What if I knew your name?
What if we had the same home room?
What if the things that tie us are stronger than we knew?
~ Passerby, Allie Moss

I've been looking forward to this album for almost 2 years now and it was worth the wait! The lovely and talented Allie Moss does not disappoint with her new EP Passerby, featuring her beautiful voice, gorgeous melodies and relatable, relevant lyrics.

James Moore interviews award-winning magic harpist Peter Sterling about his angelic journey into worldwide musical success from surfer to ski instructor to the silence of the Sedona mountains to Stonehenge and beyond.

Sterling will be performing in Fairfield at a rooftop concert under the stars across from AJ's Bicycle Shop Friday, September 3rd sponsored by the Dharma Foundation, Circle Crop Restaurant ans KRUU-FM. He'll lead a workshop on Sunday. Thymely Solutions has more ticket information.

Planet Erstwild host James Moore interviews Anne Carlisle and Cliff Rawson of Ladycop just before they embark on their 2010 European tour.

Rapid City back to Austin in a dash
Take the red high with you in a cup
so you don't crash
~ Resurrection Buzz, Jana Pochop

Two years ago, round about this time, we got to hear Jana Pochop's The Early Year EP, and it was mentioned that it was to be one in a series of three. Resurrection Buzz is EP number two.  Picking up where The Early Year left off, Resurrection Buzz features the same talents in instrumentation and production, and weaves a modern Americana style tale of life on the road by someone who has truly experienced it.

Speaking Freely with  Dave Butler - Ramone Menture

Huffington Post entertainment contributor Mike Ragogna speaks with experimental performance artist/multi-instrumentalist Laurie Anderson, who sings in a variety of experimental and art house music styles. Anderson did her first performance-art piece—a symphony played on automobile horns—in 1969. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Betta Kappa from Barnard College in art history. In 1972, she received an MFA in sculpture from Columbia University. She became widely known outside the art world in 1981 when her single "O Superman" reached number two on the UK. She starred in and directed the 1986 concert film Home of the Brave.

Listen boy, I've got some things I need to say to you
You've got me fooled more than I'd ever care to say was true
~ Freak Out, Melanie Taylor

Los Angeles based actress and singer-songwriter Melanie Taylor has her multi-talented fingers in a whole bunch of pies these days.  With a cool head, mature outlook on life and deep well of passionate energy, the 22 year old has what it takes to balance her time between acting, singing and even contributing her talents to charitable causes.

Her danceable pop-rock sound has people comparing her to other powerhouse women in the genre like Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Ke$ha.  Keep an eye on Melanie, she's going places! Read more about her on LyricalVenus.com

Christine Goodale talks about reopening her new restaurant, The Crepe Escape, at Everybody's Cafe for lunch fare Tuesday through Saturday.

Curt Hanson talks about the new Iowa Congressional session and State House activities.

singer/songwriter David Seagull talks about his upcoming concert this Saturday at Cafe P.

     Skunk River Medicine Show featuring vintage        blues by Tom Morgan and George Foster

Living in a plastic world
with a plastic dream
Where nothing is as it seems
~ Plastic, Diana Upton-Hill

If you live in Southeast Iowa, you're a fan of musical theatre, and you've been to a few shows in the past couple years, chances are you're already familiar with the talents of Diana Upton-Hill. Her newest album, Sparkle, is a chance to introduce the world to another of her skills - songwriting.

Like a multi-faceted gem, Sparkle showcases several sides of a dynamic and passionate performer.  Flowing from high-energy pop to moody, gothic rock, the album evokes powerhouse voices such as Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne by turn. Read more at Lyrical Venus.

PLANET ERSTWILD host James Moore speaks with Idris Goodwin, poet, playwrite, author, educator, and rapper, who will be performing his poetry and more as part of his These Are the Breaks book tour at Revelations at 2pm on Saturday, February 12th. Presently hailing from iowa City, this is one talented cultural creative.

Bluebirds on the fence, playin' kinda shy
We could sit a while and watch the clouds go by
Fragrance fills the air, I'm magnolia high
~ Natchez Road, Sweetwater Rose

If you didn't know better listening to country music sirens Sweetwater Rose, you might think they all hatched out of the same nest and grew up singing side-by-side from day one, but these songbirds were fully fledged when circumstances brought them together.  Lala Deaton, Marna Taylor and Ali Sperry found each other in Nashville thanks to the vision of Mac and Diane Gayden, music business veterans who knew that today's audiences had a longing for raw, authentic connection.

Sweetwater Rose is bringing their special brand of sweet and sultry to the Sondheim Center on Saturday, February 12th. 

Curt Hanson is a Democratic member of the Iowa House of Representatives, representing the 90th District. He was elected in a special election on September 1, 2009 to replace John Whitaker.

PLANET ERSTWILE Host JAMES MOORE talks with Elliot Hoffman, co-founder and CEO of Natural Capitalism, Inc, a business in partnership with Dr. L. Hunter Lovins devoted to working with small and mid-size companies to improve their profits by fully embracing sustainable business practices. He has begun a Sustainability Circle with 8 businesses in Fairfield.

    MEIKO, singer-songwriter

                              AFRO CELT SOUNDSYSTEM

At 8 AM on Friday, Mike talks with John Waite, best known for his huge hits, "Missing You" and "Change".He first came to be known for being the bassist and lead singer for the British rock group, The Babys. He has since gone on to a successful solo career. His new album, "Rough & Tumble" releases this week.

My mother she said she had a dream
the week after you died
you called her on the phone and she cried
~ None of This Had to Happen, Josie Overmyer

Fairfield songbird Josie Overmyer has been quietly working her way into local hearts for the past few years with her piercingly honest lyrics, honey-dusted vocals, and vintage acoustic aesthetic.  Josie's understated, commanding songs bring to mind the likes of Iron & Wine or Bon Iver crossed with Emmylou Harris or a little Gillian Welch.

Josie is nearly finished with her debut album, Little Bird, and will be coming into the studio on Tuesday to share about her process and a few songs!

Founding member of Blues Traveller, John Popper, talks with Mike Ragogna. "John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours", a new side project, is his new album out this month.  He talks about his life, music career, and what's in store for Blues Traveller. 

Web broadcaster, author, Talk for Food host & producer Adam Abraham of Phoenix talks about his stopover in Fairfield and his work in the areas of spiritual integration and body/mind nourishment with PLANET ERSTWILD host and KRUU executive director James Moore.

Find out more at webtalkradio.net or talkforfood.com.

Rising Iowa blues musician, Erick Hovey, (photo) speaks with DJ Andy and plays a three-song set from his CD, Prairie Dance Music.

Dolores "LaLa" Brooks is Mike Ragogna's featured guest artist. The Crystals are an American vocal group based in New York, considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era of the first half of the 1960s.

The Green Building Supply gang on completion of their donated marmoleum floor installation at solar-powered KRUU-FM.

The design was created by Aaron Hirshberg.

Click on the pic to go to Green Building Supply's website.

You hit my eyes like a shot of light
Thoughts of you keep me up at night
No one else comes close to this
~ You Want to Go Out Tonight, Emily Zuzik

A versatile and sought-after co-writer, New York singer-songwriter Emily Zuzik narrows her focus to pure, high-octane rock for her seventh studio album, The Wild Joys of Living. Quick to point out that the release is by the Emily Zuzik Band, the lead singer is proud of the full production and collaborative efforts that truly reflect where she is and how she wants to live her life as a musician. Released just in time for summer, The Wild Joys of Living will have you cranking up the volume, rolling down the windows and singing along at the top of your lungs.

Violet dreams racing through my mind
Kaleidoscope of wishes lighting up the night
Bright, bright, bright
~ Violet Dreams, Amy Zamarripa

Generous, hard-working and talented to boot, Amy Zamarripa is a major player in the Austin Open Mic scene, hosting her own on Fridays at Fair Bean Coffee and you can find her playing out at others around town almost any other night of the week!  

With a rich, bluesy voice and lush, poetic lyrics, Amy's music mixes the soulfulness of Janis Joplin, the spark of Bonnie Raitt and the mystery of Tori Amos. With one album under her belt and another one in the works, she shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Oh I just wanna fly
'cause I know the feeling would be right
Let's do it, I say tonight
Tonight would be just fine
I've worked it out
I've got my shoes laced up tight
And the temperature's alright
~ September Sky, Lizzy Lehman

With a soul, sound and subject matter that belie her years, listening to Lizzy Lehman gives the impression of a folk artist with several albums and several tours of the national coffee-house circuit already under her belt.  Currently an Austinite by way of Portland, OR and Evanston, IL, Lizzy could easily hold her own in a round-robin song circle with the likes of Amber Rubarth, Ana Egge, Catie Curtis and Meg Hutchinson.

dreamgreen  Iowans making a greener tomorrow... today.

Solar-Powered KRUU-FM Features an Interview with 

Leopold Center’s Fred Kirschenmann and a Visit to ISU’s Hort Farm

Fairfield, IA, July 12, 2011—On Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m., 100.1 KRUU-FM—the Midwest’s first solar-powered radio station—will air interviews with some of Iowa’s “greenest” agricultural advocates. Tune in online at www.kruufm.com as show hosts Stuart Tanner and James Moore talk sustainability with Fred Kirschenmann, former Director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and take a walking tour of the Hort Farm with Malcolm Robertson, ISU faculty member, Nick Howell, farm superintendent, and ag student Joe Jacobs.

What if I climb a really tall tree
and what if the branch it breaks under me?
Then where will I go? The only place is down
And I'm scared that my world will be turned around
~ Fly, Annie Dressner

Strangers Who Knew Each Other's Names may be New York singer-songwriter's Annie Dressner's debut album, but her graceful, relaxed and assured delivery make it sound like she's got 4 or 5 releases behind her.  Evoking the likes of Jenny Lewis or Neko Case, Annie's confessional quirkiness hooks you in at first listen, and her sweet voice and the lush, layered production will have you pressing "repeat" and adding the album to your summer backyard BBQ soundtrack.

Born in West Virginia, a long-time resident of Canada and currently living in the UK, singer-songwriter Lobelia is no stranger to making her way in new lands.  She applies that adventurous spirit as a musical pioneer, forging a new path for independent artists everywhere by her own life example.  Join us on Lyrical Venus as she talks about touring sustainably, booking gigs and being genuinely interesting on Twitter, motherhood as a musician and the importance of using all your talents to live a happy life, rather than trying to fit into a traditional idea of what being a musician looks like. 

Lobelia's latest project, a covers album titled "Beautifully Undone", is sparse and lovely, her rich voice wrapping like warm honey around each song and claiming them for her own.

When they lay me down in a box
Please sail me out to sea
I’ve spent all my life being tied to this land
Please don’t bury me.
~ Don't Bury Me, Sarah Sample

Like an angelfood cake soaked in whiskey, the music of Sarah Sample is a delicate dessert that packs a pleasant punch. Her voice will stop you in your tracks and her megawatt grin will light up a smile across your own face. Radiating grace, yet brave enough to share raw honesty, her easy and genuine connection with audiences appears effortless. Combine that with her polished collection of song gems and it's easy to see why Sarah is a fast favorite wherever she goes. Read more about Sarah on Lyrical Venus.

You next to me, me next to you
We're perfectly in tune
Curled up in this room
I'm melting into you
We fit like spoons
~ Spoons, Sheri Miller

New York singer-songwriter Sheri Miller has been writing songs since childhood, following her natural instinct to create and express.  Her latest release, Winning Hand, produced by Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel), is lush and complex, yet easy to relate to both musically and emotionally.  From the uptempo and hooky Spoons to the Bollywood Rock flavored Satellite, Sheri explores matters of the heart with refreshing honesty and a healthy helping of poetic metaphor.

Bacon in skillet
Lemonade in a glass
Here's something boys 
You won't learn in class
~ Giant Mushrooms, Erin Hill & Her Psychadelic Harp

The multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Erin Hill is currently focusing her formidable skills on an ambitious new project - a sci-fi video album.  Much like a collection of short stories, Erin describes the ten songs on her upcoming album Girl Inventor to be little 4 minute episodes in a Twilight Zone flavored series.  The psychedelic harp-driven tunes run the gamut from dreamy to rocking, all topped with Erin's etherial vocals and are also waiting to be realized in video form.  The first video for the track Giant Mushrooms is already making a splash online.

No compromising
Change is coming too fast
No listening to how I feel
You're gonna free your heart at last
~ No Compromise, Sister Jane

Austin, Texas band Sister Jane blends sweet harmonies, aware lyrics, thumping bass lines and a dash of violin to create their own special brand of pop-reggae that is sure to bring a smile to your face and set your body swaying.

Lead songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Lynette Perkins can bring the groove with multiple combinations of musicians, from an acoustic duo with Catherine Parke on vocals and violin, to the core four women of Sister Jane including Vicka Behl (5 string bass and vocals) and Franci Jarrard (keyboards and vocals) to a full six piece adding in Mark Wilson on saxophone and flute and Scott White on drums.

Two amazingly dynamic and creative Fairfield musicians have teamed together to make Trouble, and some pretty cool "dance party music"!  Think Imogen Heap meets Bjork with a little bit of The Cranberries and Cyndi Lauper thrown in and you may start to get a picture of the sounds Adrien Daller and Philip Rabalais are coming up with these days.

Colorado-based Teresa Storch will be calling in this week. We'll talk about Teresa's inspiring story of transition from fulltime software engineer to traveling songwriter. Her "blue-eyed soul" has won over the hearts of many audiences from coast to coast since she got her start busking in the Boston subways.  

It's my last day here in paradise
Gotta put back on my shoes
But all I wanna do is stay here and cruise
I got the blues, there's nothing I can do
~ Last Day of Vacation Blues, Jenn Cleary

It's tempting at first to put Colorado artist Jenn Cleary squarely in the blues category.  It wouldn't be completely wrong, she does have a powerful, smokey voice and the hot guitar chops and plenty of tunes that fit the genre.  But listening to her latest album Back to the Wheel, one quickly discovers that Jenn is first a true songwriter, with a penchant for blues, the ability to slide between rock, folk and more with ease, and the commitment to serve the songs in whatever style is best suited to the story at their heart, because heart they have indeed.

California you seem like promised land
You feed my children and you work my hands
When I lay down to pay the final toll
Take my body, leave my soul
~ To California, ellen cherry

Baltimore, MD singer-songwriter ellen cherry puts her history major to good use with her latest recording, (New) Years.  Each song in the collection of 12 is designated with a year, and while half are personal reflection within ellen's lifetime, the first six story songs speak from the point of view of women from as far back as 1864. 

Whether it's the intimacy of her voice, the stripped down aesthetic of the recording or the poignancy of the story-telling, it doesn't seem to matter what year ellen is singing about, each song is like a familiar, favorite jacket that settles around her shoulders perfectly the moment she puts it on.

Red and white eight sides combined
Everybody knows the sign
But stop and go wastes all my time
When I've gotta get to you
So I drive right through
~ Not Supposed To, Kristin Cifelli

Boston based singer-songwriter Kristin Cifelli has been playing piano since 2nd grade and writing songs since the 5th.  Two and a half years in the making, her newest album, Middle of Nowhere, is grown-up pop with songwriter smarts and a voice you could listen to all day long.

She had donuts and daydreams by the baker's dozen
She wished her life could be something that it wasn't
~ Donuts & Daydreams, Jane Godfrey

Growing up in a large and highly musical family, St. Louis singer-songwriter Jane Godfrey spent a lifetime of listening to and making music with her brothers and sisters before a serious of sleepless nights led to her picking up a pen to write herself.  Quickly validated to continue by winning a song-writing contest, when Jane was ready to record, she had a built-in backup band of siblings ready to add their harmonies and instrumental talents to her delightful, insightful story songs.

Gravity feels weaker than it ever used to
Light as a feather, blown by the wind without you
I float above all that I love and I can't get home
Till you pull me back, you show me that I'm not alone
~ Anchor, Bess Rogers

Brooklyn-based artist Bess Rogers just came out with her fourth independent release, Out of the Ocean.  Featuring all the upbeat handclaps, sweet harmonies, indie punk and pop progressions and catchy melodies we've come to love from Bess, the album is also tied together with her fascination with science.  Themes of evolution and love are woven together masterfully in an album that is the perfect balance of smart and fun.  Bess will be performing at Cafe Paradiso on Oct. 24th with Allison Weiss.

Wandering troubadour in need of rest
Lay your weary head upon my chest
If you need shelter from the road
I’ll take you in. I’ll take you home
~ Wandering Troubadour, Leslie Krafka

Texas songwriter Leslie Krafka was bitten by the songwriting bug after being gifted a songwriting workshop with Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines as an anniversary present, simply for the opportunity to hang out with folks she admired.  Quickly hooked, Leslie went from from never playing or singing out at all to the world of lessons and putting out an album to winning songwriter contests in five short years!

PLANET ERSTWILD host James Moore speaks with Grammy-nominated Chandrika Tandon who performs in Fairfield for the first time this Sunday, Nov 6th at 7:45pm at the Sondheim Center. The singer/educator and highly successful business executive is bringing a 7-piece musical ensemble from New York where she lives. Proceeds benefit the Global Peace Initiative.

In my time of uncertainty
I'm searching for serenity
Shattered soul, how to make it whole
Won't someone tell me how?
~ Simple is Beautiful, Violette

A French native singer-songwriter living in New York, Violette was trained in classical piano as a young child.  She began writing her own songs at the age of 15 and has just released her third album, Simple is Beautiful.  Moving out of her roots in jazz to a more pop-rock sound, the album is both simple and beautiful, with just enough instrumentation to support her angelic voice without feeling sparse.

If you stare too long at a picture frame,
you turn to gray
You want to add some color back again,
well, that’s okay
~ Last of the Ones, Laura Marie

San Antonio born and raised, singer-songwriter Laura Marie very nearly became a marine biologist in college. Luckily for fans of her heartfelt, personal lyrics and smoky-smooth vocals, Laura Marie's love of music and songwriting eventually carried her through to a degree in music education, past band breakups and the challenges of new motherhood to arrive at her second solo album, Last of the Ones.

Fire is supposed to bring you higher
Fire can burn your soul
But if you don't listen to the choir
The choir can turn to stone
~ Fire, Yael Meyer

Chilean born and LA based singer-songwriter Yael Meyer releases her sophomore album today.  With four tracks off her effervensent Heartbeat EP plus seven new ones, Everything Will Be Alright satisfies those fans who have been hungry for more from Yael and provides an irresistable treat to new fans.  Filled with light, hope and love, Yael's music fills the heart with joy.

Classical Hour host Carol Negro interviews Danish pianist Werner Elmker who is performing at the Sondheim Center Sunday, November 21st. Also joining the conversation is the Request Recital master of ceremonies Andrew Edlin, esq.

Tell me stories of sunsets and buildings
Of sleepless nights and wild rides
Let's sit and talk of where you've been
Color your adventures my friend
~ Sunsets & Stories, Heather Mae

Artists and musicians love to talk about their creative process and how they might change it or get better.  Heather Mae dives in and faces her art head on.  After spending a year writing a song every day and a summer touring the country from East to West, she has learned more than a few things about taking action, living in the moment and brewing creativity on the spot.  With all that experience under her belt and a style that has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Ingrid Michaelson, Heather Mae has a long and beautiful career ahead of her.

KRUU-FM welcomes rootsy American folk singer/songwriter Lyal Strickland to the studio to perform live and let us know what he's been up to. Hailing from the Missouri Ozarks and raising heritage grass fed beef when not performing, Lyal performs songs inspired by life lived in small towns, the Ozark hills, and on insterstate highways. His most recent album, So Many Incidents was produced by Larry Lee, founding member of the legendary Ozark Mountain Daredevils and was recorded on the banks of the Finley River in Southwest Missouri.

I can't remember how it feels
to live a day all by myself
and never really worry
about someone else
~ Time, Joy Ike

Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Joy Ike lives by the motto, "It won't be easy, but it will be worth it."  Making the transition to full-time musician was not an easy decision, but not only has she blossomed as an artist, she even takes the time to pass on her lessons learned in an advice blog for other indie creative types.  Whether you're a music maker or appreciator, her rich voice and intelligent, bubbly piano-pop sensibilities will win your ears over in no time.

Come ashore, love, come ashore
Do not chase the bitter sea
I will be waiting at our doorstep
Come ashore, love, come ashore
~ Come Ashore, Love by Anna Coogan

Anna Coogan's new album, The Wasted Ocean, is a fresh collection of olde time flavored sea songs, but more the type to row a small wooden boat, wearing a hand-knit woolen sweater misted with salt spray, than the type that stomp around in an eye-patch on a peg leg, sloshing mugs of beer.  The songs are deeply atmospheric, layered, and evocative, all while allowing Anna's rich, sweet and honest voice to hold center stage.

Keep your eyes set on the horizon
on the line where blue meets blue
I bet that silver lining, well I know it'd find you soon
~ 1,000 Ships, Rachel Platten

Based on her album, Be Here, New York singer-songwriter Rachel Platten is the type of person you'd want to adopt for a best friend or big sister.  Her songs are upbeat and positive without denying that heartache and hard times exist.  Rachel is just confident that those situations are temporary and with the right attitude you can turn it around.  A little of her sweet voice, bubbly smile and piano-driven pop may just be the perfect pick-me-up. 

Color me in however you like
It maybe hard to stay in my shifting lines
And just so you know
My love for you is the color yellow
~ Inch by Inch, Debbie Miller

Classically trained pianist Debbie Miller booked her first singer-songwriter gig in New York City before she even had enough material to fill the slot.  Once the songs started coming they didn't stop, as she is currently releasing her second album! Now based out of Seattle, Debbie is winning the hearts of the coffee-shop crowds with her quirky, playful, and raw songs, straight from the heart.

Enjoy a recap of the amazing Alliant Hometown Rewards program kickoff event at Chautauqua Park from Earthday April 22nd, including brief interviews with sustainability coordinator Scott Timm, Trees Forever founder Shannon Ramsay, Mayor Ed Malloy, Alliant Energy's Robin Sempf, HyVee store director Alan Shank, music of KC & the Pick Up Band, Jefferson County Green Band, & much more.

Magyar Mix interview with Kalman Magyar  lead violinist of the Toronto based Hungarian folk group Gyanta.

Something's wrong, I can tell
And what you don't say
Is a silent farewell
~ Talk to Me, Kat Parsons

Born in Vienna, based in Los Angeles and with tour credits across the US and Europe, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Brunei, Australia, Singapore, Borneo, Vietnam, and Japan, one listen to Kat Parsons' upbeat and intelligent pop, and it's easy to see why she has had such international success.

Her breathy, sweet vocals and catchy hooks draw in even the most casual listener, and the introspective lyrics hold discerning ears longer than the latest disposable, manufactured hit.

This podcast includes approx 7 minutes of bonus questions we didn't have time for in the original aired interview!