As a kid, the avant-garde dandy Alfred Darlington always wanted to be an inventor, so, when he grew up and became an experimental electronic music producer, he chose his version of the name of the mythical Greek inventor known for inventing the labyrinth--and Icarus' wings, but that's another story.

I sat down with Daedelus the last time he came through Vancouver with one of his Magical Properties tours and it turns out Magical Properties is the high concept including a tour and his record label. Alfred is so articulate, pleasant and humble--this conversation was a pure delight.

What's been Daedelus' latest LA estate sale find? Why does Daedelus enjoy crate-diving and what was the last treasure he unearthed? Will crate-diving become obsolete in the age of YouTube? What is collaboration like for Daedelus, a producer who works with a different feature artist almost every track? What is the "usual EDM conversation" and how does Daedelus add something new ? How does Daedelus challenge his crowds as a DJ while keeping bodies moving on the dance floor? What is "the death of electronic nights?" You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Daedelus, Bespoke (2011) "Overwhelmed" (featuring Bilal)

2) Daedelus, Bespoke (2011) "Tailor-Made" (featuring Milosh from Rhye)

3) Daedelus, Looking Ocean EP (2012) "Captive of the Sun" (featuring Computer Jay)

NO songs CANCON

I was a bit nervous while heading to my meet up with Vancouver's Jordan Klassen. He's said that he's not very good at small talk--and an interview is just basically ALL small talk. Jordan Klassen makes music that's hard to categorize. It's a mix of new age-y, folky and singer-songwriter-y stuff. His music has been synced or played on many of your favorite TV shows like Teen Wolf Jane the Virgin and Teen Mom.

Jordan and I hung out for a bit on the steps of Vancouver's downtown Main Street courthouse while he smoked a cigar. It was the last show, ending a long tour.

How did I get Jordan talking? Which one of his songs sounds like a love song but is actually about lying? How does Jordan's struggles with mental health and depression bleed into his music? Who is 90s new age singer-songwriter Enya? How did she influence Jordan? Can he make us appreciate her work? Which song from his record, Repentance, is he the most proud of and why? What's it like to finally be able to sleep in your own bed after a year? How will he enjoy some hard-earned downtime in Vancouver his hometown? Which Vancouver beach does Jordan call "chatchi"? Which song off Javelin does Jordan say is about "someone showing you something beautiful and it chases away the dark cloud over your head for a bit"? You'll have to listen to find out!

(I will say that this chat made me appreciate Jordan's songs even more.)

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Jordan Klassen, Javelin (2016) "No Salesman"

2) Jordan Klassen, Javelin (2016) "Glory B"

3) Enya, Watermark (1998) "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" ** (background/snippet)

4) Jordan Klassen, Repentance (2013) "Piano Brother"

5) Jordan Klassen, Javelin (2016) " Gargolyes"

ALL songs CANCON except **

Rumor has it that the new Parquet Courts record could drop at any moment. Like any fan, I can't wait to see what the new music will be like. The new record was produced by the legendary Danger Mouse.

I hung out with guitarist and vocalist Andrew Savage (who also releases solo music under the name A. Savage) backstage at the Vogue Theatre while he rolled some cigarettes--or "jazz cigarettes" as he calls them. It was a warm late summer September evening and the band were in town touring the 5th record, Human Performance. I had just come from Vancouver's Wreck Beach--the city's nude beach--so naturally I started our chat by asking Andrew the last time he had been to a nude beach himself...

How was the band's border crossing? Does Andrew has any priors?

What are they? Does Andrew risk setting off a fire alarm to smoke his jazz cigarette? Which band member suffers from "misophonia" and what is it? Do the co-writers in Parquet Courts ask each other what the other's songs are about? What's it like to try something different with the band's sound? Which Parquet Courts song does Andrew feel is the closest thing to the band's manifesto? What's it like to play music while high on acid, mushrooms, molly and some DMT? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Berlin Got Blurry"

2) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Captive of the Sun"

3) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Human Performance"

4) Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold (2012) "Light Up Gold II"

5) Parquet Courts, Sunbathing Animal (2014) "Sunbathing Animal" (background/snippet)

6) Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold (2012) "Stoned and Starving"

NO songs CANCON

Rumor has it that the new Parquet Courts record could drop at any moment. Like any fan, I can't wait to see what the new music will be like. Parquet Courts are a band committed to their craft and determined to grow.

I hung out with guitarist and vocalist Andrew Savage (who also releases solo music under the name A. Savage) backstage at the Vogue Theatre while he rolled some cigarettes--or "jazz cigarettes" as he calls them. It was a warm late summer September evening and the band were in town touring the 5th record, Human Performance. I had just come from Vancouver's Wreck Beach--the city's notorious nude beach--so naturally I started our chat by asking Andrew the last time he had been to a nude beach himself...

How was the band's border crossing? Does Andrew has any priors?

What are they? Does Andrew risk setting off a fire alarm to smoke his jazz cigarette? Which band member suffers from "misophonia" and what is it? Do the co-writers in Parquet Courts ask each other what the other's songs are about? What's it like to try something different with the band's sound? Which Parquet Courts song does Andrew feel is the closest thing to the band's manifesto? What's it like to play music while high on acid, mushrooms, molly and some DMT? Which Parquet Courts song has the band NEVER played live and why? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Berlin Got Blurry"

2) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Dust"

3) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Captive of the Sun"

4) Parquet Courts, Human Performance (2016) "Human Performance"

5) Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold (2012) "Light Up Gold II"

6) Parquet Courts, Sunbathing Animal (2014) "Sunbathing Animal" (background/snippet)

7) Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold (2012) "Picture of Health"

8) Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold (2012) "Stoned and Starving"

NO songs CANCON

The piano pop music project known as SYML was born when Brian Fennell (from the Seattle indie rock band Barcelona) wrote some solo material and this music was instantly placed in MTV's Teen Wolf series. After that, SYML released two EPs and you've probably heard Brian's music in many more of your favorite TV shows--in the scene where your favorite couple finally get together or the scene where the serial killer finally strikes.

I hung out backstage at Vancouver's contemporary arts theatre and gallery, The Cultch, with Brian the day his second EP In My Body was released. He's a really pleasant guy, considering he often jokes that he's the "sad song guy."

How do you say "SYML" and what does it mean? What other name did Brian nearly choose for this project? What strange connection does SYML have with 90s classic rock alternative band Third Eye Blind? What's it like to have your music in all your favorite TV shows? Does he have a nightmare scenario list to create more "sad" songs? Does Brian really have an irrational fear of bees? Why did he cover that old "Mr. Sandman" song? What made him cover Neil Young? Why was Brian once banned from Canada? You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) SYML, Hurt For Me EP (2016) "Where's My Love"

2) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "Wildfire"

3) SYML, Hurt For Me EP (2016) "Fear the Water"

4) SMYL "Mr. Sandman" (The Chordettes cover, unreleased)

5) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "Harvest Moon" (Neil Young cover) **

6) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "The War"

NO songs CANCON except **

The piano pop music project known as SYML was born when Brian Fennell (from the Seattle indie rock band Barcelona) wrote some solo material and this music was instantly placed in MTV's Teen Wolf series. After that, SYML released two EPs and you've probably heard Brian's music in many more of your favorite TV shows--in the scene where your favorite couple finally get together or the scene where the serial killer finally strikes.

I hung out backstage at Vancouver's contemporary arts theatre and gallery, The Cultch, with Brian the day his second EP In My Body was released. He's a really pleasant guy, considering he often jokes that he's the "sad song guy."

How do you say "SYML" and what does it mean? What other name did Brian nearly choose for this project? What strange connection does SYML have with 90s classic rock alternative band Third Eye Blind? What's it like to have your music in all your favorite TV shows? Does he have a nightmare scenario list to create more "sad" songs? Does Brian really have an irrational fear of bees? Why did he cover that old "Mr. Sandman" song? What made him cover Neil Young? What's the biggest difference between Brian's old band Barcelona and SYML? Why was Brian once banned from Canada? What does Brian listen to on the long drive from Seattle to Vancouver? You'll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) SYML, Hurt For Me EP (2016) "Where's My Love"

2) Third Eye Blind, Third Eye Blind (1997) "Semi-Charmed Kind of Life" (background/snippet)

3) Sigur Ros, Valtari (2012) "Varúð" (background/snippet)

4) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "Wildfire"

5) SYML, Hurt For Me EP (2016) "Fear the Water"

6) SMYL "Mr. Sandman" (The Chordettes cover, unreleased)

7) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "Harvest Moon" (Neil Young cover) **

8) Barcelona, Absolutes (2007) "Please Don't Go" (background/snippet)

9) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "Body"

10) Troye Sivan "My My MY!" (single 2018) (background/snippet)

11) SYML, In My Body EP (2018) "The War"

NO songs CANCON except **

You'd think a guy who named his band STRFKR would be able to scream the correct pronunciation of his band from the rooftops, but in fact the man behind STRFKR, Joshua Hodges, says "Starfucker" in hushed tones like it's a very bad word--despite the fact that he prefers the "real way of saying it" over what the band is usually called on the radio, S-T-R-F-K-R or Star-eff-er. Don't worry--you'll have to listen to the podcast edition of the show to hear me try to get Josh to own saying the band's real name. Somehow I edited this interview to be radio-ready.

I sat down with Josh backstage and he was a big nervous ball of energy. Why did the autobiography of one of the first western Buddhist nuns inspire the new record? What was it like to go to a BDSM club for the first time? Would he go back? What is Josh's favorite podcast? (Other than The Interview Show.) Which STRFKR track was inspired by a band member's tattoo? What was it like being raised by a mom who is a "fag hag"? Is "fag hag" a term we should be using anymore? Who is "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second" in real life? Why did Josh decide to release all the old demos (that he found on his failing hard drive)? How does Josh keep present and in the moment at every show? Which song on the new record was a collaboration with the STRFKR drummer? Which snack does Josh eat right before the interview? Listen!

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Open Your Eyes"

2) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Never Ever"

3) STRFKR, Miracle Mile (2013) "While I'm Alive"

4) STRFKR, Starfucker (2008) "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second"

5) STRFKR, Vault Vol. 1 (2017) "Basically"

6) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "In the End"

NO songs CANCON

You'd think a guy who named his band STRFKR would be able to scream the correct pronunciation of his band from the rooftops, but in fact the man behind STRFKR, Joshua Hodges, says "Starfucker" in hushed tones like it's a very bad word--despite the fact that he prefers the "real way of saying it" over what the band is usually called on the radio, S-T-R-F-K-R or Star-eff-er.

I sat down with Josh backstage and he was a big nervous ball of energy. We talked for over an hour, so we covered many topics... Why did the autobiography of one of the first western Buddhist nuns inspire the new record? What was it like to go to a BDSM club for the first time? Would he go back? What is Josh's favorite podcast? (Other than The Interview Show.) Which STRFKR track was inspired by a band member's tattoo? What was it like being raised by a mom who is a "fag hag"? Is "fag hag" a term we should be using anymore? Who is "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second" in real life? Why did Josh decide to release all the old demos (that he found on his failing hard drive)? How does Josh keep present and in the moment at every show? Which song on the new record was a collaboration with the STRFKR drummer? Which snack does Josh eat right before the interview? Listen!

Stay tuned to the very end of the podcast edition of the show where I try to get Josh to OWN saying the name.

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Open Your Eyes"

2) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "Never Ever"

3) STRFKR, Miracle Mile (2013) "While I'm Alive"

4) STRFKR, Starfucker (2008) "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second"

5) STRFKR, Vault Vol. 1 (2017) "Basically"

6) STRFKR, Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016) "In the End"

NO songs CANCON

I like Ottawa's New Swears for their self-aware party rock. But I wasn't sure what to expect when I lured the band into the alley behind the Bismark to chat. This band thrives in an atmosphere of constant "fun" in all forms. So when I began the interview by asking how the band got together, the guys immediately began improving a new and completely fake story. From this point, I knew this wouldn't be a typical hang session--and I knew I'd have fun too.

How was the band's journey into town? What happens when I ask the guys a straight-forward question? What was the last good idea each band member had while taking a shit? How creative can the band get while answering my questions? What tips do New Swears give me to improve my interview skills? How fast is everyone when thinking on their feet? You'll have to listen to find out!

(There won't be a radio edit of this chat. Most of the best moments are packed with adult language.)

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) New Swears, And the Magic of Horses (2017) "Dance With the Devil"

2) New Swears, And the Magic of Horses (2017) "Halos In Hell"

3) New Swears, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever (2014) "No Fun"

4) New Swears, Funny Isn't Real (2013) "Burning Man"

5) New Swears, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever (2014) "Midnight Lovers"

6) New Swears, And the Magic of Horses (2017) "Comfortably Hungover"

ALL songs CANCON

Cold Specks is the stage name of Canadian singer-songwriter Ladan Hussein (who was previously known as Al Spx). I got to hang out with her when she was touring her second record, Neuroplasticity. We met at Vancouver's Imperial venue and we couldn't find a quiet place to chat. While looking for an appropriate spot, I walked right into a glass door, so things started on an embarrassing (but funny) note.

In which strange room did we end up having the interview? Which song from Neuroplasticity is like a baby to Cold Specks? What is the cool story behind her stage name? Why does Ladan want to stop people from calling her music "doom soul"--even though she invented the term? What was it like working with the legendary Michael Gira from Swans? What does Ladan not like to talk about in interviews? What song from the first record does Cold Specks still perform live? Which song did Cold Specks perform live, for the first time, after attending a Ferguson protest in Seattle? You'll have to listen to find out.

This year, Cold Specks released a third record, Fool's Paradise, and you can catch Ladan and her band tour the new album. You won't regret it!

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...

1) Cold Specks, Neuroplasticity (2014) "Absisto"

2) Cold Specks, Neuroplasticity (2014) "Bodies At Bay"

3) Cold Specks - Reeling The Liars In (Swans cover, YouTube rip) (Live @ Hoxton Hall, London, 20.06.12) **

4) Cold Specks, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion (2012) "Blank Maps"

5) Cold Specks, Neuroplasticity (2014) "A Season of Doubt"

ALL songs CANCON, except **