In our first episode, Mary Prankster joins BURP host Bronson Hoover in an intimate conversation inside the making of her latest album “Thickly Settled.” They delve into Mary’s writing process, eponymous freedom, rabid fans, and sanity in the COVID era. Mary Prankster is the epitome of Baltimore talent. She’s edgy and funky. Her lyrics ping-pong between filth and innocence in a celebration of Baltimore’s Ravens, Natty Boh, and Cal Ripkin. Mary went into semi-retirement a decade ago. But when she pops her head up, her loyal fans fill every venue. Her live show is a collaborative experience with her audience … a Cabaret with Mary as the Master of Ceremonies.Her 2019 album Thickly Settled is a genre-bending journey that flexes all of Mary’s songwriting muscles. She brought in some of the area’s top talent and covered a lot of ground.You can hear her album or watch the recently released “Live at the Ottobar” video online at www.maryprankster.com.

Mary requested any fans wanting to give back to please donate to Black Lives Matter.

Mary Prankster Interview (Episode 1)

In Episode 2, host Pete Strobl interviews Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster.

“I first became aware of Jean Paul Gaster when I watched a video of the band Clutch. Neil Fallon had contacted me about doing some vocal work and my first move was to watch him sing to see what I might have in store. About halfway through Electric Worry, I found my focus being drawn to the drum kit. “Who is THIS guy?” I asked myself. There was a whole lot of drumming going on here and all of it was interesting as hell.

In working with singers around town, I learned that “This Guy” was called Jean Paul Gaster, or J.P. and that he was sitting behind the kit on a host of very diverse recording and performance projects. It doesn’t seem to matter if it is Blues, Progressive Rock, traditional R&B, Funk—J.P. is not only at home in every genre, he makes his presence felt with authority and a feel that is unmistakably his alone

Listening to J.P. Gaster play drums is an all-you-can-eat rhythmic buffet. His signature voice keeps you getting up to fill your plate again and again. I think you’ll find that listening to J.P. talk about his influences, his goals and his musical choices will be every bit as rewarding as seeing him with Clutch as well as his many side projects. Tune in as J.P. and I explore his musical roots, how he chooses drums and what goes through his mind in the studio and on the concert stage.”

—Pete Strobl

Jean Paul Gaster Interview (Episode 2)

In Episode 3, Nan and Pete discuss their setup for recording this podcast

Bonus Episode Podcast Gear (Episode 3)

BURP Host Piper Greenbaum Interviews producer, songwriter, trombone and bass player,Darius Christian. Darius delivers creatively crafted songwriting, featuring eclectic storytelling, spoken word, soaring vocals, punchy brass instruments, synth colors, and a pulsating steady groove. His music is edgy and laid back, crunchy indie rock meets 90’s hip hop and RnB, colorings of jazz influence and harmony. As an independent artist/producer Darius’s music has been synced on Vice and has landed numerous TV placements with clients including Vice/HBO/Showtime & Cheerios. Baltimore-raised, and Brooklyn reborn, Darius earned a master’s degree from NYU in jazz studies.  His credits include extensive touring and recording work with Gwen Stefani, Macklemore, The Jonas Brothers, Leslie Odom Jr, Thomas Rhett, Trombone Shorty, Solange, Adele, Bastille, and Ricky Martin.  TV appearances include Saturday Night Live, Seth Meyers, Tonight show Steven Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, CMT Music Awards, Good Morning America, MTV VMAS, Dick Clark New Year’s Eve, NBC’s Song-land, and a number of international televised events.

Darius Christian Interview (Episode 4)

In Episode 5, guitarist, educator and engineer Charles Simon was kind enough to sit down with BURP host Pete Strobl for a conversation exploring the role of music education in today’s world of accelerating technology.

Charles, a Berklee-educated guitarist deep in the local recording and performance scene, stands at the helm of Stages Music Arts, the state of the art  music education, performance and recording complex in Cockeysville, Maryland. As the facility’s General Manager, he has been instrumental in making music education and performance an important element in the area.
 
Listen in as Pete and Charles discuss how Stages is using cutting edge technology to get young musicians off on the path to success.

Learn more about Stages at https://www.stagesmusicarts.com/

Learn more about Charles and his band at https://www.facebook.com/mitchandaccomplices

Charles Simon Interview (Episode 5)

The Baltimore Underground Radio Podcast connects listeners with musicians local to Baltimore through weekly interviews.

Baltimore Underground Radio Podcast

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