In the goth music genre, usually being listened to in some dank basement without much light, just AWESOME music, it's nice when a band cracks the window open, and lets some fresh air in from the usual doom and gloom. For that, we have "The Ritualists". Frontman, bassist, songwriter, drummer, producer, etc Christian Dryden and I covered so much of their influence, who they worked with to end up with their sound, and what makes the lyricist tick. I describe them as goth, with a great dance beat. The lyrics are just as harsh and deep as any, often making you think a lot, aside with some Duran Duran influenced Bunnymen sounding goth rock. Yeah, something for everyone.

I covered a lot of the first album "Baroque and Bleeding" and I got a good dive into the upcoming release "Too Pure to Cure", (It's a banger I promise)

I have been a fan of theirs since the pandemic, and a friend nudged me to reach out to them, and wow what a great convo was had.

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#theritualists #keananduffty #mariomcnulty #duranduran #echoandthebunnymen

Starting off as a band taking so many risks, 2 musicians from North Dakota, and a Geordie (A bloke from Newcastle England) on vocals, they embarked on an adventure by just starting a band.

Raynes have just released an EP called "49" using the California Gold Rush of 1849 as the backdrop of the stories being told. They use this for metaphors that could be about the actual gold rush, and taking those risks, or even today, forming a band and heading out to try and make it.

We discussed their folk songwriting abilities, their history, and even a dive into the Bible, along with what type of liquor their music would be branded with.

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#lloydcole #leonardcohen #folk #folkpop #westernfolk #drywhiskeyfolk #eastcoastrumfulm #appilaciamoonshinefolk #bookofjeremiah #babylonianexile #babylon #bookofdaniel #lamentationsofjeremiah #raynes #geordies

In the fashion world, there are philosophers, there are musicians there too, one who is a fashion designer, philosopher, and an incredible musician is Keanan Duffty, the mastermind of "Slinky Vagabond".

I had interviewed him on his previous album "King Boy Vandals" and now after harassing him endlessly for several months, he has released his newest album "Eternal Return", and it is every bit as great and eclectic as his other work.

With the Italian musical genius Fabio Fabbri on the helm for this album, also supported by Percy Jones, Glen Matlock, and Earl Slick, quite the cast this time around.

We covered their songwriting, and the beauty in how they find the right lyric, to the right guitar riff, in the midst of so much chaos. And even managed to laugh at ourselves in this one.

Enjoy .

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#kevingrady #davidbowie #earlslick #glenmatlock #algreen #midgeure #richardfortus #sexpistols #blondie #perceyjones

From my discovery of his music on the Trashcan Sinatras album "Cake" all the way through now, I have enjoyed the guitar and voice of (Sir?) John Douglas.

He released a self titled album last year where he did some reworking of old Sinatras hits, and some of his own material. It was full of rich guitar work, and focused in on vocals, and the lyrics.

We talked about the meaning behind some of his songs, and his storytelling process. We exchanged jokes about the Scottish method of storytelling in music, and why use one word when you can poetically use 27. His new work sounds nothing like the Trashcan Sinatras, but is more an introspective on looking back, understanding what happened in situations, and hoping to be wiser about things in the future.

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#johndouglas #trashcansinatras #scottishpopsingers #90sbritpop #markfreegard

After a successful round of crowdfunding, Shriekback are back in the studio as this very moment this episode airs, recording this new masterpiece.

In my preview of the basic working tracks, I realized that all of the Shriekback music was leading to this very moment, and building up to this album. The concepts that were covered in previous work are evident in the new songs, however they seem like they are culminating into something so monumental, prophetic, and frightening.

Barry and I had a great time covering the concepts, and history to make this album, and I heard enough of it to understand, this one might stand throughout time as an opus to our species, long after we are dust blown into the seas, or the Earth is sucked into the solar storms as our own sun goes nova.

Yeah, it's that kind of work.

Here is where you need to go for all of what they have to offer.

#shriekback #barryandrews #newwave #nemesis #prophets

Someone who has done it all, Lenny Zenith understood he was transgender at a young age, and was able to transition in the 70s. Since then Lenny has made some great music into the great Americana songbook, and performed with U2, Iggy Pop, The Replacements, and X. Nuff said there.

We talked about his music, transitioning, fears that have resurfaced, and his love for people. We also talked about getting old, and how that plays into his music too, especially on his new album "He/Hymn".

This is one that you would get lost in the rabbit hole listening to the songs over the years, and even get a kick out of the cabaret performances on youtube.

Lenny is an inspiration, and I hope he can reach more young people, he fought a hell of a fight, and so many can stand on his shoulders now.

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#lennyzenith #transmusicians #pitbullsforparolees #oldschoolpunk #americansongbook #whereissafe

In the world of screaming Scandinavian death metal, and so much uncertainty in the world right now, we have this amazing ethereal, post punk, post metal, Norwegian folk band "Kalandra".

There is no easy way to describe their music, or the content, or even the musicians themselves, they are just that quiet, soft, contemplative group, with the intensity of a hurricane crashing onto the shores of a volcano and the two trying to reconcile so much force. Yeah, that sort of describes them.

I talked to Katrina Stenbekk (vocals) and Jogeir Mæland (guitar, with a bow, composer, everything), and we discussed power in struggles, admitting personal weakness, needing personal weekness, connecting with so many things to enable your souls survival, and relenting and putting an end to generations of dysfunctional grief. WE also talked about their music. Just dive into this, watch the videos, find yourself crushed, and healed, at the same time.

We didn't even scratch the surface of their music, so, I am inviting you to dive into this one head first.

Watch these videos,

I AM Are You Ready? State Of The World

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#norsemusic #kalandra #frameofmind #etheralfolk #progfolk

IF you like "The Cure" from 1985 on, or "The Mission" from Children, then the ethereal dream goth dance band "Magic Wands" have something special for you.

I would describe them as "If The Chameleons, and The Cocteau Twins made music together".

I got to speak with Dexy, and Chris, about their lyrics, songwriting, ad hoc videos, and the chaos in recording their music. Magic Wands are a fun rabbit hole to go down.

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Andrew Choi of St Lenox has given us a new great oups, "Ten Modern American Work Songs". From his previous interview on his album "Superkamiocandi" which was a total winner. This new album takes on different themes, of work, cooking, and climbing out of poverty to get through law school.

He has so much to talk about, and make everything interesting. Enjoy

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#stlenox #andrewchoi #tenmodernsongsaboutwork

Hailing from London England, Wild Things are a band who have had a steady rise to where they are now. Having toured with The WHO, and KISS, Pete Townsend himself produced their most recent work, cause he liked them that much.

The new album "Afterglow" is a musical chose your own adventure, with easter eggs, playlists on spotify, etc, all of which will take you into a different story.

They have a great wide ranging sound, that perks interest across anything you will hear they play, and it will be even better diving into the new album.

I spoke with Syd, Rob, and Pete about their history, and influences, and the fun they have had just getting out and making music. They will likely become a listening favorite, I'm warning you ahead of time.

Listen to the album here

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#petetownsend #thewho #kiss #wildthingsband