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The Big Takeover Issue #94
Interviews
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MILLY: Their Own Becoming

3 October 2024

“I just think, as a byproduct of that the effort that we put into Your Own Becoming, the commitment and the standard we were trying to meet. Honestly, having Sonny so hands-on with us throughout months of just the writing even, it was so much more involved. And I think that’s why it was working more, there was a lot more energy there.” – Brendan Dyer

“We got good things out of him. As I love to call it, we went to Sonny school where he would, uh, come to our practices and stand in the center of the room and watch all three of us play the same song over and over. Then he would just stop us and go, “No, change this! Go again!” He was giving us the whole runaround but for me, personally, I was able to play all those songs in my sleep.” – Yarden Erez

Interview: The Devlins

3 October 2024

The Devlins frontman Colin Devlin discusses the beloved Irish band’s return from hiatus and new album, All the Days

Interview: James Cox (Crows)

30 September 2024

UK post-punk band Crows have returned with their most accessible album to date. Frontman James Cox discusses why Reason Enough is the band’s best yet, how his on-stage persona aligns more closely with his off-stage self, and how the influence of Idles has shaped their recent evolution.

Interview: Eric Martin of Mr. Big

13 September 2024

Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin discusses the hard rock band’s “big finish” with two final albums

Interview: Matt Johnson (The The)

13 September 2024

After 25 years, The The returns with a powerful collection of songs exploring technology, love, war, and grief through Matt Johnson’s keen lens. The alternative rock veteran reflects on songwriting, the benefits of a quieter life away from the spotlight, and how writing about personal loss has been a healing process.

Interview: God Is an Astronaut

5 September 2024

God Is an Astronaut frontman Torsten Kinsella discusses the renowned instrumental progressive/psychedelic band’s latest album, Embers

Interview: Society of the Silver Cross

4 September 2024

After two decades (‘90s/‘00s) writing power-pop rock songs with the Meices and Alien Crime Syndicate, Joe Reineke added “producer” and “studio owner” to his resume. Reineke and his wife, Karyn Gold-Reineke, own and operate Orbit Audio in Seattle and have been busy working on their own music as Society of the Silver Cross, creating haunting, spiritual, moody, droning hymns with non-traditional rock instruments.

Interview: Jana Mila

30 August 2024

Jana Mila’s Disney-like story involves being discovered via YouTube as a teenager by a major Dutch recording artist and being whisked away to Nashville to meet like-minded musicians in order to craft a wonderfully mature debut album that blends the rural spin of Americana music with the sunny melodies so often associated with Laurel Canyon circa the 1970s. Taking a quick breather before the real work starts, the young singer/songwriter shares her origin story, discusses her love of her home away from home, and the importance of self acceptance.

Mindful Music and other Matters: A conversation with Jeremy Dion

30 August 2024

Award-winning singer-songwriter Jeremy Dion is a licensed therapist by day who offers toe-tapping folk therapy by night. With soaring harmonies and technical riffs reminiscent of Noah Kahan or John Mayer, Jeremy has brought his musical optimism to stages ranging from the Boulder Theater to Edinburgh’s famed Fringe Festival. So whether you’re feeling up, down or just want a night on the town, Jeremy’s heart-opening words will leave you feeling connected, hopeful, and humming a tune — no couch required.

Interview: Julian Shah-Tayler

28 August 2024

Julian Shah-Tayler discusses putting his evocative electro-pop spin on David Bowie’s classic Diamond Dogs album (and other tracks)

Interview: Donovan Woods

27 August 2024

Canadian folk artist Donovan Woods, known for his Juno Award-winning work and songwriting for Tim McGraw, continues to captivate with his latest album, Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now. This album offers an earnest look at everyday life, exploring the highs and lows of relationships and the bittersweet return to one’s hometown. In this interview, Woods delves into his songwriting process, sources of inspiration, and how Nashville has become his second home.

Interview: lovelytheband

26 August 2024

lovelytheband vocalist Mitchy Collins discusses the L.A. band’s self-titled fourth album

Interview: John Doe of X

15 August 2024

John Doe of X discusses the legendary band’s final album and tour

Interview: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth

7 August 2024

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine discusses the band’s current tour, new music that’s in the works, and how he mentors up-&-coming acts

Interview: Vertical Horizon

6 August 2024

Vertical Horizon mark the 25th anniversary of their mega-hit “Everything You Want” with a new vinyl version and a North American tour

Interview: Charlie Overbey

29 July 2024

Punk rock pirate Charlie Overbey goes full-on country songwriter, with the help of guests from Blackberry Smoke, Foo Fighters, the E-Street Band and more, on his latest album, the aptly titled In Good Company. Overbey discusses his past, what led him from punk to country, pulling together talent, and what’s in store in this conversation.

Interview: Stuart McLamb (Fancy Gap)

26 July 2024

Stuart McLamb of The Love Language found his songwriting muse in Charles Crossingham just as the pandemic caused the world to isolate. The two, fueled by ’90s alt-rock radio and classic country radio, created something entirely new – and arena ready – with Fancy Gap, named after the town where Crossingham’s cabin served as a songwriting retreat.

Interview: Noah Kohll & Corey Madden (Color Green)

10 July 2024

Like a mixtape of obscure ’60s and ’70s songs ranging from Southern Rock to trippy psych-rock, Color Green’s new album, Fool’s Parade, is a timeless classic that sounds as modern as it does dated. Noah Kohll and Corey Madden discuss the evolution from a two-man project to a four-person band, adopting a classic rock aesthetic, and the journey the album takes the listener on.

Interview: Eric Earley (Blitzen Trapper)

10 June 2024

Two decades into their career, Blitzen Trapper’s written some of their best material on their new album, _100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions*. Lead singer – and founding member – Eric Earley discusses the freedom he feels these days to tap into early influences and revisit ideas from his earliest days of songwriting as well as how he manages his music career with the work that he does with Oregon’s homeless.

Interview: X Ambassadors frontman Sam Nelson Harris

31 May 2024

X Ambassadors frontman Sam Nelson Harris discusses the band’s latest album, Townie, and how it reflects his more introspective side

Interview: Sebastian Bach

9 May 2024

After a ten-year hiatus, Sebastian Bach returns with Child Within the Man, an album the enigmatic singer considers to be the best album of his solo career. Bach discusses the time and care put into the album, how he organizes his massive vinyl collection, the inspiration behind “Hard Darkness,” and why he won’t keep a consistent lineup of musicians to play on his albums and tour.

Interview: Jason Black (Hot Water Music)

9 May 2024

For three decades, Hot Water Music’s sound has defined punk. Bassist Jason Black chats about the band’s enduring lineup across 10 albums, and why their star-studded new release, Vows, might be their magnum opus.

Interview: Jonah Matranga (Sons of Alpha Centauri)

5 May 2024

90s emo/post-hardcore icon Jonah Matranga (Far, onelinedrawing) delves into his current musical ventures, including lending his distinctive vocals to UK band Sons of Alpha Centauri who recruited Matranga for their 2021 album, Push, and their new release, Pull.

Interview: Royel Otis

2 May 2024

As close as an overnight sensation as there is in 2024, Sydney, Australia’s Royel Otis is enamoring audiences around the globe with their brand of indie-pop guitar-rock. With a steady release of EPs that started in late 2021, and a full-length earlier this year, the duo’s built a following through airplay on satellite radio, additions to Spotify playlists, and videos on YouTube that have been viewed millions of times. Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic are in the midst of a sold-out club tour that will find them back in the U.S. later this year at venues double and triple the size of where they’re playing now.

Let Go & Slide Away: An Interview with Domenic Palermo of Nothing

27 April 2024

“I knew that by putting this together it would cement my place where Nothing deserves to be in the realm of this scene and this music. In the process of doing that, I’m able to complete this cross-generational thing and give the community something they deserve as well.” – Domenic Palermo

Interview: Belouis Some

26 April 2024

As he prepares to tour with The Alarm and Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, Belouis Some talks about his career renaissance

Telling Tales, a short conversation with Dean Harlem

26 April 2024

From California to Texas to New England, New Jersey native son Dean Harlem has in true troubadour fashion made America his home. Deep-rooted in Americana and classic country sounds, with a picking style that blends Townes Van Zandt and Justin Townes Earle, and with an honest, soulful voice, Harlem has distinguished himself as a young singer-songwriter to watch, with what Seacoast Online predicts, “a long, storied career” ahead of him. His debut release, 2019’s Asbury Park, paid homage to his New Jersey origins, even as it pointed to new songways and highways ahead as evidenced by his 2022 stand-alone single, “World Without Song,” that further cemented his songwriting acumen. Currently, he makes his home in Nashville with his second EP, Red Oak Hill, arriving summer ’24

Interview: Katie Pruitt

22 April 2024

Katie Pruitt confronts self-doubt on Mantras, her confident sophomore album. Following the acclaimed Expectations, Pruitt embraces a fuller sound and a more honest lyrical style. This time around, with a full promotional push, she’s poised for a breakout.

Sun Atoms & Little Cloud Records – keeping Portland prominent on the U.S. music map

19 April 2024

Psychedelic gaze-wave outfit Sun Atoms recently released a 7” vinyl featuring the new wave-inspired single ‘Ceiling Tiles’ and a unique fuzzed-out tribute to Leonard Cohen called ‘Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)’. Mixed by iconic producer Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage), it comes via the ever-growing label Little Cloud Records digitally, who are also putting out the band’s sophomore album this summer.

Then Comes Silence on new 'Trickery' album, punk past & road tripping

17 April 2024

Signed to Metropolis Records, Stockholm alternative rock / post-punk trio Then Comes Silence has unleashed their seventh album Trickery. This time around, frontman Alex Svenson, drummer Jonas Fransson and guitarist Hugo Zombie worked with producer Jorgen Wall (Jay-Jay Johanson, The Hellacopters) and mixer Tom Van Heesch (Rammstein, Apocalyptica) – a capable team infusing extraordinary power in a collection of tracks that is ultimately about friendship, unity and a sense of belonging.

Suffer Fools Gladly: An Interview With R.E. Seraphin

16 April 2024

“In a lot of ways, playing under my own name has made me more honest. There’s no gimmick or genre constraints – I just record songs that emerge from my head.” – R.E. Seraphin

Interview: Sam Emerson Bodary (Hello Emerson)

14 April 2024

With two albums under their belt, Hello Emerson’s third release, To Keep Him Here, is the most personal to date. The entire album is about the nine days Sam Emerson Bodary’s dad, David, spent in the hospital following an accident in 2017 and the many different emotions the Bodary family went through while wait to see if David would recover.

Interview: Bill Kielty (O Zorn!)

10 April 2024

With the pandemic as a backdrop, O Zorn!’s Bill Kielty crafted the band’s most accessible release to date. The singer/guitarist sheds light on tracking the album while dodging Covid, replacing band members, and leveraging AI to create a video for the sludgy single, “Never Saw It Coming.”

Interview: Marcus King

9 April 2024

Marcus King declares his new album, Mood Swings, a sonic rebirth. “It’s really all about what the music wants,” he says. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album weaves pop, R&B, and hip-hop elements into King’s signature bluesy guitar rock, reflecting not just a musical shift but also a personal one. Mood Swings is King’s journey of confronting his mental health battles and emerging stronger.

Interview: Lo Moon

5 April 2024

A return appearance by Lo Moon’s Matt Lowell, this time to discuss the band’s new release, I Wish You Way More Than Luck, which got it’s start when Lowell returned to the location where he performed for the first time in front of an audience – a chapel used by the high school in Connecticut he attended in the early 2000s.

Close-knit: An Interview with Torrey's Ryann and Kelly Gonsalves

4 April 2024

“It’s hard to say exactly how the Bay Area has informed our music, but it’s impossible to say it hasn’t. There’s so much art, diversity, and history here. So many opportunities everyday to learn something new and grow as a person.” – Kelly Gonsalves

“When we started writing this record, I was at the beginning of turning inward and having a closer look at myself. A lot of the lyrics reflect that subtle, kind of meditative conversations with yourself while experiencing the beginning of a big transition.” – Ryann Gonsalves

Interview and Premiere: Holly Ramos of FUR

4 April 2024

Thirty years after it was made, Holly Ramos premieres the video for “Beautiful Wreck” by her former band FUR

Interview: Savak

1 April 2024

Indie rock vets Michael “Jaws” Jaworski (The Cops) and Sohrab Habibion (Edsel, Obits) have been making music as the Brooklyn post-punk band Savak since 2015. In this conversation, Jaworski and Habibion discuss the band’s formation, dive into the songs, share the inspiration behind the Flavors of Paradise album title, and reveal why they’re touring in France.

Interview: Ryan Anderson (Bendigo Fletcher)

28 March 2024

Louisville, Kentucky’s Bendigo Fletcher has built a career around weaving intimate stories with timeless harmonies and blending timeless influences with indie flair. The band’s new album, Two Things at Once, demonstrates the band’s intimate charm throughout it’s 11 tracks. Lead singer Ryan Anderson discusses working with Ken Coomer and Tchad Blake on the album, the state of the Louisville music scene, and the classic TV series that inspired the song “Ought Not.”

Mo(re) Dotti Please! An Interview With Mo Dotti's Gina Negrini

28 March 2024

“We hope we can create music that is not necessarily afraid to hide who we are inspired by but also be our own thing. I’d hate to be perceived as a carbon copy, but at the same time I want to make music I would want to listen to.” – Gina Negrini

Their Big Days - The Triumphant Return of Bombay Bicycle Club

18 March 2024

Their Big New Days: Jack Steadman and Ed Nash of Bombay Bicycle Club on their latest travels and their triumphant return.

Interview: Rishi Dhir (Elephant Stone)

18 March 2024

Montreal’s psych-rock veterans Elephant Stone are back with their sixth album, Back Into the Dream. This time, they weave their signature cosmic sounds with catchy pop hooks and jazzy flourishes. Lead singer Rishi Dhir discusses the album’s creation in his home studio, the inspiration behind the title (a tribute to a music journalist), and Elephant Stone’s place in the musical landscape.