Local Music

St. Louis soul singer Gene Jackson talked about his new album "The Jungle" and recent battle with COVID-19 on St. Louis on the Air.

Performing arts organizations in St. Louis are finding different answers to the question of how to stage in-person shows safely during the coronavirus pandemic. As spring weather makes outdoor performances more feasible, event producers make indoor spaces safer, and more people receive the COVID-19 vaccine, more organizations are deciding that the show will once again go on.

Congress approved $15 billion in relief funds in December for cultural organizations struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. People interested in applying for Shuttered Venue Operator grants can begin applying on April 8.

The Sinkhole owner Matt Stuttler and Arch City Audio Visual Services event producer Chris Keith share about how the pandemic impacted their services, and discuss details about their virtual concert series, “I Watched Music On The Internet.”

St. Louis singer-songwriter Haley Woolbright explains how the secret love song she wrote to surprise her fiance at their wedding has become a song for her husband due to the pandemic canceling the wedding they'd planned. She shared her new track "Long Game" on St. Louis on the Air.

An album and podcast series by St. Louis Story Stitchers, a collaborative of young artists, is highlighting life in different neighborhoods of the city. The songs, poems and stories of “The Why of My City” — show fierce pride in the city's history, particularly the accomplishments of Black St. Louisans. They also share optimism about the future.

André Cataldo, who produces music under the name Dear Genre, considers his latest album, “Man in Full,” his most “tame and mature” sound. He joins the talk show to delve into his musical journey and share tracks from his sixth album.

Lisa Houdei, aka Le'Ponds, discusses her musical journey and how she's navigated creating music during the pandemic — and shares a sneak peek of an upcoming project.

St. Louis band Hounds has experienced many twists and turns, most notably a reinvention from the members' previous band, Clockwork. After the departure and subsequent return of a founding member — and the band's victorious visit to the second season of the talent competition "Who Will Rock You?" — Hounds sits on the eve of its major label debut.

Owners of music venues in St. Louis are discovering there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the financial straights brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. With stages dark and the immediate future of the business unclear, industry professionals have turned to federal aid programs but experienced mixed results.