Cultural Manifesto

Listen to an interview with the experimental Indiana hip-hop group 81355, featuring Oreo Jones, Sirius Black, and David Moose Adamson. Also hear music from their new album Bad Dogs, which finds the trio expanding into a full band, with Sharlene Birdsong on bass, Dimitri Morris on guitar, and Pat Okerson on drums.

Listen to an interview with the vocalist and lute player Joel Frederiksen. During his upcoming visit to Indianapolis, Frederiksen will perform music from his 2023 album “A Day with Suzanne, A Tribute to Leonard Cohen,” which features songs from the Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen fused with music of the French Renaissance.

Listen to new summer releases from essential Indiana musicians, along with interviews with them. Enjoy new tracks from Durand Jones & The Indications, Jlin, Wishy, Hanna Benn and Deantoni Parks, Los Aptos, Oltanie, Kristin Newborn, Dwani Phiri, Wife Patrol, and more.

The Indiana Brothers are a Carnatic music duo from Central Indiana, featuring twin brothers Sarvagh Shrianandh and Suragh Shrianandh. Though they’re just 20 years old, the Indiana Brothers have been studying and performing Carnatic music for several years.

Jessica Dunn is a multimedia artist and musician based in Indianapolis. Her creative practice includes animation, painting, sound design, and interactive installations. In recent years, Jessica has gained notoriety for her work in music, creating experimental electronic soundscapes under the name Eeeka. Along with Michael Moskaliuk, she’s also part of the minimal synth-pop duo Gümmi.

For over 50 years, the Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering has attracted old-time music fans to Battle Ground, Indiana, for a weekend of concerts, workshops, and jam sessions. Listen to interviews with musicians and organizers connected to the festival, including Dave Samuelson, Cliff Harrison, and fiddle player Stephanie Coleman.

This June, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new work from the Indianapolis composer, vocalist and musician Hanna Benn titled "A Through Line." Listen to an interview with Hanna Benn, along with ISO’s principal oboe Jennifer Christen and principal bassoon Ivy Ringel.

Listen to a 2017 interview WFYI’s Kyle Long recorded with Brian Wilson, the visionary composer and producer behind the Beach Boys. He died on June 11 at the age of 82.

Listen to an interview with Fort Wayne, Indiana-based musician, composer, arranger, and producer Nitish Kulkarni. His latest album Indigo, blends traditional Indian music with contemporary electronic sounds.

Listen to an interview with the acclaimed Gary, Indiana composer and electronic music producer Jlin. Her music has been praised by Pitchfork, NPR, Vogue, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times, and she has collaborated with artists including Björk and Philip Glass.

Listen to an interview with the musician and activist Taylor Hall. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so Hall chose the month of May to release her latest collection of songs, Cheaper Than Therapy. Also hear a conversation with Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5, a locally owned Indianapolis production company specializing in live music events.

Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from musicians and composers connected to Indiana. Listen to pop, folk, electronic, classical, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock music featuring Indiana musicians representing Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar and more.

Listen to an interview with historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, director of a new documentary titled Beyond el Barrio. Also, hear an interview with musician Rick Espinoza. He grew up in El Barrio during the 1960s and performed Mexican music with the Indianapolis band Los Latinos.

Listen to an interview with legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Bartz was recently named an NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Listen to an interview with the percussionist, composer and technologist Deantoni Parks, known for his genre-blending approach and boundary-pushing performances. Parks has collaborated with an extraordinary group of musicians, including Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Andre 3000, Mars Volta, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Cale, Sade and more.

Listen to an interview about Kate Lamont’s latest project, a remastered reissue of her self-titled 2013 album, which is produced by prolific Indianapolis drummer Devon Ashley. Also, listen to a new episode of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis. His guest is Indianapolis poet, artist and dancer Mijiza Holiday.

Listen to an interview with Todd Rundgren, a pioneering musician, songwriter, and producer known for his eclectic style and innovative approach to technology in music. Also, hear an interview with Nnenna Freelon, a prolific jazz vocalist, whose career spans over three decades. Both artists have performances in Indianapolis on April 18, 2025.

Listen to an interview with Indianapolis-based saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator Sean Imboden. He’s the director of the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, a 17-piece modern jazz big band, issuing their debut recording this month.

Listen to a conversation with the vocalist and actor Micky Dolenz, best known for his work with The Monkees. Also hear an interview with jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine, who has built an impressive discography of releases, featuring a unique mix of indie music, Americana and straight jazz.

Explore a new album from the Steve Allee Big Band, titled Naptown Sound. The project pays tribute to the musicians, teachers, mentors, history, and places that contributed to the development of the Naptown sound.

Listen to an interview with the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. Vega is known for her poetic lyrics and distinctive voice. She helped to pioneer the acoustic folk movement of the 1980s. She will be issuing her 10th album, “Flying With Angels” this May.

Listen to a 2022 conversation with David Andrichick, owner of the Chatterbox, an important jazz club in Downtown Indianapolis. The Chatterbox made national news this week when a video depicting a dispute between the club’s bartender and a Trump supporter went viral online. But many news reports and social media posts about the incident left out crucial context about the club’s history. Here in Ind...

Listen to an interview with Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and The Bangas. They won their first Grammy when their 2024 album The Heart, The Mind The Soul took home the award for Best Spoken Poetry Word album.

Hear an interview with rapper Sirius Blvck and hip-hop producer Scott Matelic. The duo issued their debut collaborative album, Daily Rituals of the Wild Heart.

Listen to an interview with the vocalist and actor Akili Ni Mali, one of four featured artists at Art & Soul, the Indy Arts Council’s annual celebration of Black artists in Central Indiana. Plus, hear a 2023 interview with neo soul vocalist Brandon Lott. Brandon is also a featured artist at Art & Soul 2025.