In 2011, everyone loves Diamond Rings! Indie music taste-making website Pitchfork loves him! Robyn loves him! The UK loves him! He even has a make-up sponsor!

I caught John (aka Diamond Rings) at the end of a long day. I was his last interview, so I was hoping I would catch him a little looser than his usual serious self.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Diamond Rings "All Yr Songs" (Go Green remix)

2) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "You Oughta Know"

3) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "Wait and See"

4) Diamond Rings, Special Affections "It's Not My Party"

ALL songs CANCON

When I called to interview Ghostkeeper, band frontman Shane was talking care of business in the bathroom. Luckily, bandmate Sarah spoke with me for a bit while I waited for Shane to finish up.

The first thing Shane did when he got on the phone was describe himself as a B.F.I. (You will have to listen to hear what that stands for.) After he said that, I had no idea what to expect next.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Haunted"

2) John Carpernter "Halloween Theme (Main)" (background)

3) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "By Morning"

4) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Don't Come Knockin'"

5) Ghostkeeper, Ghostkeeper "Well, Well, Well"

ALL songs CANCON

When Chris Connelly from Edmonton’s Hot Panda answered my call, he had no idea he was supposed to be doing an interview. In fact, Hot Panda‘s tour van had just just died and he was putting the license plate on their new van.

Chris was a really good sport. He didn’t even flinch when I suggested we play a little game of kill, fuck or marry with his fellow Mint Records stars Shane (from The Awkward Stage), Paul from (Young & Sexy) and Becky from (The Pack A.D.)

Definitely one of my most fun interviews of this year!!!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Mindlessnesslessness"

2) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "1995"

3) Pulp, A Different Class "Common People" (snippet/background)

4) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Masculinity"

5) Hot Panda, How Come I'm Dead? "Fuck Shit Up _ Hey Hell Hex"

ALL songs CANCON except Pulp "Common People"

As soon as I had my foot in the door of the Halestorm tour van, the band's drummer Arejay was shaking my hand and calling me “Shades” (because I was wearing sunglasses). In fact, the entire group had an explosive energy (they later blamed on coffee), but one thing was clear, these guys want a career in music.

Hard rockers Halestorm started out in 2005 touring a live EP and then in 2009 finally released their self-titled debut. These guys tour relentlessly and being a road veteran gives the band a confidence you don’t see in a lot of new acts.

At the centre of Halestorm are the Hale siblings, Lizzy (the frontwoman)and Arejay. They believe in keeping things in the family. Mom is the tour manager and Dad drives their bus. And at a Halestorm show, you will run into their mom in the audience selling Halestorm CDs.

Apparently Arejay gets asked a lot how he feels about his sister singing about “getting off,” (Halestorm's signature song is “I Get Off”) and he HATES it. Listen to him go off about it in the our chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Halestorm, Halestorm "Bet You Wish You Had Me Back"

2) Halestorm, Halestorm "I Get Off"

3) Halestorm, Halestorm "Familiar Taste of Poison"

4) Halestorm, Halestorm "It's Not You"

NO songs CANCON

Evil Ebenezer has been slugging it out in the sometimes unforgiving west coast hip hop scene, trying to make a name for himself. When I called him, he was updating his Facebook page, getting ready for a tour. Not very EVIL, but he told me he leaves the true villainy for the stage.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Scarecrow"

2) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Ghostbusters"

3) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Step To"

4) Evil Ebenezer, Evil Eye "Take Me With You"

ALL songs CANCON

They say the 90’s should be “coming back” any time now (if they ever went away). This week, I've got not one but two acts with a special connection to that era.

Shane from The New Loud knows is convinced the 90's are coming back. His band has a new single called “Wrapped In Plastic.” The track was inspired by the cult classic TV show Twin Peaks and the song was written from the point of view of the dead 90s icon Laura Palmer.

Loreta also has a special soft spot for the 90’s. She has recently covered Michael Jackson‘s 90’s single “Stranger In Moscow.” Listen to our chat and see how she reacts when an angry Mariah Carey invades her dressing room!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Soundtrack "Twin Peaks Theme" (background)

2) The New Loud, Measures Melt "Wrapped In Plastic"

3) Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Soundtrack "Laura Palmer's Theme" (background)

4) The New Loud, Measures Melt "Get Lost"

5) Loreta "Stranger In Moscow" (Michael Jackson cover)

6) Loreta "Happily Never After"

NO songs CANCON

This week we’ve got another undiscovered chilled-out, Scandinavian electronic group. Meet WhoMadeWho! Yes, WhoMadeWho is named after the AC/DC song, but the band sounds NOTHING like AC/DC. These guys DO sound a lot like Miike Snow and Hot Chip.

When I met up with the band, the guys were so jetlagged that I had to wake them up to chat.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Who Made Who, The Plot "The Plot"

2) Who Made Who, Who Made Who "The Loop" (snippet)

3) Who Made Who, The Plot "Keep Me In My Plane"

4) Who Made Who, The Plot "Small Town City"

5) Who Made Who, The Plot "This Train"

NO songs CANCON

My phone call woke up Little Dragon singer (and all-around indie goddess) Yukimi. She was napping before the show while on tour with Gorillaz. Yukimi and the band are from Gothenberg, Sweden, a town known more for its metal than its chill electronic indie pop. You'll have to listen for when I get poor groggy Yukimi to give me her best metal GROWL.

No one knows who Little Dragon is YET, but everyone I have introduced to the band loves ’em. Check out “Feather.” This song Yukimi wrote because she resented being told that women are not risk-takers.

Tracks played on the show...

1) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Feather"

2) Gorillaz (feat Little Dragon), Plastic Beach "Empire Ants" (partial)

3) Jose Gonzalez "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (cover) (background only)

4) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Never Never"

5) Dark Tranquility, Damage Done (2002) "The Treason Wall" (background only)

6) Brandy (feat Monica), Never Say Never "That Boy Is Mine" (background only)

7) Little Dragon, Machine Dreams "Runabout"

NO songs CANCON

Hello folks! This week I do something a little different. This week I celebrate THE TOUR. I ask four different bands for stories about touring.

The Interview Show: Summer Tour Special has great tales from Vancouver rapper Fallan Soldier, Toronto deco rappers Times Neue Roman, Vancouver's indie dance makers Humans and Toronto psychedelic-rockers White Cowbell Oklahoma. Enjoy!

Tracks played on the show...

1) Fallan Soldier, Above the Call of Duty "Hands Up High" (background)

2) Fallan Soldier, Above the Call of Duty "Fights" (background)

3) Fallan Soldier, Above the Call of Duty "60 in the Tank" (background/partial)

4) Bran Van 3000, Glee "Couch Surfing" (partial)

5) Times Neue Roman "Best est 2019" (background)

6) Times Neue Roman "Best est 2019" (background)

7) Times Neue Roman "Record Store" (Makeshift re-make) (background)

8) Times Neue Roman "Record Store" (Makeshift re-make) (background)

9) Times Neue Roman "Music And Math" **full**

10) Humans, Humans EP "Bike Home" (background)

11) Humans, Humans EP "Avec Mes Mecs 2" (background)

12) Humans, Humans EP "Bike Home" (background)

13) Humans, Humans EP "Avec Mes Mecs 2" (background)

14) Humans, unreleased "Wake Up" (background)

15) Humans, Humans EP "Doin' Things" **full**

16) White Cowbell Oklahoma "Shot A Gambling Man" (background)

17) White Cowbell Oklahoma "Get On Get Down" (background)

18) White Cowbell Oklahoma "Happy Ending" (background)

19) White Cowbell Oklahoma "Happy Ending" **full**

ALL songs CANCON

Winter is here and everyone is either writing exams and completing projects or getting ready for the Holiday Season. In a few short weeks, everyone will be attending some sort of party or celebration.

Jared Stuffco created DVAS so that he had an excuse to get out there and party. I found Jared on the mean streets of Toronto. He gave me the lowdown on the DVAS name and how to have a successful “bromance.” We even talk a little yacht-house. You’ve got to hear it!

Tracks played on the show...

1) DVAS, Society "Society" (Original mix)

2) DVAS, "Bromance" (snippet)

3) DVAS, Society "Back 2 Basix"

4) DVAS, Society "Society" (Hood Internet remix ft Kid Static) (partial)

5) DVAS, Society "Fantasy"

ALL songs CANCON