loose_opinions, Author at Back to the Light

New episode: The Two Way Radio Episode with Andrew McColgan and Kate Crowder (Two Way Radio, The Downsprouts)

December 8, 2020

Host J.D. Reager celebrates the release of his old band Two Way Radio‘s long lost album Succinct Extinction by playing three of its key tracks, and by talking to fellow band members Andrew McColgan and Kate Crowder. They discuss circumstances that lead to Succinct Extinction’s creation and ultimate demise, participating in the MTV series $5 Cover, winning the Memphis Pops

New episode: Brick Walls and Train Tracks with Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady, Bash & Pop, Sons of Mudboy)

December 1, 2020

Host J.D. Reager kicks off the show by debuting two unreleased songs: one of his own featuring this week’s guest Steve Selvidge on lead guitar, and one of of Steve’s. Then the two have a long conversation about how Steve’s late father Sid influenced his path to becoming a musician, continuing his father’s work in Sons of Mudboy, forming and

New episode: Drifting Away with Charlotte Tolley (Nourish Knoxville) and Michael Graber (Graber Gryass)

November 24, 2020

Host J.D. Reager talks to his longtime friend and the founder of Knoxville’s Market Square Farmers Market, Charlotte Tolley, about their days together in school, her work with the non-profit group Nourish Knoxville and her budding professional relationship with former WWE champion Kane. Then Memphis musician Michael Graber joins the show to share some new music by his band Graber

New episode: Just Wait with Matthew Caws (Nada Surf)

November 17, 2020

Host J.D. Reager is joined by one of his all-time favorite songwriters, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf. They talk about the election results and how Matthew found inspiration in America’s deep political divide, meeting and recording with Ric Ocasek, the band’s relationship to their breakthrough hit “Popular,” how the album Let Go brought them back after a career setback and

New episode: Banking on Disaster with Alex Greene (Reigning Sound, Rolling Head Orchestra, Memphis Flyer)

November 9, 2020

Host J.D. Reager talks to Memphis musician and journalist Alex Greene about the results of the presidential election, the writing job they both wanted but Alex ultimately got, working on the new Reigning Sound album, touring with Tav Falco‘s Panther Burns and the evolution of his solo project, Alex Greene & the Rolling Head Orchestra. Then J.D. plays a song

New singles: J.D. Reager & Two Way Radio

November 6, 2020

Just in time for this November’s “Bandcamp Friday,” we present two hot new (actually, old – but previously unreleased!) singles from Back to the Light Records. The first is “Toy Boat” by Two Way Radio. This song dates back to when the band was still called Walkie Talkie, roughly 15 years ago. It was recently re-mixed and mastered for your

New podcast and new merch!

October 30, 2020

As October comes to a close and we all brace ourselves for next week, Team BTTL is proud to announce the addition of a new music podcast, The Kudzu Conservationist League hosted by Joshua Travis! Joshua’s new podcast is an adaptation of his very fine weekly radio show of the same name, which can be heard Fridays on KUHS radio

New episode: Election Anxiety SuperShow with Aaron Sayers and Katrina Coleman

October 27, 2020

Host J.D. Reager talks to returning guest Dr. Aaron Sayers, PhD Psychologist and practicing therapist, about techniques for dealing with the stress, anxiety and fear associated with the coming election and the ongoing pandemic and social unrest. Then comedian Katrina Coleman (You Look Like, Memphis Comedy Festival) joins the show to talk about her election-related anxieties, why she’s voting for

New episode: Glory Line with William Luke White (Snowglobe, The Coach and Four, Spiral Stairs)

October 22, 2020

Host J.D. Reager plays the new single, “Glory Line,” off of Memphis musician William Luke White‘s new self-titled solo EP before talking to his old friend about the new record, collaborating with the late Clay Otis, his ongoing battle with cancer, touring with Pavement’s Spiral Stairs, the value of seeing a therapist and more. Then William Luke White performs the

New episode: Developing the Voice with Jared “Jay B” Boyd (WYXR, Daily Memphian, Beale St. Caravan) and Ben Crowell (Sheet Ghosts, Glassworks Coffee)

October 20, 2020

Host J.D. Reager talks to Jared “Jay B” Boyd about his high-profile gigs at WYXR 91.7 FM, the Daily Memphian and Beale St. Caravan, and the career journey that eventually brought him back to Memphis. Then Chicago musician Ben Crowell joins the show to talk about his new project Sheet Ghosts and his small-batch coffee roasting operation, Glassworks Coffee. Also

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