When I met with André Allen Anjos aka RAC (Remix Artist Collective), he was a few beers into his night. RAC is one of the most prolific remixers in indie music and he has recently ventured into making his own material. RAC remixes are always a favorite of mine, so I was psyched to talk with Andre. Listen to our chat. (FYI: Beer makes this sweet guy very candid.)

Tracks played on the show...

1) RAC ft Penguin Prison "Hollywood" (single)

2) Tokyo Police Club "Wake Up (Boots of Danger)" (RAC remix) **

3) Lana Del Rey "Blue Jeans" (RAC remix)

4) Bloc Party "Octapus" (RAC remix)

** Only Tokyo Police Club is CANCON

New York singer, musician, producer and remixer Chris Glover aka Penguin Prison has one of the smoothest voices in indie electro-pop right now. Take a listen and you’ll agree.

Chris has a surprisingly long and varied music resume, so I was amped to chat with him last time he was in town. When Neon Trees soundcheck was too loud in the background, we ended up trekking all over downtown Vancouver to find a suitable spot to chat, then… Well, I’ll let you listen to the interview to find out what happens!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Penguin Prison "The Worse It Gets" (RAC remix) (single)

2) RAC ft Penguin Prison "Hollywood" (single)

3) Penguin Prison, Penguin Prison "Fair Warning" (partial)

4) Penguin Prison, Penguin Prison "Something I’m Not"

NO songs CANCON

SonReal aka Aaron Hoffman is a skater turned rapper from the ski town of Vernon who now makes his home in Vancouver. He just released a collab album, The Closers, with Toronto up-and-comer Rich Kidd. It’s kind of cool to see two Canuck talents team up, right?

I met SonReal after a long day in a park just off Main Street and Broadway. As we watched dogs play with Frisbees, I got Aaron’s thoughts on SonReal‘s origins, Canadian hip hop and his collab with Rich Kidd.

Tracks played on the show...

1) SonReal, Good News “Up Up Up”

2) SonReal, Good News “I Feel Like” (ft Big Pooh)

3) K-Os “Faith (Part 2)” (ft Drake) (background)

4) SonReal & Rich Kidd, The Closers “Mind All Day”

5) SonReal & Rich Kidd, The Closers “Hometown”

ALL songs CANCON

THEESatisfaction is Cat and Stas. The pair live, laugh, love, dance and create in Seattle. They were one of the first hip hop acts signed to legendary indie music label Sub Pop. This might have been seen as a bit of a weird move for an indie music label… (Sub Pop is remembered as the epicenter for all things “alternative” in the 90s–they were the home of Nirvana among many others) …But really, good music is good music.

Check out “Do You Have Time?” In the words of THEESatisfaction: “A love song about pot, or is that a pot song about love?” Take a listen to THEESatisfaction, though, and you can see why Sub Pop snapped up these two talented women. They are a potent mix of introspective Slam Poetry, Black Jazz and Sunday morning soul–100% hip hop. Listen to our chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Do You Have Time?"

2) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Foliage"

3) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "Morning SAMO"

4) THEESatisfaction, Snow Motion mixtape "Bisexual"

5) THEESatisfaction, Transitions mixtape "I Nigress"

NO songs CANCON

Ryan Hemsworth started as a lonely boy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He used the Internet to put out his music and find other cool people to collaborate with. Before he knew it, one of his tracks was on the BBC, he was producing for rappers via email, and then he was discovering new friends like Baauer and Shlomho.

There’s no denying the guy is hardworking and dedicated, but it’s still amazing to me to see how the Internet can connect people all over the world. Listen to my chat with a fellow music nerd.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Ryan Hemsworth, Last Words EP “Charlie Wingate”

2) Grimes “Genesis” ft Deniro Farrar (Ryan Hemsworth remix)

3) Ryan Hemsworth, Last Words EP “Slurring” (Baauer remix)

4) Ryan Hemsworth, No Plans “Good Things Never Last”

ALL songs CANCON

Liars is a three piece band (originally from New York). They are known for dramatic stylistic shifts between records. Their latest album WIXIW (a made up word, pronounced “Wish You”) came from a long period of isolation. On this record, Liars head in a more electronic direction.

While we relax in the band’s deluxe tour van, I quiz Angus (vocals/guitar) about everything, including giving critics the middle finger. Listen to our chat.

Tracks played in the show...

1) Liars, WIXIW "No. 1 Against the Rush"

2) Liars, WIXIW "Brats"

3) Liars, Sisterworld "Scarecrows on a Killer Slant"

4) Liars, WIXIW "Octagon"

NO songs CANCON

Does anyone remember DFA 1979? They were an alternative rock/noise rock duo that sadly imploded after only one studio record. Well Australian duo, DZ Deathrays have picked up that sword and are storming the world, one bottle of tequila at a time.

DZ Deathrays are known for two things, powerful shows and their legendary drinking. (Check out the video for their track “The Mess Up” if you need evidence.)

When I got to the venue to do the interview, the guys were “out getting something to drink” and I was a little nervous they were gonna come back completely bombed, but I couldn’t have been in for more of a pleasant surprise.

Tracks played on the show...

1) DZ Deathrays Bloodstreams "Dollar Chills"

2) DZ Deathrays No Sleep "Gebbie Street"

3) DZ Deathrays No Sleep "The Mess Up"

4) DZ Deathrays Bloodstreams "Teenage Kickstarts"

NO songs CANCON

The New Forms Festival is on this week. New Forms is an electronic music festival that showcases local and international talent. It’s your chance to catch some new media art, music, film, technology based installation and performance. The festival boasts an impressive lineup this year.

This week, I chat with New Forms Foundation Director Malcolm Levy, Michael Red (one half of electronic act Chambers and New Forms curator), and Evy Jane (local electronic music act and New Forms performer). Take a listen!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Evy Jane, Evy Jane EP "Sayso”

2) Michael Red “Saint Lucy”

3) Evy Jane, Evy Jane EP "Ohso” (Max Ulis remix)

ALL songs CANCON

Pop music is finally becoming a welcoming place for openly gay artists. Adam Lambert may not have won American Idol that year he competed, but can anyone remember who did? Shortly after Idol was over, Adam Lambert came out and he has proved to fans and skeptics in the music industry that an openly gay man can top the pop charts. Just recently, R&B upstart Frank Ocean came out of the closet, and immediately receiving support from Beyonce among others. It's time for country music to follow. Where's our openly gay star?

Vancouver son Patrick Masse has been openly gay and making country music—yes, you read that right, country music—pre-Adam Lambert’s coming out. He calls himself “A Traditional Yet Refreshing Brand of Country.” Here’s my chat with this trailblazer!

1) Patrick Masse, Mend the Man "Everybody Likes to Be Loved”

2) Ray Price “For the Good Times” **

2) Patrick Masse, Mend the Man "Something’s Telling Me”

3) Patrick Masse, Mend the Man "Mend the Man”

4) Patrick Masse, Mend the Man "Put Love First”

ALL songs CANCON except **

Xiu Xiu is really mastermind Jamie Stewart and a mishmash of his friends. Their music is always a compelling listen, walking the line between deep internal despair and the communal power of expression.

This man has lived life. Check out fuckmejamiestewart.tumblr.com for just a taste. I chat with Jamie Stewart about everything from the band’s track “I Love Abortion” to little fudgy bears. Take a listen!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Xiu Xiu, Always (2012) "Hi"

2) Xiu Xiu, Always (2012) "I Love Abortion"

3) Xiu Xiu, Always (2012) "Honeysuckle"

4) Xiu Xiu, Always (2012) "Joey’s Song"

NO songs CANCON