Radio Without Borders #104:
November 7, 2007
Martin Sexton, The Unfortunate Heads, Marcia Ball, Lil Cap’n Travis, and Stars

Martin Sexton “Goin’ To the Country”

Like many of us, this Syracuse, New York native grew up on 70s radio, everything from funk to rock. That, in turn, led him to discover blues music, an influence you can hear most prominently in his work. Sexton started his own music label, Kitchen Table Records, in 2002, and he has determinedly remained independent of a lot of music industry stuff that he finds completely unnecessary. He’s just keeping it real, much to the satisfaction of his fans worldwide.

The Unfortunate Heads “Nervous, Sorry”

Songwriter and guitarist Lance Sollock leads the Austin indie folk rock outfit known as The Unfortunate Heads. This group is in constant motion, always in a state of transition, which gives them ample opportunity to go in several directions with their music. The track we’re about to hear is from their 2007 album, Come Be Light, which carries some quiet, slightly ethereal tones that Sollock says just might have come from shifting shadows or late night cemetery walks.

Marcia Ball “I Got My Red Beans Cookin’”

Get ready. This next song requires kicking off your shoes and dancing around the room. Songwriter and piano master Marcia Ball knows how to get the boogie started. The combinations of blues, Zydeco and country styles in her music, paired with her powerhouse vocals, always get crowds moving. Ball was born in Orange, Texas but was raised in Vinton Louisiana, where she was most likely influenced by many blues and New Orleans artists.

Li’l Cap’n Travis “Magic December”

This next group is definitely an Austin, Texas favorite. The music of Li’l Cap’n Travis has generous portions of country, pop and psychedelic rock combined. Terms like “alt-country” are too limited to place on a band like this one. There’s a brilliance, warmth, and intelligence to what they do that puts them outside of narrow labels and invites listeners to have fun.

Stars “Midnight Coward”

Our final performance comes from Canadian indie pop quintet Stars. They’ve evolved from a primarily electronica sound to compositions with more complex instrumentation and lyrics. This piece you’re about to hear offers softer, stylized vocals featured on their 2007 album, In Our Bedroom After the War.

— Laurie Gallardo