Download The Directive HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
How many ways am I supposed to say it, you do not get nearly enough good music in your diet. I want you to promise that if I drop off the face of this Earth, that you are going to commit to listening to quality music on the daily. And you need to mix it up. You can’t just stay with the same genre, you know? My suggestion, when you go record shopping and you purchase three or more records make at least one from a genre you aren’t used to. Trust me, it’s a great way to build your collection while broadening your horizons.
I know that my international collection was built in this way. And I never would have discovered the richness of African Funk if I didn’t stick to this method. And one artist leads to another, and one unheard of genre leads to another. My dad always said there’s no reward in life without risk. I have always taken that to heart, in ways I’m not ready to discuss on this blog. I can attest to the fact that taking a risk on music is always a good thing. Except that hair metal band, Cinderella. There was no redeeming qualities in that band, none. Winger either. Nope. Sorry. None.
As for this show right here, I think the sets speak for themselves. I was in a real dance mood in the first few sets; really funky. If you haven’t heard Mdou Moctar, then you haven’t heard one of the all-time greatest guitarist there is, alive or dead. Seriously, he’s up there with Hendrix and Van Halen. There’s new music from Japan’s Kikagaku Moyo, who are on their final tour right now. A show I cannot attend because I’m going to be in Yosemite. Lucky me. I gave tickets away in the second hour to Diane Coffee. You really need to check them out. The entire lineup is in the last half hour.
Lots of new music for you that isn’t much of a risk. Perhaps I need to get a bit more edgy next week? Tune in.
Download The Ooey Gooey HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
Oh wow that was really fun. There are those nights when everything just clicks. This was one of those nights. The tunes, the transitions, the mic breaks, and almost 100% of the equipment worked better than expected. That’s saying something.
I’ve been doing this a long time, and others prepare their sets down to the minute, choosing just the right tracks days before their show, and it really shows. I’ve never been that way. Never. I bring a heap load of music with me, mostly vinyl, but I do have a small CD case I’ll reload every so often, and then there’s my external HD, loaded with my latest digital acquisitions. BTW, when I buy a new record, I love getting both the vinyl and the digital download. What a world we live in!
Lots of new music tonight, featuring Ty Segall, Kikagaku Moyo, The Bobby Lees, Dogbowl (thanks Jim!), Willie Nelson, Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder, and Boris. There’s some Jazz, Punk, Blues, “Gospel”, Psychedelic, Proto-Punk, British Prog, and much more.
Let’s see your local commercial radio station even come close to what you get on Radio Valencia.
Hello – Hi: Ty Segall Girlfriend: Death Valley Girls
Dancing Blue: Kikagaku Moyo Venus in Furs: Velvet Underground TV Eye: The Stooges
Hollywood Junkyard: The Bobby Lees Original Faubus Fables: Charles Mingus
I See The Light/What’s His Name: Scott H. Biram On My Own: Dogbowl with Jim F
We’re Not Happy (Til You’re Not Happy): Willie Nelson Diggin’ My Potatoes: Sonny Terry
The Midnight Special: Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder Tombstone Shadow: Creedence Clearwater Revival Master of the Universe: Hawkwind New Potato Caboose: Grateful Dead
Frontier Glitch: Strike Anywhere Frail Bray: Western Addiction Summer Trip: Decent Criminal Give Me The Cure; Fugazi
Download The Sideshow HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
Holy Hell did tax day give me a swift kick in the pants. I really needed this show to distract from the pain. That being said, I’m not against paying taxes; not in the least. I want my children to have great parks, and schools and roads. I want water and air to be clean, and I do not trust the private one iota to care for any of this. So I’ll pay the bill. And I won’t complain about it.
And I won’t tell you how to feel about it.
You came for the music. And so did I.
I saw the best show last weekend: Scott H. Biram along with JD Pinkus and Shovelman. I was a Radio Valencia co-presents, which I MCd with Ace from RV. We had the Geezer spinning tunes between acts. What a fabulous show filled three solo acts, each remarkable in their own way. Seeing Pinkus was great, since he and I chat it up a lot on Instagram. It was like visiting an old friend. Shovelman is a local boy, as far a Willits is concerned. But he also used to perform with the Vau de Vier Society, as have a number of friends of mine, so I felt kinship with him right away. And that damn shovel! Who knew?
If you haven’t seen Scott H. Biram, then do yourself a fine favor and get out to the show when he’s in town. He’s got fire and brimstone burning in his soul, right along side the fire of the lord themselves. he can go from gospel blues to Slayer in the same stanza! What a treat!
I really enjoy the co-presents we’ve been doing at Bottom of the Hill. Come on out Tuesday. April 26th to see Jon Spencer and the HITmakers. It’s sure to be a treat. I played some new Jon Spencer later in this here show.
What else did I play? I played music from both Pinkus and Biram, so you’ll get a taste of what you missed. There’s some African guitar wizardry from Mdou Moctar, new Pink Floyd (yes, I said NEW) featuring Ukranian singer Andriy Khlynyuk, Swedish psych from Dungen, schizophrenic rock from Wesley Willis, 25th anniversary tune from Sleater-Kinney, classic Primus, and re-released The Fall, live from 1981.
You just can’t get this in too many places. Allow me to be your one stop musical shop.
See you at the next show. Speaking of next shows, Radio Valencia is gearing up for another live fundraiser at Make Out Room in late June. Stay tune for details.
Download The Devastation HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
Tonight was a really special show. I was lucky enough to have Bay Area metal violinist Emily Palen of KnightressM1 on the program talking up her latest collaboration: Othered, as well as new KnightressM1 material. I first witnesses the prowess that is Miss Emily Palen, when she graced the stage supporting Eric McFadden at Ivy Room back in 2019. Her mastery of the violin is evident, and how she shows this mastery in on entirely different level than any violinist I’ve ever seen. I was mesmerized.
Starting on the violin at the age of four, Emily dedicated herself to the instrument, K-12 and into college at the University of Michigan. Following the path of classical music is a strenuous commitment and Emily took some time off to reflect on her musical future. Finding herself living in the Bay Area, Emily took this opportunity to also change the direction of her music, choosing to break out of the confines that Classical keeps you in, and found musicians to jam with. Over time she found herself attracted to Metal (not too surprising considering many excellent Metal musicians have a penchant for Classical), and adding some effects to her violin, along with some powerful lyrics centered on her own life’s journey and the world she sees around her, created the dynamic superhero that is KnightressM1.
Emily can tell the story much better than I. She was with me for most of the night sharing new music from her collaboration with Henry Austin Lannan, aka: H.A.L. under the Othered title, as well as new KnightressM1 and music from the 2020 release: “Dreams and Devastations“. Othered will have a rare performance at Eli’s Mile High in Oakland on Friday, April 15th.
Enjoy and please share.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Download The Rebirth HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
What a fun night this was, and I think you can tell from the between set banter. I know, I know, you’ve come for the music, and the music you shall have. Though Spring is in the air, other than the first track, I wasn’t thinking of producing a spring-themed show. You can think of this as one if that helps you sleep at night, but honestly it was just me throwing down.
New music from an Emily Palen side project: Othered. She’ll be in the studio April 4th to talk up new KnightressM1 recordings. I have been dying to interview Emily, so this promises to be fun.
I’ve got some Jazz, 60s Psych, Funk, Metal, Garage, and Iggy Pop. What else could you ask for?
We have a fundraiser for Radio Valencia this Sunday, March 27th, 4-10PM at our next door neighbors house, Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, in the Mission District of San Francisco. We need money for new equipment and upkeep. We also desperately need to spruce up the new space. Info on the flyer below. We would love to see you there.
Enjoy and please share.
jhRadio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Download The Artistry HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
There are neighborhoods around San Francisco I get excited about, and then there are neighborhoods I’d just rather avoid all-together. I’ve spent countless days in rough hoods like Bayview, Hunters Point, Western Addition, and the like. I’ve seen some crazy things in these neighborhoods. I’ve participated in crazy things in these neighborhoods. And I have often asked myself if I felt safe? Trust me when I tell you there were plenty of times, walking in the middle of the night, deep in the heart of some neighborhood, where I knew the streets well during the day, but at night something else happens entirely.
I do not spend much time in the Tenderloin. Other than seeing shows at the Great American Music Hall, a few services at Glide, or taking my students on a field trip to the federal courthouse (which is more Civic Center than TL), this just isn’t a place I like to find myself. It’s not that it’s crime-infested. It’s junkie-infested. And why? This is where the treatment centers are located!
It’s that energy I just can’t be around.
So imagine my surprise when I got a call from Stephen DePace of Flipper, telling me about an upcoming exhibit at the Tenderloin Museum titled “Sounds of the Tenderloin“? The first words out of my mouth were “there’s a museum in the TL?”. There is indeed a museum in the TL. The Tenderloin Museum opened its doors in 2015.
And here I thought I knew (almost) everything about the history of music in San Francisco.
Stephen brought the exhibition curator Dale Hoyt over to the RV studios to talk about the show and some history of the TL that was music to my ears. There is a lot of information over at the museum website, and some great shows coming up in support of the exhibit, including our friends Flipper at Great American Music Hall, May 26th.
Let’s all go on a field trip to the Tenderloin Museum to check out this exhibit together. Just watch out for the needles.
Enjoy.
jhRadio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
We have a fundraiser coming up, Sunday, March 27th, 4-10PM at Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, in SF. They’re our next door neighbor! This is going to be a ton of fun. Come on out and celebrate your favorite freeform, non-commercial, streaming-only radio station: Radio Valencia. We’ll have some merch on hand.
Download The Commentary HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
You inspire me. Thanks for that. I hear from listeners throughout the week, letting me know what they’re listening to, and often turning me onto something that I should be playing for you!
Feel free to comment here and let me know how all this is working out for you. What else can I offer? Seriously, how much do I have to bleed for your love?!?!?!?!
In the meantime take a gander at what I served up last Monday night. Funk, dub, indie, spiritual free jazz, post-punk (and NOT The Fall!!!), folk, torch singer, Nashville, legendary punk, Japanese psych-ambient-metal, Satchmo and FUZZ. A little bit for everyone in the family.
Click the link at the top to stream or download this gem, and please feel free to share with music lovers who don’t know what they’re missing.
And leave a comment.
Enjoy.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Give It Up Or Turn It Loose (Remix): James Brown High Fashion: I-Roy with The Upsetters
Snakes Crawl: Shannon and the Clams You Were Sleeping: Jay Reatard Japan: The Darts
Blind to Vines: FUZZ We Are Starzz: Angel Bat Dawid and Tha Brothahood
Futurist: HRVD Dethroned: Black Midi Enemy of My Enemy: All Them Witches Awaken And Allow: Shannon Lay
Hands: Lithics Kung Fu: Curtis Mayfield Mercy-D: Sam and the Soul Machine
Nailing Honey To The Bee: Brian Jonestown Massacre Tonight It Shows: Mercury Rev Said Goodbye To That Car: Marissa Nadler Portland, Oregon: Loretta LynnJ unco Partner: Joe Strummer
The Whip: Psychic Hit Afterburner: Boris
Pretty Bird: Jenny Lewis What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
Download The Blah Blah Blah HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
My mission in my radio life is to never insult you. Please let me know if you feel that I’ve done so. If so, you can fuck right off. HA! Just joking. I really love turning you on…to music. What were you thinking? Whatever it was, I like it. I really do.
I wax poetic about all the evil of commercial radio all the damn time, but it appears that my vitriol has hit new heights! I’ just sickened by what I hear on the FM when I’m driving along. I admit, I’m a button pusher, but I may scald my fingertip by how quickly I’m hitting that button. Once you move past 94.1FM (in the Bay Area) there just isn’t anything interesting on the dial.
How sad is that?
Of course, I will continue to sing the praises of all things noncommercial. And why not? Music should always be purpose driven. I never mind playing older artists for you, but when I do, I like it to be something you would not normally hear on any other station. You be the judge.
I also really appreciate your feedback. I can only improve when my listeners chime in. Don’t be shy.
Lots of tasty treats in this episode. I went record shopping recently (SURPRISE!), and picked up a few Arhoolie Records releases. Check out the Big Mama Thornton track featuring the Muddy Waters Blues Band live in San Francisco in 1966. There’s also the ridiculous piano playing of Dave Alexander. This guy is off the charts, good. Other than the Blues, there’s 90s indie, 20’s Psych, funk, punk, junk, hiphop, folk, and more more more!
Take a listen and share with your music-loving friends.
Enjoy.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Related To What: The Last Poets Everything Gonna Be Alright: Big Mama Thornton
The Rattler: Dave Alexander Television Man: Man Or Astroman The Drama You’ve Been Craving: Sleeter-Kinney
Brother, Sister: Kevin Morby Breathless: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds The Playground Twist: Siouxsie and the Banshees Rhinestone Cowboy: MF Doom and Madlib
Cultivated Grass: John Dwyer and Crew (Gong Splat) Ät Det Som Växer: Dungen
Green Rocky Road: Tim Buckley The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat): The Doors
You’ve Got To Change: Brownout Harm Joy: C.I.A.
The Universe: Le Butcherettes Death’s Not Your Friend: Wooden Shjips Electric Fence: Califone
Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall: Bobby Weir and the Wolf Brothers
Download The Risk HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
I swear I am not phoning it in, but there are weeks that I think I could have done better by you. I think I did pretty well tonight. I’m mixing it up, I’m surprising even myself! And I love the comments some of you are throwing my way.
Yes, where else are you going to hear Jefferson Starship, Black Sabbath and Ice-T all in the same show? Where indeed? Certainly not in local commercial radio stations.
Full disclosure: from time to time I have been known to button push on the car stereo. I may even stop on commercial rock station, formerly known as KSAN, which now goes by the unfortunate moniker “The Bone”. So sad. Recently I was noticing that of the ten songs I heard (I was driving for a while, OK?) not one of them was newer than 1978. 1978! What are they thinking? Who needs this? And then there’s Dave-FM “Totally Random Radio”. Yes. Random. From AOR all the way to MOR.
wow
I promise never to insult your ears. I also want you to take more risks with your music listening. Start by enjoying more Radio Valencia. Then stretch out to KFJC, KALX and WFMU. There are so many brilliant non-commercial music stations across the dial (terrestrial and otherwise).
Get listening.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Download My Wild Love HERE! Listen into all my shows here!
I brought so much fabulous vinyl into the studio tonight, just to find the turntables were out of service. Ugh. No bueno. luckily I also brought a handful of CDs and a packed hard drive. Not to worry, I’m always prepared.
I’m reminded of my earliest days in radio, starting at KFJC in late 1988. I was trained by the magnificent and wacky Hell ‘n’ Hairspray. She alerted me to the need to always be prepared. Have a few CDs cued up, just in case what you want to play doesn’t. Good advice.
On Monday night I still found a way to share lots of new music, including Iggy Pop, Death Valley Girls, Psi-Psonics, and Brigid Dawson. I also pay tribute to the Funk Goddess, Betty Davis, who passed away last week at the tender age of 77. Did you know she wrote a new tune back in 2019? This was news to me. Listen to it in the second hour.
I was also excited to find some music I haven’t listened to in quite a while, as I was hunting through my CD collection for a few items. You’ll really get a kick out of “Tommy In Seven Seconds” by the Vital Records gang. Thanks to Jim Fourniadis who ran the label and was also guitarist/singer for the New Jersey punk outfit Rats of Unusual Size. What a mench!
There’s something here for everybody. You really do need Radio Valencia in your life. Turn off that commercial radio dreck. It’ll take years off your life.
Radio Valencia gives tickets away to shows at Bottom of the Hill every week. Tune into my show and many others to get a chance to go see some great music at a great venue.
We’re also hosting a live fundraiser at next door neighbor’s place, Make Out Room on Sunday, March 27th. Details coming soon. We need your funds to keep up the fun.
Enjoy and please share.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I’d like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
