RiYL Brian Heater
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- Arts
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Recommended if You Like: longform conversation with musicians, cartoonists, writers and other creative types.
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Episode 642: Sean O'Hagan (High Llamas)
There are more than a few points when Hey Panda sounds like the work of an entirely different band. The songwriting is sharp as ever, but Sean O'Hagan gleefully pushes the High Llamas into new directions. It's an impressive accomplishment in itself more than three decades after the band's formed. O'Hagan was already a music industry vet by the time he founded the High Llamas in 1990, having spent the previous decade sharing songwriting credits for Rough Trade act, Microdisney.
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Episode 641: Mayo Thompson (the Red Krayola)
In 1970, Mayo Thompson released his only solo record to date. It's a strange thing to write 50 years later, especially given the Texas-born musician's wildly prolific career as the sole consistent member of the eclectic and enigmatic Red Krayola. Ignored in many circles upon its release, Corky has grown in stature over the decades, which -- much like the Red Krayola -- has achieved the status of cult icon. Thompson has begun playing the album live in recent years, as he chart the course for a potential sequel, half a century later. Transcript available here.
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Episode 640: Andrew 'Falco' Falkous (McLusky, Future of the Left)
The legend of McLusky has grown greatly since the the group's initial breakup in 2005. The release of the three-disc Mcluskyism compilation is no doubt reasonable for much of that prolonged success. So, too, are the members' post-McLusky projects, including Future of the Left. Formed by ex-members Andrew Falkous and Jack Egglestone shortly after breakup, the group carried on its tradition of sardonic and melodic noise rock. Falkous and Egglestone reformed McLusky in 2014. The group's second stint is officially longer than its first as of 2024. The group is currently in the midst of an American tour, postponed by two years, due to Falkous' health issues. Here he discusses all of that and more.
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Episode 639: Marta Cikojevic (Marci, Tops)
After half-a-decade with Montreal's dreamy synth pop group Tops, Marta Cikojevic took her own turn in the spotlight in 2022. The eponymous debut of her project Marci finds the musician embracing dance music, with one foot planted in yacht rock's golden era. Prior to her time in music, Cikojevic had a flourishing career in modeling that took her around the world, including a long stint in Hong Kong. The musician joins us to discuss finding her voice. Transcript available here.
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Episode 638: Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices, Bambi Kino)
For a few decades now, it seems like Doug Gillard is everywhere. He's the second longest tenured member of the wildly prolific Guided By Voices, behind frontman, Robert Pollard, having been in and out (mostly in) of the band since the mid-90s. He is also a long-time guitarist for alternative rock stalwarts, Nada Surf, having played with the group since 2010. His work has earned him spots on the linear notes of many of indie rock's biggest names, as he continues playing with a variety of of groups, including the early Beatles homage, Bambi Kino. Transcription available here.
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Episode 637: BLKBOK
On 2022’s self-titled debut, BLKBOK enlisted poet (and English teacher) Lauren Delaphena to record spoken work tracks, which served to break up instrumental tracks. For the follow up, Charles Wilson III gave the job to his therapist, Dr. Felicia Thomas. Plenty of albums can be described as “deeply personal,” but in that respect, 9 is on another level. The neo-classical piano tracks also serve as a homage to high school civil rights, the Little Rock Nine. Wilson joins us to discuss the story behind the album and keeping classical music fresh for another century. Transcript available here.
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Customer Reviews
Thoughtful, fascinating interviews
Brian’s interviews with a wide range of creative people (musicians, writers, comedians, comic book artists, and more) are all illuminating and entertaining. A seasoned journalist, he is especially good at coaxing prickly subjects out of their shells. Highly recommended if you like, well, just about anything.
Get this creative juices flowing
Brian asks insightful questions to get his guests to open up about their creative process. His podcast has inspired me to tap into my own artistic pursuits. Give it a listen!
A wide array of guests well interviewed
I like fiction, graphic and otherwise. I like music. I like thoughtful conversations about a wide array of topics. But I LOVE long guitar and keyboard intros. FIVE STARS FOR RIYL! HO HO HO!