S02E06 - Mad Meg and the Prison Concert

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles and Doug welcome members of the eclectic New York City band Mad Meg: Ilya Popenko, Dan Vexler, Jason Laney, and Igor Reznik. The conversation starts with an introduction to Mad Meg’s unique sound, characterized by a blend of various music genres and fronted by Ilya's distinct vocals. The band members recount their formation story within the Russian-speaking community of New York City, with Jason humorously describing his determined efforts to join the band despite not speaking Russian. The discussion then shifts to the band’s concert experiences, highlighting an unusual and memorable performance at a women's correctional facility in Lithuania. Charles praises the energy of the live recording from this concert, drawing a comparison to Johnny Cash's iconic Folsom Prison performance. The band members reflect on the spontaneous nature of the prison show, which was organized in just a few days due to a canceled gig, and the exceptional audio quality captured by their sound engineer, Augustine.The episode also delves into the band's live performance history in New York City, specifically their residency at New Blue 151, where they have built a strong local following. They talk about their 2022 album, Who Deserves Balloons and Medals, which was notable for having videos accompanying many of the songs. Ilya shares insights into the creative process behind these videos, emphasizing the importance of maintaining artistic control and integrating visual elements to expand the dimensions of their music.The band’s creative versatility extends beyond their music to filmmaking. Ilya, a skilled filmmaker, directed several of Mad Meg’s music videos and completed a feature-length documentary about Jeffrey Lewis and the antifolk scene in New York. This film, which premiered at SlamDance Film Festival and was nominated for Best Documentary, showcases Ilya's multifaceted talents and the band's commitment to creative storytelling across different mediums.Throughout the episode, the members of Mad Meg share anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, offering listeners a deep dive into their artistic journey and the dynamic synergy that fuels their innovative work. This conversation not only highlights the band's musical achievements but also their ability to merge music with compelling visual narratives, making for an engaging and multifaceted artistic experience.BANDS MENTIONED: Adrian Baloo, Blonde Redhead, Frank Zappa, Genesis, Iron Maiden, Johnny Cash, King Crimson, Kino, Lounge Lizards, Mad Meg, Nine Inch Nails, Rolling Stones, Social Distortion, The BearsVENUES MENTIONED: 930 Club (Washington, D.C.), Gramercy Theatre (New York City), Happy Ending (Lower East Side, New York City), New Blue 151 (New York City), Penevėžys Women's Correctional Facility (Lithuania) PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE - BECOME A GUEST:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website and click on the link to fill out a form so we can consider you as a guest on the show.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708