Spare Notes

This segment is called Three Questions. I’ve prepared only three questions for this interview. At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are typically about ideas related to their artistry as a whole.In this episode, I interviewed Sumner Bright of The Clearwater Swimmers. Their EP, Seasons, recently came out. The EP was originally named Radio Flyer, which we get into. We also cover the band's origin story, growth through communication with band members, and the power of seeing Alex G Live.The Clearwater Swimmers, Seasons: https://theclearwaterswimmers.bandcamp.com/album/seasonsLinktree: https://linktr.ee/theclearwaterswimmersIG: https://www.instagram.com/theclearwaterswimmers/Episode Tracks: 1. "Landline" 2. "Engine." From Seasons.The Clearwater Swimmers:Sumner Bright - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizerConnor Kennedy - piano, synthesizer, electric guitar, harmonies, bassSander Casale - electric guitarTimothy Graff - drumsIntro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

Welcome to the third episode of Spare Notes: Mental Health in Music. This is a new segment of the podcast where Jonah Evans is joined by co-host Thrin Vianale (Winded). They talk to artists about mental health, well, in music. This can include mental health while touring, mental health in general, and or mental health related to music in any way.In this episode, Thrin and Jonah interviewed Rae Haas, who plays in MX Lonely. In this episode, some topics they cover are addiction to alcohol and substances, nerodivergence, mosh pits, finding a balance with touring and substance use, and more.MX Lonely: https://mxlonely.bandcamp.com/album/all-monstersMX Lonely IG: https://www.instagram.com/mxlonely/Julia's War Recordings: https://www.juliaswar.com/Episode Tracks: 1. "Anesthetic" 2. "All Monsters." 3. "Shape of an Angel" 4. "Return to Sender" 5. "Big Hips" from their Debut Album, All Monsters.Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

For this segment I prepare three questions only, and then let the wind take us. In this episode, I interviewed Kylie Gaspard who sings and plays guitar in the Lafayette, Louisiana band, Cashier. Their new EP, The Weight just came out. Kylie Gaspard talks about her Cajun roots and community, we delve into some influences and inspirations, and talk a little bit about the construction and intention behind the songs of The Weight EP.Cashier, The Weight: https://cashier-band.bandcamp.com/album/the-weightCashier IG: https://www.instagram.com/cashier.bandJulia's War Recordings: https://www.juliaswar.com/Episode Tracks: 1. "Same Mistakes" 2. "A Curse I Know So Well." 3. "Same Mistakes" 4. "The Weight" 5. "A Curse I know So Well" from The Weight EP.Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

Welcome to the second episode of Spare Notes: Mental Health in Music. This is a new segment of the podcast where Jonah Evans is joined by co-host Thrin Vianale (Winded). They talk to artists about mental health, well, in music. This can include mental health while touring, mental health in general, and or mental health related to music in any way. Episodes of this segment will generally air on the last Saturday of the month, featuring Thrin and Jonah in conversation with a new musician or musicians each time.In this episode, Thrin and Jonah interviewed Ale Campos, who plays with Iggy Pop, Las Campos, and Ana No Duerme. In this episode, some topics they cover are imposter syndrome, new sobriety, ego whiplash, loneliness, music community, and more.Ale Campos: https://www.instagram.com/king__jeva/Iggy Pop: https://www.instagram.com/iggypopofficial/Las Nubes: https://www.lasnubesband.com/Anna No Duerme: https://ananoduerme.bandcamp.com/musicEpisode tracks all from Las Nubes album, Tormentas Malsanas (2024): 1. "Canse" 2. "Would Be." 3. "Caminar Sola" 4. "Pesada" Winded: https://www.instagram.com/im.windedIntro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teethFollow us here:https://www.instagram.com/sparenotespodcast/https://www.youtube.com/@SpareNotesPodcasthttps://sparenotes.substack.com/

Three Questions with TremblerAt least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. I had a nice chat with Luke Gonzales of the band, Trembler. They have a new EP out called Total Sorry. It kind of dawned on me how much I listened to Trembler's previous work after jumping back in for this interview. I think it was on some playlist where songs from the Trembler//Palefade split from 2023, an awesome EP with another sick band that’s more metal/post-hardcore-ish than I would say Trembler is. Trembler sound is more like a big, big sound with soft edges, and sharp, honest lyrics and vocals that kind of will make you want to weep or yell or feel everything. I listened to the crap out of their 2022 album, and I need to start again. It’s a band that has many levels of emotion and resonance and emotional resonance. Luke Gonzales and I get into this new EP, Total Sorry, what it’s like to change, ideas surrounding being sorry, and the murkiness that the mind can have, and what a reflection of that might look like. See you on the other side.Trembler, Total Sorry: https://tremblerhtx.bandcamp.com/album/total-sorryTrembler Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tremblerband/?hl=enRite Field Records: https://ritefieldrecords.com/Episode Tracks: 1. "Folding" 2. "Permission." 3. "Lizards". from Folding. 4. "Total Sorry" 5. "Wilt" 6. "Love Leave The Body" from Total Sorry.Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

Three Questions: While Ringing has been making music for a minute, their debut album, another cycle in the cosmic wash, is coming out March 20 on Julia's War & Signal//Noise. Colton Waker and I get into the recording of the album, how the band conceptualized some of their recording through live show references, and some Cloakroom. They have two singles out right now, “Want2want2” and “incandecent.” Go check them out.Ringing: ringingnyc.bandcamp.com/musicRinging Insta: www.instagram.com/ringingnycJulia's War: juliaswar.comSignal Noise: https://signalnoiserecords.com/

This segment is called Three Questions. At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall.In this episode, I interviewed Yacine and Léo from the Parisian band Flippeur. Their latest record, Elastique, came out on Howlin' Banana Records a few months ago.Bandcamp: flippeur.bandcamp.com/album/elastiqueInstagram: www.instagram.com/flippeur_/Howin' Banana Records: howlinbananarecords.comIntro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

This segment is called Three Questions. At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall.In this episode, Jonah interviewed Delaney Bailey. Her latest album, Concave, just came out, and it’s a banger! Some things they talk about include Romanticism, soundscape, and production.Delaney Bailey: https://www.delaneybaileymusic.com/Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

In this episode, Jonah interviewed Guillaume and Erica of the band Special Friend. They’re single “Breakfast,” and the music video for the song came out last month, and their new album comes out on March 20th! One of them lives in Paris and the other, outside. There's a conversation about the evolution of the duo, how access can affect production of music, and some meanings behind the band's artwork and lyrics."Breakfast" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV0UutWIPAwSpecial Friend Social: https://www.instagram.com/specialfriendmusic/Howlin' Banana Records: https://www.howlinbananarecords.com/Skep Wax Records: https://www.skepwax.com/Hidden Bay Records: https://hiddenbayrecords.bandcamp.com/Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

Welcome to Spare Notes: Mental Health in Music. This is a new segment of the podcast where Jonah Evans is joined by co-host Thrin Vianale (Winded). They talk to artists about mental health, well, in music. This can include mental health while touring, mental health in general, and or mental health related to music in any way. Episodes will air on the last Saturday of each month, featuring Thrin and Jonah in conversation with a new musician or musicians each time.In this episode, Thrin and Jonah interviewed Sam of (Two Inch Astronaut/Mister Goblin/Deady). In this episode, some topics they cover are anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), taking care of yourself on tour, harm reduction, and myths about substance use and creativity.Sam's Bands:https://www.explodinginsoundrecords.com/artists/twoinchastronauthttps://mistergoblin.bandcamp.com/musichttps://www.instagram.com/deadyThrin's Band:https://www.instagram.com/im.windedIntro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

I interviewed Brian from the noise rock band Buildings. Buildings originally broke up in 2020 in the midst of the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. We met last year through a mutual friend, and I was fortunate to get to see Buildings play in Portland, Oregon, at that time. It was in November. I recorded two sessions with Brian because the first session focused more on influences and how the band got back together. In the second session, we get into the discography of Buildings, how they operated as a band, and what their future may hold.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildings_band/?hl=enWebsite: https://buildingsband.bigcartel.com/Interlude Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth

In this episode, I spoke with Fritz Ortman of Local Weatherman, a Brooklyn-based band. Their new EP, Right One, was released on January 16th by Karol Records. Some things that Frizt and I talk about in the interview include the magic of DIY shows and the production of the Right One EP.Local Weatherman: https://linktr.ee/LocalWeathermanKarol Records: https://karolrecords.bandcamp.com/Original photo by: Caroline Safran @ https://www.carolinesafran.com/

In this episode, I talked to Ideofon. They have a new single called “LAVA" that just came out, and a new EP called The Alps available on Bandcamp. They are originally based out of Tromso, Norway. Fun fact: Tromsø is in the Arctic Circle. We talk about where they formed, Social media shenanigans, and how they make music together. See you on the other sideBandcamp: https://ideofon.bandcamp.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ideofonEpisode Track Listing: 1. "Bright White Light" 2. "Misadventures in Broadcasting" 3. "LAVA".

This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist three questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Samuel Aaron and Glass Beagle. They’re two separate acts formed for a two-song EP called Home Again / Storm Chaser. They’re out of Chicago, Illinois. We get into the topics of Home, Cross-Colaboration, Lyrics, and Imagery.Home Again / Storm Chaser EP: Samual Aaron: https://musicbysamuelaaron.bandcamp.com/album/home-again-storm-chaser Glass Beagle: https://glass-beagle.bandcamp.com/album/home-again-storm-chaserEpisode Track Listing: 1. "Home Again" 2. "Storm Chaser"Samuel Aaron & Glass-Beagle - Home Again / Storm Chaser (Official Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LAPhMK5QW4

In this episode, I talked to Leiani Patao. They have a new EP that just came out called 'Daisy.' They're originally from LA but live in NYC. We cover topics like the State of music Streaming, the practices of self-awareness and self-love, and songwriting.Bandcamp: https://leilanipatao.bandcamp.com/album/daisy-2linktree: https://linktr.ee/leilanijpataoReleased by Audio Antihero: https://audioantihero.com/Photo by Shannon McMahon: https://mylittleunderground.neocities.org/Episode Track Listing: 1. "BIRD WHISTLE" 2. "get em boy." 3. "Red Hair Dye. 4. "branded." 5. "portrait"

This segment is called Three Questions. One question is specifically focused on their current project, and the other two generally revolve around ideas related to their art as a whole. In this episode, I interviewed Suzy from MONT LOSER. The band is from Paris and they recently released their first single, "Never Guess." We talk about the Paris DIY music scene too! Check it out!Ce segment s'appelle Trois Questions. Une question est spécifiquement axée sur leur projet actuel, et les deux autres tournent généralement autour d'idées liées à leur art dans son ensemble. Dans cet épisode, j'ai interviewé Suzy de MONT LOSER. Le groupe est de Paris et il a récemment sorti son premier single, "Never Guess." Nous parlons aussi de la scène musicale DIY parisienne ! Jetez-y un coup d'œil !MONT LOSER: https://www.instagram.com/montloser/MONT LOSER - Never Guess (Official Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEgVDbaBC_UGéographie Records: https://geographie.bandcamp.com/

This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist 3 in-depth questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Elie Zoé. They’re a Swiss artist originally from Lausanne who recently released their 4th studio album, “Shifting Forms.” We cover topics like snail touring, the importance of community, and what might happen when we name anything. The song coming up is “Shifting Forms.”Elie Zoé: https://humus-records.com/elie-zoe/Bandcamp: https://eliezoe.bandcamp.com/album/shifting-forms“change my name” music vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw1lEXwg-V0Episode Track Listing: 1. "shifting forms" 2. "change my name." 3. "change my name."Photo by: Lea Kunz @ https://www.leakunz.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/lea__kunzSpare Notes Emailing List: https://jonahinthesnow.com/spare-notes-podcast

In this episode, I talked to Perry Eaton, AKA Ivy Boy. The self-titled debut record of Ivy Boy came out on October 24th. He’s from Boston, Massachusetts, and a fun fact: he’s one of the co-founders of Allston Pudding. he was kind enough to share some demos of a couple of songs for the episode, so you’ll hear some before and after snippets of those two songs, as well as part of another song or two. We cover topics like recording, life changes, and nostalgia.

In this episode, I had a nice chat with B and K from the band Bussy Kween Power Trip, from Chicago, Illinois. Their debut album, Coming With the Strap, came out earlier this year. I actually saw them in Philly a few months ago at Break Free Fest, and they absolutely melted my face off. B’s singing is absolutely scorching, and K’s bass playing, I swear, some of the best in the land. We cover topics related to absurdity, performance, and Cracker Barrel. Bussy Kween Power Trip: https://linktr.ee/bussykweenpowertrip, https://www.instagram.com/bussykweenpowertrip/.Cracker Barrel Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bNSGfns10UPhoto By: Max Glazer https://maxaglazer.myportfolio.com/Episode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "Rahm Emanual Diss Track" 2. "Cracker Barrel." 3. "Cop Garage. 4. "Cracker Barrel."

This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist 3 in-depth questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Josaleigh Pollett. They’re a Salt Lake City artist with a Poltergeist-inspired single out this week, called “Radio Player.” We get into the topics of collective grief, the ideas of Hope, Jason Molina, and the multiple avenues of uncertainty and change.Bandcamp: https://josaleighpollett.bandcamp.com/track/radio-playerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brosaleigh/?hl=enEpisode Track Listing: Snippets: "Radio Player"https://jonahinthesnow.com/spare-notes-podcast

Had a nice chat with Nico Magi(Guitars/Vocals) from the band Pamplemousse. Pamplemousse is a duo and also includes Sarah Lenormad (Drums). They are based in the Lorraine region of France, though they formed in Reunion Island. Their new album Porcelain came out Septermber 26, 2025. We cover topics related to music rehearsal, Performance, and Black Box recording studio. Black Box was founded in 1993 by Iain Burgess and Peter Deimel.J’ai eu un joli chat avec Nico Magi (Guitares/Voix) du groupe Pamplemousse. Pamplemousse est un duo et comprend également Sarah Lenormad (Batterie). Ils sont basés dans la région Lorraine en France, bien qu’ils se soient formés à la Réunion. Leur nouvel album Porcelain est sorti le 26 septembre 2025. Nous couvrons des sujets liés à la répétition musicale, la performance et le studio d’enregistrement Black Box. Black Box a été fondée en 1993 par Iain Burgess et Peter Deimel.Bandcamp: https://pamplemoussetheband.bandcamp.com/album/porcelainInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamplemousse_band/?hl=enReleased by: A Tant Révër du Roi Records @ https://atrdr.net/ & @https://www.instagram.com/a_tant_rever_du_roi/?hl=frEpisode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "Smile the Num" 2. "The Big Speakers." 3. "The More Beautiful Madonna. 4. "Miami Blue."

In this episode, I interviewed Bedbug, aka Dylan Citron. They’re a Los Angles-based artist, but used to be in Boston and threw countless shows in the DIY music scene. Their most recent Album came out a while back and is titled pack your bags the sun is growing. We discuss topics related surrounding musical influences, intentional creations, the DIY music scene in LA and Boston, and more.Bedbug: https://www.instagram.com/bedbugofficial/Bandcamp: https://linkedin.bandcamp.com/album/pack-your-bags-the-sun-is-growingEpisode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "halo on the interstate" 2. "pack your bags, it's time to go home." 3. "leave your things, the stars are returning."

In this episode, I interviewed Lamont Brown, best known for his moniker, RNIE. He’s a Philadelphia-based artist. His latest LP, which is self-released, is titled FULL NEPTUNE and was released on August 29th, 2025. Originally from Pittsburgh, he’s also spent significant time coming up in the Charlotte, North Carolina, DIY music scene and New York City. We discuss topics related to music, such as influence, discipline, themes, and intentionality.RNIE: https://www.instagram.com/rn_ie/?hl=enBandcamp: https://rnie.bandcamp.com/album/full-neptuneEpisode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "LOW HIGH." 2. "JOY." 3. "BITTERS." 4. CENTURY III.Original Photo by: Amanda Giordano https://www.instagram.com/ag1ordano/

This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist only 3 in-depth questions. One question is specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Aure. She’s a Paris-based singer, former architect, and multilingual singer. Her first EP, “A Few Notes,” was released in 2023 on Mayway Records, and she’ll release her first album in 2026. Out recently is her single “The Sailors' Tales,” and we jump into the deep end talking about the topics of language, uncertainty, imagination, and her new song.C'est un segment appelé Trois Questions, où je pose seulement 3 questions approfondies à un artiste. Une question est spécifiquement axée sur leur projet actuel, et les deux autres portent sur des idées liées à leur art en général. Dans cet épisode, j'ai interviewé Aure. Elle est une chanteuse basée à Paris, ancienne architecte et chanteuse multilingue. Son premier EP, « A Few Notes », est sorti en 2023 chez Mayway Records, et elle sortira son premier album en 2026. Sorti récemment, son single "The Sailors' Tales" nous plonge dans les profondeurs des sujets de la langue, de l'incertitude, de l'imagination et de sa nouvelle chanson.Aure: https://www.instagram.com/aure.afewnotes/Mayway Records: https://maywayrecords.com/Episode Track Listing: Snippets: 1 & 2. "The Sailors' Tales""The Sailors' Tales' Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m09IPcg13qAOriginal Photo by Chloé Bruhat: https://www.instagram.com/chloebruhat/?hl=en

I sat down with Jens Kuross recently and talked about his new LP, Crooked Songs. Some themes and topics we cover are learning, ambition, recreation, and Idaho. There’s also a published version of this interview in The Tonearm magazine if you’d like to read it with an extended introduction. It’s Called Room Sound and Raw Truth, and the link to the article is here: https://www.thetonearm.com/room-sound-and-raw-truth-jens-kuross-talks-crooked-songs/Jens Kuross: https://www.jenskuross.com/https://www.instagram.com/jenskuross/?hl=enReleased on Woodsist Records: https://woodsist.com/Episode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "What I Miss Most of All. 2. "Beggars Nation. 3. "Crooked Song".Original Photo by Mark Oliver: https://www.instagram.com/photogrind/?hl=enFind Me at: https://jonahinthesnow.com/

Talked to Lena Bartels recently, whose 2nd LP, called The Brightest Silver Fish, is out as of September 12th. We get into some ideas of music being a place to lean into the darkness of being alive, and what it’s like for her dipping into that eeriness. Questions that come up that we discuss and correlate with the album are what it’s like making active choices, the fragility of the COVID era, and coming out of it while planning for a future beyond that, and recognizing the moments of oscillating or moving from disempowerment to empowerment.Léna Bartels: https://www.instagram.com/l.enabartels/?hl=enReleased on Glamour Gowns Records: https://www.instagram.com/g.l.a.m.o.u.r.g.o.w.n.s/"Amber" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s1Ful3S46I&list=RD8s1Ful3S46I&start_radio=1&ab_channel=L%C3%A9naBartelsEpisode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. Bad Sugar. 2. Fighter. 3. Amber. 4. The Brightest Silver Fish.Original Photo by Morgan Helani Mein: https://www.morganmein.com/

In this episode, I talked to Yuri, who is BOK SUNA. Her album CARNATE came out recently. A fun fact is that she illustrated her music videos, and at one point, we get into this idea of two stars converging, which is illustrated in the “doghorn” video, and she talked about how it relates to the conception and creation of this album, CARNATE. And it’s like there are these layers of creation that BOK SUNA operates on that are just really beautiful. Y’all should check out the vids, and of course, the album. We get into the absence of structure in music, finding humor in this messy world, how prose poetry inspires, and a little bit of Sharknado and Justin Bieber. Album link: https://softseedmusic.bandcamp.com/album/carnate"doghorn" video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drOfRqayOaA&list=RDdrOfRqayOaA&start_radio=1&ab_channel=ZegemaBeachRecordsBOK SUNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bokfuckingsuna/?hl=enEpisode Track Listing:Snippets: 1: gtfo. 2. doghorn. 3. luckie charm

Had Jeni Magaña on recently, and her band is Magana. She’s a multi-instrumentalist and producer who is always creating and releasing art into the world. Her EP Bad News came out earlier this year. She also plays bass in Mitski and has another band called Pen, Pin. I think that if the world shut down again, her innate desire to create would probably produce so many albums within a year, as much of her life is spent on tour, and the time isn’t always there.Magana was kind enough to share notes connected to the music she’s put out, and we get into them. I’ll attach a link so you can see said notes. I decided it’d be fun to incorporate artists' notes on their creations into the show because one, the name of the show, and two, to see some of their thought process of how they formulate their creations. Magana and I get into a lot, from Doing Art for yourself to being a working musician.Ideas of tension, release, and resolution came up a couple of times in making music, so I’m attaching a link to “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber because Magana mentioned that piece, and it’s really quite powerful, and as she notes, illuminates these ideas clearly.Episode Spare Notes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hmPkbfMjyVYdMpt48Vq0ppy8MsmWRsvbcDuAErfPKAU/edit?tab=t.0Episode Track Listing:Snippets: 1. Fantasie Impromptu (fast) by Chopin. The rest are by Magana: 2. Girl in Chains (Teeth) 3. Lawyers Were Our Friends (Dreams) 4. To My Love 5. Shower Song (Bad News)Full song: Half to Death (Bad News)MaganaWebsite: http://s976828381.onlinehome.us/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maganarama/?hl=enlinktree: https://linktr.ee/maganarama?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadKGy8cxI2jxORKhFHCS1D2s9PMT6wx5XE0wdNFADlm2H1vvTiaD452Aws0Jg_aem_r0CxzPeFlkcbBGLbQqKfyg"Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izQsgE0L450&ab_channel=MarshallJ.Hendrickson

From the importance of enjoying your creations and the nature of music, to getting down ideas and making art, Alexei Shishkin and I delve into ideas of taking advantage of time and moments to make music, because sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re gonna get done. Having created up to almost a dozen LP’s out, up-to-date, Shishkin is no stranger to getting it done. His latest record, “Good Times’ is out September 5th. We explore the making of ‘Good Times’ and get into the state of the music industry a bit.The two latest singles are:“Ode to Carl Dennis” is inspired by the poet himself,"Disco Elysium" is inspired by the amazingly wild and beautiful video game Disco ElysiumLink to songs! https://alexeishishkin.bandcamp.com/album/good-timesLinktree: https://linktr.ee/alexeishishkin?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacOYlKEzVR1xslft5Lr32F7rh1iopGn8nKHgPeCTfFVFOP2mqs6DhKkcUJUAQ_aem_xn1NHFUB3WBeDYqdQipciQPhoto from Graham W. Bell: https://www.instagram.com/grahamwbell/

Tuxis Giant has an album coming out this week called “You Won’t Remember this, and I had a chat with Vocalist, guitar player, Matt O’Connor about it. We got into the contrast of joy and tragedy, Midwest family feels, dove into some lyrics, and talked about Huey Lewis, as one of the songs on the record is named Huey. It was nice having Matt O’Connor on for a second time!Tuxis Giant:INCREDIBLE INTERACTIVE Music Video for "Huey" HERE: https://worrybeadrecords.com/huey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeDkODvqPb58g0aTwVWTpH5Mc6hXPZCtvZEINzrhBUl_wyaiHOaJ7mKuA304w_aem_RSNH3SRHel0RJyuvNvquWgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuxisgiant/?hl=enBandcamp: https://tuxisgiant.bandcamp.com/album/you-wont-remember-thisOriginal Photo by Omari Spears:Website: https://www.oshoots.com/music?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf-0XeSFIltiVy0b05y_pxI_QQMnEG_SpY6DLTBmO1XtJIelZLfXQb79_LuZg_aem_1b7gNxBEkjZp8qJIp3RWEAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/o.shoots/?hl=en

In this interview, I was joined by writer, musician, and professor, G’Ra Asim, the author of Boyz in The Void: a mixtape to my brother. His nonfiction book reflects on his own identity while navigating Blackness, and I’m taking this from the descriptions of the book, while blending music and cultural criticism and personal essay to explore race, gender, class, and sexuality as they pertain to punk rock and straight edge culture. Using totemic punk rock songs on a mixtape to anchor each chapter, the book documents an intergenerational conversation between a Millennial in his 30s and his Generation Z teenage brother.” Some bands used as totems and or cultural references include but are not limited to: Against Me, Bad Brains, Propagandhi, Aye Nako, Bad Cop Bad Cop, Fefe Dobson and Run DMC.I’m also joined by guest host, Jwyanza JK Hobson, a standup comedian, showeruner for Asia Out Loud, and a musician. A New Yorker who's been living in Saigon, Vietnam since 2016, JK and I used to play a lot of shows together with our respective bands when we both lived in Los Angeles. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s in New York City, JK’s no stranger to the Metal and Punk scenes, and a fun fact I learned, he once ended up in a mosh-pit with Jam Master J.G’Ra’s book was particularly impactful for me because there isn’t a ton of literature, at least that I know of, that dive into what it’s like being Black and existing in punk rock and punk rock adjacent spaces. If you know some, please send it my way! He also adds so much nuance to what those scenes mean and represent, not only through race, class, and gender, but also transcending these categories. From my perspective, G’Ra not only carves a space for his identity throughout the book, he also carves out a map for how people to just be themselves.(This paragraph is not in the podcast introduction) Some things that stood out to me that we covered were leftist orthodoxy, avoiding binaries, Code Queering instead of Code Switching, Otherness, America as a Composit Culture (not something else), politics that punks espouse, Subsumptive Analogy, and ways that Black people can be underimagined. AGAINST ME, BRAND NEW, PROPG'Ra Asim Website: https://graasim.com/ and link to his band Baby Got Back Talk: https://www.babygotbacktalk.com/A playlist with songs and bands referenced in Boyz in the Void: a mixtape to my brother: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10cgOOA4yc290fGMdoS1qB?si=b30de79a06f146bdJK Hobson: https://www.instagram.com/jkhobson/

I recently interviewed Brendan of the band Tiberius. They’re releasing their new album Troubador this fall in November. Right, they have a single called “Sag” that’s out. There’s a fun Music vid on YouTube for it too! Link BelowWe talked about how Tiberius creates music together, the music communities in Allston/Brighton neighborhoods of Boston, the importance of the DIY music community, ego death, Rutland, Vermont, and what ambition could mean as an artist.Tiberius – "Sag" (Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XhEQW0D8uI&list=RD9XhEQW0D8uI&start_radio=1&ab_channel=AudioAntiheroThey are on tour now! Check links for dates!Linktree! https://linktr.ee/Tiberius?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeXRnoMkvAY9Y-x0H2PkEERCRqK0qdr3w-KdW3B9H7JwF7LTfWUXJz3x3BoJA_aem_ugu3slja2YuhwbvQx_wrJgTiberius Lineup: Brendan Wright (they/them): Vox, Guitar, Synth. Kelven “KP” Polite (he/him): Bass. Pat King (they/them): Pedal Steel, Banjo. Sam Blumenstiel (he/him): Drums. Harley Spring (they/them): Live Guitar.Photo by Zoe Hopper (they/them): https://www.instagram.com/zoehopperphoto/?hl=en

I recently interviewed Sara Mae Henke of The Noisy. They’re releasing a deluxe edition of their debut album, The Secret Ingredient is More Meat, and the Deluxe version is called The Secret Ingredient is Even More Meat. Comes out in October. Some things Sara Mae and I talk about are, but not limited to, sharing the love of silly things, performance as a clown, fighting feelings of inadequacy, creating art that fights patriarchal expectations of desirability, sharing gratitude instead of wounds, Tony Soprano, Grey Gardens, Virgin Suicides, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Check out their latest music video and single "Twos"! Inspired by the documentary film Grey Gardens and the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.The Noisy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veryverynoisy/?hl=enListen Here: https://thenoisy.bandcamp.com/Photo of Sara Mae by Morgan Kelley: https://www.instagram.com/morg.kelley/

I spoke with Rachel Cholst, a music journalist from New York City who has been writing about the queer country music community for the last 9 years. You may have already seen her work in magazines like No Depression, The Boot, and Wide Open Country. Currently, she is the editor of Rainbow Rodeo Magazine, and as far as she knows, Rainbow Rodeo is the first print publication devoted to queer country music.There are interviews, reviews, critical essays, and some podcasting. Something I think that is amazing is that Cholst talks about creating, documenting, and preserving history for queer artists in country music. And it makes me think, man, how often do people try to create history and preserve it, and how often is it erased? There is an essay she wrote in Rainbow Rodeo a couple of months ago called “Building the Queer Country Canon in Real Time,” where part of that thread can be seen. We talked about this idea in the interview, too. And it seems, Cholst is continuing to create these threads through Rainbow Rodeo as a platform and as a community. I did ask her about Beyonce’s album that people contend is country because ownership and tradition are often hotly contended in the realm of music. And if you think, but Jonah, I don’t like country. Well, well, I have a gateway album recently released that you could check out, and that’s S.G. Goodman’s Planting By the Signs. Check out Rainbow Rodeo! https://rainbowrodeomag.com/Review on Rainbow Rodeo: "S.G. Goodman -- Planting By the Signs"

I worked with Eleanor Henderson for a year at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, during the 2022/2023 school year. She was the chair of the Writing department at the time, and I was a lecturer. We had a lot of conversations about teaching, writing, and ideas. We've stayed in touch since, and still to this day, talk about said things, while keeping each other up to date as our lives keep moving on through new milestones. I was so excited and a little nervous to interview her. But she is a teacher, and a novelist, and her presence is very present.During my time teaching at Ithaca College, I learned that she wrote a book called Ten Thousand Saints where the characters lives were heavily involved in the straight edge hardcore music scene in New York City in the 1980s. Her husband was heavily involved in the scene during the time, and though they met later, by proxy, he spurned her hunger and curiosity to delve deeper into the movement that's influenced so many people and musicians. Naturally, as a gigantic music fan, I thought that maybe we could talk about the book she wrote a bit ago, and it being the 10th anniversary of the movie that was made (for the record, Eleanor is celebrating this!), We get into a little hardcore, Ian Mackaye, ethnography, ethics, writing, expanding or exploring ideas, and life. She's currently working on her 4th book!Her other books are: The Twelve-Mile Straight, and her memoir, Everything I have is YoursCatch them here: https://eleanor-henderson.com/

I met Misha Tentser at graduate school in Syracuse, New York, four years ago and we became friends not long after. He's a poet, writer, and teacher, and it's always a pleasure to talk to him! We get deep into dream logic, mental health, the figurative weight of objects, being nerdy about your art, emotional confrontation of the self, psychogeography, and what it's like to be a writer. Here are some links to Misha's published work!"Before" in Midway Journal."BoJack Horseman Visits Chagall’s America Windows," "BoJack Horseman Visits the Strip Mall Optometrist" in Had Magazine"Landscape," "Goodyear, AZ" in Sonora Review.

Gory and I had a nice talk about what it's like for her bing a nomadic musician. She's from Panvel, Maharashtra, India, and it's difficult to play there as a musician unless you are performing covers. This spurned her musical journey. We talked about the challenge of finding a place to play at home, while finding so much by way of traveling to play. Not just artists to colaborate with, but the joy and comfort of becoming a part of a larger music community. She's got.She just released her first EP, called Teen Error. Link to the different streaming platforms for the album is HERE.

I think I fell in love with winded sometime in 2022. I used to play "Swallowing Hair" and "I know it's Thin" on repeat during my drives from Syracuse, NY, to my job in Ithaca, NY. Mostly rolling hills and farms, and deep green walls of trees and fields, calm scenery. The songs soaked into my veins with their melancholic, grunge-infused, lonely, haunting guitars, and outbursts of crunchy, searing melodic static.It was great to have a winding conversation with Thrin Vianale, the originator of Winded! What a great soul, awesome music creator, and community organizer! We went deep into grief, music as a healing process, and much more.Check out their music on Bandcamp or Spotify.In the interview, we talk about the benefit/competition they're in. To learn more, check out this Global Citizen website HERE.

Matt O'Connor recently started a record label inspired by the need to help trans youth, creating Worry Beads Records' first release, a compilation of 18 different bands called True Names: A Benefit for Trans Youth. We talked about how we can create space to honor and support trans youth, while not only with fundraising, but also through the impact of literature and music. We also talked about literature, the origin of True Names, and learning how to open the self by letting go of control. Trans Youth Emergency Project WebsiteTrue Names: A Benefit for Trans Youth compilation on BandcampWorry Bead Records Instagram

I tracked down David Schellenberg after listening to the new record of his band Tunic, A Harmony of Loss Has Been Sung. Listening to the album was an intense experience and a pleasure for me. I liked listening to this record in my car the best, surrounded by the dark tones, the grief and pain in the lyrics, and the absolutely stunning composition of instruments, dragging me into the depths of this loss. The deep bass, the wretched pain in Schellenberg's voice, wails of loss, and a cathartic expression through dissonant sounds and distorted guitars. The album is a gut punch, and it hurts so good.We talk about the Winnipeg music scene, creating and growing as an artist, composition, communication, pain, and grief.Tunic - Ordinary Unique Pain (Official Visualizer)Tunic InstagramTunic Website

In this interview, I hang out with Ian Kelly, a versatile rapper and storyteller from Oakland, California. We talk about community, the artist's evolution, intentionality, and of course, all of this involves music.As I’ve continued to talk to artists recently, I’ve noticed that there are certain things a few have in common in their growth. It’s part of being intentional and part of letting go. This can seem strange because it’s contradictory, but it also seems true. Ian and I discussed this relation to his evolution. I don’t know; we’ll see where this goes as I interview more artists.Something unique I appreciated about Kelly’s process is this idea of motion and imagery. He says that he “creates in motion” and that he takes opportunities to create, to imagine, while walking in the park or in the ideal passenger seat of the car. This is when he imagines, sees, and conceptualizes. He’s an imagery person, and I like it when sentences, bars, lines, and words produce images in my brain. I don’t always think about this, but it’s nice when I hear someone's words, and a scene is laid out in front of me, in my head. It’s funny how image and imagine are so closely related because one is so concrete, and the other extremely expansive.Kelly has a few singles out, leading up to his Concrete Ocean EP, which will be released this May (2025). He also has three LPs.Here are a couple of the latest singles:WTA, featuring DJ D SharpSLIDIN, featuring DJ D Sharp and Iamsu!You can also hear Kelly freestyling on Sway in the Morning HERE.Ian Kelly website: https://www.firstnameian.com/aboutPHOTO BY Lara KaurLara Kaur Linktree

I recently reviewed Friedman's debut album, New Thing, in Post-Trash magazine. Knowing she had limited time because it was the week of the album's release, I came up with three questions that focused mainly on community and performance. This interview with my OLYMPUS Digital Voice Recorder VN-7200 was recorded over the phone, so it's fuzzy. To me, it feels like one of those voice memos on a Midwest emo song, where someone is playing some slow single-string notes on a guitar, and someone is talking over it, contemplating something.Check out the Album HERECheck out the Album Review HERE

In the early 2000s, I lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a few blocks away from Mark Paffi. Through friends of friends, I ended up going to these Wednesday night parties Paffi threw, hosting friends in the community. I remember meeting John Gaviglio there, and we were sitting on a couch. We talked about music, and he told me he was in a band named Bear vs. Shark. I was excited when he mentioned that one of their many influences was At the Drive-In, as I was enamoured with that band at the time. I started going to Bear vs. Shark shows right after that moment, which were a string of basements, punk houses, and small venues.The spacing in their songs was unique to me. Not everything was in 4/4 timing; the sound each guitar player made was unique, different, and unfamiliar. Paffi would periodically shove the microphone in his mouth, gyrate his body, press his head onto fans' heads while singing, and perform as a conduit for some unseen energy. They’d switch instruments for different songs throughout the set. There were so many moving parts. It felt good to watch them. It felt exciting and explosive. The sound they produced was expansive, energetic, and coordinated, while unpredictable. I went to every show of theirs I could because I wanted to keep feeling all of those feelings.I always got those feelings when I saw them through the years—in the Los Angeles area a few times after Michigan, mostly because I lived there for a long time—and I still got those feelings when I saw them on 2025 April 13, 2025, in Philadelphia.For the first time, it dawned on me when I saw them play at this recent show, that Bear vs. Shark carried with them through the years this raw, anamalistic, charged energy. And it reminded me of literal bears and sharks, the power of music, and the desire for self-expression - to burn white hot with instinct, and what organized energy can become.I’m grateful that I got to interview Marc Paffi and John Gaviglio of Bear vs. Shark in one of the many greenrooms backstage at Union Transfer. We talk about intention, composition, life, Fugazi, and music in general. Jonah