Robert Moore knows music.
I caught up with the host of KRBZ 96.5 FM's Sonic Spectrum, CEO of local label Oxblood Records and ubiquitous face on the KC indie rock scene via e-mail and discussed past and present Kansas City music, DJ gigging and what sounds are cookin' so far this year.
The Pitch: What is the best, most unique show you have seen within the last five years in Kansas City?
Robert Moore: Well, best and most unique could actually be separate. A few that come to mind...AC/DC at the Sprint Center, Gary Numan at Record Bar, Woven Hand at Record Bar, X at the Madrid and Nomeansno at Record Bar.
What's new with Oxblood Records?
We're about to release a new 7" from The Pedaljets and we have a few more releases that we're working on. The compilation, First Blood, is still selling nicely in the digital world thanks to the constant touring of the Republic Tigers and the Ssion.
What do you think the music scene needs more of in Kansas City?
Fans. We have enough venues that feature local music and we have great coverage from local papers, online 'zines and radio. It's not the economy ... this has been an issue for quite awhile. Support your local scene. It's a damn good one.
As a non-native Kansas Citian, what do you think KC's greatest contribution to the cultural world is?
I still feel it's the obvious one: jazz. The Kansas City style of jazz, the 4/4, is more closely related to rock n' roll than any of the other hubs from the golden age. The big bands of Basie, McShann and Andy Kirk, the jumpin' blues of Big Joe Turner, the boogie woogie of Pete Johnson ... I'll take Kansas City jazz over the brass-heavy marches of New Orleans, the cerebral, listen-but-don't-speak jazz of New York, or the antiseptic cool swing of the West Coast any day.
What are your top ten albums of the year thus far?
Releases are a lot more single-oriented now. Rarely does a full-length hold up anymore, so I'll list some of my favorite songs of the year.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings/"Inspiration Information"
Empire of The Sun/"Walking On A Dream"
Bob Mould/"Argos"
Bat For Lashes/"Sleep Alone"
Super Furry Animals/"White Socks and Flip Flops"
Jack Penate/"Tonight's Today"
The Dactyls/"A Widow Knows"
The Black Lips/"Again & Again"
N.A.S.A. feat. Tom Waits and Cool Keith/"Spacious Thoughts"
What are the pro and cons of spinning live music?
Location and audience can either be a major pro or major con. The reaction of the audience will guide the way the night will go. There's nothing better than a full dance floor of people digging what you're playing. The Replay Lounge in Lawrence is my favorite place to spin.
What does your son listen to?
He likes a bit of everything from AC/DC to the Ramones to Johnny Cash but is currently into hip-hop. He's actually turning me onto stuff now, which is great. His picks have saved me a few times when I'm spinning for the mainstream college kids.
How has Sonic Spectrum changed since moving to commercial radio?
Well, the demographic is quite a bit younger for The Buzz so I've adjusted accordingly. I play much less AAA singer/songwriter stuff (which never really was my thing anyway) and lean towards music you'd hear on a good college radio station, like KJHK. I do throw in Tom Waits, Nina Simone and a healthy dose of old school punk to mix it up a bit. The Sonic Spectrum podcast I do for PresentMagazine.com is much more freeform than the show I did for KCUR or the current one on KRBZ. I feature all of my musical loves from jazz to blues to honky-tonk to Jamaican ska and much more. I'm lucky to have that outlet.
If your iPod only allowed you to load the music from three local bands, which bands would the songs be from?
I would need something with good hooks then. Hmmm... probably Doris Henson, Ghosty and Dri.
What are your favorite podcasts?
I really don't have the time to listen to podcasts. I spend most of my time reviewing new releases and scouring music blogs, so I couldn't tell you even what's out there. If I do listen to radio, it's either KJHK or WFMU.
This weekend at the Record Bar, Moore celebrates the fifth anniversary of Sonic Spectrum with two nights of all-local music.
Tonight: 9 p.m., The Dactyls; 10 p.m., Actors and Actresses; 11 p.m., Olympic Size; and 12 a.m., Be/Non
Saturday: 9 p.m. Cowboy Indian Bear; 10 p.m., Organic Proof; 11 p.m., Dri; 12 a.m., DJ Just
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