Episode 447 Al Johnson
The Lydian Spin
As the frontman for , Al Johnson utilized his voice as a textural and percussive instrument rather than a melodic vehicle. His delivery consisted of rasps, sharply drawn breaths, and fragmented phrasing. Al operated with rigid adherence to a self-devised notation system, scripting every pause and vocal eccentricity in advance. This formalized approach to dissonance allowed his vocals to function not as a traditional lead, but as an integrated component within the band’s broader framework of structural deconstruction.
info_outline
Episode446 Larry Mullins Pt2
The Lydian Spin
Part 2 of sit down with Lydia and Tim.
info_outline
Episode 445 Musician Larry Mullins Part 1
The Lydian Spin
Larry Mullins, also known as , is a musician, record producer, and composer who plays drums, percussion, and keyboards. He performs as a member of the bands and , and previously played with . He has also worked on scores for film and television and appeared in a performance role in the series . Stay tuned next week for Part 2.
info_outline
Episode 444: Musician and Author Ian Svenonius
The Lydian Spin
Ian Svenonius is a musician and author who began his career in the 1980s Washington D.C. punk scene. He has been the lead vocalist for several bands, including , , and , and later released music under the electronic solo project . In addition to his musical output and hosting a talk show on , Ian has written several books of essays and cultural criticism. His published works include (2012) and the essay collection (2015).
info_outline
Episode 443 Swans Guitarist Norman Westberg
The Lydian Spin
is a guitarist known for anchoring the monolithic avant-rock of . Away from the band's trademark volume, however, his solo work—like the -produced —abandons traditional riffs for meditative, ambient drone. By manipulating sustained tones through effect pedals, Norman restructures the instrument's sound into atmospheric compositions. His career balances decades of dense post-punk with restrained, minimalist solo recordings.
info_outline
Episode 442 UK Artist Nuha Ruby Ra
The Lydian Spin
Nuha Ruby Ra is a London-based artist working across music, performance, and visual art. Blending industrial sound, art-pop, and spoken word, her work explores power, instinct, and transformation through raw, physical live performance. Following two critically acclaimed EPs, she is currently creating her debut album, a project unfolding under the creative force known as NOWSYN.
info_outline
Episode 441 Gary Wilson
The Lydian Spin
In 1977, finished recording in his parents’ basement and released it himself. Through the 1980s, his work in experimental music that draws across styles including new wave, rock, funk, jazz, lounge, and avant-garde. developed a following. After a 1981 tour, he was largely out of public view. Gary resurfaced around 1996, and Michael Wolk filmed his 2002 return to the stage for the documentary y. Gary has released .
info_outline
Episode 440 Percussionist Blake Fleming
The Lydian Spin
is a percussionist, author, and educator known for his work with experimental bands and for writing , an encyclopedia of over 5,000 organized rhythms for all instruments. The book has been sold in more than 20 countries and was a top 5 instruction title in the , and Blake was featured in SPIN’s 100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music. He has recorded and toured across jazz, rock, and avant-garde scenes, and his drumming has been covered by outlets including The New York Times, NPR, Spin, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Modern Drummer, and Pitchfork. In addition to studio work and teaching students...
info_outline
Episode 339 Musician Stephen Mattos
The Lydian Spin
Rhode Islander, Stephen Mattos is a musician and librarian. He’s been performing since the late 2000s under the name , and his latest band is , . Outside of music, he spends his time cycling, working on photography, and cooking and gardening with his wife, artist Alicia Renadette. Stephen previously co-founded bands including , and
info_outline
Episode 338 Sonny Vincent
The Lydian Spin
Sonny Vincent fronted in the mid-1970s New York punk scene, playing CBGB and Max’s Kansas City before the band split in 1981. He later formed , and went on to record and tour with from the Velvet Underground. He has continued releasing records and wrote the memoir .
info_outline
Longtime friend and collaborator of Lydia and friend of The Lydian Spin, Jasmine returns to the show. She is a filmmaker and artist who wrote letters to Aileen Wuornos and later conducted a filmed interview with her on death row in 1997. Jasmine’s footage appears in the new Netflix documentary Aileen: Queen of Serial Killers; Wuornos had asked her to record her story before the execution to provide an account she felt the media had misrepresented. Jasmine is working on her own documentary, which is currently in progress. Jasmine and Lydia have also collaborated on the documentary and Artists Anxiety Depression and Rage.