2023 saw the KAXE music team expand their musician interviews and features to highlight the wide range of music you hear on the radio station. Across New Music and Centerstage Minnesota, hosts Kari Hedlund and Malachy Koons spoke to musicians like Alan Sparhawk, Amanda Shires, Lucinda Williams, LAAMAR, Nat Myers, Dessa, and many more. Giving you a behind the scenes look at artist’s process, inspiration, and personal story.
Here is our roundup of 2023 interviews we think are worth revisiting.
Alan Sparhawk
In November of 2022, Sparhawk's wife and Low bandmate, Mimi Parker passed away from ovarian cancer. Just a few months later in March, Alan spoke to KAXE Music Director Kari Hedlund about grief and the healing power of music.
Amanda Shires
This summer, Amanda Shires released an album she made with the late Bobbie Nelson called Loving You. In September, she performed at the 2023 Grand Rapids Riverfest, both as a solo artist and with her husband Jason Isbell as a member of The 400 Unit. In between, she spoke to Kari Hedlund about the new album, being a woman in country music, her relationship with Isbell, and why they were looking forward to playing in a "small town."
LAAMAR
Speaking to Malachy Koons on Centerstage Minnesota, Geoffrey Lamar Wilson (LAAMAR) shared how he can sometimes pinpoint the moment attendees of his concerts realize what he is singing about. Behind the catchy choruses and easy on the ear melodies of his debut EP Flowers, are honest and up-front depictions of everyday hardships faced by BIPOC communities in America. That mixture caught the ear of many at KAXE, and standout single "Home To My Baby" was selected as our top song of the year.
Annie Humphrey
The Leech Lake Anishinaabe singer-songwriter's October release, The Light In My Bones, found Humphrey grappling with loss and her role as a young elder. In her New Music conversation with Kari Hedlund, she shared how her life has changed since the loss of her father, and about entering her Fourth Hill of Life.
Lucinda Williams
The iconic Americana artist had a busy 2023, releasing a new album Stories From A Rock n Roll Heart, and her first memoir Don't Tell Anybody the Stories I Told You, all while recovering from a 2020 stroke that left her unable to play guitar. Williams joined Malachy Koons on New Music to talk about recovery, the new releases, and her love for Minnesota and The Replacements.
Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo
Cult indie rock band Yo La Tengo released their 17th album This Stupid World in February, featuring singles "Aselestine" and "Fallout." In March, co-founder, vocalist, and guitarist, Ira Kaplan spoke to Kari Hedlund about the band's enjoyment of trying new things and how this has kept them going for over 40 years. You also get to hear stripped down performances of the two singles.
Kassa Overall
Many modern jazz musicians have grown up with hip-hop their whole lives, leading to increasingly blurred lines between the two worlds. Rapper and jazz drummer Kassa Overall is a great example of that, and this conversation with Kari Hedlund digs into his 2023 jazz/rap hybrid album Animals. There is also a cute yet hard hitting question from future interviewer Signe Hedlund.
Nat Myers
With his rootsy blend of folk and blues, Kentuckian Nat Myers was one of Americana's breakout acts in 2023. Kari Hedlund caught up with Myers at this year's AmericanaFest in Nashville, discussing his debut album Yellow Peril and growing up biracial in Kentucky.
Dan Wilson
Minnesota favorites Semisonic returned in 2023 with Little Bit of Sun, their first new album in 22 years. Lead singer and primary songwriter Dan Wilson joined Malachy Koons on Centerstage Minnesota to talk about the album and his childhood summers spent in Grand Rapids, MN.
Brandy Clark
In another AmericanaFest conversation, Brandy Clark shared about her relationship with Brandi Carlile, who produced Clark's 2023 self-titled release. "I think you’re working with one of the greatest singers to ever live,” Clark said, “and so she can ask things of me vocally that someone who’s not one of the greatest singers in the world can ask because she can do it.”
Dessa
Minnesota rapper and singer Dessa was a guest on New Music ahead of her Bury the Lede album, and her opening slot on the 2023 Grand Rapids Riverfest lineup. The always eloquent and thoughtful musician touched on everything from Picasso's Guernica to the cultural differences of her two homes, Minneapolis and New York City.
Heiruspecs
St. Paul group, Heiruspecs have been mainstays of the Minnesota hip-hop scene since forming while attending St. Paul Central High School. Right at the end of 2022, known for their live-band approach to hip-hop, the group released their first album in eight years, Pretty Random But What Happened to the Heiruspecs? In this Centerstage Minnesota conversation, MC Felix and bassist Sean McPherson shared how they have continued to give back to their community through an arts scholarship.
Ross Thorn
This Duluth-based singer-songwriter stopped by the KAXE studios for a live session and interview in July. Hear stripped down performances of "Gravedigger's Son", "Gimme A Coin" and "Lion's Den", all from his debut album Hugo.
Bettye LaVette
Over 60 years into her career, legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette shows no signs of slowing down. In June, she released a collection of songs written by Randall Bramblett called LaVette! that was selected as KAXE's Album of the Week. She spoke to Kari Hedlund about her connection to Bramblett's songs, and the highs and lows of her lengthy career.
HALEY
Inspired by a Beatrix Potter novel, HALEY titled her new album Hunca Munca. In a Centerstage Minnesota interview with Malachy Koons prior to the album release, she shared why Potter's children's novels are still relevant, and why they continue to resonate with her.
David Wax Museum
In a conversation that is sure that give you all the feels, David Wax and Suz Slezak spoke to Kari Hedlund about their latest album You Must Change Your Life. During their talk the conversation naturally moved to an unexpected topic - life after the band - bringing Slezak to tears. Watch the included video interview for the full effect.
Mason Jennings
Western, born in 2022, is not Mason Jennings first child. But he is the first that came hand in hand with a creative burst. The time spent with his newborn, led to Jennings 2023 album Underneath the Roses, and the singer-songwriter talked on Centerstage Minnesota about the unlikely source of inspiration.
Nur-D
Nur-D is a musician whose humor and positivity shines through on all of his songs. On his 2023 album, Crush, he took that to a whole new level. In this interview he explains where that comes from, and how his music helps him to overcome negative thoughts about one's self.
Keep your eyes peeled for more in-depth and honest conversations in 2024. Stay up to date on new interviews by following KAXE on Facebook and Instagram.
