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Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Michael Rubin interview

October 05, 2023 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 95

Chapters

Born in New Jersey, now living in Austin, Texas

Was conceived in Memphis, as parents lived there before he was born

Michael moved to Austin for the music scene there

Spent a year in New Orleans but the famous musicians from Austin drew him there

Has mainly been able to support himself through music, just having a few standard jobs

Did some singing and played some other instruments in early part of his career, but mainly survived as a harmonica player

Texas blues is the main form of blues in Austin

Texas shuffle is a common rhythm played in Texas

Some of the great harmonica players to come out of Austin

Focused on being a blues harmonica player when first moved to Texas, but when he branched out he became more in demand

When Michael was a blues player only he took on some of the business side of the music to ensure he was regularly gigging

Went to Kerrville Folk festival, not too far from Austin, where people saw Michael’s versatility on harmonica and he got hired all time time from then

Diatonic is main instrument, but plays plenty of chromatic

Michael advocates finding one musical partner, and then a band will follow

Doing the business side of a band makes you very appreciated

Selection of songs in the band, and the importance of ordering the setlist

Has learnt different harmonica styles so he can be versatile in what harmonica he can offer

Also works hard to develop own style

Versatility of styles helped Michael get plenty of session work

Plays bass harmonica, and has recorded bass on an album with the Susquehanna Hat Company band

Bass harmonica playing improved significantly when started playing with the band

Had a mic designed for the bass harmonica by Richard Smith, but now uses a Suzuki mic

Michael’s bass harmonica had the low notes in the centre, making it easier to amplify

Played the bass harmonica through a bass amp

Previously playing electric bass helped with playing bass harmonica, but knowing some chord theory is all you really need

Playing simpler lines on bass harmonica is probably advisable due to it’s lack of responsiveness

Doesn’t play much bass harmonica now

Also plays some harmonetta, which is great for chords

Bob Herndon helped Michael on how to play harmonetta

Harmonetta is visually impressive to an audience, but more useful in a studio setting

Early bands were Scarecrow and Foscoe Jones

Played with a renowned blues singer: Ruthie Foster

Worked with Dr Sick, playing punk edged music on harmonica

Played five years with Kalu James, a real Nigerian Prince

Also played in a reggae band for a number of years

Has been part of an old time country gospel band called the McMercy Family

Plays one song in equal third tuning on one of the gospel albums

Also plays with Dylan Blackthorn

Recordings with singer songwriter Christopher Cody Meacham

Stylistic comparisons to Argentinian chromatic player Hugo Diaz

Types of harmonicas used by Michael with different recording projects

Debut solo album, I’ll Worry If I Wanna

Lyrics on album are written by Michael (inspired by Rick Estrin and others) and are mostly humorous with serious undertones

Kama Sutra Girl has a harmonica solo played in twelve positions

Impersonating barnyard animals on harmonica

How Michael developed his unique sound

The three strengths of the harmonica: power, beauty and do weird stuff

Album cover from I’ll Worry If I Wanna was created by a well known album artist

Sings all songs on album, and worked hard at developing his singing

Played on a Broadway show: The Civil War, and how it helped develop his music reading skills

Doing The Civil War showed he could rise to the professional challenge and the importance of understanding music theory better

Has a YouTube channel with many instructional videos detailing different aspects of playing the harmonica, including music theory

Teaches online and at various harmonica camps

Ten minute question

Has played the DM48, but doesn’t use it much now

Favourite diatonic is the Special 20, with any overblow set-up done by Joe Spiers

Favourite chromatic is the Suzuki Sirius, mostly using a bebop tuned chromatic

Has created a tuning: Git Pickin’ Harp

Spent seven years working hard on overblows, now uses them sparingly

Embouchre: uses pucker, tongue block and U-block

Amps and mics: Dennis Gruenling mic with Japanese crystal and Gibson GA40 amp

Future plans include making more albums, plans to run own band and upcoming gigs

Info

Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Michael Rubin interview

Oct 05, 2023 Season 1 Episode 95

Neil Warren

Michael Rubin joins me on episode 95.
Michael moved to Austin as a young man, initially as a blues player. He found that by diversifying the genres he played on harmonica he became much more in demand in the vibrant music scene in Austin. He added to t his versatility by playing different types of harmonica, including plenty of chromatic in addition to the diatonic being his main axe. Michael has also recorded on bass harmonica and the harmonetta.
Michael has gigged and recorded with numerous outfits, with styles ranging from blues to pop, African music, reggae and old time country gospel. Michael released his first solo album in 2022, I’ll Worry If I Wanna. On here he demonstrates his full range of harmonica mastery, including a solo playing in all twelve positions.

Links:
Michael’s website:
https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/

I’ll Worry If I Wanna album:
https://michaelrubin.hearnow.com/

SPAH tribute to Bob Herndon (great Harmonetta player):
https://www.spah.org/content.asp?contentid=62

Mike Caldwell:
https://www.countrythangdaily.com/mike-caldwell-unleashed/

Album with Christopher Cody Meacham:
https://christophercodymeacham.bandcamp.com/album/ol-time-waddies-blues-2019-lp

Videos:

YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@michaelrubinharmonic

List of YouTube harmonica lessons:
https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/pageVideoArchive.html

Peg O My Heart on Harmonetta:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xfqJNhLoTA

Sophisticated Lady on DM48:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSKBZqijnU

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram

Support the Show.

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Michael Rubin joins me on episode 95.
Michael moved to Austin as a young man, initially as a blues player. He found that by diversifying the genres he played on harmonica he became much more in demand in the vibrant music scene in Austin. He added to t his versatility by playing different types of harmonica, including plenty of chromatic in addition to the diatonic being his main axe. Michael has also recorded on bass harmonica and the harmonetta.
Michael has gigged and recorded with numerous outfits, with styles ranging from blues to pop, African music, reggae and old time country gospel. Michael released his first solo album in 2022, I’ll Worry If I Wanna. On here he demonstrates his full range of harmonica mastery, including a solo playing in all twelve positions.

Links:
Michael’s website:
https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/

I’ll Worry If I Wanna album:
https://michaelrubin.hearnow.com/

SPAH tribute to Bob Herndon (great Harmonetta player):
https://www.spah.org/content.asp?contentid=62

Mike Caldwell:
https://www.countrythangdaily.com/mike-caldwell-unleashed/

Album with Christopher Cody Meacham:
https://christophercodymeacham.bandcamp.com/album/ol-time-waddies-blues-2019-lp

Videos:

YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@michaelrubinharmonic

List of YouTube harmonica lessons:
https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/pageVideoArchive.html

Peg O My Heart on Harmonetta:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xfqJNhLoTA

Sophisticated Lady on DM48:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSKBZqijnU

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram

Support the Show.

Born in New Jersey, now living in Austin, Texas

Was conceived in Memphis, as parents lived there before he was born

Michael moved to Austin for the music scene there

Spent a year in New Orleans but the famous musicians from Austin drew him there

Has mainly been able to support himself through music, just having a few standard jobs

Did some singing and played some other instruments in early part of his career, but mainly survived as a harmonica player

Texas blues is the main form of blues in Austin

Texas shuffle is a common rhythm played in Texas

Some of the great harmonica players to come out of Austin

Focused on being a blues harmonica player when first moved to Texas, but when he branched out he became more in demand

When Michael was a blues player only he took on some of the business side of the music to ensure he was regularly gigging

Went to Kerrville Folk festival, not too far from Austin, where people saw Michael’s versatility on harmonica and he got hired all time time from then

Diatonic is main instrument, but plays plenty of chromatic

Michael advocates finding one musical partner, and then a band will follow

Doing the business side of a band makes you very appreciated

Selection of songs in the band, and the importance of ordering the setlist

Has learnt different harmonica styles so he can be versatile in what harmonica he can offer

Also works hard to develop own style

Versatility of styles helped Michael get plenty of session work

Plays bass harmonica, and has recorded bass on an album with the Susquehanna Hat Company band

Bass harmonica playing improved significantly when started playing with the band

Had a mic designed for the bass harmonica by Richard Smith, but now uses a Suzuki mic

Michael’s bass harmonica had the low notes in the centre, making it easier to amplify

Played the bass harmonica through a bass amp

Previously playing electric bass helped with playing bass harmonica, but knowing some chord theory is all you really need

Playing simpler lines on bass harmonica is probably advisable due to it’s lack of responsiveness

Doesn’t play much bass harmonica now

Also plays some harmonetta, which is great for chords

Bob Herndon helped Michael on how to play harmonetta

Harmonetta is visually impressive to an audience, but more useful in a studio setting

Early bands were Scarecrow and Foscoe Jones

Played with a renowned blues singer: Ruthie Foster

Worked with Dr Sick, playing punk edged music on harmonica

Played five years with Kalu James, a real Nigerian Prince

Also played in a reggae band for a number of years

Has been part of an old time country gospel band called the McMercy Family

Plays one song in equal third tuning on one of the gospel albums

Also plays with Dylan Blackthorn

Recordings with singer songwriter Christopher Cody Meacham

Stylistic comparisons to Argentinian chromatic player Hugo Diaz

Types of harmonicas used by Michael with different recording projects

Debut solo album, I’ll Worry If I Wanna

Lyrics on album are written by Michael (inspired by Rick Estrin and others) and are mostly humorous with serious undertones

Kama Sutra Girl has a harmonica solo played in twelve positions

Impersonating barnyard animals on harmonica

How Michael developed his unique sound

The three strengths of the harmonica: power, beauty and do weird stuff

Album cover from I’ll Worry If I Wanna was created by a well known album artist

Sings all songs on album, and worked hard at developing his singing

Played on a Broadway show: The Civil War, and how it helped develop his music reading skills

Doing The Civil War showed he could rise to the professional challenge and the importance of understanding music theory better

Has a YouTube channel with many instructional videos detailing different aspects of playing the harmonica, including music theory

Teaches online and at various harmonica camps

Ten minute question

Has played the DM48, but doesn’t use it much now

Favourite diatonic is the Special 20, with any overblow set-up done by Joe Spiers

Favourite chromatic is the Suzuki Sirius, mostly using a bebop tuned chromatic

Has created a tuning: Git Pickin’ Harp

Spent seven years working hard on overblows, now uses them sparingly

Embouchre: uses pucker, tongue block and U-block

Amps and mics: Dennis Gruenling mic with Japanese crystal and Gibson GA40 amp

Future plans include making more albums, plans to run own band and upcoming gigs