Cultural Manifesto

This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson, co-founder of the experimental pow wow music group Medicine Singers. Their debut album was issued last year by Indianapolis’ Joyful Noise Recording. We’ll also have another edition of Rebel Music with Karla Lopez-Owens, an ongoing series exploring the relationship between music and activ...

On this edition of Rebel Music, host Karla López Owens talks with activist, writer, and community organizer Carolina Castoreno. Carolina identifies as both American Indian and Mexican Indian, She’s a citizen of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, and a descendant of the Mescalero Apache, and Yaqui tribes. Carolina has served as executive director of the American Indian Center of Indiana. Her work is...

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with the Grammy-winning musician Meshell Ndegeocello - she’ll be performing at the Palladium on November 18th. Meshell will discuss her connection to Indiana artists - including John Mellencamp, Etheridge Knight, and Hanna Benn. We’ll also explore a lost recording from the Indianapolis jazz musician and composer Steve Allee. In 1983, Steve com...

The Grammy-winning vocalist, bass player and composer Meshell Ndegeocello will perform at the Palladium in central Indiana on November 18. Meshell is known for her eclectic and expansive sonic palette. She's collaborated with artists ranging from Madonna to the Rolling Stones - and her music incorporates elements of hip-hop, jazz, rock, soul, afrobeat, and more. Meshell’s latest album ”The Omnicho...

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with violinist David Harrington, founder of the groundbreaking Kronos Quartet. They’ve been called the most important new music ensemble in the world — over 1,000 new works and arrangements have been commissioned for the group. Kronos Quartet will bring their 50th anniversary tour to West Lafayette, Indiana’s Loeb Theatre. The Percussive Arts...

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain - an icon of Indian classical music. Hussain will share his thoughts on the use of AI in music, winning the Kyoto Prize, and his work with the late Tina Turner. Also, hear a conversation with Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement City of Indianapolis. Thomas is a passionate advocate for arts a...

Kronos Quartet have been called one of the most important new music ensembles in the world — over 1,000 new works and arrangements have been commissioned for the group. WFYI’s Kyle Long recently spoke to the group’s founder David Harrington. They discussed Kronos Quartet’s 50th anniversary, the group's upcoming appearance in West Lafayette, collaborating with Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle, and their...

Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain is a global icon of Indian classical music. Hussain recently spoke with WFYI’s Kyle Long. They discussed his upcoming concert with Bela Fleck, AI music, working with Tina Turner, and more.

On this edition of Rebel Music Karla López Owens speaks with the Mexican-Canadian writer Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Silvia has written in many styles – including fantasy, noir, and speculative fiction — but some of her best known works are in the horror genre – including the novels Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate. Activism has also been a theme in Silvia’s work,  her 2021 novel Velvet Was the Night i...

This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll celebrate Halloween with Karl Hofstetter from the Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings. Karl will share tracks from "Joyful Noise Halloween Party, Vol. 1,” a new holiday-themed compilation featuring music from Fred Armisen, Swamp Dogg, Deerhoof, Magic Sword, Danielson and others. We’ll also have a Halloween edition of Rebel Music with Karla Lopez-Owens....

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with Stewart Copeland, best known as the co-founder and drummer of the legendary British rock band The Police. Copeland will bring his “Police Deranged for Orchestra" tour to the Palladium in central Indiana on October 19th. Also, celebrate Halloween with the Indianapolis hip-hop producer Harry Otaku. He’ll share tracks for his horror-themed r...

Stewart Copeland is best known as the co-founder and drummer of The Police - the legendary British rock band sold over 75 million records and won 5 Grammy awards. Copeland is also a prolific composer and arranger. He’s scored over 50 films and composed multiple operas and symphonic works. Copeland’s latest project “Police Deranged for Orchestra" brings both of these worlds together. The album feat...

This week on Cultural Manifesto, hear interviews with Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone of the legendary British rock band The Zombies - they'll be performing at the Brown County Music Center on October 19. Along with the Beatles and Rolling Stones, The Zombies were among the first wave of British Invasion bands to hit America during the 1960s. The Zombies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...

This week on Cultural Manifesto Kyle Long talks with Bill Medley and Bucky Heard of the legendary R&B duo The Righteous Brothers. They are performing in Central Indiana this week. Medley will share his memories of touring with The Beatles and recording with Phil Spector. Kyle also speaks with the Indianapolis composer/instrument builder Rob Funkhouser and the clarinetist/composer Eric Salazar...

Last week in Broad Ripple, a mural depicting the late Indianapolis DJ and photojournalist Mpozi Tolbert was painted over. The mural’s erasure provoked widespread outrage in the community. The artist and musician Mike Graves joins Kyle Long to discuss Mpozi’s history in Indianapolis. Graves was a close friend and colleague of Mpozi. In 2016, Graves painted his own mural of Mpozi in Fountain Square...

This week on Cultural Manifesto hear a preview of Indy Jazz Fest and Bloomington’s Lotus World and Music Arts Festival. We’ll share interviews with Indy Jazz Fest performers Stanley Clarke and Sheila E. Plus words and music from Lotus Festival artists, including Sonny Singh, RAM, and La Perla.

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with the 20x Grammy-winning guitarist Pat Metheny — he’ll be performing at this year’s Indy Jazz Fest. Metheny will discuss his connections to Indiana and his long relationship with the music of Wes Montgomery.

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with Andrés Salguero and Christina Sanabria of 123 Andrés - a Latin Grammy-winning duo who create bilingual music for children and families. The music of 123 Andrés incorporates rhythms from across North and South America, and features collaborations with legendary Latin music performers including Rubén Blades, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Also, l...

Rebel Music with Karla López Owens is an ongoing series on Cultural Manifesto exploring the relationship between music and activism. On this episode, Karla’s guest is the activist and writer Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez. Prisca is the founder of the online platform Latina Rebels, and the author of the 2021 book "For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color”...

Listen to the latest edition of Finding Etheridge with Mat Davis, a new series exploring the people and places connected to the Indianapolis poet Etheridge Knight. Mat’s guest is poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Etheridge Knight’s partner and companion during the final years of his life. McKim lives in Lynn, Massachusetts. She recently visited Indianapolis for the unveiling of a new Etheridge Knight m...

Finding Etheridge explores the people and places connected to the Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Etheridge Knight. Etheridge Knight died in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1991, but his legacy grows stronger with each passing year On this episode of Finding Etheridge, Mat’s guest will be the poet Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Etheridge Knight’s partner and companion during the final years of his life. McKim liv...

Finding Etheridge explores the people and places connected to the Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Etheridge Knight. Etheridge Knight died in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1991, but his legacy grows stronger with each passing year. On this edition of Finding Etheridge Host Mat Davis, speaks with Hanako Gavia, great-niece to Etheridge Knight. Hanako Gavia is the Assistant Director of Butler University's Ce...

Finding Etheridge explores the people and places connected to the Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Etheridge Knight. Etheridge Knight died in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1991, but his legacy grows stronger with each passing year. On this edition of Finding Etheridge, Mat Davis talks with Michael L L Collins. Collins is an Indianapolis-based poet, writer and literary critic. Collins was a close friend an...

This week on Cultural Manifesto, Kyle Long talks with the jazz trumpeter and classical music violinist, Justin S. Kinchen. We’ll discuss his EP "Family Reunion: A Tribute to Uncle Funkenstein.” The recording celebrates saxophonist Russell Webster’s 1983 double LP “Uncle Funkenstein,” one of the most revered Indianapolis jazz albums. Kyle also speaks with the legendary Indianapolis concert promoter...

This week on Cultural Manifesto listen to an interview with Oreo Jones, Jane Kim, and J. Brookinz — the organizers of Chreece, an all-day hip-hop festival happening in Fountain Square. This year’s Chreece lineup features over 70 local hip-hop artists, along with the influential producer 9th Wonder, known for his work with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and others.