Shows›Max Ink Radio›New band Barby Lane is on fire in the Madcity on Max Ink Radio›Transcript

Transcript

New band Barby Lane is on fire in the Madcity on Max Ink Radio

Max Ink Radio · Sat Mar 14, 2026

you found Wisconsin's local music authority. This is magsync radio. We are local music.

Madison has always been a place where collaboration of local music seems commonplace.

A breeding ground for creativity in original music and a new collaboration is underway

between members of Black Poets Society, Magic 7, the leading zeros just to mention a few.

And Barbie Lane is here in the studio with us tonight to talk about their new band and perform

live from the man city, singer and guitarist Edem Tess Faye, drummer Michael Haftner,

guitarist Richard Stannick, and bassist Michael Sommar welcomed the magsync radio.

Hey guys, we'll make sure those mics work right? Get up there.

Test test. We get everybody in here. Oh, everything is working fine. I'm guessing your rehearsal

studio is on Barbie Lane. Are you guys north side, man? Yes, north side. Before we get to find

out of how Barbie Lane came together as a band, we need to find out more about the pieces of

this collaboration puzzle. Edem, let's get your back, sorry. I mean, how did you get started

playing music? I grew up in a very musical family. My uncles inspired me. They were dancers and

performers at a young age and I was influenced by hip hop. So I started rapping first. So I spent the

27 years of my life being an MC, rhyming, lived in Seattle, had a hip hop jazz group out there for a

while. Then I came back to Madison because Seattle introduced the guitar to me hanging out with

all those rockers out there. And so that's when I picked up the guitar and I came back here and

did the solo rap movement for a few years and landed in New York City for 15 years and got into

more rock from my man, John Coda, out in Brooklyn. You went out there for Black Poets Society? No,

Black Poets Society was like right after high school. Oh, I see. It started in high school and

that's when we did all the, we got the exposure with all the up and coming. That's when hip hop was

at like the biggest bubble, right? Yeah. So it was like, we got to play with the day lost souls

and the red man method man's and everybody when they were coming up. So I got to meet all those

great musicians at a time when hip hop was very, you know, special and it's still a special, but it's

I feel like it's an era not necessarily a genre. But I, you know, but yeah, that's what I did.

And your uncle, he's the bass player in your band, right? Yes, the Dem Test Fade Band. Yeah, my uncle

the core. And he's also the co-founder of the Black Poets Society. So, you know, we grew up doing

hip hop together or being hip hop cultured people, you know, we made shirts together. We dance

together. We wrap together and his older brothers were big influences on that. They brought in the

music. My grandmother was a great seamstress. So she would, I was like, my car clothes for us and

we, you know, there was always something my mom did it and like, so wow, you know, family affair.

Well, you know, the Jackson's were the thing, you know, and, you know, in black culture that was

a big deal. So like, you know, Michael Jackson was like the first artist to, well, the second artist

on MTV. So that's when you really get to see, you know, the big exposure of the music. But then

once hip hop started, I got seducted into the rapping. That was my jam. I was like, oh, man,

these guys are, wow, look at these lyrics. I've done my lyrics down a little bit now, but

back in the day, it was about verses, you know, that's all I did. Wrap, wrap, wrap, wrap through my

sleep, wrap in the morning, wrap at night. I used to walk around as a kid with a boom box on

my shoulder, go to the pool. You know, I was, I was just, what was on your boom box back then?

Show cool J, man. No, man. Oh, cool J's my guy. I run GMC. Oh, cool J. You got a, I didn't

realize those heavy rock wrists were getting in me. You know, they were getting in there and I didn't

know what it was, you know, but like they were in there. If you think like, oh, oh, cool J is hard,

you know, those, those stabs. Oh, yeah. You know, rock the bells and, and I'm the king of rock that

is non-haya. It's like a MC. Don't, don't, don't, you know, like a little improv. Well, let's get to

some live music from the man city with Barbie Lane presented by the Aaron Weber group, the first

song that you have for us tonight is called The City. Tell us about this song before you play.

Uh, well, this, it's funny. Um, when we came together, they kind of had some names for some

songs and I came with the lyrics and I felt like the New York City vibe. So we kind of just kind of

ticking ran with it and, and really just kind of leaned into like making it the story of what it

means to show up to a new place and, and want to be accepted, but still have to earn your

way. It's, um, it's just a fun song. It's just kind of like a journey.

Cool. It's a journey. Let's hear it. This is Barbie Lane, the city you're listening to

Maxing Radio. We are local music.

Now I'm down on my shirt.

What's it going to do?

And when are you hiding from

and when are you hiding from

I'm telling the world you know

Now I'm telling the world you know

So what's it going to do?

What's it going to do?

No, I'm rap sick.

No, I'm a wrecked stick.

I'm going to break this down to the bottom of the pits.

It's really normal to come in.

Embrace your front line.

Back is one of, so, some of these,

one of, like,

when you went,

see some mini clips of how to manage the chips.

Plus the damage from the package.

I've been namewise since my first 10 minutes on the planet.

Rethical.

It's a capability to understand it.

Lost wasn't the heck as strong as a charismatic.

Two hopes and look back with you and I got you.

Cause it's a big, perfect place to play out of this.

I'm going to be never taken for granted

because I'm gross life.

But I'm never a melody once.

My soul is gone.

So this bullshit made it like brown.

You know what?

Put your heart up in my foot.

Like it's been worse.

Leave me the balance.

What I should do now?

We kept it going, shall we?

So what's it going to do?

What's it going to do?

You want to wear a gun?

Are you running from?

And where?

I got it wrong.

I'm down the washroom.

No.

Down down the washroom.

So what's it going to do?

What's it going to do?

Why are we laying this city?

Wow that was really going to add this, funky.

That was good stuff, man.

First time I've ever heard it.

Jam Hamming served 15 years in New York City pursuing a career in music.

What can you tell us about the experience from jumping to like Madison's music scene

to the Big Apple's music scene?

What was the change like?

Wow, it was a long journey but it was a lot of technology changes at that time

and I got there, there wasn't smartphones.

So you have to be on the street but the music is just pouring out everywhere.

You go from the subway to hearing music to seeing musicians on the street to

trying to get in the clubs and walking around and networking and meeting people.

And there was actually specific scenes like you could go to this club

and you know there'd be rock music that night or you can go this club

and you know there'd be jazz music that night or what so have.

It's just such a monster to navigate.

You got to be very clear on what you want to do.

I can imagine.

Be scary coming from.

I mean we're pretty close in here in Madison.

Well yeah, but you can't be intimidated by it.

They're just people.

There's a lot of shitty bands in New York too.

Just like there's shitty bands everywhere.

Scoop, sorry.

Well I know.

Let's meet guitarist Rich Stanick.

Rich, how do you get started playing music?

What's your back story?

Nice to see you again rocker.

Back story, that's not that exciting.

So I was a fine young Catholic boy and then you know doing my thing.

And then all of a sudden A.C.D.'s who came up my brother bought an album.

If you're going to point a point on that, is this cool enough?

Yeah.

Then that would probably be a point of time and musical desire.

What was your parents role in your musical?

I'm bringing.

Force piano lessons.

You know that's interesting because I was going to bring up your son.

He went to MCDS over there with my son.

One of the things that they do is force you to take piano first.

They do up until like fifth grade.

They do.

So how did you feel about, you know, now how do you feel about force piano lessons?

I think that your parents gave you.

Yep, yep. Good question.

I can answer that.

So what I mean by that is force piano lessons is they forced us to stop playing music.

That wasn't that fun.

So in his case, he got to do music that was fun.

And great teachers and putting the fun into it versus just, you know, the sort of the um,

drudgery of it, you know.

So they did a great job at MCDS.

I take my head off to him and put the plug out the John Shipper, right?

Yeah, John Shipper really.

You know, Mr. Shipper, right?

You're all.

Well, now you know one thing you are is a father, right?

Yes. I brought up your son, Tyranny.

Thank you. And he's a drummer.

Yes. And he's out there doing stuff. Tell us about Tyranny.

He's in Nashville.

And he's doing good to start.

He graduated from Belmont College, which is a music school.

Great drummers and some great influences.

And of course, he was, you know, he hung around the music scene that I was when I was in bands.

As a kid, we picked up a lot so over the first drum sets.

And to him, this is kind of the funny story.

So we were on some of the musicians.

He was so used to going places with the drum sets.

That when he got to a place, he's like, where's the drum set?

Just like a house would have a TV.

He's like, where's the drum set?

You know, like there must be one.

Yeah, there must be a drum set here somewhere, right?

In fact, let me give you props because I think the first drum set he played was that little one.

That was your sons.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, that one.

That one, seriously.

Yep, that's a great one.

Because we always encourage him beating off things with spatulas.

Right.

And, you know, percussion instruments.

But like an organized drum set, I think was actually your sons.

Was the first one that he actually played?

Well, that's funny. Yeah, that little mini drum set.

Well, it's, you know, I mean, all the musicians that I talked to you,

I'd say a large percent of them always credit their parents.

Yeah.

With some kind of start, some kind of support, some kind of, you know,

impetus into the music.

So we love to hear that.

And I'm glad that your son is out there playing and finding some success as well.

Thank you.

Well, let's get back to live music from the man city with Barbie Lane presented by the Aaron Weber group.

The next song you have for us tonight is called Good Excuse.

Uh, Adam, is there ever a good excuse?

Yeah, there's a good excuse to do nothing.

Like, you know, we live in a music.

That's what this song is about.

We live in a world where, you know, production is very highly rewarded.

And this song is about making time to just enjoy your life and just be in the moment

with the people you love.

That is a good excuse.

Well, let's listen to it right now.

This is Barbie Lane, line from the man city on Magsync Radio.

Mm hmm.

I got a skis for nothing to stay home.

I got a skis for nothing till they close.

We don't need a reason.

We're just taking time.

We got a skis for nothing till we're alive.

I got a skis for nothing to take it slow.

We don't need a reason.

We're just taking time.

We got a skis for nothing till we're alive.

And I love you baby, and I'm part of life.

I got a skis for nothing.

Take it slow.

We don't need a reason.

I know where to go.

We don't need a reason.

We're just taking time.

I got a skis for nothing till we're alive.

And I love you baby, and I'm part of life.

Been for making life until the morning light.

With all this fast pace, everything you kind of feel like a race.

But this is time for us to pull back just to watch the world together.

This is just for you and me baby.

Me and you come.

And I love you baby, I'm upon a line.

And I'm making love to the morning light.

And I love you baby, I'm upon a line.

Well, it's not me.

It's rich brought us together actually.

Well, we're going to we're going to find all about that for sure.

But thank you. They're great guys.

Adam, Barby Lane is coming up with new original songs.

Are these songs you bring to the band or do these songs originate in the rehearsal studio?

It's a combination of the two.

Like the what you've heard is the stuff that we've worked on together.

Rich came up with most of the original hooks.

Well, core progressions and they worked together and then they brought me in.

And I added the guitar riffs and the vocals.

So it's kind of been a collaborative thing.

And it's been great. We've had a lot of fun.

We like click right from the beginning.

First time I came down and played with them.

It was like, oh, wow, this is cool.

You know, I'm playing with guys that are combined with immediately.

It's like frictionless for me personally.

I don't know if they do the same way.

Well, let's get back to live music from the man city with Barby Lane presented by the Aaron Weber group.

The next song you have for us tonight is called Loose Control.

Is this a song about Perastrica?

Trust me, but verify.

No, it's just a song about someone who likes to let it go and get into their vibe.

You know, I'm, I love dancers and people who express themselves really well.

And this is our, I think this is the first song that we actually wrote together as a group.

Where we all were like contributing to like the inception of it.

You know, before people would bring in different links.

But this is the one where we were like, okay, this is a, this is our one of our, one of our identities.

Nice. A true collaboration.

Well, let's check it out. This is Loose Control.

You're listening to Barby Lane live from the man city on Maxing Radio.

Come on.

Is that finally out?

Are you going to see?

What does that even mean?

Because I was so sweet.

This I feel her baby.

This I feel your toes.

And when you're moving out.

You're touching my toes.

If they knew, they wouldn't stop the show.

I'm your fool.

And I'm all I can show.

You're amazing.

You're with your parents.

And when you're moving out.

You're right in my world.

It's your energy.

It's under your toes.

And when you're doing your thing.

It's just my soul.

I'm your fool.

And I'm all I can show.

I'm your fool.

And I'm all I can show.

Dance with me now.

Come on.

Dance with me now.

Wow.

Barbie Lane, that is loose control.

Hey, we'll be right back after this break with Barbie Lane,

live from the Mad City on Maxing Radio.

Shop local, eat local, listen local.

This is Maxing Radio.

We are local music.

All right, everybody.

Here we are back to live from the Mad City on Maxing Radio.

This is Rocker.

And I'm here with Jane in the control room.

And we are here with Barbie Lane.

And what an incredible band.

Well, right now, you know what we're going to do.

We're going to we're going to meet Mike and Mike.

The mics are born one day apart and have been bestie since childhood.

Let's start with bassist Michael Summer.

I think you might be the metalhead of the group playing with bands like driver 13

sketch and powder monkey.

Mike, how did you get your start playing music?

My parents were very musical.

Mother was an organist in the church and sang.

My dad was in several college bands played guitar, sang and played harmonica.

Drums was just a natural thing for me.

I had a staircase that sounded like Neil Perts Towns.

They finally decided to get me a drum kit to keep me from falling down and breaking my neck.

And then I joined drum corps, Madison Scouts for four years.

And then I met Michael in high school.

I kind of transitioned from the drums to the bass guitar to cover for a bass player they had

that was sort of not showing up all the time.

And yeah, I developed a love for the bass guitar then.

Oh, man, you know, there's nothing better than a bass player that used to be a drummer, right?

They, you know, as a drummer, that's a dream because they always get your pocket.

They're right in tune with your bass and snare.

That's what makes it, I think.

You know, talk about, you know, as iconic as other band members of Led Zeppelinware,

bassist John Paul Jones, he was epic.

What made him such a unique bass player from your perspective and briefly?

I think he was the master at bridging percussion with rhythm and melody.

Those things all came together.

He hooked up with Bonham incredibly well, but developed these beautiful bass lines that really drove the songs.

And now let's give the drummer some.

Michael Haver, Mike, you've been in huge bands like Magic Seven, Muzzy Luckton.

How did you get your start playing drums and what's your backstory?

Oh, man, you know what?

I started out probably like nine years old.

I want to play Ace Freely.

I want to play guitar, man, I love kids.

I love kids, you know, and I want to play guitar.

And unfortunately, nobody in my family knew how to do that.

It's very supportive parents, anything I got into.

And I just remember like going to a garage sale with my dad.

Yeah, it was probably ten and convinced him to buy this $75 gold metal flake sparkly disgusting drum kit, you know.

I told him I would know how to play it, you know.

And yeah, and that was about it, you know.

And then I just started really listening to music and I could understand the drums far more in the guitar.

And then Rush, you know, Rush comes along and changes my world and primus and bands like that.

Or, you know, drummers like those guys kind of, you know, maybe what I am here today, I guess really.

And, you know, what I was going to say since you guys are besties, right?

And now you're bass player and drummer, how does that affect your rhythm team?

Man.

I think it really makes it effortless.

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I mean, we've been, I mean, yeah, we've been best friends since we were 14.

And in and out of bands, always together.

But I think collectively, we've probably played at least 25 years together.

Wow.

Yeah, so it's just like a symbiotic relationship.

Like the back of your hand.

Exactly.

Well, that's pretty cool.

Well, let's get back to some live music from the Mad City with Barbie Lane presented by the Aaron Weber group.

The next song that you have for us tonight is your brand new single.

And it's called Meet You There.

Tell us about your newest release.

This is the first song that we wrote together as a collective.

It's about taking the journey together with people you care about and asking yourself the question if you're willing to go on the journey.

And it's pretty simple song, but it's about love.

It's about traveling the road.

You know, Barbie Lane is about getting in your lane and traveling the road.

Sweet.

Well, let's check it out.

This is Meet You There.

We're listening to Barbie Lane live from the Mad City on Maxing Radio.

Oh, yeah.

If you swim across the ocean, what I even care.

If you climb behind this mountain, what I even dare to meet you there.

Looking open heart and a smiling face and a warm embrace.

What I meet you there, what I meet you there.

This is a moment we've been living for.

This is the time in my mind right now.

Oh, yeah.

This is a moment we've been living for.

This is the time in my mind.

This is a moment we've been living for.

This is the time in my mind right now.

Right now.

Well, it's not real till you bust a string.

Wow, that was great.

We meet you there.

We're going to get a backup guitar here quick.

And maybe we can get a standing here to tell us, you know, we've met you the band.

Now, we know who you guys are.

But let's talk about the Barbie Lane origin story.

How did you guys come together to collaborate as Barbie Lane?

Rich Stanley.

Well, you're going to have to tell us because he's off getting another guitar.

Well, Mike has a good story too.

Like they were there before I was there.

One that Mike could probably tell you before I could like, you know, I'm running around.

You're the lead coming in the band, huh?

Well, okay.

This is my side of the story.

Yeah.

So Rich, I've known Rich for a little while.

And he would come around and I know him through a buddy of ours, Jim.

And he was like, hey, man, you know, you should come hang out with me in the mics.

You know, they're an amazing rhythm section.

They're great guys or whatnot.

And I was like, yeah, man, whatever, man.

Just being kind of passive because I was getting my hands full and other projects that I was doing at the time.

And then one day I was like, sure.

But let's do it.

He was, you know, he was real cool.

He was always being nice and just a genuine cool cab with me.

And I was like, sure, I'll open my mind to something different.

Because you just, you know, like when you're in your own little vacuum is what I would call.

I can get myself into it as a, you know, just my own journeys.

And that's my version of it.

And then I show up and meet you there happen.

Nice.

You know, that was the first thing we ever played together.

And so that's why we thought that was appropriate for us to release it as a single.

Because it was our first combination of unity as a team.

And now where did you record the, the single that we just heard is, is released now.

Where did you record these?

Do you remember the name of the studio?

The Scottish.

Well, the front of ours, the front of mine, Scott Liesman, Lee Liesman.

As I said, at Liesman, he recorded my, my last EP.

You know, we were trying to figure out a place we wanted to record.

And I was like, Scott, Scott will do us well.

And he came in for us.

And, you know, we tracked in like two days, man.

We were just totally in a vibe.

And we just knocked it out.

We knocked out like 10 songs or something like that.

Well, I can't wait to hear more.

Let's get back to live music from the man city with Barbie Lane presented by the Aaron Weber group.

The next song that you're having for us tonight is called The After.

Boy, that sounds spooky.

Tell us about this song quickly before you play.

Well, okay, I'm going to take a crack at this.

The After.

It's gone in a couple of different directions.

And it's still evolving.

And I think it's really what's kind of really exciting about the thing.

We had this rhythm, basic rhythm going myself and the mics.

And then a dem came in and put a nice rhythm track.

And with the clicking you're hearing, and as we're doing a good time.

And we got an evolving story, which is really awesome.

So we're getting the storytelling and the songs going.

And it's not rough draft.

I wouldn't say that.

I think it's pretty much close to finish.

But I'll let the listener decide what it's about.

It would be in your lane.

It would be in a Barbie Lane.

It was standing in the lane.

You know, and let's check it out.

This is called The After.

You're listening to Barbie Lane.

Lying from the man city.

Maxing radio.

Out of my way.

All in my lane.

Lying in my style.

All in my lane.

You're all in my head.

You're all in my mind.

I have to get away from you.

And wasting my time.

I just have to do the move.

Well, like I do.

I just don't know what to say.

But you're falling my way.

And you're blocking my lane.

You're all in my home.

Drinking my wine.

I'm here with my wife.

And wasting my time.

You kicked my dog.

And as in my shoe.

I might have to show you the back door.

I'm ready to move.

I just don't know what to do.

But life after you.

The only thing that I will say.

That you're blocking my way.

And you're falling my lane.

I just have to do.

But life after you.

The only thing I have to say.

You're falling my way.

And you're blocking my lane.

Well, you think you're really doing it here?

Leave this alone.

You know the problem that's with me, huh?

I got the motherfucker in my car.

I'm sorry about that.

I just can't help myself.

Sometimes I just want to just bust it down.

If it's take I will wrap it.

Well, you want to say it.

You want to do it no more.

I'm gonna say that one more time.

I'm gonna let you know what it's for.

But we came up.

And block it up.

And then take it.

I was gonna let you go.

Just make it shout.

Just make it go alive.

Ah.

Oh.

All in the room.

The touch in my knees.

Lost my way.

So I'm breadin' me.

I just want to do the room.

Well, like I knew.

I'm falling pain.

I can say that you're falling my way.

And you're blocking my lane.

I just don't know what to do.

I'm like I'm losing you.

I'm taking a win.

Let's go for a ride.

By the way, I can't get you on that bar.

Yeah.

Barbie Lane right here online from the Mad City.

You can catch Barbie Lane Saturday, May 30th at the Marley Union.

On campus, Marley Union is such a great place to play.

And we can keep up with the band.

BarbieLane.com.

That's B-A-R-B-Y.

Lane.com.

A damn rich Mike and Mike.

Thank you so much for coming down to play for us tonight.

I'm Max Inc. Radio.

We really appreciate it.

And you know, we only have a few minutes left.

So we got one more song and it's called free wheeling.

All I have to say is free is when you don't have to pay for nothing or do nothing.

We want to be free.

Just hit it and play that song and we'll play it right out.

All right.

Thanks, guys.

Hey, I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

Yo, ba, ba.

I know it's goin' up in your trouble.

You need it at no good.

Then I got told I was makin' a fly.

I hope you forgot.

I'm pretty sure I'm too low.

Cause if you just start makin' me seein' a fight for life.

But I think it's time to go.

Cause I'm anyway livin'

I know it's time to go.

I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

Yo, ba, ba.

I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

Yo, ba, ba, ba.

Drop a new map of giving you out all your fears.

And then amazing, and then there's an interesting soul that's lookin'

Up high, my heart's a God, I'm fresh, oh there's a known

Is it just long making us feelin' at his pipe and heart?

But I'm free, can't stop and yo, I'm free with it.

I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

You're free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

Yo, ba, ba, ba, ba.

I'm free with running away from the days of life and I'm chillin'

Livein' in the face of that angel, right?

Yo, ba, ba, ba.

All right, Barbie Lane, right here.

Live from the Mad City on Max and Gradio.

We thank you for tuning in tonight and we will be back next week

with all new guests live from the Mad City.

Make sure to tune in to our website,

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