Cultural Shorts

About This Section

Discussions about the artistic impulse and creative drive.

Find KMUW's Cultural Shorts here or at iTunes.

Bob Coscarelli

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Jon Spencer: 'Rock ‘n’ Roll gave me life'

Jedd Beaudoin

With nearly 40 years behind him as a recording artist, veteran musician Jon Spencer continues to break new musical ground, as heard on his new album Spencer Gets It Lit.
Courtesy photo

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Artist Lê Khoa hopes to increase visibility for Southeast Asians with 'Fire Heart'

Jedd Beaudoin

Musician Lê Khoa premieres his new single, Fire Heart, at Wave this week.

Cultural Shorts

Through a Song: Kelly Finnigan of Monophonics talks style, substance

Jedd Beaudoin

Musician Kelly Finnigan of the band Monophonics was set to spend much of 2020 on the road in support of his band's new album.The COVID-19 pandemic put some of the group's plans on hold, but there were a few positive things that happen for the band.
Cultural Shorts

David Parks looks back on the legacy of 'Shaft'

Carla Eckels

"Shaft" turns 50 this year. The detective drama was directed by Gordon Parks, a Kansas native and an internationally known photographer.
Cultural Shorts

Styx Triumphs over Adversity with 'Crash of the Crown'

With members in locations as far-flung as Nashville, Toronto and Austin, Texas, it seemed unlikely Styx would be able to complete work on new songs during the COVID-19 pandemic.But then the group took advantage of technology and made an album that would have never come about in different circumstances.
Cultural Shorts

Geoff Tate recalls building Queensrÿche’s 'Empire'

Jedd Beaudoin

Former Queensrÿche lead vocalist Geoff Tate is currently on tour performing two of the band’s most beloved albums in their entirety.Tate performs at Wave on Saturday, Nov. 20, and at Knuckleheads in Kansas City on Friday, Nov. 19.
Cultural Shorts

Unwed Sailor still have 'Faithful Anchor'

Jedd Beaudoin

Musician Johnathon Ford formed the band Unwed Sailor in the late 1990s.In recent years the band has issued a string of acclaimed albums and is now getting ready to re-release its debut album, The Faithful Anchor.
Cultural Shorts

Parker Millsap gets vulnerable with ‘Be Here Instead’

Jedd Beaudoin

Parker Millsap performs at Wave Outdoor on Friday, Nov. 12.
Cultural Shorts

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real find satori on the road

Jedd Beaudoin

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real perform at The Cotillion Ballroom tonight, Friday, Nov. 5.
Cultural Shorts

Read Southall Band prepares to bring Oklahoma to the world with 'For The Birds'

Oklahoma's Read Southall Band releases its latest album, For The Birds, on Oct. 22.
Cultural Shorts

Everclear Returns For Another Celebration Of Summerland

Jedd Beaudoin

The Summerland tour, featuring Living Colour, Wheatus, Hoobastank and Everclear, arrives in Wichita on Thursday, September 23. The four bands will perform at Wave.
Cultural Shorts

Tom Brislin Talks About Joining Kansas, Moving The Band Forward While Retaining Classic Sound

Jedd Beaudoin

Keyboardist and vocalist Tom Brislin was a longtime fan of the band Kansas when he joined the group in 2018.Despite being a newcomer, the New Jersey-based musician became a primary songwriter on the latest Kansas studio release, The Absence of Presence.