Info

Cigar City Radio

Cigar City Radio is a music interview podcast based in Tampa, FL. Hosted by Entertainment Lawyer Randy Ojeda and Jason Solanes, the podcast features interviews with musicians, artists, and other creative individuals. It covers a wide range of topics including the music scene, pop culture, and discussions with notable guests. Cigar City Radio provides insights into the vibrant arts and music community of Tampa Bay.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Cigar City Radio
2024
March
February
January


2019
October
September
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: 2017
Dec 13, 2017

On our most bloody episode ever, we talk to Jizmak Da Gusha and Sawborg Destructo from the legendary metal band, GWAR. They tell us about where GWAR came from, their new album The Blood of Gods, their graphic novel Orgasmageddon, fake news, and Gwar of Thrones. We also ask them about Kanye West, Donald Trump, Pee Wee Herman, Taylor Swift, and more. For obvious reasons, this is a VERY explicit episode. You’ve been warned.

Dec 6, 2017

Live from Et Cultura Film Festival, Michelle Soto chats with Director Ellen Goldfarb and DJ Bird about the film Dare to Be Different - a look back at WLIR 92.7, the Long Island-based radio station on the cutting edge of music throughout the 1980s. They talk about what WLIR meant, the growth of punk and new wave, Denis McNamara, and the reactions to the film. DJ Bird also tells us about his friendship with Joey Ramone, “The Next Wave”, and playing music from The Cure, The Cult, Depeche Mode, and more on WXXP in Pittsburgh.

Nov 29, 2017

Live from Et Cultura St. Pete, Michelle & Chris chat with Simon Scott and Christian Savill from the UK’s Slowdive. They talk about reuniting after 20 years, releasing their self-titled album this year, being surprised by the response from fans and music press, and younger fans discovering the band for the first time. They also talk about not wanting to be a “heritage band”, their songwriting process, and what to expect from the next Slowdive album.

Nov 16, 2017

We talk to Lea Umberger from Et Cultura about the 5 day St. Petersburg Festival’s interactive, art, and film programming, and we gush about this year’s music lineup which includes artists like Slowdive, Talib Kweli, and Waxahatchee, alongside local acts like Infinite Third, Diealps, and Ari Chi. Lea also tells us the challenges of putting on a music festival, the inspiration for Et Cultura, and where the festival is heading in the future.

Nov 9, 2017

We talk to Tampa electronic producer, Hotwax, about his new album Communicator, searching “Hotwax” on tumblr, “organized, quantized sounds”, the Chillwave genre, genre classifications, David Dean Burkhart, III Points Festival, and more.

This Week’s Fadeout: “Between the Rivers” by Hotwax

Nov 1, 2017

Guest Host Ray Roa (Creative Loafing) chats with James Alex from Beach Slang and his tour manager, Charlie Lowe, ahead of their performance at Pre-Fest in Little Ybor. They discuss the infamous Chicago Liquor, Malört, meeting at The Fest, Pabst-covered glasses, “Dad Mode”, Quiet Slang, and more. Also, James talks about getting Paul Westerberg’s guitar from Tommy Stinson and he makes a plea to work with Kurt Vile.

Oct 26, 2017

We talk to audio engineer George Harris about growing up, saving up for his first guitar, and learning to appreciate music. He tells us about meeting John Lamb, going on the road, falling in love with the studio, working at Record Plant in New York City, and so much more. We also talk about George recording our high school band and his studio Creative World Recording in Largo, FL. Finally, he gives us the inside scoop on the self-titled album from SoupBone.

This Week’s Fadeout: “Take Your Drunk Ass Home” by Soupbone

“There’s nothing better than not knowing what you can’t do.”

Oct 19, 2017

We talk to Joel Grind from Toxic Holocaust about touring, the music scene in Portland, his album Chemistry of Consciousness, recording solo in his home, the evolving “metal-punk” sound, the Toxic Holocaust logo, where he got the name “Joel Grind”, and what’s next for the band. For this interview, we’re joined by Connor Head from the band Blood Bath & Beyond.

Oct 12, 2017

We talk to Nalani Rothrock and Josh Lamkin from Tampa band, Mama’s Batch, about their new EP ’Til the Sunrise, their sold out release show at Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Murray Theatre and opening for The Greg Billings Band. We also talk about Josh’s guitar influences, Nalani’s Hawaiian family, George Harris, their upcoming performance at Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and more. Also, we do all this while eating Mel’s Hot Dogs.

This Week’s Fadeout: “Wasted Time” by Mama’s Batch

Oct 4, 2017

We talk to TWO-TIME guest, Ben Falgoust from Goatwhore, about our first interview with him (Episode 11), their new album Vengeful Ascension, touring with Venom Inc., Game of Thrones, Red Dead Redemption and Ben’s love for Westerns, contemporary metal bands, and oh so much more. For this interview, we’re joined by Connor Head from the band Blood Bath & Beyond.

Sep 26, 2017

On a milestone Episode 50, we talk to Tommy Stinson about the return of Bash & Pop and new album Anything Could Happen, collaborating with Nicole Atkins, being a member of Guns N’ Roses, The Replacements reunion, and his upcoming TV Pilot. Also, for this interview we’re joined by our old friend, Michael Mills, from the band Male Order Brides. 

Sep 19, 2017

We talk to Tampa singer/songwriter, Julia Powell, about breaking into the music scene, her inspirations, going from girl scout to musician, and what it’s like to be a young woman leading a concert. She also performs a few original songs for us live.

Aug 29, 2017

We talk to The Rock’n’Roll HiFives - New Jersey’s Post Punk Family Band. Joe and Gloree Centeno, and their children Eilee (age 15) and Evren (age 13), tell us about growing from a “family band” to an actual band, signing to Little Dickman Records, and their EP “The Beat, The Sound, The Dragon’s Roar”. We also talk about having band meetings at the dinner table, “Tourcation”, missing their dog, their review of Logan Lucky, inspiring other families, their cousins, and more.

Aug 21, 2017

We talk to John Capouya (Professor, University of Tampa) about his new book “Florida Soul: From Ray Charles to KC and the Sunshine Band”. He tells us about what soul music is, how Ray Charles turned Gospel into R&B, how Florida fits into the Soul music landscape, Sam & Dave’s roots in Miami, and contemporary soul. We also learn about junkanoo, horn arrangements, Henry Stone, and the Florida Chitlin’ Circuit, then we talk about the inspiration for his Gorgeous George biography and Ray Charles navigating Ybor City. 

Aug 15, 2017

We talk to Easter Island about their sort of breakup, shooting their “Island Nation” music video in Japan, getting close at a Japanese Bathhouse, writing their new album and the “Island Nation”/“It’s You” 7-inch single. We also talk about Atlanta and lemon pepper wings, Ryan’s Radiohead B-Side obsession, the Payne Brothers’ Encyclopedic Knowledge of the Canon of Pop Music, their Radiohead/Kanye West mashup, emotional live performances, and more.

Aug 7, 2017

On this week’s episode, we dig into our SXSW archive to bring you a chat with Tampon-turned-Austinite, Maxx Forman. We talk about splitting time between different cities, producing hip hop and pop music, our first hip hop albums, and audio engineering. He also tells us about working with Kat Graham and other artists, moving to Austin from Tampa, the Cafe Ybor Food Truck, and more.

Jul 31, 2017

On Episode 44, Randy talks to Cindy Wilson of the B-52’s. They discuss her recent signing to Kill Rock Stars and upcoming album “Change”, meeting Portia Sabin at SXSW, recording with Suny Lyons, her prolific 2017, returning to DIY roots, the 40th anniversary of the B-52’s, beautiful fuchsia vinyl, and more.

Jul 25, 2017

In a special episode, Jason sits down with Don Barco, former proprietor of King Corona Cigars in Ybor City. They talk about music from the 60s through the 80s, Little Richard, and various changes in rock and roll through the years.

Jul 18, 2017

Joined by Ray Roa (music editor, Creative Loafing), we sit down with Chicago's Post Animal, who give us the deep dish on all things Chicago, touring with Wavves and Twin Peaks, Chance the Rapper's email, and Stranger Things. They also tell us about their new single "Special Moment", upcoming album When I Think of You in a Castle, recording at a haunted lake house, opening for The Fantastic Plastics, favorite Chicago restaurants, CTA woes, and leathery hands. 

Jul 13, 2017

On a monster episode of Cigar City Radio, we go live from VANS Warped Tour at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, FL. We chat with The Fantastic Plastics (4:12), CKY (12:39), Silverstein (17:33), Bad Cop Bad Cop (27:34), Candiria (30:57), Anti-Flag (40:52), War on Women (43:31), and GWAR (54:17). We also ask every band to pronounce “Ybor City”, to amusing results.

This Week’s Fadeout: “Clockwork” by The Fantastic Plastics

Jul 3, 2017

We’re over the hill! On our 40th Episode, we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Bananas Music - the world’s largest collection of vinyl records. We sit down with owners Doug and Michelle Allen to talk about the history of Bananas Music in St. Petersburg, staying in the record business for 40 years, buying unique music collections, the next generation of Bananas Music, and much more.

Jun 27, 2017

We head to the former 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre to meet Riley Breckenridge from Thrice (and baseball podcast, Productive Outs). He tells us about the early days of the band, playing music with his brother, touring with a family back home, his baseball grindcore project Puig Destroyer, and his friendship with Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Mark Trumbo. We also ask him a series of hard hitting fan submitted questions and find out what he’s been listening to on his iPhone.

Jun 21, 2017

On a special CROSSOVER episode, we talk to Jason Sowell, founder of The Engage Current Laundry Project and Boldly Going, an excellent Tampa Podcast. We talk about what it means to boldly go, hanging out in dugouts, persnickety Starbucks customers, and more.

After you listen to this episode, check out our episode on Boldly Going, where we talk about the history of Cigar City Management and some behind the scenes details on Cigar City Radio. CROSSOVER.

Jun 13, 2017

Live from New York…it’s a special Northside Festival Edition of Cigar City Radio! On this episode, we sit down with Gonzalo and Kiki from Parrot Dream in their Queens apartment. We talk about how they became our first client, moving from Chile to New York City, their upcoming debut full length album, Gonzalo’s experiences as an immigrant, meeting each other in Chile, and their Latin audience.

Plus, they perform “Queen of Hearts”, a track from their EP Set Sail Someday…which is also our podcast theme song!

Jun 5, 2017

We talk to Tampa based singer/songwriter/ukulele player Ari Chi about getting her start, ukulele hip hop covers, and learning production. She also tells us about her new album Colorfool, new single "Sea Foam", Ari Chi Fridays, and more. 

Plus, she performs her track "Apple Pie" for us live in studio!

1 2 Next »