Episode 84 - R.M. O'Brien

My guest this week is R.M. O’Brien. He’s a poet and a playwright and the main man behind Nuclear Power Pants. We’ve been friends since we first played a show together at Purchase College in 2004, and we’ve gone on several tours together throughout the years.

He talks about forming Nuclear Power Pants at Purchase College, and then reforming the band in Providence and then Baltimore. We talk about the inherent frustration of touring, and the point where touring with his band began to clash with his role as a family man. He explains his conversion to Sikhism, and how that’s affected his outlook on life and his approach to creative pursuits.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Def Jef’s Soul Food. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

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.