Stereo Embers: The Podcast

“Oh My God, This Is Over” That’s the exact thought K.C. Clifford had one night a few years ago as she put her kids to bed. She was referring to her career as a singer/songwriter, which had taken a backseat to motherhood. Not that Clifford was complaining—for years she had struggled with infertility and thanks to an infertility study and IVF, Clifford became the mother of two and she couldn’t have been happier. But her identity as an artist was something that was as essential to her soul as being a parent and Clifford was worried that having not nourished it for almost eight years, she didn’t know who she was anymore. But then she started to write in little bursts and then bigger bursts, and suddenly she had a record. In this conversation, Clifford talks about artistic doubt, motherhood and finding a new voice for her music. She also talks about being a woman in the music industry, coming to terms with being a woman in front of millions of gazes and her take on Lizzo.

“I Throw More Things In The Garbage Than I Should" That’s what Bob Perry says about the songwriting process when it comes to lyrics, but the singer/songwriter is being far too hard on himself. The former Winter Hours guitarist has quietly become one of the most wise and knowing songwriters around. In this conversation the New Jersey-born Perry talks to Alex about Winter Hours' ill-fated deal with Chrysalis, how he met his wife Stephanie Seymour (There Are Birds, The Aquanettas) and what his parents thought about him leaving college for a career in music. Perry also chats about his love of Jeff Beck, why the business is so hard to make a living in, his own creative process and what he learned from the magic of the words of Winter Hours singer Joseph Marques.

"This Actually IS An Outerspace Ship" A friend of mine asked me the other day to describe the music of Love Tractor and I tried (I said something like, "Brian Wilson singing for Can on Mars..."), but the fact is, words fail when it comes to that particular assignment. All I know is this: Love Tractor were one of the most innovative, inventive and truly wonderful bands of their era. And all these years later, their music doesn't sound rooted in a time or place; they exist out of time. In this comprehensive chat with Mark Cline, the guitarist talks about the band's back catalogue, the work ethic of R.E.M.'s Bill Berry and what the Athens Inside/Out movie got SO wrong. He also talks about why everyone wanted to be in Love Tractor, why they took a long hiatus and why 2020 will be the year of the Tractor!

"You Deserve A Bath" That sentiment may be comprised of just four words, but in life so many of us forget to recognize that in the constraints of our daily existences some self-care--like the simple pleasure of taking a bath--is deserved. In this conversation the Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Rose Cousins talks to Alex about stillness, self-care and, to borrow a phrase from her new album, the benefits of being alone. They also chat about the supportive Halifax music scene, how to handle small talk and what to do if you see one of your fans at a pet store.

"Shooting Free Throws And Playing Guitar" You may not realize it, but there's an intersection between playing sports and playing music. In fact, there's really no difference between playing guitar and shooting free throws--both take time, discipline, commitment and concentration. The Georgia-born Josh Kelley grew up playing golf in Augusta and while a golf scholarship landed him at Ole Miss, he'd been hard at work playing music since he was 11. His passion for writing songs overtook his passion for golf and before college was over Kelley had landed a record deal. In our first episode of 2020 Kelley talks to Alex about the intersection between sports and art. He also chats about the power of manifestation, how fatherhood informs creativity and why the first person he plays his new music for is his wife. PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Hackworth

"The Theory Behind Our Last Episode Of The Decade" Okay, there's no conspiracy theory behind the fact that this our last episode of the decade. We meant that above sentence literally--like, SUPER literally. The decade is coming to a close in a few days, so there's that and helping us put a button on it all is Theory bassist Dean Back. The Canadian musician talks to us about his band's new album Say Nothing, dressing up in a Spaceballs costume for Halloween and how Theory critiques their performances by laughing at their mistakes. Great chat, great guy, great decade! See you in 2020!! PHOTO BY GEOFF TISCHMAN

"For Our Christmas Episode We Couldn't Get Jesus Of Nazareth So We Got Dan Of Nazareth Instead" Okay, to be fair Dan McCafferty left the legendary Scottish band back in 2013 but worthy replacements aside, he will always be the voice of Nazareth. After 45 years fronting the internationally acclaimed outfit, McCafferty stepped aside due to health reasons. Recharged, revitalized and sounding better than ever, McCafferty is back with his third solo album--and first since 1987. In this conversation he chats with Alex about his collaboration with the Czech instrumentalist Karel Marik, why he's never planned anything in his life and why the easiest people to talk to are fishermen.

"All You Have To Do Is Do The Dishes" Sounds simple, right? Well, that's because it is. And, according to singer/songwriter Emerson Hart, that act of contributive collaboration is is the key to a lasting relationship. Hart has had a lasting relationship with music and his artistic evolution has been a joy to follow. Over the course of his career with Tonic and his marvelous solo work, including his new album 32,000 Days, Hart has been one of the most affecting singer/songwriters out there. In this conversation he talks to Alex about seeing U2 in France in 1987, the stillness of Paul Simon and the inspiration he found in the life of his step-father.

"F. Scott Fitzgerald Was Wrong..." Well, to be fair, F. Scott Fitzgerald was right about a lot of things, but he was certainly wrong about his assertion that in life there are no second acts. For example, you ask? Limahl. The former Kajagoogoo singer has not only just released an instant holiday classic with "London For Christmas" interest in the charismatic singer has never been greater thanks to his songs showing up on popular programs like "Stranger Things" and "American Horror Story." With his profile back in the spotlight, Limahl is finishing off 2019 with his Christmas single and planning a full-fledged comeback in 2020 with new music on the way. In this conversation Limahl talks to Alex about escaping a job working in the mines, the power of networking and how to eat pudding and stay fit at the same time. They also talk about leaving home to follow your dreams, the '80s confederacy and why the story of an artists life really is never ending....

"Throwing Curveballs At The Moon" That's how The Pop Group's Mark Stewart describes the creative process and it might also very well be the perfect description of the Pop Group's career. Unconventional, ferociously innovative, and delightfully idiosyncratic, The Pop Group have never cared about what's happening in the mainstream and instead adhered to the rhythms and sounds that they wanted to make. In this whirlwind of an interview, the Bristol-born Stewart talks to Alex about UFO's, having tea with Sun Ra, The Sex Pistols, and how music bridged the racial divide in his town in the late 70s. He also talks about why he likes to hang out with oddballs, the avant-garde New York scene and a fight he once had with Allen Ginsberg.

“Should Only People Who’ve Been To Space Dress As Spacemen?” Well, it’s certainly a good question. In this follow-up to his wildly popular episode wherein he offered an explanation about Brexit, singer/songwriter Owen Vyse is back and this time he’s tackling cultural appropriation, intentionality and gender bias. A discursive chat that starts in a construction zone in Bangkok and ends at an early ‘90s Halloween party where Owen’s costume is inspired by Shaft and P-Funk, this is one of those conversations you won’t want to miss.

"The Atmospheric Drinking Game" If you were to check out the reviews of All India Radio's discography you'd find that pretty much at one point or another every music journalist has described this Melbourne band's sound as being atmospheric. In fact, if you were to take a drink every time you ran into the word, you'd be drunk pretty fast. To be fair, All India Radio's sound IS atmospheric, but it's also so much more. The band's new long player Eternal is a textured blend of bewitching soundscapes that sound like music that comes from dreams you haven't even had yet. In this engaging interview with All India Radio's braintrust Martin Kennedy, Martin talks to Alex about transitioning from his indie pop outfit Pray TV into All India Radio, the endless rigors of the creative process and what goes into the mix to create the complex sonic layers of his band's sound. "You're after the secret sauce," he laughs. A discursive chat about life, music and art, Kennedy also talks to Alex about working with Steve Kilbey of

"The Eighth Child Was The First One Born In A Hospital" ....and that eighth child was Crystal Gale. The Kentucky-bred Gale was the only one of her seven siblings to be born in a hospital and perhaps that ended up being a metaphor for her career. While her mother eschewed a homespun homebirth for Gale, the singer/songwriter later eschewed traditional country music by imbuing it with a little pop. The Grammy-Award-winning Gale's remarkable career as an international superstar has landed her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and for good reason. In this interview Gale talks to Alex about her love of Amy Winehouse, why her son became her producer and the roots of her first new album in 16 years, the marvelous You Don't Know Me.

"Everybody Had Heard Them Songs" When The Sherlocks went into the studio to record their first album Live For The Moment, their arsenal of songs had already been battle-tested on the road. In fact, before the band even put a record out, many of those songs were already fan favorites. The challenge when recording their second album Under Your Sky, was putting together a collection that people weren't familiar with. Up for the test, the South Yorkshire outfit have released one of the best albums of 2019. A melodic blast of alternative pop played with muscle and heart, The Sherlocks' music is anthemic and rousing. In this chat, singer Kiaran Crook talks to Alex about working with The Coral's James Skelly, his parents' record collection and how he keeps challenging himself creatively. He also talks about the irony of being an introvert who fronts a band, touring America and why The Sherlocks will always sound like...The Sherlocks.

"Throw It In The Bin And Don't Worry About It" That's Glenn Campling's motto when it comes to the music business and it's a good one. Why worry about the pressures of an industry that can't be pleased? Please yourself, man! In this interview the former Tones on Tail bassist talks candidly to Alex about his friendship with Daniel Ash, his feelings about David J and his take on the Bauhaus reunion gigs. He also talks about why Tones on Tail broke up, why their sound couldn't be replicated by one of the members alone and what it was like to take his bass off the wall after nearly 20 years of not touching it. Campling reveals where the wealth of live material from this short lived band is coming from and he discusses his plans for the future....

"Keep Your Hands Loose And Beat Out The Time With Your Feet" That's Mike Mesaros' advice for any aspiring bass player. In this conversation the Smithereens bassist talks to Alex about how watching Pete Townsend informed his playing style and taught him to keep his hands loose and beat out the time with his feet--in other words, he learned to play with his whole body. In this thoughtful conversation Mesaros reflects on the lifelong friendships that are the foundational elements of The Smithereens. He also talks about his love of Jack Bruce, how being on stage overrode his initial shyness and what it's like to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Mesaros also talks about missing late singer Pat DiNizio, seeing Johnny Thunders and the Ramones and what's next for the Smithereens.

"Golf Clubs Gliding Through Space" Well, not exactly. But in spite of the fact that Greg Laswell is a singer-songwriter of tremendous sensitivity, if you happen to see him on the golf course, he might be throwing a club across the course. In this engaging, contemplative and honest interview, the Long Beach-born Laswell talks to Alex about how even though he's a chill guy, something about playing golf lets out his inner demon. Laswell also chat about getting through a terrible year, how he's inspired by his relationship with his fans and covering bands like Catherine Wheel and Depeche Mode on his new album Covers II.

"Brexit: Allergy Medication Or Baffling British Political Strategy" Let's be honest: you have no idea what Brexit is. I mean, you kind of know, but you don't REALLY know that much. Well, you're not alone. I don't get it either, but I want to. In this wildly educational chat with Owen Vyse, who sang for Starclub and toured as a guitar player with Echo and the Bunnymen, Owen explains blow by blow EXACTLY what Brexit is and how we got here in the first place. Sure, he's drinking a lot of red wine while breaking down Brexit, but let's face it--you kind of have to. The whole Brexit thing is such an absurd notion, once you get your head around it, you'll be shocked at how its been able to advance as far as it has. And after this hour-long talk, you'll be able to hold your own at any party where Brexit comes up. Think of the social command you'll have! Think about how cool you'll seem! Listen and learn....this one is fun!

"The Impossible Falcon Flies" And it almost didn't. Although the brother/sister duo Wardell, which is comprised of Theo and Sasha Spielberg, had a ton of momentum with their debut album Love/Idleness in early 2015, the follow-up took years to make and it almost didn't happen. But thank god it did. Titled Impossible Falcon, the band's new long player is a bewitching blend of mesmerizing indie pop and dreamy ballads that rank it among the best albums of 2019. In this engaging and spirited interview, Theo and Sasha talk to Alex about why they went off the radar for a spell, why their was a delay between albums and why Wardell is more in control of their artistic direction than ever. They also talk about The Cocteau Twins, sounding French and why breakups yield such great material....

"Feminine, Marvelous And Tough" Using that line from the poet Ted Berrigan is the only way that Alex can describe what it was like to see Paula Cole play live in 1995. A spellbinding performer whose arresting and percussive approach to music was as refreshing as it was exciting, all these years later Paula Cole is still one of the most thrilling musicians in the business. The Massachusetts native's brand new album Revolution is a sonorous indictment of the dangers of silence and it urges us to speak out against injustice with empathy and heart. In this chat Paula talks to Alex about Margaret Atwood, being a woman in her fifties in the music business and why we always need to speak up. They also chat about punk rock, what to do with self-doubt and the beauty of The Sundays' "Here's Where The Story Ends."