Lasers on the Ride

S02e31 is here and the Lasers welcome journalist/writer/tv newsman Julian McKenzie to talk a lil bit of everything with Mike and Markings. The discussion opens up with talk of Julian’s investigation into Artbeat and they talk Kaytranada and his 99.9% album and Quebec media’s response to his success. They talk Kanye a lil, what’s going on there and his process in production, and then rundown Julian’s professional life at the moment, including weathermanning on tv. They talk finding samples and Markings puts forth a way to test hip hopness that Mike and Julian dispute before they hit Top of the Hour and answer some questions. They talk a bit about the GOAT conversation and discuss the difference between mixtape and album and whether there is one before discussing some of the artists they’re currently bumping and shouting out Dirtwork for his placement on Carter V. They discuss what it means to be black and talk some of the signifiers and then pick dream guests for the podcast before Julian talks about his biggest interviews to date. To close out they talk the art of the interview, the importance of attention to detail, and the root of all CONFiiiiiid-ence. Lasers!!!

S02e30 has Brittain back to co-host with Mike as they welcome singer CYBER to the podcast to talk all things artistry and other stuff too. They open up by discussing wine, pros and cons, and then examine what it takes to go local to worldwide as an artist in Montreal. Cyber talks about what making it means to her and the group discusses repping the suburbs and living at home forever (and ever). They talk artistic integrity and compromise and balancing the two to achieve those big ol’ dreams before Brittain tries to convince Mike and Cyber to share some unreleased music and Mike explains why he hates to play demos. They talk Frank Ocean and SZA and melodies in modern Rn’B and then compare/contrast Michael Jackson and Prince before Cyber generously shares a demo that she’s working on and they talk vocals. They do Top of the Hour to answer some Qs before Mike and Cyber commiserate over the process and talk how to deal with the business end of music. They choose favorite contemporary singers, Cyber plays Fudge It Pick a Record! and they discuss the impact of Lemonade, the album not the drink. To close out, Cyber draws her self-portrait while Mike reveals his ego-maniac tendencies and they talk the perils of the underground (malls). Laserssssssssssssssss.

S02e29 features Jay back to chat with Mike and oft-co host Markings about what’s happening aka the haps. Things kick off with Jay talking about his recent conversion to Islam and engagement to marry and the group explores Markings’ arrival to the podcast and Jay’s feels in that regard. They discuss Combat Jack and Mike disagrees that Lasers bears any resemblance to his show, they talk rolling backwoods and break down influential rappers by category. Jay explains his sudden change of heart and briefly touch ‘pon Awkwafina before they hit Top of the Hour. They discuss weaponizing drugs and alcohol, compare and contrast Future and Young Thug and explore the inherent problems with sleep deprivation. They move on to Costco hot dogs, talk west coast beats and the hyphy sound taking over cali, and Mike disparages Guru. They workshop beard trying technology, talk Premier and then Jermaine Dupri and examine whether it’s wrong to watch true crime. To close out they talk different saxes, whether Jay has a Muslim name and final words should the world end. Lazzzzers!

S02e28 features Markings back with Mike to welcome vintage clothing seller Brittain (guys, it me!!) as a co-host to the show! We kick off by talking Montreal and whether the low cost of living turns out bums, move on to the horrible horns in the Joe Budden Podcast and explore the extent to which Markings and Mike dabbled in battle rap. We discuss the Montreal art scene, I unveil my theory on Quebec’s white rappers before conversation turns to appropriation and respecting the source in culture. We appreciate Mac Miller for a moment, I tell an embarrassing snap pants story from my past and Mike and Markings examine their shared dream more closely. We talk animosity in personal/professional relationships and whether there’s a place for it when warranted, toxic masculinity and whether women have any role to play in its propagation and men blaming women for not wanting them. We move on to gossip, emotional outbursts, calling people like they are (sometimes shitty), and then why certain people should shut up about certain things. I break down some style stuff, celebrate YG and talk Fall trends before we fondly reminisce upon the way way too big clothing of yore. To close out, we talk conditioning in relationships, whether love is just our relationships with our parents but better, and favorite Jay-Z lines as we unveil our portraits.

S02e27 features Markings back as co-host as he and Mike welcome writer / artist / media personality Lex Garcia to the Lasers podcast! They kick things off by talking how Lex and Markings met and then examine latinos deciphering latinos and what role race plays in hispanic households. Mike wonders how the rest of Latin America views Brasil, they discuss the glory of Guatemala and talk fighting as kids and a little bit adults too. They hit Top of the Hour to answer some questions, discuss it being your own people and then growing up latino. Lex recalls an evening with Coeur de Pirate and mispronounces Dutty Rock for everyone’s enjoyment, they talk slang, and disagree a little on Junot Diaz. Lex Garcia shares his reasoning behind living sober, Markings tells a sax story and Mike shares some wisdom on psychedelics. Lex explains why he pulled down his socials as he draws his self-portrait, breaks down a couple of his upcoming projects and they discuss the twitter eco-system. To close out they talk humbling oneself through removing facial hair, rules for echos and denim shorts with dads. Lasers Lasers!

S02e26 welcomes Jay and KC back to the show to investigate the new graffiti that’s suddenly appeared on the studio door and also make jokes in between. They kick off by bemoaning the end of Summer, examining their carbon footprint and talking possible pivots in podcasting that they could explore. Things start to get serious in their deep dive into the graffiti - ie numerology gets thrown around - while Jay and Mike defend sex work and the Lasers explore backtracking on technology. They talk curating and what goes into the vintage clothing business, tell a story of how KC saw Jay’s privates and hit Top of the Hour for question time. They get deep into their theories on the door doodles and start to connect the dots before exploring the artist lifestyle and whether the abdication of duties is a necessary evil or a convenient perk. They discuss Jay’s white privilege, Mike’s most controversial opinions and touch upon domestic violence before closing out with an appreciation for Filipino culture. Lasers!

S02e25, Fragments (aka In Memoriam), features Jay back in the mix to talk shop. They kick off by talking kratom, a new but old drug but not drug that Jay’s toying with whilst rehabbing, and discuss seeing random private parts in public and possible facial hair styles. Jay brings up The Combat Jack Show and the drama between the hosts before they talk wearing lady clothes and the untimely passing of Zombie Boy who was a neighbour to the studio. They discuss malls dying, a day in the life of Mark Zuckerberg were he Jay and the future of ageing. They hit Top of the Hour and answer some personal Qs before discussing the dangers of the road and Jay’s prolonged withdrawal from the internet. They reminisce over some Zombie Boy memories, speak sleeping aids, possible nude scene performance aids and probabilities of partaking in group sex. They close out by taking a closer look at friendship amongst geriatrics and discussing self-esteem for dudes. LASERS! of course

S02e24 features our favorite guest co-host Markings as the podcast welcomes Montreal creative director Miro LaFlaga to the show!! They kick things off by talking KREAM (kids run everything around me) and Montreal being a creative hub before getting serious about art and commerce and whether the twain shall meet. The crew discusses economics in underserved communities, Miro breaks down his take on branding, and Markings talks the importance of sharing information. Miro gives us some background on his journey and insight into managing your socials and then talks being professional in creative fields. They hit Top of the Hour and discuss the importance of your circle and whether there’s any such thing as a selfless act. They discuss funniest people, best Wu-Tang member and whether cool is dead before they talk face tattoos and who gets the credit. They get pretty deep into the concept of art and draw some lines in the sand between art, content and commodity and Miro gets down to his self-portrait (go follow on the gram to see the self-portraits btw!). They talk influence and how to use it, controversial opinions in music and the class of 2008 for rappers (blog rap stand up!) before closing out with an argument about DMX. ummmmm LASERS!

s02e23 features Jay and KC back in the fray! Jay opens with an unfortunate tale involving fender benders before the gang deliberates on the various Anthony Andersons and talk the virtues of bowling good. They debate whether one can indeed ‘rassle with other people’s kids, Jay expounds on sweatpants and gives TMI on his privates. He shares a little insight into a project he’s working on and then into his penis off drugs before Mike talks Prince’s body of work. They hit Top of the Hour and play classic musician charades while talking different types of foods and assuming that Jay’s is under-seasoned. Mike makes peace with his life’s choices, Jay holds hands with a stranger and they talk masturbation interrupted before KC and Mike dash Jay’s hopes of landing a job on CBC. They close out on further masturbation speak, this time nostalgia edition, and make a Klay Thompson joke. Lasers!

S02e22 features Markings back as co-host as he and Mike welcome Stephen Malhotra aka Punjabi Playboy aka PJPB aka PJ aka Double P aka Spook One to the podcast! They kick things off by getting to know PJ as Mike calls him a little before talking Drake’s influence and beigeness. Moving forward Markings and Spook play Mike’s Hot Take Invitational (First Annual) where they hot take against one another while Mike arbitrates before they talk whether charisma is king in rap and hit Top of the Hour and answer some questions. The gang discusses the Montreal music scene, who’s popping out here and then the problems inherent to art in Quebec before Double P starts his self-portrait and gets deep about his content. Mike and PJPB recall an internet incident they once had over some of PJPB’s work, Markings spills tea about blocked opportunities for Montreal rap radio and Spook shares his major daily needs. The group discusses why Montreal rap struggles to find its place, how to come to terms with front facing camera usage and how they want to be remembered/eulogized before talking top humans on earth. To close out they talk spicy takes on Montreal music and the pursuit of happiness, really.