James McKain at the Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee on January 8, 2026

Back in January, Brooklyn-based saxophonist James McKain brought a quartet with him from the East Coast to the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery featuring Turkish-American pianist Ipek Eginli, bassist Evan Palmer, and percussionist Weasel Walter. The music was freely improvised and really benefitted from the textural approach each participant brought to the performance.

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

JAMES MCKAIN
2026-01-08
Milwaukee, WI
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts

James McKain: tenor and baritone sax
Ipek Eginli: piano
Evan Palmer: bass
Weasel Walter: drums

Setlist:
01 One (17:40)
02 Two (21:24)

Total time = 39:04

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (214 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (102 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Vocokesh at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 10, 2024

We proceed with our exhaustive exploration of the bands performing at the 2024 edition of the Milwaukee Psych Fest, which unfortunately appears to be the final incarnation of this beloved annual music festival. 

Vocokesh is an improvisatory psych rock band led by former F/I band member Richard Franecki. It's an exciting format which provides for very high energy focused jamming. 

Purchase their most recent album here.

Recording information:

VOCOKESH
2024-05-10
The Cooperage
Milwaukee Psych Fest

Richard Franecki: guitar
Tom Schnier: bass
Jim Gawelski: drums

Setlist:
01 One (8:36)
02 Two (4:38)
03 Three (6:37)
04 Four (3:58)
05 Five (10:46)
06 Six (6:36)

Total time = 41:11

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio OM1 in A-B
Additional source: mono SBD
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (266 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (121 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Derek Monypeny at Acme Records in Milwaukee on April 3, 2026

Avantgarde world music performer Derek Monypeny made another appearance at Acme Records a few weeks ago as part of a national tour with banjoist Kelby Clark.

Last time, Monypeny provided massive and dazzling psychedelic oceans of sound produced with a shahi baaja -- this time he came with a bulbul tarang, a related stringed instrument from India which features repurposed typewriter keys which are pressed down upon the strings, creating an etherial effect.

Buy his most recent release here

Recording information:

DEREK MONYPENY
2026-04-03
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records and Music Emporium

Derek Monypeny: bulbul tarang
Kelby Clark: banjo (track 4)

Setlist:
01 One (20:48)
02 Two (8:36)
03 Three (6:18)
04 Four - with Kelby (8:38)

Total time = 44:20

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (204 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (67 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Kelby Clark at Acme Records in Milwaukee on April 3, 2026

Kelby Clark is an experimental banjoist who is originally from South Georgia but is currently is based in Los Angeles. He came to Acme Records a few weeks ago as part of a tour with Derek Monypeny. His music was atmospheric with an emphasis on textural components. It was an interesting approach to this traditional country instrument and seemed right at home for the typical adventurous Acme audience.

Purchase his most recent release here.

Recording information:

KELBY CLARK
2026-04-03
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records

Kelby Clark: banjo

Setlist:
01 Entire performance (35:47)

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Additional source: mono SBD
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (142 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (91 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the performance by our pal Andrew Lyon

Steve Gunn at Acme Records in Milwaukee on December 30, 2025

My first recordings of Steve Gunn for this blog were in April 2018 at Acme Records, both solo and in his duo with percussionist John Truscinski, so it seemed appropriate when I heard that Steve would be returning to this amazing performance space just before New Years' Eve for a solo show.

A lot has happened with Gunn since this first recordings; he signed and eventually moved on from Matador Records, and then released albums on Three Lobed and No Quarter. This past week he released an EP as well.

Gunn's performance was peppered with more distortion than I had expected and some noisy yet subtle electronics as well. 

It seems that before the show, he noticed a patron purchase a Velvet Underground box set and slipped in the lovely cover song, "I'll Be Your Mirror" into his set.

I was very fortunate to be sitting next to local photographer Ryan Sarnowski at this show, and his very much appreciated images are as follows:

Purchase his latest release here.

Recording information:

STEVE GUNN

2025-12-30

Milwaukee, WI

Acme Records

Steve Gunn: guitar and vocals

Setlist

01 Jam (1:50)

02 On the Way (8:29)

03 Morning on K Road (6:16)

04 Way Out Weather (7:14)

05 I’ll Be Your Mirror [Lou Reed] (3:56)

06 Hadrian’s Wall (4:27)

07 Another Fade (10:33)

08 Old Strange (8:00)

09 Nearly There (8:10)

10 Morning Is Mended (9:03)

Total time: 67:58

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Source: SBD feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (406 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (178 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Jason Stein, Damon Smith, and Adam Shead at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee on December 9, 2025

I've been a little behind in posting shows lately -- especially jazz shows from the last year. I'll do my best to get caught up with the backlog in the next few weeks.

This upload focuses on a superb trio featuring bass clarinetist Jason Stein, double bassist Damon Smith, and percussionist Adam Shead. Smith hails from St Louis and the other two are based in Chicago. They came to the Sugar Maple back in December as part of a short tour of the Midwest.

Stein is perhaps best known at the moment as part of Natural Information Society, but he has been a stellar part of the Chicago jazz scene for decades. Smith has worked with many significant names in jazz including Marilyn Crispell, Henry Kaiser, Alvin Fielder, and Roscoe Mitchell. For many years he has run a wonderful record label named Balance Point Acoustics. Shead is perhaps a bit less known than either, but he has been participating in several impressive local groups including Microplastique and his quintet.

Buy their most recent album here

Recording information:

JASON STEIN
DAMON SMITH
ADAM SHEAD
2025-12-09
Milwaukee, WI
The Sugar Maple

Jason Stein: bass clarinet
Damon Smith: double bass
Adam Shead: drums

Set list:
01 Set One (30:57)
02 Set Two (26:13)

Total time = 57:10

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF in front row
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (347 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (190 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the first set:

Spiral Galaxy at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 11, 2024

Steve Krakow has been a frequent visitor to the Milwaukee Psych Fest, having performed at the music festival several times under the moniker of Plastic Crimewave. His new project with flautist Sara Gossett, Spiral Galaxy, explores a somewhat softer, more intimate version of psychedelia.

For this performance they were joined by Przemyslaw Krys Drazek on trumpet and Brent Fuscalso on bass. Drazak and Fuscalso at one time were collaborating with a range of musicians as Mako Sica, but since primarily been working as a duo and have changed their name to Drazak Fuscalso.

Buy their latest album here.

Recording information:

SPIRAL GALAXY

2024-05-11

Milwaukee, WI

2024 Milwaukee Psych Fest

Steve Krakow: keyboards

Sara Gossett: flute

Przemyslaw Krys Drazek: trumpet

Brent Fuscalso: bass

Setlist:

01 One (14:41)

02 Two (9:44)

Total time = 24:25

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in X-Y

Additional source: Excellent SBD feed via Max Nemer

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3 at 24/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (167 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (78 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of an excerpt of this performance:

Nicholas Elert at the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery on August 2, 2025

Here is a brief and enjoyable set from synthesizer wizard, audio engineer, and film composer Nicholas Elert from the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery back in August. It's a very enjoyable 21-minute set featuring two pieces build from sequencers and synthesizers which build up to a dizzying climax.

Buy his most recent album here.

Recording information:

NICHOLAS ELERT
2025-08-02
Milwaukee Jazz Gallery

Nicholas Elert: synthesizers

Setlist:
01 Performance (21:17)

Total time = 21:17

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for the blog www.milwaukeetaper.com

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (122 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (62 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of this performance: 

Wife at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on September 25, 2025

Wife is a San Francisco-based punk bank formed in 2021 who came through Milwaukee back in September as part of a national tour in support for their new album on Recess Records, The Importance of Daydreaming. Their music and energy was exhilarating -- surprisingly catchy riffs in short songs bursting with jittery drama and howling poetry. 

Buy their latest album here.

Recording Information:

WIFE 

2025-09-25

Milwaukee, WI

The Cactus Club

Char: vocals

Liv: guitar and bass

Lucky: bass and guitar

Siena: drums and vocals

Setlist:

01 Until Then I’ll Be Flying (2:40)

02 Five (2:21)

03 Wish on A Number (2:39)

04 Play Pretend (2:46)

05 Splintered Smile (2:53)

06 Growing Means Going Old (2:15)

07 Sing to Me Dream (3:36)

08 Crashbox (2:57)

Total timde = 22:07

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

Additional source: SBD feed from Alex

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (154 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (77 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

here is the official video for the song "Until Then I'll Be Flying"

John Dikeman, Thomas Florin, and Nicolas Field at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee on May 3, 2024

John Dikeman is an American saxophonist who grew up in Wyoming and currently lives and works in Amsterdam. His recent collaborations have included projects with Hamid Drake, William Parker, Joe McPhee, Jeb Bishop, and many others. He brought a trio featuring pianist Thomas Florin and drummer Nicolas Field to the back room of the Sugar Maple last May for two sets of fiery improvised jazz. 

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

JOHN DIKEMAN

2024-05-03

Milwaukee, WI

The Sugar Maple

John Dikeman: tenor sax

Thomas Florin: piano

Nicolas Field: drums

Setlist:

01 Improvisation One (34:50)

02 Improvisation Two (33:31)

Total time = 68:21

Recorded with artist permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF and a Shure SM58 in the piano

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (410MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (193 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the trio at Black Mountain College a few days after this concert: