The Interview Show with Scott Wood 2011

My phone call woke up Little Dragon singer (and all-around indie goddess) Yukimi. She was napping before the show while on tour with Gorillaz. Yukimi and the band are from Gothenberg, Sweden, a town known more for its metal than its chill electronic indie pop. You'll have to listen for when I get poor groggy Yukimi to give me her best metal GROWL.

No one knows who Little Dragon is YET, but everyone I have introduced to the band loves ’em. Check out “Feather.” This song Yukimi wrote because she resented being told that women are not risk-takers.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Feather"
2) Gorillaz (feat Little Dragon), Plastic Beach "Empire Ants" (partial)
3) Jose Gonzalez "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (cover) (background only)
4) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Never Never"
5) Dark Tranquility, Damage Done (2002) "The Treason Wall" (background only)
6) Brandy (feat Monica), Never Say Never "That Boy Is Mine" (background only)
7) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Runabout"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Little Dragon #56

This week we’ve got another undiscovered chilled-out, Scandinavian electronic group. Meet WhoMadeWho! Yes, WhoMadeWho is named after the AC/DC song, but the band  sounds NOTHING like AC/DC.  These guys DO sound a lot like Miike Snow and Hot Chip.

When I met up with the band, the guys were so jetlagged that I had to wake them up to chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Who Made Who, The Plot "The Plot"
2) Who Made Who, Who Made Who "The Loop" (snippet)
3) Who Made Who, The Plot "Keep Me In My Plane"
4) Who Made Who, The Plot "Small Town City"
5) Who Made Who, The Plot "This Train"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with WhoMadeWho #57

They say the 90’s should be “coming back” any time now (if they ever went away). This week, I've got not one but two acts with a special connection to that era.

Shane from The New Loud knows is convinced the 90's are coming back. His band has a new single called “Wrapped In Plastic.” The track was inspired by the cult classic TV show Twin Peaks and the song was written from the point of view of the dead 90s icon Laura Palmer.

Loreta also has a special soft spot for the 90’s. She has recently covered Michael Jackson‘s 90’s single “Stranger In Moscow.” Listen to our chat and see how she reacts when an angry Mariah Carey invades her dressing room!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Soundtrack "Twin Peaks Theme" (background)
2) The New Loud, Measures Melt  "Wrapped In Plastic"
3) Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Soundtrack "Laura Palmer's Theme" (background)
4) The New Loud, Measures Melt  "Get Lost"
5) Loreta "Stranger In Moscow" (Michael Jackson cover)
6) Loreta "Happily Never After"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with The New Loud & Loreta #58

Evil Ebenezer has been slugging it out in the sometimes unforgiving west coast hip hop scene, trying to make a name for himself. When I called him, he was updating his Facebook page, getting ready for a tour. Not very EVIL, but he told me he leaves the true villainy for the stage.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Scarecrow"
2) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Ghostbusters"
3) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Step To"
4) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Take Me With You"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Evil Ebenezer #59

As soon as I had my foot in the door of the Halestorm tour van, the band's drummer Arejay was shaking my hand and calling me “Shades” (because I was wearing sunglasses). In fact, the entire group had an explosive energy (they later blamed on coffee), but one thing was clear, these guys want a career in music.

Hard rockers Halestorm started out in 2005 touring a live EP and then in 2009 finally released their self-titled debut. These guys tour relentlessly and being a road veteran gives the band a confidence you don’t see in a lot of new acts.

At the centre of Halestorm are the Hale siblings, Lizzy (the frontwoman)and Arejay. They believe in keeping things in the family. Mom is the tour manager and Dad drives their bus. And at a Halestorm show, you will run into their mom in the audience selling Halestorm CDs.

Apparently Arejay gets asked a lot how he feels about his sister singing about “getting off,” (Halestorm's signature song is “I Get Off”) and he HATES it. Listen to him go off about it in the our chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Halestorm, Halestorm "Bet You Wish You Had Me Back"
2) Halestorm, Halestorm "I Get Off"
3) Halestorm, Halestorm "Familiar Taste of Poison"
4) Halestorm, Halestorm "It's Not You"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Halestorm #60

When Chris Connelly from Edmonton’s Hot Panda answered my call, he had no idea he was supposed to be doing an interview. In fact, Hot Panda‘s tour van had just just died and he was putting the license plate on their new van. 

Chris was a really good sport. He didn’t even flinch when I suggested we play a little game of kill, fuck or marry with his fellow Mint Records stars Shane (from The Awkward Stage), Paul from (Young & Sexy) and Becky from (The Pack A.D.)

Definitely one of my most fun interviews of this year!!! 

Tracks played on the show...

1) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Mindlessnesslessness"
2) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "1995"
3) Pulp, A Different Class "Common People" (snippet/background)
4) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Masculinity"
5) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Fuck Shit Up _ Hey Hell Hex"

ALL songs CANCON except Pulp "Common People"

The Interview Show with Hot Panda #61

When I called to interview Ghostkeeper, band frontman Shane was talking care of business in the bathroom. Luckily, bandmate Sarah spoke with me for a bit while I waited for Shane to finish up. 

The first thing Shane did when he got on the phone was describe himself as a B.F.I. (You will have to listen to hear what that stands for.) After he said that, I had no idea what to expect next.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Haunted"
2) John Carpernter "Halloween Theme (Main)" (background)
3) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "By Morning"
4) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Don't Come Knockin'"
5) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Well, Well, Well"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Ghostkeeper #62

In 2011, everyone loves Diamond Rings! Indie music taste-making website Pitchfork loves him! Robyn loves him! The UK loves him! He even has a make-up sponsor!

I caught John (aka Diamond Rings) at the end of a long day. I was his last interview, so I was hoping I would catch him a little looser than his usual serious self. 

Tracks played on the show...

1) Diamond Rings "All Yr Songs" (Go Green remix)
2) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "You Oughta Know"
3) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "Wait and See"
4) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "It's Not My Party"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Diamond Rings #63

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"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Bikini #64

I have wanted to talk with NY-based producer Chew Fu for a long time. This DJ-producer brings something really unique to the dance floor. A typical DJ will read his crowd and then decide which remixes will make this crowd dance. The set choices are limited only by the crowd’s tastes and what is in the DJ’s arsenal.

Things are a little different at Chew Fu show. Chew Fu doesn’t play other people’s remixes/productions AT ALL. A Chew Fu set is entirely made up of only Chew Fu remixes or refixes. Neat, eh?

Chew Fu got his start on the blogs and now remixes the biggest names in pop music and he tells us all about his intriguing journey.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Corey Hart "Sunglasses At Night" (Chew Fu Refix ft. J-Cast, A-Clay & PVH)
2) Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" (Chew Fu H1N1 Club Mix) [background]
3) Chew Fu ft Steve Clisby "Purple Rain" (Prince cover) (Chew Fu Club Fix)
4) Kings of Leon "Use Somebody" (Chew Fu Festival Fix Remix) [background]
5) Lady Gaga (ft Marilyn Manson) "Love Game" (Chew Fu Remix) [background]
6) Kanye West "Love Lockdown" (Chew Fu Small Room Fix)

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Chew Fu #65

Boats (from Winnipeg) are one of my favorite bands right now. I am not so sure why they are not getting more indie love!

My interview with Boats frontman Mat was doomed from the get-go. Dodgy cell phone reception kept hijacking our conversation, but this did keep things interesting.

Stay tuned for the last part of the interview where Mat says the most controversial thing a music lover could say. (Music geeks, you have been warned!)

Tracks played on the show...

1) Boats, Cannonballs, Cannonballs (2010) "Haircuts For Everybody!"
2) Boats, Cannonballs, Cannonballs (2010) "Our Athletic Friends"
3) Boats, Cannonballs, Cannonballs (2010) "Movie Scores; We Hummed"
4) Boats, Cannonballs, Cannonballs (2010) "TV Scientist"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Boats #66

Every once and a while it is nice to discover the hidden gems in your own town. This week, I’ve found two, Blood Diamonds and Matty C.

No one seems to know anything about blog sensation Blood Diamonds. So I called him up to get to the bottom of things. There is some weird dude screaming “Mass Effect” in the background. As revenge, I asked Blood Diamonds what he is singing in the shower lately. He wanted to sound all indie cool by claiming he sings Cut Copy‘s latest, but that isn’t what he ended up singing.

Matty C is a local DJ veteran and has just put out a single “Action.” When I called Matty C, he was playing with his baby daughter on the couch. You can hear her cooing in the background as we chat. 

Sweet shoegaze disco tracks and babies. This show never disappoints!

Tracks played on the show... 

1) Blood Diamonds (ft. Wet Look) "Lasting Love"
2) Blood Diamonds "Aries"
3) Matty C "Action" (Kutcorners remix)
4) Matty C "Action" (Kutcorners remix) (background)
5) Matty C "Discotheque"

NO songs CANCON


The Interview Show with Blood Diamonds and Matty C #67

This week, things get crazy. Two very different musicians, Blitz and Cory Lamb.

Blitz is a Canadian Rapper who represents the South East Asian community. In order to find an audience for his work, he had to travel to the UK, where he went from selling CDs on the street to getting signed to a label. Now he is back in Canada and working with Canadian hip hop legends of his youth, like Choclair and Solitair, so that he can help them gain new audiences all over the world. Oh yeah and did I mention when I called him, he said he was surfing the internet for porn?

Cory Lamb is a Christian rocker who sounds like he should be on American Idol. For some reason, when I asked, he didn’t want to talk about his underwear.

Tracks played on the show... 

1) Blitz "Can't Forget You" **
2) Blitz, The Rhyme Book "Way I Shine" **
3) Cory Lamb "Break the Cycle"
4) Cory Lamb "Light"

** ONLY Blitz tracks are CANCON

The Interview Show with Blitz & Cory Lamb #68

I will call this one the sniffles interview. 

When I stumbled into the Biltmore, I was no where near 100%, and I was very worried about not having a Kleenex to contain my snot drip, but this was the FIRST time the entire 7 member Doomtree crew was touring together. It was my chance to get more than one member together, talking about what they do. 

I found Dessa asleep in a booth in the club, sick herself. After I woke her up, she found Lazerbeak and we sniffled and snorted through this interview.

For those who don’t know, Doomtree are a unique entity in hip hop, a collective of members who collaborate and support each other thru their artistic endeavors.

Even though everyone is sick, Dessa and Lazerbeak do not disappoint. Dessa talks about getting asked to join Doomtree and Lazerbeak reveals his dreams about meeting Jay-Z.

Tracks played on the show... 

1) Doomtree (ft Dessa & Mictlan), Doomtree "Kid Gloves"
2) Lazerbeak, Legend Recognize Legend "Bound"
3) Dessa, A Badly Broken Code "Dutch"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Doomtree (Dessa and Lazerbeak) #69

Hey folks, this week we are seeing double rainbow. And things look good. 

First up, we have Logan Lynn. And this fella has been around the block. He has already made it on the LOGO network and had the requisite rockstar drug-induced implosion. But all this stuff makes for great songs, right?

Logan Lynn is proud that he has figured out the secret to get people to pay for music once again! Give all the proceeds to charity. All the money from his current record I Killed Tomorrow Yesterday will go to the Q Foundation (the LGBT center where he works).  

I came across Jake Courtois aka  Koortwah while he was driving in a truck in Vancouver, struggling to make his demos. Since then, this Montreal-born boy has spent some time in New York and now makes Portland his home. 

Tracks played on the show... 

1) Logan Lynn, I Killed Tomorrow Yesterday "As Quickly As We Pass"
2) Logan Lynn, I Killed Tomorrow Yesterday "Velocity"
3) Koortwah "Candy In The Sun" (demo)
4) Koortwah "Night Vision" (demo)

Koortwah songs CANCON ONLY

The Interview Show with Logan Lynn & Koortwah #70

Imagine yourself trapped in highway traffic on your way down the west coast. That’s when I caught Katie Stelmanis, the frontwoman of Austra.

This week, I get Katie to talk about The Knife comparison, her show choir childhood, sorcery and critics calling the record “sleazy new wave.” Hey, she was trapped in her car, I could pretty much get her to chat about anything! :) Do I get her to sing a Christmas Carol? Listen to find out!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Austra, Feel It Break "Beat and the Pulse"
2) Katie Stelmanis "Believe Me" (background)
3) Austra, Feel It Break "Darken Her Horse"
4) The Knife "Heartbeat" (background) **
5) Austra, Feel It Break "Lose It"

ALL songs CANCON (**except The Knife "Heartbeat")

The Interview Show with Austra #71

If you were listening to music in the 90's, you will remember the track “Drinking In LA.” It was one of those songs that was EVERYWHERE. That song is by a group of Montrealers called BranVan 3000. 

Back in the 1997 when “Drinking In LA” exploded, a bunch of friends who had been calling the project an “electronic music collective” were suddenly touring the world. Then BV3 got signed to the Beastie Boys‘ record label and R&B Legend Curtis Mayfield sang on their second record’s lead single “Astounded.”

Things turned quickly. The Beastie‘s label imploded, leaving Bran Van 3000 high and dry. “Astounded” turned out to be Mayfield’s final song. And the group seemed to disappear forever.

Good news! The crew is back with a new record, The Garden. This week, I talk with BV3 kingpin James DiSalvio about everything, from having one of “those songs” to riding that crazy wave of success to getting the old crew back together again and recapturing the magic.

Tracks played on the show... 

1) Bran Van 3000, Glee (1997) "Drinking In LA"
2) Bran Van 3000, Discosis (2001) "Astounded"
3) Bran Van 3000, The Garden (2010) "Oui Have Now"
4) Bran Van 3000, The Garden (2010) "Stillness"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Bran Van 3000 #72

When I reached the Biltmore to interview Leif Vollebekk, I thought I found him locking the van, so introduced myself. Turns out I was actually talking to Rolf from Acorn (the Ottawa band Leif was on tour with). Leif and Rolf look uncannily alike and could easily be confused for siblings. Leif later told me that when he was manning the merch table in Seattle last night, this drunk fan had made the same mistake. Still he sold her an Acorn CD, told her that “Acorn loved her” and did everything short of signing the CD.

A lot of people think Leif sounds like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley and it is easy to see why. I don’t think he quite compares to those heavyweights yet, but he is starting in a great place. And he is a really sweet guy.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Leif Vollebekk, Inland "Don't Leave For Klaksvik"
2) Leif Vollebekk, Inland "You Couldn't Lie To Me In Paris"
3) Leif Vollebekk, Inland "1921"
4) Leif Vollebekk, Inland "Northern Most Ava Maria"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Leif Vollebekk #73

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)

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Spaceship For Sale #74

Tracking down Ryder from Toronto band Mohawk Lodge is no easy task. The guy is constantly touring, recording, or working for his label White Whale Records.

The first time I caught Ryder, he was in the bathroom. (No, he was not taking a dump, he was recording in there.) The second time, he was about to get on stage in Montreal. Third time is always a charm. This time, I caught him on his bike, heading to meet White Whale Records artist Eamon McGrath in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park.

The story behind Mohawk Lodge‘s record Crimes is one that stirs the mind. The album tells the tale of how Ryder found his girlfriend in bed with a (now ex) band member.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Mohawk Lodge, Crimes "A Crime Of Passion"
2) Mohawk Lodge, Crimes "Wrong Side Of The Bars"
3) Mohawk Lodge, Crimes "Faster Than You Can"
4) Mohawk Lodge, Crimes "Cold Hearts" (snippet)
5) Mohawk Lodge, Crimes "Done Fighting"

ALL songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Mohawk Lodge #75

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!

The Interview Show with Scott Wood 2011

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