Interviews
Get inside the minds of your favorite alternative artists with our in-depth interviews. Discover the histories, ideas, inspirations, and opinions of key figures in the indie-music community, as captured in candid conversation.
Interview: Yoni Wolf of Why?
Why?'s wordy lyricist talks sessions with his psychologist, laying out neurosis, and handling Woody Allen comparisons.
Why?'s wordy lyricist talks sessions with his psychologist, laying out neurosis, and handling Woody Allen comparisons.
Interview: Luke Top of Fool's Gold
Luke Top talks about his band's polycultural jams, singing in Hebrew, and trying to make something truthful in LA.
Luke Top talks about his band's polycultural jams, singing in Hebrew, and trying to make something truthful in LA.
Interview: Johan Karlberg of The Very Best
The Swedish half of Radioclit talks homecomings in Malawi, his love of David Attenborough, and making good use of rejected productions made for Lil Wayne.
The Swedish half of Radioclit talks homecomings in Malawi, his love of David Attenborough, and making good use of rejected productions made for Lil Wayne.
Interview: Eirik Glambek Bøe of Kings of Convenience
The non-spectacled half of the Norwegian soft-pop bards talks about staying true to their 'Quiet is the New Loud' ideal.
The non-spectacled half of the Norwegian soft-pop bards talks about staying true to their 'Quiet is the New Loud' ideal.
Interview: Geologist of Animal Collective
2009 breakout superstars Animal Collective began life as shadowy and mysterious. Geologist talks about their journey into the spotlight.
2009 breakout superstars Animal Collective began life as shadowy and mysterious. Geologist talks about their journey into the spotlight.
Interview: Kurt Vile
Growing up, Kurt Vile dreamed of being signed to Matador Records. Now he is.
Growing up, Kurt Vile dreamed of being signed to Matador Records. Now he is.
Interview: Shannon Stephens
Shannon Stephens played in a band with Sufjan Stevens in the '90s. She disappeared. He became a superstar. She was jealous.
Shannon Stephens played in a band with Sufjan Stevens in the '90s. She disappeared. He became a superstar. She was jealous.
Interview: Èglantine Gouzy of Get Back Guinozzi!
The singer of the mad French duo talks recording in Indian jungles and old post-punk records.
The singer of the mad French duo talks recording in Indian jungles and old post-punk records.
Interview: Nathan Williams of Wavves
Post Primavera meltdown, Nathan Williams talks about being the most hated man in the blogosphere.
Post Primavera meltdown, Nathan Williams talks about being the most hated man in the blogosphere.
Interview: Sarah Assbring of El Perro del Mar
Sarah Assbring talks about her first three LPs: the sad one, the happy one, and the break-up record.
Sarah Assbring talks about her first three LPs: the sad one, the happy one, and the break-up record.
Interview: Jesy Fortino of Tiny Vipers
The stark songsmith laments that, though you can leave your small-town upbringing behind, it never really leaves you.
The stark songsmith laments that, though you can leave your small-town upbringing behind, it never really leaves you.
Interview: Sean Smith of We Were Promised Jetpacks
The young Scottish guitar-rockers talk drinking 'til you hit the gay bars with the Twilight Sad, and the scourge of being called "Scottish Emo."
The young Scottish guitar-rockers talk drinking 'til you hit the gay bars with the Twilight Sad, and the scourge of being called "Scottish Emo."
Interview: Rostam Batmanglij and Wes Miles of Discovery
On hiatus from their Vampire Weekend/Ra Ra Riot day-jobs, the Discovery duo talk of embracing Auto-Tune, buzzy synths, and inevitable backlash.
On hiatus from their Vampire Weekend/Ra Ra Riot day-jobs, the Discovery duo talk of embracing Auto-Tune, buzzy synths, and inevitable backlash.
Interview: Emily Haines of Metric
The chatty Metric frontwoman talks sad songs, Canadian socialism, and music-industry exploitation.
The chatty Metric frontwoman talks sad songs, Canadian socialism, and music-industry exploitation.
Interview: Dean Wareham
The longtime Luna frontman dishes the dirt on his rock'n'roll memoir 'Black Postcards.'
The longtime Luna frontman dishes the dirt on his rock'n'roll memoir 'Black Postcards.'
Interview: Jenny Wilson
The Swedish starlet explains how, artistically, motherhood and war go hand-in-hand.
The Swedish starlet explains how, artistically, motherhood and war go hand-in-hand.
Interview: Stuart Murdoch of God Help the Girl
The B&S frontman talks of his 'story set to music,' his other band's history, and how there weren't any decent records released in the '90s.
The B&S frontman talks of his 'story set to music,' his other band's history, and how there weren't any decent records released in the '90s.
Interview: Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear
Daniel Rossen talks his Elvis-obsessed childhood, mimicking Nick Drake, Department Of Eagle's dark songs, and the joyousness of 'Veckatimest'.
Daniel Rossen talks his Elvis-obsessed childhood, mimicking Nick Drake, Department Of Eagle's dark songs, and the joyousness of 'Veckatimest'.
Interview: Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly's talks Coldplay's lack of originality, Nicole Kidman's "botox-ass'd face", and working with Antony, Björk, Will Oldham, and Sam Amidon.
Nico Muhly's talks Coldplay's lack of originality, Nicole Kidman's "botox-ass'd face", and working with Antony, Björk, Will Oldham, and Sam Amidon.
Interview: Annie Clark of St. Vincent
Chit-chat with the chatty and charming St. Vincent "vixen," about on-stage proposals, the creepiness of Twitter, and being a bad telemarketer.
Chit-chat with the chatty and charming St. Vincent "vixen," about on-stage proposals, the creepiness of Twitter, and being a bad telemarketer.
Interview: Alden Penner of Clues
He was born a Unicorn, but now Penner searches for Clues amidst his band's densely-layered, '90s-sounding rock.
He was born a Unicorn, but now Penner searches for Clues amidst his band's densely-layered, '90s-sounding rock.
Interview: Luke Temple of Here We Go Magic
"There’s a lot of possibility and wonderment in the music, and, to me, that alludes to this idea of magic."
"There’s a lot of possibility and wonderment in the music, and, to me, that alludes to this idea of magic."
Interview: Bradford Cox of Deerhunter
B-Cox talks blog haters, the Bob Pollard Curse, record stores, and about himself in the third person.
B-Cox talks blog haters, the Bob Pollard Curse, record stores, and about himself in the third person.
Interview: John Eriksson of Peter Bjorn and John
John Eriksson compares PB&J's hit single Young Folks to "a lucky star in a computer game."
John Eriksson compares PB&J's hit single Young Folks to "a lucky star in a computer game."
Interview: Jeffrey Lewis
The anti-folk icon talks Daniel Johnston, Donovan, Crass, and Watchmen.
The anti-folk icon talks Daniel Johnston, Donovan, Crass, and Watchmen.
Interview: DJ Riot of Buraka Som Sistema
The man behind BSS's kuduro beats talks about the political agenda of the Portuguese/Angolan party-starters.
The man behind BSS's kuduro beats talks about the political agenda of the Portuguese/Angolan party-starters.
Interview: Colin Meloy of The Decemberists
With the release of 'The Hazards of Love,' Meloy welcomes his "belated metal phase."
With the release of 'The Hazards of Love,' Meloy welcomes his "belated metal phase."
Interview: Spiral Stairs
Spiral Stairs talks about his forthcoming solo debut on Matador, and the possibilities of a Pavement reunion.
Spiral Stairs talks about his forthcoming solo debut on Matador, and the possibilities of a Pavement reunion.
Interview: Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal
The "frisky" OM frontman lays it out: "In the indie-rock world, it’s not very common for people to sing about sex in an explicit fashion."
The "frisky" OM frontman lays it out: "In the indie-rock world, it’s not very common for people to sing about sex in an explicit fashion."
Interview: Avey Tare of Animal Collective
The wailing AC frontman talks about the authoring of 2009's almighty 'Merriweather Post Pavilion'.
The wailing AC frontman talks about the authoring of 2009's almighty 'Merriweather Post Pavilion'.
Interview: Aaron Dessner of The National
Aaron Dessner knows charity compilation CDs are awful. The one he assembled, 'Dark Was the Night,' thankfully is not.
Aaron Dessner knows charity compilation CDs are awful. The one he assembled, 'Dark Was the Night,' thankfully is not.
Interview: Paul Thomson and Bob Hardy of Franz Ferdinand
After the success of their debut record, Franz Ferdinand found themselves in interesting company: Hulk Hogan, James Brown, and The Nanny.
After the success of their debut record, Franz Ferdinand found themselves in interesting company: Hulk Hogan, James Brown, and The Nanny.
Interview: Andrew Bird
Bird chirps about doin' time swing-revivalists Squirrel Nut Zippers, the idea that making an album is like "being on a bender," and how his "stomach sinks" when he sees people lining up for his shows.
Bird chirps about doin' time swing-revivalists Squirrel Nut Zippers, the idea that making an album is like "being on a bender," and how his "stomach sinks" when he sees people lining up for his shows.
Interview: Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
The woolly Wisconsinite discusses his blessed 2008, whether he's actually ever read Thoreau, and his skillz on the basketball court.
The woolly Wisconsinite discusses his blessed 2008, whether he's actually ever read Thoreau, and his skillz on the basketball court.
Interview: Jenny Lewis
The child-actor turned Rilo Kiley indie-rocker turned flame-haired country-soul chanteuse talks in the wake of her second solo album, 'Acid Tongue.'
The child-actor turned Rilo Kiley indie-rocker turned flame-haired country-soul chanteuse talks in the wake of her second solo album, 'Acid Tongue.'
Interview: Jason Pierce of Spiritualized
A conversation with the rock-n-roll saint about near-death experiences, the reformation industry, and the power of music.
A conversation with the rock-n-roll saint about near-death experiences, the reformation industry, and the power of music.
Interview - Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns
Ryan McPhun of globe-trotting Kiwi combo The Ruby Suns spills the beans on their internationalist pop.
Ryan McPhun of globe-trotting Kiwi combo The Ruby Suns spills the beans on their internationalist pop.
Interview: Randy Randall of No Age
In the wake of an unexpectedly successful 2008, the No Age guitar-slinger talks Barack, bootlegging, crowd-surfing, and Grammy nominations.
In the wake of an unexpectedly successful 2008, the No Age guitar-slinger talks Barack, bootlegging, crowd-surfing, and Grammy nominations.
Interview: Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog
The frontman for Philly's goodtime retro-pop jamboree talks life on the road, vintage volume knobs, and whether he's really living the rock'n'roll dream.
The frontman for Philly's goodtime retro-pop jamboree talks life on the road, vintage volume knobs, and whether he's really living the rock'n'roll dream.
Interview: Graham Walsh of Holy F**k
The one-time side-project for Walsh and Brian Borcherdt has far exceeded any of their expectations. Even in spite of their name.
The one-time side-project for Walsh and Brian Borcherdt has far exceeded any of their expectations. Even in spite of their name.
Interview: Danielle Stech-Homsy of Rio en Medio
With the release of 'Frontier,' the freak-folk siren talks the New Mexico snow, Vashti Bunyan comparisons, and trying to create a "field of miraculous occurrences."
With the release of 'Frontier,' the freak-folk siren talks the New Mexico snow, Vashti Bunyan comparisons, and trying to create a "field of miraculous occurrences."
Interview: Greg Rogove of Megapuss
The non-Devendra member of the 'puss talks about publicly outing his own member, his dreams of being a Brazilian tranny, the joys of Little Joy, and how his band was built for good times.
The non-Devendra member of the 'puss talks about publicly outing his own member, his dreams of being a Brazilian tranny, the joys of Little Joy, and how his band was built for good times.
Interview: Casey Dienel of White Hinterland
The lady of the Hinterland talks about Brigitte Fontaine, singing in French, and, uh, crotch-grabbing.
The lady of the Hinterland talks about Brigitte Fontaine, singing in French, and, uh, crotch-grabbing.
Interview: Chris Reimer of Women
The frontman of the noisy Canadian quartet breaks down their experimental, all-analogue aesthetic.
The frontman of the noisy Canadian quartet breaks down their experimental, all-analogue aesthetic.
Interview: Max Tundra
An entertaining chat with the London electro-pop midget about death, drugs, Amy Winehouse, and Coldplay lyrics.
An entertaining chat with the London electro-pop midget about death, drugs, Amy Winehouse, and Coldplay lyrics.
Interview: Josh Diamond of Gang Gang Dance
'Saint Dymphna,' Gang Gang Dance's fourth album, and first for Warp, was a long time coming. "There was a good deal of madness in making this record," says Diamond.
'Saint Dymphna,' Gang Gang Dance's fourth album, and first for Warp, was a long time coming. "There was a good deal of madness in making this record," says Diamond.
Interview: Phil Elverum of Mount Eerie
The wandering traveller talks about his "wilderness time" journal-keeping and his collaboration with Julie Doiron.
The wandering traveller talks about his "wilderness time" journal-keeping and his collaboration with Julie Doiron.
Interview: Joey Burns of Calexico
The leader of Tucson's Tex-Mex maestros talks of the border milieu that inspires his band.
The leader of Tucson's Tex-Mex maestros talks of the border milieu that inspires his band.
Interview: Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper
Portland's Blitzen Trapper play a peculiar brand of Americana, and their leader has particular thoughts on the state of America itself.
Portland's Blitzen Trapper play a peculiar brand of Americana, and their leader has particular thoughts on the state of America itself.
Interview: Elizabeth Powell of Land of Talk
The talkative Canadian rocker talks broken bones, Broken Social Scene, Montréal hype, and being mellowed by Bon Iver.
The talkative Canadian rocker talks broken bones, Broken Social Scene, Montréal hype, and being mellowed by Bon Iver.
Interview: Chad VanGaalen
The tall Canadian songsmith talks raiding rubbish skips, building instruments, and the everyman inspiration of the lo-fi movement.
The tall Canadian songsmith talks raiding rubbish skips, building instruments, and the everyman inspiration of the lo-fi movement.
Interview: Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen
Eight years and four albums into things, the ultra-moody New Yorkers are in career-best form. Their throaty vocalist talks it like they walk it.
Eight years and four albums into things, the ultra-moody New Yorkers are in career-best form. Their throaty vocalist talks it like they walk it.
Interview: Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai
The guitarist of the Scottish post-rock heroes is howling.
The guitarist of the Scottish post-rock heroes is howling.
Interview: Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls
Parenthetical Girls' album 'Entanglements' is an ambitious, impressive orchestral epic. Here, frontman Zac Pennington spills the beans on its making.
Parenthetical Girls' album 'Entanglements' is an ambitious, impressive orchestral epic. Here, frontman Zac Pennington spills the beans on its making.
Interview: Joel Thibodeau of Death Vessel
The gentle folkie with the high, high voice colors in his pre-Sub Pop musical backstory.
The gentle folkie with the high, high voice colors in his pre-Sub Pop musical backstory.
Interview: Alex Scally of Beach House
Baltimore-based duo Beach House's slow, droney, comedown dream-pop has legions of listeners analyzing it for meaning. But the band's Alex Scally isn't one of them.
Baltimore-based duo Beach House's slow, droney, comedown dream-pop has legions of listeners analyzing it for meaning. But the band's Alex Scally isn't one of them.
Interview: Johnny Whitney of Jaguar Love
After the bad break-up of Blood Brothers, screeching vocalist Johnny Whitney is back with a brand new bag: Jaguar Love. He spills the beans on how one became the other.
After the bad break-up of Blood Brothers, screeching vocalist Johnny Whitney is back with a brand new bag: Jaguar Love. He spills the beans on how one became the other.
Interview: Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab
Laetitia Sadier discusses the state of Stereolab, and the state of the modern world, on the eve of her beloved band's ninth album.
Laetitia Sadier discusses the state of Stereolab, and the state of the modern world, on the eve of her beloved band's ninth album.
Interview: Isobel Campbell
Isobel Campbell, the one-time belle of Belle & Sebastian's twee-pop ball, talks about her true labour of love: a second collaboration with Mark Lanegan.
Isobel Campbell, the one-time belle of Belle & Sebastian's twee-pop ball, talks about her true labour of love: a second collaboration with Mark Lanegan.
Interview: Meric Long of Dodos
Meric Long of San Franciscan rattle-folk duo Dodos is shocked that his band holds such appeal for little kids and old people.
Meric Long of San Franciscan rattle-folk duo Dodos is shocked that his band holds such appeal for little kids and old people.
Interview: David Berman of Silver Jews
Silver Jews' David Berman discusses his recent embrace of the road, pop's utter lack of message, and whether he's still on a mission from God.
Silver Jews' David Berman discusses his recent embrace of the road, pop's utter lack of message, and whether he's still on a mission from God.
Interview: Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop Records
On the eve of his record label's 20th anniversary, Sub Pop's Jonathan Poneman talks about its history, present, and future. And masturbation.
On the eve of his record label's 20th anniversary, Sub Pop's Jonathan Poneman talks about its history, present, and future. And masturbation.
Interview: Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater trawls throug his tawdry musical past, his rampant ornithophilia, and his new record, Rook.
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater trawls throug his tawdry musical past, his rampant ornithophilia, and his new record, Rook.