tŏn'ĭk an invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent or influence
Music
Veteran singer/songwriter Mark Olson talks Jayhawks, many colored kites, and killer bees.
Watch "Many Colored Kite" live.
Austin's Band of Heathens make their sophomore appearance at WUKY. Check out the interview and a live version of "Should Have Known Better."
Interview Live performance
Singer, songwriter, actor, and all around Renaissance woman Nellie McKay stopped by WUKY for an interview - and it turned into a mini-concert. Hear McKay discuss the new record, her myriad influences, and Cracker Barrel for vegetarians. Plus five live songs!
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Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton of All Songs Considered talk about the results of NPR's Best of 2010 music poll.
Karen Jones and Bev Futrell of Reel World String Band stopped by to discuss Artists for a Sustainable Future. Hear two live tracks from their appearance!
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Louisville singer/songwriter Cheyenne Marie Mize stopped by for a chat and two live songs.
Watch a live performance of Cheyenne Marie Mize's "Best."
Watch a live performance of Cheyenne Marie Mize's "Rest."
Artist and coach Kelly Richey shares some wisdom with tonic's Jonese Franklin.
Singer/songwriter David Wilcox stopped by to discuss his new record, Reverie, and play some unreleased songs. Hear the full interview with tonic's Josh James.
In a hospital room with a ruptured appendix, Michael Franti found his inspiration in the sunshine coming through his window. Hear about Franti's latest record, The Sound of Sunshine, and catch two live tracks.
Watch "The Sound of Sunshine" live.
Singer/songwriter Randall Bramblett stops by the studios for a chat about his latest record and two live songs.
JJ Grey drops by to discuss the launch of his new tour in support of Georgia Warhorse. Hear the full interview with tonic'sMike Graves.
Indigo Girls stop by for a chat about their tour, environmental activism, and life on an independent label. Also, Amy and Emily weigh in on Lady Gaga! Hear the full interview with tonic's Mike Graves.
Singer/songwriter Peter Case pays another visit to WUKY.
Part 1 Part 2
Singer/songwriter, painter, and novelist Dan Bern isn't big on boundaries. In this interview with tonic's Josh James, Bern discusses his new live album, the alias "Bernstein," and how David Hume influenced his songwriting philosophy.
Texas native James McMurtry is a musical storyteller, known for confronting tough political and social issues with his take-no-prisoners style. Hear McMurtry discuss his latest live recording and the inspiration behind some of his most enduring songs.
Over the Rhine's Karin Bergquist & Linford Detweiler paid a visit to WUKY and brought along a couple new songs! Hear the interview with tonic'sJonese Franklin.
Songwriter Rachael Sage drops by for a lively chat about her ninth record, Delancey Street, with tonic's Jonese Franklin.
Singer/songwriter Patty Larkin is marking her 25th year of recording with an album of 25 love songs, each recorded with special guests - from Shawn Colvin to Bruce Cockburn to Rosanne Cash. Now, Larkin stops by WUKY to share the love. Hear the full interview and two live songs!
Singer/songwriter Carla Gover and Diane Timmons stop by WUKY to play a few songs off their new record, Gypsy Ways.
Funkmasters Galactic prove that the disparate styles of New Orleans can coexist on one album with Ya-Ka-May. Hear their chat with tonic's Mike Graves and Joe Conkwright.
Trailerpark troubadour Antsy McClain brings his catchy homespun melodies back to WUKY. Check out the interview with tonic's Mike Graves.
"I find solace and beauty in darkness and depression."
Singer/songwriter Joshua James stops by a quick visit and two live songs. The Nebraska native was named one of Paste's "Next 25 Artists You Need to Know." Catch the full interview here!
Jonatha Brooke hangs out at WUKY with tonic's Joe Conkwright. The former member of folk-pop duo The Story and critically acclaimed solo artist talks about her love of France, surprising Woody Guthrie lyrics, and writing the theme song for Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. Hear the full interview here!
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Duo Moreland & Arbuckle use blues as a launching pad for exploring various genres of American music. Hear their interview with tonic's Mike Graves.
Singer/songwriter Ellis Paul stops by WUKY to talk about his new record, touring, and matchmaking with Woody Guthrie's ghost.
Ani DiFranco & Erin McKeown give their first interview together at WUKY with tonic'sMike Graves! Hear three live tracks including a new song by Erin McKeown.
She's been called "Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman's body with
Janis Joplin screaming to get out." Now catch Kelly
Richey'sinnovative live performance on WUKY's Curtains at 8
with guest host Joe Conkwright.
Richard Shindell stopped by during WUKY's Spring Pledge Drive. Hear two live songs - only on tonic!
Inspired by issues surrounding mountaintop removal, Kentucky natives Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore do a little mining of their own on their Subpop collaboration, Dear Companion. Hear the interview with Mike Graves and two live songs.
Folk singer/songwriter Willy Porter stopped by the WUKY studios before his recent show at Natasha's. Hear two live tracks from Rock & Roots.
"How to Rob "Hard Place" a Bank"
Lexington native & blues rocker Kelly Richey stops by to talk about her new website (kellyrichey.com), taking a break from the band, and building her home studio. Hear the interview with Stacy Yelton.
At 30, Matt Morris already has a long list of credits. The former Mickey Mouse Club cast member has recorded with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Charlie Sexton. But Matt has his own sound - on display in his latest When Everything Breaks Open. Hear the full interview with Mike Graves.
Alt-country singer/songwriter Matthew Ryan stops by for a chat and a couple live songs.
David Wilcox returns to WUKY for an in-depth chat with tonic's Joe Conkwright about his latest record, Open Hand. Check out part 2 for an exclusive never-before-recorded track!
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(c) 2009 Kopana
Hadisic beatboxer turned pop hitmaker, 30-year-old Matisyahu has already racked up an impressive and undoubtedly unique resume. Hear the Mike Graves interview and two live songs from his new record, Light.
Austin's Band of Heathens raise a ruckus at WUKY. Hear the interview with Josh James and two live songs from their latest, One Foot in the Ether.
In a world obsessed with digital effects and overproduction, SONOS relies solely on vocal talent. Hear the interview with tonic's Mike Graves and two live songs.
tonic's Mike Graves chats with Lexington native Stoll Vaughan about songwriting, life in L.A., and working with David Lynch.
tonic's Josh James talks with singer/songwriter Erin McKeown about life on the road, playing with Jill Sobule, and creating one's own myth via Wikipedia.
Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins talks with tonic's Mike Graves about going solo - and whether we'll ever see a Nickel Creek reunion.
R&B and blues man JJ Grey sits down for a chat and a couple of lives tunes with tonic's Mike Graves.
Bettye LaVette went from teenage success to obscurity and hard luck, to singing "A Change is Gonna Come" at President Obama's inauguration. Hear tonic's Joe Conkwright interview LaVette about the ups and downs of her long career.
Garrison Starr and Josh Joplin breathe new life into old folk as Among the Oak and Ash. Hear the full interview with tonic's Josh James.
Beth Burden and Lisa Raymond, better known to music fans as Mother Jane, return to WUKY to discuss life on a record label and what to expect from the new album.
Pittsburgh's Rusted Root is back after a seven-year-absence with a new record, a new tour, and a lemonade stand. Hear the full interview and two exclusive live songs only on tonic. http://www.rustedroot.com/
Originator of the popular 1970's Kentucky-based folk-rock group the Little River Band, Beau Haddock knows a thing or two about his roots. Hear Beau discuss his latest projects with tonic's Jonese Franklin. http://www.beauhaddock.com/
Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo has made a name for himself as a solo artist, thanks in no small part to his inimitable vocal sound. Hear Malo live at WUKY with Jonese Franklin.
Or click here to watch Raul perform "Lucky One" and "Welcome to My World" at WUKY's NPR group.
Reviewers love to draw attention to Kim Taylor's unique voice. Now it's our turn...
Hear Joe Conkwright's full interview with Kim Taylor only on tonic.
Harlem's own soul songstress Shemekia Copeland stopped by for a chat with Mike Graves.
The Boss digs him, ditto Stephen King, and we certainly love Alejandro Escovedo at WUKY too. Hear Mike Graves' complete interview with Alejandro.
They mingle country, blues, folk, Cajun, and zydeco. And their name came from a serendipitous mispronunciation. It's Donna the Buffalo - live on WUKY.
Taking their musical cues from Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France in the 1930s, Faux Frenchmen create their own unique mix of gypsy jazz, Euro-tinged jazz, and even cartoon music. Hear Mike Graves interview the group about their latest work.
Singer/songwriter Peter Bradley Adams talks with Mike Graves about going solo on his latest, Leavetaking.
One Man, a Cello, and the Truth
Kentucky cellist Ben Sollee isn't your garden variety string player. Before a stop on his one-man tour, Ben chatted withtonic's Josh James about inspiration, style, and the wonders of MySpace.
Linford Detweiler, half of Over the Rhine's core songwriting team, (the other half is Karin Bergquist), talks about the group's evolution, the tour, and what an Over the Rhine administration would look like.
Could they be WUKY's house band? Hear The Belleville Outfit on their latest swing through our studios.
A Musical Navigator
He's known as "the sixth Rolling Stone" and has played with the greats from Clapton to the Crowes. Now he can add WUKY to the resume. Keyboardist Chuck Leavell drops by for a chat with Mike Graves.
Touring into the Promised Land
Singer/songwriter Dar Williams stopped by WUKY to talk about her forthcoming record Promised Land. Hear the full interview with tonic'sJosh James.
Ben Sollee talks about his debut CD, and plays a couple tunes, too. Mike Graves introduces you to this remarkable artist.
Ben also stopped by NPR's All Things Considered. Hear the interviewhere.
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THE BELLEVILLE OUTFIT is making WUKY one of their hangouts. Hear the band that's become the talk of Austin chat about their summer tour and unveil new material with Josh James.
Moviegoers may be lining up for a glimpse of the Dark Knight this summer, but those hip to Lexington's local music scene know the Bluegrass has its own breed of bat-fan.
tonic'sStacy Yelton talks with the wild women of The Bats about their new record Some Settling May Occur.
tonic's Dr. Greg Davis has a rousing chat with funny man, storyteller, and singer-songwriter Andy Offutt Irwin
As hosts of Sound Opinions Greg Kott and Jim DeRogatis have interviewed the hottest bands around, but they're quick to admit it hasn't made them any cooler. Here Jim and Greg chat with tonic's Josh James about the many perks of being utterly obsessed with music.
Watch an episode of Sound Opinions TV
(click the image to the right)
Angel on a Bicycle
Singer, songwriter, and violinist Carrie Rodriguez creates a new intimate spin on alternative country and bluegrass. In the WUKY studio, Rodriguez chats with Rusty Sharp about the trials and tribulations of touring and debuts a new song.
Grammy-nominated New York native Peter Case has run the gamut from New Wave to solo acoustic work. In 2006, Case began publishing sections of a memoir entitled As Far As You Can Get Without a Passport, which eventually found its way to publication. Hear Mike Graves interview the songwriter and musicologist live on WUKY.
Casing the Joint
Merritocracy
Singer/songwriter Tift Merritt talks with Rusty Sharp about the ins and outs of playing The Tonight Show, hosting a monthly public radio show, and how a vacation in France spawned an entire album.
Leading the Blind Mike Graves interviews Jimmy Carter, a founding member of The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Outfitted for Success
The Austin Chronicle says they "possess seemingly unlimited potential and youthful chops." They're called The Belleville Outfit. Here Mike Graves mixes it up with the group live on WUKY.
Question: How many interviews has World Cafe's David Dye done in the 16 years he's hosted the show? Answer: The staff has lost count. tonic's Josh James talks with the man behind NPR's most popular modern music show.
Arduser and Cunningham and Bears!
Oh My!
Listen as Bears drummer Chris Arduser and veteran guitarist George Cunningham transform a guitar into a rhythm section, while keeping their "1.5 piece" band together. Mike Graves sits down with the talented duo for a lively chat about their respective careers.
Beauty & Rhymes
Suzanne Vega's voice may drop to a whisper sometimes, but the veteran songwriter still has much to say. Mike Graves interviews Vega about her latest, Beauty & Crime.
Watch Virtual Suzanne Vega discuss Tom's Diner on Second Life
Impossible to neatly categorize, singer/songwriter Erin McKeown's music borrows from pop, swing, folk, and electronic music. Mike Graves talks with McKeown about Sing You Sinners.
Half Light
New Orleans grown folk songwriter Mary Gauthier talks with WUKY's Mike Graves about her latest record, Between Daylight and Dark.
Jewell in the Crown
Letters from Sinners & Strangers is Eilen Jewell's first record for a major label. Recorded in only a week, the album finds a group of musicians coming into their own. Rusty Sharp talked with Jewell during a recent stop in Lexington.
Fickle Creek?
Their Farewell (For Now) Tour may have a lot of fans scratching their heads or in tears, but Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins explains to tonic's Joe Conkwright why the quasi-break up makes perfect sense.
The Stuff of Starr
Garrison Starr is so tired of playing acoustic she could kill somebody. But that didn't stop WUKY's Mike Graves from braving an interview with the modern Mississippi folk chanteuse.
"I've always pulled for the bad guys," says Chuck Prophet. On his latest record, the indie-rocker channels the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and a host of other artists - all the while maintaining his own sound. WUKY's Mike Graves talks with Prophet about the making of Soap and Water.
Antsy Acclaimed
The Airstream King, the Cinder Block Serenader, the RV Artiste - whatever you call him, Antsy McClain knows how to make a scene. Hear the Adult Rock interview with Mike Graves.
Laura Bell Bundy Drops a Name and Adds a Line to the Resume
Lexington's own Broadway darling Laura Bell Bundy has a new alt-country album on shelves, but it still isn't enough, is it?
If anyone has his finger on the pulse of cool, it's WXPN Program Director Bruce Warren. As part of the gig, Warren oversees programming for XPoNential radio, the service now offered on WUKY's HD-3.
Pull up a chair and listen... or David Wilcox might do it for you. The veteran folk songwriter talks with tonic's Greg Davis about great conversations in music, his future self, and why you should never read People magazine.
A Prayer in Sound
tonic's Greg Davis reflects on the diversity of Jewish music and culture.
Shinning the Night Away Can the Shins survive the world outside indie-dom? Josh James samples The Shins' latest Wincing the Night Away and comes back with an optimistic prognosis.
After a two year absence, Nebraska's favorite bleeding hearts, Bright Eyes, are back with what may be their best to date. Josh James reviews Cassadaga.
WUKY Live @ Natasha's WUKY and Natasha's have teamed up for a
series of concerts, with many recorded for later broadcast. Past
artists include Over the Rhine, David Wilcox, Punch Brothers, and
Michelle Shocked. Join us for some great upcoming shows Live @ Natasha's!
Check our calendar for upcoming concerts, and our schedule for airings.
the kitchen sink
SURF COOL tonic's theme was written and performed especially for the show by Melanie Johnson melaniejohnsonmusic LAL's blog is here. "artbeat is an open and collaborative effort to bring important and relevant information about the visual arts to the local Lexington consciousness. it is supported and managed by lexington art league."
LexArts has provided funding support for tonic through its Fund for the Arts
