Hank Hoffman, CT Music Oral History Podcast, March 2024

Hank Hoffman, CT Music Oral History Podcast, March 2024

Author: Brendan Toller, WPKN May 13, 2024 Duration: 1:29:17
Hank Hoffman, now retired, was the former executive director and programming director for Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden. An archivist of the New Haven original rock music scene since the late 1970s, Hank has cassette and digital recordings he's made at hundreds of shows. Along with being a fan and supporter of the local music scene, Hank has been a musical participant as both a live performer and recording artist with the psychedelic pop group Happy Ending and punk band Dada Banks. In addition, Hank released two studio mini-albums of psychedelic pop in 2020 under the name The Alex Butter Field, backed by a who's who of local music luminaries.

Tune in for conversations that feel more like you've pulled up a chair in a backstage green room or a dusty record shop. Hosted by Brendan Toller of WPKN, the Connecticut Music Oral History Podcast is built from long-form interviews that capture the voices and stories you won't find in most history books. Each episode sits down with the people who lived it-musicians from every genre, visual artists, passionate collectors, and the dedicated fans who witnessed it all-to piece together the rich tapestry of 20th century sound that originated in the state. This isn't just a catalog of famous names; it's an active preservation project that brings forward the narratives of unsung scene-makers and pivotal behind-the-scenes figures. Through these personal accounts, the podcast defines Connecticut's specific and often overlooked influence on the broader American cultural landscape. You'll hear firsthand memories that trace the connections between garage bands and symphony halls, between forgotten nightclubs and legendary studios, building a living archive one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 14

Connecticut Music Oral History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Karen Ponzio, CT Music Oral History Podcast, 8.29.23 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
This episode features, Karen Ponzio, arts and culture journalist for the New Haven Independent. Karen has shared her poems, displayed her artwork, and hosted a variety of live shows at venues throughout the New Haven are…
Barbara Reis, Connecticut Music Oral History Podcast, 3.7.23 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:50
Welcome to another installment of the Connecticut Music Oral History Podcast. This episode features Westport’s own Barbara Reis, a musician, composer, and music therapist whose travels took her to Julliard, High School o…
Gary, Gee's Records, CT Music Oral History Podcast, 9.6.22 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:09
Buckle up for Gary of Gee’s Records wild ride through true hip-hop culture as a producer, promoter, and record dealer. From roller rink hip-hop shows, to house parties, to 1212 Studios with Paul C, to Jazzy Jay at Strong…