Max Ink Radio

Max Ink Radio with Rökker & Jane spinning local MP3's and interviews with John Stanislawski and Joe Marsden.

Milwaukee native Mathew Haeffel is an independent songsmith who’s logged more than 1,500 live shows since 2002, building a sound around soulful vocals, rhythmic guitar and thoughtful storytelling. Mathew’s latest album, Tenacity, feels like the perfect title for an artist who’s spent more than two decades doing things his own way. Written and produced by Mathew in Rhythm 80, the studio he designed and built himself, the record blends roots rock, blues, jazz and world-music flavors around themes of resilience and perseverance. Tonight he’s joined by longtime collaborators Marshall McGhee and Brandon Anthony. Guests: Mathew Haeffel

Bob Reitman has been one of Milwaukee radio’s defining voices for more than six decades. He began at WUWM in 1966 with a poetry program called *Sense Waves*, then became a pioneering free-form FM DJ at WQFM in 1974, where he introduced Milwaukee audiences to artists including Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith while championing Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and other adventurous music. In 1976, Reitman set a Guinness world record by broadcasting continuously for 222 hours and 22 minutes. He later spent more than 25 years alongside Gene Mueller at WKTI. Now, at 80, Reitman has returned to his first love—poetry—with *12th House*, released 54 years after *The Eleventh House* on October 12th at the Pabst Theater.

Bassist, singer-songwriter and bandleader Christine Moad brings a fearless mix of indie rock, blues, soul and punk attitude to the stage as Miss Christine. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Christine toured internationally and worked as a Nashville session bassist before releasing the albums Conversion and Bittersweet. Now based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Miss Christine describes their sound as “punk rock doo-wop,” pairing jubilant performances with songs that challenge expectations around gender, identity and sexuality. Their award-winning “Google University” video has appeared at film festivals around the world, and they’re currently writing a third album planned for 2027. Miss Christine was in town earlier today performing at Vegan Fest and tonight, Miss Christine plays at Mickey's Tavern on Willy Street.

The Band Feel is closing AtwoodFest on Sunday, July 26 at 6pm and founder/guitarist Tyler Armstrong of The Band Feel calls into the Max Ink Radio studio to talk about his beginnings, passion of vintage guitars, history of the band their new album "What Of Now", and settling a bet between Rökker and his daughter Lizzie on a piece of The Band Feel trivia! Guest: Tyler Armstrong

Warner E. Hodges is a founder of Jason & The Scorchers, was in Drivin' and Cryin' and played in Dan Baird & Original Sin in his 5 decades of rock n' roll. Catch Warner E. Hodges International All-Stars coming to AtwoodFest Saturday, July 25th on the Sugar Maple Stage at 8:15 PM. Warner has great stories and a lot of history and clues us in on what to expect when he makes his comeback to the Madcity. Guest: Warner E. Hodges

For 100 years, the Madison Symphony Orchestra has enriched Wisconsin's cultural landscape with world-class performances and community engagement. On Max Ink Radio, board member Derek Smith and French horn player Emma Potter discuss the orchestra's remarkable history, the leadership of Maestro John DeMain, and the free Centennial Festival celebrating a century of music. The weekend includes local musicians, cultural performances, family activities, food, and John DeMain's final appearance as Music Director after more than three decades leading one of the nation's premier regional orchestras. Guests: Derek Smith, Emma Potter

Mac O'Brien was scheduled to play at Whiskey Jacks on State Street and she walked over to the Max Ink Radio studio with her guitarist Scott G to chat with us, premier her new song Alien and play one of new new songs live... Addicted to Pain. Guest: Mac OBrien

Jenny is a gymnastics coach from North Dakota. Mason plays with bricks and builds stone walls. Jenny moved to Madison to start a career in music and Mason tore down those walls to give a voice to the Outlaw Country music in his head. Then, Jenny met Mason. Mason and Jenny dated. Jenny and Mason formed a duo called Outlaw and a Lady and later added guitarist Jayme Poster on electric guitar. Jenny married Mason. The newlyweds are Live from the Madcity on Max Ink Radio premiering brand new music and telling great stories along with guitarist Jayme Poster. Guests: Jenny Lupien, Mason Meyer

Rap J is a hip-hop artist from Milwaukee – and about to play his first show in Madison at the Rigby, next Saturday, May 16. But, Rap J doesn’t just bring the music – he is on a mission to prove talent can be “limitless.” And he shows it while performing from his wheelchair. Rap J was born with cerebral palsy. He joins us by phone to share his inspiring story. Guest: Rap J

Clutch recording studio owner Brian Liston is a multi-tasking synth wizard and Joey B. Banks is the drummer's drummer! Together they perform their unique music and groove out in the Max Ink Radio studio as performers on Live from the Madcity. Guests: Joey B. Banks, Brian Liston

Madison's own UFOs The Earthlings will be performing live at Contact Modality XPO on Saturday, May 2nd in Delavan, Wisconsin. Find more information and tickets at ContactModalitiesXPO.com Mention use kewords "Max Ink Radio" for a discount Guest: Elliot Gilfillan

Tim Consequence and Matt Viper stop by Max Ink Radio to talk about their history, music catalog and re-releases of their surf-punk farfisa driven music. Guests: Tim Consequence, Matt Viper

Paul Filipowicz is back with a new album and he stops into the studio to talk about the album and some if his rich music history in the Wisconsin, Chicago and beyond. Guest: Paul Filipowicz

Cece Erling is 12, but don't let that fool you. She handles her own in an interview with Rökker and performs one of her new songs live during her debut appearance on Max Ink Radio. Guest: Cece Erling

Early 90s Racine, Wisconsin band Fruit Salad achieved some success then vanished. Members surfaced in bands like Natty Nation, Prophets of Rage, Dub Foundation or the Aerospace industry. After 30 years the funky reggae rock fusion trio have reunited as Peace Love Hope. Jah Boogie, Paule Willis, and Chad Hanstedt are in the studio performing and interviewing on Live from the Madcity on Max Ink Radio. Guests: Jah Boogie, Chad Handstedt, Paule Willis

Hailing from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, high school power-trio Candy Cigarette journey to the Madcity to perform songs from their upcoming album. The band features identical twins with Isaac (bass) and Lucas (guitar) Deitz along with drummer Evan Sterken... and they brought along their Dadager, Tom Deitz, for a great time in our studio. Guests: Tom Deitz, Candy Cigarette, Isaac Deitz, Lucas Deitz, Evan Sterken

Souteastern 90s band Fruit Salad takes a 30 year hiatus and now they are back as Peace Love Hope. Jah Boogie and Paule left Racie and Fruit Salad years back and now they've reunited with their old guitarist Chad to form this new band. Guest: Jah Boogie

At 50, Brota Oroian had to re-invent himself, so he went on vacation..... to Thailand to visit the homeland of his mother. After a fun time with the family, Brota went on a journey to learn the secrets of Thai cooking from the source. He did. And it was really good. Bro-Thai sauce. Listen to Brota's adventure Guest: Brota Oroian

Mane Thompson is just 14 years old, but at 6'4" many forecasted his calling in sports, but Mane followed his heart into music and performance. Check out Mane's first appearance on radio Live from the Madcity on Max Ink. Guest: Mane Thompson