S2/EP2: Alabaster DePlume

In this episode Ben chats with L.A. based pop singer and model Tommi Aura about the songwriting methods behind their debut LP ‘High Fashion Pop Music.’ The duo also talk about Tommi’s start as a teenage model, revealing uncomfortable ideas in songwriting, the virtues of writing without a microphone, the overused gospel trope of singers going out into the crowd, the stupidity of ‘pre save’ marketing, the existential and artistic implications of fashion, and ’Wildside.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Ben chats with solo artist and label head Fury Young about the story behind Freer Records, Fury’s non-profit label that records imprisoned or formerly incarcerated artists. Ben and Fury also chat about Fury’s forays into filmmaking, rejecting a young Lena Dunham, radicalization through history books, Die Jim Crow, BL Shirelle, a philosophy of redemption for all, and Fury's debut EP ‘Escape from LES’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Ben chats with songwriter Kennie Mason about their Atlanta-via-Jacksonville dream pop project Siichaq. The duo also discuss Kennie’s Inuit family, Limp Bizkit, finding solace in Nirvana, playing live with Kennie’s father, writing music, critiquing bandmates, reading ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ as an adult, zoomer gaze vs. classic Creation Records shoegaze, wilderness therapy, Open Head, ‘Project 3’, and writing from an outsider perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Ben interviews Matt Peel and Josh Lewis from the Leeds electronic collective HONESTY. The trio talk about the writing of HONESTY’s debut LP U R Here, seeing Massive Attack on MTV as a kid, learning songwriting via twee, working w/ Flo from Dry Cleaning, Softlizard, recording Eagulls, Kate Bush and the embrace of studio artifice, ‘pissing’ on a track, producing BODEGA, Goldfishes, and the beautiful backstory to ‘Breathe’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben interviews Xander Duell about his life in music and his latest EP, a collaboration w/ the legendary Van Dyke Parks. The duo also discuss writing on amphetamines, writing upon waking in the middle of the night, early success in Xander's 00 Williamsburg band Inouk, being the brother of Amen Dunes, Buddhism, working with Bartees Strange, ‘No Dice’, and the nature of music itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben interviews Simon Tyrie, the leader of the new London dance rock band The Itch, about their brand new debut LP ‘It’s the Hope that Kills You.’ The duo also chat about The Regressive Left, sampling ‘Subway Takes’, solo acts vs. bands (and the LCD Soundsystem/Tame Impala hybrid model), the negative influence of playlists on original music, ‘Ursula’, ‘No More Sprechgesang’, and the decline of post punk 3.0. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben chats w/ LA singer/songwriter Magdalene about her transformation from indie rock to Britney Spears/Madonna style pop. The duo also discuss growing up in creative isolation, gaslighting your way to success, playing in Surf Curse, the genius of early 00s pop production, modern hack songwriting, religion and pop, the nature of the self, and working with Slush Puppy and Cole from Model/Actriz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben interviews garage rock veteran Michael Younker about his early bands (Triathalon, Sauna Heat, Gymshorts) and his latest foray into making records under his own name. The duo also discuss the virtues of speedy writing, the difficulties of holding down a job while touring, ‘Mr. Communication’, ‘So What!’, and the virtues and pitfalls of having an all-or-nothing mentality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BODEGA AT THIS MOMENT is a podcast curated by Ben Hozie of the NYC band BODEGA, interviewing musicians about their creative history, philosophy, and process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode, Ben chats w/ head of Bella Union records and Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde. The duo discuss the Cocteau Twins unique writing process, learning bass from the Sex Pistols, a disastrous gig opening for Metallica, rejecting Brian Eno and David Lynch, Cocteau Twins relationship to shoegaze, the origins of Bella Union, discovering Fleet Foxes on Myspace, and the pitfalls of the modern album cycle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.