Quarter Rest with Joe Diaco

Ray Padgett is a music blogger extraordinaire who writes about cover songs so you don't have to. His blog, Cover Me, has been going strong since 2007 with no signs of slowing down and his book I'm Your Fan, part of the 33 1/3 series, is available at a bookseller near you (or Amazon. But avoid Amazon). In part two of our interview, we continue our discussion of Ray's book, discuss Leonard Cohen's music even more and play a game of Original or Cover?! You won't want to miss it.

Ray Padgett is a music blogger extraordinaire who writes about cover songs so you don't have to. His blog, Cover Me, has been going strong since 2007 with no signs of slowing down and his book I'm Your Fan, part of the 33 1/3 series, is available at a bookseller near you (or Amazon. But avoid Amazon). In part one of our interview, Ray sat with me across virtual time-space and talked about the history and purpose of the tribute album, the music of Leonard Cohen and the Machiavellian game of realpolitik that entails being the reigning King of Covers. Long live the King!

This week's guest hardly needs an introduction. Crash Test Dummies was one of the most successful Canadian rock bands of the '90s, with off-beat--even morbid--hits like Superman's Song and Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm built on Brad Roberts's unusually deep voice. Roberts--who was touring with the old band to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the 1994 smash hit album God Shuffled His Feet before a certain pandemic ground things to a halt--joined me to talk about differences between Canada and the United States (where he now resides), Archie Comics and his new quarantine adventures in learning the piano.

Sam Crooks, one half of London progressive acoustic folk/jazz/rock duo Gatekeepers, joined me from across the pond in Merry Olde England to talk about songwriting, pandemic funtimes and the conspiracy behind Boris Johnson's hair... because you just know there's something going on with that hair that they're not telling us!

Check out Gatekeepers on Spotify.

Harrison Hsiang from Burlington, Vermont indie rock band Couchsleepers talks about songwriting, neuroscience and his problems with sleep. The singer/guitarist also plays some tunes, including some new material!

Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Director Amy Henderson joined me to discuss... well, business and arts! The choir director and non-profit leader talks Newfoundland music and culture, choir directing technique and how the arts can be beneficial to the private sector economy.

"Active since 2014, [Business and Arts NL is] a non-profit membership based organization working to:

• Identify and foster alliances between the arts and community collaborators in the private, public and social sectors. 

Chris Blades from Toronto maple leaf raggers Birds of Bellwoods joined me to talk about their new single Pinebox, making music in Toronto and the trials and tribulations of touring in Canada. Check these indie rock'n'folksters out on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube. You won't regret it.

#BirdsofBellwoods

Halifax, Nova Scotia singer/songwriter and bandleader Alex MacNeil (Alexander and the Great Ones) joins me to discuss the Canadian music industry, his favorite influences and the way forward for musicians during difficult times.

Check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music and BandCamp.

Burlington, Vermont indie singer/songwriter/piano woman Andriana Chobot joins me for a conversation about acting, music tech and Sondheim. Listen and learn how you too can #livelovelaugh your best life to the fullest just like she is!

Introducing JONNY STRIKES UP THE BAND, a new Quarter Rest series featuring Jon Martin. In this week's episode, the hosts each review four albums picked by the other that they have never heard. Enjoy Part 2, a rare occasion where the sequel is just as good if not better than the first installment!

Editing by Franck: https://www.instagram.com/frc.audio/