CPOV: Autographs

Today, Matt welcomes a rapper called Spose from Wells, Maine. Spose’s latest projects have included a collaborative record with Cam Groves called We Smoked It All 3: The Album and a solo record called Why Am I So Happy? Both were released in 2015. Matt had first seen Spose perform when he was in town with MC Chris and MC Lars in 2014—the same show in which MC Lars was interviewed for CCA Ep. #13. As that inevitably launches into a discussion of MC Lars’s uniquely supportive personality, Spose also chats about his dual influences from rap and rock, and who helped to inform his art & career. They also discuss Spose’s writing process, including an in-depth track breakdown of Why Am I So Happy? Finally, they discuss the effect that current events have had on Spose’s music, along with how he connected with the artist Watsky on the track “Nobody”. Enjoy!

Next Interview:

w/ Jared Sochinsky of Parade Grounds

Today Matt is joined by Grace Kendall, a ukulele folk singer/songwriter hailing from Asheville, North Carolina. With an album still fresh from March 2015 called Can You Hear Me?, Grace chats with Matt about how she got her start in the wizard rock scene, having performed under the name Snidget before transitioning to her given muggle namesake. Grace also chats about her inspirations, the indie music scene, and some unique ways in which she’s gotten her music out into the universe — including live streamed concerts! They even find extra time to mutually extol the Broadway hit Hamilton, so strap in!

Next Interview:

w/ Spose

Today Matt welcomes Storyville, a rapper, producer, and sound engineer hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. As a rapper, Storyville’s latest release is the collaborative album Soul Veggies, released in February 2015 with previous guest Mega Ran. With Matt, Storyville discusses how Soul Veggies came to be and how long it took to make happen. They also chat about the state of the music industry, the evolution of rap music, and Storyville’s work as a producer & engineer. Matt also dives into the accomplished engineer’s helpful audio production blog, The Pro Audio Files. Enjoy!

Next Interview:

w/ Grace Kendall

For the last Autographs of the year, Matt sits down with Bassist Peat Rains and Cellist Bryan Wilson of You Bred Raptors?, the inquisitively-titled, enigmatic instrumental band based in Astoria, Queens. Infused with funk, folk, jazz, classical, and alternative rock, the band’s discography is available on Bandcamp along with their latest LP, Grant, which was released in November of last year. Avid buskers, Peat & Bryan speak with Matt about what it’s like trying to make a living as full-time musicians in New York, and how the city’s ever-changing music scene continues to impact performers. They also discuss their differing tastes, their writing process, and their residency at the show Sleep No More.

Next Interview:

w/ Storyville

Today Matt welcomes Arizona rapper Bag of Tricks Cat. Curious about the name? Behind it is a sentimental story of how the rapper owes his deep love of music to his grandmother, Ann Bennett, who sang the “Felix the Cat” theme song in 1959. Although Bag of Tricks Cat has taken his music career in different directions, the love of music remains and is currently firing the production of an LP called Cat’s Out of the Bag, which will feature his already-released singles “Never Sober” and “Dream Girl”. The full album will be released in Summer 2016. With Matt, Bag of Tricks Cat discusses his biggest influences; his writing process; and close collaborator, touring mate, and former Autographs guest Mega Ran. He also chats about the video shoot for the “Dream Girl” single and about how the new record will differ from his previous, The Cat That Never Came Down.

Next Interview:

w/ You Bred Raptors?

Today Matt welcomes composer Joseph Bertolozzi. With a penchant for exploring unorthodox tools, timbres, and sound environments, Joe’s sonic ambitions are taking him to new heights and to new nations. Many may know Joseph for his previous album, Bridge Music, released in 2009 and composed using elements of percussion produced only by New York’s Mid-Hudson Bridge. To build on this project, Joseph’s newest album, Tower Music (or Musique de la Tour) will be composed using percussion sounds made only using the Eiffel Tower. It will be released by Innova Recordings — the label of the American Composers Forum — on April 29th, 2016. Hear Joseph chat about what it takes to record such large-scale projects and the challenges he must face when trying to promote and share them. Also hear him chat about his upbringing, his influences, his writing process, and what it’s like to compose music both with standard instrumentation and to use sounds from structures. Enjoy!

Next Interview:

w/ Bag Of Tricks Cat

Give a warm welcome to Claire Alys, an R&B/Soul singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. A teacher by day and a soul singer by night, Claire’s brand new EP Creature is now available and can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp. Listen to Claire chat with Matt about her writing process, her influences, and how she got started singing. She also chats about what it’s like to be an indie artist with a full time day job, about the choice to release an EP instead of a full-length, and about how being a musician has affected her teaching. She even shares some notes on her favorite books (both inside and outside the classroom).

Next Interview:

w/ Joseph Bertolozzi

Today Matt welcomes Kevin Martin, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the hard rock band, Candlebox. Candlebox recently signed with Pavement Entertainment and have a brand new album coming out early next year. Matt chats with Kevin about the writing process for the new album, some details about the band’s past, the influence of their self-titled debut, and how that album affected the band’s growth. Kevin also offers a fascinating perspective on what it was like to live and play during the rise of the grunge scene in Seattle. Finally, Kevin chats about his family life and down-time activities. He also mentions Candlebox’s current and upcoming tours, and discusses the future of the band.

Next Interview:

w/ Claire Alys

Today, Matt is joined by Carly Ritter, a country/folk singer-songwriter hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a self-titled debut now available on iTunes and Amazon, Carly Ritter chats with Matt about the time she’s currently spending in Nashville to hone her craft, and what she has come to learn from other songwriters. Hear her discuss the details of her songwriting process and where she pulls inspiration, all while stressing the importance of strong discipline when trying to learn anything with a creative mind. She also chats about the supportive nature of the independent creators community, and touches upon the works of bluegrass covers currently in the making.

‘Stage Photo’ credit: Kirk Stauffer Photography

Next Interview:

w/ Kevin Martin of Candlebox

Today Matt is joined by Ruben Romero, a writer at and founding member of the production company Think Alike Productions, a company that will appear at the 2015 New York Comic Con. Ruben was pointed in the direction of Autographs by previous guest Bob Salley (Ep. #27), who is also a member of Think Alike Productions. Touching upon Ruben’s role in the creation of Think Alike, Matt also pries into his creative origins as a writer, his past pursuits as a rapper, and some background on the two comics he is currently writing: The Agency & Prey for Angels. They also have a nice long tangent on the influence of Star Wars and their mutual excitement for The Force Awakens. Enjoy!

Next Interview:

w/ Carly Ritter