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News Podcast

Ep. #1045: The Beths

Elizabeth Stokes and Jonathan Pearce from the Beths are back to discuss their new album, Straight Line Was a Lie, NBA basketball, cricket, and baseball, overcoming writer’s block by reading a book by Stephen King, Liz’s health challenges and her current state of mind, how Jonathan and his bandmates have supported and worked with her in recent years, a helpful typewriter, accepting that people change, Sonic Youth’s “Teenage Riot” and writing a rather dynamic Beths record, Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark, cover songs, current tour dates, new songs, 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.

Related episodes/links:

All Things Konsidered: JID, Sloan, Julianna Riolino, Live shows
Ep. #1019: Friendship
Ep. #1009: Superchunk
Ep. #954: Peter Ames Carlin on R.E.M.
Ep. #722: The Beths
Ep. #673: Sonic Youth

Categories
News

Ep. #1044: Steve Albini (2008)

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the annual Letters to Santa Holiday Gala is taking place at the Chop Shop in Chicago. This year’s event is headlined by Fred Armisen and Jeff Tweedy and if you can’t make it to Chicago, you can learn how to livestream it and donate money to this remarkable and life-affirming and live-saving poverty alleviation initiative at letterscharity.org.

People who are familiar with the history of Kreative Kontrol know that the late Steve Albini and I would often have talks just ahead of each year’s Letters to Santa event, to catch up on stuff, ponder the year that was, and spread the word about Letters to Santa.

While Steve and I can’t have such conversations anymore, to maintain the tradition and spirit of the talks we had, I plan to feature archival interviews I conducted with Steve over the years, presenting them here ahead of Letters to Santa events for as long as possible.

If my records are correct, here now is the third radio interview that I asked Steve to participate in. It took place in the early fall of 2008 just ahead of Shellac playing what I’m rather certain were their first and only ever shows in Toronto and Montreal. Discussion topics included the friendly but somewhat tense diplomatic relationship between Canada and the United States of America, and how the Republican Party was letting “the oldest man in the world” run for president to further their ruinous policies and strengthen their vision for a police state. Again, this talk is from 2008.

Enjoy this blast from the past, support Letters Charity, and always and forever, thank you Steve Albini.

Support vish on Patreon! Specifically, by November 28, 2025 to help reach our membership drive goal of 700 paid subscribers!

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.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #925: Steve Albini (2007)
My first Steve Albini interview (2006)
Ep. #869: Steve Albini
Ep. #826: Steve Albini and Fred Armisen
Ep. #692: Wilco
Ep. #669: Dallas Good Remembered

Steve Albini, Shellac, August 21, 1999, Starfish Room, Vancouver, BC (vish khanna)
Categories
News Podcast

Ep. #1043: Hélène Barbier

Hélène Barbier is here to discuss her excellent new record Panorama, difficulties an untrained musician might have playing music publicly in France compared to Montreal, being drawn to the low notes, imposter syndrome and loving low-key rock stars, being something of a homebody, dealing with a health diagnosis with some measure of humour, avoiding pigeonholing yourself in the press, writing songs in French or English depending on the rhythmic feel of the words, the Celluloid Lunch record label, being a dog person, upcoming shows, 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.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #1023: Cate Le Bon
Ep. #996: Bibi Club
Ep. #991: Elle Barbara
Ep. #965: Marlaena Moore
Ep. #961: Eliza Niemi
Ep. #885: Laughing