In Pennsylvania’s backyard lie some of the most interesting and unique examples of traditional music. Although Pennsylvania is technically part of Appalachia, it is often better to look to our southern neighbors for mountain clogging, or flat-foot dancing.

In the middle of the 20th century a few filmmakers took notice of a seemingly average West Virginian by the name of Donald Ray White, well remembered by his famous moniker, more simply, D. Ray White. Accompanied by only a banjo and guitar, D. Ray White danced and performed, all the while elevating his interpretation of an old dance far beyond the confines of his small West Virginia community.

D Ray White and his family

The fun thing about flat foot is that it sounds good and it’s an interaction with the music rather than just movement. You’ll notice either tap shoes or a dancer on a wooden board or floor with the musicians, not down on the floor. The dancer is to be seen and the feet are to be heard. The music guides the dancer along as they improvise a beat on the floor. It is not the backbeat or choreographed to the song.

Flat-footing is still lives on even though it, and the music, are aged (Pittsburgh has a group called Coal Mining Cloggers). Although it’s a deep-rooted tradition, I can’t help but enjoy flat-footing for being a light hearted, almost silly expression of dance and mountain soul.

John Hartford playing and dancing the ol’ soft shoe

Each week, we’ll be featuring a short interview with one of our DJs who recently put on a particularly great show. This week, that DJ is Dave, host of “Uptown Girl” on Thursday afternoons.

Is your radio gold plated? Do you listen to it in a bathtub full of diamonds eating croissants filled with champagne? Then this is the show for you! UPTOWN GIRL, Elegance, Opulence, Excess; every Thursday at noon on WRCT.

You can listen to Dave’s award-winning show here. And be sure to tune in Thursdays at noon.

What is the concept behind “Uptown Girl”?
I’m really into being emotionally wealthy. Listening to Uptown Girl will make you rich!

What is your favorite song that you played last week?
They’re all my favorites but Wanda Jackson – Funnel Of Love

Describe your dream date.
What a salacious question. I’m not only into rich girls and I think my dream date would involve the Monroeville Mall Sbarro’s OR Sheetz for deep fried mac&cheese. I like other stuff too.

What is your favorite food?
I like to say it’s cantaloupe but really it’s provolone sticks.

What is the best thing about Pittsburgh?
The people are kind.

Below is a photo of Disco Dave. As he said, “I didn’t really want to have a real picture of me out there on the internet (I learned that from a public service announcement) so I chose a really weird one, but I’m in it!”

On Dec. 9, WRCT hosted a very special guest, Rubblebucket, in our studio. The eight-person ensemble performed acoustic versions of “Pain From Love” from their latest album Oversaturated and one of their best known songs, “Came Out of A Lady” from Omega La La. They came just in the nick of time to promote their concert featuring Reptar that night at Mr. Smalls in nearby Millvale, Pa. Unfortunately, I could not attend the performance but I did manage to snag a brief interview with three of the band members: band leader and trumpet Alex Toth, vocalist and saxophonist Kalmia Traver, and guitarist Ian Hersey. Snippets of the interview are just below the photo.

Jess: I have asked other bands this question before and I will ask you guys as well, can you provide some more insights regarding the interests listed on your Facebook page? “Traveling, eating good food, hiking, rhythmic lock, exotic beats and colors”

Alex Toth: Yes! All of these things are true. We’ve actually gone on group hikes several times and they’re a lot of fun.

(I also noticed that Kalmia was wearing brightly colored socks, true to the band’s professed love of colors.)

Jess: Is there anything you like to do in particular when you have down time after getting back after a tour?

AT: Do nothing. Absolutely nothing. Being on the road is a busy hectic lifestyle, so it’s nice to relax.

Kalmia Traver: I love riding around on my bike and something I always have to do is ride my bike over the Williamsburg Bridge.

Ian Hersey: Eat pizza with lots of basil and delicious cheese!

Jess: Now, I understand that Alex and Kalmia met at the University of Vermont, but did you two originally come in as music majors or what?

AT: No, I actually came in intending to be a psych major.

KT: I was undeclared.

(The two of them decided to pursue their musical interests instead and henceforth Rubblebucket was born.)

Jess: Do you have any favorite books?

AT: We’ve been exchanging books by David Foster Wallace with each other.

The interview was short, as time was running out, but I hope you have learned a bit more about Rubblebucket. They’re rad and definitely a group to keep an eye out for the future.

Interview by Jess Phoa. Photo courtesy of Roll Call Records. Special thanks to Ted and Eden for all of their help setting up and producing this interview.