BV Interviews: A Podcast About Music

This week we're doing something a little different. Dave and Bill talked to Mikey B Rishwain, who has been programming the M for Montreal Festival and industry conference for nearly two decades. BrooklynVegan first went to M in 2008 and we've been collaborating ever since, co-presenting showcases and day parties at SXSW, CMJ, M for Montreal and more.

M for Montreal celebrated its 20th anniversary last November and BrooklynVegan had a showcase to kick off the festival. It was at another M showcase that caused the most buzz, however, and that's one of the reasons we wanted to talk to Mikey on the show. We're talking about a certain French-Canadian polka-dotted math-rock duo, Angine de Poitrine, who may have flooded your Instagram and other social feeds. We get into that, and also talk about Montreal bands who should've been bigger, Canadian hockey, Heated Rivalry and Wolf Parade, and more.

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Credits:

Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis

Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray

Theme music by Michael Silverstein

This week we're talking to Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek who's fourth solo album, The Mirror, is out this week via 4AD. It was made with Big Thief drummer James Krivchenia in the producer's chair and together they envisioned a joyous rock record with an ambient sound design that really gives the album a unique sound. 

 

Our discussion gets into the production of the album and how guitarist Adam Brisbin played a major role in the way it sounds, embracing hope in dark times, plus the many guests on The Mirror including Adrianne Lenker, Jolie Holland and more. We also talk about Buck's new band Kisser which is led by his partner, Germaine Dunes, his upcoming tour plans, five records he thinks everyone should own, a little food talk, and more.

 

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Credits:

Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis

Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray

Theme music by Michael Silverstein

This week we're talking to Euan Manning of Irish band Cardinals who just released their terrific debut album Masquerade. We talk about the band's unique sound, which hinges on his brother Finn's accordion playing, and making their album at London's RAK Studios with producer Shrink.

 

Other topics of conversation include: getting to open for The Pogues in Boston and being part of Fontaines DC's massive show at London's Finsbury Park in 2025, the current music scene in Cork, their first trip to New York, five albums he thinks everyone should own, and more.

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Credits:

Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis

Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray

Theme music by Michael Silverstein

This week we're talking to indiepop legends Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey whose bands include Talulah Gosh, Marine Research and Heavenly who this month will release their first album in over 30 years. It's titled Highway to Heavenly and is out via the Skep Wax, the label they run together. 

 

Our hourlong conversation covers a lot of ground, including the new album, how TikTok turned their '90s song "P.U.N.K. Girl" into a 2020s viral hit, being part of the International Pop Underground, how Amelia's career as an economist came in handy for indie bands on streaming services, Heavenly's upcoming North American tour, their label Skep Wax, the dreaded "T" Word, and more. Lots more.

 

Pick up the all-Heavenly issue of Jane Duffus' Zine Things Happen we mention near the end of the episode here.

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Credits:

Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis

Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray

Theme music by Michael Silverstein

This week we're talking to UK band Dry Cleaning who just released their excellent third album Secret Love via 4AD. We've got all four members with us: vocalist Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, bassist Lewis Maynard, and drummer Nick Buxton. We talked about making the album with producer Cate Le Bon and recording at Wilco's Loft Studio in Chicago and at Black Box studios in France's Loire Valley.

 

Florence tells us about her decision to sing more on Secret Love, and other topics of discussion include: their upcoming North American tour that had to be rescheduled, the Grammy-winning but polarizing artwork for 2022's Stumpwork and the uncanny artwork of the new album, and their first visit to the US which happened days before covid lockdown in 2020. Plus: a surprising amount of talk about food, albums they think everyone should own, and things devolve into chaos when Lewis accidentally knocks his laptop off his coffee table. It's one of a few wild moments that make this episode extra fun.

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Credits:

Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis

Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray

Theme music by Michael Silverstein