Stereo Embers: The Podcast

"Electric Sea View" Well, it’s hard for us to think of a more charming, beguiling and altogether mysterious band than The Bats. The New Zealand outfit got their start in 1982 in Christchurch and their By Night EP in '84 was one of the first releases for the now legendary Flying Nun label. Flying Nun aren’t the only legendary ones in this conversation—The Bats fall into that category as well. With ten album under their belts, including classics like Silverbeet, The Law of Things and Free All The Monsters, The Bats remain one of the most consistently brilliant bands around. Although they’re based in NZ, over the course of their career they’ve toured the U.S. and Europe, including a stint opening for Radiohead. Their CV also includes playing SXSW, garnering rave reviews from magazines ranging from Mojo to Uncut, being shortlisted for the prestigious Taite Music prize and playing in front of nearly 150,00 people for the free relief concert in Hagley Park after the 2010 Canterbury earthquake. The Bats sometimes take a year between records and other times they take ten. But no matter how long they take, their work just keeps shining with that unique Bats sound. Their new album Foothills might even be their best yet. Filled with sneaky rhythms, wistful melodies and poetic lyrics, the fact is The Bats have never sounded better. In this conversation with bassist and New Zealand Hall of Fame inductee Paul Kean, the subjects range from what’s kept the Bats lineup unchanged for 40 years, their admiration of Nirvana and editorial honesty within the ranks of the band.

"I Like The Way You Talk About The Future" With the U.S. Presidential election wrapping up, Alex admits the week-long process of declaring a winner left him feeling pretty drained. Although therapeutic remedies were manifold, he found the easiest way to calm his nerves was to talk to a Canadian. The Canadian in question? Sam Roberts. The Quebec-born singer/songwriter has just put out his new album All Of Us and in this conversation he talks to Alex about how he writes songs, why renting a cabin to be creative only results in doing cabiny things, the limitations of putting a new album out during a pandemic and what it's like being a misty-eyed middle aged dad. Thoughtful, funny and honest, Roberts is one of the most engaging guys around and his new album is one of the year's very best.

“Election Night Ratio” We’re posting this podcast on election night and we can’t bear to glimpse the results because right now, the ratio is disturbingly close. However, there’s another ratio we’d rather think about and that’s A Certain Ratio. The legendary Manchester band has just put out a new album called ACR Loco and it’s another genre-defying effort, replete with jagged electronica, inventive percussion, and more sonic adventures than most bands can manage in a career. In this conversation, the band’s drummer Donald Johnson talks to Alex about why it’s important to listen to music you don’t like, what it was like to not make an album for 12 years and trying to figure out how to know when to re-enter the live music scene in the time of COVID. They also talk about the art form of the album as a true experience....

“The Strongest People Have Tender Hearts” Evangeline Gentle is strong—one would have to be to start playing clubs at 14. While it’s true that the Scottish born, Canadian raised singer/songwriter did indeed make their foray into live music at a young age, their incandescent songs about love and loneliness could make even the loudest bar go quiet with utter awe. With a voice that soars across each composition with finesse and grace and observational lyrics that bring to mind everyone from Patty Griffin to Beth Orton, Gentle’s blend of indie folk and atmospheric roots music is one of the most stirring sounds you’ll ever hear. In this conversation Gentle talks to Alex about being creative in the time of COVID, having a supportive musical family and why hearing the saying that you have your whole life to make your first album and a year to make your second is kind of freaking them out….

"Remembering Tony Lewis" We look back at Alex's chat with the late Tony Lewis of the Outfield. The original title was "Tony Lewis Is Always On Time," and it was recorded in 2018. The former Outfield frontman tells Alex that he and his bandmate John Spinks were always known for being punctual and he’s continuing that tradition. But, he confesses, away from his musical life, he’s rarely on time ever. In this interview Lewis talks about his new solo album Out Of The Darkness, the death of his musical partner Spinks and the joys of being a grandfather. He also tells Alex what his personal favorite track is on his new album and how he was influenced by Paul McCartney.

“What You Get Is What You See” Jessie Wagner has seen a lot. As a touring vocalist with Duran Duran, Little Steven and Lenny Kravitz, the Virginia native has not only seen the world several times over, she’s seen how pros like the aforementioned artists run their businesses, handle their affairs and keep their careers on track. Now commandeering her own solo career, Wagner made the decision to employ what she learned all those years on tour. On her debut album Shoes Droppin’, the charismatic singer checks in with an album of spunky soul, groovy R&B and stirring roots music. Falling somewhere between the work of Roberta Flack and Fleetwood Mac, Wagner’s album is refreshing, stirring and rousing. In this conversation she talks to Alex about finding her voice in college at a pageant, missing her best friend’s wedding to play a gig with Kravitz and how a post-college pharmacy career was not the career she really wanted. Candid, open and honest, Wagner speaks about the tricky art of putting out an album during Covid, how much she misses the stage and the sacrifices we make for our art.

“We Sure Could Use A Smooth New Day” Euripides once said, "Life is a short affair; we should try to make it smooth and free from strife….” Well, if you’re having trouble in the free from strife department, throw on some Dave Koz and let the smooth begin. Kos’s new album A New Day is as smooth as it comes—not only does it feature guest performances from Brian McNight, Earth Wind and Fire's Ralph Johnson, and David Sanborn, it’s Koz’s first album of new material in almost ten years. From the rousing title track to the affecting reading of the Beatles “Yesterday," A New Day demonstrates that not only is Koz a deft player with finesse and groove, he’s still as smooth as they come. In this conversation, the saxophonist talks to Alex about trying to stay positive, coming out at 40 and how growing up his instrument became a haven for his pain.

“I Am A Complicated And Potentially Agonizingly Frustrating Person" John Vanderslice may describe himself that way, but as far as interviewees go, Vanderslice is the least difficult guy around. Genial, open, and forthcoming, Vanderslice will chat about anything. In this conversation, the Florida-born singer/songwriter talks to Alex about politics, taking drugs, his rejection of conventional life and why he had to leave San Francisco. They also talk about his newfound love of Los Angeles, owning up to his mistakes and doing an interview with Alex in 1993. Vanderslice is one of the most inventive, innovative and fascinating musicians around and his new EP EEEEP! is a textured song cycle that’s rich with synth loops, acoustic guitars and subtle, but catchy choruses.

“I’m Worried About America” I’m worried about America the country for obvious reasons. But I’m worried about America the band, too. With COVID-19 decimating the live music industry, the legendary band haven’t been able to tour and the future, for the time being, is uncertain. But with a new album on the way and a mammoth box set called Half Century out now, things have never been better for America. Except for the not being able to tour part. In this interview with Dewey Bunnell, the singer/songwriter talks to me about his level of anxiety in the Covid age, his lifelong friendship with Gerry Beckley and staying creative during lockdown. He also talks about working with legendary Beatles producer George Martin, growing up in an English/American household and his love of the blues.

"The Indie Rock Grand Slam" Alright, so Tanya Donelly is one of the few to have completed the indie rock grand slam. In tennis, it’s the Australian, the French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and in music terms, it’s being in three undeniably great bands and then having a successful, critically acclaimed slo carer. Think about it—how many people can you name who have done this? Donelly was in Throwing Muses, the Breeders and the Grammy nominated Belly and her critically acclaimed solo career, bolstered by albums like Love Songs For Underdogs is impossible to deny. The Rhode Island-born musician is not only a magnetic figure, with tons of onstage charisma, she’s a brilliant and evocative lyricist, whose work is a dreamy blend of Anne Sexton, Wallace Stevens and Leonard Cohen. Heavily imagistic and loaded with mysterious symbols that shimmer and fade and turn to gold then dissolve in the dark and rise again as stars with colors you’ve never seen before, Donelly's work really sticks with you. There are shipwrecks, and moonbeams and rain and weird lights and dogs with seek through skin—you know, the kind of skin you can see through. The fact is, Tanya Donnelly is a fascinating and brilliant writer as well as being a fascinating and brilliant singer. Her vocal gymnastics are subtle, powerful and deeply arresting. She’s a mysterious and captivating artist and on her new album along with the Tarkington Sisters, Donelly covers some of her favorite tracks by The Go-Go’s, Leonard Cohen, Kirsty MacColl, Split Enz, Linda Ronstadt, The Pretenders, Wings and Mary Margaret O’Hara. In this chat, Donelly talks to Alex about being an introvert, her love of Echo and the Bunnymen and how long it took her to feel comfortable onstage. She also talks about how a clean house is perfect for writing, being creative in the time of Covid and why Elvis Perkins knocks her out….