Choke Artist

pulses. & With Sails Ahead are two “progressive”-post hardcore bands from VA and NJ respectively. I got a chance to sit down with them right before a weekender tour together.

In this episode we talk about dumbass swancore redditors, phony networking, how COVID forced us all to unplug for a bit, scene clout pyramid schemes and more.

Bandcamp: pulses. / With Sails Ahead
Spotify: pulses. / With Sails Ahead

Choke Artist Shop: here

Rally Point is an indie/math rock band from Philly.  This podcast was recorded right after an impromptu show in my backyard.  The band’s original show had been cancelled due to a possible Covid exposure.  

We talk about their experiences in DIY, share some hell gig stories, talk about booking tours and more.

Check out their last EP “Transitional at Best” on bandcamp

My pal Mddy comes through to talk Ogbert, DIY, 5th wave emo, sending emails, publicists, and much more.

Check out the last Ogbert LP "I Don't Hate You" here

Also our bands our playing a show together at the Knitting Factory in BK, come through xo

Marcos Mena is the guitarist of LA based “fruit-rock” band Standards. After a couple of years of extensive touring and loads of online content, the band has etched a name for themselves as a super fun and colorful instrumental band.

If you know Marcos you know that he’s a super driven person. It was great to pick his brain about the music industry and what he’s done so far with his projects. Also was great to see how far he’s come as a person and musician in the past few years.

”yum !!” is out on 9/24. I’ve heard it and it rules so definitely check it out <3

Pre-order “yum !!” vinyl here
Watch the video for Papaya here

Vanessa is a friend I've made through touring to Chicago in bands. She is the guitarist of the band Crowning, freelances illustration/photography, and runs a DIY space in Chicago called "Empty Bliss".

In this episode we talk about getting older in DIY, the pitfalls of freelancing, the recording process for our bands and a lot more.

Listen to Crowning
Pre-order new Choke Artist comp

Kurt Travis is a singer/songwriter, primarily known for his work in the bands Royal Coda, A Lot Like Birds, and Dance Gavin Dance.

We talk a bit about what he’s been up to with his new company Big Wave, how the pandemic has affected his livelihood, and shoot the shit about some album’s he’s been a part of.  We also get into the pros and cons of being such a highly respected/influential musician.  DGD fandom gets a bit nerdy/culty so it was interesting to pick his brain about that.

Kurt’s a genuinely nice guy who loves music and it was rad to hang and talk with him for a bit

Shop: chokeartist.limitedrun.com

We talk gear!  We talk solos!  We talk attitude!!

Nah we did none of that.  But we did get to talk about some ins-and-outs that comes with being in a band online in 2021.  Adam is working on a collab project with Anthony Green which will be sick.  Ky's band Catbamboo just did a collab track with Kurt Travis called "Crave".  Both Sawce and Catbamboo have new albums coming out, and they're all super talented musicians so support them

sawce.bandcamp.com
catbamboo.bandcamp.com
chokeartist.limitedrun.com

Got to sit down with two friends that I’ve made through the NJ DIY scene.  Hope you’re okay with some goofing around and shit talking. Teddy and Ky are two people who aren’t afraid to speak their minds, which is something I think is highly valuable in a world where people play nice to get ahead.  We complain a bit about the scene and poke fun quite a bit.  Don’t get mad.

Check out Teddy’s podcast Chumbology: A Chumbawamba Anthology
and Check out Ky’s band steve.
buy a damn hat

2020 was a WILD year. I was lucky enough to release some great albums. On this episode, we go through one track from each LP released last year on Choke Artist.

Before each track plays there’s a ~5 minute discussion with members of each project. We talk about the track and it’s meaning, along with any anecdotes/fun facts. Was really cool to get some new insight on songs that I love and talk with everyone.

1. Floral - Saturday Night
2. Ultra Deluxe - The Cypress Stomp
3. Champagne Colored Cars - Cache Memory
4. Adventurer - House
5. kissies - Camp Shame
6. Grey Matter - Dang! (Love Yourself)
7. Snooze - Chesapeake
8. The Most - First Frost

At the end I get into some things to expect for 2021. Thanks everyone who supports this label. I really appreciate it <3

Deanna has some music industry experience that was really insightful and helpful for me to hear.  In addition to managing indie label Egg Hunt Records, she works as a tour publicist and was also integral in running a record shop/venue here in NJ. She also sings freelance and for the band Powerlines.

She came on to talk about shitty music licensing deals and how artists tend to get shafted by them, as well as her experiences working for her label and why she loves it so much. Tons of good stuff in this one, hope you dig it.

Also available on youtube: link