Welcome to Episode 44 of Tapestry. Today my guests are two online pals of mine, Stephen Forristall and Jonah Robertson, who from two different time zones complete the so-called ‘comedic prog rock’ duo Empire Bathtub. In addition to focusing on their ridiculous and hilarious debut album ‘Looney Moons,’ we also chat about their upcoming collaborations with other online musicians, how technology has eased the barrier to entry for said collaborations, why music inspires them, and some good old’ fashioned life regrets.

https://empirebathtub.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/empirebathtub/

https://www.instagram.com/empire_bathtub/

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#progressiverock

#looneymoons

#empirebathtub

#comedy

#progrock

Welcome to Episode 43 of Tapestry, where I got to chat with Ethan Rose and Myke Wilken of the Nashville alt-pop/hiphop duo about their roots. They discuss how they met over hot cider and found their shared voice, how their music and rhymes illuminate the challenges faced by the millennial generation, and opinions on why creative individuals should make songs about their own personal narratives.

https://www.allswellrecords.com/artists/puffhost

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PuffHostLife/

Instagram - instagram.com/puffhost

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#hiphop

#duo

#puffhost

#millenial

#alternative

#pop

#rap

#nashville

Welcome to Episode 42 of Tapestry, where I had an extremely informative conversation with Kelli Rae Tubbs, the 2020 recipient of the Paul Charosh Independent Scholar Fellowship. We discuss her journey which began with a curiosity about her family tree, but ultimately led her down a path towards researching the history of drums, to how she became a bandleader and collector of early 20th century instruments, on how her philosophy of “saying yes” has shaped her career as a professional percussionist, her involvement in the Hit Like a Girl contest, and much more.

📷: Michael Schaaf, Schaaf Images

Intro and outro music:

"Calcutta Rodeo," performed by Andy LaCasse and Kelli Rae Tubbs

"The Downfall of Paris," performed by Chuck Linderkamp and Kelli Rae Tubbs

www.KelliRaeTubbs.com

Youtube - www.youtube.com/KelliRaeTubbs

Facebook - facebook.com/KelliRaeTubbsDrums

Twitter - twitter.com/KelliRaeTubbs

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#percussion

#drums

#musichistory

#bandleader

#swing

Welcome to Episode 41 of Tapestry, where today I chatted with my friends in the self-described 'Appalachian desert rock' band Jakethehawk on how excited they are to reveal their new riffs to the world, how adversity shapes musical expression, and some profound thoughts on how maybe your local music scene ISN’T special, but why that’s okay. Plus some stories about having to go number two on tour.

📷: Shannon Kenyon

Instagram - instagram.com/jakethehawkpgh

Facebook - facebook.com/jakethehawkpgh

Bandcamp - jakethehawk.bandcamp.com

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#jakethehawk

#pittsburgh

#stoner

#desertrock

#heavyrock

#riffs

#fuzz

#doom

Welcome to Episode 40 of Tapestry, where my friend Edward Banchs, author of the book Heavy Metal Africa, so graciously educated me about many facets of his experiences as an ethnologist, African studies graduate, scholar, journalist, author, and of course, a “professional metalhead.” On this episode we discuss what inspired him to get his boots on the ground and author his book investigating the heavy metal subculture in Africa, the sociopolitical and religious factors shaping music scenes in countries such as Kenya and Madagascar, contracting malaria while staying in Nairobi, and the horror of a 9 hour sound check.

Go support his work and read his book, Heavy Metal Africa: Life, Passion and Heavy Metal in the Forgotten Continent.

Additional thanks to ARKA’N for allowing me to use their song ‘Warrior Song’ as the intro and outro music. Go buy their music here: https://arkan1.bandcamp.com/releases

Facebook: Heavy Metal Africa; 


Twitter: @edwardbanchs, @heavymetalafrica 


Instagram:@heavymetalafrica

📷: Ashley Reynolds

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#heavymetalafrica

#edwardbanchs

#author

#africa

#heavymetal

#arkan

#kenya

#southafrica

#ethnology

#metalhead

On Episode 39, Dani Rabin, founding member and guitarist of Chicago-based jazz outfit Marbin, leaves me with an astounding amount of philosophical takes—he muses about his thoughts on the lack of consensus in the jazz genre and the influence of the cultural zeitgeist on labels, how editing has opened the door to accuracy - and what that means for people trying to preserve perfection, why his band DOESN’T rehearse, and at long last, an explanation of the story behind their song “Alabama Sock Party!”

**Also note that since this interview was conducted, of course thanks to COVID-19 precautions, Marbin’s tour has unfortunately been cancelled. So you’ll hear us discussing tour dates which are no longer happening. That being said, most of the band members are conducting lessons via Skype and offering their musical talents to you in many ways if you’re quarantined at home, so please go follow the links below.

facebook.com/marbinmusic

marbinmusic.com

marbinmusic.bandcamp.com

bandsintown.com/marbin

Instagram: marbinmusic

📷: Jeff Bassinson

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#jazz

#marbin

#jazzfusion

#practice

#funk

#jamband

#prog

Welcome to Episode 38 of Tapestry. Today’s guest is soon-to-be-Nashville-based alternative rapper, 0-Brien. He shared his wholly genuine thoughts about rejecting the notion of censorship, battling with mental health issues and interlocking them with his aggressive rap style, and on the definition of success for him as an artist.

📷: Alex Wade

Instagram - @torturedhim

Twitter - @torturedhim

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#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicinterview

#0brien

#nashville

#alternative

#rap

#rapper

#aggro

#punk

Welcome to Episode 37 of Tapestry, where I speak with Michael Harren, a multi-talented artist working out of Brooklyn, NYC. His resumé includes such bullet points as artist-in-residence at an animal rescue sanctuary, music director, pianist, composer, vegan activist, zine-creator, author, and fellow music podcast host.

His honest conversation with me covers things like using music as a form of covert self-expression in a closeted space, how the death of his mother galvanized his efforts to transform his music into a more interactive and personal live performance, and his thoughts on the role of deadlines, self-doubt, and purpose in creating art.

📷: Diana Bezanski

Twitter/IG: @michaelharren

FB/YT: @michaelharrenmusic

His podcast is Mikeypod, available where you listen to podcasts.

www.michaelharren.com

#tapestrymusicpodcast

#musicpodcast

#musicinterview

#activist

#author

#brooklyn

#closeted

#comingout

#commune

#composer

#educator

#electronic

#gay

#gayman

#grief

#houston

#india

#intimacy

#intimate

#laurieanderson

#lgbt

#liveshow

#michaelharren

#mikeypod

#newyork

#performanceartist

#pianist

#piano

#podcast

#podcaster

#podcasthost

#selfdoubt

#sexwork

#tamerlaine

#tentativearmor

#vegan

#veganism

#yokoono

#zine

Welcome to Episode 36 of Tapestry - today Connecticut-based math rock and post-hardcore three-piece The Refectory joined me to chat about some personal family experiences influencing their new music, how trying to control an audience’s emotions can limit your art, and some dicey experiences from their past tours.

📷: Jon DeCarlo

therefectory.bandcamp.com

Instagram: @therefectoryct

#connecticut

#ctverses

#dadrock

#dads

#experimental

#gear

#houseshow

#lightbar

#lightshow

#liveshows

#mathrock

#newhaven

#orbiter

#pedalboard

#posthardcore

#progressive

#progrock

#snowpiler

#theghostsonata

#therefectory

#vonnegut

Welcome to Episode 35 of Tapestry, where Evan Carson (composer of my album of the year in 2019!) allowed me to pick his brain about being a professional percussionist. We discuss his epic genre-bending debut album Ocipinski, which retraces his grandfather’s journey across Europe and involvement with the Polish resistance movement during World War II, the differences in his practice routines and habits when he’s playing and touring with Russian progressive rock duo iamthemorning, versus touring and playing festivals across the UK with award-winning British folk act Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, and on overcoming imposter syndrome, the misconception that percussionists can’t compose, and working toward his strengths as a musician.

📷: Miles Skarin

Stay up to date on all Evan’s projects here:

https://www.facebook.com/evancarsondrums/

https://evancarsondrums.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.evancarsondrums.com/

Instagram: @evancarsondrums

I also want to wholeheartedly thank Stephen Forristal, who was already networking with Evan and passed along my information to him, which led to this interview! Please check out some of the projects he has a hand in as well:

https://theprogressivesubway.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Empire-Bathtub-105591630977007/

Topics of discussion for this episode:

#BBCradio

#beprog

#bodhran

#bristol

#britain

#britishfolk

#caligulashorse

#cello

#celtic

#collaboration

#composer

#composition

#craigblundell

#debutalbum

#drummer

#drums

#english

#europe

#evancarson

#folk

#folkmusic

#folkmusician

#folkpercussion

#frost*

#gavinharrison

#georgialewis

#glebkolyadin

#historicalmusic

#history

#iamthemorning

#impostersyndrome

#jimgrey

#jordanrudess

#london

#oceansounds

#ocipinski

#otriad

#percussion

#percussionist

#poland

#polish

#professionalmusician

#prog

#progrock

#samkelly

#scotland

#self-esteem

#sethlakeman

#stevenwilson

#strings

#thelostboys

#thetweedproject

#touring

#unexpect

#uk

#viola

#violin

#vocalists

#westend

#worldmusic

#worldwarii