LONELIER THAN GOD

Today’s guest is TOM WINDISH — a highly respected veteran booking agent, manager, A&R executive, & label owner.

Across three decades, he’s worked at every level of the music industry, from booking shows out of his college dorm room to navigating the global circuits of some of music’s biggest names. His booking roster has included artists of many genres, ranging from HUM, New Radiant Storm King, & Smog to Billie Eilish, M83, & Lorde.

He’s also a frequent speaker at music industry conferences, sharing his experience & guidance with audiences around the world.

In this episode, we talk about bringing bands to campus, the complexities of long-distance calling, & what appeared on HUM’s very first rider.

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TIMESTAMPS:
02:08: Mowing Lawns, Buying Tapes
03:43: College Radio & Booking Bands
10:55: Poster Children & HUM @ Campus Pub
14:33: Venue Networks
16:51: Long-Distance Calls
19:23: Reconnecting with HUM
22:29: Howard Stern Show
26:43: Alternative Boom
33:50: "Yume Utsutsu" (Lamp)

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This week I’m talking w/ DAVID CHAVEZ & RACHEL STANG from the Kansas City band FOREVER ☆.

A few months ago, they released a 7-song EP called 2ND GEN DREAM on À LA CARTE RECORDS, & it’s bursting with euphoric waves of guitar, smeared ethereal vocals, & the manic energy of drum n bass.

Highly recommend checking that out, along with their 3 SERIES EP from 2023. Links below.

David also works at SEEN MERCHANDISING, where he probably had a hand in screen-printing the HUM shirt you’re wearing right now.

In this episode, we talk about the mechanics of the breakbeat, the acoustics of sonic weapons, & the cosmic patterns of deep space.

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https://foreverstar.bandcamp.com/music

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TIMESTAMPS:
02:08 // "Heat Seeking Missile" (F☆)
03:25 // 2nd Gen Dream EP
12:23 // 2GD Layout
15:55 // "Blade Silver Metallic" (F☆)
22:10 // "Competizione" (F☆)
27:40 // Discovering HUM
35:22// "Little Dipper" Discussion
58:56 // "Your Angel Speaks" (F☆)

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Joining me today from the outskirts of Austin, Texas is singer, guitarist, & songwriter ANDY SWITZKY.

In 1989, Andy co-founded HUM, & he wrote for & played on their demo, the first LP (Fillet Show), & the subsequent 2 singles (Hello Kitty & Sun Dress).

He was a vital part of the Champaign music scene in the ‘80s & ‘90s, & also made music in Tugrik Dhugugrik, Designer Mustard Gas, Obvious Man, & Alaskan Mothership.

From time to time, he uploads material from that period to his SoundCloud page; link below.

In this episode, we talk about the mid-to-late ‘80s Champaign music scene, blending the dissonant with the melodic, & trying to match the volume of your awe-inspiring drummer.

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https://soundcloud.com/aswitzky

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Steve Albini's Basement Studio

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TIMESTAMPS:
02:16 // "Lake of Fire" (Alaskan Mothership)
03:29 // Early Music Fandom
07:29 // First Bands
10:16 // Tugrik Dhugugrik
11:34 // "Mucus" (T.D.)
12:48 // Obvious Man
15:46 // "Facts & Figures" (O.M.)
17:51 // Designer Mustard Gas
18:39 // “Workstation” (D.M.G.)
20:42 // Forming HUM
22:20 // “Kissing Me is like Kissing an Angel, She Said” Demo Tape
30:18 // "Time is Melting"
34:45 // "Kissing Me..."
37:44 // "Diamonds"
41:32 // Fillet Show LP
50:48 // "Sunshine" (Alaskan Mothership)

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Today I’m talking with guitarist & producer KURT BALLOU — a true luminary of the heavy music scene, on both sides of the mixing board.

In 1990, he co-founded the pioneering metalcore band CONVERGE, whose 11th studio album, LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH, arrives on February 13.

Kurt also owns & operates GOD CITY STUDIO in Salem, MA, where he records, engineers, produces, & mixes a breathtaking array of bands. He’s given an instantly recognizable mix of grit & clarity to scores of landmark punk, metal, & hardcore records, including LPs by his own band, as well as Cave In, Isis, Pg. 99, Torche, Trap Them, Russian Circles, & many more.

In this episode, we discuss the mechanics of track sequencing, the alien geometry of sound capture, & the dreamy rhythms of deep time.

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https://godcitystudio.com

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https://www.godcityinstruments.com

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TIMESTAMPS:
02:19 // "Love is Not Enough" (Converge)
03:27 // Album Leaks
06:52 // New LP & Track Sequencing
12:09 // Studio Geometry
16:01 // ‘90s Boston Rock Scene
21:22 // Hearing HUM / “Stars” on the Radio
27:34: "Isle of the Cheetah" Discussion
01:00:38 // "Eagles Become Vultures" (Converge)

[Misc: Karate, "This Plus Slow Song"]

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Today’s conversation is with TIM DOW, one of my all-time favorite drummers.

He’s played in and/or toured with SHINER, YEAR OF THE RABBIT, SEASON TO RISK, THE JOY CIRCUIT, ON, VAE VICTIS, & more.

He was in Shiner from 1993 to ‘98, & drummed on their early landmark records, SPLAY & LULA DIVINIA, as well as on their first 6 EPs. Both LPs have since been remixed & remastered, & then reissued in 2024 on SPARTAN RECORDS.

After leaving Shiner, he played in a couple of early 2000s L.A. bands with Failure’s Ken Andrews: first the pop-leaning electronic project ON, then the heavier rock band Year of the Rabbit. He & his Y.O.T.R. bandmates, Jeff Garber & Sol Snyder, then tracked & self-released their first & only studio record, so far, called EP 1.

He’s also done studio session work for Pete Yorn, Abandoned Pools, Jonny Polonsky, & others.

In this episode, we talk about ‘90s recording styles, the web of alt-rock riff tropes, & the revved-up release of thunderous drumming.

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TIM'S DRUM DISCOG (Streaming)

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"Iron Clad Lou" Video

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TIMESTAMPS:
02:34 // "Brooks" (Shiner)
07:10 // Pre-Shiner Recordings
12:23 // Shiner & Indie Production
19:47 // Riff Drumming
22:43 // "Sailor's Fate" (Shiner)
26:12 // "My Life as a Housewife" (Shiner)
32:22 // '90s Drumming Influences
33:18 // L.A., Ken Andrews, & Year of the Rabbit
39:12 // "Absent Stars" (Y.O.T.R.)
41:59 // The Joy Circuit
44:32 // "X's" (T.J.C.)
45:48 // Pete Yorn Sessions
48:42 // "Undercover" (P.Y.)
49:42 // HUM's E2K Tape
56:34 // "Iron Clad Lou" Discussion
01:26:13 // "Sideways" (Shiner)

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