The Upful LIFE Podcast upful LIFE

Agent 23 aka Cactus aka Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, welcome to The Upful Life Podcast! A founding member of pioneering Asheville-based live hip-hop collective Granola Funk Express (GFE). A progenitor of "family hip-hop" with his Secret Agent 23 Skidoo project, which took home a Grammy in 2019 for Best Children's Album. Cactus is a published author of several books, and a prolific educator around the country for kids of all ages and backgrounds.
 
0:00 - episode 076 preview
3:30 - iamavl - thank you for the sponsor
6:30 - The Upful Update
12:40 - introducing Agent 23 aka Cactus
16:10 - interview w/ Cactus [95min]
1:51:30 - afterglow, Vibe Junkie JAM 
 
From train-hopping, to Rainbow Gathering kitchens, to rap ciphers at Phish festivals, this conversation is a colorful strut down memory lane for any GFE fan. And my man makes sure to spread the love around the krewe. Similarly, Cactus takes us through the birth of his daughter Saki, her transformation into MC Fireworks, and the heights their inspiring hip-hop connection took this beautiful family. These days, 23 and his 'Secret Agency' collaborate with students and symphonies, to wed classical music, global indigenous instruments, and storytelling to the elements of hip-hop. Cactus has also evolved into a successful educator, bringing hip-hop into the classroom as a multi-faceted teaching device.
 
bio
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is an internationally touring, purple velvet tuxedo wearing family funk phenemenon. Combining the positive, primal power of hip hop with the surreal storytelling of science fiction, 23 Skidoo has concocted a potent potion that wows family crowds across the planet. After a decade of touring nationally as a rapper and producer in Granola Funk Express, he released his first kids' hip-hop album in 2008.
 
The ingredients of his magic spells include reverence for the boundless mindstates of young children, respect for the culture and DNA of hip hop, funk and soul music, and a deep belief in the power of the imagination to change the world in positive ways, both personal and universal. At the 59th Grammy Awards in 2019, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo won Best Children's Album for his record Infinity Plus One. At the 57th Grammy awards [2017], his record The Perfect Quirk was nominated in the same category. Book Weirdo Calhoun and the Odd Men Out won Silver at the 2014 Moonbeam Awards.
 

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo & Asheville Symphony - The Beat Bach Symphonies


Dennis Cook feature article on GFE - 2006
 

Vibe Junkie JAM 
"Dreamland Theatre" Agent 23 feat. Adam Strange
 
Please visit our awesome sponsor iamavl for the latest free Asheville livestreams!
 
Upful LIFE 2023: Favorite Records & More! 
Reviews, Purchase Links, Playlists
 
EMAIL the SHOW
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE

Live n' direct from their studio in Vienna, Austria, iconic electronic producer/DJ duo KRUDER and DORFMEISTER tap into the Upful LIFE.  On Episode 075, Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister pull up for a colorful, career-spanning conversation, both fellas waxing nostalgic, and piloting the wayback machine through the pair's prolific, pioneering journey in sound. Our chat starts at the 22min mark.
00:00 - episode preview
04:30 - our sponsors: iamAVL, & Love That Baby
09:00 - The Upful Update
13:00 - Introducing KRUDER & DORFMEISTER
22:00 - Conversation w/ Peter Kruder & Richard Dorfmeister [83min]
1:45:45 - Afterglow & Vibe Junkie JAMZ
Listening to these two fine gentleman humourously reflect on their embryonic origin story and enduring connection was nothing short of a pinch-me, bucket-list, feather-in-the-Kangol experience for your humble narrator, as K&D music remains among the most sacred in my lifetime playlist. Pod topics include:
the serendipitous rendezvous that first brought them together.
exploring their idiosyncratic creativity & DIY modus operandi.
Atari to Ableton: sampling obsession & tech/gear evolution.
the lost mystique of vinyl crate-digging.
their early days of globe-trotting.
developing a trademark sound/aesthetic.
crafting genre-defining records & timeless remixes: G-Stoned, DJ Kicks, K&D Sessions, 1995
reinventing themselves onstage w/ a sensational comeback 3 decades deep.
K&D's virgin sojourn to Burning Man aka the Black Rock Mudpacolypse 2023.
Kruder & Dorfmeister Bio
During the 1990s, Vienna, Austria-based producer/DJs Kruder & Dorfmeister helped invent the electronic music genre known as downtempo/trip-hop. Their presence has loomed large over the scene ever since, despite a relatively small discography as a duo.  With 1993 EP G-Stoned- the first release on their similarly titled record label - the pair established a laconic, smoked-out, organic sound & aesthetic rich in live instrumentation. K&D are well-known to incorporate acid jazz, dub, house, atmospheric drum & bass, hip-hop, bossa nova, funk, soul and beyond into their trademark, succulent sonic gumbo. 
 
The duo built up a lengthy résumé of remixes for a diverse smattering of artists, including Roni Size, David Holmes, Depeche Mode, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Several of these were aggregated on the landmark double-album The K&D Sessions (1998), which was lavished with much critical acclaim upon release and its reputation continues to age like a fine wine. Over the years, the two producers remained active with solo work and adjacent projects (most notably Tosca, Dorfmeister's duo with Rupert Huber, and Peter with Peace Orchestra). 1995, a fantastic full-length studio album of original material that had been mysteriously shelved for a quarter century, was unearthed and released in 2020.Kruder & Dorfmeister are currently celebrating their 30th anniversary with an expansive world tour that unveils an authentic, emotional, kaleidoscopic audio/visual concert experience.
Eternal thanks to Peter & Richard for the time, music, & energy. -bg
 
B.Getz's feature: K&D return to US, 1st Burning Man, SF show- Sept.23
K&D 30th anniversary show - Belgium, Nov.23 
K&D at Burning Man - DISTRIKT sunrise, Sept.23 
 
 
Vibe Junkie JAMZ
"Speechless" - Count Basic [K&D drum & bass remix]
"Useless" - Depeche Mode [K&D remix]
"Everybody Loves the Sunshine" [Roy Ayers remixed by NETSKY]
 
 
Please visit our awesome sponsor iamavl for the latest free Asheville livestreams!
Check out the dope apparel at our friends LOVE THAT BABY
 
Upful LIFE 2023: Favorite Records & More! 
Reviews, Purchase Links, Playlists
 
EMAIL the SHOW
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE

Welcome ROGERS STEVENS, guitarist/co-founder of Blind Melon - as well as Towne & Stevens - to Episode 074! A dream come true for your host, an unabashed lifelong Blind Melon fanatic. Rogers joins the pod from his cozy home studio just outside Philadelphia for a 90-min conversation about his career - past, present, and future.
A peek inside Rogers' process making records with Nathan Towne, and Stevens finally finding his singing voice later in life. Working with Rene Lopez again, long after Extra Virgin and The Tender Trio. Growing up a rocker in rural Mississippi. Embarking on the storied sojourn from the Deep South to the Sunset Strip, arriving at the peak of glam-rock hair-band decadence. Rogers pulls up in a Cadillac, sittin’ in the back, opens the passenger door and invites us on a wacky, wild, reflective ride through the galaxies of yesteryear in the Blind Melon wayback machine. 
Buckle up fam, this ep is my love letter to anyone who ever treasured this beautiful band, and those of us who still grieve deep for the dearly-departed Shannon Hoon.
3:15 - a word from our sponsor IAMAVL
6:15 - shoutout COLD BLOODED DESIGNS
7:30 - The Upful Update
10:15 - Introducing ROGERS STEVENS + B.Getz’s BLIND MELON rabbithole
31:20 - conversation w/ Rogers [97 min]
2:08:30 - Afterglow & Reflections, + Vibe Junkie JAM
 
Background:
In 1990, 23-year-old Shannon Hoon first met Rogers Stevens in Los Angeles after taking a bus from Lafayette, Indiana to SoCal. A year or so earlier, Stevens and bassist Brad Smith had relocated to L.A. from West Point, Mississippi, where they graduated high school and worked on the kill floor of a local slaughterhouse. Stevens connected with Shannon through a mutual friend in Hollywood; Hoon - hometown homies with W. Axl Rose and already making waves on the West Coast - swiftly reeled off a couple of tunes for Rogers. Immediately taken with Hoon’s voice and mesmerized by his presence, they decided - on the spot - to form a band together.
Blind Melon consisted of Stevens, Hoon, Smith, drummer Glen Graham, and guitarist Christopher Thorn.  A promising, multi-hued, idiosyncratic brotherhood that was sadly short-lived. Dreamy single “No Rain” blasted the band into superstardom pretty quickly, and their self-titled debut went triple platinum in the tailwind of the huge hit. In less than five years, the quintet released a strong pair of studio albums, while touring at a furious clip. They appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, SNL, MTV, Canada's MuchMusic, and threw down a legendary set at Woodstock '94. Headlined clubs and theaters, opened stadiums for The Rolling Stones, supported Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Neil Young, and numerous others. 
After the monster success of their debut CD, Blind Melon set about refining/redefining their unicorn sound, as evidenced on sensational sophomore record Soup. Critically-panned and a commercial disappointment at the time, over the course of nearly three decades Soup has proven a celebrated fan favorite. A gumbo of compositions and performances that transcend era and genre, Soup is a magnificent work of high art in the Crescent City voodoo tradition. When Hoon died suddenly from a drug overdose, on tour in New Orleans in October 1995, the band was evolving rather organically, though still finding their stride. A posthumous collection of B-sides and outtakes, the gripping Nico  (named for Shannon's daughter Nico Blue Hoon - only a few months old when he tragically transitioned) was released in 1996, an emotional nod towards what could’ve - and should’ve - been. 
These days, Rogers Stevens is an attorney who lives in the Philly suburbs with his family. He’s currently workshopping songs with Nathan for the next Towne & Stevens record. I offer the deepest of bows & eternal thanks to Rogers Stevens for his time, energy, the music and memories. Rest easy, Shannon Hoon & Long Live Blind Melon!
 
Vibe Junkie JAM 
Blind Melon - "Time" (

Episode 073 proudly welcomes a pair of prolific special guests: the magnificent multi-instrumentalist, multimedia enchantress, self-confessed storyteller, bard, and muse: Ms. MARYA STARK sits down for a colorful, career-spanning conversation. Chased by a second, equally-illuminating chat with WREN LIZABETH, an herbalist, permaculturist, and educator, the founder of alternative holistic health/self-care collective The NOHM Co., & elixir line The MerTails.
1:30 - a word from our sponsor iamavl
4:15 - shoutout Cold Blooded Designs
6:00 - The Upful Update
10:00 - introducing MARYA STARK
13:15 - interview w/ Marya Stark [46 min]
59:15 - introducing WREN LIZABETH 
1:03:15 - conversation w/ Wren Lizabeth [49 min]
1:48:30 - afterglow, Vibe Junkie JAM
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Marya Stark found her voice in the high desert, and marks a memory as a very young child singing herself into an ecstatic state as the embarkation point for a lifelong dalliance with sound art and music therapy. A decade-long run of critically-acclaimed records would patiently and intentionally unfurl; a career cannon punctuated by emotionally-charged, introspective songcraft, frozen time capsules illuminating her own lived experiences. Nascent explorations in soul retrieval and energetic psychology through expressive arts and ritual performance.
In September 2023, Marya Stark released her fifth solo LP, Weightless; an exquisite collection of songs soft and vulnerable, human and dreamy. She's also 1/5 of the acapella supergroup Starling Arrow with Tina Malia, Ayla Nereo, Leah & Chloe of Rising Appalachia. When not composing music or performing onstage, Marya Stark mentors artists and women. She teaches courses in The Art of Voice, Cultivation of the Muse, and songcraft. Stark is the founder of the Temple Of The Muse, leading inner alchemy through immersive expressive arts containers and womb wisdom. Marya Stark currently lives in Grass Valley, California.
stay up on all things Marya Stark music HERE
find out more about TEMPLE OF THE MUSE
Ep.073 also includes a deep dive with a dear friend, the renowned herbalist/entrepreneur Wren Lizabeth (fka Jill TrAshley), founder/owner of The NOHM Co., as well as The MerTails (elixirs as mixers), Village Witches Elixir Bar, plus much more. Based in Asheville, NC, Wren Lizabeth is a familiar fixture at music festivals all over the country and internationally. Often tending bar with The NOHM or Village Witches, as well as curating nourishing meal plans for retreats & parties, or sourcing/making herbal medicine for The MerTails elixir line. Art is her first love, as such the plate and the cup are her canvas. Wren believes our food is our medicine.
Wren is passionate and motivated to educate about decentralizing and divesting our dependence on modern day supply and demand cycles and trends. Her work is often focused on rooting them back into local bioregions with her own hands, and creating/nurturing collaborators in such spaces. Wherever Wren goes (including our hangs and this podcast) she sparks profound conversations about conscious consumption, with a goal to expose the accessibilities we have to better facilitate living in sync with our natural surroundings, one bite or sip at a time.
Follow Wren Lizabeth on IG @herban_urbalist
Keep up w/ all things The NOHM Co. & The MerTails
 
Vibe Junkie JAM
"God Morning" - Ra-Be 333 feat. Marya Stark
Please visit our awesome sponsor iamavl for the latest free Asheville livestreams!
 
EMAIL the SHOW
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE

Welcome Alex Wasily to Ep.072 of *The Upful LIFE Podcast*! #VeryGood trombonist with NOLA institution Dumpstaphunk since 2016; musical director of Francis Comes Alive, Neal Francis new 11-piece big band experience and concert film. Teacher and student, the crew cheerleader and a masterclass mentor, plus expert mixologist and host with the most. Alex was kind enough to bring his huge personality, beautiful journey, and insightful perspectives to the show for a lengthy conversation.
2:30 - A word from our sponsor iamavl
5:30 - The Upful Update
11:00 - introducing ALEX WASILY 
13:15 - INTERVIEW w/ Alex [103 min]
1:56:00 - afterglow, Vibe Junkie JAM



With a passion for life, art, the hang, and the pursuit of unity through music, alex wasily has made a standout approach to music that can be attributed to his unique unyielding optimism and positive outlook on what most would consider a wild way to live. He goes by many names. a-waz. waz. my dawg. ya boy. the forever hang. Egyptian born, American raised, all soul, and all hang. alex was born in alexandria, egypt and raised in savannah, georgia. performing music is alex's way of taking you out of what may have been a depressing day and into what might be the wildest night of your life.






Alex regularly performs and tours the world with Dumpstaphunk and is Neal Francis’ music director when the 11-piece goes on the road. he also throws the funkiest party in Los Angeles every monday at Gold-Diggers at his series simply called Very Good Mondays™.
Vibe Junkie JAM
"Hard to Face the Music" - Idris Muhummad [1976] 
 



Check out Alex Wasily's Very Good Cocktails HERE
Alex Wasily trombone masterclass
 
Please visit our awesome sponsor iamavl
for the latest Asheville livestreams
 
 
EMAIL the SHOW
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE

A very special guest many moons in the making, please welcome dear friend and fearless leader PAUL LEVINE of Hulaween, Purple Hat Productions, co-founder of Bear Creek and Purple Hatters Ball, Suwannee Resonate, and all-around ambassador of Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. Paul is a major force of nature in our little sliver of the musical universe, responsible for so many epic endeavors over the years. On the occasion of the 10th Hulaween, Paul the Wolf finally slides through the pod to discuss the joys, journey, success, teammates, peaks, valleys, tragedy, community, and the Spirit of Suwannee dream. After our conversation, BG runs thru the Hula 2023 schedule and gives you a handful of can't miss picks.Episode 071 begins with your host’s lengthy, personal eulogy/tribute to the late, great James Casey, who passed away August 28th at the age of 40 from colorectal cancer.
3:30 - a word from our sponsor iamavl
6:30 - The Upful Update
11:15 - Remembering JAMES CASEY
28:15 - introducing Paul Levine & a love letter to Spirit of Suwannee
39:45 - interview w/ PAUL LEVINE (73 mins)
1:52:45 - B.Getz’s Hulaween 2023 Picks
2:17:45 - Vibe Junkie JAM
Please check out our sponsor IAMAVL
 
James Casey was a longtime saxophonist/vocalist with Trey Anastasio Band, he logged time with Lettuce before that, founded hybrid electronic squad Animus Rexx, performed in various ensembles with The Nth Power, and sat in with countless bands and artists across genre and geography. A certified musical genius, he was a personal friend to me and so many others in the jam diaspora. Offstage, James Casey was somebody I admired for the way he moved through life: determined, ambitious, graceful, loving. From when we met in 2011 til our last interaction, he was always very kind to me. I wanted to say a few words about the man while the wound is still fresh. Rest easy, James Casey.
Paul Levine interview: After recognizing the ingenuity, resiliency, and longevity of HULA, naturally Paul and BG hop in the wayback machine for treasured memories of Bear Creek, the long-defunct, bitter-cold, beloved funk olympics hosted in those same spiritualized woods on the banks of the Suwannee River. From there, we love on Lettuce for a good long while, as Levine was instrumental in the band's SE regional come-up, Bear Creek was LETT HQ for seven glorious years, and he remains a major ally and asset to the squad. Paul offers poignant recollections of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, revisits Purple Hatters Ball, talks Mama Margie, plus music and community as medicine in the wake of tragedy and grief.  
Thank you Paul, for EVERYTHING.
Vibe Junkie JAM
Scott T - 'Get Back (to the River)'
 
Scott T workshop on the history
of the Spirit of Suwannee (Hula 21)
 
James Casey - Music As Medicine (mini-doc)
 
Hurricane Idalia Fundraiser for Sonny Perez at SOSMP
 
ECHT! Live mini-set 2023
 
EMAIL the SHOW
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE