What was That? with Jon Williams

It's been an incredible two years of growth personally and business-ly, ha. Here are my closing thoughts on Season 1 of A Conversation With. Thanks for being here, Jon

It was such a thrill to chat with Cale Gontier (bass). He's been in the industry for over 25 years, whether guitar teching for Three Days Grace, to joining Thornley, and then Art of Dying (on hiatus). This was lovely.

Jeen O’Brien is utterly brilliant, she’s also extremely prolific, releasing five records since 2015. She has also helped create tunes for a slew of great Canadian artists including Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman, and Great Big Sea, and has had her music featured in everything from Google commercials to Degrassi. This was an incredibly honest conversation about her mental health battles and musical career that has spanned over 20 years.

Discussing Marcos' approach to tour life, recording, and managing his passions.

We've been friends for a decade and caught up backstage at the Capital Ballroom in Victoria, B.C. ahead of his show that night. We discuss his solar-powered home/gig van, his covers ep where he tackled Post Malone and the Aladdin soundtrack. As well as a whole lot of life catch-up chatter.

How do they balance their time? What brought them back to music? How did the band come together?

Dirty Honey are simply incredible and it was such a thrill to converse with lead singer Marc Labelle. Their press kit states the following bonkers achievements in just a few years: - John Notto (Guitarist) was named one of Guitar World’s “50 Hottest New Guitarists” at #24 in their new September 2022 issue. - The band’s track “When I’m Gone” was the first-ever track from an unsigned band to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. - The band announced a 28-date EU/UK tour for this summer including dates supporting Guns N' Roses, KISS, and Rival Sons, headline shows and festival slots. - In January of this year the band performed for the NHL Winter Classic on a frozen lake in Minnesota with a cover of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”. - The band has over 45.5 Million Streams and 337K Monthly Listeners on Spotify

Discussing the songwriting/recording/mixing process.

Marcus Mena is one of the most incredible guitar players on this planet. What a thrill to discuss how he goes about creating his incredible math rock.

Discussing their favourite memories together, and the growth that comes with it.

Stuck On Planet Earth was formed in high school near 15 years ago. One of my favourite records of 2020 was their debut album, "Beautiful Nowhere". I've been looking forward to conversing with them for over a year and this was as lovely as I'd hope and then some.

We discussed the anxiety and jubilation of the writing and recording process for their third record, "Revelation". Rich and Robyn are such sweethearts, and so talented.

Massive riffs, infectious energy, and unrelenting drive, equals my kind of rock and roll. They've only released three songs. But you need to get to know this band, ha.

Kim discovered Abba on a religious cassette...Sort of!

These three from Norway just blow my mind, I simply cannot get enough of them. They create such intense and rich soundscapes that pull you in like a hug from a loved one that seems like it’s never going to end, and you’re OK with that, you love hugs with this loved one. I simply adore Spielbergs.

From Courage My Love to Softcult. This short covers their growth and approach to making art on their own terms.

Saint Asonia released their new EP, "Introvert", two weeks ago. It was such a thrill to chat with Cale Gontier (bass). He's been in the industry for over 25 years, whether guitar teching for Three Days Grace, to joining Thornley, and then Art of Dying (on hiatus). This was lovely.

Discussing Already Down and Neu in a room full of people with a piano.

One of the coolest instrumental bands on the planet for me. I simply cannot get enough of the creations Taran and Gavin come to create.

He's a Canadian broadcasting legend who's spoken with some of the greatest performers of the last 40 years. So, what's the key to the art of a great interview?

It was such a pleasure to converse with Sarah Green of Spare Parts For Broken Hearts. This band is ferocious and this is what I adore about getting the chance to chat with creators. Learning so much about their unique view of this fickle thing we call earth, and how they go about creating.

It was such a thrill to kick back and converse with Raavi Sita (vox) and James Duncan (bass) of Raavi in Feb of 2021. In this WWS? we discuss their earliest musical memories.

Ali is a clinical drummer, a wonderfully warm and quirky soul, and out of nowhere early in the pandemic released an electronic album as Naoist.

Discussing their approach for their latest record, Ghost on Tape.

Oh my goodness I was so energized in this conversation, haha. Here's another one from the Live From My Bachelor Pad days.

This was an extremely powerful conversation and a lot of it revolved around mental health and self-growth. In this WWS? Alex shares his mindset and journey.

I recently discovered Wine Lips and have fallen head over heels for this quirky Toronto punk band. Cam and Aurora were so warm and wonderful, even when I had a few bouts of anxiety during our conversation.

Trigger warning: We discuss sexual assault. Milena, Thomas, and I dive into their relationship and creative practice, as well as Milena's assault at 19 which is the main theme of their new album.

I adore the quirky brilliance of Sarah Tudzin's illuminati hotties. It was such a pleasure to dive into her mind and process.

We discuss Bonnie's growth as an artist and songwriter, and how that played into the creation and rollout of "F.E.A.R."

Bongloard are a frantic three-piece from Holland that I cannot get enough of.

Discussing the childhood inspiration that led to Lewis making music, and then how he came to connect with Jimmy to create the Soft Dingaz.

These Brits are celebrating a #1 album currently on the UK Rock Charts, charting #27 overall a few weeks ago. I had such a wonderful conversation with Rich and Robyn about the challenges they set themselves for the third record and the pride that came in making it.  

We address the creation of their latest EP Outer Space, and their debut album, Plastic Kids.

I adore this punk rock band from Halifax. What a delight to speak with two sweethearts, founder Kim, and guitarist Dave.

In this What was Short? Jack McEwan addresses my thoughts on "Dread & Butter" and discusses his songwriting approach.

I’m late to the party, a decade late at that, but what a thrill to discover Dutch creators GGGOLDDD. I usually deep dive into researching all the context I can and dissect songs ahead of a conversation. For this one, however, I just wished to go in cold and see if the energy I picked up on sonically, became reality. It did so and more.

The key to the brilliance of The Lazy Eyes is they’re not trying to impress you. They’re not trying to impress themselves. They’re just doing what they love with literally no strings attached, and it’s really special.

These two have been making music together for seventeen years and since their debut in 2008 have grown into such a force. Ghost on Tape is their sixth album and it’s covered in mysterious rich fuzz, a sound these two are so at ease in.

In this What was Short? we discuss their approach to key tracks on their debut album, "This Time Next Year", and the skills they learned along the way.

Australians Stand Atlantic will release their third album 'F.E.A.R. [fuck everything and run]', on May 06. So Bonnie and I discussed the process and her love of shit English television.

These three are such warm and passionate souls. This What was Short? showcases their tenacity and a nod from the universe to chase their dreams.

Dwi is another one of those souls I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know due to my former role in modern rock commercial radio. He decided at the start of the pandemic that it was time to flex some new muscles. He’s been the rock of The Zolas on bass for years now and has spent most of his life in music, but never made any of his own. It was time to change that.

I love this band so much, and even more so after spending near two hours conversing with Lee and Luke a few months ago. In this short Luke shares contrasting tales of life on the road. Listen to the full conversation here.

I remember taking Mushrooms in Amsterdam many years ago and shortly thereafter subsequently believing the toilet bowl changed into Flipper the Dolphin as I was relieving myself… Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a similar gathering was taking place, though I’ve no idea if Flipper showed face. Regardless, that trip led to the formation of one of the most prolific and exciting rock bands to walk the rock we call Earth. What a thrill it was to converse with band leader Jack McEwen.

Raphael and I discuss the path that led him to master in psychedelic music engineering, his musician filled family, how he found grounding when moving from Austria to Germany and the differences in the cultures.

This was a really special conversation with Alex of Lady Bird. An urgent and sharp three-piece from Tunbridge Wells, England.

Jim, Orlando, and I deep dive into the creation of "Where Do We Go From Here", and the emotions it stirs up.

LOWLIVES are a stand-and-deliver rock band that I cannot get enough of. It was a pleasure to speak with Lee and Luke.

In this What was Short? we learn how Alice Cooper played a part in Kat Leon's musical journey.