Episode 223 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Michael Grace, Jr. of Long Island indie pop legends My Favorite. After a long stretch of years since their last release, the project returned in the fall with the first in a trio of EPs, “Tender Is The Nightshift: Part 1.” The five-song collection is the first My Favorite extended play in nearly two decades and features more beat-driven tracks that draw on nostalgia while contemplating love and loss. During the interview, Tom and Michael chatted about My Favorite’s history, including what it was like recording early singles with Mark Kramer, the band’s rabid fan base in Sweden, how this current revival came to be, and much more. Plus, Michael picked some great records from my collection, including some sick tracks from Lou Reed, Sade, and Prefab Sprout.  You can follow along via the official playlist for Episode 223.You can purchase Tender Is The Nightshift​:​ Part 1 via Bandcamp. The EP is also available on all streaming platforms. A vinyl edition is available for purchase via Where It’s At Is Where You Are and HHBTM Records.

Episode 223: Michael Grace, Jr. of My Favorite

Episode 222 of Look At My Records! Features an interview with Gabbi Coenen, the Los Angeles-based musician who performs under the moniker RVBY MY DEAR. The Perth, Australia native recently released a new self-titled EP, which arrives on the heels of some changes for Coenen. It’s the project’s first release since Coenen relocated from New York to Los Angeles and also follows the dissolution of the backing band that appeared on her 2019 debut full-length, Waiting. The EP also marks her first collaboration with producer Andrew Lappin and also sees Coenen drawing influence from pop and ambient source material. During the interview, Gabbi and Tom chatted about growing up in Perth, her experiences studying jazz in music school, the process behind crafting the EP, and much more. She also picked some excellent records from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from Aimee Mann, Aaliyah, and Dirty Projectors. You can follow along with her picks via the official playlist for Episode 222.You can purchase a copy of the EP via Bandcamp. It’s also available to stream on all platforms. Keep up with the project by following them on Instagram. RVBY MY DEAR will be celebrating the release of the EP with a special performance on January 18th at Gold-Diggers in Los Angeles. The show is presented by The Witching Hours. Sonoda and Rainee Blake are also performing. Tickets are available now!

Episode 222: RVBY MY DEAR

For Episode 221 of Look At My Records!, Harry the Nightgown returns for their second appearance on the podcast. Since the release of their excellent, analog-centric self-titled debut in 2020, the songwriting duo of Spencer Hartling and Sami Perez have leaned further into the electronic elements of their sound, which blossomed on their 2021 singles “The Painter” and “If You Were Wrong.” Last month, the duo released the follow-up to their first full-length, an EP titled Airy the Light Cloud, which sees them further exploring more digital proclivities while still staying true to the pop sensibilities they developed in the analog recording realm. During the interview, Spencer and Sami share a song-by-song breakdown of the EP, including their thought process behind certain unique sonic choices on tracks like “Swing Song.” Plus, they chatted about current happening at their LA-based studio Wiggle World, their experiences touring in 2022,  and much more. The two also picked some awesome records, including classics from Wire, Stereolab, and New Order. You can follow along with their picks via the official playlist for Episode 221. You can purchase Airy The Light Cloud via Bandcamp. The EP is also available on all streaming services. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram.Don’t miss Harry The Nightgown’s next show at Gold Diggers in Los Angeles on January 19th! They’ll be joined by Mary Sea and Laena. Get your tickets now via Dice.FM.

Episode 221: Harry The Nightgown

Scout Gillett returns to the Look At My Records! podcast for Episode 220. 2022 has been an eventful year for the Brooklyn songwriter, as she recently shared her highly anticipated debut full-length, no roof no floor, on Captured Tracks. The release is a long time coming for Gillett, as principal tracking for the album began two years ago at The Chicken Shack in Stanfordville, NY. There, Gillett worked with Nick Kinsey, Kevin Copeland (of The Big Net, who appeared on the podcast back in 2020), and El Kempner (of Palehound). The intensely personal record delves deeply into Gillett’s own stark observations and unfeigned experiences, shedding light on addiction and coming of age, while artfully blending a fluid set of genre influences that includes country, folk, and Americana. During the interview, Scout and Tom discussed the making of no roof no floor inside a barn in upstate New York, how she connected with the folks at Captured Tracks, and what’s in store for 2023. She curated an excellent playlist of tunes from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from The Stranglers, Flamin’ Groovies, Julia Jacklin, and more. You can follow along with her selections via the official playlist for Episode 220.no roof no floor is out now via Captured Tracks. You can purchase the album on limited edition red vinyl via Bandcamp. It’s also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with Gillett by following her on Instagram.Don’t miss Gillett on tour this December! For a full list of dates, check out her Bandsintown page.

Episode 220: Scout Gillett

Episode 219 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Winnipeg-based songwriter Dylan MacDonald, who performs as Field Guide. In late October, Field Guide released their self-titled second full-length, which expands on the flush and warm folk textures heard on his previous works, and further, builds off of his deeply personal lyrical themes. In addition to diving into the process of recording the record, which included intimate sessions in a cabin in rural Manitoba, Tom and Dylan also discussed the inspiration behind Field Guide’s decision to cover Coldplay’s Parachutes in its entirety, the current state of the Winnipeg music scene, the project’s plans for 2023, and more. Plus, Dylan picked some awesome records from my collection, including choice cuts from Andy Shauf, Michael Rault, The War on Drugs, and more. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 219.Field Guide is out now via Birthday Cake Records. You can purchase a copy of the record on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the project by following Field Guide on Instagram.Field Guide also just announced a bunch of North American tour dates for 2023. For more information and to catch them in a city near you, head to the band’s website.

Episode 219: Field Guide

For Episode 218 of the Look At My Records! podcast, Tom chatted with Jackson Phillips of the Los Angeles-based Day Wave. Back in the mid-2010s, Phillips made a splash in indie rock circles with his dreamy and expansive shoegaze-influenced songs. Fast forward to 2022 and Phillips is older, wiser, and digging into his roots to plot a new direction forward. His new record, Pastlife, reflects those innate changes that come with the passage of time, as Phillips peers into the past lyrically while continuing to evolve as a songwriter. During their conversation, Tom and Jackson spoke about the evolution of Day Wave’s sound on Pastlife, how his friendship and working relationship with Pete Yorn influenced his songwriter, and what the future looks like for Day Wave. Phillips also picked some excellent records, including choice cuts from the Replacements, Liz Phair, and Brian Eno. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 218.You can purchase Pastlife on limited edition vinyl via Day Wave’s website. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Follow Day Wave on Instagram and like them on Facebook to stay in the know.

Episode 218: Day Wave

Episode 217 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Dennis Diken, drummer of the legendary New Jersey band The Smithereens. The Carteret, New Jersey natives (and New Jersey Hall of Famers) have been at it for over 40 years. Along the way, they’ve sold millions of records, played on Saturday Night Live,  toured the globe, and done just about everything you can do as a band. Following the tragic and untimely passing of frontman Pat Dinizio in late 2017, the Smithereens have continued playing live to critical acclaim, with a rotating cast of singers that include power pop icon Marshall Crenshaw and Gin Blossoms’ frontman Robin Wilson. Last month, the band unveiled their Lost Album, a record that was recorded at Crystal Sound Studios in New York City in early 1993, only to be shelved for three decades. During their interview, Tom and Dennis talked all about the Lost Album, including the circumstances surrounding the mid-90s recording sessions, why the album is now seeing the light of day, and more. They also chatted about the band’s heyday, where Dennis shared fond memories of a particular New Jersey concert supporting Squeeze at Brendan Byrne Arena in 1987, playing a gig in Iceland when the band’s debut album, Especially For You, was number 1 on that country’s charts, and more. Plus, Dennis picked some awesome records from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from The Zombies, The Impressions, and more. You can follow along with his selections via the official playlist for Episode 217.The Lost Album is out now via Sunset Boulevard Records. You can purchase a copy of the record via the band’s website. You can also stream it on your platform of choice. Keep up with The Smithereens by liking them on Facebook and following them on Instagram.

Episode 217: Dennis Diken of The Smithereens

Episode 216 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Pascal Stevenson of Los Angeles’ Fashion Club. Despite an extensive background playing in various bands, including Sub Pop recording artists Moaning, Fashion Club is Stevenson’s first vessel for her own songwriting. Dark, brooding, and driven by Stevenson’s distinctively haunting voice, her debut record as Fashion Club, Scrutiny, thrives off of a unique approach to production and songwriting that places an equal emphasis on pop structures and lush, but biting, electronic soundscapes. During the interview, Stevenson and Tom discuss what it was like piecing together demos for the songs on Scrutiny while touring Europe with Moaning, the lyrical inspiration behind stand-out tracks like “Pantomime,” how the song “Reaction” almost didn’t make it on the album, and much more. Plus, Stevenson picked some awesome records from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from Wire, Sade, and Kate Bush. You can follow along with her picks via the official playlist for Episode 216.Scrutiny is out now via Felte Records. You can order a copy on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. Keep up with Fashion Club by following them on Instagram.

Episode 216: Fashion Club

Episode 215 of Look At My Records! features an interview with New Jersey’s Sweaty Lamar. The new-ish project of songwriter Tara Giancaspro started at the onset of the pandemic when she began formulating the songs that will appear on her forthcoming EP, A Little Bit Cuntry, A Little Bit Rock & Roll. So far, Giancaspro has shared three excellent singles, “I Have Always Been In Love With You,” “Mysteries,” and most recently, “Abbey, I’m Sorry I Stole Your Man,” a sequel to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” During the interview, Tom and Tara spoke at length about how she fell into songwriting, the inspiration behind her unique stage name, and some of the deeper meanings behind her music.  She also picked some awesome records from my collection and had some great associated stories to tell, including two from Jersey legends Titus Andronicus and Bruce Springsteen. You can follow along with her picks via the official playlist for Episode 215. You can purchase Sweaty Lamarr’s music on Bandcamp or stream it on your platform of choice. Keep up with the project by following them on Instagram.

Episode 215: Sweaty Lamarr

Episode 214 of Look At My Records! features an interview with indie pop veteran Phil Sutton of Love, Burns. You may be familiar with Sutton from his contributions to various bands of the guitar-pop ilk over the last few decades, including the New York City-based Pale Lights and U.K. jangle-pop legends Comet Gain, but with the onset of the pandemic, Sutton shifted gears from his group efforts towards Love, Burns, his first-ever solo project. After releasing two 7-inch singles in 2020 and 2021, Sutton shared his debut full length as Love, Burns, It Should Have Been Tomorrow, in February of this year. The record is filled to the brim with the kind of gooey, ramshackle guitar jangle that Sutton has spent decades perfecting, and includes standout tracks like “Wired Eyes,” his first stab at an affecting political tune with a guitar pop twist. During the interview, Sutton and Tom chatted all about the record, including why he decided to go solo, the process behind piecing together the songs, his creative relationship with Kyle Forrester, and much more. Plus, Sutton shared stories about his DIY pop origins in Comet Gain, including what he remembers about the group’s first Peel Sessions, playing with Bikini Kill in the mid-90s, and how the band powered through adversity to reach mythical status in indie-rock circles. He also picked some awesome records, including a handful of choice cuts from Nicole Yun, The Byrds, and Look Blue Go Purple. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 214.Sutton and his backing band, which includes Alex Curtain on bass, Kenny Wachtel on lead guitar, Kyle Forrester on keys, and Hampus Öhman Frölund on drums, recorded a special live session at Gary Olson’s Marlborough Farm Studios for Look At My Records! Tune in to hear four cuts from It Should Have Been Tomorrow and an incredible, never before heard song!You can purchase It Should Have Been Tomorrow on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp.  It’s also available to stream on Spotify. Keep up Love, Burns by following them on Instagram.

Episode 214: Love, Burns

David Algrim of Chicago noise-pop outfit Gentle Heat is our guest for Episode 213 of Look At My Records! The project just released their second full-length, Sheer, a towering record that sits sweetly between the distorted haze of shoegaze and the saccharine melodies of noise-leaning indie pop. With new member Sarah Clausen on keys, the group’s songwriting features poppier elements to counteract their guitar fuzz, including gorgeous vocal harmonies that remain constant across the album’s nine tracks. Algrim and Tom chatted all about the album’s pop influences and more, including how Gentle Heat has persisted through several lineup changes since forming in the late 2010s, Algrim’s background playing in a Milwaukee-based hardcore band, the dynamics of Gentle Heat’s live shows. Plus, David picked some awesome records from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from Poppies, My Bloody Valentine, and En Attendant Ana  You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 213. Sheer is out now via Flesh & Bone Records. You can purchase it on Bandcamp or on vinyl via the Flesh & Bone website.  It’s also available on Spotify. Gentle Heat will be celebrating the release of Sheer tonight at The Hideout in Chicago with Smut and Discus. Then they’ll be hitting the road for the rest of May. Don’t miss them here in New York at The Broadway on May 28th. For a full list of dates, check out the band’s Instagram.

Episode 213: Gentle Heat

Episode 212 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Stella, Helena, and Mikaela of New York City up and comers Hello Mary. We last spoke with the trio for a piece on the site back in December of 2020, and since then, they’ve been through some changes. They’ve graduated from the DIY recording setting to a proper studio, enlisting the services of veteran indie rock producer Bryce Goggin for their recent string of releases, which includes the captivating double single, “Stinge” b/w “Sink In.” They also embarked on their first West Coast tour, played some pretty big gigs, and added a bit of polish to their signature sound. During the interview, the band dished on all of this and more, including the circumstances that inspired one of their recent singles, “Evicted,” how Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean has acted as a mentor to the band, and of course, what’s next for the trio. They also picked some awesome records, including some great cuts from Echo & The Bunnymen, Big Thief, and more. You can follow along with their picks via the official playlist for Episode 212.Hello Mary is playing a bunch of gigs in the Northeast this month. They’ll be supporting Sunflower Bean on May 12th at Webster Hall. On May 29th, they’ll be playing at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City with Les Savvy Fav. For a full list of tour dates, follow the band on Instagram.You can purchase Hello Mary’s music via Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify.

Episode 212: Hello Mary

Episode 211 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Zack Nestel-Patt and Tasha Abbot of the Los Angeles-based dreamgaze band No Swoon. We’re quite familiar with this talented duo from their days as a Brooklyn outfit, but last year, Nestel-Patt and Abbot made the trek westward, but not before hanging in a bit of pandemic-induced limbo. After COVID-19 canceled their March 2020 tour, the two bounced around a bit, ultimately settling in western Massachusetts to write and record their new record, Take Your Time. As an album, Take Your Time sees the band exploring more ethereal and serene sounding textures while shifting their lyrical focus to more introspective themes. Tune in to the interview to hear all about the new record, including the dream that inspired the song “Beside,” how their songwriting process has evolved since their debut, what inspired the change in their lyrical themes and sound, and much more. Plus, Zack and Tasha picked some awesome records, including choice cuts from Angel Olsen, Broadcast, and Sharon Van Etten. They also swapped stories with Tom about some real-life encounters with their indie rock heroes! You can follow along with their record picks via the official playlist for Episode 211.Take Your Time is out now via The Nothing Song. You can purchase a copy on limited edition cassette via Bandcamp. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram. No Swoon will be playing a month-long residency at Silver Lake Lounge every Wednesday in May. Stay tuned for more info soon!

Episode 211: No Swoon

For Episode 210 of Look At My Records!, Tom spoke with Nils, James, and Connor of Manhattan synth-pop extraordinaires VHS Collection. The veteran act has been bringing their infectious sound to rooms across the country for the better part of the last half-decade, and in February, they shared their highly anticipated second full-length, Night Drive.  After finding a ton of success as an independent band, the trio signed with the Tiger Tone imprint for the release of Night Drive, teaming up with renowned producer Tony Hoffer. During the interview, the band dished on all things Night Drive, including what it was like working with Hoffer and the challenges that came with putting the record during the pandemic. Plus, they shared a bit about their origins as Phish-heads at boarding school, the concept that inspired the sound and vibe of Night Drive, what went into their decision to work with a label after being a successful independent band for so long, and much more. Plus, the trio picked some awesome records from Tom’s collection, including some choice cuts from The Police, Nas, and LCD Soundsystem. You can follow along with their picks via the official playlist for Episode 210.You can stream Night Drive on your platform of choice. Keep up with VHS Collection by following them on Instagram. 

Episode 210: VHS Collection

Episode 209 of Look At My Records! features an interview with New Jersey songwriter Max Feinstein. We last spoke with Feinstein on the podcast back in February of 2020, and since then, obviously, a lot has happened. In addition to a global pandemic that had profound ramifications on the day-to-day workings of his Hoboken-based studio Silverhorse Sound, a building fire in December of 2021 has left the future of the studio in its current space in question. Nevertheless, Feinstein is pushing forward. He just released his latest album, Redefine, a record that primarily explores his experiences living and coping with hemophilia and sees him expanding his already eclectic sonic palette. During the interview, Feinstein elaborated on the current situation with Silverhorse Sound, his advocacy work in the hemophilia community, the inspiration behind some of Redefine’s stand-out tracks like “Dear Anxious” and “Borderlines,” and much more. Plus, Max picked some excellent records, including some great cuts from XTC, Beulah, and Jawbox. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 209. Redefine is out now! You can check it out on Bandcamp or your streaming platform of choice. For more information on Feinstein, including his hemophilia work, you can check out his website. Keep up with him on Instagram and Facebook.Feinstein will be celebrating the release of Redefine on April 1st at Finnegan’s in Hoboken. Emergencies and Jaime Rosey will also be performing. You can help Silverhorse Sound recover from their fire by contributing to their Gofundme.

Episode 209: Max Feinstein

Episode 208 of Look At My Records! features an interview with rising songwriter Jonah Kagen. Though Kagen first picked up a guitar at the age of six, he started shifting his primary focus to music during the pandemic when his song “Broken” blew up on TikTok. That song’s success led to several other social media and streaming hits, including “Wishing You Did,” “Catching A Dream,” and “Summer Feeling,” a collaborative track with Norwegian DJ Matoma. Fast forward to 2022 and Kagen is embarking on his first-ever tour in support of English artist Masie Peters, where he’s been playing to sold-out crowds at legendary venues like Webster Hall. It’s been a wild ride for Kagen, who prior to 2020, was a dedicated Division-1 soccer player at Cornell University, with hopes of eventually going pro. Tune in to the interview to hear about how all of that changed for Kagen, including how and why he first decided to share his music via social media, how his career as an athlete has helped him as a musician, the guitar players that have influenced his distinct fingerpicking style, what it’s been like playing big rooms for his first-ever gigs, and more. Plus, Kagen picked some awesome records from my collection, including choice cuts from Michael Jackson and the Go-Go’s. You can follow along with Jonah’s picks via the official playlist for Episode 208.Kagen is on tour with Masie Peters for the rest of March! For a full list of dates, check out his website.  Keep up with Kagen by following him on Instagram and TikTok. You can stream his music on your platform of choice.

Episode 208: Jonah Kagen

Episode 207 of Look At My Records! features an interview with T.J. Strohmer of Knifeplay. The Philadelphia-based shoegaze outfit is in the early stages of their next phase as a band, which began late last with the release of two Jeff Ziegler produced singles, “Hurt Someone” and “Ornament.” The pair of tracks are Strohmer’s first releases with a new backing band and his first working with an outside producer, and thus, offer a glimpse into the project’s huge, fully fleshed-out sound, which will be front and center on their forthcoming second full length. Listen to the interview to hear all about Strohmer’s experiences working with Ziegler, including what it was like collaborating with the renowned engineer over the course of the last year, what it was like transitioning out of the bedroom recording setting, how the band’s first live shows in two years went, and much more. Plus, Strohmer picked some awesome records, including choice cuts from Yo La Tengo, Alex G, and Lou Reed.  You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 207.You can purchase Knifeplay’s music via Bandcamp. Their tunes are also available to stream on all platforms. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram.

Episode 207: Knifeplay

Episode 206 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Michael Imperioli of the New York City band Zopa. We’re all familiar with Imperioli from his Emmy award-winning role as Christopher Moltesanti on HBO’s The Sopranos, but in addition to acting, Michael has a long history of playing music in New York City. His current band, Zopa, released their long-awaited debut album La Dolce Vita in 2020, but Imperioli’s roots in music reach all the way back to New York City’s bustling downtown arts scene in the 1980s. He got his start playing in a no wave band called Black Angus and after answering an ad in the Village Voice, joined an early incarnation of Feelies offshoot Wild Carnation in the early 1990s. Along the way, he’s also put on gigs at Maxwell’s in Hoboken (including one featuring Miracle Legion and Yung Wu), befriended the late Lou Reed, and played shows with Zopa in places like Portugal. Tune in to the interview to hear all about Imperioli’s fascinating music background, the circumstances surrounding Zopa’s original formation and eventual reunion, the band’s recent experiences recording with notable indie rock producer John Angello, his long collaborative relationship with director Tom Gilroy, what inspired him to incorporate Lou Reed as a character in his novel The Perfume Burned His Eyes, and way more. Plus, Imperioli picked some awesome records, including some choice cuts from L.A. Witch, My Bloody Valentine, and Pylon. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 206.Zopa will be performing at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn next Thursday, February 17th with 2C-B. Get your tickets now! Tonight, the band is playing in Los Angeles at Zebulon with Crush and they’ll be at Kung Fu Necktie in Philly with Gladie next Friday, February 18th. La Dolce Vita is available on vinyl via Mt. Crushmore Records and digitally via Bandcamp.

Episode 206: Michael Imperioli

Joey Degroot and Kyle Wilkerson of Joy Cleaner returned to the podcast for Episode 205. A lot has happened for this Bloomfield-based power-pop outfit since they last appeared on the show back in 2018. They scaled down from a trio to a duo, released their second album, You’re So Jaded, back in 2019, and oh yeah, they rocked Pet Shop for the Look At My Records! 200th Episode bash back in November. More recently, the band shared a compilation entitled Spent Flowers, which collects assorted B-sides, compilation tracks, and a couple of never-before-released tunes from the band’s first five years. During the interview, Degroot and Wilkerson talked all about the new compilation, what they’ve been up to over the last two years, what’s next for Joy Cleaner, and more. Plus, they picked some awesome records from R.E.M., David Bowie, and Charly Bliss. Follow along with their picks via the official playlist for Episode 205.Spent Flowers is out now via Jigsaw Records. You can purchase the compilation on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. Keep up with Joy Cleaner by following them on Instagram.

Episode 205: Joy Cleaner

2021 is done! So, Zach Romano and Tom got together to do their annual countdown of their favorite records. It was a bit of a rollercoaster year for music. We all got vaccinated, so venues opened back up and shows resumed, but things got a little complicated towards the end of the year with the Omicron variant. Nevertheless, bands and artists persisted, and released some awesome records. Tune in to hear about Zach and Tom’s favorites from Turnstile, Triptides, LAPÊCHE, Kalbells, Mannequin Pussy, and more!

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