The Next Round - Episode 54: Elizabeth & the Catapult

Usually I buy the drinks on The Next Round, but when the coffee shop we were supposed to go to was unexpectedly closed, Elizabeth Ziman improvised (She is a musician.) and invited me into her apartment for tea. We had a great talk, starting with her childhood in the Village and ending with the release of her fantastic fourth record, Keepsake, an album so good, you'd never guess it was the result of mashing up old journal entries with NyQuil-influenced fever dreams.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes (and rate it 5 stars).


Elizabeth is on tour now. Check here for dates.
Read my review of her release show.
Buy Keepsake on vinyl/CD/digital.

Listen to "Ambrosia" and a song from every guest on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 53: Matthew Logan Vasquez

It's that time again, when rock critics start posting their best-of-the-year picks. While I still like to give December its fair shot, my album of the year (so far, and since April) is Matthew Logan Vasquez's second LP, Does What He Wants. I got the opportunity to interview MLV back in April for the podcast. It was a great talk, but his tour ended before I was able to schedule the episode. Now that he's about to go on the road again, it's finally time to hear what Delta Spirit's frontman has to say about fatherhood, stage presence, and the sound of discovery.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes like the good person you are.


Click here for MLV tour dates.
Order Does What He Wants on vinyl.

The Next Round - Episode 52: Caleb Caudle

Caleb Caudle is in a never-ending battle to improve himself, whether that means quitting alcohol to increase his productivity, or expanding his sound by exploring new musical styles on his upcoming LP, Crushed Coins. After receiving accolades last year for his seventh record, Carolina Ghost, it would be easy for someone in his position to rest on their laurels. But the battle rages on inside in Caleb. Thankfully, we get to hear it.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes like a decent human being.


Read a review of his Rockwood concert.
Listen to "Tuscaloosa" and more on The Next Round Companion Playlist.
Go see Caleb on tour now!

The Next Round - Episode 51: Tall Tall Trees

With a shaggy brown beard that extends down his torso, Mike Savino looks like a wizard.  And as Tall Tall Trees, he gets to become one, summoning a multitude of sounds both shambolic and ethereal from his "Banjotron 5000."  We had a beer before his "greasy dance party" at Rockwood Music Hall.  Check it out.

Subscribe on iTunes, download directly, or stream below.


Pick up a copy of Freedays.
Go see Mike live.
Hear "A Place to Call Your Own" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 50: Reformed Whores

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The Next Round - Episode 49: Cris Jacobs

Two Maryland dudes hanging out.  This episode would've been longer, but the recorder stopped for some unknown reason.  I turned it back on in time to capture most of this conversation with Cris Jacobs.  While you may remember Cris from Baltimore jamband The Bridge, he's been solo since 2012, releasing his fantastic second record, Dust to Gold, a few weeks ago.  Already an accomplished guitarist, Jacobs explains how songwriting has become his main focus, taking inspiration from everything from Cormac McCarthy novels to becoming a father.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to unite America.


Click here for Cris Jacobs' tour dates/tickets.
Get tickets to the Bridge's reunion show.
Buy Dust to Gold on iTunes.
Hear "Jack the Whistle & the Hammer" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 48: Emily King

The Next Round returns with a new episode featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist, Emily King.  Emily was double-booked, so the interview is on the short side, but it's still a good chat.  Find out how she celebrated her birthday on the road, why she chose to release a deluxe edition of last year's The Switch, and her recipe for the perfect PB&J.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode.


Buy The Switch (Deluxe Edition) on iTunes.
Visit Emily's website.
Listen to "Sleepwalker" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 47: George Clinton

It's not every day that you get to meet one of your idols, but I got to do just that a month ago in Las Vegas.  The legendary George Clinton had a beer with me after his show at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas.  George just celebrated his 75th birthday last Friday, and there's one thing he'd still like to cross off his bucket list.  Find out what it is, as well as his thoughts on Prince, To Pimp a Butterfly, and more.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes. (iTunes subscribers received the episode as a special gift on George's birthday.)


Visit his website for tour dates, merch, and news.
To learn more about George's fight for copyright justice, go to Flashlight 2013.
Check out The Next Round Companion Playlist on Spotify.

The Next Round - Episode 46: Pop Etc

The Next Round returns with a two-drink chat with Chris Chu of Pop Etc.  Chris discusses the benefits of songwriting as a discipline, working on a song every day in his Brooklyn apartment.  That prolificacy resulted in literally hundreds of ideas that were then brought to his bandmates and unanimously whittled down to the ten tunes on their latest LP, Souvenir.  Listen to Chris talk about the time he snuck into a Twilight movie to try to hear his song, and find out which '90s alternative band he finds criminally underrated.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to get new episodes hours before they are posted here.


Buy yourself a Souvenir and go see Pop Etc at Baby's All Right on 8/12.

The Next Round - Episode 45: Lissie

As a child, Lissie Maurus struggled to find her place in the Mississippi River town of Rock Island, IL.  Her aspirations of a career in music landed her in Hollywood, where she lived until she moved 90 minutes northwest on a whim to the small town of Ojai, California.  After 11 years in the Golden State, Lissie headed back east, buying a farm in Iowa just a few hours from her childhood home.  Lissie's journey informed her latest album, My Wild West, which marks a departure from her usual heartbreak-inspired pop/rock songs.  Delve into her past and get a sneak "peak" into her future on this episode of The Next Round.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes like a good person.


Lissie's website
Lissie's Twitter
The Next Round Companion Playlist

The Next Round - Episode 44: Cheerleader

Just prior to their first time playing the late show at Mercury Lounge, Philadelphia haze-poppers Cheerleader joined me in the venue's basement for a drink.  The guys picked their favorite comedy albums to listen to on the road, explained how certain dietary restrictions make it difficult for them to find food on tour, and contemplated the addition of a French horn to their sound.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to listen to new episodes hours before I post them here.


Get tickets for their current tour.
Buy The Sunshine of Your Youth on vinyl or iTunes.
Listen to their latest single "A Million Ways" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 43: Brian Bonz

There's no such thing as June Fools Day, so this isn't a prank.  The Next Round returns after a lengthy hiatus with a brand new episode featuring Brian Bonz!  Listen as this native Brooklynite shares his stories of kebab-induced food poisoning, falling off the stage at Hoboken's legendary former venue Maxwell's, and recording his latest album Misophonia amongst the forklifts of Sunset Park.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode.



Hear "Moonstruck (Murder What We Hate)" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.
Visit Brian's website and follow him on Twitter.
Buy Misophonia on iTunes or vinyl.
Check out the latest Bobo Touch video.

Oh, and here's the sunrise from this morning…

The Next Round - Episode 42: Findlay Brown

Though still in his 30s, Findlay Brown already has a lifetime's worth of stories.  From chocolate factory hijinks to being run over by a taxi to watching his girlfriend move countries when he was at his lowest point, Findlay pulls from his experiences to create albums that are not only accessible to the masses, but also time capsules of his life.  Brown's latest release, Slow Light, is no exception, inspired by '60s minimal music, relocating to New York City, and his personal revelations at South American shamanic ceremonies.  Listen to these tales and more as we drink beers at Troost.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes.

Buy Slow Light and We Make Peace on iTunes.
Follow Findlay on Twitter.
Check out his newest Daytrotter session.
Open The Next Round Companion Playlist in Spotify or stream it here.

The Next Round - Episode 41: Rayland Baxter

Rayland Baxter's Feathers & Fishhooks was one of my favorite albums of 2012.  So when it was announced that he'd be playing a show at Rockwood Music Hall to promote his follow-up LP, Imaginary Man, I knew I had to interview him.  Listen in awe as he writes lyrics on the fly based on the stuff on our sidewalk table at Epstein's.

My brother has been anxiously awaiting this interview since I recorded it in July, and today is actually his birthday.  So happy birthday, Greg!  Here's a present for you.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to get new episodes hours before I post them here.

Follow Rayland on Twitter and Instagram.

See him live.

Buy his record.

The Next Round - Episode 40: Hey Anna

Lordy, Lordy, we've made it to forty!  The Next Round's 40th episode is a charming chat with Erin Rauch-Sasseen from Hey Anna, who recently released their debut album Run Koko.  The NJ/NY indie pop group consists of Erin, her twin sisters Katie and Anna, and friends Matthew Langner and Jamie DiTringo.  Find out what it's like to play music with your sisters, how Anna ended up with the band's name, and who makes the best meatballs.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes like a model citizen.


Buy tickets for Saturday's Run Koko vinyl release show.
Show the band some love on Twitter and Facebook.

The Next Round - Episode 39: Orgone

I'm really excited to post this one because it's the first podcast that I recorded outside of New York.  I went to Las Vegas back in June, and I got to catch up with Orgone's Sergio Rios and Adryon de León before their funktastic show at Brooklyn Bowl.  Find out what comfort item each needs to have with them on the road, whose hair smells better, and much, much more.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes.


Buy Beyond the Sun and view tour dates on their website.  They're coming to the original Brooklyn Bowl on 8/25, so get tickets and "get lifted."

Listen to "Losin You" and a song from every podcast guest on The Next Round Companion Spotify Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 38: Gill Landry

It seems almost crazy to leave your position in a Grammy-winning band to focus on your solo career, but Gill Landry did just that when he released his self-titled third album in March.  Then you hear the record and his decision totally makes sense.  A far cry from the foot-stomping nu-grass of Old Medicine Show, the LP sneaks up gently and then takes hold, with Landry's lyrics of different experiences with love forcing you to reckon with your own feelings, past and present.

I got to talk with Gill before his show at Mercury Lounge in June.  As anyone who reads this blog knows, I go to Mercury Lounge all the time, but it was honestly one of the best-sounding shows I've ever been to at the venue.  Landry's deep voice cut through the silence perfectly, and despite his modesty when he talks of his guitar-playing, he offered up some skilled, extended intros on both "James Alley Blues" and "Lawless Soirez."

Stream our conversation below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes.


Wanna hear how good he sounds for yourself?  Buy Gill Landry and see him on tour.

GILL LANDRY - 06.19.15 - MERCURY LOUNGE (48 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -

Funeral in My Heart / Never Coming Here Again / James Alley Blues / Lost Love / Waiting for Your Love / Just Like You / Dixie / Lawless Soirez / Lately Right Now / Emily / Take This Body / Bad Love

The Next Round - Episode 37: Dave Monks

This was a fun one.  Dave Monks is best known as the singer and bassist for Canadian indie band Tokyo Police Club, but he recently released his first solo EP, All Signs Point to Yes.  Hungover and speckled with makeup from a morning photo shoot, Dave had a beer with me at Sugarburg in his relatively new home of Brooklyn to discuss how the EP came to be, the differences in performing solo versus with the band, and why 28 is such a weird age.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to get new episodes the instant I post them.


Follow Dave on Twitter, catch him on tour, and buy All Signs Point to Yes on vinyl.

Listen to "The Rules" and a song by every podcast guest on the Dry Paint Signs Presents: The Next Round companion playlist.  Open in Spotify or stream it here.

The Next Round Spotify Companion Playlist

You may have heard me talk about this in the outro of the latest podcast, but in case you didn't, I created a companion piece to The Next Round on Spotify.

It features one track from every musician I've interviewed, in order, from Broken Anchor to Young Buffalo (to whatever band comes next, as I will keep updating it as the podcast continues).  Most of the songs are ones we talked about on the show, so it's a neat way to hear the tunes that you already know the backstories of.  It's designed to flow like a mix too, so you need not worry about having to press the skip button.  I was extremely proud putting it together, realizing just how many great artists I've had the opportunity to interview so far.

Stream it in the player below, or open it in Spotify.

The Next Round - Episode 36: Young Buffalo

My computer wasn't letting me upload this podcast, so I traveled all the way to my Manhattan workplace in order to post it.  You know it must be a good one if I was willing to do that on the weekend.

I hung out with Jim Barrett and Ben Yarbrough of Young Buffalo in the backyard of One Mile House just before their show at Bowery Ballroom.  Though the band hails from the landlocked college town of Oxford, MS, you'd never know it judging by their debut record, House.  Young Buffalo's Beach Boys-meets-Modest Mouse vibe is perfect for your summer playlist, whether you're vacationing on a Greek island paradise or simply having a party at home.  (Just don't start a bonfire in the yard.)  Have a listen to the interview to find out whose house is on the album cover and whose grandmother used to raise ostriches.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes.


Tour dates and Twitter!