Small Studio Sessions

Brother O’ Brother is WFYI’s August 2018 Small Studio Sessions featured band. The Indianapolis rock duo plays over 100 live shows a year as they release numerous singles, EPS, and full length albums from their successful vinyl record company. Stay tuned after this three song session for an interview from WFYI's Jill Ditmire with Chris Banta and Warner Swopes of Brother O' Brother. Set list: Grab The Rope, White Dove, and 16 Flowers

Indianapolis based soul/jazz vocalist Bashiri Asad is our July 2018 Small Studio Sessions act. Asad is joined for this session by his backing band, Be On It. Bashiri Asad is a lifetime lover of music and decided a decade ago to make singing and songwriting his career. Listen after the session for an interview with Asad from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

WFYI's June Small Studio Session features the sounds of Indianapolis-based Hex Mundi. With a lineup that includes a custom-designed electric mandolin, it's tough to pinpoint their music to a single genre, and that's just the way the group likes it. In this Small Studio Session, Hex Mundi performs three songs from their upcoming EP "Quixotic Musings." Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI’s Scott McAlister. Track list 1. Chekhov’s Gun 2. Headspace 3. Yooth

Last year, WFYI held a contest for local musicians at Sun King Brewery in Fishers. It was called "Bar to Star" - as the winner that night would perform again on a professional stage and in the WFYI studio. Hayley Costas of Indianapolis won. In January she performed at Clowes Hall on the opening night of the Carole King musical, Beautiful. Now she is our May 2018 Small Studio Session performer. Hayley's brother, Tyler Costas, joins Hayley for this session on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Hayley Costas from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

This edition of Small Studio features indie band, Unicorn Derby - a whimsical name that reflects both the music and the unusual way this band got together. They became a band by luck as their names were literally drawn out of a hat at an annual Indianapolis event called the Random Band Challenge. Listen in for the full session and an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Indianapolis based Chad Mills plays a contemplative set of original acoustic songs in this four song set. Cellist Grover Parido joins Chad for this layered and rich performance.

WFYI's first Small Studio Session of 2018 features Indianapolis based electro-hop-funk-punk duo, Knot Brothers. Jon Knot and Chris "New-Cents" Johnson use an eclectic collection of sounds, both futuristic and familiar, to create their original music. Keep listening after the session for an interview with Knot Brothers, from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

Listen in to this special Small Studio presentation - Small Studio Shortcuts, The Best of 2017. This special features preview selections of our full Sessions along with features and behind the scenes info on the bands. We'll listen to selections from Bullet Points, Wife Patrol, Tyron Cooper, Richard Edwards, Clint Breeze and the Groove and more - all Indiana based musicians and bands, producing and playing original music. Small Studio is made possible with a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation with additional support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.

A Small Studio Sessions performance from indie rock group, Pravada. Indianapolis based Pravada was one of the pioneers of the Fountain Square music scene over a decade ago, and they continue to innovate and push their sound forward. Listen in after the set for an interview with the band from WFYI's Jill Ditmire. Setlist: Sunshine Morning Train Hear Me Out Teachers Jessica The Feeling’s Gone (with guest musician, Mitchell Duncan)

Indianapolis based singer songwriter Crescent Ulmer is WFYI's November 2017 Small Studio Session performer. In this contemplative acoustic set, Crescent explores issues of growth and change through tender and reflective storytelling.

With seven talented musicians, Indianapolis based Clint Breeze and the Groove is making a big impact on the Indy music scene. The band blends hip hop and soul - along with a major emphasis on the art form that brought the group together - jazz. Set list: 1. Razorblades 2. 3 AM. 3. Status Quo, 4. Crosswalks Small Studio is made possible by a grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and with support from Neat O Art Shop and Sun King Brewery.

Indianapolis based indie rock musician Vess Ruhtenberg is a veteran of esteemed local and national bands like Zero Boys, The Pieces, United States Three, and The Lemonheads. But now, Vess is going solo. This analog set features several songs from Ruhtenberg's latest album "Tremendous Downtime." Track List: 1. Soda Machine 2. Grease is the Word 3. Feel the Sunrise 4. on a rug on the floor in the afternoon 5. It's Ok to Try New Things 6. One Van Against

Rob Dixon & Triology is our August 2017 Small Studio Sessions band. Rob Dixon is known as the "Mayor" of the Indianapolis jazz scene and has a stellar reputation across the country as an accomplished musician, composer and educator. In this session, you'll hear four original compositions from Rob and his band. Indianapolis based drummer Richard "Sleepy" Floyd and keyboardist Steven Jones joined Rob for the set.  

If you ask the musicians of Eliot Bigger to classify their sound, you'll get a mix of progressive, tech, and classic rock, along with a bit of pop and even a hint of classical drumming. Guitarist/vocalist Kara Tucker, guitarist Joel Tucker, bassist Jameson Rhodes, and drummer Erin Jeter formed Eliot Bigger around an Indianapolis home fireplace in 2012. In this Small Studio Session you'll hear songs from their debut album, Murals. Track List: 1. 1934, 2. Paffos, 3. Jane Doe, 4. Murals, and 5. Robot Suicide

Richard Edwards, former member of Margot & The Nuclear So and So's, debuted his first solo album this spring; "Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset". Over the past couple of years Edwards has had quite the personal journey with illness and heartbreak which is present in his writing. Edwards joined us in our Small Studio featuring songs from his album, and also new songs from an upcoming album.

The members of Bigfoot Yancey don't like to categorize their music. They jokingly call it part blues-part "city" billy. You'll hear a well-blended version of Americana, roots, blues, folk, country and rock in the Indianapolis-based band's sound.

Listen in to WFYI's April Small Studio Session - featuring Indianapolis based alt rock trio, Wife Patrol.  Setlist: H.A., Electric Blizzard, I'm In A Race, Starlight Sun, and How Do You Know (If You're Alive)

If you've watched any of the locally produced documentaries on WFYI TV then you have probably heard the music of our March Small Studio Session performer. Tyron Cooper is an Emmy award winning composer and assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies at IU Bloomington. In this Small Studio Session, Tyron and his band perform five original songs.

WFYI's February Small Studio Session features Indianapolis-based blues/soul act "Tad Robinson Band." Tad is a seven-time Blues Music Award nominee; his song "Rained All Night" was nominated for Blues Song of the Year at the 2011 Blues Music Awards. You can hear that song and three more in this bluesy and soulful Small Studio Session. Stay tuned after the session for an interview with Tad from WFYI's Jill Ditmire.

WFYI's January Small Studio Session features Indianapolis alt-rock band Bullet Points.