Where Are They Now? (Season 1)
When I look back on season 1, I am downright stunned by the talent that graced this podcast. A major component to that first season is that everyone I talked to was either a friend or someone I had talked to before, allowing the conversations to reach a uniquely personal depth. So, before we embark on season 3 (which kicks off on September 14th!) I thought it’d be great to share what the guests of season 1 have been up to since being on the podcast. Starting with…
Haviah Mighty
Throughout 2021, Haviah has been releasing music at an envious pace (a whopping 9 singles!). Each song shows how her sound is evolving in real-time and further cements why she’s already a legend in so many people’s eyes. All of these songs seem to be leading up to an eventual full body of work and this friday, she’ll be releasing a new single called TESLA, so you should definitely check out her music via Bandcamp (my favorite tune of the bunch is Protest featuring Yizzy).
She also stunningly closed out the Canadian Hip Hop Tribute at the 2021 Juno Awards
And So I Watch You From Afar
My Northern Irish brothers are gearing up to get back on the road, both to celebrate 10 years of their sophomore album GANGS and their next project, Jettison, an ambitious single piece of music made with theater in mind. If you’re in the UK you’ll be able to see this amazing display of showmanship in person, check out the band’s website for tour dates. Everyone else should check out the evolution of their music over at Bandcamp (that GANGS album is still a massive favuorite of mine).
Overcoats
Hana and JJ have been busy since the last time they were on the podcast. First, they’ve released a remix edition of their album The Fight, featuring friends of mine like Caroline Rose, Yoke Lore, and Shura, as well as the incredible Porches and Yumi Zouma. You can check that out via Bandcamp, along with their new EP, Used To Be Scared Of The Dark.
Also, by now you might’ve noticed that I’m constantly bringing up Bandcamp, which I love to do as an alternative to Spotify and Apple when possible. With Bandcamp, artists receive more direct funds to support their art, while also being able to offer various formats for you to consume their music. So if there’s an artist you like and they have a Bandcamp, trust me when I say you should support them through that.
Another incredible thing Overcoats has done is started a podcast called Between Two Bald Girls. I’ve had multiple instances of walking my dog and having to stop because I was laughing too hard while listening to this podcast. If you enjoy laughter on any level then this podcast is for you. Check it out via Spotify (yeah, I know what I said about Spotify above, but the podcast isn’t on Bandcamp so suck it).
You’ll be able to catch Overcoats live if you’re in Boston (September 15th), Brooklyn (September 18th) and Washington DC (October 1st); more info can be found over at their website. I’ll be at the Brooklyn show with my camera, so come say hello if you see me!
Aysia Marotta
With the world opening back up, Aysia has jumped right back into taking photos and shooting video (funnily enough, she photographed the cover of that recent Overcoats EP I mentioned above). I know she’s currently in Florida working on a project, which I can’t wait to hear more about.
In the meantime, if you didn’t get yourself a copy of her photo book, Come To My Window, then you should correct that ASAP. Who knows, you might find a photo of me within one of the pages.
Also, do you know what your Instagram feed could do with? Some damn great photographs made with care and love. Go check out Aysia’s feed and give her a follow; you’re god damn welcome.
Phil Taggart
Ah, one of my favorite people on earth. I fucking love this guy. Wow, where to begin? Phil is currently doing A LOT. Along with running a dedicated Patreon for his audience, he’s also now broadcasting for Sirius XM (yes, THAT Sirius XM). Last winter he also launched a new show called ChillDaBeats, which he describes as a soft form of musical medicine to help you get through the week.
You can find that show via Spotify, and also while you’re at it; you should check out Phil Taggart’s Slacker Podcast. He’s had such an incredible array of guests throughout the years, I especially loved his chats with Guy Garvey and Phoebe Bridgers.
KAYE
Just a few weeks back I saw Charlene join San Fermin on stage at Prospect Park’s Bandshell and fuck was that a glorious thing to see. Her debut solo album Conscious Control is now a year old and it’s still one of my favourite releases of 2020. She did such a beautiful job within our podcast of conveying how personal the album is and it still blows me away how she was able to put so much of herself into a body of work like that.
If you haven’t heard the album then go fix that today. Charlene will finally be celebrating the album’s release with a show at the Sultan Room in Brooklyn on September 16th. Tickets are on sale now (here), fucking be there!
Charlene has also started her own podcast called Golden Hour, which is a podcast all about celebrating the multitudes of Asian creativity. Trust me when I say you’re going to want to check this out; episode 1 is with the incomparable Darren Criss!
Patrick Willems
Movies are one of my favourite things on earth and I can’t overstate the joy I get from getting to talk about movies. That’s a large reason why the episode with Patrick Willems is still a big favourite of mine, along with the fact that he’s simply a great guy. His YouTube channel has been a source of constant solace for me throughout the pandemic and he’ll soon be releasing the season finale for a year-long story arc he and his friends created. It’s definitely going to be an ambitious film and you’ll be able to watch it over at Nebula, an ad-free streaming service Patrick and his peers created. Nebula is special because it allows for more direct support for creators, higher quality videos, and special original content that you’ll only find on Nebula and nowhere else.
So first, head over to Patrick’s YouTube Channel, get acquainted with his videos (his video on Little Woman is one of my big favourites), and then start your free trial at Nebula.
Pillow Queens
Aw man, these are some of my favourite people and seeing the success they’ve earned with their debut album has been fucking beautiful. That album is called In Waiting, an album I’ve been revisiting a lot this year.
Since being on the podcast they played a blistering rendition of Liffey on The Late Late Show with James Corden!
They’ll be touring the UK throughout November-December, and I am absolutely jealous of all of you who’ll be able to catch them live. Most dates are already sold out but give them a follow on Twitter and Instagram in case additional shows are announced (they’re also working on another second album!).
Abraham Alexander
My brother from another mother. I have so much love for this guy and everything he’s about. The chat we had within our episode was several months after the murder of George Floyd and I don’t think even I realized how much I needed to talk about this country with a fellow black man. Our talk wasn’t so much about Floyd directly, but more about how this country allows for such horrific things to happen day after day.
Abraham is an absurdly talented musician who wears his heart on his sleeve in this confident way that’s truly awe-inspiring. His song America (which we discussed on the podcast) is part of the HBO Sports documentary The Day Sports Stood Still, directed by Antoine Fuqua.
This fall he’ll be touring the US with his soul brother Leon Bridges. Yes, THAT Leon Bridges! I’ve seen both Leon and Abraham live multiple times and trust me when I say this is not something you want to miss out on, especially with a monumental show happening at Red Rocks on October 6th. Head over to Leon’s website for tour dates. Also, remember to give Abraham’s debut EP a listen, it’s a perfect slice of music to start your day with.
Kaitlin Chow
I gotta say, Kaitlin is probably one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She’s also one of the most talented artists I’ve ever met, to the degree that I can honestly say that having her art in my home just makes my life better. The talk we had on the podcast is another one of those unexpectedly important chats between friends; where the stresses of life are talked about in an open way that most people could relate to.
Since our chat, Kaitlin has been busy doing what she does best: making art. She runs two Instagram pages which will remind you of when Instagram was good. Her main account is K Chow Studios, which showcases her impressive mural work (you’ll spend ages watching her time-lapse videos). Her K Chow Sketch account is for her great sketch work, which features recent sketches she made at the Newport Folk Festival. Be sure to also visit her website to see more of her work, as well as her art shop!
ALA.NI
In hindsight, I was quite on a roll with these personal talks back in season 1 haha. My episode with ALA NI is what I’d describe as a “beautiful ramble” which is a chat that feels so human at its core that you almost forget that you have headphones on as you’re listening to it.
A major point of our conversation was her cover of Claudia Jones Lament for Emmett Till, which has also gone on to highlight the petition created by the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, which seeks to have the US Congress re-open the case and finally convict the last living accomplice; 65 years later. You can sign and read more about the petition here.
Since our chat, ALA NI flexed her vocal talents on an EP of Christmas covers and also did a remix of One More Change by the superhero that is Mavis Staples.
Jed Shepherd (Bonus)
I loved making this episode so much. Jed is an old friend from my teenage years and seeing the success he’s earned with his work ethic has been fucking incredible. Last year, he co-wrote/produced one of the most successful horror films of 2020 called Host (available to stream via Shudder). The movie essentially takes place entirely on Zoom as six friends attempt to have a fun seance that ends up going horribly wrong. It’s a wildly ambitious film that hits the sweet spot of being the perfect amount of time (and also has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
Since then, Jed has been ABSURDLY busy writing and producing a plethora of movies with his creative partners Rob Savage and Gemma Hurley. They’re also working on a project with the legendary Sam Raimi, a childhood dream for Jed that I can’t wait to see.
BUT, the wildest thing Jed is currently working on is called Ghosts, a real-time live-action horror video game that’ll be out in 2022 (with the same incredible cast from Host). The preview video is intriguing and excites me every time I watch it. Hopefully, we’ll have Jed on the podcast again to talk more about it.
Be sure to follow him on Twitter for updates on his projects (as well as his occasional funny takes on film culture).
July Talk
This was another one of those talks that I needed on so many levels, and what’s beautiful is that I feel you can hear that from both Leah and Peter as well. Our chat very much echoes the spirit of what this series is all about; how our lives outside of work has this undeniable impact on our creativity and what we put out into the world.
Since our chat, July Talk have only gone on to win A FUCKING JUNO AWARD for Pray For It (Alternative Album of the Year to be specific). Our podcast is essentially a big love letter to that album, how it was created and how it’s changed the band’s lives forever.
Also, throughout December they’ll be embarking on their first Canadian tour in over a year and fuck am I excited! Head over to their website for the tour dates/ticket info. My current plan is to make it out to Toronto for the two shows they’re doing at the new venue called History. REALLY hoping I’ll be there for those shows, they’re truly one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen. I mean just look at this clip from their wild drive-in show from last summer.
Sulene
It was said on the podcast but it deserves repeating: Sulene is a truer New Yorker than I’ll ever be. She’s at the stage of her career where she’s allowing herself to try new things, regardless of how weird it seems (for example, just check out the video loop on her website). The bravery of that is having a glorious real-time impact on her music. Earlier this year she released an EP called he•don•ic, which is full of addicting songs that you’ll want to play constantly. She also released her cover of Say My Name by Destiny’s Child, which I’ve seen her perform live a couple of times now and I gotta say; it’s pretty badass
Speaking of performing, Sulene will be performing a show at the Sultan Room in Brooklyn on September 10th, tickets can be found here. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for updates on her music and upcoming concerts.
Camrus Johnson
Ok how do I say this in a chill way?…yep it’s impossible: CAMRUS IS MOTHERFUCKING BATWING! For those unfamiliar, Camrus is an actor who stars on the hit CW series Batwoman. He’s also a self-professed geek who loves comic books and he’s living a life where his dreams are coming to life. What makes me so happy about this is that Camrus is making all of this happen through hard work and an appreciation towards people that is truly unique.
He’s currently working on the third season of Batwoman and also promoting his next animated short; SHE DREAMS AT SUNRISE. The short centers around an elderly woman who escapes her mundane reality through her dreams, while her great-nephew helps her to reconnect to what she's really missing. The short had a glorious showcasing at the Tribeca Film Festival and stars both Candice Patton and Azie Tesfai.
No word on when this will be available to watch, but be sure to follow Camrus on Twitter for updates. Also, now available to view is the animated short we talked about on last year’s podcast, Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad. This short still chokes me up every time I watch it and I hope seeing it also impacts your day.
The Cribs
Aw man, talk about a band I’ve loved for so many years. The growth they’ve achieved with their music has made me so proud to be both a fan and a friend. Since our chat, The Cribs have returned to playing shows, getting to finally share Night Network with the world. They’ll be touring the UK extensively next March and I noticed they also have a date in California for next May, which means a US tour must be right around the corner! Head over to their website for the dates and give them a follow via Songkick to be updated on when they’ll be coming to a city near you.
Another new development with the band has come in the form of their new single series called the Sonic Blew Singles Club. If you subscribe to the series you’ll receive a brand new (and exclusive) 7” vinyl every month for the rest of 2021! Pretty badass, I’d say (I have a dog now so I can do dad jokes, it’s a thing).
James Vincent McMorrow
I still feel an immense sense of pride towards how this episode turned out. James has been wary of doing interviews for years now, so getting to not only chat with him but also have him open up the way he did here…I’ll be forever grateful for that. He dropped so many gems of truth within our chat, a big one being “fuck these boxes” in reference to the way society tries to label everyone.
On September 17th, James will be releasing Grapefruit Season, his fifth album. The songs he’s released so far have excited the hell out of me (especially on Gone where he sings “I give less fucks than I used to, still give a lot of fucks”).
Throughout September he’ll be doing a short tour of records stores in the UK, with a full tour of Europe kicking off next February. You know the drill; peep his website for more info. Rest assured fellow North Americans, he’ll be in the US next year for sure, just follow his Songkick so you don’t miss out on those dates when they’re announced.
Gracie And Rachel (Bonus)
So a nice little thing I want to keep doing is releasing a few bonus episodes between seasons. For starters, it keeps my editing skills sharp haha but it also allows for me to talk to even more new people. Gracie and Rachel are a prime example of that, two musicians that I share mutual friends with but somehow hadn’t met until last year. Their sophomore album, Hello Weakness, You Make Me Strong, is another one of those albums I’ve loved returning to throughout this year. In 2021, they’ve been releasing new music, which hints at a bright evolution for their sound (check out their latest tune, Maybe). They’re also some of my favourite people to follow on Instagram, so give them a follow and have your feed become a better place.
Last Train (Bonus)
One of the hardest things about podcasting is not repeating yourself, especially across episodes. It’s impossible to not be guilty of this and one of my hallmarks is saying “I fucking love this band” but fuck me…when it’s true, it’s true. That’s the case with Last Train, a French rock band that's determined to prove that rock music can be elegant. Their sophomore album, The Big Picture, is what happens when a group of friends refuses to let a vision become compromised. Songs like On Our Knees and Tired Since 1994 sound primed for a soundtrack, even with this unbridled energy that seeps through the entire album.
Since being on the podcast, a documentary has been released about the making of the album (don’t worry, the option to watch with English subtitles is available), and to be honest, seeing this made me love the guys even more.
They have a slew of upcoming tour dates in their native France throughout November and December of this year, along with an extensive tour of Germany next March. No word yet on US tour dates but since they sing in English, I’m sure a tour is only a matter of time. Once again, follow them via Songkick to see their current dates and to stay updated on their future tour dates.
And that’s that! Holy shit, that turned out to be longer than I expected. Maybe when I wrote about our season 2 guests I’ll break it up into two parts; especially since there were more guests within season 2. I hope you enjoyed reading this and I massively appreciate you taking the time to check this out. I feel very blessed that as the podcast continues to grow, I can reflect on season 1 and still feel happy with how it turned out. Each guest shared a side of themselves that highlights what makes this podcast unique and I hope you find yourself looking into these talented people.
