Meet Our Makers

45. Torquil Campbell - We Don’t Need the Machine

In this episode, we get to mee Torquil Campbell (aka Torq), one of the cofounders and co-bandleaders of Canadian indie rock veterans Stars. I'm excited this talk finally happened, as it's been in the works for almost as long as the pod has been around. But now that Stars have a brand new album out, the stars (!) finally aligned. In this digressive, blunt, hilarious, and endearing conversation, Torq and I talk the new record From Capelton Hill, the band's long history and where they are now, and the power of love. And a lot more, I promise. I think you'll like it. Thank you for listening..

44. Daniel Rossen - Sonic Worlds

In this episode, we get to meet Daniel Rossen. Dan is best known as one of the singers/songwriters/guitarists of indie rock veterans Grizzly Bear. Now, he has released his debut solo full-length album, the stunning You Belong There, which comes ten years after his first EP, Silent Hour/Golden Mile. In this chat, Dan and I talk a lot about the new record, including some of the inspirations and methods behind his often-complex songs. We talk about Grizzly Bear's past, present, and future, as well as some of his other side projects from throughout the years, working alone during the pandemic, and much more. I hope you enjoy, and thank you for listening.

43. Destroyer - I Don’t Know if I’m There

In this episode, we get to meet Dan Bejar of Destroyer. What started as a 4-track solo project in the 90s has bloomed into one of indie rock's stalwart acts, and in this talk, Dan and I talk a lot about his storied career, his lyrical stylings, his inspirations, and more. We also discuss his brilliant brand new album, Labyrinthitis, which is his 13th album. Dan was just as nonchalant, cool, and dryly funny as you'd likely expect, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

42. Sasami - Bowser Energy

In this episode, we get to meet singer, songwriter, metal-lover, producer, Sasami. The mononym of one Sasami Ashworth, Sasami has recently put out her anticipated second album, SQUEEZE. In this chat, Sasami and I talk a lot about the new record, including its mistifyingly disparate influences, from nu-metal to folk, from System of a Down to Sheryl Crow. We talk about industry misogyny, culture, songwriting inspiration, and much more. It's a great, humorous, insightful talk, and I hope you enjoy.

41. Anaïs Mitchell - To Hadestown and Back Again

In this episode - the first of 2022 - I have the privilege of meeting Tony- and Grammy-award winning songwriter, singer, and composer Anaïs Mitchell. Despite having several solo records under her belt and a side-gig in folk trio Bonny Light Horseman, it was her 2019 Broadway hit musical Hadestown that catapulted her to the public eye. In this chat, Mitchell and I discuss Hadestown, including its very long story of how it go to the Broadway stage. We also talk about her new self-titled record, her most personal yet, and what it was like getting back to solo records after such a long time away. Please enjoy, and thank you for listening.

40. José González - Enjoy Music & Hugging (Without Making People Die)

In this episode, the final episode of 2021, we get to meet singer/songwriter José González. Speaking with me from his home in Sweden a couple days before the release of his newest record, Local Valley, José and I chat about the album and his excitement about touring. We discuss the themes and sonic risks he took this time around, including the sounds from around the globe that influenced the album. We talk about his first-ever use of Swedish and Spanish on an album, as well as his famous covers, and more. Please enjoy, and thank you for listening.

39. Meric Long - With(in) a Guitar

In this episode, we get to meet Meric Long, a singer/songwriter/guitarist best known as one half of indie rock band The Dodos. In this chat, Meric and I discuss what went into the band's newest record, November's Grizzly Peak, including some of the themes, the tone, the production, as well as their attempt to get back to what Meric describes as his original intention with the project. We talk about life, art, and his relationship with music, specifically with the guitar as an instrument, and how it's changed over time. And all of this while Meric simmers a nice vegetable soup. Please enjoy, and thank you for listening.

38. Xenia Rubinos - This is Why

In this episode, we get to meet Xenia Rubinos, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist hailing from Brooklyn. I actually interviewed Xenia once before, years ago, but because we'd already gotten a lot of the "meeting" out of the way, we were able to really zero in on her brand new album, Una Rosa, which came out this fall on ANTI-. In this chat, we discuss a lot about the record, including themes, styles, the hard road toward making it (in which Xenia wasn't even sure she'd make another record), and much more. I think you'll enjoy it, especially if you've already listened to the album. Thhank you for listening.

37. Nite Jewel - World Beyond

In this episode, we get to meet Nite Jewel, which is the alias of singer, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist Ramona Gonzalez. In this chat, Ramona and I discuss, at length, her newest record, No Sun, which came out this past summer. We discuss minimalism, history, how the lament as a musical form inspired a lot of this new material, the personal bent behind this new record, the "chill wave thing," and more. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy.

36. Madi Diaz - One Big Release

In this episode, we get to meet Madi Diaz. Madi is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, who has just released her deeply personal and honest new solo record, History of a Feeling. Out on Anti-, the record details, with autopsy-like precision, the aftermath of a relationship gone awry. In this chat, Madi and I discuss at length this new album, and the comfort level it took for her to release such personal work. We also somehow get on the topic of Disney Movies and Brave Little Toaster, so there's also that. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy this humorous and slightly circuitous conversation.