Cloaca Melodia

Schenley Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA   It was the 18th WYEP's Summer Music Festival. The Lone Bellow's Zach Williams had a surreal experience performing this show. He mentioned during their set that his great-uncle was one of the workers who helped construct the 42-story Cathedral of Learning, the iconic gothic building that looms behind the audience at Schenley Plaza. However, his great-uncle fell to his death while working there. While he didn't know his great-uncle, it must have been strange performing practically in the shadow of the site of one's relative's untimely demise.  Despite that darker connection, the band put on a great show. So did Martin Sexton, although he didn't invite me to participate in a non-denominational pre-show prayer, as he did the last time I had seen him .    The Lone Bellow

Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA..... I had interviewed Martin on the air at WYEP that afternoon as he as touring the country promoting his latest album Seeds , and I was going to be making stage announcements prior to his set at Mr. Smalls, so Martin invited me to hang out backstage with him and his band. Sometimes these sorts of situations can be awkward, but Martin and his band made sure I was included in the conversation and the joking around. When it came time for the show, the band gathered in a circle and Martin asked me, "Mike, do you want to join us in a non-denominational, pre-show prayer?" No one had ever asked me that before backstage at a concert, so of course I said yes. Martin gave a little postivie-thinking type invocation, and then we were off the the stage area, me to introduce them and them to perform. While Sexton did a good show, I didn't really see the opener due to being backstage.     

WYEP Community Broadcast Center, Pittsburgh, PA An interview and in-studio performance live on the air. Hear the whole thing (in RealAudio).