Getting Close UP!

Ready for the Queer Narrative Festival? So are we—and who better to get us festival-ready than the incredible duo behind it all? This week, host Danielle sits down with Lindsey Kinney and Waleska Rodriguez Kruger, Co-Executive Directors of No Divide KC, to pull back the curtain on the inspiration, mission, and heart behind the Queer Narrative Festival.

From creating spaces where every story matters to building stronger, more ...

Today we're stepping inside one of the area's growing creative hubs with Cody Pieschl, creator and owner of Code Red Productions—a full-service audio recording and podcast studio dedicated to helping artists, musicians, businesses, and content creators bring their ideas to life.

From producing and recording music to building a space where creativity thrives, Cody has turned his passion for production into a destination for st...

Welcome to Season 7, Episode 1 of the Getting Close UP!, where we feature inspiring conversations with independent artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries making their mark on the world. We couldn't think of a better way to kick off a brand-new season than with today's guest, Jordan Occasionally.

A singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music blends heartfelt emotion with honest experiences, Jordan has built a reputat...

We've officially come to the end of Season 6 and what a season it was!!!

Returning guest Joey Marlow (episode 3) and Dose of T.H.A (episode 4 and Season 5 Retro Show host) are here to wrap of the end of the season on Part 2 of the Getting Close S6 Retro Show.

We also reflect on a guest who couldn't make it back due to some sentimental reasons, our episode 5 guest, Sentimental Creatures.

We also take a look back on some our most fav...

Hayden Poling of Tea Leaf (episode 11), Malek Azrael (episode 10) and the Canna Chemist herself, Kim Kambron - Jones of Thraxx Pastry came back to let us know what's going on with them since they taped their episode,on part 1 of the Getting Close S6 Retro Show. Danielle also gives a special mention to Comedian Charles Randolph!

You can see the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/b7-e1nGIlxo  ...

We've come to that time when we've reached the end of the season and dare I say we've saved the best for last (naw, cause we've has some great guest throughout this entire season), nonetheless, our finale guest grew up in Kansas City, went to USC on a full ride scholarship came back to KC to study theatre, then made her way to the bright lights of the big city, NY. Finally after a long cross-country drive from NY back to LA, starte...

Welcoming to the purple chairs, we have the band,.......Tea Leaf.  

This band blew us away when they hit the stage.  From their soulful sound to their heart-felt lyrics, this band was an unexpected thrill.  Note:  we were not the only ones, the sound guys were back there partying with us!

Lucas, Nick and Hayden sit down with Danielle to really give us what is behind the songs (oh and the name as well).  The...

I know you've heard the saying "Art Imitating Life", but I'm going to pin a new cliché for this artist "Life Dictating Art". Whether the song is about his own experiences or he channels someone else's, the only way to truly know this book of secrets is by reading the pages within. I introduce you to Malek Azrael front man of the band Malek Azrael and the Vibes.

Danielle and Malek have one of the most personal interviews we've had s...

"Dreams are aspirations one has a deep desire to achieve."  

Our next guest is a man of many dreams, but his aspirations are becoming reality.  Welcome to the purple chairs comedian, author, film maker and now adding rapper to his arsenal, Charles Randolph.

Charles reached out to us on Instagram and we were happy to oblige.  Danielle and Charles sat down to dig into the mind of a creative with many talents in ju...

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and begin. These are the instructions you will receive when attending a concert or healing service led by Xion Sound Waves.

This group is a spirited bunch seeking their independence from the constraints of the traditional religious regiment, instead pursuing a way to freedom in a collective and personal relationship of inclusivity within their beliefs.

Check out this episode to get a deeper insig...

From Hawaii to California, to Kansas City, Mo, the journey to becoming His Majesty must be ordained.  All hail the King.......................King Kihei.

Danielle and King Kihei get into the depths of what it takes to build a kingdom on the foundation of music, community activism and entrepreneurship.  Focusing on all of the things King Kihei does besides music, this interview is sure to give you deeper insight into what ...

Oh I get so high, when I'm around you baby........................... one of my favorite songs by Toni Braxton, which is appropriate for our next guest. Meet the Canna Chemist herself Kim of Thraxx Pastry.

Kim prepares a delicacy of shrimp and grits, but her twist is effusion (not during the taping of the show). Creating delicious delectables with cannabis combined in the sauces, the rubs, the pastries, the drinks................th...

You know how they say you shouldn't work with family or friends, well whomever said has never met the members of Sentimental Creatures.

Sara, Lukas, Isaiah, and Caleb are the closest you come to defining thicker than blood (two of them are engaged).  Their chemistry is unmistakable, their collective talents unmatched, and their videoed antics are hilarious.

Danielle and Sentimental Creatures sit down in the purple chairs to di...

Whether it's on a stage performing against infectious beats, or on a sound stage playing a character in a movie, our next artist in the purple chairs is charismatic as well as business minded.

Welcome Dose of T.H.A (The Hassan Assassin). Danielle and Dose dig into the business of being an artist in the social media age and how the internet critics can break some and give strength to others. You will surely learn a lot from this epi...

Joey Marlow is one of our most interesting guest we've had in the purple chairs. With a PHD. in the dark and gruesome, stemming from a wonderful childhood of Halloween play, his creativity is beyond measure (check out his music videos).

An accomplished pianist, vocalist and lyricist, a make up artist specializing in special effects and hair stylist who owns his own salon. What doesn't this guy do?

You can also check out the video v...

Baby you know where to go to get some tea, and so do we, welcome to the purple chairs, host of the Tea With Teash Podcast, Teash.

Teash gives it all to us, letting us sip on what it means to be an independent podcast host who started only 2 years ago. From the bitter and the sweet to the tart and the tasty, Danielle gets the tea on Teash.

Such a good interview, make sure you let us know what you think, ALL TEA!

You can also check o...

T'S A NEW SEASON...............Season 6 is going to introduce us to a lot of great artists and creatives, but non more than our guest who is kicking off the season with an in depth introspective of self, spirituality, purpose, destiny and truth.

Welcome to the purple chairs Stephonne! Danielle and Stephonne get so deep, I couldn't help but to think I had witnessed a realization of calling manifested through song. This is one episod...

All hail the King.........King Dari that is. Danielle welcomes him to the purple chairs for the eleventh episode of season 5.

From church boy to student to writing a song that is going to change the  Kansas City landscape, Danielle and King Dari get into some deep industry conversations that will bring some awareness of things to consider in this independent artist community.

You can also see the video version of this episode ...