Cultural Manifesto

Listen to an interview with members of Sweet Poison Victim, an Indianapolis band known for their unique blend of West African music and rock and roll. The band also explores Latin American and Caribbean sounds, a reflection of the diverse backgrounds of the group’s members.

Listen to an interview with the legendary producer and bassist Don Was. Throughout his life, Was has looked to the culture of his hometown, Detroit, as a reference point and source of inspiration for his work. This is evident in his latest project, the Pan Detroit Ensemble, a group of veteran Detroit jazz and R&B musicians.

Listen to an interview with John Lodge, bassist, songwriter, and vocalist for The Moody Blues. for over five decades. In 2018 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also, hear a conversation with the singer-songwriter, pianist, and disability activist Lachi.

Listen to an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis. The New York Times has called Davis one of the “greatest living composers.” He’ll appear at the University of Indianapolis for a series of free events on February 10 and 11.

The legendary Indianapolis jazz club The Jazz Kitchen recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Listen to an oral history of the club with its founder David Allee. Allee is also a trumpet player and has performed with groups including the Jimmy Coe Big Band and Pavel & Direct Contact.

Let’s celebrate, “Hi, How Are You Day”, an annual event honoring the late singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston. Joyful Noise Recordings will be hosting a special “Hi, How Are You Day” event in Indianapolis on January 24, featuring an exhibition of Daniel Johnston’s visual artwork. The exhibit was curated by Johnston’s friend and former road manager Don Goede.

Listen to a conversation with pianist Elham Fanoos of the Fanoos Ensemble, a unique family group that blends the folk and popular music of Afghanistan with Western classical instrumentation. Also hear from Lindsay Littrell, the creative force behind LITTRELL, an Indianapolis-based music duo formed with Garrett Langebartels.

Listen to a conversation with Wynton Marsalis, a world-renowned trumpet player, composer, and educator whose artistry and influence span the worlds of jazz and classical music. Also, hear an interview with the acclaimed Indianapolis jazz saxophonist Rob Dixon about his upcoming tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane “A Love Supreme: 60th Anniversary Tribute”.

Listen to 2024 conversations with Carlos Santana, Omar Apollo, Babyface, Lakecia Benjamin, Zakir Hussain, Indianapolis jazz legend Phil Ranelin, Indiana reggae pioneers Reggaenomix, and David McDonald, author of the book “My Voice is my Weapon: Music, Nationalism, and the Poetics of Palestinian Resistance”.

Karl Hofstetter grew up hating Christmas music. But through his label Joyful Noise Recordings, he’s produced a fascinating archive of experimental holiday music. Listen to selections featuring Jad Fair, Deerhoof, Sound of Ceres, Dale Crover (Melvins), Kishi Bashi, Danielson, Sedcairn Archives, WHY?, David Yow (Jesus Lizard) Thor Harris, and more.

Listen to an interview with the poet, activist, and educator Nikki Giovanni, who passed away recently. We’ll also explore music from the Indiana musicians featured among the year’s best, including Jlin, Omar Apollo, Justin Hicks of the HawtPlates, and Freddie Gibbs.

Hear the final episode in our two-part series celebrating the life and music of Barbara Dane, a legendary, folk, blues, and jazz singer who used her voice to advocate for social justice and civil rights. On this edition, we’ll discuss Dane’s work with Paredon and her connection to Bob Dylan.

Hear the first episode in our two-part series celebrating the life and music of Barbara Dane, a legendary, folk, blues, and jazz singer who used her voice to advocate for social justice and civil rights.

Listen to a special episode celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. Learn how Native American musicians are reinventing traditional culture in the 21st Century, featuring interviews with Medicine Singers and Supaman.

Fort Wayne’s Troy Shondell was one of Indiana’s first rock and roll stars. He’s best remembered for his 1961 single “This Time”. That song went to number 6 on the Billboard chart and sold over 3 million copies. Join us to hear rare recordings from Troy Shondell.

A new album from the Logansport Indiana rapper Id Obelus celebrates the legacy of Zerfas. The project is titled “Safrez”, it includes samples from the 1973 Zerfas LP, along with rhymes inspired by Zerfas’ lyrics. Also, hear a 2015 conversation with the late Moe Whittemore, he recorded and released Zerfas’ 1973 album from his 700 West studio in New Palestine, Indiana.

Listen to an interview with the prolific rock and roll drummer, and former Bloomington, Indiana resident Kenny Aronoff.

Listen to an interview with the legendary vocalist Dionne Warwick. She’ll be performing in Central Indiana later this month.

Listen to words and music with the tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, one of the most celebrated performers in the history of Indian classical music. Hussain will perform at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel on November 1 with the santoor player Rahul Sharma.

Enjoy a special Halloween episode of Cultural Manifesto. Hear an interview with Yung Rev, an Indianapolis-based musician and entrepreneur. Plus an hour of truly terrifying music from Hoosier history.

Listen to an interview with the Indianapolis musician Inga McDaniel. A new anthology of her music, titled “Double Mug”, was recently issued by the Indiana-based label Ulyssa.

Hear a conversation with NPR music contributors Ann Powers and Alison Fensterstock. They’ll discuss the new book “How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music.”

Listen to a special pledge drive episode featuring 2024 show highlights selected by host Kyle Long.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with rare recordings from composer Juan Orrego-Salas. He was born in Santiago, Chile in 1919 and moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1961 to direct Indiana University’s Latin American Music Center.

Listen to an interview with the Indianapolis rock band Wishy. Their debut album Triple Seven has been praised in publications including Pitchfork and The Guardian. Also, hear a tribute to the Indianapolis rockabilly pioneer Ronnie Haig who passed away recently.