The Eremita Exchange

Episode 30 - Ben Arnold

Ben Arnold has been a constant force in the Philadelphia music scene since the early 90's.    His standard of excellence as a singer-songwriter and a live performer has remained consistent, even as the industry has changed around him. He's established himself as a solo artist, band member, multi-instrumentalist, producer and educator. In this conversation, we talk about his newly-released album; his music career; his songwriting; his stories from life on the road and the journey that brought him to where he is today. He's lived and traveled to so many places and each of those places has left its mark on him. As a person and as a performer.  

Episode 29 - Kenn Kweder

Singer-Songwriter Kenn Kweder has been a fixture of the Philly music scene for going on six decades.  And being from Philadelphia, it's no surprise that independence is one of the guiding forces behind his career path, his songwriting, his performing and his lifestyle.  He is fiercely independent.  His experience working with The Ramones, Patti Smith and Cheap Trick shows the level of his talent, but the fact that he has played in the neighborhood of 1,500 gigs at Smokey Joes, a University of Pennsylvania bar, for thirty years straight truly defines the dedication he holds to what he does as a performer. And what he delivers. Join us on this fascinating musical and life journey of "The Bard of Southstreet," one of Philly's icons, but more importantly, an iconoclast who created his own set of rules. Simplicity in life, complexity in career.  That's Kenn Kweder.

Episode 28 - John Byrne

John Byrne's songs invariably tell a story. Which is no surprise considering the compelling tale of the path that led the Dublin, Ireland native to become one of Philadelphia's most prominent performers. And his musical reach extends far beyond the East Coast.  Leader and frontman of The John Byrne Band, Byrne's music is a combination of Celtic and American Folk, and speaks from the heart. Tales of life, often semi-autobiographical in nature, appear both in his songs and in his recent dive into screenwriting, and in this conversation with Dan May as he shares the journey of one transplanted Dubliner become music maker, writer and teacher. 

Episode 27 - Erik Johnson

Although he is, without question, one of the finest drummers around, to call Erik Johnson simply a drummer is doing him a major disservice.  He is also a vocalist, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, teacher, composer and arranger/producer. As well as being in demand as a studio and live musician.  In short the man does it all. Current member of the band The Fractals, which is made up of Erik and two other member of former Interscope band "Huffamoose," his stories of being on the road with Huffamoose and his musical journey from a kid who was taking his first drum lessons at age six to the seasoned music professional he is today makes for a fascinating listen.   

Episode 26 - Dave Posmontier

When you start playing keyboards at age seven and by the age of twelve you're playing professional gigs, your career path has pretty much been decided.  That's Dave Posmontier in a nutshell.  Lifetime musician, jazz pianist fixture in the Philly music scene and always in demand as a studio player and a live performer, Dave Posmontier is recognized as one of Philly's finest.  And whether composing, arranging, performing or teaching, Dave brings his A game.  Jazz, Classical, Klezmer, or World Music, it's all the same to Dave. Music is music. Join us for one man's fascinating journey through a lifetime in music.

Episode 25 - Rich Waller

With over three decades in the Music/Entertainment industry as a respected producer, musician and engineer, Rich Waller knows the ins and outs of the business.  And the ups and downs.  And how it all fits together.  Having worked with artists like John Legend, Grover Washington Jr., Michael Brecker, The Roots and so many others, Rich climbed his way up the ladder by paying attention and by being curious. And his innate curiosity has always led him to finding out what the task at hand was, and how to master that task.  And when you add his positions as Product Specialist and Sales Rep for multiple sound companies into the mix, that makes him a true musical Renaissance Man.  Join Glenn Barratt and Rich on this fascinating musical journey.  

Episode 24 - Kevin Hanson

Kevin Hanson's journey has taken him across multiple musical scenes. As an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, he's been a part of the Rock scene, the Jazz scene, the R&B scene and the Hip-Hop scene, all contributing to his musical and social development. And what an education it's been along the way. As a part of the band Huffamoose, he learned the ups and downs of the music business, and that a band's upward trajectory isn't always a guarantee of success when the record company pulls the rug out from under you. And whether he's appearing at the Fillmore in San Francisco, New York's Madisons Square Garden or the White House in Washington D.C. as part of the Philadelphia Eagle's entourage, he doesn't forget where he came from and what got him to where he is today. 

Episode 23 - Sexton Sideshow - Jim & Paula Minacci

Jim and Paula Minacci are a couple of Philadelphia gems. Besides being the caretakers of Gloria Dei Old Swedes Church, the second-oldest church in the US, they are also the presenters of the Sexton Sideshow musical series and have a true sense of art and community. Jim and Paul discuss how they have brought art and community together, and they address the rewards and challenges of presenting a show like a musical tribute to the Coen Brothers film "O Brother, Where Art Thou." And how the rewards are worth all the effort.  And then some.

Episode 22 - Chuck Staab

To say Chuck Staab is a well-rounded musician would be a major understatement.  As a Princeton grad, drummer, poet, surfer, percussionist, teacher and writer, he brings a lot to the musical table.  And his life experiences are equally formidable. At 22 he was touring the world with singer-songwriter/recording artist Melody Gardot, and his travels have included 44 countries and enough stories to last a lifetime. Join Glenn Barratt as he takes a trip with one of the most fascinating musicians out there. Chuck Staab. Where he's been, but more importantly, where he's headed from here.

Episode 21 - Michael Tearson

Michael Tearson is a Hall of Fame radio broadcaster and is without question, a Philadelphia radio icon.  As a pioneer underground DJ, concert host, author, actor and recording artist, he's covered a lot of ground in his career.  He was playing FM rock music in the infancy of FM rock music, when DJs picked their own playlist, and he served that role for legendary Philly radio stations like WXPN, WMMR and WMGK, both as an on-air talent and music director.  He's gone from being a fledgling folk singer to an historic radio DJ and now an unexpected return to folk singer.  Come with us on that remarkable journey.