Getting Close UP!

You know what they say—just because the cameras stopped rolling doesn't mean the stories stopped unfolding! Season 7 may have wrapped, but Getting Close UP! isn't quite ready to call it a season! For Part 1 of our Season 7 Retro Show, host Danielle Cox welcomes three familiar faces back to the purple chairs: lyrical mastermind Damilleo Stacks, comedian Emily Bruns of NDA Comedy, and rapper, podcas...

For the Season 7 finale of Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with Damilleo Stacks—and if you think being a rapper is simply about putting words over a beat, Damilleo has a few bars, a psychology lesson, and probably a therapy session waiting for you. Damilleo takes Danielle inside what he calls “the story in between the lyrics,” explaining how growing up in Boston, studying psychology and musi...

What happens when an artist stops making herself smaller and finally gives herself room to grow? Airrisa Renee is finding out—and she’s turning the volume all the way up. On Season 7, Episode 11 of Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with St. Louis singer, songwriter, producer, and storyteller Airrisa Renee for a conversation about finding her creative voice, trusting the process, and making mus...

What happens when you take a little heartbreak, add some hope, throw in a few instruments, and highlight it all with a whole lot of joy? You get Po Mia. For Season 7, Episode 10 of Getting Close UP!, Danielle takes the purple chairs on the road to St. Louis for a conversation with singer, songwriter, Po Mia, an artist who isn’t afraid to explore the darker parts of life while still finding a littl...

What happens when you mix theatre training, stand-up comedy, a quick wit, and just enough life experience to know that sometimes you have to laugh at the madness? You get Emily Bruns. On Season 7, Episode 9 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Lawrence native Emily Bruns of NDA Comedy to the purple chairs for a conversation about finding the funny, stepping onto the stage, and carving...

What does a rapper look like? If your answer involves the usual larger-than-life persona, Iker might make you rethink the image. On Season 7, Episode 8 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Kansas City rapper Iker to the purple chairs—and behind his laid-back, unassuming personality is an artist with plenty to say. Iker may not fit the stereotypical image of a rapper, and that’s exactly...

Turn it up, speak your mind, and prepare to Return To Madness!  This week on Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with punk rock band Return To Madness for a conversation where the music is loud, the opinions are louder, and staying silent definitely isn’t part of the setlist. The band gets candid about their journey, their sound, and how their political views, social observations, and perspectiv...

Getting Close UP! featuring Mikey P aka LID13 S7E6 What happens when the man behind the mic is just as comfortable on the beat as he in the chair of his podcast? On Season 7, Episode 6 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox sits down with Mikey P aka LID13 for a conversation that brings both sides of his creative world to the purple chairs. Mikey P gets candid about his music, his journey as an a...

What happens when three distinct voices, three personalities, and one shared vision come together? You get EleveN2wenty2. In Season 7, Episode 5 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Darius, Kai, and JaNay to the purple chairs for a conversation about the music, the chemistry, and the creative connection behind EleveN2wenty2. From finding their individual voices to learning how to blend...

Some people write words. Others bring those words to life. Today's guest does both. Zoie Magic is a poet and rapper whose thought-provoking lyrics and captivating performances remind us that every verse has a story, every rhyme has a purpose, and every stage is an opportunity to inspire. With equal parts passion and precision, she's turning poetry into conversation and music into a movement. Today...

Ready for the Queer Narrative Festival? So are we—and who better to get us festival-ready than the incredible duo behind it all? This week, host Danielle sits down with Lindsey Kinney and Waleska Rodriguez Kruger, Co-Executive Directors of No Divide KC, to pull back the curtain on the inspiration, mission, and heart behind the Queer Narrative Festival. From creating spaces where every story matter...

Today we're stepping inside one of the area's growing creative hubs with Cody Pieschl, creator and owner of Code Red Productions—a full-service audio recording and podcast studio dedicated to helping artists, musicians, businesses, and content creators bring their ideas to life. From producing and recording music to building a space where creativity thrives, Cody has turned his passion for product...

Welcome to Season 7, Episode 1 of the Getting Close UP!, where we feature inspiring conversations with independent artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries making their mark on the world. We couldn't think of a better way to kick off a brand-new season than with today's guest, Jordan Occasionally. A singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music blends heartfelt emotion with honest expe...

We've officially come to the end of Season 6 and what a season it was!!! Returning guest Joey Marlow (episode 3) and Dose of T.H.A (episode 4 and Season 5 Retro Show host) are here to wrap of the end of the season on Part 2 of the Getting Close S6 Retro Show. We also reflect on a guest who couldn't make it back due to some sentimental reasons, our episode 5 guest, Sentimental Creatures. We also ta...

Hayden Poling of Tea Leaf (episode 11), Malek Azrael (episode 10) and the Canna Chemist herself, Kim Kambron - Jones of Thraxx Pastry came back to let us know what's going on with them since they taped their episode,on part 1 of the Getting Close S6 Retro Show. Danielle also gives a special mention to Comedian Charles Randolph! You can see the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel:...

We've come to that time when we've reached the end of the season and dare I say we've saved the best for last (naw, cause we've has some great guest throughout this entire season), nonetheless, our finale guest grew up in Kansas City, went to USC on a full ride scholarship came back to KC to study theatre, then made her way to the bright lights of the big city, NY. Finally after a long cross-count...

Welcoming to the purple chairs, we have the band,.......Tea Leaf.   This band blew us away when they hit the stage.  From their soulful sound to their heart-felt lyrics, this band was an unexpected thrill.  Note:  we were not the only ones, the sound guys were back there partying with us! Lucas, Nick and Hayden sit down with Danielle to really give us what is behind the songs (oh and the name as w...

I know you've heard the saying "Art Imitating Life", but I'm going to pin a new cliché for this artist "Life Dictating Art". Whether the song is about his own experiences or he channels someone else's, the only way to truly know this book of secrets is by reading the pages within. I introduce you to Malek Azrael front man of the band Malek Azrael and the Vibes. Danielle and Malek have one of the m...

"Dreams are aspirations one has a deep desire to achieve."   Our next guest is a man of many dreams, but his aspirations are becoming reality.  Welcome to the purple chairs comedian, author, film maker and now adding rapper to his arsenal, Charles Randolph. Charles reached out to us on Instagram and we were happy to oblige.  Danielle and Charles sat down to dig into the mind of a creative with man...

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and begin. These are the instructions you will receive when attending a concert or healing service led by Xion Sound Waves. This group is a spirited bunch seeking their independence from the constraints of the traditional religious regiment, instead pursuing a way to freedom in a collective and personal relationship of inclusivity within their beliefs. Check out...

From Hawaii to California, to Kansas City, Mo, the journey to becoming His Majesty must be ordained.  All hail the King.......................King Kihei. Danielle and King Kihei get into the depths of what it takes to build a kingdom on the foundation of music, community activism and entrepreneurship.  Focusing on all of the things King Kihei does besides music, this interview is sure to give you...

Oh I get so high, when I'm around you baby........................... one of my favorite songs by Toni Braxton, which is appropriate for our next guest. Meet the Canna Chemist herself Kim of Thraxx Pastry. Kim prepares a delicacy of shrimp and grits, but her twist is effusion (not during the taping of the show). Creating delicious delectables with cannabis combined in the sauces, the rubs, the pas...

You know how they say you shouldn't work with family or friends, well whomever said has never met the members of Sentimental Creatures. Sara, Lukas, Isaiah, and Caleb are the closest you come to defining thicker than blood (two of them are engaged).  Their chemistry is unmistakable, their collective talents unmatched, and their videoed antics are hilarious. Danielle and Sentimental Creatures sit d...

Whether it's on a stage performing against infectious beats, or on a sound stage playing a character in a movie, our next artist in the purple chairs is charismatic as well as business minded. Welcome Dose of T.H.A (The Hassan Assassin). Danielle and Dose dig into the business of being an artist in the social media age and how the internet critics can break some and give strength to others. You wi...

Joey Marlow is one of our most interesting guest we've had in the purple chairs. With a PHD. in the dark and gruesome, stemming from a wonderful childhood of Halloween play, his creativity is beyond measure (check out his music videos). An accomplished pianist, vocalist and lyricist, a make up artist specializing in special effects and hair stylist who owns his own salon. What doesn't this guy do?...