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To kick off Soundcheck's "Blind Date" series, we’ve set you, the listener, up on a radio date with American jazz guitarist-turned-Georgian folk star Ilusha Tsinadze. His just-released debut album, "Deda Ena" (“Mother Tongue”), offers a fresh take on traditional folk songs from his native country. He’ll join us with his band to attempt to win over the hearts—and ears—of our listeners.

In our next installment of Soundcheck's "Blind Date" series, we’ve set you, the listener, up on a radio date with the Brooklyn pop trio Yellow Ostrich. Their hooky debut album "the mistress” - which features singer Alex Schaaf’s voice layered, looped and stretched - was just picked up by Seattle indie label Barsuk Records. Yellow Ostrich join us in an attempt to win over the hearts and ears of our listeners.

In our next installment of Soundcheck's "Blind Date" series, we’ve set you, the listener, up on a radio date with the singer and songwriter Nikki Jean. She’s already toured alongside the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West. And she co-wrote her infectious debut album “Pennies In a Jar” with luminaries like Burt Bacharach, Carole King and Bob Dylan. That’s right, her debut. She’ll join us for a Soundcheck Blind Date, and attempt to win over the hearts—and ears—of our listeners.

It’s time for another blind date - this time, with a sextet of Brooklyn-based transplants. After being together for two and a half years, the band In One Wind just released their debut album, “How Bright a Shadow!” They’ll join us to spout poetry, divulge their first musical crushes, and geek out about Dutch American Colonial history. And, they’ll perform live.

In our next installment of Soundcheck's Blind Date series, we’ve set you, the listener, up on a radio date with the Brooklyn band Hospitality. Their debut full length record full of hooky pop songs will be released by Merge Records on January 31st. The band joins us with a preview as they attempt to win over your hearts--and ears.