Episode 83 - Ceschi Ramos

Height Zone World 83. My guest this week is Ceschi Ramos. He’s a rapper/singer-songwriter, as well as one of the founders of the Fake Four label. He’s made a big impact in the underground music world, and we’ve shared many bills together over the years.

We talk about the early incarnations of his Anonymous Inc band, and his first taste of the music business big leagues with his Toca project. He tells me about his first solo albums, and how a tour with Germany’s DJ Scientist influenced him to change his approach to the music game. I ask him about starting Fake Four at a time when indie labels were dropping like flies, and he talks about the slow-but-steady growth they’ve experienced since 2008.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to The Pharcyde’s Labcabincalifornia. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 82 - CX KIDTRONIK

My guest this week is CX KIDTRONIK. He’s a producer, DJ, vocalist and videographer with a musical resume that goes back to the 80’s. We first got to know each other when he contributed to my Height With Friends Versus The Continental MC’s album.

We talk about his childhood in Madison, WI and the hip-hop and hardcore punk that influenced him there. I ask him about his collaborations with Atari Teenage Riot, Saul Williams, Rammellzee and Kanye West and what he took away from those experiences. We also discuss releasing his two Krak Attack albums through Stones Throw Records, working as a fetish clip director and his new Sewer Rats BK project.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Mantronix’s In Full Effect. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 81 - Height Spinning Tunes

Height spinning tunes by Human Pippi Armstrong, Mrs. Paintbrush, Kate Ferencz, Diogenes, Lil Cake and Jack Toft, Eze Jackson, Barter Boys, Al Rogers Jr. and Uncommon Nasa.
Mike Riley’s artwork this week is an homage to MC Breed’s 20 Below. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 80 - Ullnevano

Height Zone World 80. My guest this week is UllNevaNo. He’s an MC from the MGNTK crew. He’s released a large catalogue of music over the years, including his full-length collaborations with Logic Marselis, Illien Rosewell and {w}.

We talk about how he learned the craft of rapping in southern California, and how he refined the business end of music upon moving back to the East Coast. He discusses making the switch from focusing on being a battle MC to releasing full-length projects.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s All Souled Out.

Episode 79 - The Electric Grandmother

My guests this week are Pete Faust and Mary Alice Hamnett of The Electric Grandmother. They’re a self-described Sitcom-Core duo from Hawaii/Ohio. We first met a few years ago, when our tours crossed paths in Toledo, Ohio.

We talk about how the band started as Pete’s solo bedroom project before morphing into a live duo. We discuss the constant TV and movie references in their music, and they explain why sitcom characters have been popping up in Pete’s poems and songs since the mid-90s. Pete talks about some of the confusion that stayed with him after a near death experience as a teenager, and how it came to a head after moving to DC and working on their new album.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Crucial Conflict’s The Final Tic. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.