C.S. Armstrong's guest appearances

C.S. Armstrong

Song of the Day

NOT 97

But That's Just Me

Mark Kelley

Nick Hakim

Kirk Douglas

Andrew Barber

Jordan Page

Katherine Friedland

Jackie Carrasco

Mike Herard

Cady Drell

Emilee Morgan

Madison McFerrin

Alexa Shouneyia

Corey Cambridge

Nigil Mack

Athena Koumis

OwlTail

C.S. Armstrong - "MA EMILY (feat. Rapsody)" from the 2022 self-released album THE MAKINGS OF ME. During the three years of lockdown, Houston, Texas-based artist C.S. Armstrong didn't release any original music. But the period gave him time to reflect. "The pandemic allowed me to sit with myself" he continues. "God told me to began producing, with not much knowledge I started to learn how to produce. I used God and my ears, I followed both until I reached this project that I’m so happy to finally give you." THE MAKINGS OF ME was produced by Armstrong with additional production by Miles James. The eight-song EP ranges from hip-hop to blues and gospel. As Armstrong calls it, it's a "journey through the things that made me who I am today." Today's Song of the Day is one of the most personal songs on the new release, inspired by his great-great-grandmother, Ma Emily. (In fact, the album cover photo was taken at her home.) Armstrong talked to our own DJ Gabriel Teodros about the song's origins: The song came about through a conversation with my mom actually. I was just asking about the history of my family and she talked about Ma Emily and that was her great-grandmother. She was just telling me her experiences with her and I took that conversation and really, I wanted to dive into, you know, generational curses that we all trying to break. And it came out literally — I didn't write anything — everything really just came out natural. So, for you to be highlighting such a personal song, it truly means a lot to me. Also, I sent it to [guest vocalist] Rapsody and I've been working with Rapsody since about 2012, and you know, she's always been supportive. When she sent her verse back, I literally, you know, fell to tears, man, because it's amazing not to have to explain too much to people. We did that through text, you know, I texted her. We weren't in the same room. I sent it to her and she sent it back in a matter of days and it gave me chills, man. So, shout out to Rapsody for delivering such a phenomenal verse. I think one of my favorite verses of last year. Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

C.S. Armstrong - "MA EMILY (feat. Rapsody)" from the 2022 self-released album THE MAKINGS OF ME. During the three years of lockdown, Houston, Texas-based artist C.S. Armstrong didn't release any original music. But the period gave him time to reflect. "The pandemic allowed me to sit with myself" he continues. "God told me to began producing, with not much knowledge I started to learn how to produce. I used God and my ears, I followed both until I reached this project that I’m so happy to finally give you." THE MAKINGS OF ME was produced by Armstrong with additional production by Miles James. The eight-song EP ranges from hip-hop to blues and gospel. As Armstrong calls it, it's a "journey through the things that made me who I am today." Today's Song of the Day is one of the most personal songs on the new release, inspired by his great-great-grandmother, Ma Emily. (In fact, the album cover photo was taken at her home.) Armstrong talked to our own DJ Gabriel Teodros about the song's origins: The song came about through a conversation with my mom actually. I was just asking about the history of my family and she talked about Ma Emily and that was her great-grandmother. She was just telling me her experiences with her and I took that conversation and really, I wanted to dive into, you know, generational curses that we all trying to break. And it came out literally — I didn't write anything — everything really just came out natural. So, for you to be highlighting such a personal song, it truly means a lot to me. Also, I sent it to [guest vocalist] Rapsody and I've been working with Rapsody since about 2012, and you know, she's always been supportive. When she sent her verse back, I literally, you know, fell to tears, man, because it's amazing not to have to explain too much to people. We did that through text, you know, I texted her. We weren't in the same room. I sent it to her and she sent it back in a matter of days and it gave me chills, man. So, shout out to Rapsody for delivering such a phenomenal verse. I think one of my favorite verses of last year. <a href="https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/song-of-the-day/2023/2/13/cs-armstrong-ma-emily-feat-rapsody/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read the full story at KEXP.org</a><a href="https://www.kexp.org/donate" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

C.S. Armstrong - MA EMILY (feat. Rapsody)

This is season two's bonus episode — one like we've never done before. Today's episode features an entire EP of covers recorded by LA-based singer/songwriter C.S. Armstrong. Across a low key but illustrious career Armstrong has developed a sound that is ruthlessly soulful, one that calls back to decades past while charging forward and defying boundaries.  This is an EP of covers, composed of timeless songs recorded by Armstrong with the intention of being placed in major motion pictures. For reaons unknown many of these songs never received soundtrack placement, however Armstrong's rendition of Bobby Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is currently in Taraji P. Henson's latest film Proud Mary. Joining the table for today's episode is a NOT97 alum, our first ever recurring guest, Amsterdam's own Van Common. Since August, the Dutch artist has been traveling around America and was gracious enough to book end his trip with appereances on the show — from season one's bonus episode to now.  01 "Five to One" originally by The Doors 02 "Not At All (interlude)" by C.S. Armstrong 03 "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" Originally by Bobby "Blue" Bland 04 "With a Little Help From My Friends" Originally by The Beatles 05 "Tainted Love Originally" by Gloria Jones 06 "I Need You" by C.S. Armstrong Album available: https://soundcloud.com/lifeofarmstrong/sets/covers-ep Art by Michael Brennan © NOT 97. All music ℗ &amp; © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is season two's bonus episode — one like we've never done before. Today's episode features an entire EP of covers recorded by LA-based singer/songwriter C.S. Armstrong. Across a low key but illustrious career Armstrong has developed a sound that is ruthlessly soulful, one that calls back to decades past while charging forward and defying boundaries.  This is an EP of covers, composed of timeless songs recorded by Armstrong with the intention of being placed in major motion pictures. For reaons unknown many of these songs never received soundtrack placement, however Armstrong's rendition of Bobby Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is currently in Taraji P. Henson's latest film Proud Mary.  Joining the table for today's episode is a NOT97 alum, our first ever recurring guest, Amsterdam's own Van Common. Since August, the Dutch artist has been traveling around America and was gracious enough to book end his trip with appereances on the show — from season one's bonus episode to now.  01 "Five to One" originally by The Doors 02 "Not At All (interlude)" by C.S. Armstrong 03 "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" Originally by Bobby "Blue" Bland 04 "With a Little Help From My Friends" Originally by The Beatles 05 "Tainted Love Originally" by Gloria Jones 06 "I Need You" by C.S. Armstrong Album available: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/lifeofarmstrong/sets/covers-ep" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://soundcloud.com/lifeofarmstrong/sets/covers-ep</a> Art by Michael Brennan © NOT 97. All music ℗ &amp; © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Season Two — Episode Eleven (Featuring C.S. Armstrong's "Covers EP") 