Michael “Kaves” McLeer is a Brooklyn-born painter, recording artist, graffiti artist, author, tattoo artist and creator of Brooklyn Pop - an astounding immersive experience celebrating the borough of Brooklyn. The exhibit is an astounding collection featuring hip-hop memorabilia, graffiti, movie collectibles, historical artifacts, and personal items celebrating the neighborhood that shaped him.

In this episode we discuss his path from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks in Bay Ridge, to becoming a renowned graffiti writer and founder of the rap/punk rock group Lordz of Brooklyn. We also chat about the neighborhood gangsters growing up, why free Adidas tracks suits sometimes fell from the sky above Verranzano Bridge, and how Brooklyn based movies and television like The Warriors, Saturday Night Fever and Welcome Back Kotter played a key role in developing self-identity and career goals. 

Throughout his career he’s designed exclusive visuals for Audemars Piguet, Jaguar, NIKE, Rockstar Games, WWE, MTV, ADIDAS, Van’s Warped Tour, and created logos & graphics for world-renowned artists such as the Beastie Boys and Metallica.

Kaves' energy and thirst for creative expression took him to the world of acting and filmmaking. In 2006, Kaves created, produced and directed The Brooklyn Way, a multi-episode docu-series about his family’s life. From 2011 to the present day, Kaves has been featured in short and feature films including The Many Saints of Newark, Gravesend, The Humdinger, Star and The Eulogy.

The Brooklyn Pop interactive installation is open to the pubic at Industry City. See link below for details.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

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https://justinjay.com/

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

https://www.hi1k.com/

Brooklyn Pop

https://thebrooklynpop.com/

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Josh Carter is one half of the musical duo Phantogram. Alongside his partner Sarah Barthel, they’ve released 5 LPs and collaborated with some of the most acclaimed names in the music industry from Big Boi to The Flaming Lips. Phantogram's music blends a foundation of heavy beats with atmospheric, genre-defying elements inspired by artists ranging from Sparklehorse to Sonic Youth to David Bowie. The result is a unique fusion of electronic textures and rich, introspective melodies.

Their latest album, Memory of a Day is available now. 

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

https://justinjay.com/

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

https://www.hi1k.com/

The Plug Logo and Branding by Italic Studio:

https://italic-studio.com/studio/

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This week’s episode with Nathan was originally recorded in January 2023, following the conclusion of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. We’re re-releasing our conversation with Nathan Florence as a tribute to his extraordinary performance last week in the Pipe Masters.

Not only did Nathan claim the title of 2024 Pipe Masters champion, but he also stepped up to provide a grassroots live stream of the event. Then, just days later, Nathan competed in the 2024 Eddie Aikau and delivered an impressive performance, including the event’s final wave, where he charged a massive shore break barrel with his hands raised in triumph as the crowd erupted in cheers.

So, we want to give a huge congratulations to Nathan for being the newly crowned 2024 Pipe Masters champion and for an amazing season...

Nathan Florence is a big-wave charger from the North Shore and brother to 2X world champion surfer John John Florence. In the past few years, Nathan has made a name for himself by tackling some of the biggest and most consequential waves on the planet. But it's not just his surfing that's earned him a following. He’s also known for his compelling social media content, providing fans with an inside look at his life as a pro surfer and adventure-seeker. Join us as we chat with Nathan about what lessons he’s learned from his brother, some skills he's acquired to survive a wipeout at Pipeline, and why we might have reached a tipping point of chaos in the lineups on the North Shore.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

https://justinjay.com/

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

https://www.hi1k.com/

The Plug Logo and Branding by Italic Studio:

https://italic-studio.com/studio/

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Cey Adams is a New York City-based painter, designer, and the founding Creative Director of Def Jam Recordings. Emerging from the downtown graffiti scene alongside iconic artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, Adams began his career tagging subway cars and creating graffiti murals. Immersed in the vibrant art and music culture of the era, he connected with The Beastie Boys, collaborating with them to design their first logo, t-shirts, and singles. Around the same time, he began working with music producer Russell Simmons at RUSH Artist Management, where he created logos and merchandise for their roster of artists. This led to his tenure with Simmons and Rick Rubin at Def Jam, where Adams designed some of the most iconic album covers of hip-hop's golden era, including works for Public Enemy, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, and many others.

As a highly respected designer and painter, Adams has collaborated with global brands such as Levi’s, Mattel, The Recording Academy, Apple, Bacardi, IDEO, Foot Locker, Converse, YouTube, and Google. In 2019, Pabst Brewing Company commissioned Adams to reimagine their iconic Pabst Blue Ribbon logo, resulting in a design featured on 150 million cans distributed nationwide.

In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of collaborating with marketing departments, artists, and photographers during his time at Def Jam. Adams shares his perspective on why he considers The Beastie Boys one of the most influential, creative, and self-driven groups of their era. We also explore the power of branding, the significance of logos, and the tension between art and commerce when a downtown DIY ethos collides with corporate culture.

Tune in for a conversation with this trailblazing artist who helped shape the visual identity of hip-hop.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

https://justinjay.com/

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

https://www.hi1k.com/

The Plug Logo and Branding by Italic Studio:

https://italic-studio.com/studio/

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Arto Saari is a Finnish professional skateboarder and photographer. He is one of only two Europeans to ever win Thrasher Magazine’s prestigious Skater of the Year award, and he's one of the most respected and influential skaters of his generation. Arto built his legacy through groundbreaking video parts and endured numerous brutal injuries along the way. Eventually, he transitioned from professional skating to pursue his passion for photography. His recently released book, Bike Path, intimately captures the vibrant culture and community of Hawaii’s North Shore.

In this episode, we dive into the contrasts between skateboarding and surfing culture, we dig into the complex interplay of pain, injury, substance abuse, and addictive personalities in skateboarding, and we discuss the challenging path many pro skaters face as they navigate life beyond their skating careers

Bike Path by Arto Saari:

https://www.artosaari.com/bikepath-book

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

https://www.hi1k.com/

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

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Election Week Special Encore Episode -

In a media landscape often clouded by misinformation, spin, and opinion posing as news, celebrating those with a large platform who are committed to speaking truth to power is more important than ever.

Roy Wood Jr. is a stand-up comedian and the host of CNN’s Have I Got News for You. He regularly appears on The Daily Show, has hosted the prestigious White House Correspondents' Dinner, and has earned critical acclaim for his numerous stand-up specials. Throughout his career, he’s boldly addressed sensitive issues around race and social class. His Comedy Central special Imperfect Messenger is a masterclass in using comedy not just to entertain but to unify and spark meaningful conversation. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of critiquing the Black community, his commitment to pulling no punches when performing in front of powerful politicians, and why he sees Jack Bauer from 24 as the perfect metaphor for navigating the entertainment industry.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: [email protected]

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Luxxury is a music producer and the co-host of the richly informative One Song podcast. Each week they take a deep dive into a single classic song, and explore the inspirations and specific production techniques that make the track unique. By playing rare, isolated vocal and instrumental stems, they give listeners the chance to rediscover familiar songs, revealing details and textures often hidden in the full mix.

So what is the difference between sampling, interpolation, and outright plagiarism? Why is the Jamaican concept of copyright, creatively and the ownership of music almost completely opposite of the way we think of it in the US? 

Why is it now legally risky to use the overall vibe and arrangements of a Marvin Gaye track as inspiration for your own song? We’ll find out as we sit down for a chat with someone who blends technology with his passion for music history to shed new light on your favorite songs. 

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected].

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

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Nikolai Fraiture is the bassist for the New York based rock band The Strokes. In 2001, the band went from playing small clubs on the Lower East Side to becoming one of the most hyped and talked about bands in the industry. After 6 albums and over 20 years together, this massively influential band continues to create innovative and unique music. In 2021 their album The New Abnormal won Best Rock Album and earned the band their first Grammy.

In this episode we discuss how Nikolai managed to stay humble and keep a healthy perspective after The Strokes experienced a sudden rise to fame almost overnight. We also hear some behind the scene stories about recording albums in Malibu and Costa Rica with acclaimed producer Rick Rubin.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

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Moon Unit Zappa is the daughter of legendary musician Frank Zappa and the author of a new autobiography. In her book, Earth to Moon, she reflects on her unconventional upbringing, and she shares a candid account of what it was like growing up in Los Angeles with a rock star father.

At just 14 years old, she approached her father with the idea to collaborate on a song—not in pursuit of fame or a music career, but as a way to spend more time with him. That song, Valley Girl, became an unexpected smash hit, and her life changed almost overnight.

In this episode, we dive into Moon’s profound respect and pride for her father’s musical legacy, while also addressing the lingering resentment she feels over a childhood marked by manipulation, deceit, and disappointment. We’ll also uncover some captivating celebrity stories from her book and explore how sudden fame can affect a teenager.

Tune in for a conversation with this multi-talented author, actress, entrepreneur, and the artist who left a lasting mark on pop culture with her iconic slang from the song Valley Girl.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

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MGMT are the musical duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, known for creating irresistibly catchy, genre-blurring music. Since their time as art students in the early 2000s, they’ve released five studio albums, garnered critical acclaim, and cultivated a devoted fan base. Their newest album Loss of Life is available now.

In this episode, we dive into how they continually push the boundaries of pop and indie music while still maintaining their unmistakable sound. We also discuss the politics of performing at Madison Square Garden, their unexpected rise to TikTok fame, and how their views on drugs have evolved since their debut album. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with the artists behind the hits 'Kids' and 'Little Dark Age

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/

https://justinjay.com/

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