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News Podcast

Ep. #1086: The Sadies & Billy Ray

Mike Belitsky and Travis Good from the Sadies and Dave ‘Billy Ray’ Koster are here to discuss Live at 6 O’Clock by Gord Downie, The Sadies, and the Conquering Sun, Billy’s long and all-encompassing tenure in the working lives of Downie and the Tragically Hip as a technical director and confidante, how the Sadies and Downie connected and why he was so fond of playing with them, a look back at Downie’s first solo album Coke Machine Glow and him asking Travis to play on it, Downie’s deep love for artists like Fucked Up and Daniel Romano, insights about this collaboration and what the late Gord Downie and Dallas Good may have felt about it, when Downie planned to run the stage light show himself, poignant reasons for picking songs about ghosts and sadness for this live record primarily consisting of songs by other artists, further insights into how the Tragically Hip viewed Downie’s work outside of the band, Downie’s penchant for incorporating conversations and experiences he shared with Billy into his lyrics, the story behind “Introduce Yerself,” whether we may hear more unreleased music by Downie and the potential for Sadie to make a new album, upcoming tour dates, 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 Blackbyrd Myoozik, the BookshelfPlanet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts. Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Win a Gord Downie Vinyl Bundle in April 2026!
Ep. #1085: Richard Reed Parry
Ep. #1083: Rheostatics
Ep. #1082: Joe Pernice
Ep. #1071: Buck 65
Ep. #971: Change of Heart
Ep. #892: Fucked Up
Ep. #889: Rick White and The Sadies
Ep. #880: Guided By Voices
Ep. #842: Daniel Romano’s Outfit
Ep. #821: Kurt Vile
Ep. #744: Don Pyle
Ep. #590: Bob Young
Ep. #496: Iggy Pop

Categories
News Podcast

Julie Doiron (2011) – Teaser

Between August 1 and 3, 2025 in Sackville, New Brunswick, Sappyfest celebrates its twentieth anniversary as one of the world’s best programmed and most fun music and arts festivals. Back in the summer of 2011 just ahead of the sixth annual Sappyfest, I met Julie Doiron and three of her children at Grapefruit Moon for an interview over breakfast. Aside from her inspirational work in the band Eric’s Trip and her award-winning solo trajectory, Julie founded Sappy Records and co-organized early iterations of Sappyfest. And so, I’m sharing this 2011 encounter with Julie and most of her kids (plus a cameo by Rheostatics’ Dave Bidini), because it’s enjoyable and provides some insights about her music and Sappyfest.

To hear this entire conversation, subscribe to Kreative Kontrol on Patreon at the $6 tier or higher (a reminder that an annual subscription includes a discount compared to a monthly one).

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #889: Rick White and The Sadies
Ep. #857: Michael Feuerstack
Ep. #850: You’ve Changed Records is 15!
Ep. #725: Sloan
Ep. #651: Julie Doiron
Ep. #602: Chad VanGaalen
Ep. #424: Dave Bidini
Ep. #272: Gord Downie [Archival; May 2010]

Categories
News Podcast

Ep. #895: Al Tuck

EVERY OTHER KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO MONTHLY $6 USD PATREON SUPPORTERS. This one is fine, but please subscribe now on Patreon so you never miss full episodes. Thanks!

Al Tuck and Aaron Comeau discuss their work together on Tuck’s latest records, Tuck’s recent triple-record, Water, Blood & Whiskey, making records inside of transport truck trailers and school portables, the days when the people were small and few and finally recording a song that Al debuted some 20 odd years ago, family stories and familial connections to Leonard Cohen, recording a few takes all at the same time, coffee breaks, improvisation and not fielding questions, smartphones and why the Earth might be flat, having children who sing, the Main St. Music Library, new Al Tuck albums, other future plans and much more.  

Support vish on Patreon! Thanks to Pizza Trokaderothe BookshelfPlanet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts. Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters to Santa. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #875: Ann Powers
Ep. #749: Daniel Lanois
Ep. #725: Sloan
Ep. #603: TUNS
Ep. #425: Michael Hurley
Ep. #345: Michael Chaves on making Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want it Darker’
Ep. #46: Al Tuck
The Super Friendz’s Mock Up, Scale Down: An Oral History (Director’s cut)