In the ravishing depths of Fahey’s subconscious sparked a whole new generation of musicians from around the world to continue carrying and evolving the mystic touch of the Primitive guitar. Raymond’s approach to her instrument is like a rapid river of splendid notes all crashing and contemplating each other as they carry its listener down an ancient stream and into the historical void. Growing up in Taffs Well, Raymond was influenced by the greats such as Nirvana, Dylan, The Velvet Underground and Neil Young and played in punk/post punk bands throughout her teenage years before arriving at the crossroads of the Primitive sound. With the release of her debut LP “You Never Were Much Of A Dancer” on Tompkins Square, Raymond has made a name for herself and has permanently made her unique mark on a legacy of magicians, story-tellers, mystics and cosmic counsellors.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Scott Ballew is something from an old western. His music, his stories and film-making are all manifestations of the great wide openness of life, love, journey, exploration of self and creative beauty. Prior to the pandemic Ballew was strictly a film maker, but with life shifting and changing, he began to write songs and thank god for Ballew because he’s one of the greats in our opinion. His poetry is dusty with red dirt from travel, his poetry bitter and sweet like a persimmon, he’s a natural. It was a real pleasure speaking to Ballew about his life growing up in the Lone Star state, the impact and love for his father, his incredible film making, giving music a real shot and his most recent short film, “Leisure Rodeo.”

Tom Carter is a Texas based legend who has been creating music with his radically philosophical poetry for over 3 decades. Having participated in groups such as Badgerlore, The Mike Gunn, Mudsuckers, the great Charalambides and many many more. His work stretches the imagination with chaotic textures, serene scenes of psychedelia, patterned tones and sprawling distances into the human subconscious. In this incredibly in depth interview, we talk about Carter’s youth, how he got into music, his earliest influences such as Queen, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, forming the great Charalambides, his solo career that took off in ‘03 and much much more!

Born and raised in mid 80’s East LA, Hill was raised in a musical home, his father a music teacher, he was quickly influenced by the likes of Neil Young, Dylan, Bach, Ray Charles, James Brown and The Beatles. Hill began playing the bass initially, but eventually he would pick up guitar, piano and drums as his musical horizons began to expand. In this interview we talk about Hill’s youth and what inspired him to begin playing music, participating in groups such as PAINT and Roscoe’s Band before writing and recording his own solo material for Calico Discos. I’ve personally been listening to Hill’s music this past month non stop. His visual representation of the west is clear and poetic and I’m very much looking forward to everything he does!

Kohll and Madden both grew up in the 90’s and were influenced by the likes of Hendrix, Prince, The Stones, and The Band’s The Last Waltz. Playing in various projects before meeting each other, the duo would soon hit it off in New York, sharing a mutual fondness for the classic rock bands of the day, they then decided to ultimately invest in their friendship and immediate, artistic chemistry and form one of the coolest bands out right now, Color Green. With the release of their groundbreaking EP, the band would soon link up with the likes of Aquarium Drunkard and ORG Music to release their 2022 full length LP, putting them in direct contact with the sun to take over the system!

Born and raised in Colorado, Byerley relocated to Oxford, England with his family for a brief time before settling in Macon, GA where he was influenced by the likes of Nirvana’s “Unplugged”, and Green Day’s groundbreaking “Dookie”, skateboarding and the SST catalog during his more formative years. Prior to forming the NYC based Emergency Group, Byerley participated, and still does, in a group called Plates Of Cake before venturing into the sights and sounds of Emergency Group with members Robert Boston, Dave Mandl and Andreas Brade. They released a wonderful tape with the folks over at Island Hours Recordings entitled “Inspection Of Cruelty” and have been carving a unique trail ever since. In this interview we explore his youth and influences, his artistic trajectory leading up to Emergency Group, current projects in the works and much more!

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Thompson became quickly enamored by artists such as Merle Haggard, Slayer and various psych outfits before dialing in his real passion for the steel guitar. Thompson’s a talented dude as he provokes the outlaw landscapes in this rather strange media frenzy world we live in, but his music is honest, hopeful and above all, present. In this interview we talk about his childhood growing up in the influential south, acquiring his first guitar from his uncle, touring and playing shows, the manifestation of his raspberry masterpiece working on a new album and much more!

Born and raised in Rochester, NH, Tuttle was influenced by the likes of Billy Idol, Poison, The Ventures and Bon Jovi. Participating in many punks bands, he eventually relocated to Boston where he formed his longtime running outfit, The Mules. Tuttle has relocated records on labels such as Trouble In Mind, Burger Records, Six Tonnes De Chair Records and more. In this interview we explore Tuttle’s childhood and what influenced his youth and musically interest, pursuing music as soon as he became of age and what that journeys been like for him ever since!

Born and raised in West Texas, Brown was influenced in his youth by groups such as Smashing Pumpkins and of course the golden boom of MTV in the early 90’s. Brown launched his label Hippie Scum in 2020 right before the world caught fire from the chaos of the pandemic. Showcasing and honoring wonderful artists such as the great Cactus Lee and ZZZWalk. Hippie Scum is unique, does wonderful things and I was immediately drawn in and inspired by their incredible work and vibe as we explore Brown’s inspiration from the heavy Texas vibes of the 70’s, the DIY culture of cassette tapes and much more!

Based In Oakland, CA, Conrad is an explosive, prolific force of creative freedom and meditation. Helping to fuel the ever glowing church of texture, Inner Islands, Conrad has released many titles over the years under projects such as Channelers, Ashan and his duo project with partner Rosa Beach Mason. In this interview we talk about Conrad’s youth as he grew with influences such as Nirvana, Beck, Moby, Saturday Night Fever - Soundtrack, creating music for the label and what he's been currently working on.

Born and raised in Stone Cross, West Bromwich, Birmingham, England, UK, Atkins fell in love with immediately and was quickly influenced by greats such as The Beatles and Stones. Prior to Priest forming, Atkins participated in groups The Medallions and The Bitta Sweet, playing their local circuits and as 1969 rolled around Atkins and fellow bandmate Bruno Stapenhill formed of the greatest heavy metal bands to have ever existed, Judas Priest. We did an in-depth Interview with Atkins last year, but wanted to circle back and revamp another piece on the history and legacy of one of the most important groups in rock history!

Born and raised in Athens, Alabama, Collins quickly became enamored with music from the likes of New Riders of the Purple Sage, Doobie Brothers Marshall Tucker Band before beginning his own adventures in sound with projects such as If Now and Or Darkless Order of the Midlife Divine. Collins launched his very own label, Sun Cru in 2021 that has supported artist and musicians such as the poetic wizard Little Wings, Wes Tirey and Dave Heumann. It was a pleasure speaking to Collins about growing in the south, moving to California, starting a label and all the bright and positive things in the near future!

Dave was educated at Lyndhurst, Charterhouse and Tonbridge, where he received his first formal music training. He later enlisted in the music services of the Royal Air Force where he developed his performance skills primarily on piano, studying privately with the renowned jazz pianist and composer Stan Tracey. Whilst at the Royal Air Force School of Music he also studied the clarinet, flute and soprano sax. After five years service he went on to study piano again with Stan Tracey. Dave is one of only a handful of established contemporary composers for film and television music who are capable of working in a entirely self-contained environment, embracing the very latest state of the art computer recording and synthesis technology in their own studio environment. Dave has an extensive sound design studio with the largest privately owned Synclavier systems and synthesizer setups in Europe. He is also adept and experienced in writing for and directing orchestras and live musicians, and is very successful in fusing this with his extensive library of original and treated synthesizer/sampler based sounds. As a composer Dave has worked on a number of successful feature films and television programs, in addition to working as music associate, performer and programmer to many successful Hollywood film composers such as George Fenton, John Williams and Trevor Jones to mention but a few. In his capacity as music associate and programmer he takes a very active role in arranging and orchestrating and even using his compositional skills to a large degree. His ability to realize and create quality and often-unique sounds has also lead to quite extensive credits as a sound designer, both musically and with relation to film/television sound effects. Musically he has used this talent to great effect in so-called ‘fusion’ scores such as the early Trevor Jones films such as Angel Heart and Mississippi Burning (which actually won an Oscar for best sound), where the created sounds were an integral part of the compositional process.

The Steven Spielberg Amblimation production “We’re Back” and Kenneth Brannagh’s “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” both won Golden Reel Awards from the Association of Motion Picture Sound Editors. Dave has also composed and co-composed, with Ronnie Bond and David Dundas, music for a large number of cinema and television advertisements including British Gas, Coco Pops, Philips, Le Coq, Birds Custard, Braun, Blueband, Brittania, Philip Morris, Accurist, Atari, Dixel, Dulux, Roxy, Mintguard, Bonjour, Ellermans, Wilkinson Sword, Foster Grants, Alpine, Wash’n Dye, Arctic Lite, Yves St. Laurent Kouros and others. In the 1970s Dave was a singer, keyboard player and songwriter for a number of successful groups, Web (later to become Samurai), Episode Six, The Alan Bown Set and Greenslade. He then went into the ‘session musician’ scene breaking off briefly to tour with Roy Harper and later Stackridge. He was then invited to join Ian Gillan’s band, (who had recently left Deep Purple) but because of recording commitments regrettably had to decline the offer. He also recorded some tracks with Chris Squire and Alan White, who at the time were taking a break from Yes. Jimmy Page also jammed with this set up and had managerial matters been resolved this line up would have been one hell of a band! Tony Reeves, the bass player with Greenslade invited Dave to jam with Curved Air, who at the time also included Stuart Copeland. In 1982, whilst recording with Bill Wyman, Dave was invited to play with Foreigner. The session scene in the 70’s and 80’s was the busiest time ever for Dave. He played on the soundtrack of the cult picture ‘The Man Who Fell To Earth’ with fellow musician Big Jim Sullivan, who he later recorded with and was then fortunate enough to play under the baton of John Williams and the L.S.O. on Starwars, Superman and The Fury. Other memorable sessions were with Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.

Raised in Northern Utah and influenced by his grandfather’s music collection, Burton found himself completely transformed by the Harry 'Haywire' McClintock classic, "The Big Rock Candy Mountain” and the rest is history! Burton has a released a number of wonderful records with sprawling guitar work, romantic tones and textures and a deep yearning for hope. It was nice speaking to Burton about growing up, getting into music, some of his records on Tompkins Square and most recently a terrible car-accident that him and the Sylvie folks endured. We’ve attached his Go Fund Me at the bottom if you feel so inclined to make a donation!

Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, Stefanak grew up with creative parents alongside her three older siblings before relocating to Queens, New York to pursue a career in graphic design and true artistic passion. Stefanak has a very unique style and approach to her work, paying true homages to the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s. Her eye for detail and fascination for fonts and color are simply perfect! In this interview we explore was inspires and drives her work, the incredible clients she’s worked alongside such as Little Wings, Phish, Snail Mail, Folk Yeah Events and many more!

Upon first hearing Cactus Lee and the musical sincerity of Kevin Dehan, I was in complete shock. The music reminded me of m y childhood, growing up on backroads, going to the gas station like it was your own playground, rolling hills of memories and feeling that have faded… Dehan’s songwriting and subtle vocal deliveries are sobering and like a cup of warm tea, heartfelt and comforting. An immediate favorite and something I can’t keep out of my ears all week, I think I finally found a body of music I can grow with this Summer. It was a privilege speaking to TX native about growing up, getting into music, what inspires him, Cactus Lee and of course what is coming down the line.

Formed from the genius of Henry Barnes in the mid to late 90s, AFC has been the ultimate spiritual vessel for Barnes’ self made, self revolutionized music for over 20 years. As diverse as the universe , as organic as nature, AFC is part of a chemical reaction in the brain and in the land, mixing with stellar stringed instruments (all hand made by Barnes’) and vibrating electronic chaos. It was a total honor speaking with Barnes as I’ve been a huge fan of his work for ten years now! In this interview with briefly speak on his unique process and approach to writing as well recording music, stage life vs. recording life and much more!

Born and raised in Romford, East London and now a fellow Tennessean, Spencer Cullum Jr. is a natural who’s style blends that of the late Bert Jansch and the wonderful Canterbury scene of the 1960s and 70s. His most recent project, "The Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection” sprawls across poetic landscapes and express rich interest in enlightening folk melodies and stellar compositions. It was a pleasure speaking to Cullum about picking up the pedal steel, moving across the world to pursue his love and passion for music, putting out an incredible body of work and what lies ahead for the Coin Collection project this April.