Birdmonster entered bloggers' and critics' consciousness in October of last year on the strength of a self-released EP that, with its brash Springsteen-meets-Fugazi aesthetic, opened doors to high profile supporting slots with the likes of Art Brut, Sound Team, Catfish Haven, and Division Day, not to mention the type of buzz that forces Pitchfork to wallow in its limitations as a credible source for anything.

The San Francisco quartet's storied live shows and unique D.I.Y. sensibility very much paved that road, but, as they revealed last month on an eerie Dallas night, Birdmonster's true ambitions are focused on the songs and an ever-growing sonic palette.

This week, Birdmonster's Peter Arcuni and David Klein sit down to discuss their just-released debut long player, No Midnight, and how the experience of communicating their live energy on that record whet the band's appetite to develop their studio sound and the burgeoning songwriting methodologies that will shape their sophomore effort.

The Birdmonster Beauty Bar photo and more by Chad Wadsworth.

Mp3: Birdmonster - "'Cause You Can"

Mp3: IndieInterviews podcast

On a sweltering Friday evening in June, Barry Hyde of UK quartet, The Futureheads, kindly invited me into the band's well-equipped (and air conditioned) tour bus to escape, well, the summer and the throngs encircling Dallas' Gypsy Tearoom.

"How can you possibly stand this heat?" he asked as we sat down.

"I can't," I remarked.

When we sat down, Hyde, the Futureheads' frontman and chief songwriter, cut right to the chase and thoughtfully unraveled the executional and philosophical approaches to the songs and harmonies on their just-released News and Tributes LP, exhaustively contrasting their latest effort with their critically-acclaimed eponymous debut.



Assessing the Futureheads' rise -- and his scorn for their former label, Warner Brothers -- Hyde generously shed light on the inner-workings of a band that began, as he will admit, with few and simple expectations.

If there ever was any uncertainty about their rise, Hyde et al affirmed his confidence, and the audience's high expectations, pushing the limits, lengths, and structures of their crafty cache of songs for almost two hours. It was an impressive set and, for your host, at least, the show dutifully proved why the Futureheads have garnered such praise from a growing network of famous friends, influential publications, bloggers, hipsters, and the rest.

Downloadable PDF of Episode 41: The Futureheads

Download Podcast of Episode 41: The Futureheads

Over the last two years, The Long Winters have quickly become one of my all-time favorite groups. The pop songs have crisp and precise production paired with articulate and emotionally insightful lyrics. If possible, I could sit for hours talking with frontman John Roderick about his songs and the ingredients that make these records truly incredible.  

Through a series of e-mail exchanges, Roderick has answered some highly specific questions concerning lyrics off the new record.  Putting the Days to Bed will be released July 25th on Barsuk Records.

I have placed the lyrics in the order they appear on the record. Enjoy.

Track 1: "Pushover" - "Unkind girlish walk, like a deed to the world without the talk"

JR: Well... you know there are some coquettish walks, some flabbergastingly captivating gaits, which cross the line. They aren't innocent, they're wielded like a flaming sword, and they have the power to own a man for a period. That doesn't mean they're a force for good in the world.
(MP3)


Track 3: "Teaspoon" - "You weighed your suitcase down, but it still wouldn't sink"

JR: This happens to all of us at one point or another. We have a small suitcase worth of stuff, thoughts, feelings, recent events, that we would give anything to just sink to the bottom of the sea, but it's always that suitcase that refuses to go down. You can't just leave it floating there, so you have to take the damn thing home again.


Track 4: "Hindsight" - "I'm baling water and baling water 'cause I like the shape of the boat"

JR: I'm afraid that this lyric is already perfectly self-explanitory. When I say it's self-explanatory I'm not trying to be difficult, it's just to me nothing could be clearer than a lyric like that. It's a lyric about the small-scale, almost charming, tendency we all have toward self-destruction. If we weren't humans, if we were able to judge like computers or Vulcans, the only logical criteria for a BOAT would be that it floats without leaking. How it looks couldn't be less relevant to how it functions. Our humanity is revealed by our love for lost causes, for three-legged dogs and rusted-out "classic" cars, and there's something pathetic about us for that reason. The same eye that loves art and music will plunge us into buying a house with a cracked foundation, while a perfectly solid, and cheaper, house next door is rejected for being not as "cute". I celebrate this quality in people; it's what makes us interesting, and lovable, and individual, even if it means that we're doomed, somewhat. Why be in a relationship with someone? For love, comfort, support and encouragement. How many of us are in relationships that provide none of those things, but which we fight for against all odds?


Track 5: "The Sky Is Open" - "My propeller tries to find the air"

JR: Overtly, this is meant literally: the pilot is so high up and the air is so thin that his propellor is cleaving into the ragged edge of a vacuum. Indirectly it refers to the propellor in each of us which is always chewing up the air, taking us higher, hungry for sky.


Track 7: "Clouds" - "False prophesy doesn't mean prophesies are true"

JR: I'm continually amazed at how easy it is for people to recognize and laugh at the preposterous aspects of every religion but their own.


Track 8: "Rich Wife" - "So tell me, is your high horse getting a little hard to ride -- and your little bit on the side getting harder to find"

JR: You can be a snotty little brat all you want when you're twenty-five, but the day you turn twenty-seven you start to notice your friends don't think it's so cute anymore.


Track 9: "Ultimatum" - "Crave translates into slave, No-one can harness the rain, And I can make myself into rain,You feel me on your cheek, And on your sleeve"

JR: When you're in love it's very easy to start ascribing supernatural powers to your lover. "How can they make me feel like I'm about to explode, yet they seem so unperturbed?" I have felt so strongly about someone that I wouldn't have been surprised if they had just turned themselves into rain, so powerful did they seem and so inconsequential was my hold on them.


Track 11: "Seven" - "Did you see me the way I imagined, every eyelash a picket or a wire?"

JR: I see people in their teens and early twenties all the time who are blatantly shielding themselves from intimacy by wearing ridiculous costumes, or by talking constantly about themselves, or by being hyper-shy, or by a thousand other methods. When you get a little older you abandon those transparent ploys, because adults don't respond to them as well, but a great many people want to maintain their defenses and just shrink them down until they're an invisible veil over the eyes.

Previously: IndieInterviews talked with John Roderick about Ultimatum in a December podcast.

Before his recent Dallas show, I had the chance to pull Red aside for an expansive interview and an impromptu recording session, which resulted in two single-mic performances of some of his most beloved songs, "Red Sun" from Peter and the Wolf and Adventure from MTV2's Wonder Showzen.

Red Hunter isn't like most musicians I've talked with over the last year. Maybe that's because he's so willing to ponder, detail, even perform, his many diverse interests. He will tell you about playing shows in graveyards and dressing up like a Vet for a case study in audience reaction.  He will tell you about jokingly suggesting he and a peer tour in a sailboat.  He will cite Chomsky and address the perils of media propaganda and, in a twist, tie it all -- and convincingly so -- to independent music. He will offer perspectives, ideas, and insights that only hint at why he's one of the more compelling figures in underground music

Peter and the Wolf - Red Sun (IndieInterviews) (mp3)

Red Hunter - Adventure (Wonder Showzen cover) (Indie Interviews exclusive mp3)

Upcoming Peter and the Wolf Dates
7.06 San Diego, Scolari's Office
7.07 Los Angeles, The Echo
7.08 Los Angeles, Il Corral
7.09 San Francisco, Hotel Utah
7.12 Portland, Towne Lounge
7.13 Seattle, S.S. Marie Antoinette
7.14 Victoria BC, Orange Hall
7.15 Vancouver BC Pat's Pub
7.18 Seattle, live on KAOS at 9pm
7.20 Salt Lake City, Vagabond
7.21 Denver, Rhinoceropolis
7.22 Omaha, O'Leavers
7.23 Lincoln, Chatterbox
7.24 Ames, The Practice Space
7.25 Iowa City, The Hall Mall
7.26 Columbia, Ragtag
7.27 Columbia, Live on KOPN at 3pm
7.27 St. Louis, The Ground Floor
7.28 Chicago, Logan Square
7.31 Ypsilanti, Banana Tina
8.02 Kutztown, GoodVibes
8.03 Charlottesville, Tea Bazaar
8.04 Baltimore, Talking Head
8.05 Philly, Avant Gentlemen's Lodge
8.09 Portsmouth, Chutney Flatz
8.10 Portland, Strange Maine
8.11 Montreal, Green Room
8.12 Toronto, Tranzac
8.13 Rochester, The Bug Jar
8.14 Kingston, KMOCA
8.15 Northampton, Gallery THINK
8.17 Boston, P.A.'s Lounge
8.18 NYC, Goodbye Blue Monday

This week, British MC Mike Skinner of The Streets, sits down with your host, Garrison Reid, to discuss his private imprint, The Beats, and various other business flirtations, the essence of American rap culture, and the relative disparities in courting women at home and abroad.

In addition, we've taken the podcast and brought it to new life in a downloadable PDF filled with the text of the interview and amazing photos taken at The Streets Austin tour date by Chad Wadsworth. As we've hit podcast 40, we're looking for some feedback. What have been some of your favorites so far? What are your thoughts on the new transcription feature? Hasn't the audio quality improved in the last 11 months? Feel free to leave your thoughts within the comments section.

Download Audio: Episode 40: The Streets

Downloadable PDF of Episode 40

Visit Chad Wadsworth's Flickr

On the eve of the release of their highly anticipated Capitol Records debut, "Movie Monster," Sound Team's Matt Oliver and Sam Sanford discuss, among other things, the band's rigorous approach to multimedia filtration and typographic design, their give-and-take collaboration with famed indie producer, Mike McCarthy, and their multi-pronged songwriting aesthetic.

Full Downloads from Movie Monster
Sound Team - Movie Monster
Sound Team - Your Eyes Are Liars

Stream the Born to Please video clip.
(Broadband)
(Dial-up)

Previous Sound Team IndieInterviews
Bill Baird from early August 2005
"My friend's band is" by Sam Sanford
"The new record I'm into is" by Sam Sanford
"My favorite city to play in is" by Sam Sanford
"Explains 'Your Eyes Are Liars" by Sam Sanford
"If I could ask" by Sam Sanford

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with We Are Scientists. The band discusses filming comical music videos, working with The Lonely Island guys and the relationship between Pitchfork and major labels.

 

Here's a "comprehensive smattering" of the band's national tour with friends Arctic Monkeys.

Chevy Express van + John Vanderslice + Tiny Telephone + Del + Exodus Damage Remix + Gypsy Tearoom + 35mm + San Francisco + "Trance Manual" music video + Hitchcock's Young and Innocent + MacGuffin + Tom Waits' chicken coop + DCist + Hasselblad + Chris' aesthetic = Episode 38: John Vanderslice (mp3)

You might be saying this isn't YouTube or Flickr. You are right, but if you have any additional tags that might describe the interview, feel free to comment them.

Episode 38 with John Vanderslice is another special 30-minute episode previously done with John Roderick of the Long Winters, Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set, The Wrens and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with John Grant of The Czars. John discusses the impact of delayed US releases, incorporating foreign languages into his writing and playing with pronouns.

More description coming soon.

Kyp Malone describes the Return of Cookie Mountain song Province:

Abridged transcription
"We were playing festivals and recording in hotel bathrooms. ... I wanted to write something positive and uplifting. Watching and taking in all this dark bullshit that's happening in our world all the time. ... We were walking down the street and I saw graffiti on the side of this building. Someone had quoted Gandhi.  They wrote 'Love is the prerogative of the brave.'"

Soundbed music is "Walking The Cow", a Daniel Johnston cover from The Late Great Daniel Johnston, available for purchase here.

Download: Kyp Malone - 5 of 5 (m4a)
Download: Kyp Malone - 3-4 of 5 (m4a)
Download: Kyp Malone - 1-2 of 5 (m4a)

Favorite city to play in
"I haven't been to Cairo.  I haven't been to Lagos.  I haven't played in Mexico City."

How did the recording with Bowie come about?
"And we dropped of the roughs of the record as we were working on it. And he dug 'em."

About the album leak, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain and a "change in psychology"
"One is the one we're not putting out and one is the one we are putting out."

Soundbed music is "Dry Drunk Emperor" and "Staring at the Sun" found here.

More audio available later today.

Download: Kyp Malone - 3-4 of 5 (m4a)
Download: Kyp Malone - 1-2 of 5 (m4a)

Last Sunday, a few friends of mine and I spent the day relaxing -- drinking some margaritas at Lee Harvey's, learning to dj from DJ Pedro himself and topped off the rare beautiful breezy Texas day with an amazing TV on the Radio show at Gypsy Tearoom.

I had never seen this band live before. I've heard stories of the "experience" or "the best live show" and read the quote in the most recent Filter where the band themselves say you might not understand the performance. I told Adam after the show, "I rarely think this when I leave a show, but HOW do they do this night after night?" The energy released through the vocals (and arm movements) of Tunde Adebimpe is intense. The band unites and the cohesive sounds on record are equally powerful live.

After the show, Adam and I had the chance to talked with Kyp and Tunde of TVOTR. We quickly walked into the empty Ballroom and recorded for less than 10 minutes total.

Here's segment 1 from Kyp Malone; he tells his love for a Narnack Records band, whose music is "honest and organic and not a put- on and not some fake hippie shit." He also talks about a new record and DVD that he feels insired by.

Soundbed music is "Dry Drunk Emperor" found here.

More audio available tomorrow.

Download: Kyp Malone - 1-2 of 5 (m4a)

Band/Artist: Ramesh Srivastava (Voxtrot)
Date: April 21th, 2006
Venue: 95 Corolla Studios
Location: Denton, TX

Taped by: Garrison R.
Transferred by: Garrison R.

Setlist
1. Shayla (Blondie Cover)

After interviewing the band in January and seeing their performances in Dallas and in Austin at SXSW, I stayed in touch. As they entered Denton on this past Friday (after a day of uncertainty caused by van problems), we were discussing a follow-up interview and also a possible song request for that night's concert at Hailey's. I had suggested "Union City Blue" since it's one of my favorite songs off Eat to the Beat. It was a song Ramesh was familiar with but not possible for the entire band.

We met up at the show, talked and he realized the song I was thinking wasn't the same song he was.  The song he was thinking was "Shalya" -- another amazing track from Eat to the Beat.  We went to my car and listened to the song a few times through. Ramesh went looking for an acoustic guitar. I returned into the venue.  Within minutes, he said he had found one.  I said "where were you thinking we'd record?", and he replied "there's probably enough room in your car."  I had no complaints and we went to the quietest place to record -- 95 Corolla Studios as it will forever be called.

This is the output.

Download - Shayla (Blondie Cover)

Full IndieInterviews Interview with Ramesh Srivastava

Friday: If I could ask
Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Listen Now

"My name is Sam Sanford and I'm in SOUND team. I guess if any of us could ask questions, we would probably want to get Brian Eno and ask him a lot of technical questions about specific songs and specific sounds on specific songs. How did you make this sound? Like for example on the song "Sky Saw" the first song on Another Green World, how did you make the sky saw sound?"

Full IndieInterviews Interview with SOUND team's Bill Baird from early August 2005
Monday: "My friend's band is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Thursday: "Explains 'Your Eyes Are Liars" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Thursday: Explains 'Your Eyes Are Liars'
Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Listen Now

"My name is Sam Sanford and I'm in SOUND team. 'Your Eyes Are Liars' is a song that started out as a recording that Bill made by himself in our studio, Big Orange. It underwent a lot of transformations during the process of arranging it for live performance. It was rerecorded to reflect those changes in the arrangement and the song you'll hear on the record is that. It's a recording of the live arrangement that we worked out based on the original recording. Which actually came out on a cassette we put out two years ago called Every Day Is A New Year."

SOUND team - Your Eyes Are Liars

Full IndieInterviews Interview with SOUND team's Bill Baird from early August 2005
Monday: "My friend's band is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Wednesday: My favorite city to play in is
Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Listen Now

"My name is Sam Sanford and I'm in SOUND team. My favorite city to play in Austin, I guess I have to say, because the fans are great there and the clubs are great there. Other than Austin, my favorite city to play in is New York. New York City is great. People go out every night."

Full IndieInterviews Interview with SOUND team's Bill Baird from early August 2005
Monday: "My friend's band is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Tuesday: The new record I'm into is
Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Listen Now

"My name is Sam Sanford and I'm in SOUND team. The new record I'm into is the new TV on the Radio record. Even though I haven't heard it yet, I expect great things. I think their first record was one of the most amazing things to come out in the last ten years and I hear the new one is even better. I'm really excited about them."

Full IndieInterviews Interview with SOUND team's Bill Baird from early August 2005
Monday: "My friend's band is" by Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Monday: My friend's band is
Sam Sanford of SOUND team

Listen Now

"My name is Sam Sanford and I'm in SOUND team. My friend's band is Science. Science [now Gulf of Mexico] is Joey Kaoehl, Gregory Tenenbeown, Bill Baird, and "Matty", Matthew. And they are a great band from Austin, Texas. Not like anything you've ever heard before."

 

Full IndieInterviews Interview with SOUND team's Bill Baird from early August 2005

It's true. I did go to The Elephant Show AKA Sharon, Lois and Bram in concert. I did "scam" Metallica. I do love (I cringe as I write this) world music. I don't have nearly enough records. I am a bad Texan because I don't have boots, I don't eat meat and didn't see At The Drive-In when I had the chance.

Read it at Muzzle of Bees.

Learn all you wanted to know and more in an interview I did with Muzzle of Bees. While you're there read all about some other awesome bloggers in his series Get To Know Your Blogger.

Things you might learn in this interview with The Grates:
• SXSW is "heaps of lines", "heaps of bands" and "heaps of beers" .
• "If you're weak, be prompt."
• Slingshots are illegal in Australia.
• To avoid getting sick while on tour, it's best to dress like a ninja.
• Digital cameras makes movies (sometimes with audio).
• Rolling Stone will always be gas on fire.
• "There is no privacy in Australia."
• Caffeine-free Diet Pepsi is the most boring drink ever.

Friday: If I could ask
Lenka of Decoder Ring

Listen Now

"Hi. This is Lenka from Decoder Ring. If I could ask any musician a question, it would be Bjork. And I think I just want to know why we can't just make a baby together? But I don't think I'd have the guts to ask it 'cause she'd probably slap me."
IndieInterviews: "And she's married and has babies, right?"
"I know. And I'm a girl so we can't have babies together but, you know, I just love her."

Monday: "My friend's band is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Thursday: "Explains 'Somersault'" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Friday: "If I could ask" by Lenka of Decoder Ring

Thursday: Explains 'Somersault'
Lenka of Decoder Ring

Listen Now

"Hi. This is Lenka from Decoder Ring. "Somersault" is the theme song to the movie Somersault. And it's the reason why I joined up with Decoder Ring because they were an instrumental band before and they decided they needed female vocals for a song or two on the album. And it's about, I co-write the lyrics with the director of the film, and it's about the idea. It's kind of a truth idea about love. In that, if you can breathe in a person's air and their breath into you, you've got a little piece of them forever. In this girl's sentimental memory of the boy that's what she holds on to.

The movie is coming out in April in the States and the soundtrack Somersault is coming out in May. This film, it's an art house film, but it was a really successful film in Australia. The film and the album both won heaps of awards. It's was kind of a buzz film a couple of years ago. So, it will probably get an art house release over here, but you should look out for it because it's a gorgeous film"

Decoder Ring - "Somersault"

Monday: "My friend's band is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Thursday: "Explains 'Somersault'" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Friday: "If I could ask" by Lenka of Decoder Ring

Wednesday: My favorite city to play in is
Lenka of Decoder Ring

Listen Now

"Hi. This is Lenka from Decoder Ring. My favorite city to play in is New York, of course. Because, I'm here right now and it's just been quite mind-blowing. And it's great to just be here, for a reason, to do gigs. And the gigs that we've done have been amazing and we've had lots of fans in the audience. It's the coolest city in the world. What more can you say?"

IndieInterviews: "You like playing there more than in Australia?"

"Well, playing in Australia it's a different thing because everyone knows our songs. And they kinda get really excited when they hear them and everyone dances. And also, we play to big festivals like 5,000 kids in the audience (often it's kids) having a great time. Sometimes it's in the day and it's a very different atmosphere. But I'm way more excited about New York right now because it's where I am and it's different, you know?"

Monday: "My friend's band is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Thursday: "Explains 'Somersault'" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Friday: "If I could ask" by Lenka of Decoder Ring

Tuesday: The new record I'm into is
Lenka of Decoder Ring

Listen Now

"Hi. This is Lenka from Decoder Ring. The new record I'm into is Cat Power - The Greatest. I have a lot of her albums and I really love her. Being on tour at the moment, I've been listening to it a lot because it's extremely soulful.  It's really nice to come home after a crazy night and just, sort of, be nourished."

Cat Power - The Greatest -

Monday: "My friend's band is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Thursday: "Explains 'Somersault'" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Friday: "If I could ask" by Lenka of Decoder Ring

Monday: My friend's band is
Lenka of Decoder Ring

Listen Now

"Hi. This is Lenka from Decoder Ring. My friend's band is Sia. She's an Australian artist that has a record out in America called Colour the Small One. And I'm actually right now having red wine with her. But, well, not right now. She's not sitting right next to me. She's in the bar. I'm in the foyer. Anyways. I love her because she's mad, spontaneous and wonderful. And the album is just gorgeous."

Sia - Colour the Small One -

Monday: "My friend's band is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Tuesday: "The new record I'm into is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Wednesday: "My favorite city to play in is" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Thursday: "Explains 'Somersault'" by Lenka of Decoder Ring
Friday: "If I could ask" by Lenka of Decoder Ring

A lot of people are putoff by Clem Snide 'cause they aren't sure if it's being sincere or not. If it's a joke or if it's serious. And I like that about it. But some people don't. But you know whatever, I don't need to buy them a Christmas present or anything.

Eef Barzelay of Clem Snide

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Kori Gardner of Mates of State. Gardner discusses an expansion in studio sounds, the impact of having a child, and forecasted reviews for Bring It Back.

IndieInterviews Insider assistance from Clever Titles Are So Last Summer, So Much Silence and Underrated Blog.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with David Bazan of Pedro The Lion. David discusses departing from the Pedro The Lion moniker, including profanity in his music, and looking back at the 10 years of Pedro The Lion.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with George Hunter of Catfish Haven. Hunter discusses joining Secretly Canadian, the impact of the Catfish Haven upbringing, and his love of classic song hooks.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Josh Grier of Tapes 'n Tapes. Josh discusses the impact of blogs on the band's success, returning to Minneapolis after a successful tour, and The Loon's relationship with Minnesota.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with J.Tillman. Tillman discusses transplanting from New York City to Seattle, meeting his recording and touring partners, and the varying approaches he's used with previous recordings.

Interlude snippets used with permission of J.Tillman & Keep Recordings.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Seth Olinsky of Akron/Family. Seth discusses the band's origin and influence from New York, their changing studio approach, the band's similarities with Young God Records' Michael Gira.

Interlude snippets used with permission from Akron/Family and Young God Records.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Ramesh Srivastava of Voxtrot. Ramesh discusses the band's interest and appreciation of blogs, the process of developing the new EP and the band's plans for South By Southwest.

Interlude snippets used with permission from Voxtrot

Download The Start of Something ( IndieFeed Alt/Mod Channel )

It's a great honor to have this nomination. This is the first year for the podcast category and we've made it to the final 5.

Other excellent sites who made it to the finals:

Best Canadian Weblog: Chromewaves.net
Best Writing of a Weblog: Said the Gramophone
Best Teen Weblog: You Aint No Picasso

Best of luck to those guys. Voting closes next Tuesday so take a moment and pat IndieInterviews.com and these three blogs on the back.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Chris Hrasky of Explosions in the Sky. Chris discusses the band's decision to relocated to Midland for writing, their involvement with the soundtrack to Friday Night Lights, and the stories behind future songs.

Interlude snippets used with permission from Explosions in the Sky

Download Your Hand in Mine ( IndieFeed Alt/Mod Channel )

IndieInterviews.com has opened a new chapter. Part 2.

We are opening our metaphorical doors to involve whomever wants to be involved. The new feature is titled "IndieInterviews Insider".

The program will establish a mailing list for two-way communication between IndieInterviews and our listeners. An IndieInterviews Insider will have privileged information on upcoming interviews and the ability to submit questions via the mailing list. It will also show questions that have been accepted throughout the process: from booking to conducting. If your question is used, you will be mentioned on the site and if applicable, your blog will be linked. Podcast posts are also attached to all files available on respective iTunes episodes. Of course, not all questions will be accepted and we will try to set to it that the interviews have a good balance of Insider questions and those developed by IndieInterviews.com.

It will allow the participants to assist in the interview development. Basically, it would just invite others to feel heard and involved.

If you want to be involved with the IndieInterviews Insider program, simply email insider@indieinterviews.com.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Jana Hunter. Jana discusses her recording approaches, the growing Austin folk scene, and her thoughts on her musical movement peers.

Interlude snippets used with permission from Jana Hunter

Jana Hunter

Download Restless ( IndieFeed Folk Channel )

IndieInterviews.com is joining the IndieFeed network. Where IndieInterviews supplies interesting interviews with indie artists, IndieFeed promotes and introduces artists through full-length legal and free mp3s.

IndieFeed was selected as one of Business Week Online's Top Rated Podcast Podcast Picks and Yahoo! Finance has made a buzz about IndieFeed. IndieFeed is the proud member of the DC Podcast Network and the Association of Music Podcasting.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Raymond Raposa of Castanets. The soft spoken Raposa discusses networking and his recording crews, the power night had on First Light's Freeze, and the differences in writing for songs and writing for prose.

Castanets snippets used with permission of New Jerusalem Music

This post was also previously published at TexasGigs.com. Over the last month, that site has really exploded with content and style.

The Essential MIX is still being finalized -- "Essential" demands a lot of attention. Friday most likely.

Add your opinions on additional Texas bands who should be on this list.

Ten Texas Bands Who Will Impact 2006

Baptist Generals (Denton)

Denton's Chris Flemmons has high hopes for his band and their next record. His aspirations to develop pure beauty in a lo-fi shell was present on 2003's No Silver/No Gold. If time and effort are equal to blood and tears, Revolutionary Modern Heart (tentative spring release - SubPop) will be both bloody and tearsoaked.

Bosque Brown (Denton/Stephenville)

National touring acts rarely take note of their local counterparts, Bosque Brown not only amazed Damien Jurado but has been asked for as tour support by many others (Two Gallants and John Vanderslice). Her gothic sound resonates venues and leaves audiences wanting more. See this band live and you'll agree.

Jana Hunter (Austin)

After an amazing year, including a split with freak-folker Devendra Banhart and tour dates with like-minded Castanets and Deerhoof, 2006 should be an even stronger year for Jana Hunter. Her late 2005 release, Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, is gaining audience interest and press attention. IndieInterviews thinks she might be the reincarnation of Nico.

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (Austin)

After three years recording and scrapping sessions, Chosen Darkness signed to Secretly Canadian and have finalized their debut LP, Fear Is On Our Side, due March 7, 2006. Using a studio shared with Austinites ...Trail of Dead, the band has developed a sound expanding from their popular 2003 self-titled EP (or as their press release writes "[on the new release,] ILYBICD breaks out of any genre-specific molds").
**NEW MP3 - According To Plan**

Knife in the Water (Austin)

Since impressing many with their 2003's Cut The Cord, Knife in the Water has been touring extensively and recently have been working in south Austin on their upcoming record Viet Kieu. The band's country-fused psychedelia has garnered them foreign and a growing domestic attention. Heavy touring is expected in Texas and their home away from home, Europe.

Midlake (Denton)

Expanding on the European successes of fellow Denton artists, 5-piece Midlake signed to English label Bella Union and released 2004's Bamnan and Slivercork. After a brief tour with Rilo Kiley, Midlake spent most of 2005 working diligently on their sophomore release Van Occupanther.

Pilotdrift (Texarkana)

The band's recent release Water Sphere, a Good Records release, has got them much local press and excellent local bills. They will join fellow Good Records labelmates, Polyphonic Spree, at the band's annual winter show. If the band's successes continue to leave the DFW area, who knows what well happen. The band will have their chance for this as they nationally support Supergrass in February.

Shearwater (Austin)

Unfairly confined to the weaker placement in their relationship with Okkervil River, Shearwater will define their identity as Texas' most accurate rock band: expansive, beautiful and yet, full of lament. After their 2005 EP release Thieves and touring with The Mountain Goats, Jonathan Meiburg has written, recorded and is now finalizing their next full-length, Palo Santo, planned for April 22, 2006 Misra release.

Sound Team (Austin)

The band's most recent EP, Work EP, explains what this band does most of their time. The band has been working on a major label full length with Mike McCarthy and Alan Moulder, whose collective resumes include Smashing Pumpkins, Spoon and My Bloody Valentine. The record, which the band has been working on for over a year, should be evidence of their passion, effort and work.

Voxtrot (Austin)

Their EP Raised By Wolves has gotten the band massive press in the blogsphere (including SPIN Band of the Day). The band's history includes major love from their Austin homebase, from home shows to sell out shows at Emo's, the band has broadened their audience greatly after SXSW and CMJ showcases. Their full length record is in the works and should amplify from the era fusing pop featured on their EP.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Honus Honus of Man Man. Ryan Kattner AKA Honus Honus discusses recording their debut, the impact of member changes on Six Demon Bag, and the challenge of covering a classic.

Six Demon Bag Tracklisting:
01. Feathers
02. Engrish Bwudd
03. Banana Ghost
04. Young Einstein On The Beach
05. Skin Tension
06. Black Mission Goggles
07. Hot Bat
08. Push The Eagle's Stomach
09. Spider Cider
10. Van Helsing Boombox (MP3)
11. Tunneling Through The Guy
12. Fishstick Gumbo
13. Ice Dogs

IndieInterviews.com was mentioned in the January SPIN magazine. IndieInterviews.com was an Essential podcast on their Essential MIX.

So that being said, if you just landed here, welcome. There are many ways to listen to our podcasts. For iTunes users, the preferred option is the simple 1-Click Subscription icon on the left. You can also listen in any browser by clicking POD next to the podcast you want to hear.

If you would like to show your support, vote for us at Podcast Alley or Podcast Pickle. Some reviews on our iTunes page might be better than any gift.

For Tuesday -- we'll be revealing an Essential MIX of our own: like SPIN - 15-songs/5-podcasts suggested listening list.

Also, we will release an interview with Man Man featuring music from their future record, Six Demon Bag. Until then, here's a taste of the new record.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set. Andrew discusses choosing Arts & Crafts, the impact of Brooklyn on Set Free, and making the decision to discontinue touring.

And we sorta agree. Since the record is amazing, Sufjan owns top spot on their list & #2 on ours. However, our #1 (Decemberists - Picaresque) is their #26.

They do give much love to interviewees of IndieInterviews.com.
44: Vashti Bunyan - Lookaftering - [Fat Cat]
26: The Decemberists - Picaresque - [Kill Rock Stars]
18: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
08: LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem - [DFA]

4 of 50 this year (8%). Next year, we're aiming for greater than 50% and to catch a bunch that are on this list. Consider it a resolution, if you must.

Read the whole list and their rationalizations.

According to a filmed welcome from Tim DeLaughter shown before the rock portion of The Polyphonic Spree's 6th Annual Holiday Extravaganza, the Spree's next record will officially be titled The Fragile Army. A release date is unknown but the band has been working in Dallas with the ultratalented producer John Congleton (also of The Paperchase).

Mike Mills, the writer/director of the film Thumbsucker, described the Spree --

I think The Spree is all about fragility - as big and happy as they can sound, they are sort of 'The Fragile Army' to me. I am very lucky I got to meet all these people and that they helped me so much as a person and as a filmmaker - It makes life seem really exciting.

Mills might have known the title at the time or based on his quote, DeLaughter and band confirmed this title.

More details of the record can be heard in the IndieInterviews September podcast with Tim DeLaughter.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Rogue Wave. The band (Gram LeBron, Zach Rogue, Pat Spurgeon, Evan Farrell (not present)) discusses learning to work together, expanding their sound and the assistance of four-track recording.

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with John Roderick of The Long Winters. John discusses touring's impact, writing about relationships, and his thoughts on life's ultimatums.

This is an extended 30-minute episode.

10
Andrew Bird
& The Mysterious Production of Eggs

MP3: A Nervous Tic... | NPR Story

Lyrically, one of the most impressive records I have ever heard. Bird's allusions and metaphors have scattered this record with gems of literary and auditory beauty. His layering of whistles, raw electric guitar and his technical violin parts work into one of the year's most unique and skilled releases. These songs all start by escalating in way that you've swallowed the lure whole before you know otherwise. & The Mysterious Production of Eggs leads you on an irresistible journey of Thai butterflies, calcium, GPS, monsters and more.


9
Bloc Party
Silent Alarm

MP3: Banquet | Full D.C. Concert (NPR)

The promotion for this record was so ambitious it was nearly a turn off. The quote from Uncut or NME referred to the record, as early as February, as one of the year's best records. From the first notes of "Like Eating Glass", the energy of the record is overwhelming. The record's less successful tracks are surrounded by single suited songs. The consistent layers of guitars and vocals makes listening to the record soothing and yet energizing.


8
Rogue Wave
Descended Like Vultures

MP3: Publish My Love | 10:1

After loving Out Of The Shadows over the last two years, I had massive expectations for the band and the record. The 10:1 EP worked to wet the appetite. "10:1" is one of Rogue Wave's strongest songs: the recording zips, squeals and creaks established a ripened character for the band's sophomore attempt. The charm of is the record's pacing and order. The acoustic numbers shows a clarity of a singer/songwriter and quickly is followed by elaborate full pop songs showcasing the tight entity that Rogue Wave has become.


7
The Heartless Bastards
Stairs and Elevators

MP3: Onions | New Resolution

This band opened for Drive-By Truckers November 2004. The band was signed by Fat Possum based on a strong suggestion from The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carneyand. The Heartless Bastards joined the label and released Stairs and Elevators in February 2005. The recording's raw quality catches you off-guard. After a few listens, you realize it more accurately reflects the band's efforts than a glossy recording. The blues community has had many female powerhouses. However at 5'2" and blonde, Erika Wennerstrom has created her own chapter. Stairs and Elevators has more attitude than you expect of any band's debut.


6
J. Tillman
I Will Return

MP3: Lilac Hem | Cecille, My Love

Richard Buckner, Damien Jurado and Dolorean played a sold out show in Austin in a nontraditional venue. The night was amazing. Dolorean opened and established a smooth foundation for the night. After Dolorean finished their short set, a thin, tall, scruffy man entered the stage wielding a guitar and said "Damien asked me to come out and play you a song." He didn't say his name or the title of the song. He stayed on stage playing guitar with Damien Jurado. After the show, the man was guarding the merch booth. I asked what his name was and if he had any music available. At that point in time, he handed me a copy of a burned disc. The record got picked up by KEEP Records and was released very limitedly. Look forward to a future release from this amazing songwriter.


5
Ryan Adams
Jacksonville City Nights

MP3: The Hardest Part | Pitchfork Review

People aren't making records with the way Adams does it. The urgency of the record is felt with each additional listen. The masks Ryan puts on and shares with the listener are an anthology of pain and loss. This is the most Whiskeytown-like record that Ryan has recorded since going solo. Everyone says it's Heartbreaker. Which no doubt is a compliment but it also puts Jacksonville City Nights in a shadow that isn't necessary or accurate. If Cold Roses could have been limited to a single disc and allowed to stew for 8 months, it would be Jacksonville City Nights.


4
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

MP3: This Tidal Wave of Young Blood | IndieInterviews Podcast

The jovial nature of this release carries the dozen cuts through the blurs of words and swamp of keyboards. Cheated by the dozens of comparisons and celebrity namechecks the band receives, CYHSY! have double the duties to establish a sound and image of their own. Luckily, the band's debut CYHSY! captures the carnival atmosphere and fused it into a well paced rock record. The future for this group is blindingly bright.


3
The Octopus Project
One Ten Hundred Thousand Million

MP3: Music Is Happiness | IndieInterviews Podcast

Great records must have many human characteristics: body (substance through instruments), emotion (lyrical or tonal feelings), thought (efficiency) and a heartbeat (the record's soul). This record, in all the variety of songs, always accentuates the record's heartbeat. This element unifies the eleven tracks. The use of samples defines the brilliance of The Octopus Project: subtle, clever and with intent. The accuracy and precision in this record astonishes me. The fine tuning of One Then Hundred Thousand Million is the crux of it's beauty.


2
Sufjan Stevens
Illinoise

MP3: Chicago | The Lord God Bird (NPR Story)

I often wonder if Sufjan predicts the joy listeners experience as we trek through these states along his side. I've visited Illinois. I have stories of Chicago and Urbana. However, it takes the genius of Stevens to illustrate these cities and towns as done on Illinoise. Sufjan's stint at the New School has never been so present; as through these lovely short fictions (disguised as songs), Stevens shares the histories, thoughts and emotions of this interesting state. Although Seven Swans received heavy rotation, I was cautiously anticipating the continued religious subtleties. However on this record, Sufjan shines more light into the struggles of piety and the disappointment which results. Illinoise's 74 minutes make for a lush, descriptive, and yet, beautifully authentic glimpse at the Land of Lincoln.


1
The Decemberists
Picaresque

MP3: The Engine Driver | IndieInterviews Podcast

After Castaways and Cutouts and last year's Her Majesty, the momentum was building for a powerful record. This record layered with adjectives and characters so thick that Meloy's idols alive and dead must be rejoicing. The vocals are placed perfectly ahead of everything else. As the band's stage show has grown into something of it's own, as have the records. This record persuade the listener to want to see it live. This factor is surely a massive success from any musician's perspective. Decemberists multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk correctly defined Picaresque as a truly quintessential Decemberists record.


In addition, Michael Bravata of the Dallas area Rockwall Herald-Banner shared his list with IndieInterviews.com

Top 10 Records of 2005:
10. Sigur Ros - Takk
9. Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
8. Xiu Xiu - La Foret
7. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
6. Broken Social Scene - S/T
5. Deerhoof - The Runners Four
4. Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
3. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
2. Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary
1. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

On this show, your host Garrison Reid sits down with Dan Bunny of Bunny Brains. Dan discusses his ambitious approach to making music, and the audience perception of their live show and recordings.

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