The series amplified West Virginia’s music scene to national media outlets like NPR Music and Poynter, all while forging life-long musical friendships and collaborations within our own state.
This summer, we hope to do it all over again with 30 brand new features packed into 30 days, but we need YOUR help.
Submit yourself or your band in the form below (or right here) by May 5, 2017. If chosen for our 30 Days of #WVmusic series, you will be contacted by Joni Deutsch in the coming weeks.
Become the MailChimp to our Serial, the Casper Mattress to our [insert podcast name]! This is the chance to share your message with the #WVmusic community and have it appear on our podcast-y chats/posts. If you have or know a business that would want to sponsor an episode and share their message with our fans, email jdeutsch [at] wvpublic [dot] org with their name and contact information.
And if you haven’t already, catch up on last year’s #WVmusic series right here and follow along with A Change of Tune’s #WVmusic adventures on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
<a data-cke-saved-href=”https://wvpublic.wufoo.com/forms/w6iu61q1mwu1f8/” href=”https://wvpublic.wufoo.com/forms/w6iu61q1mwu1f8/”>Fill out my Wufoo form!</a>
West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Mountain Stage’s Joni Deutsch has been named to The State Journal‘s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 for 2017. The 25-year-old was chosen for her passion in promoting the West Virginia music scene through her weekly radio program A Change of Tune, her statewide #WhyListen event series through NPR Generation Listen and her critically-acclaimed30 Days of #WVmusic series.
Joni Deutsch receives the Generation Next: 40 Under 40 award.
For the past 12 years, The State Journal‘s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 has recognized outstanding young professionals who work and volunteer to make West Virginia a better place. As the newspaper puts it, “As West Virginia continues to stare down hard times, it will be the innovations and energy from Generation Next that carries the state to prosperity.”
Joni Deutsch was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, and graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in public relations and advertising. After learning the radio ropes at WLUR 91.5 FM in Lexington, Virginia, Joni returned to the Mountain State and joined the West Virginia Public Broadcasting family as the creator and host of the weekly indie/alternative music program A Change of Tune.
In June 2015, Joni became assistant producer for NPR Music’s live performance radio program Mountain Stage and host of its #MS2Go podcast. One year later, she became the program’s youngest (not to mention first female) guest host, a position she will return to later this June as part of a special FestivALL edition of Mountain Stage.
Over the year, Joni Deutsch’s work has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition & Weekend Edition, NPR Music’s Heavy Rotation, Poynter, Inside Appalachia, WERA FM’s FemChord and Clutch MOV, among others.In 2015, the Charleston Gazette-Mail named Joni one of the people “making Charleston [West Virginia] even better.” In 2016, she was named an Emerging Voice Scholar by the Alliance for Women in Media.
For more information on the Generation Next: 40 Under 40 recognition and the full list of recipients, click here.
Every month, NPR asks 10 public-radio music curators to share the songs they’re loving right now.
This early-winter mix doesn’t disappoint. West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Joni Deutsch (host of A Change of Tune and producer/guest host of NPR’s Mountain Stage) shared her favorite song with NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Joni's Pick: Fil Bo Riva, 'Like Eye Did' from If You're Right, It's Alright Fil Bo Riva is not your typical 24-year-old singer-songwriter. Born in Rome and schooled by monks in Dublin, Riva began his career in music relatively recently as a busker in Berlin. He's got a raw, soulful voice that easily draws comparisons to Benjamin Clementine, George Ezra or Tom Waits. "Like Eye Did," the first song from Riva's debut EP, If You're Right, It's Alright, is an explosive track written in response to a relationship gone sour. Within seconds, you can hear Riva's soul tearing its way out through his voice as he recounts the story of that unrequited love, a guttural lament fueled by the sort of rejection and introspection we've all experienced. And when the chorus picks up, you begin to hear almost-comical bubble pops in the background, as if love's fragile, idyllic dream is sure to pop without notice, without resolve. Between his captivating voice and dynamic production, Riva is sure to keep us coming back for more.
In April 2015, they released their first full-length Snowflake Mandala. Less than a year later, they earned an entry into the 2016 International Blues Challenge with their second release U Can’t Bother Me. And now, Huntington rockers The Shadowshaker Band are back with a bigger band and a bluer sound.
We sat down with The Shadowshaker Band’s Eve Marcum-Atkinson and Michael Lyzenga in the #wvpublic studios to talk about the band’s new record Heart on the Line and their blues-y beginnings.
The Shadowshaker Band regularly performs at Ritter Park in Huntington, West Virginia.
On playing blues music:
Michael: People say it’s so easy, it’s just three chords and some attitude, but it’s so much more than that. It comes from the heart. Country music does in a way, if you write the right music. But the blues…
Eve: …will rip out your heart and make you happy you did.
On Eve’s musical beginnings:
Eve: I was all rock. Although I really liked one of the albums U2 did when they went more blues, and I liked that style. It wasn’t until the ‘90s that I really started appreciating that style with Nina Simone and Billie Holiday and those chanteuse-style singers. I was hiding under a rock for a very long time, and I did not sing in front of people… at all.
Michael: She’s got it good both ways though. She can not only sing The Shadowshaker Band music (the folk and blues and rock and Americana), but she’s also in a band called Under Surveillance where she can flat out rock. So she has the best of both worlds: she can come to my studio and record a little love ballad and go to their studio…
Eve: …and scream it out.
Credit The Shadowshaker Band
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The Shadowshaker Band’s Eve Marcum-Atkinson designed the band’s cover art.
On writing The Shadowshaker Band’s music:
Michael: You can ask me where the lyrics come from, but I have no idea. I could not tell you how I can wake up in the morning, pick up my guitar, strum a chord, and write and record the song by the end of the day. I don’t know how it works, and I don’t know where they come from.
Music featured in this #WVmusic chat:
The Shadowshaker Band- “Heart on the Line”
The Shadowshaker Band- “Collide”
The Shadowshaker Band- “Shadows”
The Shadowshaker Band- “Mr. Weather Man” (Live in the #WVPublic Studios)
This weekend, Mountain Stage listeners will hear a new voice on the show as we welcome a very special guest host: Joni Deutsch.
The show, which was recorded June 26 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia, will feature live performances by dreamy indie poppers Lucius, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachel Yamagata, New York-based rocker Margaret Glaspy, gothic blues artist Adia Victoria and West Virginia rock-and-roller William Matheny.
Find a station in your area here or tune in to West Virginia Public Broadcasting (the home of Mountain Stage) this Saturday, September 17 at 8 p.m. and again Friday, September 23 at 8 p.m.
“I was honored that Larry asked me to step in and guest host the show,” Joni Deutsch said. "Were it not for the support of Mountain Stage listeners over the last 32 years, our live performance program wouldn’t be here. I’m grateful to be a part of this team and for the continued support of our public radio audience.”
While it’s her first time hosting the program, Joni has worked with Mountain Stage for the past three years and currently acts as assistant producer for the program, announcing the opening and closing credits of the show, contributing to radio specials, and hosting the monthly Mountain Stage 2 Go podcast. If you’ve ever attended a live show, Joni is the first person you see on stage as she welcomes the audience before the recording begins.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio listeners may also know Joni Deutsch as the host of her own indie/alternative music program A Change of Tune, heard every Saturday night at 10 p.m., as well as the coordinator for West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s NPR Generation Listen events.
In over 870 episodes, Joni Deutsch is now the second person other than Larry Groce to host Mountain Stage after Tim O’Brien hosted in May of 2014.
"We're all very excited that Joni will be a guest host of Mountain Stage," said Larry Groce. "Her warm, welcoming and informed style is truly in the spirit of the show, and we know you'll enjoy her fresh presentation of 'Live Performance Music from the Mountain State'."
Stay tuned to Mountain Stage on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Tumblr) for the latest news, including the announcement of our next guest host.
For more live performances from Mountain Stage, catch up on our podcast, browse segments at NPR Music and watch performances on VuHaus.
Since the show began almost two years ago, A Change of Tune has highlighted some of the best up-and-coming artists out of these West Virginia hills with podcast-y chats ranging from The Sea The Sea to Coyotes in Boxes, Qiet to Bud Carroll and beyond.
But those interviews have been a bit infrequent, and since West Virginia Day is coming up (not to mention A Change of Tune’s second birthday), we thought we’d do something special: 30 days, 30 brand new #WVmusic interviews that range from Morgantown alt-rockers and Parkersburg singer-songwriters to West Virginia music venues and regional artist management and beyond, all of which contribute to this state’s wild and wonderful music scene.
And today, we are chatting with White Sulfur Springs musician Chandler Beavers, who became a fan of jam bands and bluegrass music at an early age. Since then, Chandler has gone on to make his own music, not to mention collaborate with regional artists like Beckley’s The Kind Thieves and Hiawatha’s Steamliner Bluegrass Band. Which begs the question…
Credit Alauren McClay
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Chandler Beavers has lived in different parts of West Virginia throughout his youth including Princeton, Athens, Charleston, Roanoke, and Bluefield. He currently resides in White Sulphur Springs.
How exactly did you start playing music (when, where, why, etc.)?
I started playing the mandolin in 2001, back when I was 10 and living in Princeton, West Virginia. I discovered my landlord was in a bluegrass band. I had never really listened to much bluegrass before then, but after hearing his popular band Black Diamond play, I was hooked. I haven’t looked back since.
How has your sound changed over time (if at all)?
I’ve progressed more and more towards the “jam” scene after starting with very traditional bluegrass music. When I first started playing bluegrass, I was fascinated with The Del McCoury Band. Over time, acts like Yonder Mountain String Band, Tim O’Brien, Leftover Salmon, Dave Matthews Band, and The Infamous Stringdusters made a huge impact on my music.
Where do you play in and around West Virginia (venues, festivals, etc.)?
I travel and play with a few groups at the moment. We play anything from small venues and festivals to the streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, during the summertime.
What’s been the highlight of your musical journey?
Man… the highlight for me so far has been meeting all the people associated with the genre. You won’t find a better crowd of folks anywhere in the world than the ones you find at a bluegrass gathering.
What’s it like making music in West Virginia?
Making music in West Virginia is amazing. The scenery and the people around you make for great inspiration.
Credit Alauren McClay
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Chandler Beavers newest release will be out later this year.
But do you feel held back by being in West Virginia? Or does it feel like a musically-supportive place?
Honestly? Yes, I do feel held back to a certain degree. When it comes to support, the people of West Virginia give you all the support you need, but the problem I’m becoming aware of is the small amount of bluegrass pickers in the area (especially young bluegrass pickers), not to mention the problem with venues. It’s hard to find a venue that will host bluegrass (or any genre for the matter) and be able to pay the act a decent wage for being there.
What I will say is that festival promoters have done a fantastic job lately in bringing top-notch acts to West Virginia. There are some new/newer festivals in West Virginia that are incredible experiences, and Mountain Stage continues to do a wonderful job keeping music alive.
What, in your opinion, needs to happen in the West Virginia music scene for it to move forward?
It’s growing and getting better. Like I said, there are new events popping up all the time, and that’s encouraging. I do believe West Virginia could use some more legitimate venues and maybe encourage more folks to get more involved with the music scene. It amazes me how many friends I have that love music but never make it out to support live music and support the bands. If we don’t support the artists, it’s hard for music to grow.
What advice would you give anyone starting out in music?
If your starting to make music and want to be somewhat serious about it, my advice would be to come up with some original material and follow your heart. Play the music that makes you happy. Music is supposed to be fun. Don’t play material or join up with bands if it makes you unhappy about music.
Chandler Beavers’ solo project Different will be released later this year. Keep an eye on his social media for music updates and tour schedules. To hear more #WVmusic, tune in to A Change of Tune, airing Saturday nights at 10 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. And for more #WVmusic chats, make sure to go to wvpublic.org/wvmusic.
