Meet Our Makers

55. Youth Lagoon - Talking the Untalkable

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In this chat, we get to meet Youth Lagoon (aka: Trevor Power). Trevor is now back with his fourth Youth Lagoon record (and first since resurrecting his original moniker) called Heaven is a Junkyard. In what was really his first extensive interview of this album cycle, we discuss so much about this gorgeous album, including the story behind its creation, the inspiration behind some of its songs, and why he decided to bring back the Youth Lagoon name in the first place. We also chat about the medical event that nearly derailed everything for him, and how that experience directly impacted his work. We touch upon the troubling but also the beautiful things about his beloved home state of Idaho, as well as how - especially in light of current and recent events - religion and legislation have been usurped by bigotry. It's a very far-ranging and at times quite serious talk, but Trevor spoke to me with such candor and warmth and a sense of humor, which I think you'll enjoy. I had such a good time. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy.

54. Jeff Hiller - The Authenticity Factor

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In this chat, we get to meet Jeff Hiller. Jeff is an actor who, most recently, is best known for playing Joel on the HBO dramedy Somebody, Somewhere. It's a gorgeous, human, authentic show, and in this chat, Jeff and I talk about all of it. We talk about the show's themes, characters, its rarity in this current TV landscape, and what it means to Jeff to be able to play a character like Joel on a show like this, alongside the great Bridget Everett. We talk the winding road of his career that led him to this great part, and how he came to land this role. We also touch on some current events, pop culture, and Betty Gilpin. (Hi Betty Gilpin! My door is always open for you.) I think you'll like this one. It was an utter delight talking with Jeff, who has an infectious laugh and smile and was so warm, a little irreverent, a touch tangential, but always inviting and personable. Thank you for listening.

53. Avey Tare - Let it Flourish

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In this chat, we get to meet Avey Tare, aka Dave Portner. Dave is one member of the experiment indie rock outfit Animal Collective, which has been active for over 20 years. Now, Dave is putting out a new solo record under his alias, 7s, and in this chat, he and I talk a lot about this record - what went into it, the production, the songwriting, the themes, and more. We also touch upon Animal Collective's past and present, pop music, the infamous Pullhair Rubeye project, and more. Please consider becoming a Patron today to gain access to a Patreon-exclusive interview clip from the chat. Thank you for listening!

52. Caleb Landry Jones - Something Real

In this episode, we get to meet actor and musician Caleb Landry Jones. Though Caleb is known best as an actor - appearing in projects such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Get Out, and even the Twin Peaks: The Return miniseries - he is also an accomplished an eclectic musician. In this chat, Caleb and I talk about his newest record, Gadzooks Vol. 2, and how music has shaped him as a person, both as a performer and as a listener. We do also discuss his diverse and varied film career, including his latest movies like the powerful and dark Nitram, for which he won the Cannes Best Actor award. We talk about his love of cinema, his foundational films, and more. He also gives me some spicy hot takes on contemporary cinema that you won't want to miss. Thank you for listening, and enjoy.

51. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - Sound is Poetry

In this episode we get to meet Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, producer, Kaitlyn is best known as a leading user of the rarified Buchla modular synthesizer. In this chat, she and I discuss what draws her to this instrument, and we talk quite a bit about how the sounds of it (and other sounds) cohered to create her latest album, Let's Turn it Into Sound. We talk about the power of sound, the power of collaboration, and her relationship with music - both recorded and live performance. It's a great chat, especially for your synth-heads out there. Thanks for listening!

50. Alela Diane - Home is a Container for Life

In this -- the FIFTIETH (!!!) episode -- of Meet Our Makers, we meet singer-songwriter Alela Diane. In this chat, Alela and I discuss her brand new record, Looking Glass, and some of what went into making it. We talk recording, we talk writing, we talk musicality, we talk theme -- she's got it all. We talk a bit about memory, and how we process things in our art so that we can live a regular day-to-day life. We talk about the symbolism of selling her longtime home, as well as some of our favorite ladies, like Joni and Judee and Joanna. I think you'll enjoy it. Thank you for listening.

49. Jesca Hoop - Celebrating Our Nature

In this episode, we get to meet singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop. Speaking to me from her home in the UK (though she's originally from California), Jesca and I discuss her new album, Order of Romance. In this chat, she and I talk at length about the record - as she says at one point, she's not afraid to "talk shop." We also talk about the political and health state of the world - including looking at the US from an expat's perspective - and how she funneled her observations about the goings-on of the world around her into these intimate and personalized character studies. We touch upon a lot more too, and Jesca was funny, grounded, and candid - all much appreciated. I think you'll like it. Thank you for listening.

48. Emily Sprague - In Between the Lines

In this episode, we get to meet Emily Sprague. Emily is best known as the frontperson and lead singer of indie folk band Florist. In this chat, Emily and I discuss the ins and outs of the brand new self-titled Florist record from this summer, including its unique recording and composing journey, which took place mostly on a screened-in porch while the band stayed at a secluded house. We touch upon the last Florist record, Emily Alone, which was essentially a solo project, as well as the band's surprising connection to Beyonce...??? That and more. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy.

47. Laura Veirs - Sharing Truth

In this episode, we get to meet Laura Veirs. Laura is a singer-songwriter based in Portland, OR, and she's just released her newest record, Found Light. In this chat, Laura and I talk a lot about this new album, unpacking themes, examining specific songs, and talking about the writing and production - which was her first time ever coproducing her own album. We talk about the tumultuous period of her life that inspired it and its predecessor, My Echo, which included her divorce from longtime partner & collaborator Tucker Martine. We talk about some other odds & ends too, and it was a really nice talk. Thank you for listening.

46. Emily Haines - We Found You

In this episode, we get to meet Emily Haines. Emily Haines is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of Canadian indie rock band Metric. In this chat, Emily and I discuss a wide range of things, including their brand new record Formentera, as well as the band's back catalog and beginnings, which began with a bit of a false start. We talk about her solo work, her ideas on music and what Metric's true ethos and values are, as well as the queasiness of the constant news cycle. (Note: we recorded this on the day Roe v. Wade was overturned in America.) It's a discursive but wholly enlightening and enjoyable talk, and I thank you for listening.