Category Archives: Artist Interviews

Interviews with KC Cafe Radio Performing Artists

Diane Hubka & the Sun Canyon Band – Anthropologists of Song

The Los Angeles based band Diane Hubka & the Sun Canyon Band are more than the label of a folk and roots band. Their sound is a unique blend of their Appalachian roots and jazz influences wrapped up in a bit of Texas Swing, Delta Blues and Country Rock. Diane is a finder of songs. She has a knack of knowing what songs work best, presented in a variety of genres. The way her and the band reinterpret songs is a stroke of musical genius, not to mention, their lyrical and harmonious original tunes.

Recently KC Café Radio music director, Kathy Forste had the chance to chat with Diane and guitarist Rick Mayock (and Nora). They give insight to the making of their debut album You Never Can Tell, and share a few songs. They also talk about how they find and write the songs that have become popular tunes on the KC Café Radio Charts. Diane shares how she went from being a jazz singer to playing and singing with The Sun Canyon Band, and they both reminisce how they got into music and who their musical influences are. We learn how Chad Watson was an integral part to them working with one of their musical heroes, Albert Lee and what other contributions both Chad and Albert made on their debut album.

Watch the interview here

Larry Robbins: A Poet Musician

Larry Robbins has been making music for most of his life. He started his career in nightclubs playing cover tunes on his guitar. He then moved to the corporate world where he discovered an ability to write songs for products he was marketing at corporate events. This broadened his songwriting skills into composing songs that were more personal, thoughtful and inspiring.

Indeed, when you listen to a Larry Robbins song you will feel inspired and informed, and have your spirits lifted. His songs and style are undefinable, running the musical gamut from pop, rock, reggae, and country, to any genre you can imagine. More than anything else however, his songs are thoughtful. You can’t hear a Larry Robbins song without it touching your heart and fortifying your soul.

Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste visited with Robbins via Zoom. They discussed how he got into songwriting, what inspires his songwriting, and his greeting card line. Larry also shares some insight into his upcoming album collaboration with Kerry Patrick Clark (another musician very familiar with listeners of KC Cafe Radio), and plays for us two songs that have quickly become KC Café Radio favorites.

Watch the interview here:

Steve Wood’s Junk Drawer is a Treasure Trove of Songs

Steve Wood is an award-winning composer, musician, singer, songwriter and an amazingly talented nice guy. He has been writing and performing since his teens and worked with legends like Paul McCartney and Sting. His latest album, Junk Drawer, is a collection of Steve’s favorite songs. Included are collaborations with his favorite collaborator, his wife, Beth Fitchet Wood.

Recently KC Café Radio Music Director, Kathy Forste had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time chatting with Steve via Zoom. They discussed how he got started playing music in the 1960’s, how this led to his composing music for over 25 IMAX films, which then led to working with Kenny Loggins and the Pointer Sisters. Kathy and Steve also discussed the meaning behind some of the songs on Junk Drawer and why they are so important to him as a songwriter.

Watch the interview here:

David G. Smith, an artist who cares

David G Smith is a dedicated artist in every sense of the word. He splits his time between his home in Iowa with recording in Nashville and touring around North America. He is not only a great singer/songwriter but an outstanding guitarist utilizing his powerful slide guitar technique, his mighty finger picking, as well as his lead and rhythm guitar styles. His 2019 album Who Cares has been a constant on the charts with songs that range form raucous to sublime.

Recently KC Café Radio Music Director Kathy Forste had the pleasure of chatting with David from a secret location in Mexico. He shared a special preview of a song from his album Witness Trees which will be released in early June. He also performs one of his most successful songs from his last album Who Cares, the beautiful and touching, Mi Familia. They discussed the differences and challenges between recording his last two albums, as well as his touring plans for the coming year.

Watch the interview here

Nick Justice: From Solo to SideMen

The Sidemen

Nick Justice is one half of the talented duo known as The SideMen. Singer/songwriters and musicians Nick Justice and Fetter Martin Homer joined forces last year to create this dynamic duet of Americana singers and songs. Their sound incorporates current and traditional folk, and blend them into a mix of soulful ballads, folkabilly rockers and shanties.

Recently KC Café Radio’s Music Director Kathy Forste chatted with Nick Justice at his home in California via Zoom about The SideMen and his other music projects. Nick gives insight on how he and Fetter came up with the name The SideMen. He shares what it was like to work with the Punch Brothers and how they came to work on the project. He also explains how they decided on what songs to inclue on the album and their shared collaboration on the SideMen’s arrangements. Nick plays a couple of tunes live and shares the stories behind the songs and his writing process. He also reveals his plans for the coming year.

Watch the interview here