Janel Leppin returns to discuss her new solo album Slowly Melting and Pluto in Aquarius by Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash, her ability to compartmentalize her visual art impulses from her musical ones, why she frequently releases more than one album on the same day, how Susan Alcorn and David Lynch remain constant inspirations, an eye-opening Mdou Moctar tour, making protest jazz music in a politically volatile time, her compelling and dynamic use of the cello as a lead instrument in jazz expressions, her tribute to Deerhoof, why she employs fuzz and distortion, loving pedals and naming songs after different ones, upcoming shows, another new record, other future plans, and much more.
EVERY OTHER COMPLETE KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO PATREON SUPPORTERS STARTING AT $6/MONTH. This one is fine, but if you haven’t already, please subscribe now on Patreon so you never miss full episodes. Thanks!
Thanks to the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts. Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.
Win a Gord Downie Vinyl Bundle in April 2026!
Ep. #1069: The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
All Things Konsidered: The Beatles Anthology
Ep. #1003: Marissa Nadler
Ep. #975: Deerhoof
Ep. #919: Oren Ambarchi
Ep. #887: Janel and Anthony
Ep. #874: Mdou Moctar



Dave Bidini and Dave Clark from Rheostatics are here to discuss The Great Lakes Suite, politics and tensions between the U.S.A. and Canada, contemporary protest music, what prompted this album’s concept and improvisational approach, featured contributions by Alex Lifeson from Rush, Kevin Hearn, Hugh Marsh, Tanya Tagaq, Laurie Anderson, Chief Stacey LaForme, Anne Carson, Liz Howard, Kendel Carson, Maiah Wynne, and Gord Downie, why Alex Lifeson was so blown away by Tanya Tagaq’s performance on this record, insights about Gord Downie’s posthumous appearance here telling a poetic story, Martin Tielli’s current status in Rheostatics, Alex Lifeson’s current status in Rheostatics, the excitingly unique way they plan to stage live shows to represent this album, other future plans, and much more.
EVERY OTHER COMPLETE KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO PATREON SUPPORTERS STARTING AT $6/MONTH. Enjoy this excerpt and please subscribe now via this link to hear this full episode. Thanks!
Thanks to Blackbyrd Myoozik, the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts. Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.
Win a Gord Downie Vinyl Bundle in April 2026!
Ep. #1031: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
Ep. #424: Dave Bidini
Ep. #332: Billy Bragg
Ep. #294: Don Kerr of Communism
Ep. #272: Gord Downie [Archival; May 2010]
Ep. #65: Tanya Tagaq

