#190 - Mat Kerekes (Citizen)
Behind the Vinyl
In this episode, we sit down with Mat Kerekes, the multifaceted frontman of Citizen, to dive deep into his solo work, his ever-evolving approach to music, and his unique balance of passion projects. Whether it’s fronting an iconic band like Citizen, writing his own songs as a solo artist, or stepping into the role of a producer, Mat seems to do it all—and do it well. Mat's most recent solo release, To Dream of Something Wicked, dropped on Wax Bodega to rave reviews, and in this interview, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the record. As Mat explains, the album was a labor of...
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#189 - Speed (Jem Siow)
Behind the Vinyl
What can we say about Speed and their iconic hit record Only One Mode that hasn't already been said? If you're a hardcore fan, you know the vibe. This lovable group from Australia brings everything you could ask for: raw energy, relentless drive, and authenticity on and off the stage. They’re more than just a band; they’re an unstoppable force in hardcore, breaking boundaries worldwide. In this latest episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jem from Speed. Going into this, I knew I was a HUGE fan. But after diving into Jem’s past interviews, I could see why Speed resonates so...
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#188 - Been Stellar (Sam Slocum & Skylar Knapp)
Behind the Vinyl
In this episode, we dive deep with Sam and Skylar of Been Stellar as tearlier in the year they celebrated the release of their debut album, Scream from New York, NY. Having crafted their musical bond since the age of 14, the duo reflects on the evolution of their sound from singles and EPs to a full-length record. Join us as they share the story behind the album—how the pressure of previous EP's success fueled their desire to create something raw and authentic. Sam and Skylar discuss their mission to deliver emotionally resonant lyrics that defy trends and showcase their unique identity...
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#187 - Luster (Adrian Castillo)
Behind the Vinyl
This week, we sit down with Adrian from Luster to dive deep into their creative process and the unique dynamics of the band. We discuss how they manage to blend emotional vulnerability with a sound that's evolved over the years. Highlights Include: The surprising fact that, despite playing shoegaze the most, it's what Adrian listens to the least! The origins of Luster as a "bedroom project," with Adrian and Alvin sending ideas back and forth, allowing the rest of the band to contribute at their own pace. How Adrian and Alvin’s friendship began 10+ years ago at California shows, not as...
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#186 - The Barbarians of California (Eric Stenman)
Behind the Vinyl
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of a band that emerged from the fusion of passion and persistence. Our story begins a decade ago with Eric Stenman, who was writing heavier music that he never imagined would reach the public eye. Eric's early musical journey intertwined with Aaron Bruno's in the late '90s through their shared love for hardcore music. Despite their separate creative paths —Eric focusing on music production and Aaron eventually forming Awolnation—they would later find a way to create a band together (although they have been working together for years...
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#185 - Modern Color (Vince Nguyen)
Behind the Vinyl
We had Vince of Modern Color on to talk about "There Goes the Dream." The writing process for their latest record was fragmented, as Vince has been personally juggling other projects and endeavors—being on the road with Militarie Gun while still touring with Modern Color. It took a little longer to write because they thrive on getting in a room together and bouncing ideas off each other. Nonetheless, the wait was well worth it. Usually, Fleming or Chad come in with a full song, and they start jamming to develop those ideas. The best part? They can be real with each other and give productive...
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#184 - Heart to Gold (Grant Whiteoak)
Behind the Vinyl
Tate jumps behind the mic for an exclusive interview with Grant from Hear to Gold! We chat about everything from new jams leading to a 10-song record coming out at a later date. The journey started out with self-producing the first album and eventually the band teamed up with Memory Music. Now they are a force in the music scene just recently working alongside the incredible Will Yip which has been a game changer. While their writing process remains consistent, collaborating with a broader team outside the band has fueled their fire even more. The motivation is at an all-time high,...
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#183 - Milly (Brendan Dyer & Yarden Erez)
Behind the Vinyl
We’re super excited to share our latest episode featuring Brendan Dyer and Yarden Erez of Milly! Their 2024 record, "Your Own Becoming," released on June 28, has been one of my most anticipated albums this year for me, especially after the single "Drip From the Fountain" dropped. This album is easily in my top 5 for 2024! The band started crafting this masterpiece on a New Year’s Day when Brendan decided it was time to make a record. It was a coming together moment where they realized that they needed to go hard on the new songs. They poured their hearts into the songs, meeting three...
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#182 - From Indian Lakes (Joey Vannucci)
Behind the Vinyl
We are to have Joey Vannucci of From Indian Lakes on to discuss his new record, "Head Void", which was released on May 15! This is his first FIL album since 2019, and it was worth the wait. "Head Void" is a very organic, pick-up-the-guitar-and-bang-on-the-drums type of record. None of these songs were sitting around for long—they were all written and finished within a couple of months. Each track brings a unique sound, continuing his tradition of exploring different musical landscapes with every release. While Joe Vann, his solo project, marked a significant chapter...
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#181 - Pissed Jeans (Randall Huth)
Behind the Vinyl
During a recent music lull, podcasts dominated my morning commute until Pissed Jeans shook me awake with their new record! The song "Moving On" hit me like a lightning bolt – from the killer intro riff to those raw, punk vocals, it was pure magic. Their latest album "Half Divorced" reaffirmed my punk roots, reminding me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. These guys aren't just a band; they're a rebellion against the mundane. Taking a break from adulting, they crank out music that's loud, unapologetic, and utterly captivating. Randall Huth brought their story to life on...
info_outlineWe were lucky enough to catch Mercedes Arn-Horn of Softcult on the same day of when they released their new hit single, One of the Pack. It's a song with a special and important meaning that Mercedes gives her honest and authentic self during the song and while talking about it on our podcast. In the words of Mercedes, "In Softcult we pride ourselves on being femnists and advocating for equality in every shape-and-form. We are kind of bringing back riot grrl ethos to the shoegaze world." There is still an ongoing debate about who belongs where and this song spotlights that there can discomfort at times for women - even in the music community. It's an absolute jam with an incredibly paramount message beind it. If anything, this song shows that Softcult is ready for the big stage with another gem of a song.
What catches my attention most about this band is that nothing has been handed to them. They have seen adversity and are stronger as a group because of it. It helps that Softcult is centered around twins (Mercedes & Phoenix) who share a similar vision. But, in the beginning they had a small taste of success when a major label signed them at a young age. This positive feeling only lasted for so long when they saw business side of music. After putting in countless hours and seeing a long list of their songs shot down - they made the decision to go out on their own. They now make every decision surrounding the band. The twins even go as far as doing all of the production, art work, tour scheduling, and most importantly, picking which songs get released to the public. Mercedes and Phoenix decided to bet on themselves and it worked out!
Tate and I really enjoyed having Mercedes join us for an epic conversation. There's even a portion of the interview where we all talk about horror movies! We will release Mercedes' favorites later in the week.