Cooking Fresh Collard Greens, Peas and Pepper Sauce

that's what i've been doing this afternoon - how many of you can say that?

Cooking Fresh Collard Greens, Peas and Pepper Sauce

that's what i've been doing this afternoon - how many of you can say that?

Don't talk durty to a 16 y/o page; Music notes; "Hustler" video

Yesterday provided more than a chuckle with the story of former Florida Rep. Mark Foley leaving Congress because of "inappropriate" e-mails to a 16 year old page. Why do I imagine he wasn't talking about how awesome the PS3 will be?

Last night was potentially Roger Clemens' last start in the majors. He pitched well, but lost to the Braves. Personally, I hope he comes back for another season. He is still one of the top three pitchers in baseball. Oh, and he's only 44.

On another baseball note, while the Braves aren't going to the playoffs this year, they are still playing hard and that's a credit to Bobby Cox.

Music Notes:
- Futureheads have cancelled their US tour because tendonitis has downed Barry Hyde.
- Ex Models will open for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Snowden will be joining iForward Russia! on a US tour
- Jenny Lewis got dissed by Too $hort here
- EMI sold Capital Records to a New York investment group
- CNN writes a music story? Yep, a historical piece on the Byrds here

Today's video is this month's new "it" band Simian Mobile Disco - "Hustler".

Don't talk durty to a 16 y/o page; Music notes; "Hustler" video

Yesterday provided more than a chuckle with the story of former Florida Rep. Mark Foley leaving Congress because of "inappropriate" e-mails to a 16 year old page. Why do I imagine he wasn't talking about how awesome the PS3 will be?

Last night was potentially Roger Clemens' last start in the majors. He pitched well, but lost to the Braves. Personally, I hope he comes back for another season. He is still one of the top three pitchers in baseball. Oh, and he's only 44.

On another baseball note, while the Braves aren't going to the playoffs this year, they are still playing hard and that's a credit to Bobby Cox.

Music Notes:
- Futureheads have cancelled their US tour because tendonitis has downed Barry Hyde.
- Ex Models will open for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Snowden will be joining iForward Russia! on a US tour
- Jenny Lewis got dissed by Too $hort here
- EMI sold Capital Records to a New York investment group
- CNN writes a music story? Yep, a historical piece on the Byrds here

Today's video is this month's new "it" band Simian Mobile Disco - "Hustler".

Interview: Cassettes Won't Listen; and more

Quick post tonight. Check out the interview with Cassettes Won't Listen - it went up today.

Quick hits: Pulp's Jarvis Cocker will be releasing a new album this fall and Lily Allen is joining the "pay for a date with me for charity" club. Interested to pick up the new Beck and Lemonheads.

The downside with being wrapped with my day job is that I have zero - zero - time to listen to music. I'm crossing my fingers for this weekend.

Today's video is the lovely song "Dance With Me" by Nouvelle Vague

Interview: Cassettes Won't Listen; and more

Quick post tonight. Check out the interview with Cassettes Won't Listen - it went up today.

Quick hits: Pulp's Jarvis Cocker will be releasing a new album this fall and Lily Allen is joining the "pay for a date with me for charity" club. Interested to pick up the new Beck and Lemonheads.

The downside with being wrapped with my day job is that I have zero - zero - time to listen to music. I'm crossing my fingers for this weekend.

Today's video is the lovely song "Dance With Me" by Nouvelle Vague

Atlanta's Best of ...

congrats to our friends at kissatlanta.com and cableandtweed.com for being named as the best georgia-based music blog. as a contributer to kissatlanta.com, i'm thrilled. congrats to preston, rich, matt, dave and the rest of the contributers.

but that's not all! decatur social club was named as critic's pick for best after hours spot! (i'd like to thank creative loafing for getting my name right this time.) so my fellow dj's preston, jamal, dylan, john, adam, etc. - congrats.

oh, another congrats to brian parris for getting named best dj. every time i hear "mother" by danzig, i think of him.

on to other news ... ryan adams is rapping on his new web site. why?. so first, i saw this dustin diamond thing long ago (i actually own a shirt) so why is this news? kid knows he has to cash in before all the saved by the bell crowd turns 30. antm is finally beginning to get interesting, but they have to get rid of monique. but the best reality show, by far, is project runway. taking all four to the finals was a great choice.

here's to the king of cedartown ... "Mother" by Danzig

Atlanta's Best of ...

congrats to our friends at kissatlanta.com and cableandtweed.com for being named as the best georgia-based music blog. as a contributer to kissatlanta.com, i'm thrilled. congrats to preston, rich, matt, dave and the rest of the contributers.

but that's not all! decatur social club was named as critic's pick for best after hours spot! (i'd like to thank creative loafing for getting my name right this time.) so my fellow dj's preston, jamal, dylan, john, adam, etc. - congrats.

oh, another congrats to brian parris for getting named best dj. every time i hear "mother" by danzig, i think of him.

on to other news ... ryan adams is rapping on his new web site. why?. so first, i saw this dustin diamond thing long ago (i actually own a shirt) so why is this news? kid knows he has to cash in before all the saved by the bell crowd turns 30. antm is finally beginning to get interesting, but they have to get rid of monique. but the best reality show, by far, is project runway. taking all four to the finals was a great choice.

here's to the king of cedartown ... "Mother" by Danzig

breaking news: love drunks split

via a myspace post early this morning, the atlanta-based group the love drunks announced that they have split effective immediately. more details when they become available.

breaking news: love drunks split

via a myspace post early this morning, the atlanta-based group the love drunks announced that they have split effective immediately. more details when they become available.

New! Nyles Lannon interview, Buck O'Neil and more ...

Today's big post is our interview with Nyles Lannon of n.Lannon and Film School. It's a great interview, and n.Lannon's 2004 album Chemical Friends really deserved more attention that it received. To read it, click on the link on the home page or on interviews link.

Since we are still playing catch up from last week we have one more interview in the cue that will go up this week. And a handful interviews to get to several artists who agreed to an interview before the whole laptop misadventure. Additional, we have at least a half dozen pending interviews pending.

If you enjoy this reading the interviews and reviews on this site, we'd love it if you'd pass our site on to a friend, drop us an e-mail or leave a comment on this blog section. We know you are reading the site (we check the numbers every morning) but we'd love to know exactly who you are and/or where you're located.

At DeadJournalist.com, we love music. We love other things, too. And as we move into Fall and Winter we want to bring you content that you enjoy or you hate or you just want to check out. That's our goal. And along the way we hope to improve and build upon our site. This site is more about a passion for music (and other things) than uber-clean copy, free of misspellings and grammatical screw-ups.

We wrote a piece on Buck O'Neil, the Negro League great who was shockingly obmitted from the Baseball Hall of Fame this past year. At 94, he's spend most of the last three decades keeping the memory of the Negro League alive. Sadly, he has his hospitalized for extreme exhaustion. Here's hoping he pulls through - and here's hoping somehow baseball will right the wrong and make a special induction for this great man before it is too late.

Over a year ago, The National released an amazing album that stayed in the car CD player for at least six months. Here's the video for "Lit Up" from that album.



As a bonus, some time back (was it April?) we expressed a lot of love for the band Love Is All, so here's the video to "Busy Doing Nothing".

New! Nyles Lannon interview, Buck O'Neil and more ...

Today's big post is our interview with Nyles Lannon of n.Lannon and Film School. It's a great interview, and n.Lannon's 2004 album Chemical Friends really deserved more attention that it received. To read it, click on the link on the home page or on interviews link.

Since we are still playing catch up from last week we have one more interview in the cue that will go up this week. And a handful interviews to get to several artists who agreed to an interview before the whole laptop misadventure. Additional, we have at least a half dozen pending interviews pending.

If you enjoy this reading the interviews and reviews on this site, we'd love it if you'd pass our site on to a friend, drop us an e-mail or leave a comment on this blog section. We know you are reading the site (we check the numbers every morning) but we'd love to know exactly who you are and/or where you're located.

At DeadJournalist.com, we love music. We love other things, too. And as we move into Fall and Winter we want to bring you content that you enjoy or you hate or you just want to check out. That's our goal. And along the way we hope to improve and build upon our site. This site is more about a passion for music (and other things) than uber-clean copy, free of misspellings and grammatical screw-ups.

We wrote a piece on Buck O'Neil, the Negro League great who was shockingly obmitted from the Baseball Hall of Fame this past year. At 94, he's spend most of the last three decades keeping the memory of the Negro League alive. Sadly, he has his hospitalized for extreme exhaustion. Here's hoping he pulls through - and here's hoping somehow baseball will right the wrong and make a special induction for this great man before it is too late.

Over a year ago, The National released an amazing album that stayed in the car CD player for at least six months. Here's the video for "Lit Up" from that album.



As a bonus, some time back (was it April?) we expressed a lot of love for the band Love Is All, so here's the video to "Busy Doing Nothing".

When Blogs Attach!

This is our first middle of the day update. Do we have time for this? No, but what the hell.

When Blogs Attach!

This is our first middle of the day update. Do we have time for this? No, but what the hell.

Goodbye, Eighties

In watching the opening of the Falcons/Saints game, U2 and Green Day did a couple of songs together. And actually, it was a really good set. The bands worked and sounded good. But one question - when did Green Day go emo?

I'm done with most of the 80's - at least for now. I'm tired of hearing the same songs, over and over again. Done. Hello 1990's.

But as a fond good-bye here's Killing Joke (so happy I have this single on vinyl) with "Eighties" for the video of the day.

Goodbye, Eighties

In watching the opening of the Falcons/Saints game, U2 and Green Day did a couple of songs together. And actually, it was a really good set. The bands worked and sounded good. But one question - when did Green Day go emo?

I'm done with most of the 80's - at least for now. I'm tired of hearing the same songs, over and over again. Done. Hello 1990's.

But as a fond good-bye here's Killing Joke (so happy I have this single on vinyl) with "Eighties" for the video of the day.

Exclusive Interview: Denver Dalley

Today is a rare Sunday interview post with an interview with Denver Dalley (Intramural, Statstics, Desaparecidos). It's nice to be back, and I guess our readers did too. Yesterday was the biggest day since the sight launched six months ago. Thanks!

Video for today is "Like Bullets" from Snowden's recent show in Norfolk, Va. They are finishing up their last week on this current tour before heading to Europe for a mini-tour. I chatted with Jordan a couple of days ago, and he said the tour has gone pretty well but they are ready to get back home for a bit.

Exclusive Interview: Denver Dalley

Today is a rare Sunday interview post with an interview with Denver Dalley (Intramural, Statstics, Desaparecidos). It's nice to be back, and I guess our readers did too. Yesterday was the biggest day since the sight launched six months ago. Thanks!

Video for today is "Like Bullets" from Snowden's recent show in Norfolk, Va. They are finishing up their last week on this current tour before heading to Europe for a mini-tour. I chatted with Jordan a couple of days ago, and he said the tour has gone pretty well but they are ready to get back home for a bit.

Back Live!

23 September 2006 -

Saturday is typically a slow day, so here are a few important things to keep in mind: New album by the Decemberists on 10/03 and Trail of Dead have a new album coming out soon as well.

Have you watched "Dog" on A&E? Well, it seems Dog (he's a bounty hunter) is in some legal hurt because of the capture that made him famous. He was te guy who went tinto Mexico to capture the heir to the Max Factor fortune who was wanted for multiple counts of rape (he was convicted and is serving 124 years). Well, it is illegal to bounty hunt in Mexico so Dog and his cohorts are jailed in Hawaii and are awaiting extradition.

Waiting on the PS3? It will hit the US shelves on 11/17 with a price tag of $499 for a 20gig hard drive or $599 for a 60 gig. Ouch, that's a lot of money.

Today's video is "Easy Love" from MSTRKFT. Not being able to dj in a few weeks is kiling me, but I can tell you that you will hear this song from me as soon as I'm back.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
22 September 2006 -

Holy hell. After a week of pure techological hell, DeadJournalist is back - hopefully for good. What happened? The laptop that the site ran off of scrashed and died leaving both me and the site without a means to update.

However, there is come good news. In the last week four - count them - four inteview came in. The interview with Voxtrot will go up tonight with the rest to follow shortly. New software and hardware will hopefully allow for the next step in site upgrades as well.

Tomorrow, we'll get back to daily updates and videos. For now, I'm just happy to be back.

Back Live!

23 September 2006 -

Saturday is typically a slow day, so here are a few important things to keep in mind: New album by the Decemberists on 10/03 and Trail of Dead have a new album coming out soon as well.

Have you watched "Dog" on A&E? Well, it seems Dog (he's a bounty hunter) is in some legal hurt because of the capture that made him famous. He was te guy who went tinto Mexico to capture the heir to the Max Factor fortune who was wanted for multiple counts of rape (he was convicted and is serving 124 years). Well, it is illegal to bounty hunt in Mexico so Dog and his cohorts are jailed in Hawaii and are awaiting extradition.

Waiting on the PS3? It will hit the US shelves on 11/17 with a price tag of $499 for a 20gig hard drive or $599 for a 60 gig. Ouch, that's a lot of money.

Today's video is "Easy Love" from MSTRKFT. Not being able to dj in a few weeks is kiling me, but I can tell you that you will hear this song from me as soon as I'm back.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
22 September 2006 -

Holy hell. After a week of pure techological hell, DeadJournalist is back - hopefully for good. What happened? The laptop that the site ran off of scrashed and died leaving both me and the site without a means to update.

However, there is come good news. In the last week four - count them - four inteview came in. The interview with Voxtrot will go up tonight with the rest to follow shortly. New software and hardware will hopefully allow for the next step in site upgrades as well.

Tomorrow, we'll get back to daily updates and videos. For now, I'm just happy to be back.

Voxtrot Interview

One of the fastest-rising artists in the modern music scene is the Austin-based band Voxtrot. While the internet is full of flash-in-the-pan, two-week sensations, Voxtrot has built much of their following the old fashion way – by releasing music and touring. This is not to say that the band isn’t taking advantage of modern marketing, but to reinforce the notion that buzz alone can’t make the band – the band makes the band.

While Voxtrot sites the influence of ‘60’s bands like Love, their ability to fashion engaging lyrics with pop-friendly (and danceable) melodies draws comparison to artist like the Smiths, Ben Folds Five, Belle and Sebastian and the Arcade Fire. Those comparisons are lofty, but given the work the band has produced thus far, anything less than reaching the that high level of success would be disappointing.

The songwriting talent and vocal capability of Voxtrot’s front man Ramesh Srivastava can’t be overstated. With band members Jason Chronis, Mitch Calvert, Matt Simon and Jared Van Fleet, Voxtrot creates a sound full of underlying vigor and emotion. Throw in pianos and horns, and the previously stated musical comparisons are easily understood.

Pleasantly pleasing pop music – ah, the alliteration.

The band released their debut EP, Raised by Wolves (which recently can back into print) on their own Cult Hero Records in 2005. The success of the EP led to Beggars Group to release their 2006 EP, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives.

Voxtrot will be releasing Your Biggest Fan as an EP on November 7 in advance of their eagerly awaited debut full-length. The band has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on the LP. Although the exact release date has yet to be announced, indications are it will be an early-2007 release.

The band will play a mini-tour beginning in late-October and early-November beginning with an October 26 show in Houston. Shows of note include an October 28 show in Austin with Beirut, a November 1 show in Las Angeles and a November 4 show in San Francisco – both with Sound Team. The band is also playing back-to-back shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Novemeber 6 and 7.

For more information on Voxtrot, visit their Web site: www.voxtrot.net or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/voxtrot. Also, Srivastava keeps a blog at: http://thevoxtrotkid.blogspot.com/

DeadJournalist.com recently caught-up with Ramesh Srivastava of Voxtrot for this exclusive interview.

How did Voxtrot form and how long have you been performing together?

RS: We formed as a demo project about four years ago.

How would you describe your sound?

RS: Melody and Rhythm, Past and Present.

The band has quite a grass-root following. Have these loyal fans influenced the band?

RS: In a way, I’m sure. I have always been a loyal fan to the music I love, so it’s nice to have the same thing in return, in whatever capacity.

How have blogs and podcasts been used to expand the Voxtrot fanbase?

RS: All of these things have been unbelievably helpful. The internet is often times the most subversive form of media.

The band’s pop sensibility and dance-friendly songs has drawn a great deal of critical acclaim. What artists influenced you as the band crafted its sound?

RS: All kinds of influences: Quite a lot from the sixties, the obvious later indie music, and then and again the odd techno record.

Are plans underway for a full-length album?

RS: Definitely. November, fingers crossed.

What is the most important part of your life performances?

RS: The relationship between performer and audience.

Is there an artist(s) with whom you most enjoyed performing while on tour?

RS: Personally, We Are Wolves were my favorite.

Voxtrot Interview

One of the fastest-rising artists in the modern music scene is the Austin-based band Voxtrot. While the internet is full of flash-in-the-pan, two-week sensations, Voxtrot has built much of their following the old fashion way – by releasing music and touring. This is not to say that the band isn’t taking advantage of modern marketing, but to reinforce the notion that buzz alone can’t make the band – the band makes the band.

While Voxtrot sites the influence of ‘60’s bands like Love, their ability to fashion engaging lyrics with pop-friendly (and danceable) melodies draws comparison to artist like the Smiths, Ben Folds Five, Belle and Sebastian and the Arcade Fire. Those comparisons are lofty, but given the work the band has produced thus far, anything less than reaching the that high level of success would be disappointing.

The songwriting talent and vocal capability of Voxtrot’s front man Ramesh Srivastava can’t be overstated. With band members Jason Chronis, Mitch Calvert, Matt Simon and Jared Van Fleet, Voxtrot creates a sound full of underlying vigor and emotion. Throw in pianos and horns, and the previously stated musical comparisons are easily understood.

Pleasantly pleasing pop music – ah, the alliteration.

The band released their debut EP, Raised by Wolves (which recently can back into print) on their own Cult Hero Records in 2005. The success of the EP led to Beggars Group to release their 2006 EP, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives.

Voxtrot will be releasing Your Biggest Fan as an EP on November 7 in advance of their eagerly awaited debut full-length. The band has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on the LP. Although the exact release date has yet to be announced, indications are it will be an early-2007 release.

The band will play a mini-tour beginning in late-October and early-November beginning with an October 26 show in Houston. Shows of note include an October 28 show in Austin with Beirut, a November 1 show in Las Angeles and a November 4 show in San Francisco – both with Sound Team. The band is also playing back-to-back shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Novemeber 6 and 7.

For more information on Voxtrot, visit their Web site: www.voxtrot.net or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/voxtrot. Also, Srivastava keeps a blog at: http://thevoxtrotkid.blogspot.com/

DeadJournalist.com recently caught-up with Ramesh Srivastava of Voxtrot for this exclusive interview.

How did Voxtrot form and how long have you been performing together?

RS: We formed as a demo project about four years ago.

How would you describe your sound?

RS: Melody and Rhythm, Past and Present.

The band has quite a grass-root following. Have these loyal fans influenced the band?

RS: In a way, I’m sure. I have always been a loyal fan to the music I love, so it’s nice to have the same thing in return, in whatever capacity.

How have blogs and podcasts been used to expand the Voxtrot fanbase?

RS: All of these things have been unbelievably helpful. The internet is often times the most subversive form of media.

The band’s pop sensibility and dance-friendly songs has drawn a great deal of critical acclaim. What artists influenced you as the band crafted its sound?

RS: All kinds of influences: Quite a lot from the sixties, the obvious later indie music, and then and again the odd techno record.

Are plans underway for a full-length album?

RS: Definitely. November, fingers crossed.

What is the most important part of your life performances?

RS: The relationship between performer and audience.

Is there an artist(s) with whom you most enjoyed performing while on tour?

RS: Personally, We Are Wolves were my favorite.

Almost Back

Tomorrow - hopefully - I'll be live. Good news is the interview with Voxtrot will hit the day DeadJournalist.com get back going. This is killing me to not update.

Almost Back

Tomorrow - hopefully - I'll be live. Good news is the interview with Voxtrot will hit the day DeadJournalist.com get back going. This is killing me to not update.

Computer Crashes, Site Coming Back Soon

On Thursday, my laptop came to a screeching halt. Literally. On Friday, after seven hours of attempts, all was lost. However, today I did buy a new laptop and show be back up and running no later than this weekend. I have two interviews ready to go as soon as I go live. I have also made the transition from PC to MAC, so I hope this will allow for a quicker relaunch of the site.

Until then, no, I didn't die nor did the site go away.

Computer Crashes, Site Coming Back Soon

On Thursday, my laptop came to a screeching halt. Literally. On Friday, after seven hours of attempts, all was lost. However, today I did buy a new laptop and show be back up and running no later than this weekend. I have two interviews ready to go as soon as I go live. I have also made the transition from PC to MAC, so I hope this will allow for a quicker relaunch of the site.

Until then, no, I didn't die nor did the site go away.

DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interview: TV on the Radio

EXCLUSIVE Interview: TV on the Radio
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

If you are reading this sentence, the likelihood of you not knowing the band TV on the Radio is remote. In the event you aren't familiar with the band, go buy one of their albums, because trying to compare their sound to other artists is futile at best.

Simply put, TV on the Radio is unlike any other band - ever.

TV on the Radio features the distinctive and unforgettable vocals of Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone; which are mixed with complex layers of instrumental loops and noise created by David Andrew Sitek. The band's jazz/electro/psychedelic sound is rounded out by drummer Jaleel Bunton and bassist Gerard Smith.

The band has drawn a rapidly increasing number of fans and garnered an equally impressive amount of critical acclaim in the years following the release of the Young Liars EP in 2003. After the success of their full-length debut Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes and their follow up EP New Health Rock in 2004, the band moved up to a major label when they signed with Interscope Records.

While the praise bandied upon TV on the Radio is well deserved, there is more to the band than their music. The band recorded "Dry Drunk Emperor" after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. The band sold the controversial song on-line to raise money and awareness for the areas victims.

The band's long-awaited CD, Return to Cookie Mountain, will be released on September 12, 2006 and features vocals by David Bowie on "Providence". They will launch a supporting tour (many dates with Grizzly Bear) in New Orleans on September 14.

For more information on TV on the Radio, visit their Web site: www.tvontheradio.com or their Myspace.com page: www.myspace.com/tvotr.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with David Andrew Sitek of TV on the Radio.

With the maturation and progression of sound on Return to Cookie Mountain was it difficult to explore new sounds without loosing the essence that is TV on the Radio?

DAS: I think if we didn't explore new sounds, we would have been in greater jeopardy of losing our essence. The band is mostly built on guesswork and exploration.

How did David Bowie's involvement in "Providence" come about?

DAS: We have known him for a while and passed on early versions of the songs to him. We told him he was welcome to join us on any of them. And he did just that. He liked the lyrical relevance of the song and had a marvelous harmony brewing for it.

What can people expect from your upcoming tour?

DAS: Grown men, acting like kids, pretending to be grown men. Loud love. Fast empathy. How did the band get involved with post-Katrina support?

Do you see progress being made in the area's recovery?

DAS: We have not been directly involved in relief efforts past donating a song to be sold and raising awareness. We did travel through New Orleans (9th Ward, East Orleans, Lakeside) and had the opportunity to interview some people. But that was more for us to get a grip personally on what had taken place and what was being done.

We were there nine months after the hurricane and while we were talking to firefighters a body was recovered. We couldn't believe it - nine months later. It is still quite daunting; what has to be done down there. And more disturbing is what little has been done.

The spirit of the people is strong, but there is still a tremendous need for outside help. Things as basic as wood, bricks, nails and manpower (are needed). It is a very complicated problem and there are competing interests vying for the reigns to head the process.

We can only hope that the people of New Orleans - the residents - have a say in how the city is rebuilt. I hope that this country will learn from this and realize that until we take care of our own citizens, we really have no business telling others how to run their country.

The only way the world will take us seriously is by example.

DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interview: TV on the Radio

EXCLUSIVE Interview: TV on the Radio
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

If you are reading this sentence, the likelihood of you not knowing the band TV on the Radio is remote. In the event you aren't familiar with the band, go buy one of their albums, because trying to compare their sound to other artists is futile at best.

Simply put, TV on the Radio is unlike any other band - ever.

TV on the Radio features the distinctive and unforgettable vocals of Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone; which are mixed with complex layers of instrumental loops and noise created by David Andrew Sitek. The band's jazz/electro/psychedelic sound is rounded out by drummer Jaleel Bunton and bassist Gerard Smith.

The band has drawn a rapidly increasing number of fans and garnered an equally impressive amount of critical acclaim in the years following the release of the Young Liars EP in 2003. After the success of their full-length debut Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes and their follow up EP New Health Rock in 2004, the band moved up to a major label when they signed with Interscope Records.

While the praise bandied upon TV on the Radio is well deserved, there is more to the band than their music. The band recorded "Dry Drunk Emperor" after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. The band sold the controversial song on-line to raise money and awareness for the areas victims.

The band's long-awaited CD, Return to Cookie Mountain, will be released on September 12, 2006 and features vocals by David Bowie on "Providence". They will launch a supporting tour (many dates with Grizzly Bear) in New Orleans on September 14.

For more information on TV on the Radio, visit their Web site: www.tvontheradio.com or their Myspace.com page: www.myspace.com/tvotr.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with David Andrew Sitek of TV on the Radio.

With the maturation and progression of sound on Return to Cookie Mountain was it difficult to explore new sounds without loosing the essence that is TV on the Radio?

DAS: I think if we didn't explore new sounds, we would have been in greater jeopardy of losing our essence. The band is mostly built on guesswork and exploration.

How did David Bowie's involvement in "Providence" come about?

DAS: We have known him for a while and passed on early versions of the songs to him. We told him he was welcome to join us on any of them. And he did just that. He liked the lyrical relevance of the song and had a marvelous harmony brewing for it.

What can people expect from your upcoming tour?

DAS: Grown men, acting like kids, pretending to be grown men. Loud love. Fast empathy. How did the band get involved with post-Katrina support?

Do you see progress being made in the area's recovery?

DAS: We have not been directly involved in relief efforts past donating a song to be sold and raising awareness. We did travel through New Orleans (9th Ward, East Orleans, Lakeside) and had the opportunity to interview some people. But that was more for us to get a grip personally on what had taken place and what was being done.

We were there nine months after the hurricane and while we were talking to firefighters a body was recovered. We couldn't believe it - nine months later. It is still quite daunting; what has to be done down there. And more disturbing is what little has been done.

The spirit of the people is strong, but there is still a tremendous need for outside help. Things as basic as wood, bricks, nails and manpower (are needed). It is a very complicated problem and there are competing interests vying for the reigns to head the process.

We can only hope that the people of New Orleans - the residents - have a say in how the city is rebuilt. I hope that this country will learn from this and realize that until we take care of our own citizens, we really have no business telling others how to run their country.

The only way the world will take us seriously is by example.

DeadJournalist Exclusive Interview: All The Saints

EXCLUSIVE Interview: All The Saints
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

It's easy to compare genre-breaking music that is made by US artists as sound as if it is from the UK. Time-and-time again, review will say, " … although they are from Anytown, they sound as if they are from across the pond." That's been said about All The Saints as well. So be it.

What you'll find when you listen to the Atlanta-based All The Saints is driving, psychedelic-influenced rock. Leaning heavily on sounds gleaned from the artists from the 1960's and '70's that influenced them, the band is focused on producing a music that relies less on hype and more on substance.

Titus, Matt and Jim (first names only) unabashedly proclaim their distain for the commercial "indie" music label and are equally passionate about their desire to create a vigorous, energized music - both recored and live.

For more information on All The Saints, visit their Web site: www.allthesaints.org or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/allthesaints.

DeadJournalist.com caught up with Titus of All The Saints for this exclusive interview.

You guys knew each other before forming All The Saints in Atlanta. So what made you decide to start the band and how long have you been performing together?

T: We wanted to play together before in Alabama and when we originally moved here, but things got delayed for about a year before we could really get something serious going.

We're glad we waited. It's better that we did. We have grown a lot in the past year and a half together.

Did you know early on that you wanted to focus on playing '70's-inspired rock? Who most inspired you musically?

T: We just like classic, psychedelic sounds and want to explore them further. We want something heavier and trashier than what we're hearing. We listen to a lot of records from the late '60's early '70's and that has a big influence on us.

What do you consider the most important part of your live shows?

T: We tend to focus on the dynamics and textures of our live shows and that comes across in the songwriting as well. We're all very aggressive players. We aren't up on stage to look good in tight pants and eyeliner.

It's important that we have real songs. We want the live shows to be honest and not just a set of our songs. We mix up set lists and arrangements from show to show. If we aren't feeling a particular song, we don't play it. If people want to hear the songs they can listen to a CD.

We hope the audience embraces the unpredictability of our show.

Are you in the process of working on a new album? Is it important for the band to capture your live sound in the studio?

T: We've recorded with Ryan Pitchford from Variac and we'll finish mixing when he gets back in town. He's seen us live many times and knows how to capture that. We're really thankful to be working with him.

Does the band have plans to tour in the near future?

We're concentrating on releasing a CD, but yes, we will tour.

Do you think the "indie" scene is dead? If so, where do you see music moving over the next few years?

T: Honestly, we can't fit a whole "scene" in our basement. We don't know or care what the "indie" scene is. We see "indie" as a worn out term, much the way "alternative" became worn out in the late '90's.

A lot of the music we hear today is so polished, commercial and watered down. We really have no clue where music is going but we are sure there will be a shift from the manufactured images and sounds that so many bands today share. No more cock rock.

Jump back to 1996, what were you listening to that summer?

T: Well, we were only 15. Nirvana for sure. Lots of Zeppelin, Beatles, Rancid ... anything on Epitaph Records. Oasis, Smashing Pumpkins, Lemonheads, Veruca Salt, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Supergrass, etc. We were all over the place.

DeadJournalist Exclusive Interview: All The Saints

EXCLUSIVE Interview: All The Saints
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

It's easy to compare genre-breaking music that is made by US artists as sound as if it is from the UK. Time-and-time again, review will say, " … although they are from Anytown, they sound as if they are from across the pond." That's been said about All The Saints as well. So be it.

What you'll find when you listen to the Atlanta-based All The Saints is driving, psychedelic-influenced rock. Leaning heavily on sounds gleaned from the artists from the 1960's and '70's that influenced them, the band is focused on producing a music that relies less on hype and more on substance.

Titus, Matt and Jim (first names only) unabashedly proclaim their distain for the commercial "indie" music label and are equally passionate about their desire to create a vigorous, energized music - both recored and live.

For more information on All The Saints, visit their Web site: www.allthesaints.org or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/allthesaints.

DeadJournalist.com caught up with Titus of All The Saints for this exclusive interview.

You guys knew each other before forming All The Saints in Atlanta. So what made you decide to start the band and how long have you been performing together?

T: We wanted to play together before in Alabama and when we originally moved here, but things got delayed for about a year before we could really get something serious going.

We're glad we waited. It's better that we did. We have grown a lot in the past year and a half together.

Did you know early on that you wanted to focus on playing '70's-inspired rock? Who most inspired you musically?

T: We just like classic, psychedelic sounds and want to explore them further. We want something heavier and trashier than what we're hearing. We listen to a lot of records from the late '60's early '70's and that has a big influence on us.

What do you consider the most important part of your live shows?

T: We tend to focus on the dynamics and textures of our live shows and that comes across in the songwriting as well. We're all very aggressive players. We aren't up on stage to look good in tight pants and eyeliner.

It's important that we have real songs. We want the live shows to be honest and not just a set of our songs. We mix up set lists and arrangements from show to show. If we aren't feeling a particular song, we don't play it. If people want to hear the songs they can listen to a CD.

We hope the audience embraces the unpredictability of our show.

Are you in the process of working on a new album? Is it important for the band to capture your live sound in the studio?

T: We've recorded with Ryan Pitchford from Variac and we'll finish mixing when he gets back in town. He's seen us live many times and knows how to capture that. We're really thankful to be working with him.

Does the band have plans to tour in the near future?

We're concentrating on releasing a CD, but yes, we will tour.

Do you think the "indie" scene is dead? If so, where do you see music moving over the next few years?

T: Honestly, we can't fit a whole "scene" in our basement. We don't know or care what the "indie" scene is. We see "indie" as a worn out term, much the way "alternative" became worn out in the late '90's.

A lot of the music we hear today is so polished, commercial and watered down. We really have no clue where music is going but we are sure there will be a shift from the manufactured images and sounds that so many bands today share. No more cock rock.

Jump back to 1996, what were you listening to that summer?

T: Well, we were only 15. Nirvana for sure. Lots of Zeppelin, Beatles, Rancid ... anything on Epitaph Records. Oasis, Smashing Pumpkins, Lemonheads, Veruca Salt, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Supergrass, etc. We were all over the place.

notes for today

Bob Dylan hit #1 with Modern Times. Good for him. With Johnny Cash gone for a couple of years now, there are only a few historically significant singer-songwriters from the mid-1900's still putting out work. Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and the Rolling Stones (I know, I know).

We got our new LocalRec gear today, and it's dynamic. And Atlanta people, make sure to check out our friends with BLINK at the Granite Room for an art show/walk. For more info: www.graniteroom.com

So have you seen or heard that Justin Timberlake is covering Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in his live shows? He's also covered "Tennessee" by Arrested Development. Throw in having members of Three 6 Mafia on stage (as well as T.I.) and playing guitar and even beat-boxing and rapping (and not badly - according to reports) I will admit it ... I wouldn't mind seeing J.T. in concert. He's an easy target for a lot of the music snobs out there, but face it, the guy has talent.

Sony is cutting distribution of the PS3 to half what was originally projected. $1k holiday gift anyone?

While I (note: no "we" here) am killing my cred with some people, I'll go ahead and admit that in 1995, I really enjoyed Everclear. "Heroin Girl" and "My Sexual Life" are two of my fav songs from that time-frame. I saw a note today that the drummer from Everclear is in some group called the Oohlas. They're on Island Records (welcome back by the way) so who knows.

Finally, today's video is from everyone's band de jour, Hot Chip. Yes, I know this song is getting close to "Crazy" and "D.A.R.E" overplay status, but what the hell. But for several days I've had a DeadJournalist.com reader request that I post the video, so chaulk this one up for the people.

PS - I have an interview that I've been working on for a couple of days, so it will go up today or tomorrow.

notes for today

Bob Dylan hit #1 with Modern Times. Good for him. With Johnny Cash gone for a couple of years now, there are only a few historically significant singer-songwriters from the mid-1900's still putting out work. Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and the Rolling Stones (I know, I know).

We got our new LocalRec gear today, and it's dynamic. And Atlanta people, make sure to check out our friends with BLINK at the Granite Room for an art show/walk. For more info: www.graniteroom.com

So have you seen or heard that Justin Timberlake is covering Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in his live shows? He's also covered "Tennessee" by Arrested Development. Throw in having members of Three 6 Mafia on stage (as well as T.I.) and playing guitar and even beat-boxing and rapping (and not badly - according to reports) I will admit it ... I wouldn't mind seeing J.T. in concert. He's an easy target for a lot of the music snobs out there, but face it, the guy has talent.

Sony is cutting distribution of the PS3 to half what was originally projected. $1k holiday gift anyone?

While I (note: no "we" here) am killing my cred with some people, I'll go ahead and admit that in 1995, I really enjoyed Everclear. "Heroin Girl" and "My Sexual Life" are two of my fav songs from that time-frame. I saw a note today that the drummer from Everclear is in some group called the Oohlas. They're on Island Records (welcome back by the way) so who knows.

Finally, today's video is from everyone's band de jour, Hot Chip. Yes, I know this song is getting close to "Crazy" and "D.A.R.E" overplay status, but what the hell. But for several days I've had a DeadJournalist.com reader request that I post the video, so chaulk this one up for the people.

PS - I have an interview that I've been working on for a couple of days, so it will go up today or tomorrow.

new videos - and a question worth commenting on

two new videos went up last night - the new beck and the new basement jaxx. there is another wave of good, new music about to hit, so DeadJournalist.com will probably be posting two videos a day for a few weeks. check them out: www.deadjournalist.com/blog

also, time permitting (and there's never enough time) i hope to have the beta site intigrated this month.

so here's an open question (that i've asked before) - would you prefer the splash/home page of DeadJournalist.com to be a running blog or do you like the more news-esque layout it currently has?

chuck
ps - if you like the site, pass it on to a friend. august was a great month blowing - by far the largest do far! thanks!

new videos - and a question worth commenting on

two new videos went up last night - the new beck and the new basement jaxx. there is another wave of good, new music about to hit, so DeadJournalist.com will probably be posting two videos a day for a few weeks. check them out: www.deadjournalist.com/blog

also, time permitting (and there's never enough time) i hope to have the beta site intigrated this month.

so here's an open question (that i've asked before) - would you prefer the splash/home page of DeadJournalist.com to be a running blog or do you like the more news-esque layout it currently has?

chuck
ps - if you like the site, pass it on to a friend. august was a great month blowing - by far the largest do far! thanks!

No, Labor Day

if you have stumbled across this feed, please make sure to check out the main site: www.deadjournalist.com. this still has a way to go before going completely live.

as for the site itself: expect album reviews and interviews this week. check back daily!

chuck

ps - if you'd like to contribute this fast-growing site, drop an e-mail!

No, Labor Day

if you have stumbled across this feed, please make sure to check out the main site: www.deadjournalist.com. this still has a way to go before going completely live.

as for the site itself: expect album reviews and interviews this week. check back daily!

chuck

ps - if you'd like to contribute this fast-growing site, drop an e-mail!

Beta Testing

Welcome to the Beta testing of the new DeadJournalist.com blog/home page. Once the template can get firmed up, this page will allow comments, multiple user posts and updates from anywhere there's internet access ... in other words, a truly functional Web site.

One step down, many more to go.

Beta Testing

Welcome to the Beta testing of the new DeadJournalist.com blog/home page. Once the template can get firmed up, this page will allow comments, multiple user posts and updates from anywhere there's internet access ... in other words, a truly functional Web site.

One step down, many more to go.

2 September

2 September 2006 -



Breaking News: MySpace has announced that beginning in the next few weeks
it will enable bands and artists to sell music on their Web site through
a partnership with Snocap. Artists will upload their music to Snocap and
it will then go on to MySpace. Both companies will take a portion of the
sell. This will allow bands to sell their music directly to MySpace.com
members.



I took the day off from the site yesterday to recharge my batteries. In
doing so, I missed a sad story that broke mid-day yesterday. WOXY.com
is ending operation on Sept. 15. It will take a near-miracle to keep the
station going. But here's hoping that happens. WOXY has been around since
'83, serving southern Ohio and then the world with a unique blend of folk,
blues, underground rock and more. The station - known as "The Future
of Rock 'N Roll" -was featured in the 1988 movie "Rain Man".
Along with KEXP, the station was one of the few that cared more about
the music than the ad dollars.



Now for some good news - Tribe Called Quest is reforming at eight years.
The hip-hop legends will begin touring soon.

Today's video is
from the Rapture's post-VMA party on 09/01/06. Thanks to Stereogum.com
for the video.



Let the debate begin ... Is the Rapture the most important band of the
2000s?



Finally, our friends at LocalRec
will be launching their long awaiting new line of tees on Labor Day. Check
them out when you have time.

2 September

2 September 2006 -



Breaking News: MySpace has announced that beginning in the next few weeks
it will enable bands and artists to sell music on their Web site through
a partnership with Snocap. Artists will upload their music to Snocap and
it will then go on to MySpace. Both companies will take a portion of the
sell. This will allow bands to sell their music directly to MySpace.com
members.



I took the day off from the site yesterday to recharge my batteries. In
doing so, I missed a sad story that broke mid-day yesterday. WOXY.com
is ending operation on Sept. 15. It will take a near-miracle to keep the
station going. But here's hoping that happens. WOXY has been around since
'83, serving southern Ohio and then the world with a unique blend of folk,
blues, underground rock and more. The station - known as "The Future
of Rock 'N Roll" -was featured in the 1988 movie "Rain Man".
Along with KEXP, the station was one of the few that cared more about
the music than the ad dollars.



Now for some good news - Tribe Called Quest is reforming at eight years.
The hip-hop legends will begin touring soon.

Today's video is
from the Rapture's post-VMA party on 09/01/06. Thanks to Stereogum.com
for the video.



Let the debate begin ... Is the Rapture the most important band of the
2000s?



Finally, our friends at LocalRec
will be launching their long awaiting new line of tees on Labor Day. Check
them out when you have time.

Interview: The Prids

EXCLUSIVE
Interview: the Prids

Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

Heavily influenced
by British post-punk bands like Wire and the Smiths, the Prids have never
pretended to something they aren't. They aren't a punk band, because "punk"
is just a marketing term. And punk bands have becoming little more than
fodder for reality TV shows.

But if this were
the late-1970's or early-1980's, when punk met respect, the Prids would
be punk. Respect comes hard-earned. The blood, guts, stubbornness, passion
for creating music and refusal to do it someone else's way garners respect.
The Prids have respect.

Founding members,
David Frederickson (vocals, guitar) and Mistina Keith (bass, vocals) met
at a show Frederickson was playing in Missouri in the mid-1990's. Keith,
who had no musical training, convinced Frederickson to leave his current
band and start one with her. The duo formed the Prids and crisscrossed
the mid-west for several years playing shows, writing music and doing
their best to stay out of trouble. But the two musicians wanted more than
the dustbowl could offer.

So Frederickson and
Keith, neither of whom completed high school, got married and moved to
Portland in the late-1990's.The move proved to be exactly what they needed,
as the strength of the area's music scene allowed the band to blossom
musically.

The Prids released
their first LP, the highly-regarded Love Zero, in 2003. Three years
later - with the addition of Eric Hold (keyboards) and Joey Maas (drums)
- they released their second full-length album … Until the World is
Beautiful in July 2006.

Although there were
line-up changes to the band, the heart and soul of the Prids remains Frederickson
and Keith. Now divorced, the two still share a home on the outskirts of
Portland where much of their music is crafted. Regardless of their personal
status, they will always be married to their music.

The band is currently
in the midst of a non-stop summer/fall tour of North America in support
of their album. Beginning with their September 16th show in Chicago, the
band will play 18 dates with Built to Spill.

For more information
on the Prids, visit their Web site: www.theprids.com
or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/theprids.

Mistina Keith of
the Prids took time out of her hectic tour schedule for this exclusive
interview with DeadJournalist.com

From a music
standpoint, how much did the band change from the Prids debut Love
Zero to the new album … Until the World is Beautiful?

MK: The biggest difference
between Love Zero and ...Until the World is Beautiful is
we put less an emphasis on the keyboards and really let the guitars do
most of the talking. We had a couple line-up changes between the albums
- ones that we didn't foresee - so now instead of having a keyboard sound
be an integral part of the melody we use it as more of a layer or an embellishment.
We also made a point of lengthening our verses lyrically.

How long did it
take to record … Until the World is Beautiful? Who did you work
with to produce the album?

MK: It took 12, 13-hour
days at a studio called Super Natural Sound in Oregon. We recorded it
in December of 2005 with our friend Hillary Johnson from NYC. This was
the first time we ever let anyone else hold the reins so to speak. But
it gave us the chance to let us do nothing but focus on our performances.
It was the middle of Portland's rainy season and the studio is surrounded
by a large forest, it was a neat experience.

Was it important
to capture the essence of your live performance on the album?

MK: Yes, exactly.
That was the intention of bringing Hillary in. She has a pair of amazing
ears that we trust, and all we had to do was our thing. The band is in
the midst of an extended North American tour.

What is the biggest
challenge of playing show almost nightly for months in a row?

MK: This tour is
three months and 62 performances. After parties ... just kidding. The
biggest challenge is probably pain. We tend to move when we play, which
can do all sorts of numbers on the body. Not to mention, David who is
normally fit as a fiddle, has been plagued this tour.

First he went swimming,
got water in his right ear and couldn't hear out of it for over a week.
Then we were invited back to this warehouse that had a half pipe, so of
course David gets on a skateboard, falls and sprains his wrist really
badly.

We haven't missed
any shows though!

What is your favorite
part of performing live?

MK: The energy of
connecting together musically with other people. For the Prids, that means
not only with members of the band, but the spectators as well. We feel
really fortunate to be able to project this thing that is us and have
it be received, and when they love it everything just seems to make sense.
We're very lucky.

Before settling
in Portland, you and David bounced around the mid-west for several years.
What made everything come together for the band in Portland?

MK: We set out to
come to the west coast and become a working, touring band anyway. It helped
that after our third show we got a full page glowing write up in the Portland
Mercury.

Portland has a very
supportive, active scene that is inspiring as well. We're just doing exactly
what we'd set out to do, it could have been in Nebraska or Missouri. We
just wanted a larger scene.

With your personal
and professional lives intertwined, is it difficult to maintain a distinction
between the two?

MK: It's not difficult
because we're not trying to maintain any sort of distinction. When we're
not working on music we're usually hanging out, going out dancing together.
We basically do everything together anyway. Personal, business, whatever.

What are you most
proud of accomplishing thus far with the Prids?

MK: Earning the respect
of artists we admire.

Once you complete
your current tour, what are you plans? Will
the band be working on their next album?

MK: David and I are
planning on putting out a covers record this winter/spring. We'll be writing
songs for the new album as well, we're definitely not waiting three years
for the next release.

Thinking back
to 1996, what were you listening to that summer?

MK: 1996 wasn't that
different than 2006 ... Halo Benders, Built to Spill, Sonic Youth, Frank
Black, The Smiths, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Bauhaus,
Jonathan Richman, Daniel Johnston, Unrest, Stereolab, and Dinosaur Jr.

 

Interview: The Prids

EXCLUSIVE
Interview: the Prids

Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

Heavily influenced
by British post-punk bands like Wire and the Smiths, the Prids have never
pretended to something they aren't. They aren't a punk band, because "punk"
is just a marketing term. And punk bands have becoming little more than
fodder for reality TV shows.

But if this were
the late-1970's or early-1980's, when punk met respect, the Prids would
be punk. Respect comes hard-earned. The blood, guts, stubbornness, passion
for creating music and refusal to do it someone else's way garners respect.
The Prids have respect.

Founding members,
David Frederickson (vocals, guitar) and Mistina Keith (bass, vocals) met
at a show Frederickson was playing in Missouri in the mid-1990's. Keith,
who had no musical training, convinced Frederickson to leave his current
band and start one with her. The duo formed the Prids and crisscrossed
the mid-west for several years playing shows, writing music and doing
their best to stay out of trouble. But the two musicians wanted more than
the dustbowl could offer.

So Frederickson and
Keith, neither of whom completed high school, got married and moved to
Portland in the late-1990's.The move proved to be exactly what they needed,
as the strength of the area's music scene allowed the band to blossom
musically.

The Prids released
their first LP, the highly-regarded Love Zero, in 2003. Three years
later - with the addition of Eric Hold (keyboards) and Joey Maas (drums)
- they released their second full-length album … Until the World is
Beautiful in July 2006.

Although there were
line-up changes to the band, the heart and soul of the Prids remains Frederickson
and Keith. Now divorced, the two still share a home on the outskirts of
Portland where much of their music is crafted. Regardless of their personal
status, they will always be married to their music.

The band is currently
in the midst of a non-stop summer/fall tour of North America in support
of their album. Beginning with their September 16th show in Chicago, the
band will play 18 dates with Built to Spill.

For more information
on the Prids, visit their Web site: www.theprids.com
or their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/theprids.

Mistina Keith of
the Prids took time out of her hectic tour schedule for this exclusive
interview with DeadJournalist.com

From a music
standpoint, how much did the band change from the Prids debut Love
Zero to the new album … Until the World is Beautiful?

MK: The biggest difference
between Love Zero and ...Until the World is Beautiful is
we put less an emphasis on the keyboards and really let the guitars do
most of the talking. We had a couple line-up changes between the albums
- ones that we didn't foresee - so now instead of having a keyboard sound
be an integral part of the melody we use it as more of a layer or an embellishment.
We also made a point of lengthening our verses lyrically.

How long did it
take to record … Until the World is Beautiful? Who did you work
with to produce the album?

MK: It took 12, 13-hour
days at a studio called Super Natural Sound in Oregon. We recorded it
in December of 2005 with our friend Hillary Johnson from NYC. This was
the first time we ever let anyone else hold the reins so to speak. But
it gave us the chance to let us do nothing but focus on our performances.
It was the middle of Portland's rainy season and the studio is surrounded
by a large forest, it was a neat experience.

Was it important
to capture the essence of your live performance on the album?

MK: Yes, exactly.
That was the intention of bringing Hillary in. She has a pair of amazing
ears that we trust, and all we had to do was our thing. The band is in
the midst of an extended North American tour.

What is the biggest
challenge of playing show almost nightly for months in a row?

MK: This tour is
three months and 62 performances. After parties ... just kidding. The
biggest challenge is probably pain. We tend to move when we play, which
can do all sorts of numbers on the body. Not to mention, David who is
normally fit as a fiddle, has been plagued this tour.

First he went swimming,
got water in his right ear and couldn't hear out of it for over a week.
Then we were invited back to this warehouse that had a half pipe, so of
course David gets on a skateboard, falls and sprains his wrist really
badly.

We haven't missed
any shows though!

What is your favorite
part of performing live?

MK: The energy of
connecting together musically with other people. For the Prids, that means
not only with members of the band, but the spectators as well. We feel
really fortunate to be able to project this thing that is us and have
it be received, and when they love it everything just seems to make sense.
We're very lucky.

Before settling
in Portland, you and David bounced around the mid-west for several years.
What made everything come together for the band in Portland?

MK: We set out to
come to the west coast and become a working, touring band anyway. It helped
that after our third show we got a full page glowing write up in the Portland
Mercury.

Portland has a very
supportive, active scene that is inspiring as well. We're just doing exactly
what we'd set out to do, it could have been in Nebraska or Missouri. We
just wanted a larger scene.

With your personal
and professional lives intertwined, is it difficult to maintain a distinction
between the two?

MK: It's not difficult
because we're not trying to maintain any sort of distinction. When we're
not working on music we're usually hanging out, going out dancing together.
We basically do everything together anyway. Personal, business, whatever.

What are you most
proud of accomplishing thus far with the Prids?

MK: Earning the respect
of artists we admire.

Once you complete
your current tour, what are you plans? Will
the band be working on their next album?

MK: David and I are
planning on putting out a covers record this winter/spring. We'll be writing
songs for the new album as well, we're definitely not waiting three years
for the next release.

Thinking back
to 1996, what were you listening to that summer?

MK: 1996 wasn't that
different than 2006 ... Halo Benders, Built to Spill, Sonic Youth, Frank
Black, The Smiths, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Bauhaus,
Jonathan Richman, Daniel Johnston, Unrest, Stereolab, and Dinosaur Jr.