My guest this week is Cody Jones, aka Stillborn Identity. Cody is an MC from Pittsburgh, PA. We’ve played many shows together through the years. He stopped by my house for an interview after his recent Baltimore show.

He talks about growing up skating and playing in punk bands, and how he entered the hip-hop realm. We talk about the inherent confusion involved in traveling the country playing small shows, and what inspires him to keep going. We also discuss his TheThrowAwayDays zine and his new Slow and Steady EP.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Tha Alkaholik’s 21 and Over. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

http://www.splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-76-stillborn-identity

My guest this week is Al Lover. Al is a great producer currently residing in Austin, TX. We first met when we played on the same bill in Asheville in 2007, and we’ve been friends and collaborators ever since.

We talk about his early work with North Carolina’s Fist Fam, and his transition from being an MC to creating a one-man instrumental act. He talks about the excitement he felt while first discovering the contemporary psych rock scene in San Francisco, and how his remixes of that music led him down a new path. We reflect on how we went on the worst (but most fun) tour in the history of the music business, and he tells me about his more recent touring success in Europe.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.

http://www.splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-75-al-lover

My guest is Scottie B. He’s a legendary Baltimore DJ, and the cofounder of Unruly Records. His DJing and his work with Shawn Caesar, Miss Tony, Bob The Equalizer and many more are all a huge part of what made Baltimore what it is today.

He talks about the Baltimore club scene of the 80’s, and how that milieu led to the creation of Baltimore club music. He explains how his and Shawn Caesar’s unique DJ styles blossomed into a recorded art form and a genre of it’s own. He explains how he sees himself as part of the always-evolving culture of dance music, and not just a player within sub-genre of Baltimore club.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Professor Griff’s Last Asiatic Disciples. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

http://www.splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-74-scottie-b

 

My guest this week is Uncommon Nasa. He’s an MC, a producer, an engineer, a radio host and the guy behind Uncommon Records. We first met when he took part in the NYC Rap Round Robin.

He talks about getting his start interning at NYC’s Ozone Studios, and later mixing many key projects for Def Jux artists. He tells me about his love for 90s NYC hip-hop radio, and how that influenced his Uncommon Radio show. We discuss his new projects, and his recent drive to tour and to grow as a live performer.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to 3rd Bass’s The Cactus Album. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

http://www.splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-73-uncommon-nasa

Mike Riley and I spin some of our favorite songs from HZW guests, including Grand Buffet, Nuclear Power Pants, ShaRock, Lisa Lee, James Nasty, AK Slaughter. Disturbed Individuals, David Jacober and more..
Mike’s art this week is an homage to Run-DMC’s Christmas in Hollis. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.
http://www.splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-72-holiday-special