountains of Morocco with local Berber musicians, plus side trips into the Broadway pits, and tantric trance sessions with John Medeski and Joe Maneri. A "military brat" coming of adolescence in the wide expanses of Minnesota, he took in the local sounds of Prince, Husker Du, and the free-jazz coming out of the University of Minnesota milieu. Eventually a young Rivard would find himself while hitchiking on Dead tour, further opening up  nascent doors of perception. Later, Micro set about embarking on Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1981. After graduating, he studied with jazz legend Dave Holland. Inspired by North African gnawa music, he picked up a Moroccan sintir (three-stringed bass lute) and with guidance from Hassan Hakmoun and Maalem Mahmoud Gania, he has become one of a handful of Western musicians proficient on the instrument. He puts all of the shared sacred teachings and wisdom to good use in Club d’Elf, the jazz-world-dub-electronica squad he formed in 1998. Club d'Elf can be heard across more than 15 albums over the past 25 years; an eclectic, pioneering collective with a vast array of co-conspirators from around the world. * Club d'Elf website [https://clubdelf.com/]  * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/club.delf/] * new album Loon & Thrush [https://clubdelf.com/press-release/] After years grinding it out on the LA scene with his brother Arik in Marshall Law, Lonnie Marshall founded Weapon of Choice in 1992, holding down bass and lead vocals. After a video directed by Geoff Moore for their song "Uppity, Yuppity Doolittle" came to the attention of Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard, the band was signed to Gossard‘s record label Loosegroove. They released three albums with Loosegroove before the company folded in 2000: "Nut-meg says Bozo the Town" (1994), Highperspice (1996), and Nutmeg Phantasy (1998). In 2001, the band dropped Illoominutty on Fishbone's Nuttsactor 5 record label, and in 2003, they released Color Me Funky. Since 1997, Lonnie has performed alongside members of P Funk and Fishbone, among others, as part of Trulio Disgracias - a constantly mutating funk-rock-jazz collective headed by Norwood Fisher. Lonnie was an emcee, composer, and performer for daKAH, a 65 piece hip-hop orchestra which coalesced periodically in the Los Angeles area for many years. Before that, Marshall wrote, recorded and toured with the legendary Joe Strummer of The Clash, behind Strummer's dynamic 1989 solo debut Earthquake Weather. Lonnie has contributed/collaborated with Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Tone Loc, Ice Cube, George Clinton, Funkadelic, Perry Farrell, Les Claypool, Stone Gossard and his brother Arik Marshall. * Lonnie Marshall Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lonnie_marshall/] * Weapon of Choice on Bandcamp [https://lilbigups.bandcamp.com/]   ViBE Junkie Jamz "Big Light In Sky" - Club d'Elf Live at Hotaka Mountain Music Festival on 2001-08-11 [https://archive.org/details/delf2001-08-11.dsbd.flac16/delf2001-08-11d1t02.flac] lespecial x Kanika Moore - "Chop Suey" [System of a Down] - 5/1/26 NOLA  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvxvIen4HYI]     recent B.Getz appearances: * In Search of D’Angelo - Delta Bravo Observation Team w/BG [2/26] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKV__C3CeY]  * Peace & Lovecast - Ode to Genius [D’Angelo ep w/ BG segment  [http://bit.ly/peacelovecast][2/26] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKV__C3CeY] * Behind the Dopey - BG talks RHCP on Dopey Podcast - 4/26 [https://pod.link/1077823917/episode/YTlmMjExOWUtNmNmNS00OGJlLWEyMDAtYmY1Nzg1NDM0ZjUy] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS High Sierra Music Festival 2026 [https://www.highsierramusic.com/] BISS LIST  [https://bisslist.com/] AARON SCHWARTZ ART [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] LAZYMOON DESIGN for promo/poster art needs [http://instagram.com/lazymoondesign] Bub and Pop Podcast [https://www.bubandpop.com/] Support the Upful LIFE [https://account.venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Send B.G. a coupla' dollas 4 makin U holla! [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Upful LIFE Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/upfullife] EMAIL the SHOW PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upful-life-podcast/id1438163781] Listen/Comment on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vrOhyfpM4T4vqM3ABOnRk] Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE [https://open.spotify.com/track/3hCc26ga6r6AIUpzUG9ZkC]

097: JOHN SPEICE [drums - Brownout, Grupo Fantasma, Money Chicha, Hairy Apes BMX, Caramelo Haze] + JOHNNY WOODSTOCK [KNON, WWOZ, Blue Nile NOLA]

Welcome to Episode 097 veteran drummer and percussionist JOHN SPEICE, prominently based in the Austin scene. Best known for work with Grammy-winning Latin ensemble Grupo Fantasma [https://www.grupofantasma.com/home]and its psychedelic-funk offshoot Brownout [https://www.brownoutmusic.com/], including their beloved Black Sabbath-inspired side trip Brown Sabbath. [https://www.brownoutmusic.com/brown-sabbath] Throughout his career, Speice has been core to a diverse array of bands like Money Chicha [https://www.moneychicha.com/], Hairy Apes BMX, and Caramelo Haze [https://www.caramelohaze.com/], also collaborating with Black Pumas, Daniel Johnston, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Trio Asesino, Jon Muq, among many others. I first saw John Speice electrify with a one-off version of Marco Benevento Trio at Megalomaniacs Ball 2011 in New Orleans over Jazz Fest [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsmfWShBmF0]. In addition to giving us the lowdown on the Apes reunion, we get the scoop on a half-dozen of his super-dope bands.  John breaks down a bit of basic history and the musical/cultural impact of classic and contemporary cumbia/chicha styles. He reflects on how they've been interpreted/expounded upon since breaking through stateside some years ago. A friend for a dozen years, this pod conversation is many moons in the making. Give Thanks 4 John Speice!  * 0:00 - episode 097 preview * 3:00 - Golden Road Gathering [http://goldenroadgathering.com/] * 5:00 - Four Peaks Medicinals [https://fourpeaksmedicinals.net/] * 6:00 - Bub & Pop Podcast [https://www.bubandpop.com/] plug * 7:15 - The Upful Update * 14:00 - introducing JOHN SPEICE * 16:00 - INTERVIEW - Speice [73m] * 1:28:30 - introducing JOHNNY WOODSTOCK * 1:31:10 - INTERVIEW - Woodstock [56m] * 2:27:00 - afterglow: SCOTT T. Salutes BOB WEIR Johnny Woodstock is a radio personality/programmer and music enthusiast/historian who hails from Jerzadelphia, currently located in Dallas, formerly based outta New Orleans. We trace similar roots coming of age in the Philly area Grateful Dead/Phish scenes dating back over 30 years ago, Johnny Woodstock dubbed me many of my first Dead tapes. Host of "Sounds of New Orleans" on KNON NOW [https://knonnow.org/show-schedule/], the digital streaming sister station of KNON 89.3 FM.  His show focuses on the "Crescent City magic" like brass bands, Second-Line rhythms, NOLA funk, Mardi Gras Indian music, plus Interviews with New Orleans legends. Prior to moving to Texas, Woodstock hosted "Midnight Music" on the world-renowned New Orleans station WWOZ 90.7 FM [https://wwoz.org/programs/midnight-music-with-johnny-woodstock].  Johnny is father to MaryElla Woodstock, who joins the pod for a quick check in: she’s KNON's youngest DJ (at age 10) hosting "Kidz Star Radio" [https://spinitron.com/KNON-NOW/show/272483/Kidz-Star-Radio]. She frequently assisted her father on his shows before launching her own. During his stint in NOLA, Johnny managed the box office at the legendary Blue Nile nightclub on Frenchmen Street. Eventually found his soulmate Tiffany through mutual pal Mike DIllon, a year later they made MaryElla, before eventually decamping to Dallas to live merrily ever after. Find out what’s in a nickname, and the colorful, heartwarming story of a pretty great guy. At the conclusion, Johnny says goodbye to famed Philly radio DJ & Deadhead legend Pierre Robert [WMMR] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PRfaEtOHe0], followed by some words on the dearly departed Bob Weir. The episode wraps with a heartfilling, tear-jerking purge from the grate Scott T., ruminating on the essence and energy that defined Cowboy Bobby, the mysterious and mystical Spirit of the Suwannee, and the unquestionable, transformational power of a song. John Speice links * Money Chicha [https://www.moneychicha.com/] * Caramelo Haze [https://www.caramelohaze.com/] * GRUPO FANTASMA [https://www.grupofantasma.com/home] * Brownout [https://www.brownoutmusic.com/] * Hairy Apes BMX [https://archive.org/details/HairyApesBMX] * Jon Muq [https://jonmuq.com/about-us/] Johnny Woodstock links * Sounds Of New Orleans with Johnny Woodstock on KNON NOW [https://spinitron.com/KNON-NOW/show/248159/Sounds-Of-New-Orleans] * Johnny Woodstock : Spiritual Chaos album [https://johnnywoodstock1.bandcamp.com/album/spiritual-chaos] * KNON's Mary Ella Woodstock Is Now on the Air. She's 8. [https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/knons-mary-ella-woodstock-is-now-on-the-air-shes-8-19568619/] recent B.Getz appearances: * In Search of D’Angelo - Delta Bravo Observation Team w/BG [2/26] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKV__C3CeY]  * Peace & Lovecast - Ode to Genius [D’Angelo ep w/ BG segment [http://bit.ly/peacelovecast][2/26] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKV__C3CeY] * Behind the Dopey - BG talks RHCP on Dopey Podcast - 4/26 [https://pod.link/1077823917/episode/YTlmMjExOWUtNmNmNS00OGJlLWEyMDAtYmY1Nzg1NDM0ZjUy] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Four Peaks Medicinals [https://fourpeaksmedicinals.net/] Golden Road Gathering [https://goldenroadgathering.com/] BISS LIST  [https://bisslist.com/] AARON SCHWARTZ ART [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] LAZYMOON DESIGN for promo/poster art needs [http://instagram.com/lazymoondesign] Bub and Pop Podcast [https://www.bubandpop.com/] Support the Upful LIFE Send B.G. a coupla' dollas 4 makin U holla! [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Upful LIFE Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/upfullife] EMAIL the SHOW PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upful-life-podcast/id1438163781] Listen/Comment on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vrOhyfpM4T4vqM3ABOnRk] Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE [https://open.spotify.com/track/3hCc26ga6r6AIUpzUG9ZkC]

096: lespecial - A Year In The Life ft. RORY DOLAN, LUKE BEMAND, JONNY G, w/ YHETI [LIMINOID], + BRET PERETZ [P4 TM]

Episode 096 welcomes three-headed prog-tronic hydra lespecial, plus enigmatic bass-wizard Yheti, for an expansive deep dive into their mind-bending collaborative portal - LIMINOID. Framed through the lens of "A Year in the Life of lespecial," the conversations chronicle a monumental run from Jam Cruise 21 in Feb.2025, thru the LIMINOID experience, then NYE marking their 20th anniversary since forming as high-schoolers in the woods of Connecticut, before looking towards the future. This episode orbits LIMINOID’s debut The Outernet [https://lespecial.bandcamp.com/album/the-outernet], an idiosyncratic sonic tapestry and brilliantly-bizarre concept album where the searing precision of Rory Dolan, Luke Bemand, and Jonny G is masterfully manipulated by the surgical, mad scientist sound design of Yheti. Ep.096 finishes with Tales of a Tour Manager featuring Bret Peretz [Pigeons Playing Ping Pong [https://www.pigeonsplayingpingpong.com/]]. * 00:00 - Ep.096 preview * 03:30 - check out Four Peaks Medicinals [https://fourpeaksmedicinals.net/] * 04:30 - Golden Road Gathering [https://goldenroadgathering.com/] * 05:45 - The Upful Update * 09:15 - Intro: a year in the life of lespecial  Interviews  * 13:15 - Rory Dolan, Luke Bemand, Jonny G - Jam Cruise, Feb‘25 * 52:15 - Yheti & Jonny G - December '25 * 1:17:00 - Rory - Feb '26 * 1:39:45 - Luke - Feb '26 * 2:03:30 - Jonny G - Feb '26 * 2:28:30 - Tales of a TM ft. Bret Peretz (P4) - July ’25 lespecial: A Year In The Life begins on the ragey open seas, as B.Getz connects with all three members of lespecial while aboard Jam Cruise in Feb. 2025. This Day 5 cabin summit at the tail end of this floating carnival captures the fellas [Rory Dolan - drums/vox, Luke Bemand - bass/synths, Jonny G - guitar/synths, vox] reflecting on the boat’s bombastic musical escapades, playing with (friends of the pod) Alex Wasily [https://www.upfullife.com/072-alex-wasily/], Mike Dillon [https://www.upfullife.com/039-mike-dillon-punk-jazz-vibes/] and Skerik [https://www.upfullife.com/upful-056/], Rory’s Primus audition [https://www.upfullife.com/lespecial-rory-primus-interview/], introducing new music onstage, revisiting “Cannibal Holocaust”, spotlighting their relationship with Yheti and a forthcoming collaboration at the time still in its infancy.  The narrative shifts to a focused deep dive in early December 2025 with Yheti, plus a little more color from Jonny G. Since it was always his baby, BG looks to Tyler Yheti to properly unpack the modus operandi behind the LIMINOID endeavor. Explore the creation of The Outernet, how they navigated the "liminal space" between organic instrumentation and avant-garde electronics. This segment highlights the brilliance of the concept, recalls initial challenges performing this project live (see - Mishawaka in May 2025), the tricks and tools required to bring this genre-schitzo robot to life - both in studio and then onstage, and creating a new hybrid strain of intoxicating, brain-splattering sound art that exists beyond traditional boundaries. The saga continues: a series of individual conversations with Rory, Luke, and Jonny from early Feb. 2026.  We complete this podcast revolution around the sun, honor 20 years of hometown buddies who made good, and look towards their mighty bright immediate future. These one-on-one sessions allow for a more granular peek into personal growth, interband dynamics, and creative philosophies as they recognize a brotherhood that has kept them bonded since teenage garage band glory. We amp the stoke for lespecial's long-awaited return to West Coast's burnin' shores on the cryptically-titled Tentacle Difficulties tour [https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/lespecial-tentacle-difficulties-tour/]. Behold this monumental, DIY evolution from small-town Connecticut proggy power trio to a genre-blurring, frontal-lobe leviathan known to us mere mortals as lespecial. For an episode chaser B.Getz checks in with an old friend in Bret Peretz, a connection rooted at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park years ago. The longtime Tour Manager for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has worked many jobs behind the scenes over the course of a decade-plus. Several months back, Bret opened up about his beautiful journey from the hotel hospitality industry and nearly joining the Coast Guard, humble backstage beginnings all the way to the P4 gig at the heart of contemporary jam scene success. ViBE Junkie Jam  lespecial - "Boundary Dissolution”  Suwannee Hulaween 2023 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PoKe26d3zM] lespecial's signature blend of “heavy future groove” combines headbanging metal riffage and surgical rhythmic precision with bone shaking 808s, sub synths and ethereal vocal stylings for a dance floor that welcomes moshing, dancing and hip swaying alike. Listeners are taken on a journey to the musical netherworld through esoteric soundscapes punctuated by raw, primal power. LIMINOID is a musical entity formed through the integration of data streams from Yheti and lespecial, two distinct sonic architects. Yheti orchestrates the sonic experiment while lespecial contributes live instrumentation encoded with rhythmic complexity. Analysis of live performance recordings reveals high variability and dynamic modulation of energy states. Audience response patterns indicate elevated engagement during improvisational sequences. Conclusion: LIMINOID functions as a high-intensity auditory experiment, optimized for real-time adaptation and multi-genre convergence without reliance on predefined constraints. System recommends further observation.  Their debut live performance was May 2025 at Mishawaka Amphitheater in Bellvue, CO. 2025 debut LP ‘The Outernet’ is a 12 track concept album that explores the liminal space between humanity and technology. The group performed at several festivals and a short tour in November 2025. * RORY DOLAN Interview w/ BG about Primus audition. March 2025 [https://www.upfullife.com/lespecial-rory-primus-interview/] * Upful LIFE 2025: Favorite Records & More! [LIMINOID review inside] [https://www.upfullife.com/2025-favorite-records/] * Jonny G on The Upful LIFE Podcast - Ep.40 [https://www.upfullife.com/the-upful-life-podcast-ep-040-jonny-g-lespecial-guitar-vocals-keyboards-samples/] * Slaytanic Panic: lespecial’s Wet ‘N’ Wild NorCal Debut  [https://www.upfullife.com/lespecial-nevada-city-2023/] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Four Peaks Medicinals [https://fourpeaksmedicinals.net/] Golden Road Gathering [https://goldenroadgathering.com/] BISS LIST  [https://bisslist.com/]  AARON SCHWARTZ ART [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] LAZYMOON DESIGN for promo/poster art needs [http://instagram.com/lazymoondesign] Support! Send B.G.  [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0]a coupla' dollas 4 makin U holla! [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Upful LIFE Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/upfullife] EMAIL the SHOW [B.Getz@UpfulLIFE.com] PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upful-life-podcast/id1438163781] Listen/Comment on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vrOhyfpM4T4vqM3ABOnRk] Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE [https://open.spotify.com/track/3hCc26ga6r6AIUpzUG9ZkC]

095: OTIS McDONALD, DERRICK 'Smoker' FREEMAN [SOUL Brass Band, Shadow People Pod], PIET DALMOLEN

Your boy is back from paternity hiatus with another banger! Preposterously prolific San Francisco composer, producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist OTIS McDONALD is finally here. Hallelujah! Gov't name Joe Bagale, Otis has turned Hyde Street’s Studio D — a hallowed sacred ground in the annals of funk/rock/hip-hop history — into a potent personal laboratory where he generates/facilitates a steady flow of ridiculously dope records. The in-demand music man slides through episode 095 for a lengthy, illuminating upful discussion; BG also checks back in with Derrick 'Smoker' Freeman [SOUL Brass Band, Shadow People Podcast]; and later introduces rising NorCal guitarist/solo artist Piet Dalmolen. * 0:00 - ep.095 preview * 3:00 - SOUL Brass Band - NorCal run late January [https://www.instagram.com/p/DTa5Ap0EekO/] * 4:00 - BISS List - Bay Area fan hub/newsletter [https://bisslist.com/] * 5:45 - The UPFUL Update * 12:00 - introducing OTIS McDONALD * 15:15 - INTERVIEW - Otis [117m] * 2:12:15 - DERRICK 'Smoker' FREEMAN * 2:28:00 - Introducing/Interview: PIET DALMOLEN [30m] * 2:58:15 - Afterglow x ViBE Junkie Jam Otis McDonald released an original track every Friday [https://www.youtube.com/@OtisMacMusic/videos] for three years during the pandemic, though he since pumped the brakes to every third week. In addition, the gifted producer/engineer and sideman has delivered assorted crucial collabs with the likes of Eric Krasno, Nicholas Payton, Aloe Blacc, Wil Blades, Charlie Hunter, among others. Across two-plus decades in the Bay Area, he's worked extensively with scene stalwarts Jazz Mafia, Atta Kid, and their various spinoffs/side trips; Bagale even logged a couple years fronting an iteration of Mickey Hart Band on keys, guitar, and lead vocals.  Long before he moved into Hyde Street Studio D (the site of famed Wally Heider Studio in SF, where so many classic records were brought to life), Otis McDonald had become a ubiquitous presence online. He was repeatedly commissioned by YouTube and Facebook for free audio libraries offering copyright-free music to help video creators enhance their work. The dude has recorded hundreds of tunes that have been soundtracked in tens of millions of videos streamed into the billions! A Bay Area underground hero, multi-instrumentalist & all-world producer, keeper of the legendary Hyde Street Studio in SF, a streaming-era pioneer, & erstwhile music culture/industry philosopher: episode 095 welcomes OTIS McDONALD!    Episode 095 checks back with Derrick "Smoker" Freeman of SOUL Brass Band [Episode 008 circa 2018!] to discuss their imminent NorCal run at the end of January. We also reflect on the success of The Shadow People Podcast, his entertaining/education program co-hosted with (friend of the pod) Nigel Hall.   The NorCal vibes continue: a short, sweet chat with singer/songwriter & guitar troubadour PIET DALMOLEN way up in Humboldt County. His debut solo LP 'Time Stands Still' was profiled among Upful LIFE's annual favorite records in 2025's feature.   ViBE Junkie Jam  Otis McDonald "I Can't Stand [we can't stop] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJ1Nd10ofQ]"   OTIS McDONALD  website, [https://www.otismacmusic.com/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCej6bRv8lR48AEbQvdb_9Cg], IG, [https://www.instagram.com/otismcdonald/]Bandcamp [https://otismcdonald.bandcamp.com/] SOUL Brass Band - IG [https://www.instagram.com/official_soulbrassband/?hl=en] The Shadow People Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@ShadowPeoplePodcast] PIET DALMOLEN - Bandcamp [https://pietdalmolen.bandcamp.com/album/time-stands-still], IG [https://www.instagram.com/pietdalmolen/?hl=en] * Upful LIFE 2025: Favorite Records & More!  [https://www.upfullife.com/2025-favorite-records/] 9th annual comprehensive compendium w/ reviews, playlists, purchase links [https://www.upfullife.com/2025-favorite-records/] * Spotify book - Mood Music by Liz Pelly [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mood-Machine/Liz-Pelly/9781668083505]     CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS BISS LIST  [https://bisslist.com/]  AARON SCHWARTZ ART [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] LAZYMOON DESIGN for promo/poster art needs [http://instagram.com/lazymoondesign] Send B.G.  [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0]a coupla' dollas 4 makin U holla! [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Upful LIFE Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/upfullife] EMAIL the SHOW [B.Getz@UpfulLIFE.com] PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upful-life-podcast/id1438163781] Listen/Comment on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vrOhyfpM4T4vqM3ABOnRk] Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE [https://open.spotify.com/track/3hCc26ga6r6AIUpzUG9ZkC]

094: D'ANGELO in Memoriam ft. ERIC KRASNO, JAY SMOOTH, URSULA RUCKER, DAN CHARNAS, NIKKI GLASPIE, VIVECA HAWKINS, OTIS MCDONALD, DJ WILLIAMS, DERRICK FREEMAN, JONNY G, SARI JORDAN & MORE!

In the tailwind of D'Angelo's October 14th passing [https://archive.is/nyUSX] after a private battle with pancreatic cancer, your humble narrator was shell-shocked in a melancholic malaise. Over a week of confounding parasocial grief eventually gave way to a torrent of inspired creativity & righteous purpose. I found catharsis in embarking on a couple of legacy projects in tribute to the dearly departed. [https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/dangelo-in-memoriam-thank-you-for-talkin-to-me-michael/]   This very lengthy, meticulously-crafted, deeply-intentional memorial episode welcomes a diverse smattering of vibrant voices across geography & generation. Musicians/artists, journalists, poets, archivists, superfans navigating the seismic loss, mining inspiration & mourning this monumental spirit in our own loving words & ways.   with very special guests: * 16:30 - jay smooth * 53:30 - dan charnas * 1:01:25 - ursula rucker  * 1:29:55 - nikki glaspie * 1:47:50 - eric krasno * 2:28:00 - funk it blog shoutout  * 2:31:35 - d.j. williams  * 2:37:05 - otis mcdonald  * 2:43:50 - mista vee * 2:52:40 - viveca hawkins <3 * 2:59:10 - fede pecoraro [ECHT!] * 3:04:30 - jonny g [lespecial] * 3:08:10 - adam spangler  * 3:17:00 - bombastic  * 3:23:25 - sari jordan  * 3:32:35 - derrick 'smoker' freeman * 3:39:40 - jon hammer An afghan of reverential storytelling. FOUR heart-filling hours brimming with memories, love letters, & gratitude reflections from a blessed & benevolent collection of souls who've touched my life across the years & miles. We all share a profound reverence for the man born Michael Eugene Archer. Large UP each crucial contributor for their sacred offerings to this show. This passion purge in podcast form is my deepest bow. Give Thanks 4 D'Angelo. May the four winds blow you safely home. We'll be loving you always. -bg   D'Angelo In Memoriam: Thank You For Talking To Me Michael. [https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/dangelo-in-memoriam-thank-you-for-talkin-to-me-michael/] B.Getz via Live For Live Music: [https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/dangelo-in-memoriam-thank-you-for-talkin-to-me-michael/]   ViBE Junkie Jamz "Lady" - Chris Rock Show 1997   D' Angelo w/ Raphael Saadiq, Questlove, Spanky, Ali Shaheed Muhammed      "Cosmic Slop" [Funkadelic] D'Angelo & Questlove are Brothers in Arms 3/4/13 Brooklyn Bowl NYC     D'Angelo "Africa" [Demo] date unknown     Confessions of a Curly Mind - D'Angelo [6hr rarities mix] [https://soundcloud.com/confessionsofacurlyminddd/coacmepisode014_dangelo]   Jesus Saves by Robert Christgau - Village Voice 3/28/00 [https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/scdangel-00.php]   B.Getz D'Angelo Voodoo Tour Feature on JamBase [2020] [https://www.upfullife.com/jambase20-for-20-dangelo-2000/]   MY REDEEMER - Voodoo Anniversary Deep Dive [B.Getz, 2020] [https://www.upfullife.com/voodoo2020/]       CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] - AARON SCHWARTZ ART! [https://aaronschwartzart.com/about] LAZYMOON DESIGN for promo/poster art needs! [http://instagram.com/lazymoondesign] Send B.G.  [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0]a few dollas 4 makin U holla! [https://venmo.com/u/brian-getz-0] Upful LIFE Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/upfullife] EMAIL the SHOW [B.Getz@UpfulLIFE.com] PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upful-life-podcast/id1438163781] Listen/Comment on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vrOhyfpM4T4vqM3ABOnRk] Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE [https://open.spotify.com/track/3hCc26ga6r6AIUpzUG9ZkC]