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Witchpolice Radio

Witchpolice Radiowww.witchpolice.com
Acclaimed Manitoba-centric music interview podcast. Hosted by Winnipeg journalist and massive record nerd Sam Thompson. Music talk radio, broadcasting from 2012 'til forever. DIY or die.
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Episodes

WR186: KittyKittie

Spoken-word poet, interdisciplinary artist, bass player and all-around ball of creative energy KittyKittie hung out with the fellas this week in her front yard to talk about "victory" songs, sucking the pretentiousness out of poetry, avant-garde performances, and the fictional straight-edge hardcore band Globthorn on a really fun episode of the podcast.

Jun 28, 20161 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 186

WR185: Abstract Artform

Rapper/producer Abstract Artform is on the show to talk about "wolf" songs, live bands vs. backing tracks, breaking into the local rap scene and more. We also discuss the Living Proof project, which is a collaboration between Abstract and Doodlebug of '90s rap icons Digable Planets.

Jun 21, 20161 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 185

WR184: A La Mode

This week, we sit down with three members of local 'heart-pop' noodlers À La Mode -- outgoing (as in 'about to leave the band') guitarist Andy Cole, frontwoman/mastermind Dominique Lemoine and latest addition Ava Glendinning. (You may recognize Dominique and Ava from our recent Big Mix-Up show). We talk about 'robot' songs (and just robots in general), hear a stripped-down acoustic performance, and discuss the members' other overlapping projects, including the recently defunct Eagle Lake Owls an...

Jun 14, 20161 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 184

WR183: Suburban Hypocrites

This week, we're in an apartment with really nice floors hanging out with young punks Suburban Hypocrites! We talk about the growing punk scene centred around the King's Hotel, "plaid" songs, the impossible task of defining "punk" and a lot more!

Jun 07, 20161 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 183

WR182: The Big Mix-Up

Live from Winnipeg's Park Theatre, it's Witchpolice Radio's Big Mix-Up! Volume one (oh yes, there will be more) of our randomized jam-band crapshoot improv extravaganza was a smashing success, with unrehearsed, on-the-spot creations like "Skanald Trump" and "Disco Banana". The premise of the show was that 15+ local musicians -- of all genres and styles -- were gathered together and drawn randomly into "bands" who were forced to create songs based on audience suggestions with no preparation whats...

Jun 01, 20161 hr 28 minSeason 1Ep. 182

WR181: Transistor 66

If you've paid attention to the local music scene at any point over the past decade-plus, you likely have a number of albums from Winnipeg's Transistor 66 Record Company in your collection. We sat down with label owner Art MacIntyre for a one-on-one conversation about Transistor 66's history (and 100-release deep catalogue), the ins and outs of running an indie label and a lot more!

May 24, 20161 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 181

WR180: Harley James Flett

Although it snowed a week or so after this episode (of course it did, it's Winnipeg), we took advantage of the nice weather for an outdoor episode recorded on a picnic table at Assiniboine Park(!) with up-and-coming folk-punk artist Harley James Flett. In a conversation that goes in all kinds of directions, we talked folk music, Bad Brains, the ins and outs (but mostly outs) of attending music festivals, "chin" songs, the cassette renaissance, Harley's already-prolific Bandcamp catalogue and a l...

May 17, 20161 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 180

WR179: Lost Love

This week's episode features a surprise visit from Montreal punks Lost Love, who stopped by as they were passing through Winnipeg on a Canadian tour. They're currently on the road in support of their new Stomp Records release, Comfortable Scars. If you're a fan (and you fuckin' should be), they're back in town this Friday, May 13, for a gig at the Handsome Daughter with our pals Clipwing.

May 10, 20161 hr 15 minSeason 1Ep. 179

WR178: The Enemy Magazine

This week, Sam makes a visit to the downtown office of The Enemy Magazine to talk DIY, hip-hop, Winnipeg youth culture, "predator" songs and a lot more with the magazine's mysterious braintrust. The Enemy is making a name for itself by being "honest and unmerciful" when reporting on the good, the bad and the ugly of Winnipeg arts, culture and politics (and by the way, they're looking for contributors!)

May 03, 20161 hr 39 minSeason 1Ep. 178

WR177: The Heights

We talk soul music, Winnipeg neighbourhoods, 'neck' songs and a whole bunch more with local funk/pop/rock/R&B gang The Heights, who are new on the scene despite having played together (in various combinations and projects) for over a decade. With a debut EP being released June 11 and -- if you can't wait that long -- a show at the Garrick this Friday with past Witchpolice guest Casimir Gruwel -- plus upcoming tour plans and more, The Heights are going all-in for 2016. They played a couple of...

Apr 26, 20161 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 177

WR176: 1971

This week features a long conversation with 2/3 (or 2/4, depending how you look at it) of the hard-to-define Winnipeg (via Kenora) rock band 1971. The fellas have a new tape -- Burning Bridges Before They're Crossed -- coming out today with a house show at their own Sad Boys' Club (assuming you're listening the day this episode gets released). Stay tuned until the end of the episode for an excellent live, acoustic take on one of the tracks from the upcoming EP.

Apr 19, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 176

WR175: Bartley Knives

This week, we talk to the hilariously-named Bartley Knives about his solo project, "volcanic" songs, a sense of place in song lyrics, campus radio and a lot more. A past guest on this show in early 2015, "Bartley" is best known as a member of local acts like The New Wild and Sibyl. Under his current guise, he's exploring songs that were too strange for his other bands.

Apr 13, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 175

WR174: Jeremie and the Delicious Hounds

All five members of rising St. Boniface combo Jeremie and the Delicious Hounds are on this week's episode to talk about their upcoming debut, "futuristic" songs, Winnipeg's francophone music scene... and to play some sweet soul music live on the show.

Apr 06, 201656 minSeason 1Ep. 174

WR173: Mulligrub

There's a weird contrast this week: plenty of ridiculous conversation about various Muppets (the theme of the week is "puppet" after all) alongside discussion of really serious issues, like the subject matter of guests Mulligrub's new single, "Europe". The Winnipeg alt/punk/twee(?) trio are gearing up for the release of their debut full-length, _Soft Grudge_ , on April 23. They talk about the new record, defining their sound, opening for Propagandhi and a lot more!

Mar 30, 20161 hr 38 minSeason 1Ep. 173

WR172: Duotang

Fifteen years after the release of their last album, iconic Winnipeg two-piece Duotang -- best-known for their late-90s Mint Records output -- are back with a new release coming in 2016! Rod Slaughter (bass/vocals) and Sean Allum (drums) talk about gettin' the band back together, their new record, a bit of history and that pesky "mod" label that critics have always used to describe their sound. Mixed in with the interview are rough versions of some new Duotang songs, some old classics, and a liv...

Mar 23, 20161 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 172

WR171: It's A Music Thing

This week we explore another element of the local music scene: photography. Sam is joined by camera-wielding photographer and blogger Dwayne Larson of It's A Music Thing, who talks punk rock, "hill" songs, DIY, the ins and outs of photographing bands and much more!

Mar 15, 20161 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 171

WR170: Now You Know Podcast

It's a crossover episode! This week, Sam hangs out with Anthony and Steve of local hip-hop roundtable podcast If You Don't Know Now You Know! The episode is split between our format and theirs. "Question" songs, lots of rap talk and much more!

Mar 08, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 170

WR169: Bicycle Face

Winnipeg indie-pop duo Bicycle Face not only have a phenomenal band name (and logo, holy shit), but they have a fantastically unique keyboard-and-guitar sound. They hang out on this week's episode to talk about the group's background, select "queen" songs and perform a few live ditties (so stay tuned until the end)!

Mar 02, 20161 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 169

WR168: Rory Verbrugge and the Ruckus

Rootsy, harmony-slingin' folk-rockers Rory Verbrugge and the Ruckus sit down to talk about their forthcoming debut album, "pearl" songs and much more on the latest episode! This one also features some glorious live performances, so stay tuned until the end of the show.

Feb 24, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 168

WR167: Super Duty Tough Work / Keisha Booker

Dilla Day 2016 at The Good Will in Winnipeg: an interview with Brendan Kinley of Super Duty Tough Work and R&B chanteuse Keisha Booker. It's the second time Super Duty have organized Dilla Day Winnipeg, which is to honour the late great hip hop producer's life and works. The night had guest performances by 3Peat, Fenom, Bazooka Joe, Chris Bvnnvtt and Keisha Booker. Together since 2014, Super Duty Tough Work is the brainchild of Brendan Kinley. He's an accomplished drummer and MC that has bee...

Feb 17, 20161 hr 36 minSeason 1Ep. 167

WR166: Black History Month

This week we have a special episode dedicated to Winnipeg's 35th annual Black History Month celebrations. Big thanks to past guest Kumaran Reddy, who provided the interview recordings with members of the Black History Month committee, performers at the upcoming musical celebration and others involved with the events throughout February. The Black History Month Celebration of Music Showcase takes place Feb. 12 at Jekyll and Hyde's Freehouse, and includes (among others) an all-star band performing...

Feb 09, 201635 minSeason 1Ep. 166

WR165: Casimir Gruwel

After a long history in the local music scene as a sideman, backing up some of Winnipeg's finest on saxophone onstage and on record, Casimir Gruwel is going solo. With his debut single, "Winter," generating some buzz and a debut album in the works, Gruwel is stepping to the front of the stage for the first time.

Feb 02, 20161 hr 29 minSeason 1Ep. 165

WR164: Tin Can Bandits

This week's live performance-heavy episode features four members of pop/rock/alt/folk gang Tin Can Bandits. Ian (guitar/vocals), Ryan (guitar), Peter (keys, vocals, trumpet) and vocalist Sabrina -- who has since parted ways with the group -- sat down to discuss the upcoming Rushing River EP, "dad" songs and much more.

Jan 26, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 164

WR163: Polish Music Exchange

This week, we're talking about the fourth edition of the Polish Music Exchange, a semi-annual 'celebration of popular and contemporary music with an Eastern European twist'! To promote the event, we hung out once again with Arturo of Polish-Canadian dub wizards Hypernashion alongside Unkl Elephant's Maclean, who represented the non-Polish (or "exchange") part of the upcoming gig.

Jan 19, 20161 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 163

WR162: Holiday Hangover live at The Handsome Daughter

We kicked off 2016 with a bang at Winnipeg's Handsome Daughter with our second (of what will hopefully be many) live podcast in front of an audience. For our "Holiday Hangover" show Jan. 3, we hung out with ukulele-slinger Erin Shorten, country singer's country singer Quinton Blair and psychedelic organ magician Smoky Tiger. Each of our guests performed three songs and sat down for a conversation! Thanks to the Daughter for having us (again) at their venue, thanks to Garbage Hill Media for makin...

Jan 12, 20161 hr 28 minSeason 1Ep. 162

WR161: Cilly Cyb Fung High

Things get a little cosmic this week as we sit down with Kumaran Reddy of psychedelic jam collective Cilly Cyb Fung High and the LSD25 Records label. We talk "attention" songs, reggae, Kumaran's YouTube strategy (it's the only place his music is available), overdubs and a lot more!

Jan 05, 20161 hr 22 minSeason 1Ep. 161

WR160: Micah Visser

Building on the success of this spring's fantastic OK Night cassette, rising Winnipeg indie rocker Micah Visser has been generating a lot of buzz lately, especially around his new single "I Will Not Return As A Tourist". We hung out with Micah to talk about his first-ever tour, his formats of choice, his new material, "fence" songs, and much more!

Dec 29, 20151 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 160

WR159: Bearfight

We sat down with most of the gang from Bearfight for this week's episode to talk about "bush" songs, the trials and tribulations of playing heavy music in Winnipeg in 2015, the future of music consumption and much more. These guys are working on a new record and playing a can't miss show Jan. 8 at the Park Theatre!

Dec 22, 20151 hr 38 minSeason 1Ep. 159

WR158: Ashley Bieniarz

When we first stumbled upon the Winnipeg Music Project, there was something very recognizable about it. A blog/radio show that features interviews with local musicians? Sounds like something we might be into ...so we sat down with its creator, Ashley Bieniarz (also a musician in her own right) and compared notes about the ins and outs of interviewing local artists, discussed her reasons for starting the project, "rain songs," classical music, and a whole lot more.

Dec 15, 20151 hr 22 minSeason 1Ep. 158

WR157: Amnesiac

We cover new territory on this week's episode in a sit-down with four members of Amnesiac, Winnipeg's finest Radiohead tribute band. Far from just a cover band, the Amnesiac boys talk about the business behind tribute acts, taking on such a challenging songbook, and their upcoming gig at the Pyramid on Dec. 18.

Dec 08, 20151 hr 28 minSeason 1Ep. 157
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