Modern Rock Conversations

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?