We last checked in with Taper’s Choice days before their first annual “Choice Fest” here in Los Angeles. Now, on the eve of the eagerly anticipated second annual event [Choice Fest, August 5th at Spoke Bicycle Cafe in Los Angeles], we reached out to the band to chart how things have grown and expanded, both in terms of fans and for themselves.
Category: The AD Interview
Steven Bernstein (Sexmob) :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Trumpeter Steve Bernstein joins us to discuss the electronically processed jazz of Sexmob’s The Hard Way and share wild stories of working with legends like Lou Reed, how he helped prep the Sun Ra Arkestra to appear on-stage with U2, and tell us about the one time he had to tell Hal Willner “no.”
Sonhos Secretos :: In Conversation With Producer Tee Cardaci
From the rare and obscure to the unknown, producer Tee Cardaci mines eleven genre-spanning gems produced during the waning days of Brazil’s military dictatorship, recorded by a new emerging class of artists operating outside of the major label system. Set to release August 4th, via AD and Org Music, we asked Brazilian music authority Allen Thayer to catch up with Cardaci in regards to the three year process it took to make the Sonhos Secretos compilation a reality…
Calling From Elsewhere :: Hayden Pedigo on The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored
With The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored, Texas guitarist Hayden Pedigo wordlessly shares stories of fate and sustaining hope. A meticulous and detailed player, he’s spent the last decade refining and shaping his sound, pushing for ultimate clarity of expression. But just give that cover painting by Jonathan Phillips a good look: Pedigo is just as interested in stoking creative impulses that align him with his comedic heroes—here’s a guitarist who borrows from Harmony Korine nearly as much as John Fahey and names albums after quotes by National Lampoon co-founder Doug Kenney. Pedigo joins us to discuss bringing the unexpected into his work.
Dave Schools :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Now in their 37th year as a working outfit, we connected with founding member and bassist Dave Schools from his home in northern California to discuss the evolution of Widespread Panic, the early influence of Athens, GA, collaborations, their DIY approach, touring, mentors and beyond.
Catching Up With M. Ward
“I’m not a scientist, so I don’t exactly understand how radio waves are sent through the air. But as a kid, it was magic.” M. Ward joins us to discuss Supernatural Thing, Elvis, his collaborative process, the influence of Howe Gelb of Giant Sand, and more.
The Clientele :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
The Clientele has been constructing gorgeous, buoyant psychedelic pop for more than three decades now, distilling the languid beauty of a late summer afternoon into whispery gems that hide surprising complications.Yet there has always been more to the Clientele’s art than wistful elegance, and never more so than I Am Not There Anymore, the band’s ninth full-length.
Stewart Copeland :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Stewart Copeland speaks with Chris Schlarb about the derangement of The Police, film composing, and why he can’t wait to get done with the interview.
Youth Lagoon :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
With Heaven Is a Junkyard, Trevor Powers returns to the Youth Lagoon banner. Crafted with producer Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, Adele, Gil Scott-Heron) after period of medical strife that robbed Powers of his ability to sing his signature lilt—thankfully only temporarily—the album finds Powers at his most generous and adventurous.
Douglas McCombs (Brokeback/The Sea and Cake/Black Duck) :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Aquarium Drunkard speaks with Douglas McCombs about the formation of Black Duck, the approach they took for their album, the motivation behind his 2022 solo release VMAK
Bush Tetras :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
We recently caught up with both Cynthia Sley and Pat Place, in the first smoky days of summer, about Bush Tetras history and evolution, the new album and the legacy they’d like to leave. Said Place, “Girls come up to us after shows, and say that changed my life. We feel like, okay, wow, this is all worthwhile then.”
M. Sage :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Paradise Crick feels like a breakthrough for the Colorado-based musician. It’s not so much an album as it is an enveloping landscape, teeming with ever-shifting textures and vibrant colors. We dropped in on Sage in his home studio a few weeks back to get a personal tour of Paradise Crick, in the process attempting to answer a thorny question: can ambient music be funny?
Tim Rutili on Califone’s Cinematic Village
On villagers, the eighth album from Tim Rutili’s steadfast Califone project, the singer bemoans “a Roxy Music cassette dying in the dashboard sun.” That image serves as a fitting description of the sound here: open pop melodies and soulful singing at the mercy of time, nature, and memory. Rutili joins us to discuss his creative process, after funeral disassociation, and how reality television influenced the album as much as, or more than, his lofty cinematic obsessions.
Bonny Doon :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Bonny Doon came together in a scrappy DIY Detroit punk garage scene, but over time has moved towards the sunny clarity of classic pop. The band’s latest album, Let There Be Music, distills exuberant songs to their essence, tamping down the guitar mayhem to make space for the piano and breezy “ooh la las” waft over dreamy hooks.
Joshua Abrams :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
On April 19 of this year Abrams sat for a Zoom call in the Chicago home he shares with his partner Alvarado, backed by one of her signature glowing artworks. Abrams expressed his life’s work with the same reflective purpose and dedication he brings to his art. He discussed his Jewish upbringing, working with The Roots, jamming with Chicago’s finest improvisers and his unparalleled Eremite albums.