The Hood Internet is a Chicago-based production duo. STV SLV and ABX take two distinct songs and mash them together. The results are sometimes funny and sometimes awesome.

The first time I met STV SLV (Steve Sleeve) in Vancouver, he had gotten lost somewhere between the restuarant and the venue. He was lightly blazed and would not stop gushing about the luxury of lax marijuana laws in our town. Thankfully he was a little more composed when we talked on the phone.

I love these guys because their tracks let us see what it would be like to see some unimaginable fan boy team ups. Damn: Caribou and Slug?!?! The Hood Internet “Sun Chewed Up” (Slug & Murs vs Caribou).

Tracks played on the show... 

1) The Hood Internet (Michael Jackson vs Ratatat) - "Billie Wildcat Jean"
2) The Hood Internet (Nirvana vs The Rapture vs SebastiAn) - "Get Myself Into Teen Spirit" (partial)
3) The Hood Internet (Ice Cube vs CFCF) - "It Was A Rainy Day"
4) The Hood Internet (Beyonce vs Fleet Foxes) - "Single Foxes (Put A Wood On It)"
5) The Hood Internet (Anti-Pop Consortium vs Maps) - "I Dream Of Capricorn"
6) The Hood Internet (Rihanna vs Crystal Castles) - "Rude Baptism"

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The Interview Show with The Hood Internet #41

Back in the day, I **loved** Eyedea & Abilities. These two were the best of early 2000s backpack hip hop. But sadly like most indie groups you love, they went their separate ways.

I was stoked when I heard that Eyedea & Abilities had reunited. This time, they have returned with a new style that incorporates more punk and metal into their beats. I loved it, they are still making challenging indie hip hop. But those old skewl hip hop fans can be harsh. Listen to my chat with Eyedea. He reveals just how to deal with death threats from “fans.”

RIP Eyedea: Your special brand of insanity will be missed.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Eyedea & Abilities, By The Throat "Junk"
2) Eyedea & Abilities, First Born "Liquid Sovereignty"
3) Eyedea & Abilities, By The Throat "Smile"
4) Eyedea & Abilities, By The Throat "This Story" (snippet)
5) Eyedea & Abilities, By The Throat "This Story" (full song)

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The Interview Show with Eyedea & Abilities #47

Bikini is two guys, Olivier Olivier and Nigel Diamond. These guys met in music school in Victoria, BC and now count the east coast as their home.

When I reached Olivier Olivier, he was painting in Montreal, a couple of 4Lokos into his night. This is somehow fitting given the guys in Bikini describe themselves as “Salinger on LSD.” 

Listen to our funny chat. And we don’t even get into Nigel Diamond‘s incredible “secret identity.”

Tracks played on the show...

1) Bikini, RIP JDS EP (2010) "ACheerleader"
2) Bikini, RIP JDS EP (2010) "1-2-3-4" (Feist cover)
3) Bikini, RIP JDS EP (2010) "Palm-Aire"
4) Bikini, RIP JDS EP (2010) "American Mourning"

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The Interview Show with Bikini #64

This week, things go from crazy to insane! Not only do I have music industry expert Justin on the show to talk about his new blog, Spaceship For Sale, but I decide to test his knowledge of the music biz by getting three local bands to ask him questions!
So this week, we’ve also got Tristan from DBL Dragon, Rob from Eeek! and Kyle from Vinyl Theory. Enjoy the chaos. :)

Tracks played on the show...

1) Mother Mother, Eureka "The Stand"
2) DBL Dragon "Holiday" (unreleased)
3) Eeek! "Lake Soux" (unreleased)
4) Vinyl Theory "Ghana" (demo)

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The Interview Show with Spaceship For Sale #74

This interview was one of the most crazy ones I’ve done recently.

Deep into a grueling tour, Skrillex did not want to do any more interviews. He was getting burned out from press (in our chat he tells me why), but somehow he got convinced to meet.

We did the interview in the basement of Celebrities nightclub, since Skrillex would only talk inside. His tour manager stood beside us during the entire chat, handing Skrillex cigarettes and drinks. If you listen closely, you can hear the beats and the taps of feet on the dancefloor above us. Pieces of the ceiling were falling down around us as we chatted.

A completely insane situation, but completely worth it for the chance to talk to one of the most interesting, not to mention most talented, upstarts in electronic music.

Tracks played in the show...

1) Skrillex “My Name Is Skrillex” (Skrillex remix)
2) Skrillex “Kill Everybody” (Original mix)
3) Skrillex “With You Friends” 

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The Interview Show with Skrillex #80

THEESatisfaction is Cat and Stas. The pair live, laugh, love, dance and create in Seattle. They were one of the first hip hop acts signed to legendary indie music label Sub Pop. This might have been seen as a bit of a weird move for an indie music label… (Sub Pop is remembered as the epicenter for all things “alternative” in the 90s–they were the home of Nirvana among many others) …But really, good music is good music.

Check out “Do You Have Time?” In the words of THEESatisfaction: “A love song about pot, or is that a pot song about love?” Take a listen to THEESatisfaction, though, and you can see why Sub Pop snapped up these two talented women.  They are a potent mix of introspective Slam Poetry, Black Jazz and Sunday morning soul–100% hip hop. Listen to our chat.

Tracks played on the show...
 
1) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Do You Have Time?"
2) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Foliage"
3) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Morning SAMO"
4) THEESatisfaction, Snow Motion mixtape "Bisexual"
5) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "I Nigress"

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The Interview Show with THEESatisfaction #111

Portland, Oregon’s Wampire are releasing their debut record Curiosity this week (May 14th). Wampire make “spooky” off-kilter synth pop.

I caught up with Rocky and Eric while they were on tour with Portland bro-bands Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Foxygen. There is one thing that the guys from Wampire HATE getting asked. Don’t worry. I ask them!

Tracks played on the show...
 
1) Wampire Curiosity “The Hearse”   
2) Wampire Curiosity “Train”   
3) Wampire The Hearse single “Das Modell” (Kraftwerk cover)  
4) Wampire Curiosity “Spirit Forest”   

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The Interview Show with Wampire #133

Australian golden boy Harley Edward Streten aka Flume is part of a new generation of electronic producers who have fully embraced social media as a way of building a fan base and career. I talk with Harley right after he stepped out of the shower. You’ll want to hear how many “snake penis” shots he’s received while using Snapchat. What is a snake penis? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the show...

1) FLUME, FLUME “Sleepless” ft Jezzabell Doran
2) FLUME, FLUME “Left Alone” ft Chet Faker
3) FLUME, FLUME “Insane” ft Moon Holiday
4) FLUME, FLUME “On Top” ft T.Shirt
 
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The Interview Show with FLUME #148

It seems like the Long Beach Ninja Tune electronic artist Yppah (sometimes known as Joe Corrales, Jr.) has become a constant touring partner of fellow NY Ninja Tune labelmate and hip hop producer Blockhead.  A few years ago while on tour with Blockhead, Yppah met musician, artivist and vocalist Anomie Bell. Strangely Yppah and Bell clicked and together they’ve made some of Yppah‘s most interesting tracks.

I chatted with Yppah (yeah, it’s “happy” backwards, but pronounced “Yip-Ah”) inside his tour van on a very rainy day and I get this very shy guy to spill his guts! Listen to our chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Yppah, Eighty One (2012) “Film Burn” (ft Anomie Bell) 
2) Yppah, Eighty One (2012) “D. Song” (ft Anomie Bell)
3) Yppah, You Are Beautiful At All Times (2006) “Again With the Subtitles” 
4) Yppah, Eighty One (2012) “Blue Schwinn” (partial/background) 
5) Yppah, Eighty One (2012) “Soon Enough” (ft Anomie Bell)
  
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The Interview Show with Yppah #155

Jessy Lanza is a electronic music producer and performer from Hamilton, Ontario. Her debut record Pull My Hair Back was a top 10 finalist for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.

Jessy and I chilled out in her van for a bit and ate candy. I asked her about her time as a piano teacher, her Hello Kitty obsession and working with Jeremy Greenspan from Junior Boys, but my favorite part of our chat is when Jessy goes off about when she gets called a “songstress.” Why? You’ll have to hear it.

Tracks played on the show...
  
1) Jessy Lanza, Pull My Hair Back (2013) “Kathy Lee” 
2) Jessy Lanza, Pull My Hair Back (2013) “Pull My Hair Back” 
3) Jessy Lanza, Pull My Hair Back (2013) “Against the Wall” 
4) Jessy Lanza, Pull My Hair Back (2013) “Keep Moving” 
 
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The Interview Show with Jessy Lanza #166

Calgary-born Lowell moved to Toronto to study music, but dropped out and spend some time working as a stripper. Lowell will be the first person to tell you that “former stripper who makes music” is a great headline, but there is a lot more to this musician than an easy headline. We did the interview in Lowell‘s rental car and she was nice enough to warn me about the dangers inside. What was this startling warning about? You’ll have to listen to the interview.

Tracks played on the show... 
  
1) Lowell We Loved Her Dearly (2014) “The Bells” 
2) Lowell We Loved Her Dearly (2014) “LGBT” 
3) Lowell We Loved Her Dearly (2014) “I Killed Sara V.” 
4) Lowell We Loved Her Dearly (2014) “I Love You Money” 
  
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The Interview Show with Lowell #172

Brody Dalle started performing in bands when she was barely a teenager in Australia. Just as she turned 18, she married Tim Armstrong, the frontman of Rancid. (Their divorce inspired many of the songs on Rancid‘s 2003 album Indestructible.) From there, Brody has led several bands, proving music is one of the true loves of her life. She is also currently a parent of two children with her husband Josh Homme, the frontman of Queens of the Stone Age.

I had a chance to sit down with Brody Dalle while she was on tour to promote the release of her current record, Diploid Love. (The first record she has released under her own name.) You have to listen to my chat with this complicated individual.

Tracks played on the show...
  
1) Brody Dalle Diploid Love (2014) "Meet The Foetus/Oh The Joy"
2) Brody Dalle Diploid Love (2014) "Parties For Prostitutes"
3) The Distillers Coral Fang (2003) "Drain the Blood"
4) Brody Dalle Diploid Love (2014) "Don't Mess With Me"
  
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The Interview Show with Brody Dalle #174

The Perfume Genius track “Queen” was one of my favorite songs of last year and the song is the jewel in the crown of Perfume Genius‘ triumphant third record Too Bright.

I caught Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius behind the Vogue Theatre when he was in town opening for Belle & Sebastian. He had snuck out back for a quick vape and I got him to talk about his bubbling anger, his growth as a songwriter, the fact that every article about him uses the word "sexuality" and more. Listen to our chat!

Tracks played on the show...
  
1) Perfume Genius, Too Bright (2014) "Queen"
2) Mary Margaret O’Hara, Miss America (1988) "Body’s In Trouble" (background/partial) **
3) Perfume Genius, Too Bright (2014) "Grid"
4) Perfume Genius, Put Your Back N 2 It (2012) "Normal Song"
5) Perfume Genius, Too Bright (2014) "Fool"
6) Perfume Genius, Too Bright (2014) "All Along"
 
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The Interview Show with Perfume Genius #184

I hung out with emerging Prairie singer-songwriter and storyteller Andy Shauf one dark and stormy night. Andy's work is most interesting when he is weaving engaging tales of small town life. His 2015 record, The Bearer Of Bad News, is a great collection of stories about drug addicts, murderous lovers and other desperate figures clinging to the margins of life. 

This year Andy Shauf signed to Arts & Crafts Records  and Anti-Records, so his upcoming next record should take him to the next level. 

The rain tapped away on the van roof as I chatted with this sweet but shy guy about everything from being a teenage fan of MXPX to his love of the clarinet to how to craft a good narrative in a song (and how autobiographical his stories should be) and much more! Listen to our chat. 

Tracks played on the show...

1) Andy Shauf, The Bearer of Bad News (2015) "You're Out Wasting" 
2) Andy Shauf, The Bearer of Bad News (2015) "I'm Not Falling Asleep"
3) Andy Shauf, The Bearer of Bad News (2015) "Wendell Walker"
4) Andy Shauf, Sam Jones Feeds His Demons EP (2012) "Sam Jones"
5) Andy Shauf, The Bearer of Bad News (2015) "Jerry Was A Clerk"

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The Interview Show with Andy Shauf #201

NY indie rock band The Lemon Twigs at its core is brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario. The band’s debut record Do Hollywood  came out last year and each brother wrote five songs on the record. When you see them play live, the brothers switch instruments, so they can sing the songs each wrote. Although young–the youngest D’Addario is still a teenager–the brothers have been immersed in music since they were born. Their father is a professional musician and their mother is a lifelong music fan.
Do Hollywood got started after the brothers sent Jonathan Rado, frontman of California indie rock band Foxygen, some demos over Twitter. Before they knew it, the band was signed to legendary label 4AD (home of SOHN, Deerhunter, Future Islands, The National, among others) and working with Rado on what would become Do Hollywood.
I got to hang out with the brothers the last time they were in town. Do the brothers really fight a lot? What was it like working with Jonathan Rado from Foxygen? What are the details behind the secret debut record that the D’Addario brothers have disavowed? Which legendary musician’s career would each brother like to have? You’ll have to listen to find out. 

My hang sesh with The Lemon Twigs turned out to be so fun, there was a lot of talk I couldn’t fit into the radio version of the show. In the extended version of the show, I talk with the brothers about growing up in a musical family, two more songs from the Do Hollywood record (“Hi+Lo” and “As Long As We’re Together”) and the other secrets the brothers are hiding.

Tracks played on the extended version of the show...

1) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "These Words"
2) Foxygen, ...And Star Power (2014) "Brooklyn Police Station" (background)
3) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Baby, Baby" (partial)
4) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "I Wanna Prove To You"
5) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "As Long As We're Together" 
6) The Lemon Twigs, What We Know (2014) "The Corners I Was Locked Behind (When I Was There)"
7) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Hi+Lo"
8) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Haroomata"

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The Interview Show

The Interview Show with The Lemon Twigs (podcast edition) #224

I hung out with Warp Records electronic, experimental, ambient, drone producer Daniel Lopatin aka Oneohtrix Point Never (or sometimes OPN) in an unusually busy alleyway behind Vancouver’s Venue nightclub. He sipped tea the whole time to massage his vocal chords for that night’s show. 
 
His latest record, Garden of Delete, started when Daniel got really obsessed with top 40 music and wondered what it would be like to create an entire album from the discarded song ideas of top 40 pop songwriters. The record ended up being about an adolescent alien meeting a made-up hyper-grunge band called Chaos Edge and their musical collaboration.  
 
Which song on his record is about how absurd it is to ejaculate for the first time? How did top 40 song writers react when Daniel approached them for their discarded song ideas?  Which is his favorite track on Garden of Delete? Which top 40 song is Daniel’s current guilty obsession? Which Garden of Delete track does Daniel call his "psychotic clown" song? In how many different ways can our interview get interrupted by this abnormally busy alleyway? You’ll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the the show…
 
1) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Sticky Drama”
2) Rae Sremmurd, SremmLife (2015) “No Type”
3) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Mutant Standard”
4) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Animals”
5) Oneohtrix Point Never, Replica (2011) “Replica”
6) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “I Bite Through It”

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The Interview Show with Oneohtrix Point Never (podcast edition) #233

I hung out with Warp Records electronic, experimental, ambient, drone producer Daniel Lopatin aka Oneohtrix Point Never (or sometimes OPN) in an unusually busy alleyway behind Vancouver’s Venue nightclub. He sipped tea the whole time to massage his vocal chords for that night’s show. 
 
His latest record, Garden of Delete, started when Daniel got really obsessed with top 40 music and wondered what it would be like to create an entire album from the discarded song ideas of top 40 pop songwriters. The record ended up being about an adolescent alien meeting a made-up hyper-grunge band called Chaos Edge and their music collaboration.  
 
Which song on his record is about how absurd it is to ejaculate for the first time? How did top 40 song writers react when Daniel approached them for their discarded song ideas?  Which is his favorite track on Garden of Delete? Which top 40 song is Daniel’s current guilty obsession? Which Garden of Delete track does Daniel call his "psychotic clown" song? In how many different ways can our interview get interrupted by this abnormally busy alleyway? You’ll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the the show…
 
1) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Sticky Drama”
2) Rae Sremmurd, SremmLife (2015) “No Type”
3) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Mutant Standard”
4) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “Animals”
5) Oneohtrix Point Never, Replica (2011) “Replica”
6) Oneohtrix Point Never, Garden of Delete (2015) “I Bite Through It”

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The Interview Show with Oneohtrix Point Never (radio edit) #233

Twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears formed the Southern California punk duo called The Garden in 2011 (when they were 17). They have even invented a name for what they do, "vada vada."  The Shears brothers always seem to be making music. Even when they take a break from The Garden, each twin has his own side project, Wyatt's is called Enjoy and Fletcher's is named Puzzle.

I hung out with the brothers one cold night outside the  Cobalt while The Prettys did a soundcheck inside. 

What is "vada vada"? Do the Shears have a secret twin language? How is The Garden's songwriting evolving over time? How did their Dad's involvement in the SoCal punk scene influence the brothers? Why is it important for each brother to have his own side project? Will The Garden project ever add a third member? Which sport do the brothers still enjoy when they have the time? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) The Garden, Haha (2016) "All Smiles Over Here"
2) The Garden, Haha (2016) "Crystal Clear"
3) The Garden, Haha (2016) "This Could Build Us a Home"
4) The Garden, The Life And Times of a Paperclip (2013) "I'm a Woman"  
5) Puzzle, And Then Suddenly, Like Magic! (2014) "Would You Mind Coming Along With Me" (background/partial)
6) Enjoy, Legacy (2014) "Party Bounce" (background/partial)
7) The Garden, Haha (2016) "I Guess We'll Never Know"
8) The Garden, Haha (2016) "Together We'll Be Great"

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The Interview Show with The Garden (podcast edition) #241

Twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears formed the Southern California punk duo called The Garden in 2011 (when they were 17). They have even invented a name for what they do, "vada vada."  The Shears brothers always seem to be making music. Even when they take a break from The Garden, each twin has his own side project, Wyatt's is called Enjoy and Fletcher's is named Puzzle.

I hung out with the brothers one cold night outside the  Cobalt while The Prettys did a soundcheck inside. 

What is "vada vada"? Do the Shears have a secret twin language? How is The Garden's songwriting evolving over time? How did their Dad's involvement in the SoCal punk scene influence the brothers? Why is it important for each brother to have his own side project? Will The Garden project ever add a third member? Which sport do the brothers still enjoy when they have the time? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) The Garden, Haha (2016) "All Smiles Over Here"
2) The Garden, Haha (2016) "Crystal Clear"
3) The Garden, Haha (2016) "This Could Build Us a Home"
4) Puzzle, And Then Suddenly, Like Magic! (2014) "Would You Mind Coming Along With Me" (background/partial)
5) Enjoy, Legacy (2014) "Party Bounce" (background/partial)
6) The Garden, Haha (2016) "I Guess We'll Never Know"
7) The Garden, Haha (2016) "Together We'll Be Great"

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The Interview Show with The Garden (radio edit) #241

I hung out with Iceland-based experimental electronic artist Ben Frost backstage at Vancouver's Imperial while the club's maintenance staff cleaned up. It was mid-2015 and Ben was still touring his 2014 record AURORA. I thought this great chat had been lost when a harddrive died, but last week the drive mysteriously started to work again, so the bonus is all yours!  

What DNA connects mainstream rock legends Fleetwood Mac to experimental composer Ben Frost? How is the NBA almost "post-human?" What keeps Ben Frost awake at night? What was it like to have ambient electronic music legend Brian Eno as a mentor? What kind of stage set up does Ben need to put on an effective performance? What modern problem would Ben like to address through sound design? What question does Ben want me to ask him in 20 years? Will he tell me about the last one that got away? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Ben Frost, A U R O R A (2014) "Venter"
2) Ben Frost, A U R O R A (2014) "Secant"
3) Ben Frost, V A R I A N T (2014) "Nolan" (Regis Self Medicating Edit)
4) Ben Frost, By the Throat (2009) "Peter Venkman I"
5) Ben Frost, A U R O R A (2014) "A Single Point of Blinding Light"

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The Interview Show with Ben Frost (podcast edition) #245

You'd think a guy who named his band STRFKR would be able to scream the correct pronunciation of his band from the rooftops, but in fact the man behind STRFKR, Joshua Hodges, says "Starfucker" in hushed tones like it's a very bad word--despite the fact that he prefers the "real way of saying it" over what the band is usually called on the radio, S-T-R-F-K-R or Star-eff-er. 

I sat down with Josh backstage and he was a big nervous ball of energy. We talked for over an hour, so we covered many topics... Why did the autobiography of one of the first western Buddhist nuns inspire the new record? What was it like to go to a BDSM club for the first time? Would he go back? What is Josh's favorite podcast? (Other than The Interview Show.) Which STRFKR track was inspired by a band member's tattoo? What was it like being raised by a mom who is a "fag hag"? Is "fag hag" a term we should be using anymore? Who is "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second" in real life? Why did Josh decide to release all the old demos (that he found on his failing hard drive)?  How does Josh keep present and in the moment at every show? Which song on the new record was a collaboration with the STRFKR drummer? Which snack does Josh eat right before the interview? Listen!

Stay tuned to the very end of the podcast edition of the show where I try to get Josh to OWN saying the name. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Open Your Eyes"
2) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Never Ever"
3) STRFKR, Miracle Mile (2013) "While I'm Alive" 
4) STRFKR, Starfucker (2008) "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second"
5) STRFKR, Vault Vol. 1 (2017) "Basically"
6) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "In the End"

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The Interview Show with STRFKR (podcast edition) #250

Like many others, I was really into last year's Blanck Mass record, World Eater (2017, Sacred Bones Records). I was surprised to discover that Blanck Mass is the side project of Benjamin John Power who is also one half of Fuck Buttons.

I spent one hot summer night with both members of Fuck Buttons (Andrew Hung and Benjamin John Power) in their tour van.  The duo were in good spirits, despite the fact that we were all sweating profusely. 

Rumor has it that the band is working on new material as I write this. Hopefully we'll see some new Fuck Buttons music soon. 

How do you say "Fuck Buttons" in a family friendly radio environment? What were these guys like in art school? What's it like to "jam" when you are in an electronic act? What's it like to have your music selected to be in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games? What place does patriotism have in the lives of Fuck Buttons? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Fuck Buttons, Slow Focus (2013) "The Red Wing"
2) Fuck Buttons, Tarot Sport (2009) "Surf Solar"
3) Fuck Buttons, Slow Focus (2013) "Stalker" (background)
4) Fuck Buttons, Tarot Sport (2009) "Olympians"
5) Fuck Buttons, Slow Focus (2013) "Brainfreeze"

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The Interview Show with Fuck Buttons (podcast edition) #278

I hung out with the UK post punk band Cymbals one hot summer night in 2014. Sweat dripped down our foreheads and we drank ice cold beverages to keep cool backstage while the opening act completed soundcheck. It was the last show of a North American tour. The band was equal parts excited and exhausted.  

As the band would later reveal "2014 was a really intense year. One-by-one the other guys in the band couldn’t face it anymore, so we widened the family, met new people and worked with them, until they had to move on and then we worked with others. It was hard on a personal level, but as a band, it also felt like a kind of chrysalis." Cymbals would continue as Jack Cleverly and Dan Simons after some soul-searching. 

Why did vocalist/guitarist Jack name their record, Age of Fracture, after the history book by Daniel T. Rodgers? How does the band like being described as having "rough edges"? How did the band write the record while keeping full time jobs? What does it mean when the band says they need to become more ruthless as songwriters? Does the band have two to three versions of each song laying around? You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Cymbals, Age of Fracture (2014) "The Natural World"
2) Cymbals, Age of Fracture (2014) "Erosion"
3) Cymbals, Age of Fracture (2014) "You Are"
4) Cymbals, Age of Fracture (2014) "The End"

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The Interview Show with Cymbals (radio edit) #282

Electronic dance duo Adventure Club started as an unlikely side project. Montreal high school pals, Christian Srigley and Leighton James were busy with their hardcore emo pop-punk band, but after finding success with a dubstep remix of "Daisy" by American alternative-rock band Brand New, Adventure Club was born. 

I hung out with Leighton one crazy night backstage at a weird time in the band's history. His bandmate Christian had been sidelined by back surgery and Leighton was trucking along solo. The band had just released "Thunderclap"--a song that was a departure from their signature sound--female vocaled, heart-soothing dubstep. 

How did Christian's back injury effect his bro? Can I get Leighton to wear shoes? Which local Vancouver celebrity crashes our interview? Why has Leighton never missed a single Warped Tour? Which hardcore song gives Leighton the feels right now? What's the toughest part of being in a duo? How do the guys handle music disagreements and different tastes? Who are Adventure Club's favorite superheroes and why? What's the band's pre-show ritual? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Adventure Club, Calling All Heroes (2013) "Gold" (featuring Yuna)
2) Adventure Club, Calling All Heroes (2013) "Thunderclap" 
3) Flight Facilities (featuring Giselle Rosselli), single (2011) "Crave You" (Adventure Club Remix)
4) Adventure Club, Calling All Heroes (2013) "Gold" (featuring The Kite String Tangle)

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The Interview Show with Adventure Club (radio edit) #287

I hung out with Meredith Graves, Ray McAndrew and Shaun Sutkus from  Syracuse, New York punk band Perfect Pussy one windy summer day as the band took a smoke break. The band tour van was noticeably dented from a collision, so we sat on the grass in the sun.  

Perfect Pussy began as a "fake band" that singer Meredith Graves pulled together for her film director friend Scott Coffey's 2013 film,  Adult World. But Perfect Pussy ended up becoming a real project and the band were quickly touring North America. Lead singer Meredith Graves was also very vocal about the abuse of power by older men in the music industry--when it was something that people were afraid to do. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/515-sun-kil-moon-yells-at-cloud-war-on-drugs-suck-my-cock-and-the-language-of-male-violence/   

What happened to the tour van? Why did Meredith choose that band name? What was it like to get such quick success? How did Meredith react to pressure to be the focal point of the band? Which song does everyone think about is about sex (when it's really about something else)? What was it like for the band when Meredith decided to call out bad behavior in her hometown music scene? Which Perfect Pussy song is "the hard one" to play? Which song did Ray want to sound like Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation"? What is "band feelings time"? Which Perfect Pussy song is the first Meredith duet with... Meredith? You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Driver" 
2) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Dig" 
3) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Advance Upon the Real" 
4) Perfect Pussy, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling (2013) "i" 
5) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Interference Fits"  
6) Perfect Pussy, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling (2013) "iii" 

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Perfect Pussy (podcast edition) #292

I hung out with Meredith Graves, Ray McAndrew and Shaun Sutkus from  Syracuse, New York punk band Perfect Pussy one windy summer day as the band took a smoke break. The band tour van was noticeably dented from a collision, so we sat on the grass in the sun.  

Perfect Pussy began as a "fake band" that singer Meredith Graves pulled together for her film director friend Scott Coffey's 2013 film,  Adult World. But Perfect Pussy ended up becoming a real project and the band were quickly touring North America. Lead singer Meredith Graves was also very vocal about the abuse of power by older men in the music industry--when it was something that people were afraid to do. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/515-sun-kil-moon-yells-at-cloud-war-on-drugs-suck-my-cock-and-the-language-of-male-violence/   

What happened to the tour van? Why did Meredith choose that band name? What was it like to get such quick success? How did Meredith react to pressure to be the focal point of the band? Which song does everyone think about is about sex (when it's really about something else)? What was it like for the band when Meredith decided to call out bad behavior in her hometown music scene? Which Perfect Pussy song is "the hard one" to play? Which song did Ray want to sound like Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation"? What is "band feelings time"? Which Perfect Pussy song is the first Meredith duet with... Meredith? You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Driver" 
2) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Advance Upon the Real" 
3) Perfect Pussy, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling (2013) "i" 
4) Perfect Pussy, Say Yes to Love (2014) "Interference Fits"
5) Perfect Pussy, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling (2013) "iii"    

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Perfect Pussy (radio edit) #292

You might remember Ryan Karazija as the frontman of the Oakland, California indie rock band Audrye Sessions. Just as that band was starting to see some success, Ryan got divorced and relocated to Reykjavík, Iceland. Next, he started a new dream pop band, called Low Roar. You might have heard Low Roar's track  "I'll Keep Coming" in a trailer for the Death Stranding video game.

I had a few drinks with Ryan in his deluxe tour van one hot summer night. The van had a leaky roof and one seat needed a bucket to collect water when it rained. Things got pretty sweaty. 

Which band member has to sit in the leaky seat? What made Ryan decide to leave the Bay area indie rock music scene? What was it like to start over in a new country? Was it easy to find a new music community? Does Ryan ever get tired about being asked about Iceland? Which song title as taken by the first thing Ryan saw when he looked up from saving the file? What's the story behind my favorite Low Roar song? You'll have to listen to find out! 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Low Roar, Remix EP (2015) "Breathe In" (Carmen Rizzo Remix) 
2) Low Roar, Low Roar (2014) "Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take It Out)"  
3) Low Roar, Remix EP (2015) "Vampire On My Fridge" (Farao Remix) 
4) Low Roar, 0 (2014) "Dreamer"  

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Low Roar (podcast edition) #293

You might remember Ryan Karazija as the frontman of the Oakland, California indie rock band Audrye Sessions. Just as that band was starting to see some success, Ryan got divorced and relocated to Reykjavík, Iceland. Next, he started a new dream pop band, called Low Roar. You might have heard Low Roar's track  "I'll Keep Coming" in a trailer for the Death Stranding video game.

I had a few drinks with Ryan in his deluxe tour van one hot summer night. The van had a leaky roof and one seat needed a bucket to collect water when it rained. Things got pretty sweaty. 

Which band member has to sit in the leaky seat? What made Ryan decide to leave the Bay area indie rock music scene? What was it like to start over in a new country? Was it easy to find a new music community? Does Ryan ever get tired about being asked about Iceland? What's the story behind my favorite Low Roar song? You'll have to listen to find out! 

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Low Roar, Remix EP (2015) "Breathe In" (Carmen Rizzo Remix) 
2) Low Roar, Low Roar (2014) "Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take It Out)"  
3) Low Roar, 0 (2014) "Dreamer"  

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Low Roar (radio edit) #293

36? started as Taylor Cochrane's solo project when he was a teenager. As he says, "36? emerged at a very difficult and incomprehensible time in my life. I existed in a constant state of medically induced psychosis. I wrote and recorded songs on a daily basis, a mechanical imagination running wild in a zombie suit. Appearing as a hazy shell of a human being to the outside world, a blank dead eyed slate sitting at the back of the classroom, but on the inside I was in a constant state of creation." 36? has evolved since it's 2006 beginnings and now Taylor has folded many of his Calgary music scene friends into the band. They've recently released a new record Milk Mountain. 

The last time 36? were in Vancouver, I had a few drinks with Taylor and his new bandmates Kerry and Laura Hickli. When I brought up one of the first songs Taylor wrote for the project "So what if I feel like bondage?" it turned out Kerry and Laura had never heard the song before--so I get their reaction after hearing the track for the first time! 

How do you pronounce "36?" Why does Taylor find it strange observing the many ways people move on from a broken heart? How did Taylor cope with his mental health issues? Which other "crazy artists" does he admire and why? Why record a piano version of a punk rock song like "So What?" Which 36? song requires a power tool? You'll have to listen to find out! 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) 36?, Vic single (2019) "Vic" 
2) 36?, Milk Mountain (2019) "I Think My Dog Knows I'm High" 
3) 36?, So what? single (2019) "So what?" (piano version) 
4) 36?, love.hate.bondage (2006) "So what if I feel like bondage?" 
5) 36?, Milk Mountain (2019) "Sell U Love / Rip U Off"     

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with 36? (podcast edition) #294

36? started as Taylor Cochrane's solo project when he was a teenager. As he says, "36? emerged at a very difficult and incomprehensible time in my life. I existed in a constant state of medically induced psychosis. I wrote and recorded songs on a daily basis, a mechanical imagination running wild in a zombie suit. Appearing as a hazy shell of a human being to the outside world, a blank dead eyed slate sitting at the back of the classroom, but on the inside I was in a constant state of creation." 36? has evolved since it's 2006 beginnings and now Taylor has folded many of his Calgary music scene friends into the band. They've recently released a new record Milk Mountain. 

The last time 36? were in Vancouver, I had a few drinks with Taylor and his new bandmates Kerry and Laura Hickli. When I brought up one of the first songs Taylor wrote for the project "So what if I feel like bondage?" it turned out Kerry and Laura had never heard the song before--so I get their reaction after hearing the track for the first time! 

How do you pronounce "36?" Why does Taylor find it strange observing the many ways people move on from a broken heart? How did Taylor cope with his mental health issues? Why record a piano version of a punk rock song like "So What?" You'll have to listen to find out! 

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) 36?, Vic single (2019) "Vic" 
2) 36?, So what? single (2019) "So what?" (piano version) 
3) 36?, love.hate.bondage (2006) "So what if I feel like bondage?" 
4) 36?, Milk Mountain (2019) "I think my dog knows I'm high"     

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with 36? (radio edit) #294

I chilled out backstage at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom with Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer from Silver Lake, Los Angeles, indie rock band Local Natives. It was the first night of their Spiral Choir Tour 2019  and they were on the road to promote the new record, Violet Street. 

It's always great to hang out with bands on the first night of a tour. Everything is fresh, everyone is well-rested, and bands are excited to hit the road to see their fans again. While we chatted, opening act Middle Kids finished their soundcheck and Taylor and Kelcey admitted they hadn't even met Middle Kids yet. 

Where does the tour title "Spiral Choir Tour" come from? Which song is about Taylor's relationship with his wife? How does Kelcey's partner feel about him writing about her? Does the new record Violet Street focus on "the unsung upkeep of relationships?" What is an "emotional check in" and how do they keep Local Natives a well-functioning band? What gross habits did Taylor and Kelcey have when they lived together in that band house, Gorilla Manor? Why does the band post all their song stems on their SoundCloud page? What is the band's secret pre-show ritual? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "When Am I Gonna Lose You" 
2) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "Megaton Mile"   
3) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "Tap Dancer"  
4) Local Natives, Sunlit Youth (2016) "Dark Days" (featuring Nina Persson) 
5) Local Natives, Gorilla Manor (2010) "Wide Eyes" 
6) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "Shy"  

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Local Natives (podcast edition) #295

I chilled out backstage at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom with Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer from Silver Lake, Los Angeles, indie rock band Local Natives. It was the first night of their Spiral Choir Tour 2019  and they were on the road to promote the new record, Violet Street. 

It's always great to hang out with bands on the first night of a tour. Everything is fresh, everyone is well-rested, and bands are excited to hit the road to see their fans again. While we chatted, opening act Middle Kids finished their soundcheck and Taylor and Kelcey admitted they hadn't even met Middle Kids yet. 

Where does the tour title "Spiral Choir Tour" come from? Which song is about Taylor's relationship with his wife? How does Kelcey's partner feel about him writing about her? What gross habits did Taylor and Kelcey have when they lived together in that band house, Gorilla Manor? What is the band's secret pre-show ritual? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "When Am I Gonna Lose You" 
2) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "Megaton Mile"   
3) Local Natives, Gorilla Manor (2010) "Wide Eyes" 
4) Local Natives, Violet Street (2019) "Shy"  

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Local Natives (radio edit) #295

Dear White People started as a 2014 American comedy-drama indie film, written, directed and co-produced by Justin Simien. The film focuses on escalating racial tensions at a fictitious, prestigious Ivy League college from the perspective of several black students. The film was a big hit, so Netflix commissioned a TV series and Justin remained behind the wheel of the new show. I got to hang out with him in the beautiful Rocky Mountains while he was at the Banff World Media Festival 2019 promoting the upcoming third season of Dear White People. 

Which member of the X-Men does Justin want to meet? Was it difficult to make the original film's story an open-ended TV series idea? How has the changing political landscape in the US changed the show? Which TV series does Justin watch when he begins a new relationship? What lesson did the TV series Breaking Bad teach him? Is campus radio and alternative media important to Justin? What is Justin proud about in season three of Dear White People? You'll have to listen to find out!

Track played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate (2016) "Love & Hate"  

This song is not CANCON

The Interview Show with Netflix's Dear White People (radio edit) #296

British TV writer Jed Mercurio is well-known for his medical drama, Bodies and cop show, Line of Duty. Last year, his six-part political thriller Bodyguard was a huge ratings winner for the BBC. Bodyguard stars Richard Madden as a war veteran assigned to protect the ambitious Home Secretary, played by Keeley Hawes, whose politics he despises. Like Jed's other shows, Bodyguard kept viewers on the edge of their seats with surprise twists and turns. I got a chance to hang out with Jed while he attended the Banff World Media Festival 2019. 

Did Jed have Bodyguard's crazy twists in mind from the beginning? What does Jed remember fondly about watching Star Trek as a kid? How much does audience reaction play into planning the next series? Does Jed want to do an American version of one of his UK TV series? Will there be a second series of Bodyguard? You'll have to listen to find out!

The Interview Show with Jed Mercurio creator of UK's Bodyguard & Line of Duty (podcast edition) #297

The Interview Show producer and host Scott Wood climbs into the tour van to hang out with your favorite indie bands. This podcast covers all kinds of music--anything from electronic to hip hop to indie to punk to metal. Listen!

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