Baxter Dury talks 'Albarone,' Paul Epworth & more

This week we've got Welsh indie rock legend and Super Furry Animals frontman, Gruff Rhys who just released his ninth solo album, Dim Probs, which is also his first for Mogwai's Rock Action label. We discussed the bleak themes of the album and the Welsh DIY music that inspired it, his recent US tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album American Interior, missing the Oasis reunion shows in Cardiff, that time Super Furry Animals toured with Oasis 20 years ago, raves in the Welsh countryside, working with illustrator Pete Fowler for Dim Probs and the merch opportunities with the album's artwork, plus five records he thinks everyone should own, and more.   It should be noted that this interview happened before Super Furry Animals announced they were reforming for shows in 2026 and you can hear Gruff successfully dodge the question of SFA's status. -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

This week we've got Welsh iconoclast Cate Le Bon who just released the wonderful, if heartbreaking new album, Michelangelo Dying. We discussed how the album was not the record she intended or wanted to make; her creative partnership with producer and engineer Samur Khouja; working with musicians Dylan Hadley, Valentina Magliati, Stephen Black and Euan Hinshelwood on the album; her other career as a producer making records with Wilco, Dry Cleaning, Horsegirl and more; her 2026 tour plans; her new dog, and more. -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen has just released a new album: 100 Sound Effects and yes it's exactly that -- a old school sound effects album, but one only Fred Armisen could make. We talked to Fred about how he came to make it, how the late Steve Albini played a part in it, and the unexpected difficulties there were in creating his own sound effects. Along the way there are digressions into '80s "marimba wave" and Sophistipop, singing Foreigner in an episode of Wednesday, the show's upcoming Uncle Fester spinoff, five records Fred thinks everyone should own and more.   PS in the episode there is mention of making a "marimba wave" playlist and you can listen to that here.   -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein  

Swedish garage rock greats just released THE HIVES FOREVER FOREVER THE HIVES, their terrific seventh album which was co-produced by longtime collaborator Pelle Gunnerfeldt and The Beastie Boys' Mike D, with additional productions by Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme. We talked to Hives frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist about the new album, working with Mike D and Josh Homme, microphone swinging disasters, Def Leppard, the best Swedish band of the 2000s who weren't The Hives, playing outdoor shows in bad weather, their upcoming 2026 tour opening for My Chemical Romance, and more. Plus: five records he thinks everyone should own, unusual bingo in Austin, and more.   -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

Baxter Dury (son of British icon Ian Dury) just released his eight solo album, Allbarone, which he made with producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Bloc Party). Together they take Baxter's signature style -- a London Serge Gainsbourg by way of post-punk and indie -- into what he calls “mature art school rave" that has more than a little French Touch disco in it. We talked to Baxter about the new album, working with Paul Epworth, his time as a film student at NYU in the '90s, why he's never played America and if that might change, and more. -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein  

UK group Suede (known to some in America as The London Suede) just released their 10th album, Antidepressants, which has them adding dark post-punk to their signature "beautiful trash" glammy sound. It's the latest release in of the best second acts in recent memory. We talked to bassist Mat Osman about Suede's longevity, the care they've put into every record, especially since reforming in 2010, the album's post-punk sound and his own goth roots. We also discuss Matt's second career as an author and his brother Richard who is behind the very popular The Thursday Murder Club book series. Plus: five records he thinks everyone should own, reunion records, the chances Suede might tour America again, and more. Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

After 35 years UK trio Saint Etienne have decided that their 13th album, International, will be their last. They've gone out with a bang, though, collaborating Confidence Man, The Chemical Brothers Tom Rowlands and Doves' Jez Williams, Haircut 100's Nick Heyward, Erasure's Vince Clark, and more on the album's songs. We talked with 2/3rds of the band, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell, on the decision to bring an end to Saint Etienne, the many great collaborators on International, what their kids listen to, touring America (including a memorable early gig at New York's infamous Limelight Club), having Oasis open for them in 1994, their 2026 farewell tour, and more. Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

We talked with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard about the band's new Best Of comp Joy In Repetition, the purpose Best Of's serve in the streaming era, some of their favorite Greatest Hits albums, how they got Sgt Peppers designer Sir Peter Blake to do the album cover, technical difficulties at live shows, the impressive list of people who have played drums with Hot Chip, their upcoming live shows in New York, LA and London, and more. Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

Guy Garvey, who has led Manchester band Elbow since the mid-'90s, talks with us this week about the band's new EP, their upcoming first full North American tour since before Covid, their secret to longevity, and lots more.   ** Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein

The Beta Band's Steve Mason gives only his second interview since the group announced they were reforming for their first tour in 20 years. We discuss the reunion, The Beta Band's legacy, the dangers of nostalgia, how they wanted to destroy Britpop when they formed, touring with Radiohead, and more. ** Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein