Local lo-fi power trio Humous just released a new EP — their first entirely in Tagalog after a series of excellent English-language releases. I sat down with Julius (vocals/bass) and JC (drums) to talk about the EP, their upcoming 10-year anniversary as a band, experimenting with heavier sounds, and much more! Need more Humous? Check out episode #387 (May 2019) and #555 (Jan. 2021)! This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the work...
Dec 29, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 754
It's (almost) the end of the year, so I decided to turn my annual year-end "favourite local albums" list into a podcast! Here's part two -- the top five of my overall top 15 -- in an overstuffed episode that includes clips from interviews with a number of artists who made the list, and much more. Part one, numbers 6 through 15, can be heard here . Part two includes releases by KEN mode , Christine Fellows , Age of Self , Jacob Brodovsky , and Scott Nolan . As mentioned in the intro, I'm sure I'v...
Dec 27, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 753
It's (almost) the end of the year, so I decided to turn my annual year-end "favourite local albums" list into a podcast! Here's part one -- numbers six through 15 of my overall top 15 -- in an overstuffed episode that includes clips from interviews with a number of artists who made the list, and much more. Part two, my top five, will be out next episode. Part one includes releases by artists like Turn the Gun , Well Sister , Ultra Mega , Jocelyn Gould , The Secret Beach , JayWood , Death Trip , ...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 752
It was a crowded (virtual) house when I sat down with the members of the excellently-named crossover band Manther ! We talked about their new EP, wearing a cat-gimp costume while performing live, the other Manthers (shhhh), D&D-inspired artwork and so much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! You can help out for as little as $1 a...
Dec 19, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 751
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra recently released Voices: A Musical Heritage — a collection of pieces by local composers with cultural backgrounds ranging from Nigeria to Ukraine to Brazil and beyond. Here's a conversation with WJO conductor Richard Gillis, about the new disc, bringing international sounds to a big band setting, the orchestra’s long history, and much more! This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for t...
Dec 16, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 750
Enjoy this fun conversation with Claire from Claire Thérèse and the Lockdown , who recently released the excellent Villainy! LP . We talked about the “folk-grunge” project’s long-running roots, its changing and expanding lineup of players, self-releasing vinyl and doing things DIY in this digital dystopia, and much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the pod...
Dec 12, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 749
Great conversation on this one with Cam Scott, frontman of Age of Self , about hardcore’s ‘complex musical ecology’, sprinting out of the gate as a new band that is already touring, the welcome physicality of playing in a loud band, and much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! You can help out for as little as $1 a month if you like ...
Dec 09, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 748
Winnipeg’s Nick Friesen is a busy guy these days. Nick is the artist, animator and songwriter behind cartoon band Olivia Sea , which has expanded to a comic book series, an upcoming graphic novel, and a recent cassette release. He also recently published a collection of short stories and — via his Jaded & Elated and Inservice Records projects — is putting together a tribute album to ‘90s indie rockers Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. We talked about all of this and then some. Check it out...
Dec 05, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 747
I’ve been doing this a while, but I’m not the only long-running music podcaster in this sordid little burg. The hosts of Warped and Creased have been talking about (and reviewing) extreme metal since 2014! We had a conversation about podcasting as a lifeline during the pandemic, the ongoing appeal of physical media in this streaming dystopia, an upcoming show they’re presenting (alongside Eye and Ear Control Records ) at the Park Theatre, and much more! This episode brought to you by our pals at...
Dec 02, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 746
This episode features an interesting interview with ‘new’ — but not new to the culture — local hip-hop artist KNG JMZ ! Check out our conversation about navigating the administrative side of music, the way rap has changed, the importance of lyrics, and much more! Note: as I mention in the intro, I had to use the backup audio for this episode because of a file problem, but it's still absolutely listenable. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchp...
Nov 28, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 745
Winnipeg’s Hypernashion has been combining electronic beats, blues/rock guitars, dub reggae and punk rock influences and more for many years, and they’re almost ready to release a new album on their own DIY Hyper Recordz label. I sat down with three members of the group for a conversation about the collective’s unique sound, combining live instruments with electronic beats, the band’s Polish roots, and much more. Want more Hypernashion? Hear bandleader Arturo on episode #129 (June 2015) and #163...
Nov 25, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 744
On this episode, I get heavy with local metal band Ramskull , who are back with a new album, ‘ Parasitic Sapiens ’! We talked about the grief of losing a bandmate and the catharsis of performing his songs, about playing on diverse bills, and much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon! You can help out for as little as $1 a month if you l...
Nov 21, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 743
Had a good chat on the podcast with Matt Pitre, who you may recognize from metal outfit Book of Ghosts ! We talked about new music from that project, as well as his new hip-hop venture as Jerry Can , upcoming group Neighbours... and much more! NOTE: Due to an equipment issue, the first three minutes or so of the interview has fairly crappy sound quality (mostly my end of the conversation), but after that, it's fine. Thanks for your patience. Want more Book of Ghosts? Check out episode #452 (Jan....
Nov 18, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 742
Acclaimed local graphic novelist GMB Chomichuk is back on the show for the first time in almost a decade! Stay tuned for a conversation about comics, creating, his desire to collaborate with the local music community, the way the word “Witchpolice” has haunted him for years, and much more. It’s a fun one, and local musicians are going to want to hear about his ideas for collaboration. Want more? Hear GMB Chomichuk's first appearance on the podcast way back on episode 54 (Dec. 2013). This episode...
Nov 14, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 741
It’s been a few years since singer-songwriter Kieran West was on the podcast and a lot has changed. We talked about his upcoming solo record, his new band, Looking Inward — and how fatherhood, sobriety and the pandemic have impacted his songwriting and outlook. There’s also a bunch of conversation about the lasting appeal of Midwest emo! Want more Kieran West? Check out episode #348 (Jan. 2019) This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch...
Nov 11, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 740
It’s the triumphant return of Bicycle Face to the podcast! I hung out with the mostly non-Christmas joy-pop duo and talked about their upcoming space-themed album , returning from the great Unicycle Face schism, Myrrhvana and Xmas EPs, making music videos with cows, and so much more! Note: At a few points there's some weird robot-sounding (thematically appropriate, eh?) feedback on one of the BF members' ends of the conversation, but it certainly doesn't take away from the interview at all. Can'...
Nov 07, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 739
You may remember singer-songwriter Matt Foster from such bands as The Crooked Brothers … but have you heard the new solo record, True Needs ? (Hint: you really should) I sat down with Matt for a conversation about the new album, tackling 'horrible' topics in a meaningful way, having a DIY punk rock attitude, reconnecting with technology, and so much more! Want more Matt? Check out episode #102 from way back in 2014. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand...
Nov 04, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 738
Here's one more throwback (the last one for a while) -- a re-release of one of the "lost" podcasts from 2014 -- an early Witchpolice recording that didn't get added to the current podcast feed. This one was originally released as #80 in June of that year, and features an in-studio interview and performance by local garage rockers The Zags (later to become The Zorgs), as well as a special call-in guest: Neil Osborne of iconic Canadian rockers 54-40 ! I hope you dig it. It's in the show's old form...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 737
Great chat with the delightful pizza-loving (they made a concept album about it) weirdos in Butterfist Funhouse . We talked about the new record, Illegal Oregano: an Italian Drama , songwriting, cannibalism, nebulous genre labels, and much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! You can help out for as little as $1 a month if you like th...
Oct 28, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 736
Here's another throwback -- a re-release of one of the "lost" podcasts from 2014 -- an early Witchpolice recording that didn't get added to the current podcast feed. This one was originally released as #73, featuring Matt and Patrick of Montreal ska legends The Planet Smashers as our guests. Ignore what I say in the intro: this was ONE of our early attempts at interviewing an artist from out of town, but not the very first. I hope you dig it. It's in the show's old format, so if you're new to Wi...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 735
Rap battles in 2022 are a completely different thing than I remember. I had a very enlightening conversation with Pacman , who has been participating in battles here in Winnipeg and across Canada. Check out our chat about battling as comedy/performance art rather than a strictly musical pursuit, using rap as a springboard to stand-up comedy and writing, whether there’s a “line” that shouldn’t be crossed when insulting an opponent, and much more! This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine ...
Oct 20, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 734
Fantastic conversation on this episode with rapper/poet/entrepreneur Ezoman ! We talked about changing the perception around hip-hop shows, formally releasing his new album, "Duality," growing as an artist and a person, and much more. The release party for "Duality" takes place Nov. 5 at Infinity Ultra Lounge and Bar. Want more Ezoman? Check out his appearance on episode #549 (Dec. 2020). Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! You can help out for as little as $1 a month i...
Oct 17, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 733
There’s a municipal election happening, Winnipeg, and as your friendly neighbourhood music podcast, I sat down with a couple of folks from the local music scene who happen to be running for council. Stay tuned for a great conversation with Omar Kinnarath (who you may remember from local hardcore bands like Intafada and Rogue Nation back in the day), and Natalie Smith (ex- Silence Kit , now in Mulligrub ). As I’ve said in EVERY election - themed show I’ve done over the years, I’m not endorsing ei...
Oct 14, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 732
Country singer-songwriter Brandi Vezina is on the show! Check out this conversation about her new single , getting nominated for five Manitoba Country Music Association awards this year, going in an outlaw country direction, and much more… This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! You can help out for as little as $1 a month if you like the show...
Oct 11, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 731
Carman, Manitoba singer-songwriter Nathan Strange, a/k/a The Rainy Day Apparel, is on the show talking about his new EP, being inspired by the stories of people around you, fleshing out songs with a full band, and much more. Want to hear more of The Rainy Day Apparel? Check out episode 377 (April 2019) This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon ! Y...
Oct 07, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 730
Local reggae/dancehall artist Natalya is on the show to talk about her deadly new single, ‘Don’t Give Up’! She sat down for a great conversation about reggae in Winnipeg, launching her solo career, roots vs dancehall, and much more. This one's a little shorter than usual because only the one song is included, but stay tuned for more Natalya releases in future. This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that! Huge...
Oct 03, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 729
As many of you know, I lost my voice recently, so I couldn't record as many interviews this week as I usually would. In order to not miss an episode, I decided to re-release one of the "lost" podcasts from 2014 -- an early Witchpolice recording that didn't get added to the current podcast feed. This one was originally released as #83, featuring Joel "Beefdonut" Klaverkamp as our guest. It was selected based on your social media votes. I hope you dig it. It's in the show's old format, so if you'r...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 728
Winnipeg indie/art rock outfit Yes We Mystic will soon cease to exist, but after more than a decade together, they’re going out with a bang. I talked to Mystic member Adam Fuhr about the band’s upcoming final LP , the video project that accompanies it, the Trust Fall hotline (1-877-347-5231), and how final is “final”, really? Want to hear more of Adam on the podcast? Check out his appearance on episode #473 (March 2020), talking about his House of Wonders label. This episode brought to you by ou...
Sep 27, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 727
Fred Warner, bassist and bandleader of jazz fusion outfit Freddy and the Fire Nation , is back on the show after first appearing on a Quick Hits episode last year. We talked about the band’s upcoming releases, about focusing on a slick, produced sound versus “that greasy goodness”, playing shows, and much more. Just a heads-up that there were some technical difficulties on this one (as heard in the intro), but it's still a fun listen. Also, since the Fire Nation's full-band recordings have yet t...
Sep 23, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 726
The inimitable Johnny Sizzle has been beating the shit out of an acoustic guitar since before some of you were born. The local acoustic-punk pioneer sat down for a wide-ranging interview (audio-only, technical difficulties) about his cross-Canada travels, frustrations with today’s Winnipeg punk scene, his radio show, the upcoming new record, and much, much more. (He's also, believe it or not, still on MySpace ) This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new ...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 725
