This week's episode is sponsored by BandBox. With festival season in full swing, this week's episode offers a peak into what makes one of these massive musicals tick. Our first interview of the week features Pitchfork's executive director of festivals and activations, Adam Krefman. In addition to offering a preview of this year's Pitchfork Music Festival, Adam calls in to chat about everything from how he and his team can keep offering more and more options and massive lineups, the festival's co...
Jul 03, 2019•2 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 21
This week's episode is sponsored by BandBox. Life on the road can be tough for any band, but few would be so transparent as to name a song "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will". While that title might make it seem like PUP are a ball of tension, the Canadian punk outfit balance that frenetic energy with real joy and a vibrant sense of humor. This week, we chat with two halves of the band, as Stefan Babcock and Zack Mykula call in to discuss keeping spirits up in the van, how bands like Thursda...
Jun 26, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 20
This week's episode is sponsored by BandBox. This week we're joined by none other than Kevin McHale—a delightful human being who many first came to know in his role as Artie on the beloved musical TV mainstay Glee. But you may not know that Kevin has a long history in pop music, and continued to write his own music while working on Glee. Kevin's about to release the latest results from that effort in the form of a brand new solo EP, Boy. In this week’s giggly conversation, Kevin chats about his ...
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Regina Spektor has been a favorite of the crew at TMBTG for years—as far back as 2004's Soviet Kitsch—and we're delighted to have had the iconic indie singer-songwriter call in to this week's episode of the show. The idiosyncratic genius infuses classical-esque flourishes into beguiling pop structures, matching grand scope with delicate intimacy. That depth has been utilized on soundtracks as wide-ranging as The Hamilton Mixtape to Kubo and the Two Strings, not to mention the theme for Orange Is...
Jun 12, 2019•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This week, we catch up with US Girls mastermind Meghan Remy prior to her Moogfest set. The Toronto-based experimental pop artist broke incredible new ground on her 2018 record, In a Poem Unlimited, and her magnetic presence matches those majestic prisms of idiosyncratic songwriting. Her soothing voice is the perfect counterpoint to the taut, coiled intensity of her lyrics—and here she puts it to perfect use, discussing growing her own vegetables and environmentalism, her ideal touring schedule, ...
Jun 05, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 17
This week we return to our coverage from Moogfest with not one but two fantastic conversations with brilliant minds that helped discover some of the most exciting musical voices of the last few decades. First up is Daniel Miller, musician, producer, and founder of Mute Records, the label that brought the world Depeche Mode, Erasure, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and so many others. Daniel and host Lior Phillips chat about seeing his first concerts, buying his first Korg 700s, and his exploration ...
May 29, 2019•1 hr 43 min•Season 2Ep. 16
This week we're taking a break from our episodes recorded at Moogfest to bring you an interview with the incredibly lovely Hayden Thorpe. A cofounder of the beloved Wild Beasts, Thorpe's sterling falsetto and impassioned, intimate lyrics bring a much needed emotional depth and vibrant life to every listen. Now three years out since the final Wild Beasts record and after the band's dissolution, Thorpe is set to release Diviner on May 24th via Domino. The debut project under his own name, Diviner ...
May 22, 2019•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In our first episode of coverage from Moogfest, host Lior Phillips gets locked into a repurposed bank vault in the basement of a Durham, NC hotel with the always invigorating and powerful Madame Gandhi. The artist/activist born Kiran Gandhi (joined occasionally on-mic by her partner, Frankie) digs into her feminist activism, including her Future is Female playlist—which features exciting, up-and-coming female-identifying artists—as well as her free-menstruating run through the London Marathon. L...
May 15, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 14
There are few bands as near and dear to hearts as Snow Patrol—and that comes in large part from the emotional honesty and openheartedness of frontperson Gary Lightbody. On this week's episode, host Lior Phillips chats with Gary about Snow Patrol's 2018 record, Wildness, and the ensuing tour, as well as the potential of a Lightbody-penned film sometime in the near future. In addition, Gary shares the story of seeing Nirvana as his second concert, opening for U2, and so much more. For information ...
May 01, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 13
There are few people in the world as inspiring and empowering as Angélique Kidjo. That comes through vibrantly in her music, but the legendary Beninese singer-songwriter walks the walk as well—having established the incredible Batonga Foundation, which supports and educates women and girls in need in Africa. On today's episode, host Lior Phillips chats with the legend about her first performances, her dream festival, opening for Miriam Makeba and Vampire Weekend, covering Talking Heads, the perp...
Apr 17, 2019•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 12
To celebrate one year of This Must Be the Gig, host Lior Phillips welcomes Mountain Goats mastermind John Darnielle onto the podcast. And, to commemorate the momentous occasion, the duo dig into a massive conversation about what it's like to tour as a parent, their individual approaches to collecting books, the time John and his son visited soundcheck for Lee "Scratch" Perry, the philosophy of Magic: The Gathering, and so, so much more. Head here for more on the Mountain Goats' excellent new alb...
Apr 03, 2019•2 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week we have an interview with the music world's foremost whistler, Andrew Bird. Even just listening to his recordings, it's clear that Bird has been playing violin since four years of age. But his music is so much more than impeccable technique—and his brand new record, My Finest Work Yet, taps into a vibrant, labyrinthine inner world of heady emotion, obscure reference, and brilliant songwriting. Host Lior Phillips and Bird work through his elaborate career—his first performances, seeing ...
Mar 20, 2019•56 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Since releasing one of 2018's most stunning albums in the form of The Future and the Past, Natalie Prass has been wowing audiences around the world, including as the opening act for recent Grammy star Kacey Musgraves. On this week's episode, host Lior Phillips chats with Natalie about surviving the chaos of 2018 while on the road as a solo artist, performing Aretha Franklin songs with Kacey, designing her own costumes, her DIY roots, and so much more. For information regarding your data privacy,...
Mar 06, 2019•1 hr 46 min•Season 2Ep. 9
London-based rising star Nilüfer Yanya is on the verge of releasing her debut album, a record that fuses vibrant passion, technical wizardry, and seemingly every genre under the sun—R&B, soul, jazz, indie rock, all working together in a waterfall of wonder. This week, host Lior Phillips chats with Yanya about the origins of the record, tailoring her opening set to different headliners, exercising while on tour, and so much more. Plus, sample that debut record with "Tears", an early preview o...
Feb 27, 2019•51 min•Season 2Ep. 8
This week, host Lior Phillips chats with one third of incredible, experimental Scottish rap trio Young Fathers. Lior caught up with Ally Massaquoi just prior to one of the trio's recent shows, sharing some tea in the lobby bar of a Chicago hotel. The two discuss what exactly makes 2018's Cocoa Sugar so special, the feeling of home in the Edinburgh music scene, taking inspiration in his mother's strength, and much more. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This...
Feb 13, 2019•42 min•Season 2Ep. 7
One fourth of the beloved Animal Collective, Panda Bear calls into the podcast this week, just days removed from the release of his sixth album, Buoys. In addition to discussing the record and his upcoming tour, Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox) and host Lior Phillips discuss the very first Animal Collective tour with Black Dice, how singing in a choir as a child formed his musical mindframe, what it's like performing solo as an introvert, and how working in Animal Collective is like being on a baske...
Feb 06, 2019•54 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Legendary British Invasion act The Zombies are finally bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—but before then, we have vocalist Colin Blunstone on the show to discuss some of the biggest moments in his live music career. Host Lior Phillips chats with Colin about the very first Zombies shows, performing on TV in the '60s, seeing an impromptu Stevie Wonder concert, seeing the Beatles in the midst of peak Beatlemania, and so much more. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/...
Jan 30, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett calls in this week from her Melbourne home while on a break from her world tour supporting 2018's superb Tell Me How You Really Feel. She and host Lior Phillips discuss Courtney's experience as a teenager at a concert from Australian outfit Magic Dirt, the open mics that changed her life, and the importance of putting in the work when writing. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: T...
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 4
Poet, activist, and musician Jamila Woods joins the podcast this week to discuss finally wrapping up the last tour date behind her sublime 2016 album, HEAVN. A bastion of the Chicago music scene and a prominent advocate of Young Chicago Authors, Jamila has expanded her message to the world through incredibly radiant and empowering R&B. Host Lior Phillips chats with Jamila about the artist's mother and her interest ayurvedic medicine, the connections between non-profit work and putting togeth...
Jan 16, 2019•45 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Perhaps best known as the founder of The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr. has cemented his role as an indie rock icon. This week, host Lior Phillips chats with the New Yorker about the early days of the band, the challenges of going solo, find peace in upstate New York, and watching Eddie Murphy classic Bowfinger with Julian Casablancas the night before the very first Strokes concert. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The e...
Jan 09, 2019•45 min•Season 2Ep. 2
We wrap up an incredible year of live music moments with a Greatest Hits collection from This Must Be the Gig's 2018. We round up stories from legends like Talking Heads' David Byrne and Garbage's Shirley Manson, talking about the first concerts they attended. In addition, we chat with The Smiths' Johnny Marr about the very first Smiths gig, The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne recalls seeing The Who as a child, and Speedy Ortiz frontperson Sadie Dupuis digs into the setlist from her first No Doubt con...
Jan 02, 2019•44 min•Season 2Ep. 1
On the final report from Iceland Airwaves, host Lior Phillips checks in once again from the comfy confines of Reykjavik with a pair of very special interviews. First she sits down with up-and-coming Icelandic artist GDRN about discovering her voice, the unlikely origin of her vowel-less stage name, and the reasons that Iceland's music scene is so collaborative. Next, she sits down with Australian outfit Haiku Hands to discuss first concerts, their big European tour, and a particularly enthusiast...
Dec 19, 2018•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Host Lior Phillips checks in again from the comfy confines of Reykjavik for another episode recorded at Iceland Airwaves. This week, she chats with three members of all-female rap collective Reykjavikurdaetur, or the Daughters of Reykjavik. The group chat about getting booed off the stage at early shows, what it's like breaking into the male-dominated Iceland rap scene as a female collective, how the group's many side projects and solo projects fuel each other, and what it takes to be disgusting...
Dec 05, 2018•40 min•Season 1Ep. 35
This week, Kimbra joins host Lior Phillips to chat about seeing Silverchair as a kid—and the fact that she went on to work with the band's frontman on her sophomore album. In addition, the New Zealand pop phenom discusses drawing electronic inspiration from Nine Inch Nails, the difficulties of moving across the world, working with David Byrne, and so much more. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make ...
Nov 28, 2018•53 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In another episode recorded from the 20th anniversary edition of Iceland Airwaves, host Lior Phillips chats with Margrét Rán and Einar Hrafn of the sublime live band Vök. The trio discuss what exactly makes the Iceland music scene so experimental and magical, and the greatness that is Iceland Airwaves. In addition, the musicians dish on their still yet-to-be-announced follow-up to 2017's Figure, their first concert experiences, going on tour with Editors, and so much more. For information regard...
Nov 21, 2018•58 min•Season 1Ep. 33
The indelible Iceland Airwaves first launched 20 years ago, and this week Lior Phillips checks in with her first in a series of reports from the magical festival. Lior sits down with two members of the incredible live band Superorganism, just prior to the group's sublime Reykjavik set. Orono Noguchi and Soul discuss their first concerts, getting to meet (and potentially babysit for) Stephen Malkmus, getting a pep talk from Nardwuar the Human Serviette, and so much more. Tune in next week for eve...
Nov 14, 2018•54 min•Season 1Ep. 32
This week, host Lior Phillips checks in with two of the members of Dream Wife, as the London-based outfit called in from the road on their European tour. Alice Go and Bella Podpadec discuss their first concerts, opening for former heroes in Sleigh Bells, learning from Shirley Manson, and so much more. Plus, the pair share details from their experiences meeting with fans and sharing experiences with women and non-binary-identifying individuals in the DIY scene. For information regarding your data...
Nov 07, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 31
With Iceland Airwaves just around the corner, host Lior Phillips checks in with two people close to the source for one of the most exciting festivals of the year. First up, Lior chats with Siggi Baldursson, one of the founding members of the legendary outfit The Sugarcubes. In recent years, Siggi has acted as managing director of Iceland Music. After chatting about Siggi's place in the Icelandic scene and the exciting young acts coming next, Lior speaks with KEXP DJ Kevin Cole. Ever wonder how a...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 30
As a cofounder of the legendary punk outfit Blondie, Chris Stein found himself at the absolute center of one of the most important scenes in rock history. To commemorate that moment, he's releasing a new book of previously unseen photographs called Point of View: Me, New York City, and the Punk Scene. Much like the book, host Lior Phillips' chat with Stein is filled with fascinating stories and characters, like smoking a joint with Bowie and Mick Jagger, seeing professional wrestling with Lydia ...
Oct 24, 2018•46 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Mister Wallace and Roy Kinsey from groundbreaking LGBTQ-focused label Futurehood, a collective exposing the world to queer-identifying rappers, DJs, and singers from Chicago's fertile hip-hop scene. The duo chat with host Lior Phillips about the importance of representation, the origins of their artistic drive, and their upcoming showcase during Red Bull Music Festival in Chicago. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The ...
Oct 17, 2018•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 28
