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JPR Live Session: The RT's

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The Brooklyn-based band joined us to talk about their new self-titled release, and how the new album reflects the major shift from the band's old sound (and name) to where they find themselves today.

For roughly a decade, the band now known as the RT's were known as the Rad Trads. Described as an era of 'bar band' music - the kind of horn-fueled, jazz influenced, high energy party music you might expect to enjoy with friends...and drinks.

But for the RT's, Patrick Sargent (vocals, saxophone, keys); Michael Harlen (bass, vocals); Alden Harris-McCoy (guitar, vocals); Michael Fatum (trumpet, vocals) and Jamie Eblen (drums, vocals), 2021 led to a realization that the group's sound really didn't match that earlier generation was no longer a great match for their maturing creative vision. A discovery that 'Rad Trad' had taken on a political connotation also didn't sit well with the group.

And so...a metamorphosis. To the RT's. They joined us live in the studio to share some cool acoustic arrangements of tunes from their new album, and even incorporated the use of our own Dave Jackson's acoustic guitar!

As FM Network Program Director and Music Director, Eric oversees many aspects of JPR's broadcast day. He still hosts the occasional Open Air or classical music shift, and is the driving force behind JPR Live Sessions - our popular series of live in-studio music performances and conversations.