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Artwork for Songs & Stories

Songs & Stories

Backstage Bay Area
Tom Rigney
Achilles Wheel
Sundogs
Flambeau
Sweetwater Music Hall
Cajun Music
European Tour
After the Party
Rebirth Of Slick, Cool Like Dat
Diggable Planets
Kanekoa
Queen Ida and Her Bon Temps Zydeco Band
The Ballad Of Madelyne & Therese
Color Green
Lo Moon
Hawaii
Soul
Blues
Spike Sikes
Poetry

Backstage Bay Area is an exclusive podcast that explores the local music scene in depth. It features intimate interviews with emerging and established artists in various genres, including jazz, blues, rock, pop, folk, classical, urban, and world music. The program also offers a unique glimpse into the artists' creative processes, inspirations, and upcoming projects.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes285Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for Songs & Stories

Latest Episodes

Episode Description

In this episode, Steven Roby talks with Bay Area trumpeter and composer Sarah Wilson about her luminous new album Incandescence and the creative path that led her from political puppet theater to leading an all-woman horn line in... more

Episode Summary

Executive Director and co‑founder of SFCM’s Roots, Jazz & American Music (RJAM) program, Jason Hainsworth, joins Steve to talk about how the Side‑By‑Side model turns the Joe Henderson Lab into a working classroom. We explore mentorsh... more

Episode summary

Music Director and saxophonist Chris Potter joins Backstage Bay Area to preview the SFJAZZ Collective’s tribute to Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer. We talk about why this album matters, how the Collective reimagined its songs for today... more

Episode logline:

Saxophonist—and bassist—Gerald Albright talks origin stories, the punch and polish behind “Living My Best Life,” why the title cut “Full Throttle” opens up onstage, and what listeners can expect when his band hits Oakland.

About ou... more

Canadian vocalist-composer Caity Gyorgy joins Steve for a conversation about craft, collaboration, and why swing still feels newly minted when the writing is sharp and the band listens hard. Known for quicksilver phrasing and original tunes that trav... more

Episode Summary

Hector Flores of Las Cafeteras joins Steve to talk about Hasta La Muerte, the group’s Day of the Dead production arriving at SFJAZZ. He traces the band’s East L.A. activist roots, how son jarocho meets hip-hop and spoken word, and wh... more

Podcast: Backstage Bay Area

Host: Steve Roby

Guests: Nicolas Bearde (vocals) with special guest Tammy L. Hall (piano)

Bay Area vocalist Nicolas Bearde joins Backstage Bay Area to talk about his Al Jarreau celebration at the Joe Henderson Lab. We tra... more

Episode overview

KCSM 91.1 FM has been a lifeline for Bay Area jazz for six decades. Station Manager Dr. Robert Franklin joins Steve to talk about the station’s live-curated sound, its massive library and preservation work, and the new documentary c... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Chris Potter
Music director of SFJAZZ Collective and accomplished saxophonist
SFJAZZ Collective
Episode: SFJAZZ Collective: Native Dancer Preview
Gerald Albright
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and defining voice in contemporary urban jazz
Bright Music Records
Episode: Gerald Albright: Groove, Melody, Momentum Ahead
Caity Gyorgy
A remarkable Canadian jazz singer and songwriter
Episode: Caity Gyorgy Brings Strings to Swing
Dr. Robert Franklin
Station manager at KCSM and the film's executive producer
KCSM FM Jazz 91.1
Episode: Freedom, Community, and Jazz: KCSM’s 60 Years on the Air
Amaro Freitas
Pianist and composer known for blending Afro-Brazilian traditions with contemporary improvisation.
Episode: Amaro Freitas on Enchantment, Ancestry, and the Future of Solo Piano
Nicole McCabe
Saxophonist and co-leader of Dolphin Hyperspace
Dolphin Hyperspace
Episode: Lines in Motion: Nicole McCabe’s Groove-Driven Improvisation
Martha Redbone
Celebrated vocalist, songwriter, composer, and educator.
Episode: Martha Redbone Brings Congregational Soul to Miner Auditorium
Anthony Hervey
Trumpeter and composer from New York City, focusing on blending blues and soul in his music.
Independent musician
Episode: Two Voices, One Room: Hervey & Mason Reframe Monk at SFJAZZ
Sean Mason
Pianist and composer known for his engaging performances that lift the spirits of the audience.
Independent musician
Episode: Two Voices, One Room: Hervey & Mason Reframe Monk at SFJAZZ

Host

Steve Roby
Host of Backstage Bay Area, known for his deep knowledge of music and engaging interviewing style.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Great Interviews. Wide Range of Music.

    No matter where he lands—Hawaii, Denver, San Francisco—Steve Roby brings his deep knowledge of music and in-depth interview skills to the music scene. Always a delight to listen to this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    logelson
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good yet lacking

    This podcast is excellent for info on the music scene on Big Island… Unfortunately the host absolutely needs to go and bring in someone with energy and character… Listening to the host reminds me of listening to my phone talk to me…

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    THCbuddy
    United States4 years ago
  • A great 30-minute show that features talented entertainers from the "Big" island of Hawaii.

    Podchaser
    5
    BigIslandMusicMagazine
    5 years ago
  • Queen of the Universe

    Steve is a great interviewer. I love hearing the diverse talent on The Big Island. The interviews aer engrossing and give a rare look into the artists.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    laurenbroido
    United States5 years ago
  • Great show!

    The best place to find out about everything happening in music on the Big Island of Hawaii and beyond. Steve Roby is a great host with a real passion for music, he has a great array of artists on the show from various genres, and his radio voice is easy to listen to. Highly recommend Songs and Stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    erikkarma
    United States5 years ago
  • Great way to discover new music

    Every Thursday a new episode comes out and I get a chance to hear new music from the talented musicians on Hawaii Island. Who knew they had so many different genres to offer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lost Archives
    United States5 years ago
  • Excellent Podcast for Big Island (

    Songs

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kia's Mom
    United States5 years ago
  • Insightful Interviews. Great Music

    Steve Roby is such a good interviewer. The musicians he talks with speak from the heart and really reveal themselves. Love the music selections.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    logelson
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews mention a desire for increased energy from the host during episodes.
The host is praised for his in-depth interview skills and knowledge of the music scene.
Listeners appreciate the range of music genres and artists featured.
Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable resource for discovering new music and understanding artist stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

RJAM: New Visions at the Lab
Q: How did the Side by Side series come together, and what is its relationship with SFJAZZ?
The Side by Side series was inspired by classical music programs and allows students to collaborate with mentors, enhancing their learning experience.
RJAM: New Visions at the Lab
Q: What does the San Francisco Conservatory of Music offer today's musicians and where does the Rjam program fit?
The conservatory aims to build professional musicians and prepares them for success in the modern era, providing cross-genre training.
RJAM: New Visions at the Lab
Q: How do you evaluate their readiness and what should aspiring applicants know before auditioning?
Hainsworth looks for students who have a deep passion for music and a desire to learn, rather than just the most talented individuals.
Las Cafeteras’ Night of Living Memory
Q: How do you communicate the themes of your production to audiences?
By using familiar elements of Mexican folklore, allowing connections to be made with the audience.
Las Cafeteras’ Night of Living Memory
Q: What inspired the creation of this show?
The inspiration came after seeing a film that portrayed Mexican culture poorly, leading to a desire to tell their own stories through music and theater.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Songs & Stories

What is Songs & Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the rich tapestry of the local music scene, this podcast focuses on intimate interviews with both emerging and established artists across diverse genres such as jazz, blues, rock, pop, folk, classical, urban, and world music. Each episode provides a unique insight into the artistic journeys, creative processes, and inspirations of the musicians, fostering a deeper understanding of their work and upcoming projects. With a commitment to highlighting local talent, listeners can expect engaging conversations that not only celebrate music but also the stories behind it, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in the arts and cultural narratives.

Where can I find podcast stats for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Songs & Stories. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Songs & Stories and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Songs & Stories get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Songs & Stories, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Songs & Stories, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Songs & Stories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Songs & Stories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Songs & Stories are there?

Songs & Stories launched 5 years ago and published 285 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Songs & Stories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Songs & Stories from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Songs & Stories. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Songs & Stories?

Recent guests on Songs & Stories include:

1. Chris Potter
2. Gerald Albright
3. Caity Gyorgy
4. Dr. Robert Franklin
5. Amaro Freitas
6. Nicole McCabe
7. Martha Redbone
8. Anthony Hervey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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