The Platypus Music Hour is 100% memory-powered. Plato (no relation) believed that all true knowledge was derived from a form of memory called anamnesis, which could be accessed only intuitively, by “contemplation with the soul.” Such contemplation was thought to be cathartically purifying of all bias and desire. Later neoplatonists, like Plotinus and Porphyry, elaborated on Plato’s idea by locating the act of recollection not in the mind itself but in the world-soul.

Many years later, Marcel Proust echoed Plato in calling stark attention to the involuntary quality of memory, while at the same time persuasively demonstrating memory’s unavoidably creative nature. Every memory is a new being, and yet it is constructed effortlessly, and of an instant; simultaneously brand new and eternal. Simultaneously improbable and inevitable.

Each episode of The Platypus Music Hour begins with a song chosen by the playlist’s curator. This song is passed to the first of a rotating series of participants, who is tasked with allowing herself to remember or evoke some other song. This new song is then forwarded to another rememberer, who repeats the process. No single participant can see any further backwards or forwards than the single song he is given, or the single song she responds with.

Like the word game where you change  L-E-A-D  to  G-O-L-D  one letter at a time, The Platypus Music Hour changes one song at a time, starting from, let’s say, The Boswell Sisters, and ending with, say, The Ventures, Grace Jones, Tito Rossi, or Gorecki. Improbable yet inevitable, uncreated by any single mind, alchemized into being by an unorganized but related–and possibly fated–collection of private memory experiences.

Twitter: @platmus
Email: platypusmusic AT mail DOT com

Detroit-born singer-songwriter and musician.
“Writing songs is like a treasure hunt and well worth the journey.” 
-Anthony Retka

anthonyretka.com

Inquire who Anthony Retka is and prepare to traverse a wondrous land of talents set to a gorgeous backdrop of song. Dating back fifteen years, Retka’s place in Michigan’s entertainment scene is etched as a voice and storyteller through music. The Detroit-born singer, songwriter and producer takes his audience on a heart-opening journey into his fantastical inner world. As Retka shares, “The magic of being a songwriter is that I am able to provide an outlet for those who can’t express themselves well. It allows me to connect with the audience in a very human and personal way.“  

Retka’s name is synonymous with the lilting melodies that spill forth from his stripped down acoustic sound. As Detroit music critics have mentioned, a listener may find tribute nods to some of his standout favorites such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith and Paul Simon.  By no mistake, like Retka, these influential artists celebrate the simpler things in life. From this wellspring of inspiration, Retka has recorded four solo records, a solo EP, and singles; alongside four full-length studio albums, a live double CD, and multiple EPs and Singles with his former band, Tone & Niche.

The release of “Fields & Fortresses” in 2016 brought a direct and expressive batch of songs. The album brims with poignant and expressive solo work from start to finish. Each song is defined by Retka’s captivating vocal stylings and lullaby-like lyrics. Supported by his band, Big Parade,”Fields and Fortresses” features special guest appearances by notable Detroit-area musicians. The talents of Kate Hinote, Emily Rose, Dave Martin, and Drew Schultz talents stand up and out coupled with the core of Big Parade held down by Nate Brent on guitar, Alex Wildner on bass, Carson Morton on drums, and Kelly Tuscherer on backup vocals.  Anthony Retka’s Big Parade has been playing out around Detroit since 2014. 

2020 was been a banner year for Anthony Retka, especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  On May 1st Anthony released his latest EP.  The plan in early 2020 was to release a full album of songs, but due to limitations in the studio, brought on by the pandemic, Anthony decided to remain determined and painstakingly completed five tracks in his tiny Detroit apartment.  These tracks became his new EP, “Never Has, Always Will”.  Anthony followed-up that EP effort with a new double-single called “Embraceable You” in September that features two of Anthony’s favorite American standards.  It has been a very challenging year for us all, but Anthony remarks, “when you understand your purpose and love what you do, then nothing can stop you.” You can find Anthony’s new releases and his entire library of recorded music on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon & Bandcamp.

On April 8, 2021, Anthony released “Songs from Seminole Street - Vol 1”, a collection of songs recorded on Anthony’s iPhone from his weekly series, Songs from Seminole Street". It is available NOW on all streaming platforms!  Listen and enjoy!!

PRESS:

“For me, Retka’s music and words have evocatively backlit the broken feelings we have in our heart or in our mind when relationships or life goals don’t pan out, but rather than ever wallowing, it’s more like he’s a mechanic who finds out why the battery died and fuses a few new connections so that the engine can restart. The songs on this new EP are all about acceptance and determination. Those are two things we all need when we’re at the precipice of turning down a new road in life. The opening song, in fact, references the visual of the night sky, and how the quiet majesty of those glowing constellations gave him a moment of much needed comfort, in the midst of feeling like they might all start falling…. It was the consistency of their light that gave him solace.” -J. Milo

Followers of kgreenrod