Meet Our Makers

103. The Mynabirds - Silence Broken

In this episode, we get to meet Laura Burhenn - aka The Mynabirds. Laura has just released her first album as the Mynabirds in about eight years, and it consists of several piano re-recordings of older tracks, alongside some brand new ones (which came as a bit of a surprise to Laura, who up to then hadn't written a new song in six years). In this chat, Laura and I dive deep into this new LP, including how she came to the decision to make this particular kind of record, as well as how she chose which songs to rebuild. But even more importantly, we talk about her rediscovery of how much she likes to sing and make music, thereby ending her many-years-long musical silence and refinding her voice. We talk about the goingson on of the world, too, and how one might carry the weight of that in these trying times. And much more, too. Laura was very candid and generous, and so sharp and passionate about these topics, it was a delight to have her. Thanks for listening.

102. Austra - A Particular Grief

In this episode we get to meet Austra, which is the music project of singer/songwriter/producer Katie Stelmanis. In this chat, we talk about Katie's newest Austra record, Chin Up Buttercup, which came into formation in the wake of a sudden and devastating breakup - one so tough she said she essentially had to grieve. We talk about what it meant to her to be crafting these super-personal songs (maybe the most personal she's ever written) and then shoot them through the lens of electronic, pop, and dance music, especially Eurodance, which was a specific touchstone for her here. We talk about what it even means to grieve a heartbreak, and how there's no right way through it. It was great getting to chat with an artist I've been following since her debut (2011's great Feel it Break), and I was very grateful. Thanks for listening.

101. Julian Brave NoiseCat - Surviving the Night

On this episode, we get to meet Julian Brave NoiseCat. Julian is a filmmaker, documentarian, and writer, who just put out his first book, called We Survived the Night. Part memoir, part cultural ethnography, the book traces through Julian's own story - including the stories of his parents and family - and weaves in elements of Indigenous stories and mythologies of the communities he is a part of: the Canim Lake Band Tsq'secen of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) in British Columbia. Last year, Julian also received an Oscar nomination for his first documentary film, Sugarcane, which he co-directed with Emily Kassie, which made him the first North American Indigenous filmmaker to be nominated at the Academy Awards. The film studies the impact of the Canadian Indian Residential School System, and the lingering effects and ongoing trauma of the experiences children had there - including some members of his own family. It's a serious conversation, and a very serious topic - but a vital one. I was very grateful to Julian for taking the time to have a deep conversation about this deep subject. Thanks for listening.

100. Imogen Heap - This is My Communion

Episode 100!! Who knew this would ever happen? I didn't! To commemorate this grand occasion, what better than to sit down with one of the musicians I've listened to and looked up to the longest: Imogen Heap. Imogen was having a very busy October when we sat down to chat, and in this conversation, we discuss all the goingson. This includes the latest in her triptych of singles called "Aftercare", as well as the 13-minute cut that combines all three of those songs (additionally: "Noise" and "What Have You Done to Me") into one song called "I AM _". We talk a lot about what led to these songs, especially "Noise" and "Aftercare", which comes with a wild and winding story that's basically a film unto itself, and the major, awakening experiences that Imogen went through in recent years that led her to that version of herself she is now. We also touch on her second solo LP, Speak for Yourself, which released a 20th anniersary reissue in October. We discuss that time in her life, that turning point, what the album means to her, and more. We of course touch on her use of AI, which has led to some criticism in recent times, but she does her best to explain the ins and outs of what she does and doesn't do with it, and what's good and bad about it (in her view). We talk about a lot more, including why she may never release and proper album again, and I was so incredibly thrilled to have this person who's been a longtime fixture in my life (shoutout to the Frou Frou heads!) join me for this momentous occasion. So thank you for listening (ever - not just to this episode!) and I hope you enjoy.

99. Avery Tucker - Slow Hits Fast

In this chat, we get to meet Avery Tucker. Avery is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is probably up to know best known as one half of the indie rock band Girlpool. That band, however, is now on indefinite hiatus (no animosity there - don't sweat!), but it has freed up Avery to release his first full-length album, Paw. Out now, his debut is full of vulnerable songwriting and performances that are often stripped pretty bare. We talk a lot about this new album, including the production, the lyrical themes, the nakedness of it, and what led him to this point in his career. We also touch on solitude, living in the moment, and the greatness that is Gillian Welch's Time (The Revelator). It's a chill and laid back talk, and I think you'll enjoy it. Thanks for listening.