Modern Rock Conversations
109 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Modern Rock.ca (formerly know as What was That Radio) is a Modern Alternative Rock station. It’s also a Podcast, Arts Academy, and community of Wuzzers. Modern Rock.ca will feature conversations creator Jon Williams has had with artists and musings from his show.
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Episodes
A Conversation With: The End of Season 1
September 12, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 19.9 MBIt's been an incredible two years of growth personally and business-ly, ha. Here are my closing thoughts on Season 1 of A Conversation With. Thanks for being here, Jon
What was Short? w/Cale Gontier
September 07, 2022 06:37 - 4 minutes - 6.76 MBIt was such a thrill to chat with Cale Gontier (bass). He's been in the industry for over 25 years, whether guitar teching for Three Days Grace, to joining Thornley, and then Art of Dying (on hiatus). This was lovely.
Jeen
September 05, 2022 07:00 - 2 hours - 183 MBJeen O’Brien is utterly brilliant, she’s also extremely prolific, releasing five records since 2015. She has also helped create tunes for a slew of great Canadian artists including Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman, and Great Big Sea, and has had her music featured in everything from Google commercials to Degrassi. This was an incredibly honest conversation about her mental health battles and musical career that has spanned over 20 years.
What was Short? w/Standards
August 30, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 20 MBDiscussing Marcos' approach to tour life, recording, and managing his passions.
Kim Churchill
August 29, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBWe've been friends for a decade and caught up backstage at the Capital Ballroom in Victoria, B.C. ahead of his show that night. We discuss his solar-powered home/gig van, his covers ep where he tackled Post Malone and the Aladdin soundtrack. As well as a whole lot of life catch-up chatter.
What was Short? w/Spielbergs
August 23, 2022 14:50 - 15 minutes - 20.7 MBHow do they balance their time? What brought them back to music? How did the band come together?
Marc Labelle of Dirty Honey
August 22, 2022 07:00 - 53 minutes - 73.9 MBDirty Honey are simply incredible and it was such a thrill to converse with lead singer Marc Labelle. Their press kit states the following bonkers achievements in just a few years: - John Notto (Guitarist) was named one of Guitar World’s “50 Hottest New Guitarists” at #24 in their new September 2022 issue. - The band’s track “When I’m Gone” was the first-ever track from an unsigned band to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. - The band announced a 28-d...
What was Short? w/Spare Parts For Broken Hearts
August 16, 2022 07:00 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBDiscussing the songwriting/recording/mixing process.
standards
August 15, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 78.3 MBMarcus Mena is one of the most incredible guitar players on this planet. What a thrill to discuss how he goes about creating his incredible math rock.
What was Short? w/Bicurious
August 10, 2022 03:49 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBDiscussing their favourite memories together, and the growth that comes with it.
Stuck On Planet Earth
August 08, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 147 MBStuck On Planet Earth was formed in high school near 15 years ago. One of my favourite records of 2020 was their debut album, "Beautiful Nowhere". I've been looking forward to conversing with them for over a year and this was as lovely as I'd hope and then some.
What was Short? w/Stone Broken
August 03, 2022 04:04 - 10 minutes - 14.9 MBWe discussed the anxiety and jubilation of the writing and recording process for their third record, "Revelation". Rich and Robyn are such sweethearts, and so talented.
PLAIINS
August 01, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBMassive riffs, infectious energy, and unrelenting drive, equals my kind of rock and roll. They've only released three songs. But you need to get to know this band, ha.
What was Short? w/Like A Motorcycle
July 27, 2022 04:18 - 7 minutes - 9.66 MBKim discovered Abba on a religious cassette...Sort of!
Spielbergs
July 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 129 MBThese three from Norway just blow my mind, I simply cannot get enough of them. They create such intense and rich soundscapes that pull you in like a hug from a loved one that seems like it’s never going to end, and you’re OK with that, you love hugs with this loved one. I simply adore Spielbergs.
What was Short? w/Softcult
July 19, 2022 07:00 - 5 minutes - 7.16 MBFrom Courage My Love to Softcult. This short covers their growth and approach to making art on their own terms.
Cale Gontier of Saint Asonia
July 18, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 84.2 MBSaint Asonia released their new EP, "Introvert", two weeks ago. It was such a thrill to chat with Cale Gontier (bass). He's been in the industry for over 25 years, whether guitar teching for Three Days Grace, to joining Thornley, and then Art of Dying (on hiatus). This was lovely.
What was Short? w/The Matchstick Skeletons
July 12, 2022 21:46 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBDiscussing Already Down and Neu in a room full of people with a piano.
Bicurious
July 12, 2022 05:22 - 1 hour - 132 MBOne of the coolest instrumental bands on the planet for me. I simply cannot get enough of the creations Taran and Gavin come to create.
What was Short? w/Alan Cross
July 05, 2022 07:00 - 10 minutes - 15 MBHe's a Canadian broadcasting legend who's spoken with some of the greatest performers of the last 40 years. So, what's the key to the art of a great interview?
Spare Parts For Broken Hearts
July 04, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 136 MBIt was such a pleasure to converse with Sarah Green of Spare Parts For Broken Hearts. This band is ferocious and this is what I adore about getting the chance to chat with creators. Learning so much about their unique view of this fickle thing we call earth, and how they go about creating.
What was Short? w/Raavi
June 28, 2022 20:26 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBIt was such a thrill to kick back and converse with Raavi Sita (vox) and James Duncan (bass) of Raavi in Feb of 2021. In this WWS? we discuss their earliest musical memories.
Ali Siadat of Mother Mother
June 27, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBAli is a clinical drummer, a wonderfully warm and quirky soul, and out of nowhere early in the pandemic released an electronic album as Naoist.
What was Short? w/Blood Red Shoes
June 21, 2022 19:42 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBDiscussing their approach for their latest record, Ghost on Tape.
Graham Wright of Tokyo Police Club/Girlfriend Material
June 20, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBOh my goodness I was so energized in this conversation, haha. Here's another one from the Live From My Bachelor Pad days.
What was Short? w/Lady Bird
June 14, 2022 07:00 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBThis was an extremely powerful conversation and a lot of it revolved around mental health and self-growth. In this WWS? Alex shares his mindset and journey.
Wine Lips
June 13, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBI recently discovered Wine Lips and have fallen head over heels for this quirky Toronto punk band. Cam and Aurora were so warm and wonderful, even when I had a few bouts of anxiety during our conversation.
What was Short? w/GGGOLDDD
June 07, 2022 18:52 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBTrigger warning: We discuss sexual assault. Milena, Thomas, and I dive into their relationship and creative practice, as well as Milena's assault at 19 which is the main theme of their new album.
Illuminati Hotties
June 06, 2022 14:43 - 31 minutes - 43 MBI adore the quirky brilliance of Sarah Tudzin's illuminati hotties. It was such a pleasure to dive into her mind and process.
What was Short? w/Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic
June 01, 2022 03:10 - 6 minutes - 9.46 MBWe discuss Bonnie's growth as an artist and songwriter, and how that played into the creation and rollout of "F.E.A.R."
Bongloard
May 30, 2022 07:00 - 2 hours - 186 MBBongloard are a frantic three-piece from Holland that I cannot get enough of.
What was Short? w/Sophisticated Dingo
May 24, 2022 07:00 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MBDiscussing the childhood inspiration that led to Lewis making music, and then how he came to connect with Jimmy to create the Soft Dingaz.
Stone Broken
May 23, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBThese Brits are celebrating a #1 album currently on the UK Rock Charts, charting #27 overall a few weeks ago. I had such a wonderful conversation with Rich and Robyn about the challenges they set themselves for the third record and the pride that came in making it.
What was Short? w/The Tazers
May 17, 2022 07:00 - 9 minutes - 12.5 MBWe address the creation of their latest EP Outer Space, and their debut album, Plastic Kids.
Like A Motorcycle
May 16, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBI adore this punk rock band from Halifax. What a delight to speak with two sweethearts, founder Kim, and guitarist Dave.
What was Short? w/Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
May 10, 2022 07:32 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBIn this What was Short? Jack McEwan addresses my thoughts on "Dread & Butter" and discusses his songwriting approach.
GGGOLDDD
May 09, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBI’m late to the party, a decade late at that, but what a thrill to discover Dutch creators GGGOLDDD. I usually deep dive into researching all the context I can and dissect songs ahead of a conversation. For this one, however, I just wished to go in cold and see if the energy I picked up on sonically, became reality. It did so and more.
What was Short? w/The Lazy Eyes
May 03, 2022 20:22 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MBThe key to the brilliance of The Lazy Eyes is they’re not trying to impress you. They’re not trying to impress themselves. They’re just doing what they love with literally no strings attached, and it’s really special.
Blood Red Shoes
May 02, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 129 MBThese two have been making music together for seventeen years and since their debut in 2008 have grown into such a force. Ghost on Tape is their sixth album and it’s covered in mysterious rich fuzz, a sound these two are so at ease in.
What was Short? Kid Kapichi
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this What was Short? we discuss their approach to key tracks on their debut album, "This Time Next Year", and the skills they learned along the way.
What was Short? w/Kid Kapichi
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this What was Short? we discuss their approach to key tracks on their debut album, "This Time Next Year", and the skills they learned along the way.
Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic
April 25, 2022 07:23 - 44 minutes - 60.6 MBAustralians Stand Atlantic will release their third album 'F.E.A.R. [fuck everything and run]', on May 06. So Bonnie and I discussed the process and her love of shit English television.
What was Short? w/Calva Louise
April 19, 2022 14:00 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MBThese three are such warm and passionate souls. This What was Short? showcases their tenacity and a nod from the universe to chase their dreams.
Dwi
April 18, 2022 20:53 - 1 hour - 110 MBDwi is another one of those souls I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know due to my former role in modern rock commercial radio. He decided at the start of the pandemic that it was time to flex some new muscles. He’s been the rock of The Zolas on bass for years now and has spent most of his life in music, but never made any of his own. It was time to change that.
What was Short? w/LOWLIVES
April 12, 2022 07:08 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBI love this band so much, and even more so after spending near two hours conversing with Lee and Luke a few months ago. In this short Luke shares contrasting tales of life on the road. Listen to the full conversation here.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
April 11, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 138 MBI remember taking Mushrooms in Amsterdam many years ago and shortly thereafter subsequently believing the toilet bowl changed into Flipper the Dolphin as I was relieving myself… Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a similar gathering was taking place, though I’ve no idea if Flipper showed face. Regardless, that trip led to the formation of one of the most prolific and exciting rock bands to walk the rock we call Earth. What a thrill it was to converse with band leader Jack McEwe...
What was Short? w/Spiral Drive
April 05, 2022 22:30 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBRaphael and I discuss the path that led him to master in psychedelic music engineering, his musician filled family, how he found grounding when moving from Austria to Germany and the differences in the cultures.
Alex of Lady Bird
April 04, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 126 MBThis was a really special conversation with Alex of Lady Bird. An urgent and sharp three-piece from Tunbridge Wells, England.
What was Short? w/Electric Enemy
March 29, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBJim, Orlando, and I deep dive into the creation of "Where Do We Go From Here", and the emotions it stirs up.
LOWLIVES
March 28, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 156 MBLOWLIVES are a stand-and-deliver rock band that I cannot get enough of. It was a pleasure to speak with Lee and Luke.