This week we've got Welsh indie rock legend and Super Furry Animals frontman, Gruff Rhys who just released his ninth solo album, Dim Probs, which is also his first for Mogwai's Rock Action label. We discussed the bleak themes of the album and the Welsh DIY music that inspired it, his recent US tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album American Interior, missing the Oasis reunion shows in Cardiff, that time Super Furry Animals toured with Oasis 20 years ago, raves in the Welsh countryside, working with illustrator Pete Fowler for Dim Probs and the merch opportunities with the album's artwork, plus five records he thinks everyone should own, and more.
It should be noted that this interview happened before Super Furry Animals announced they were reforming for shows in 2026 and you can hear Gruff successfully dodge the question of SFA's status.
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Credits:
Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis
Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray
Theme music by Michael Silverstein
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30:45
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30:45
Cate Le Bon on 'Michelangelo Dying,' producing Wilco, touring & more
This week we've got Welsh iconoclast Cate Le Bon who just released the wonderful, if heartbreaking new album, Michelangelo Dying. We discussed how the album was not the record she intended or wanted to make; her creative partnership with producer and engineer Samur Khouja; working with musicians Dylan Hadley, Valentina Magliati, Stephen Black and Euan Hinshelwood on the album; her other career as a producer making records with Wilco, Dry Cleaning, Horsegirl and more; her 2026 tour plans; her new dog, and more.
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Credits:
Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis
Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray
Theme music by Michael Silverstein
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33:27
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33:27
Fred Armisen on '100 Sound Effects,' Steve Albini, Uncle Fester spinoff, more
Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen has just released a new album: 100 Sound Effects and yes it's exactly that -- a old school sound effects album, but one only Fred Armisen could make. We talked to Fred about how he came to make it, how the late Steve Albini played a part in it, and the unexpected difficulties there were in creating his own sound effects. Along the way there are digressions into '80s "marimba wave" and Sophistipop, singing Foreigner in an episode of Wednesday, the show's upcoming Uncle Fester spinoff, five records Fred thinks everyone should own and more.
PS in the episode there is mention of making a "marimba wave" playlist and you can listen to that here.
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Credits:
Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis
Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray
Theme music by Michael Silverstein
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38:07
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38:07
The Hives' Howlin' Pelle on Microphone swinging disasters, Mike D & more
Swedish garage rock greats just released THE HIVES FOREVER FOREVER THE HIVES, their terrific seventh album which was co-produced by longtime collaborator Pelle Gunnerfeldt and The Beastie Boys' Mike D, with additional productions by Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme.
We talked to Hives frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist about the new album, working with Mike D and Josh Homme, microphone swinging disasters, Def Leppard, the best Swedish band of the 2000s who weren't The Hives, playing outdoor shows in bad weather, their upcoming 2026 tour opening for My Chemical Romance, and more. Plus: five records he thinks everyone should own, unusual bingo in Austin, and more.
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Credits:
Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis
Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray
Theme music by Michael Silverstein
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26:25
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26:25
Baxter Dury talks 'Albarone,' Paul Epworth & more
Baxter Dury (son of British icon Ian Dury) just released his eight solo album, Allbarone, which he made with producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Bloc Party). Together they take Baxter's signature style -- a London Serge Gainsbourg by way of post-punk and indie -- into what he calls “mature art school rave" that has more than a little French Touch disco in it.
We talked to Baxter about the new album, working with Paul Epworth, his time as a film student at NYU in the '90s, why he's never played America and if that might change, and more.
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Credits:
Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis
Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray
Theme music by Michael Silverstein
A podcast brought to you by music blog and online record store BrooklynVegan. We talk about the music we love, from indie rock to punk to metal to folk to hip hop and beyond. The show features interviews with musicians, deep dives into specific genres and trends and scenes, and much more.More at http://www.brooklynvegan.com
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