On this episode, Marc talks with Lisa MacKinney, author of "Dressed in Black: The Shangri-Las and Their Recorded Legacy," released in March of 2025. It's a thorough history of the 1960's group comprising sisters Mary and Betty Weiss and twins Mary Ann and Marguerite Ganser, best known for their hits “Leader of the Pack” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand)." MacKinney started this project 20 years ago as a graduate student, gradually unearthing almost every possible detail about this fascinating group, despite not having access to any members.As she writes, "A reappraisal of the Shangri-Las’ small but tremendously significant and influential body of work is long overdue. Repeatedly marginalised in traditional rock narratives, the Shangri-Las deserve to be examined in more informed historical contexts and on their own terms, right now and not later."You can buy "Dressed in Black" here.We hope you enjoy Marc's conversation with Lisa MacKinney.
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46:17
058 Matthew Shipp on his Collected Writing
On this episode, Marc talks with Matthew Shipp, author of "Black Mystery School Pianists and Other Writings," published in April 2025 by Autonomedia. It's a collection of essays, poems, tributes, obituaries and more. Shipp, best known for his piano playing (solo, in collaboration, and with the David S. Ware quartet), presents much of what he's learned and contemplated over decades as an artist, touching on inspiration, improvisation, language, and many other big ideas.As he writes, "I don't consider myself a poet, but I do consider myself able to write about what inspires me to play the way I do. And the reason I'm able to do that, even though I'm not a poet, is because obviously I know myself to some extent."You can buy Matt's book at Autonomedia's website or here. We hope you enjoy Marc's conversation with Matthew Shipp!
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46:37
057 Mark Doyle on John Cale's Paris 1919
On this episode, Marc talks with Mark Doyle, author of "John Cale's Paris 1919," published in February of 2025 as part of the 33.3 series of short books on individual albums. It's a fascinating examination of John Cale's 1973 album, which Doyle approaches along the theme of "ghosts," with chapters on "The Ghosts of New York," "The Ghost of Dylan Thomas," "The Ghosts of HIstory," and "The Ghosts of Christmas."As Doyle writes, "If you are looking for some systematic explanation of the songs' mysteries, some Grand Unified Theory that will tie together all the historical, literary, and autobiographical references in the lyrics, I am afraid this is not that book. Instead, I will undertake the more delicate task of identifying, one at a time, and with the utmost care, just a few of the ghosts haunting the album, taking their measure for a few moments before they float off into the night."You can buy Mark's book here, and we hope you enjoy our conversation with him!
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45:50
056 S.H. Fernando Jr. on DOOM
On this episode, Marc talks with S.H. Fernando Jr., author of "The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap's Masked Iconoclast," released in October of 2024 by Astra House. It's a thorough and thought-provoking biography of the legendary rapper, writer, and producer known best as MF DOOM. Fernando delves into the mystery of DOOM's work and life while also capturing the magic that his music conjured.As Fernando writes, "As a complex character who cherished his privacy, DOOM's very nature precludes any efforts to get behind the mask and into his head. Instead, his story unravels like a ball of yarn as told through the people who worked with him and knew him best."You can buy "The Chronicles of Doom" here.We hope you enjoy Marc's chat with S.H. Fernando Jr.!
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48:40
055 Eric Shade on the Bangles
On this episode, Marc talks with Eric Shade, author of "All Over The Place - The Rise of The Bangles From The L.A. Underground," published in January of 2024. It's a super detailed, comprehensive biography of the Bangles from the childhoods of each member up to the present day, as well as a compelling depiction of the LA scene, especially the Paisley Underground, that they grew up from and are still really a part of. Eric has been a Bangles fan since he was a kid and the amount of knowledge and illustrations he has collected over the decades helped him make this a thorough book about a compelling band.As Eric writes, "The deeper I delved, a vast, interconnected network of individuals within the LA Underground unfolded. It was an enormous tapestry of impresarios, club promoters, ambitious artists, roadies, music enthusiasts, family members, and devoted friends. The Bangles were both part of this symbiosis and simultaneously stood apart from it all.”You can buy Eric's book here at Hozac's website.We hope you enjoy Marc's conversation with Eric Shade!
Ireland