You Feel Me?

  Nick Waterhouse’s warm recordings take me back to hearing my dad’s records in the basement as a child, where his vintage Sansui stereo made everything sound like the soundtrack to a Scorsese film. He blends influences from days past to make records that deal with modern problems in a classic way. His latest self-titled record takes everything he’s learned over the last three and perfects into a masterclass of precise minimalism.   Nick’s approach is admittedly utilitarian. He purposefully makes sure not to get too obsessive with guitar mastery, so that he can worry about less about how technical his licks are and more about making the instrument emote. He understands and acknowledges the limitations of his voice, but makes sure every grunt and growl an extended note brings takes the listener on the same emotional journey he’s on. He works with what’s accessible to bring the sounds in his head to life.   I talked to Nick about his upbringing in Orange County, and his coming-of-age-movie-worthy summer job in

Music makes us feel elevated, and we chose West Atlanta natives EarthGang to represent that feeling. Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot have been elevating their craft together since their high school days. Having self-released a bevy of records and acquiring a cult following, EarthGang signed with Dreamville in 2017 poised to take their next big step.   On the verge of releasing their major label debut, Mirrorland, we sat with EarthGang to talk about how they’ve elevated their style, and remained elevated above the pitfalls of a music industry that can be reliant on cheap stunts and clout chasing. They’ve stayed the course since their college days of releasing music, and 2019 looks to be the year of the big pay off. Spillage Village peers like J.I.D. and 6lack have been on an exponential rise, and Mirrorland has the potential to elevate EarthGang into the stratosphere as well.   Listen to them give behind the scenes insight into one of the most talked about studio sessions of the year in Return of the Dreamers III,

Rico Nasty was our first and only choice when looking for an artist that embodied the word “bold.” Not only is she the perfect artist to set off our 12 Moods project, but every decision she makes — from her visual aesthetic, to her ear for beats, her lyrics which are often scathing anti-hater incantations, to her fashion choices — all seem to radiate boldness. She has a magnetism that screams “look at me” paired with a disposition that seems to say “but I don’t care what you see.”   Highlights   1:23: Rico’s Home talent shows   9:30: Moving schools and the balance of being academically and socially driven to survive.   12:27: Myspace Scene Day.   13:38: Finding influences in Shrek.   17:40: Getting expelled from boarding school.   21:25: Talking about the difference of being sad and being depressed .   26:20: Making her first mix tape at 15.   37:10: Rico’s Personas.   39:00: Meeting Malik.   46:00: Releasing Hey Arnold.   48:40: Don’t slide under the radar.   50:20: Which School system is better? Private or

A leader in the expansive Chicago art rap scene, Saba is an open diary. Tune in as he talks recording raps as a 9 year old, the legendary Chicago library open mics, and the stolen bikes of his youth. Stay tuned after the show for discount code offers.   Highlights:   14:00 Working a four track recorder at age 8   18:30 Defining the Chicago rap sound 29:20 Saba’s attempts at visual art    36:00 Reading fan DMs 

Gifted rapper and producer Kweku Collins has sprung from the Chicago art scene. Here he talks synergy between music and skating, growing up with a rhythmically gifted father, and how his skill for self-promo emails boosted his success. Highlights:   05:50 Childhood musical influences   14:00 Kweku starts skating   20:00 The pressures of mixed race   32:00 How Kweku gained recognition   39:00 Credits and headphone discount code

Duckwrth fuses his design and music skills to create in-your-face, genre-defying music and even more electrifying live performances. Here he talks with Lee about his childhood and how his visual art helps with his music.    Highlights:   09:00 Sheltered home life in South Central LA   18:00 Feeling disassociated but finding your place   27:00 Loving Lupe Fiasco 31:00 Living in a Bay Area artist commune   37:00 Working with a label   47:00 Trap music and the Kendrick Lamar song, "Duckworth"   49:00 Credits and headphone discount code  

Yuno is one of Sub Pop’s newest signees and a growing pop powerhouse. Hear us talk about his debut EP Moodie, finding out about punk rock by searching for a Bob Seger song, and how nerdcore rap influenced him.   Highlights:   03:45 Childhood creativity   08:00 Discovering music through skating 14:20 My first guitar and learned songs   18:00 “Accidental” racism   28:00 Getting signed to Sub Pop 39:50 Credits and headphone discount code

In Mark McMorris’ words, “Get it while I’m young, I’ll chill when I’m older.” Check out episode 15 as host Lee Shaner and pro snowboarder Mark McMorris talk how to properly pronounce his hometown Regina (hint: it sounds inappropriate), how good hip-hop is right now, and how people handle fame differently.   Highlights:   03:00 Hometown resorts   07:30 Regina   15:30 The current state of snowboarding   23:00 Brotherly competition and being the youngest   26:00 Loving the fans    29:00 So much good hip-hop right now   33:00 What’s a Twitter moment?     38:00 Olympic competition and the physics of tricks   46:20 Credits and headphone discount code

International rap phenomenon Princess Nokia talks about her activism, artistic progression, and some of her earliest conscientious objections in Catholic school.
 Highlights:
 01:00 Hood 2 La Gente 08:00 My brother the violinist 12:00 Dignified rebellion  25:00 Wavy Spice & A$AP Yams 30:00 Credits and headphone discount code

Philly singer-rapper Lil Zubin a.k.a. "the SoundCloud Weeknd" discusses Post Emo, accidentally becoming a singer, and his underground breakout Misery EP.
   Highlights:
   05:00 Emo days
   09:20 Discovered by Working On Dying
   13:00 Who is Ned?
   19:00 Post Emo
   28:00 Credits and headphone discount code


Philadelphia-based rapper and UPenn grad Ivy Sole talks about where to get the right cheesesteak, independent artistry, and her new record Overgrown.   Highlights:   02:30 Philly bodegas and Gremlin juice   06:15 Independent hustle 101   13:30 Is Philly diverse?   18:00 Choosing your path   29:10 The East & West EPs   38:00 Seeing a therapist   49:30 Credits and headphone discount code

Your favorite rapper’s rapper, Smino, sits down with host Lee Shaner before a show in Brooklyn. Smino tells us how crazy it was to be in St. Louis during the 2000s, growing up with musical parents, and recites a rap he wrote at age 7. Remember to subscribe and stay tuned after the interview for a special Skullcandy discount code. Highlights: 0:05 Growing up in St. Louis 5:25 Smino’s parents preforming music live and jamming together when he was growing up 6:40 Early days of making beats 11:25 Favorite rappers growing up 12:30 How inflections helped him develop his rap style. 18:45 Battle rapping in middle school 21:45 Getting the name Smino 25:20 The connection between dogs and humans 36:30 How long does it take Smino to write a song? 45:00 Early days on tour 47:46 Credits and headphone discount

Superstar point guard Kyrie Irving opens up with host Lee Shaner about growing up skateboarding, how he got into playing the baritone, and self-actualization outside of basketball. Tune in to Episode 11 now.   Show Highlights   1:30 Why we idolize people    7:00 Summers in Seattle, race, and skateboarding   9:00 Childhood musical influences; Lauryn Hill and Rent   12:50 Playing the Baritone   17:00 How basketball became the main thing   34:00 Current books and music on Kyrie’s rotation; what’s alternative?   41:00 Networking and peace in society   45:00 Credits and headphone discount

Episode 10 features Indie pop duo Now Now. Tune in to hear them talk about meeting as awkward 15 year olds, their first international tour with Paramore, and this one time at band camp.   Highlights:   0:20: Now, Now talk about their touring schedule and how they spent their time between album releases.   1:22: Now, Now discuss the impact touring constantly has on their mental health and relationships.   4:40: Now, Now Talk about their roots in Minnesota   6:55: Cacie tells Lee her favorite bands during her angst filled teenage years   8:00: Brad talks about wanted to be good at sports growing up, writing music, and some of his favorite bands from that time.   10:30: Bradley recounts not breaking rules and how that almost pushed him away from being in a band.   12:10: Cacie Shares how she didn’t think Brad liked her, and how they first met.   15:00: Brad and Cacie talk about their time as leaders in their High School’s marching band.   18:40: Cacie talks about some of her experiences of being a woman in a ban

In episode 9, host Lee Shaner talks with rapper Bohan Phoenix. Phoenix talks about his Chinese roots, discovering Eminem, and appropriation in hip-hop.   Highlights:   3:45 American misconceptions about Chinese food   09:30 China’s competitive schooling   12:30 Coming to America   19:55 Bizarre first meeting with dad   29:06 Discovering Eminem (social cutdown: 29:40-30:39)   34:00 Hip-hop influence and appropriation    45:00 Boom bap, trap, and triplet rhyming    47:00 How music spreads in China without tastemakers   57:00 Credits and headphone discount code

In episode 8, host Lee Shaner talks with rapper/performer TopazJones. Jones talks lunch room cyphers, following in his father’s funk footsteps, and the NY music scene.   Highlights:   5:30 Learning to rap at school   10:00 Early blog scene   13:30 Music school connections and networking   20:00 Coming up with rap names   22:45 How you find your voice   26:00 NY music scene   29:00 Opening for Future   31:00 How “Tropicana” became a hit   36:00 New funk music   46:00 Credits and headphone discount code

In episode 7, host Lee Shaner talks with pro surfer and musician Conner Coffin. Conner talk about growing up in Santa Barbara, smelling the cows while surfing Kelly’s wave, and a life-altering Rolling Stone’s Concert. Show Highlights:  4:41 Church of Skatan and Conner’s first half pipe 6:00 Learning to surf at age 4 8:30 Brother’s day  09:55 Secret beaches  10:20 Homeschooling  13:45 Surfing bad waves 17:53 First sponsor 20:03 Winning first Nationals event 21:20 Learning to play guitar

Podcast description:  In episode 6, host Lee Shaner talks with pro surfer Coco Ho. Coco talks about growing up in a family of pro surfers, calling the legendary North Shore home, and her 10 years of WSL touring and competing. Highlights:  1:00 Qualifying for WSL at 17 06:30 Coco’s favorite kind of music 08:00 Rules of the North Shore  18:30 Growing up a blonde Hawaiian 21:45 Pure love for surfing and the effects of childhood training 27:30 Using music to be competitive  33:00 Balancing relationships and touring 38:00 Thoughts on competing at Kelly’s wave 42:50 Credits and discount code

In episode 5, host Lee Shaner talks with skateboarder Jenn Soto. Soto talks her first Street League win, her recent move to Los Angeles, and writing down every trick she knew as a makeshift sponsorship resumé.   Highlights:   2:30 Skating for the first time   09:00 Explains how her gymnast background helped her learn how to fall   13:30 Falling in love with skateboarding   16:20 Skating nice skate parks in LA vs rough parks at home   18:00 How to learn about your city by skating   19:55 Handing in a trick resumé to get sponsored   22:30 Style matters   42:00 Managing sponsorhsips   45:00 Crazy mishaps in getting to Street League and winning the event   62:00 Credits and headphone discount code

In episode 4, host Lee Shaner talks with Kyle Thomas a.k.a. King Tuff. Tuff talks about his new record The Other, being the only guy in a staff of women at a thrift store, playing in a band with J Mascis, and his “pet” raccoons. Highlights: 3:30 Tuff talks early musical influences 10:25 Tuff talks about his musical projects before King Tuff and playing with J Mascis 17:29 Tuff talks about touring with Matt & Kim and gaining a larger following 20:48 Tuff talks about recording with the now popular Tascam 388 tape recorder 24:00 Tuff talks about his mystical signing with the Sub Pop record label 26:55 Tuff talks about early touring days and partying 28:00 Tuff talks living in Laurel Canyon at a place Father John Misty stayed at 32:00 Tuff talks about creating his new album The Other 41:00 Credits and headphone discount code