RiYL

Few bands reach the status of “institution.” It’s a qualifier that has applied to Barenaked Ladies for several decades now. Multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn has been a part of that journey since 1995, joining prior to the one-two punch of Born of a Pirate Ship and Stunt, the latter of which catapulted the already-popular band into the stratosphere. Hearn’s professional career stretches back further, to the late-80s, when he joined Toronto’s legendary Look People. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night was a late one – a big show at Pappy and Harriets in Pioneertown, California, followed by the inevitable after party. Zia McCabe dials in from the passenger seat of the tour bus, slightly worse for wear, but sharp as ever. After nearly 30 years, the Dandy Warhols know the road like few others – and like even fewer, they’re still committed to bringing it every night. McCabe joins us to discuss her journey with the band, family and life in real estate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"World Worth Keeping" is a joyful song of existential crisis, celebrating a planet as it stares down the face of climate change. It's a perfect microcosm of its creator's work, at once serious and playful, with a country twang and a great hook. Jaime Wyatt hasn't always had the easiest existence, dealing with substance abuse and a stint in jail, but she's emerged from the other side confident, proud, as a rising star in the country world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sixty-six million years ago, roughly three-quarters of the Earth’s plants and animals went extinct. As Riley Black notes, such deaths happened almost instantaneously. Those who survived asteroid impact perished shortly after. The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event is the cheery topic that forms the basis of Black’s best-selling, The Last Days of the Dinosaurs. She joins us to discuss her path to paleontology and the experience navigating the field as a trans woman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Music of Heatmiser affords the titular band an occasion to step outside their own large shadow. It's an opportunity to judge the group on its own merit, beyond simply serving as a launchpad for its most famous member. College friends Neil Gust and Elliott Smith serve as the songwriting forces behind the Portland act, whose unreleased recordings appear on the new Third Man record. After Heatmister's rise and quick dissolution, Gust founded No. 2. More recently, he made a second career as a video editor in New York, only to feel music's pull once again. The musician joins us to discuss Heatmiser and his subsequent journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dozen different songs about death. That's how one arrives at a title like Eulogy Volume 1. But not all deaths are equal. Some are metaphorical, representing a new beginning. Josh Radnor's first solo album finds him operating without the accomplished musical safety net that is longtime collaborator, Ben Lee. The actor/musician joins us to discuss relationships, psychedelics and the wisdom of middle age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month marks 20 years since the Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? The Unicorns' sophomore album is a singular triumph for a group that was clearly too beautiful to live. But it didn't take Nick Thorburn long to regroup after his seminal high school band imploded. There have been countless musical projects along the way, but Islands stands the tallest as longest tenured, most brilliant and best among them. The band returns this year with And That's Why Dolphins Lost Their Legs, the second album since Thornburn's self-imposed hiatus. It's bleak at times, but always a fantastic snapshot of a musical career ever charging ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern (Redux) began as something altogether different. The planned record length cover of Taylor Deupree’s 2006 ambient album became a collaboration. Jeremiah Fraites brought Dupree into the projects to reimagine the original, with the Lumineers cofounder behind the piano. It was a departure from Fraites’ solo debut Piano Piano, but both projects are united as radically different works than his immensely popular alternative folk band. He joins us to discuss his distinct musical journeys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sitting in the backseat of an Uber on the way home from a three week work trip, I tossed The Skies, They Shift Like Chords on my music player. “Centering” is the first word that comes to mind. A few minutes in, and your blood pressure starts to drop. Roger Eno has been an expert at centering for decades, constantly refining his music and distilling it to the fewest viable parts. The composer joins us to discuss his long career in music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some artists prefer to "let the art speak for themselves." It's a stance I respect, but hope to never encounter during an interview. Kristin Hersh, on the other hand, is an open book. The musician has faced adversity head on, and chronicled it great detail through memoir. It's a breath of fresh air -- particularly from an artists whose work stands on its own, several times over, as the founder of Throwing Muses, 50 Foot Wave and nearly a dozen solo albums. Her latest, Clear Pond Road, arrived in September. It's raw, adventurous and triumphantly her own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Several months before the release of Monica, I spoke with Daniel Clowes for a magazine feature. I consider this a kind of companion piece to our more recent conversation, digging deeper into his latest book and the stories behind it. I hope you get something out of it, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a few days between book tour dates, Daniel Clowes is decompressing in his Bay Area home. It had been a few months since we’d spoken for a magazine piece – a perfect time to reflect on the critical acclaim surrounding his latest book, Monica. It’s a deeply personal book in a number of ways, inspired by his mother who passed during the several years it took to craft. It’s also a welcome return for one of the finest cartoonists of his generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 34 years, Teenage Fanclub has remained remarkably consistent, both in terms of lineup and quality. Emerging from the Glasgow scene at the tail end of the 80s, the band’s 11 records maintain a level of quality matched by remarkably few. The streak continues with the Ominously Named Nothing Last Forever, which arrived this September. The album embraces heavy topics, like aging and loss, all while maintaining a knack for writing a great pop song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a member of both the Modern Lovers and Talking Heads, Jerry Harrison has had a profound impact of rock music. Along with his solo work, he’s also produced some of equally influential acts, including the Violent Femmes, General Public and the Bogmen. Harrison took at extended break from touring, following the end of the David Byrne-free trio, The Heads. His LinkedIn tells the story of a successful businessman, including – most recently – cofounding equity crowdfunding platform, RedCrow. The keyboardist recently returned to touring, however, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light, alongside guitar Adrian Belew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Knowing full well that I've become the interviewer who asks about album names, I can't help but draw a parallel between Isn't it Now and Ram Daas. There's truth in the comparison, stemming from the band's evolving approach to music and the simple act of existing in the world. But there are countless other meanings to extract from those three words. Few things are as simple as they appear in Animal Collective land. David "Avey Tare" Portner joins us to discuss life inside and outside an ever evolving musical act. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For some musicians, touring is a strange dichotomy. In him home of France, Ibrahim Maalouf plays stadiums. It’s a different vibe here in the States where he finds himself playing to a few hundred, in spite of last year’s Grammy nomination. The Lebanon-born musician was up for the award courtesy of Queen of Sheba, his reent collaboration with Angélique Kidjo. Maalouf joins us to discuss how he came to love the trumpet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first Wolfie's Just Fine album arrived in 2016. I Remembered, But Then I Forgot marked a major shift in Jon Lajoie’s music, toward more earnest songwriting.He admits to an initial hesitation. After all, Lajoie built a career around comedy songs, going on to star as Taco in FX’s beloved series, The League. The move worked. An EP arrived in 2018, followed by Everyone Is Dead Except Us, which arrived this summer. Lajoie joins us from a truck to discuss his unique trajectory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soundtracking a movie was a perfect opportunity to flex new songwriting muscles. As is often the case in life, however, things went nowhere near according to plan. There's not a lot you can do when you and the director don't see eye to eye. But Alejandro Rose-Garcia found opportunity amid frustration. Movie of the Week finds Shakey Graves embarking on his own imaginary film soundtrack, courtesy of AI and endless remixing. It's a perfect outlet for an artist who is every bit as restless as his fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play children’s music long enough and something peculiar starts to happen: your fans start having kids of their own. A quarter century after releasing her album, Laurie Berkner is a veritable music institution. She’s racked up more than one million streams and 350 YouTube videos – but most importantly, her work has engaged multiple generations. Berkner joins us to discuss her start and musical growth over the decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Set during the first year of the Great Depression, The Man in the McIntosh Suit is a classic noir meets immigrant story. The book follows one-time lawyer from the Philippines, who finds employment as a migrant work, before heading to San Francisco to track down his missing wife. The book is Rina Ayuyang’s third. The Pittsburgh born, Oakland, CA-based cartoonist also runs comics publisher, Yam Books, and cohosts The Comix Claptrap. Word of warning to comics fans: there's some sports talk at the beginning. Proceed with caution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.