Cultural Manifesto
Cultural Manifesto, hosted by Kyle Long, explores stories and sounds from the creative world, past and present. Through music, archival recordings, and artist interviews, the show examines how creators use sound to shape meaning. Based in Indianapolis, the program also highlights artistic voices from beyond the city. It airs weekly on WFYI Public Media.
Episodes
Sitar icon Niladri Kumar on Zakir Hussain, the Zitar, and his work in Bollywood music
Listen to an interview with Niladri Kumar, one of India’s most celebrated sitar players. Kyle Long talks with Kumar about his musical partnership with the late tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, his work in Bollywood film music, and the creation of the Zitar. Kumar will pay tribute to Zakir Hussain in concert on October 18 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Central Indiana.
Latin music pioneers of Northwest Indiana
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with words and music celebrating the Latin music pioneers of Northwest Indiana, including Juan Manuel Guerrero, Adela Dalto, Santos Candelaria, and Omar Apollo.
Clave Caribe - 20 Years of Latin Music in Lafayette
Listen to an interview with members of Clave Caribe, a Lafayette, Indiana band that has been performing Latin music for 20 years. Kyle Long talks with founder Tito Toro, vocalist Sandra Úsuga and percussionist Nolan Warden about the band’s history and its place in Lafayette’s music community.
Jazz Fest preview with Sheila E and Nikki Glaspie
Kyle Long previews Indy Jazz Fest with two dynamic drummers and percussionists. Sheila E. discusses her roots in jazz and Latin music, and the musical family that shaped her career. And Nikki Glaspie talks about the gospel, funk, punk and metal influences behind her drumming, her years touring with Beyoncé, and the lessons she’s learned from the legendary musicians like Maceo Parker, and Chaka Kha
“I Will Laugh More Than I Cry” - Comedian Claressa Patton on comedy and healing
Indianapolis comedian, poet, author and victim advocate Claressa Patton, better known as Clara D, has made laughter an important part of her life and work. Patton talks with Kyle Long about her journey into comedy, her work as a victim advocate, and the role laughter has played in her own healing. She also discusses her book Healing in Pieces and her efforts to help others navigate grief and loss.
Colin Blunstone on One Year, the Zombies documentary, and Duncan Browne
Kyle Long speaks with Colin Blunstone, vocalist for the legendary British rock band The Zombies. Blunstone discusses his acclaimed 1971 solo debut, One Year, and his new live recording, One Year and More (Live from Union Chapel). He also talks about the recently released Zombies documentary Hung Up on a Dream. [photo by Andrew Eccles]
Secretly Canadian at 30 - How a Bloomington DIY label became a global force in independent music
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Secretly Canadian, the Bloomington, Indiana record label that grew from a small DIY operation into one of the largest and most respected independent music companies in the world. Secretly is celebrating with three nights of concerts in Bloomington featuring artists from across the label’s history and current roster. Kyle Long speaks with two of Secretly Cana
Oreo Jones on this year's Chreece
On August 29, Chreece returns to Indianapolis, bringing more than 70 artists, DJs and producers to eight venues in the Fountain Square neighborhood. Founded in 2015 by Indianapolis rapper, producer and community organizer Oreo Jones, Chreece has become a major showcase for the city’s hip-hop culture. Listen to Kyle Long’s interview with Jones about this year’s event.
Rob Dixon discusses Naptown Soul
Listen to an interview with Indianapolis-based saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator Rob Dixon, one of the leading voices in the Midwest jazz scene. Dixon will discuss his new album “Naptown Soul” — a celebration of the city’s distinctive soul jazz tradition, featuring music by Wes Montgomery, alongside Dixon originals.
Live from Winchester, Indiana's Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
Winchester, Indiana’s Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival brings together musicians from across generations and cultures, welcoming Native Hawaiian artists alongside performers from across the continental United States. Kyle Long visited the festival and spoke with some of this year’s performers including the Williams Twins, 96-year-old twin sisters who have been singing and playing guitar together at
Celebrating two of Northwest Indiana's most acclaimed contemporary musician
Cultural Manifesto can now be heard across Northwest Indiana. To celebrate the show’s arrival on 89.1, Kyle Long revisits his coverage of two of Northwest Indiana’s most critically acclaimed contemporary musicians, Omar Apollo from Hobart and Llin from Gary.
Herbie Hancock on Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and his upcoming date in Indianapolis
Kyle Long speaks with Herbie Hancock — one of the most celebrated artists in American music history. His groundbreaking career has earned him 14 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and recognition as an NEA Jazz Master. From his early work with Miles Davis to his genre-defying explorations of jazz, funk, and electronic music, Hancock has continually expanded the possibilities of musical expression. H
Becky Archibald discusses her new album, Tango for Disobedient Beasts
Kyle Long speaks with Indianapolis pianist, composer and educator Becky Archibald. A native of Anderson, Indiana, Archibald has performed at Carnegie Hall, and her recordings have been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and All Songs Considered. NPR's Bob Boilen, creator of the Tiny Desk Concerts series, praised her work, saying, "Becky's music unfolds like I expect a good story to unfold." S
Exploring the history of Winchester, Indiana’s Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
For over 50 years, Winchester, Indiana, has been home to the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival, one of the world's longest-running celebrations of Hawaiian steel guitar music. Listen to Kyle Long's conversation with two of the organizers behind this year's festival, musicians Mark Prucha and Bill Wynne.
Steve Wariner discusses his roots in the Indianapolis music scene and his work in visual art
Kyle Long speaks with guitarist, singer, songwriter, and visual artist Steve Wariner, one of Indiana's most celebrated country music artists. Their wide-ranging conversation explores memories of Sammy Terry, Cowboy Bob, Arthur's Music in Fountain Square, the Beatles' appearance at the Indiana State Fair, seeing shows at Mockingbird Hill in Anderson, and more.
Monika Herzig's Transparent uses jazz to confront transphobia
Kyle Long speaks with the internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, educator, and author Monika Herzig. Her latest album, Transparent, is one of the most personal projects of her career. Inspired by her journey supporting a transgender child, the album uses jazz as a vehicle for empathy, storytelling, and connection.
Valerie Phelps and Kenny Phelps on the Making of Project 7
Indianapolis musicians Valerie Phelps and Kenny Phelps join host Kyle Long to discuss Valerie's debut album, Project 7. It features performances by Kenny Phelps and the couple's son, Dorian Phelps — two of the most respected drummers in the Indianapolis music scene. Their album release concert is July 10, 2026 at the Jazz Kitchen.
Remembering Indiana's Tom Hensley - keyboard virtuoso and musical adventurer
Look back on the life and music of Tom Hensley — an Indiana-born pianist whose remarkable career took him from Bloomington and Indianapolis to the biggest stages in music. As a session keyboardist, he played on Hall & Oates' hit "Rich Girl," along with recordings by John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Cher, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, and toured as pianist for Neil Diamond. Kyle Long spoke wit
Composer Jordan Munson discusses new collaboration with Dance Kaleidoscope
Hear an interview with the Indianapolis-based composer, performer, and multimedia artist Jordan Munson. His latest project, We Walk Beneath A Patient Sky, is a collaboration with Dance Kaleidoscope featuring choreography by Joshua Blake Carter. The work finds Munson expanding his sonic palette by incorporating elements of traditional Appalachian folk music.
Michael Cleveland on Bill Monroe, Billy Strings, and returning to the Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering
Michael Cleveland is one of Indiana’s greatest living musicians and one of the most celebrated fiddlers in the history of bluegrass. Kyle Long speaks with Cleveland about his remarkable career and his lifelong connection to the Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering.
Pride Month - LGBTQ+ activist Mary Byrne looks back on her work promoting women’s music in Indiana
Celebrate Pride by looking back at Kyle Long’s 2021 conversation with LGBTQ+ activist Mary Byrne. A key figure in Indiana’s gay rights movement, Byrne also played an important but lesser-known role in the state’s music history as a promoter and curator of women’s music. She owned and operated Labyris, a feminist and lesbian bar near downtown Indianapolis that became a vital gathering place for mus
Marion, Indiana's Lizz Vega on playing harp, songwriting and livestreaming
Before she found an audience as a musician, Lizz Vega built a following online live-streaming video games. Today, the self-taught musician and songwriter still streams live, but her broadcasts now feature performances on harp, guitar and vocals. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Vega currently lives in Marion, Indiana. Cultural Manifesto’s Kyle Long spoke with Vega to learn more about her work in mu
How Indianapolis Songwriter Bruz Fletcher Became a Pioneer of LGBTQ+ Music
Explore the remarkable life and music of Indiana songwriter Stoughton “Bruz” Fletcher, a groundbreaking artist whose work challenged conventions of gender and sexuality decades before the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Host Kyle Long will talk with author and researcher Tyler Alpern, whose book “Camped, Tramped and a Riotous Vamp” remains the definitive biography of Bruz Fletcher.
Indianapolis musician Naomi Pulver is building an audience for her finely crafted pop songs
Hear words and music from Indianapolis-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Naomi Pulver. She is building a growing audience for her finely crafted music, a sound that blends elements of pop, folk, and R&B with deeply personal songwriting. Raised in Colorado as the youngest of eight children in a multicultural household, Pulver began exploring questions of identity, family, and belonging at an
Harp innovator Edmar Castañeda merges jazz and Colombian tradition
Born in Colombia, Edmar Castañeda is celebrated worldwide as one of the most innovative harpists in modern music. His work combines the folk traditions of his homeland with contemporary jazz. A Latin Grammy nominee, Castañeda has collaborated with artists including Wynton Marsalis and Béla Fleck and introduced his music to millions through the soundtrack of Disney’s Encanto.
Rusty Redenbacher on Mudkids, Nasty Slim, and battling Eminem
For over 30 years, Rusty Redenbacher has been a fixture of the Indianapolis music scene, performing as a vocalist with rock and hip-hop groups including The Mudkids, Birdmen of Alcatraz, and The Last IV. He joins Kyle Long to discuss his history in music, including battling Eminem at Scribble Jam in 1997, and his latest project, Rusty Redenbacher is Nasty Slim, which expands his skill set to produ
Asian American musicians are shaping Indiana's Sound - celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
Asian American musicians are shaping Indiana's sound — and this week, Cultural Manifesto celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month with music that proves it. Hear from Indiana artists with roots in Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar, and beyond.
Jermaine from the South on rapping in Creole, playing oud, and making psychedelic hip-hop beats
Hear Kyle Long’s conversation with Bloomington-based musician Jermaine Butler— also known as Jermaine from the South — an artist who defies easy categorization. Butler's submission to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, titled "Dan Vi-Çila”, earned a coveted Top Shelf selection, drawing praise from Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter and guest judge Tierra Whack. He is set to unveil a new project rooted in the c
Indianapolis musician, writer and rapper Foosie on his debut album, All-American Ghetto
Indianapolis-based rapper, musician, and writer Foosie discusses his debut album, “All-American Ghetto.” The album draws on his life — from growing up in Indianapolis’ Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood to serving a 20-year prison sentence. During his incarceration, he learned to play acoustic guitar and developed his voice as a writer through the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop. In this conversatio
The secret history of Radio Free Naptown
In 1968, a group of young Indianapolis broadcasters made history — they built their own radio station from scratch, without a license, and dared the FCC to stop them. For four years, Radio Free Naptown brought underground music to the city, from Captain Beefheart to Gil Scott-Heron, broadcasting from makeshift locations that at one point even included a horse pasture. They didn’t call it pirate ra
Software, the feminist synth-rock band that broke barriers for women and LGBTQ+ musicians in Indianapolis
Hear a conversation with members of Software, a feminist synth-rock band that broke barriers for women and LGBTQ+ musicians in 1980s Indianapolis. Software performed at iconic venues including The Vogue and The Hummingbird. The band also played at Labyris, a feminist bar in downtown Indianapolis that served as a safe space for the city’s lesbian community. A new anthology of Software’s music, Have
Born in Indianapolis to immigrant parents, Trigger Alpert recorded with America’s top musicians
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with music from the Indianapolis bassist Herman “Trigger” Alpert. Born in Indianapolis in 1916 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Alpert rose to national prominence in the golden age of big band jazz. Despite his remarkable contributions to American music, Alpert remains largely overlooked in his hometown — an unsung figure whose legacy deserves greater recognition in
Jazz legend Steve Allee reacts to hearing lost tapes
Cultural Manifesto producer Kyle Long recently uncovered a collection of lost tapes featuring Indianapolis jazz legend Steve Allee performing live in local clubs in the 1970s — recordings Allee didn’t even know existed. Many of the tapes document his work with the Von Ohlen/Carter Big Band, a long-running Indianapolis ensemble co-led by drummer John Von Ohlen and saxophonist Chuck Carter. Hear exc
Western wear designer Jerry Lee Atwood discusses his solo exhibition, Cowboy Couture
Indianapolis designer Jerry Lee Atwood carries the tradition and spirit of classic Western wear forward with custom pieces that have appeared in Vogue magazine and in the wardrobes of Post Malone, Lil Nas X, Diplo, and Charley Crockett. WFYI’s Kyle Long spoke with him about a new exhibition of his work at the Eiteljorg Museum.
How Indianapolis’ Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell influenced Bob Dylan’s music
Bob Dylan turns 85 this May — and he’s still on the road. Hear how Dylan’s musical career has been influenced by the legendary blues duo, Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell.
DJ Metrognome and J. Moore celebrate 20 years of Take That Tuesday
For two decades, Take That Tuesday has been a cornerstone of Indianapolis hip-hop DJ culture—providing a space for both emerging and veteran turntablists to share music outside the constraints of commercial club environments. WFYI’s Kyle Long recently spoke with the event’s hosts, DJ MetroGnome and J. Moore.
Celebrating the women pioneers of Indiana punk, noise, new wave and alternative music
Celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring the women who helped build Indiana’s punk, new wave, alternative, and noise scenes. Join us for words and music featuring Sally’s Dream, Software, Debbie Jaffe, Joyce Fidler, and Lynn Shipley,
40 Indiana guitar pioneers every Hoosier should know: South Bend, Indiana’s Willie Woods
In the third edition of our new segment, “40 Indiana guitar pioneers every Hoosier should know,” learn about the South Bend guitarist Willie Woods, best known for his work with Jr. Walker & the All Stars.
Composer and instrument builder Rob Funkhouser discusses Respiratory Cycle
Listen to an interview with the Indianapolis-based composer, performer, and instrument builder Rob Funkhouser. His latest album, “Respiratory Cycle”, features two immersive, long-form suites, “Exhale” and “Inhale.”
Indiana’s Will Geer fought fascism with art and toured the U.S. with folksinger Woodie Guthrie
Celebrate the life and work of Will Geer by exploring his friendship and artistic partnership with Woody Guthrie. Together they toured the country, performing in union halls and at labor benefits. Geer used his theatrical skills to amplify Guthrie’s music and political message.
40 Indiana guitarists every Hoosier should know: Gary, Indiana’s Donald Kinsey
In the second edition of our new segment, “40 Indiana guitar pioneers every Hoosier should know,” learn about the Gary, Indiana, guitarist Donald Kinsey, who played with artists including Bob Marley, Albert King, and Peter Tosh.
Cesar Maldonado on the roots of Mariachi Herencia de México
Listen to a conversation with Cesar Maldonado, founder and artistic director of Mariachi Herencia de México. Based in Chicago, the ensemble grew out of the Mariachi Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and advancing mariachi music through youth education.
Wayne Newton on his early work in country music
Listen to Kyle Long’s interview with “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton. With a career spanning more than seven decades, he is among the most enduring figures in American popular entertainment. But Newton’s career began much earlier, in the 1950s, when he was still a child, singing country music alongside his brother, Jerry.
The Indiana pioneers of Puerto Rican music
Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl last Sunday was the most-watched halftime show in history, placing Puerto Rican music squarely at the center of American pop culture. For decades, Puerto Rican music has enjoyed widespread popularity here in the Hoosier State. We’ll celebrate the Puerto Rican music pioneers of Indiana.
Discovering Sun Ra’s Indiana connections
This month on American Masters, PBS will present “Sun Ra: Do The Impossible” — a new documentary celebrating the life and legacy of Sun Ra, one of the most visionary figures in jazz music. Sun Ra’s early work was shaped by Hoosiers, including trumpeter Art Hoyle, saxophonist/flutist James Spaulding, and recording engineer Bud Pressner.
Scholar and broadcaster Nia I’man Smith discusses Sonic Blacknuss Radio
Kyle Long speaks with Nia I’man Smith, who is a scholar and radio host based in Bloomington, Indiana. She’s currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University Bloomington. Smith is also the creator and host of Sonic Blacknuss, a biweekly program on Bloomington’s community radio station, WFHB.
Exploring Gil Scott-Heron’s work with the Princeton, Indiana producer Robert Hosea Williams
Explore music featuring the Princeton, Indiana producer and engineer Robert Hosea Williams (also known as R. José Williams), best known for his work with Gil Scott-Heron.
Surina Gangwani is bringing Sofar Sounds back to Indianapolis
For more than a decade, Sofar Sounds has connected music fans with intimate, unconventional concert experiences in cities across the globe. After a hiatus, the project is returning to Indianapolis—thanks to local ambassador Surina Gangwani, who is relaunching the series with a renewed focus on community.
Martin University founder Boniface Hardin fought for equality in classrooms and communities
Last December, Martin University announced it would close, citing years of financial strain and declining enrollment. The closure brings to an end a legacy that began more than 50 years ago with Boniface Hardin.
Neko Case discusses her new album, Spotify, and the influence of Umm Kulthum
Neko Case is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and genre-defying albums. She discussed her new album, “Neon Grey Midnight Green,” and her upcoming performance in Indiana with WFYI’s Kyle Long.
Jazz bassist and beatmaker Brandon Meeks reflects on his roots in Indiana
Listen to an interview with Brandon Meeks, an Indianapolis–based jazz bassist, bandleader and hip-hop producer, widely recognized as a key figure in the city’s contemporary jazz scene. He is best known for his work with acclaimed saxophonist Rob Dixon and as a member of the hip-hop jazz trio Native Sun.
Beatmaker Scott Matelic on the evolution of his soulful, psychedelic hip-hop sound
Scott Matelic is an Indianapolis-born hip-hop producer and DJ whose sound emerges from the crate-digging traditions of DJ culture, blending sample-based production with soulful textures and psychedelic atmospheres. He discusses his new album Dead Weightt with Kyle Long at WFYI studios.
Remembering Indiana musicians who died in 2025
Join us as we honor some of the notable Indiana musicians and music figures who passed away in 2025. These are artists who shaped funk, rock, music education, and global psychedelia — including Gray Babson, DeMorris Smith, Ron Hedrick, Toby Myers, Gladys Stone Wright, and Stan Densk
Justin Bland looks back on the history of Made Man Improv
Justin Bland is the creator and host of Made Man Improv, a popular improv comedy showcase based in Indianapolis. Under his direction, Made Man Improv has built a loyal audience and a recognizable brand within the local arts scene. But after years of sold-out performances, Bland is ending the Made Man Improv series this month.
Standout moments and releases by Indiana musicians in 2025
Listen back to the moments and releases that shaped Indiana music in 2025, from long-overdue archival discoveries to new Hoosier artists breaking out on the national stage.
Ricky Skaggs discusses Christmas music, The Grand Ole Opry and the legacy of Bill Monroe
Listen to a conversation with the virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and bandleader, Ricky Skaggs. Born in Kentucky in 1954, Skaggs has played a central role in shaping modern bluegrass and country music. A child prodigy, he first performed on stage with Bill Monroe at age six, and at age seven, he appeared on national television with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
40 Indiana guitarists every Hoosier should know: Evansville, Indiana’s Jackie Clark
This is the first edition of a new Cultural Manifesto segment titled “40 Indiana Guitar Pioneers That Every Hoosier Should Know,” featuring the Evansville, Indiana guitarist Jackie Clark. He played and recorded with some of the greatest legends in rock and R&B music, including Ike and Tina Turner, Iggy Pop, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and Bobby Womack.
ARCHIVE: A Tribute to Vivian Carter
This archived episode from 2021 pays tribute to one of the co-founders of the legendary Vee-Jay Records, Vivian Carter. Vee-Jay Records is considered to be the most successful Black-owned record label of the pre-Motown era.
Indiana composer Landon Caldwell on his explorations in experimental sound
Landon Caldwell is a multidisciplinary artist and composer based in Indianapolis. His music blends experimental composition, improvisation, and ambient textures to create spaces that invite reflection and deep listening.
Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
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 the experimental pow wow group Medicine Singers, and the hip-hop artist Supaman.
Juan Díes of Sones de México Ensemble reflects on his Indiana roots
Listen to an interview with Juan Díes, a Grammy-nominated musician, educator, and folklorist best known as the co-founder and executive director of Sones de México Ensemble, Chicago’s premier Mexican folk music collective.
FEATURE: Felix Contreras, host of NPR's Alt Latino
Host of NPR's Alt Latino Felix Contreras talks with Kyle Long about Latino identity and what inspires his show on this archived segment from 2016.
John Green on his new book, public media, and his Indianapolis roots
Listen to an interview with John Green, an award-winning author and YouTuber, discussing his new nonfiction book, Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, his work in public media, and his deep roots in Indianapolis. Green’s previous novels have sold over 50 million copies and inspired several major film adaptations.
FEATURE: Cherish Love portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe in 'Marie & Rosetta.'
Cherish Love, an award-winning performer, is Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the Indiana Repertory Theatre's production of 'Marie & Rosetta,' a musical about the rock and roll legend's life.
Exploring PASIC - The Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Take a deep dive into the world of PASIC during its 50th edition, PASIC 50, held in Indianapolis. Listen to an interview with the Indianapolis-based composer, performer and instrument builder Rob Funkhouser. Plus, conversations with past PASIC performers and honorees, including Elayne Jones, Giovanni Hidalgo, Susie Ibarra, Cindy Blackman Santana, Daru Jones, and more.
FEATURE: Herman 'Butch' Slaughter
WFYI's Kyle Long features Echoes of Indiana Avenue co-host Herman 'Butch' Slaughter on this segment from Cultural Manifesto.
Celebrating Sister Rosetta Tharpe with the cast of IRT’s “Marie and Rosetta”
Hear interviews with members of the cast and creative team behind the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre’s production of Marie and Rosetta —including actors Cherish Love, Jaela Cheeks-Lomax, and music director Morgan E. Stevenson.
Bernie Sanders and AOC in Terre Haute for the Eugene V. Debs Awards Ceremony
Recently, Terre Haute, Indiana welcomed two of the nation’s most prominent political figures — Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders visited the city to receive the Eugene V. Debs Award. Hear Kyle Long's interview with Sanders, along with music from the Local Honeys, who opened the ceremony.
“Mr. Science” Brad Garton on his roots in Indiana punk and his work in computer music
Listen to an interview with the keyboardist, composer, and computer music pioneer Brad Garton. He’s best known for his work with the legendary West Lafayette, Indiana punk band Dow Jones and The Industrials, but Garton’s work in music spans from progressive rock to experimental composition.
Ailsa Chang on the importance of supporting public media
Listen to an interview with NPR’s Ailsa Chang; she recently spoke with WFYI’s Kyle Long to discuss the importance of supporting public media. You hear her every weekday as co-host of All Things Considered, NPR’s flagship evening news program.
Breaking Through: revisiting the post-punk legacy of Bloomington’s Sally’s Dream
In 1983, four Bloomington musicians — Chrissie Dickinson, Cynthia Hammond, Jenny Davis, and Emily Jackson — bonded over their shared love for the music of Patti Smith, X, and The Clash. Together they formed Sally’s Dream, a post-punk band that went on to perform across the Midwest and later in Boston.
Lee Fields comes to Indianapolis
Hear from Lee Fields, a legendary funk and soul singer whose powerful voice and remarkable career longevity have earned him comparisons to James Brown and Wilson Pickett. Known for his electrifying live performances and deeply emotional delivery, Lee Fields stands as one of the last great soul artists still touring and recording at the height of his powers.
Journalist Jude Noel says “Indy is next”
Jude Noel is a music journalist and critic whose work has appeared in Pitchfork, The Fader, and Bandcamp Daily. In his recent Bandcamp feature, “Indy Is Next,” Jude shines a spotlight on Indianapolis’s growing independent music scene, tracing the city’s creative energy through its artists, venues, and DIY communities.
Aida Cuevas looks back on 50 years of singing to Mexico
Aida Cuevas is an iconic Mexican singer celebrated as The Queen of Ranchera Music. She has released more than 40 albums and sold over 11 million records. Recognized as a cultural ambassador of Mexico, she continues to preserve the country’s rich musical heritage through recordings and performances that celebrate the artistry of ranchera music.
Jazz meets Samba featuring Magary Lord, Juliana Ribeiro, Márcio Pereira, and Indianapolis’ Lasana Kazembe
Listen to an interview with Brazilian musicians Magary Lord, Juliana Ribeiro, Márcio Pereira, and Indianapolis’ Lasana Kazembe. They recently performed at Indy Jazz Fest as part of “Jazz Meets Samba : An Afro Brazilian Journey.”
Cabaret Latino celebrates the songs of the Americas
Listen to interviews with the cast, producers and musicians behind “Cabaret Latino - Songs of the Americas”, a bilingual revue of songs celebrating the music of Latin America, from boleros to reggaeton. Hear from Tom Alvarez, Eva Luna Espay, Eric Salazar, Pablo Gonzalez, Alexis Faviel and Dustin Klein.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Hobart, Indiana’s Omar Apollo
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by listening to Kyle Long’s 2024 interview with Omar Apollo. Born in Hobart, Indiana in 1997, Apollo is a Grammy-nominated Mexican-American singer-songwriter whose music blends R&B, pop, funk, and Latin influences.
Asher White on Gary, Indiana, Judee Sill, and her new album, 8 Tips for Full Catastrophe Living
work is deeply informed by her trans identity and Jewish spirituality. Her pop vision marries disparate sounds—skittering noise with swooping strings, lively banjo with blasts of feedback—across genres including drone, folk, Tropicalia, noise rock, and chamber pop.
Pahua explores Latin American folklore through electronic beats
Pahua is the musical project of Mexico City–based producer, singer, and DJ Paulina Sotomayor, known for weaving electronic beats with Latin American folk traditions. Pahua has carved out a unique space in the international electronic music scene, earning festival appearances and collaborations across Latin America and beyond.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba on Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Moré and Nat King Cole
Gonzalo Rubalcaba is a Grammy-winning Cuban pianist and composer celebrated as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz. WFYI’s Kyle Long and Rubalcaba discuss his connection to Dizzy Gillespie and his latest album “A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole.”
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