OCTOBER 28, 2007: Pure Pop returns TODAY on WEBR! Tune in from 3-5 pm EST for the greatest pop in the universe!---------------------------------------------------
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10 Questions, the answers to which will tell you all you need to know:
1. What is Alan Haber's Pure Pop?
We're one of the oldest, longest-running radio shows specializing in melodic pop from the 1960s, 1970s and today, which means lots of Beatles, Beach Boys, Byrds and other sixties artists that start with a "B". We also play artists that start with other letters of the alphabet. Show your letters with pride!
2. Do you play independent artists?
Most of the artists played on the Pure Pop radio show are the definition of independent. These folks make great pop music that they release on their own labels or on other, small labels. In most cases, they record in their homes (tip: put the drums in the bathroom for maximum boom-boom) or in other people's homes. Hopefully, they know the people whose homes they record in, or at least replace any pound cake they might eat in between takes.
3. Which independent artists are you currently featuring?
Glad you asked. We're super high on two guys with mondo pop chops: the first is a kid, I kid you not, from Simi Valley, Ca. named Evan Hillhouse, whose self-titled debut album is simply off-the-charts incredible. Evan plays just about all of the instruments and co-wrote the songs. You can hear his hit-worthy "I Love It Like You" on this page. The second go-to pop guy of the moment is Chris Brown from San Francisco, whose album Now That You're Fed is pretty much the quintessential pure soft pop album of the 2000s. Fat harmonies, rich melodies, and singing that is beyond beautiful. We also kick the gong for Jeffrey Scott, who creates the coolest Beach Boys-meets-Queen-meets-Four Freshmen music going. Add in a touch of glam, and Jeffrey's Last Rites for a Dying Heart is sheer genius. Another great indie pop guy is Johnny Lloyd Rollins, whose EP, Let's Be Poor Together, is dripping in Emitt Rhodesness.
4. When and where does the Pure Pop radio show air?
Glad you asked. There are two versions of the show. The first airs live from noon to 1 pm every Saturday on WEBR radio, a public access cable radio station in Fairfax, Virginia. You can listen live on the Net at http://www.fcac.org/webcasting/webcast.htm.
The other version of the show is a 24-7 expanded edition running on Live365. In addition to the greatest pop in the universe, you can hear replays of the live WEBR show, and two other one-hour shows produced especially for Pure Pop: The Sonic Sixty, a decidedly British take on the pure pop experience, hosted by the Shadow Kabinet's Steve Somerset; and the Frank Lee Sprague Radio Hour, during which one-half of the fabulous rockin' Sprague Brothers covers a wide swath of pop 'n' roll from throughout the modern pop era.
Fancy a listen? Go to http://www.live365.com/stations/zoogang?play
5. Who are some of your favorite pop artists?
Always a tough question, because you don't want to leave anyone out. The Beatles, of course. The Beach Boys. The Kinks. The Hollies. All of the usual and unusual British Invasion suspects. The Raspberries. Cherry Twister. Klaatu. The Carpenters. David Grahame. Chris Brown. Andrew Gold. Richard X. Heyman. Doug Powell. Teenage Fanclub. And a whole host of others.
6. What makes a great pop song?
That's one of those questions that will get you a different answer, depending on who you ask. If you're asking me, a great pop song is one which is infused with melody and lots of harmonies and has a hook that doesn't let go. For my money, Graham Gouldman has written two absolutely perfect pop songs: Bus Stop and No Milk Today. And this guy named Paul McCartney--perhaps you've heard of him--has written a few.
7. What do you do when you're not playing pop on the Pure Pop radio show?
I write pop record reviews and articles for my pop culture web site, buhdge. Read the latest postings at http://www.buhdge.com.
8. Superman or Batman?
Both.
9. Lois Lane or Lane Smith?
Lane Smith, absolutely.
10. Anything you'd like to add?
452 and 601. It's always been a dream of mine. And please, stay in touch.
