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Under the Radar Podcast
Everything Everything - Jonathan Higgs
Season 1, Ep. 4
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Everything Everything frontman, Jonathan Higgs grew up in the North of England in a home filled with music. As early as six years old, he was experimenting with making music and rudimentary computer games on a free software program. By the time, he got to University he knew he wanted to be the frontman of a band. Everything Everything's line-up was complete when Alex Robertshaw joined Higgs, and his friends, Michael Spearman and Jeremy Pritchard—just in time for the quartet to ink their first label deal.
Higgs spoke to us ahead of the band's upcoming album Re-Animator which will be released on September 11th. Like most artists and bands putting new records out during a pandemic they've had to adapt. Re-Animator's release date was pushed back. A music video they had already begun production on had to be scrapped because it's lyrics were inappropriate given COVID 19. Unable to meet or do photo shoots, Higgs set about using computer software and animation for their promo shots as well as their latest music videos:— "Arch Enemy," "In Birdsong" and "Planets." The "fatberg" in "Arch Enemy" (the outro track on the podcast) is unmissable. No prizes for guessing the inspiration for the oversized, congealed, blob.
I first encountered the band's music with their third album, 2015's Get To Heaven. The track "No Reptiles" was like nothing I had heard before. The lyrics were as violent as the news stories they were referencing - ISIS beheadings and school shootings - yet tender in it's odd refrain: "Oh baby, it's alright. It's alright, to feel like a fat child, in a pushchair, old enough to run. Old enough to fire a gun." How it folded the brutality with mocking humor, then a tenderness, in the most erudite manner, expanded the bounds of Math Rock exponentially.
Re-Animator's most uplifting track "Violent Sun" — echoes that sentiment but with a simpler, more impassioned plea: "I'm too old, to be crying out...." At a time when we're supposed to be strong, at every turn the world keeps burning and we have every cause for incredible sadness. But still we keep singing, hoping, re-animating.
For those interested in the theories that inspired Higgs on Re-Animator, please check out Julian Jayne's book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.
Many thanks for making this possible — Jonathan Higgs for sharing your time, thoughts and music with us. To Alexander Baker and Jamie Sward at High Rise PR for the support. And to Kobalt Music for permission to use songs from the albums Get To Heaven, A Fever Dream and Re-Animator.
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7. Spacey Jane
01:00:06Being hailed as the poster child for a Covid generation might sit uncomfortably with some indie bands but Caleb Harper, frontman of Spacey Jane—a four-piece from Perth, Australia—takes it in his stride. Their 2020 debut Sunlight is defined by intimate lyrics often rooted in Caleb's strict, religious upbriging, that had made his transition to adulthood particularly fraught. Being part of Spacey Jane with Kieran Lama, Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu and Peppa Lane has continued to help him process feelings of anxiety and alienation. Bouyed by the sunny melodies, these songs have in turn, resonated with young millenials who came of age during the pandemic. For their 2022 follow-up Here Comes Everybody Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy gave his blessings for them to use the working title of Wilco’s 2001 masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Many thanks for making this possible: — Thank you Caleb for a heartfelt conversation and looking forward to maybe a 'not so sad' song.' Thank you to Kobalt US and Dew Process Publishing for use of all songs. And to Zoe Hines and Grace Jones at Grandstand Media for support.Songs Featured: "Sitting Up," "Thrills," "Good Grief," 'Love Me Like I Haven't Changed," "Booster Seat," "Lunchtime," "Hardlight," "It's Been A Long Day," and "Pulling Through."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
6. Tim Burgess
47:36"Typically, music heals," says Tim Burgess, the hyperactive multi-talent whose career encompasses three decades as The Charlatans frontman, sixth diverse solo albums, three memoirs, his own O Genesis record label, and more than 1000 installments of the now-beloved Tim’s Twitter Listening Party. During the darker, more uncertain days of lockdown, these twitter parties facilitated joyful connections between fans and some of our favorite bands—from Blur's Dave Rowntree to Oasis' Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, Paul McCartney and Susanah Hoffs from The Bangles. As the parties progressed, it took in more diverse albums including Run The Jewels, Iron Maiden and more recently Shania Twain. The wide breadth of music it covered during the pandemic would in time unstuck Tim's own creative impasse and the positivity would spill over to his electic, sixth album Typical Music.Many thanks for making this possible: — Thank you Tim for sharing 'more than we needed,' even as your van waited for you outside. (Insert Heart emoji) Thank you to Mute for use of all songs. To Sony Music for Master Rights for "The Only One I Know." And to Bella Union and O Genesis for all other songs. Finally to Ken Weinstein from Big Hassle for all the added support.Songs Featured: "Here Comes The Weekend,"The Only One I Know," "Years Ago," 'Just One Kiss (One Last Kiss)," "Nik V," "The Mall," "Time That We Call Time," and "The Centre of Me(Is a Symphony of You)."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
5. Phoenix - Thomas Mars
01:05:10Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars subscribes to Ed Ruscha's philosophy on art—that it should prompt bewilderment or even disgust before appreciation. And not the reverse. This can be applied to the French band's music. Consider their latest album Alpha Zulu, the title seems odd but dig a little and it reveals a salient truth for Thomas. Together with his friends and bandmates Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz the foursome started the songwriting for this, their seventh album, after the death of their dearest friend, producer Philippe Zdar—who was crucial in helming their breakthrough 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Less than a year later, they would find themselves in the midst of a pandemic and then the California fires. Listen to find out how writing Alpha Zulu became a way for them to manifest the light at the end of the tunnel.Many thanks for making this possible — Thomas, for telling us that he's been cutting his own hair since he was 11! Thank you to Glassnote Records and Loyauté for permission to use songs. Also to Jen Appel and Juliette Kost at The Oriel Co for constant support.Songs Featured: "Alpha Zulu," "Too Young," "Lisztomania," "1901," "J-Boy," "Telefono," "All Eyes On Me," "Tonight," "Artefact," "Identical," "Winter Solstice," and "The Only One."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
4. Bloc Party - Kele Okereke
52:00One of the biggest British post-punk revival bands Bloc Party returned this year with Alpha Games, their sixth album. Frontman, Kele Okereke discusses how new band members, drummer Louise Bartle and bassist Justin Harris (replacing Matt Tong and Gordon Moakes who left in 2013 and 2015 respectively) finally had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a Bloc Party album. Much to the delight of fans, the album's sonics harks back to their critically-acclaimed debut, Silent Alarm. Usually, one to eschew nostalgia and weary of looking to the past for inspiration, Kele and longtime guitarist, Russell Lissack, gave in to a tour, belatedly celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut. Find out why? And how this affected the writing of the new album.Many thanks for making this possible — Kele, for an illuminating chat. And apologies for keeping your husband up late. To Colin Roberts at Big Life Management. Thank you to BMG US for permission to use Master Recordings and Sony Music for Publishing. Also to Jen Appel and Juliette Kost at The Oriel Co for constant support.Songs Featured: "Rough Justice," "Helicopter," "Day Four," "The Love Within," "If We Get Caught," "Traps," "Callum Is A Snake," "The Peace Offering" and "Of Things Yet To Come."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
3. Marlon Williams
01:03:04As a child, New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams believed that if he could nail the songs at iwi or tribe gatherings then surely everything in the world would be ok. Nevermind that elders were discussing big issues such as Maori land rights, water rights and education, Marlon had an inate believe in the virtues of song and his vocal prowess as a singer. Indeed his voice is something to behold — a melismatic, velvety croon that can register as Roy Orbison or Elvis. And before the release of his latest album My Boy, it could be said that it's a voice more comfortable in a different era or genre or part of the world, but after this third record — it's clearly a voice that transcends all of it. Marlon can raid the chest of drawers on any musical era and come up with a piece of art that is contemporary because it speaks to current afflictions in a knowing way, uniquely framed by his indegenuity and wry, humor.Many thanks for making this possible — Marlon for a great psych session, both times! To Dead Oceans for use of all Master Recordings. Native Tongue for Publishing rights. And Jessica Linker at Pitch Perfect PR for all the added support. Thank you to Lily Sloane for additional music and Martin Austwick for additional sound engineering.Songs Featured: "River Rival," "Hello Miss Lonesome," "Dark Child," "Strange Things," "Make Way For Love," "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore," "My Boy," "My Heart Is A Wormhole," "Princes Walk," "Thinking Of Nina," "Don't Go Back" and "Easy Does It."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
2. Seratones - A.J. Haynes
58:20Seratones frontwoman A.J. Haynes and her Shreveport, Louisiana-based band (bassist, Travis Stewart and drummer, Jesse Gabriel) released their disco-inspired, third album Love & Algorhythms, earlier this year. At the time of writing the album, A.J. was also working full-time as an Abortion Advocate in the last standing Abortion clinic in Louisiana, an experience that brought her close to burnout and informed much of the record's theme of liberation, Afro-Futurism and radical joy as a form of protest. She draws from the works of Black Feminist authors in her lyrics –– from civil rights activist, Toni Cade Bambara ("The Salt Eaters") to Science Fiction writer Octavia Butler ("Xenogenesis") and queer activist, Audre Lorde ("A Burst of Light" and "Sister Outsider"). While no longer working at an abortion clinic, she is still the President of the Board at the New Orleans Abortion Fund, and continues the fight for Reproductive Rights.Many thanks for making this possible — A.J. what an absolute force you are! I have learnt so much. Thank you to Fat Possum for use of songs from the album Get Gone. And to New West Records for songs from Power and Love & Algorhythms. And for support from Shazila Mohammed, Jaclyn Ulman and Devin Velez at Grandstand Media.Songs Featured: "Good Day," "Choking On Your Spit," "Don't Need It," "Power," "Fear," "Pleasure," "Get Free," "Two Of A Kind" and "Power of Your Light."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
1. Warpaint
50:52Warpaint are back after six years with Radiate Like This, their excellent fourth album after 2016's Heads Up. According to drummer Stella Mozgawa, completing the album while isolated from bandmates Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman and Jenny Lee Lindberg was challenging. Theirs is a band that have always thrived on the intimacy of being in the same room during the songwriting process, and after finally coming together in between babies, solo albums and cross-country moves, the pandemic forced them to work individually in their separate home studios, isolated from one another. Stella had the added disadvantage of being away from her own home studio, grappling with different time zones. In spite, or perhaps because of all those challenges these four women— who Stella describes as being almost 'married to each other in a four-way polyamorous relationship' — have put out one of their best albums to date.Many thanks for making this possible — Stella for a heartfelt chat. To Virgin Music and Rough Trade for use of all songs. And Ethan Jacobs at Sacks & Co. for support at every turn.Songs Featured: "Hips," "Undertow," "Disco/Very," "New Song," "Send Nudes," "Champion," and "Melting."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here.
23. Teenhood, Wolves and that Right Path
49:51In our final episode for Season 2, we listen to some raw tape that didn't make the Julien Baker episode. And we're joined by not one but two fans. Allison, a teenage fan, from Louisiana, shares how Julien's music helped her through her own bouts of depresson during the pandemic. And Azin Samari, a documentary editor on "The September Issue"—the award-winning film about Vogue magazine, Amazon docu-series "Lorena" and more recently, Hulu's "Sasquatch." Azin is currently working on a documentary about the refugee crisis. She discusses her experience with religion, editing for documentary, and its similairities to editing for audio.Thanks to Matador Records for use of the song "Appointments." And Katie Nelson from Grandstand Media for support with music clearance. A big, big thank you to the many Julien Baker fans that reached out. We could only pick one but feel free to record a voice message and I promise to play it on a future mini-episode. And of course to our guest Allison, thank you for sharing the music in your head with all of us in the world — it's a truly special thing. Links to the other episodes discussed — Black Belt Eagle Scout, Ezra Furman, Travis and Lucy Dacus. Julien Baker will tour with Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten, for the Wild Hearts Tour, from 21 July to 21 Aug 2022. Remember Season 3 will drop July 7. Write us an Apple Podcast review, or again send me a voice message. If you prefer to share your thoughts via email, drop us a line at celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com
22. Unpleasantness is Necessary for Art?
33:30We listen to some raw tape of Jamie Stewart—from experimental, art-pop band Xiu Xiu—that didn't make it to the main episode. And we're joined by a Xiu Xiu fan, Bay Area-electronic musician Alex Olive who shares how elements that we might ordinarily find off-putting in Xiu Xiu's more discordant, noize-led and sometimes frightening work is vital to her art and life. We also discuss gender dysphoria, trans rights and In true Xiu Xiu form, Sanrio characters. Follow Alex Olive @olivecraving on Instagram and be sure to check out her Bandcamp here.Much thanks to Rob Wilcox at Polyvinly Records and Sydney Christensen at Kill Rock Stars for use of songs. Also to Catherine Herrick from Motor Mouth Media for additional support. Last but not least to Jamie for graciously helping us reach out to his loyal fanbase. And a big, big thank you to the many fans that did reach out. We could only pick one but feel free to record a voice message and I promise to play it on a future mini-episode.To listen to the Ezra Furman episode from Season 1, please head here. And here's my interview with Ezra on motherhood.Write us an Apple Podcast review, or again send me a voice message. If you prefer to share your thoughts via email, drop us a line at celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com