In the first installment of an ongoing segment highlighting the solo work of Noon Fifteen’s band members, Dan Cole speaks with guitarist Joe Massa about his debut solo release, Conundrum. Joe muses on the lessons and challenges of taking on every part of the recording process, from writing music without vocals, to performing all of the instruments, to recording and mixing the music himself. He also dives into the conundrum (see what we did there?) of titling songs without lyrics, and how he turned to a word invented by his toddler and a formative experience from his teen years for inspiration.

Purchase Conundrum on Bandcamp

Check out more of Joe’s other music in Thru Spectrums

Mentioned in this episode:

Eric Krasno
Lettuce
Snarky Puppy


On one of the strangest Thanksgivings in memory, the band discusses “Scared To,” Mandy’s song about being haunted by things you wish you hadn’t said. Phil talks about playing drums to emphasize a feeling, and the band reminisces about making music at Sunwood Recording, during a magical time when we could gather safely indoors, even though Joe had to wait in line for sandwiches. 

Referenced in this episode:

Heard in this episode:

Scared To:

  • Live on “Ithaca is Music” podcast (May 2018)
  • Rehearsal recording (April 2018)
  • Mandy’s original demo (April 2018)

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Mandy talks about feelings, groove, and the group collaboration that helped develop her composition “Easy,” which happens to be Dan Cole’s favorite song when mixing the band’s live show. Phil revisits his time in a reggae band.

Heard in this episode:

Easy

  • original demo, 2019
  • Live at The Range, Ithaca, NY. November 2nd, 2019.

Referenced in this episode:

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After spending the last fifteen months on other projects, Noon Fifteen returns to Finish What You Started! In this episode, recorded in the driveway of Sam and Mandy’s new home (because COVID-19), the band discusses the politically-motivated Lupowitz composition “Dinosaurs,” and how you should try to listen to it while listening to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The band also teases Mandy’s gospel record (Joe doesn’t like the direction in which it’s headed).

Heard in this episode:

Dinosaurs:

-Sam’s original cell phone demo
-2017 rehearsal recordings (Chris Armitage – drums)
-Unused 2018 studio recording

Also referenced in this episode:

Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley, Mama I’m Coming Home, Crazy Train
Led Zeppelin
Faces
Tower of Power
Otis Redding
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory


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A special single release from Noon Fifteen about what motivates us to leave our homes and protest during a public health crisis. Recorded in — and set to the sounds of — self-quarantine.

The band chats with Dan Cole (over Zoom, of course) about staying creative while isolated from one another, the inspiration (both musical and lyrical) for this unusual original tune, and the challenges of creating collaborative music remotely.

Watch and, hey, listen:

YouTubeFacebook  | Instagram

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In honor of the third annual Finger Lakes Thaw festival, and the global onset of COVID-19, Noon Fifteen presents “Thaw,” a mini-suite about winter dangers at home and abroad. The song moves through four seasons of soul, metal, progressive rock, and New Orleans funk.

Dan Cole talks to Sam and Mandy about the life-threatening story (and rental property) that inspired the song, and Phil discusses playing hand drums without his hands. Joe and Harry’s children make guest appearances.

Buy or stream this track here.

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In this super-sized Halloween episode, Noon Fifteen gathers at Sunwood Recording in Trumansburg, NY to discuss At the Festival, their new 22-minute, multi-movement suite. At the Festival tells the story of a man in mourning whose trip to a music festival takes a dark turn toward the supernatural. Harry, Sam, Mandy, Joe, and Phil are joined by studio owner/engineer Chris Ploss, who recorded and mixed the project, and regular host Dan Cole, to dive into the writing, arranging, and recording of this mini rock opera.

The band talks about the challenges and delights of ushering the narrative-driven piece from Harry Nichols brainchild to complete recording, and how their past projects and influences coalesced to create something new in At the Festival. Plus, the usual array of jokes and snide remarks you’ve come to expect from Noon Fifteen. As usual, you’ll hear the finished product at the end of the episode.

At the Festival is composed by Harry Nichols, except for part VII by Harry Nichols and Samuel B. Lupowitz.

Recorded & Mixed by Chris Ploss at Sunwood Recording, Trumansburg, NY
Additional Recording by Samuel B. Lupowitz
Mastered by Matt Saccuccimorano, Scaramanga Industries
Artwork by J.P. Feenstra

Other music heard or mentioned in this episode:
“Dear George” – Harry Nichols Band (from This Isn’t the Album You’re Looking For, 2014)
“At the Festival (original demo)” – Harry Nichols & Samuel B. Lupowitz (2016)
“The First Time” – Between Walls (from The Currency2006)
“Machine” – Baku (from Poison with Perfection, 2014)
“Walk This Way” – Run DMC ft. Aerosmith (1986)
“Walk Back” – Medeski, Martin & Wood (from Radiolarians III, 2009)
“Too Many Puppies” – Primus (from They Can’t All Be Zingers, 1990)
“Robot Hell” – from Futurama (1999)
“Golden Slumbers” – The Beatles (from Abbey Road, 1969)
“In the Flesh?” – Noon Fifteen [Pink Floyd cover – live at The Loft, Ithaca, NY, December 2017 – Dan Collins, drums] (originally from The Wall, 1979)
“Heaven on Their Minds” – Murray Head (from Jesus Christ Superstar, 1970)
“A Bower Scene” – The Decemberists (from Hazards of Love, 2009)
“Roundabout” – Yes (from Fragile, 1971)

Special thanks to:
-Doreen Wagner
-Kat Nichols
-Jim Catalano
-George Wilhelm III
-Pete Mason
-Jonathan Hochberg
-Marty Farchione

Download or stream At the Festival:
Bandcamp | Apple Music & iTunes | Spotify | CD Baby

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Coming Halloween 2019: Noon Fifteen’s epic prog-pop suite, At the Festival, unveiled in a special super-sized episode. At the Festival tells the story of a man in mourning whose trip to a music festival takes a dark turn toward the supernatural.

Subscribe and share and hear it here first on the Noon Fifteen Podcast!


The third release from the in-progress Finish What You Started record, “The Cell” puts a narrative twist on the common R&B lyrical motif of cheating on one’s lady, with musical inspiration from The Meters. The band also considers their songwriting backlog, and what we’ll be hearing next!

This podcast (and accompanying video) precedes a pause, but the band hints at more music to come. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so that you can listen in and “Finish What You Started!”

Referenced in this episode:
Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley – Robert Palmer
The Meters

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Finish What You Started

The second release in the episodic Finish What You Started project is the Harry Nichols-penned title track, which describes an unsuccessful relationship through the lens of a mediocre vampire movie. Along the way, the band discusses the career of Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, considers the evolution of home media technology, and explores the old maxim, “podcast like your parents are dead.”

Referenced in this episode:

Daybreakers (2009 film)
Willem Dafoe
Joe Estevez
I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
Finish What You Started
– Harry Nichols, original demo, 2016
-Noon Fifteen, live on WVBR, 2017 (Chris Armitage, drums)

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