98. Sam Coomes Discusses Velvet Underground, White Light/White Heat

Send us Fan MailPortland-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Sam Coomes (Quasi, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, Heatmiser, The Donner Party) takes a break from a busy 2023 to get Al up to speed on the Velvet Underground. Specifically, he introduces our host to VU’s second album, White Light/White Heat. Sam goes in depth on the album’s 17-minute closer, “Sister Ray,” and also talks about the tracks that were his favorites when he first starting listening to the album. He also talks about Quasi’s soon-to-be-released (Feb. 10) album, Breaking the Balls of History, and their upcoming tour.On this episode, Al made reference to an appearance Sam made on Joe Wong’s podcast, The Trap Set. You can listen to that episode here: http://www.thetrapset.net/290-sam-coomes-quasi/.Sam mentioned that Quasi would be releasing a third single from Breaking the Balls of History shortly after the recording of this episode. In fact, that single — “Nowheresville” — is out now, and there’s a great video for it, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODVN6LoNL5g&list=RDODVN6LoNL5g&start_radio=1Be sure to follow Sam on Instagram! @theecoomesQuasi are worth a follow, too! @thee.quasi on Instagram and @TheeQuasi on TwitterFor the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show also has an account on Mastodon: @[email protected], Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:21 Sam joins the show2:09 The Velvet Underground’s first album was Sam’s introduction to the band4:29 Sam talks about the group that inspired him to play in a band8:03 Sam and Al wax nostalgic about record stores9:10 Sam explains why he chose White Light/White Heat10:17 Is “Sister Ray” prog?13:27 Sam hears “Sister Ray” as a discussion16:29 “Sister Ray” was the last song on the album that Sam got into18:19 The Velvet Underground add unconventional elements to conventional rock songs21:23 Sam identifies the elements of White Light/White Heat that made him love the album initially26:33 Al had trouble with some of the more grisly lyrics27:23 Sam used to focus more on the music than the lyrics in “The Gift”29:16 Sam talks about the paradox of Lou Reed’s lyrics31:59 The Velvet Underground got tighter as a band on White Light/White Heat33:47 Al asks Sam if he models his own sounds on those of Velvet Underground35:48 Al asks Sam about his hypothetical prog rock podcast43:08 Sam talks about the soon-to-be-released Quasi album46:33 Sam discusses his near-term touring plansOutro is from "Doomscrollers" by Quasi.Support the show