Talking 'My Body Is My Sickness' with Meredith Haines of Latter

Chance brought experimental sound artist Meredith Haines (MAIR) and Jon Alvarado of Beach Bunny together in Chicago in 2022 and not long afterward Latter came into being. Last month the duo unleashed their excellent debut album My Body Is My Sickness and introduced the world to their wonderfully heavy, gloriously noisy, extremely cathartic sound. The lyrics are viscerally poetic as Meredith confronts a past relationship, talks about living with chronic illness, and moves toward healing with restorative rage. There is a deep level of connection present in each of the seven tracks which makes My Body Is My Sickness sound even bigger and hit even harder. My Body Is My Sickness is available everywhere now via Damien Records. Latter will be playing at the Archer Ballroom in Chicago on November 16.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Meredith to talk about how Latter came about, the power of sharing stories, chronic illness, the magic of the DIY music scene, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Meredith Haines took place over Zoom on October 3, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Koo Koo are fearlessly committed to the bit

Musical duo Koo Koo recently served as the hosts for Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival in Toronto. Toronto-based writer Graham Isador caught up with them to talk about their origin story, the importance of having fun, crowd participation, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Desmond Zantua of Career Day talks the band's new EP, 'I'll Always Be This'

Today marks the release of I’ll Always Be This, Career Day’s second EP and their first new music in just over 2 years. The New York-based quartet wastes no time as they kick out four tracks full of urgent emo-punk complete with infectious melodies, superb vocal delivery, skillful riffs, terrific drumming, and some wonderful synth parts. The band explores what it means to be well, the importance of remaining sensitive, the vital need to retain your energy in a system that prioritizes profits over people, and how to keep your spark of resistance lit even when things feel hopeless, with honest, visceral lyrics that are their most introspective to date. I’ll Always Be This is self-released and is available everywhere now. Career Day will be touring down to Fest in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Desmond Zantua to talk about the new EP, writing songs while preparing to get married, taking action for causes you care about, playing Fest for the first time, the importance of solidarity, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Desmond Zantua took place over Zoom on September 24, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'No Normal' with Matt “Food” Ellis of Kill Lincoln

In just a few days, Kill Lincoln will be releasing their fourth album No Normal. The album captures the band’s kinetic energy perfectly as they blast through 11 tracks full of killer riffs, spirited horn lines, whirlwind drumming, dynamic vocals, and lively shoe squeaks in just over 24 minutes. The band explores mental health, existential dread, the impact that the pandemic has had both personally and on society at large, and the need for community with lyrics that are cathartic and impossible not to sing along with. No Normal will be available everywhere via Bad Time Records on September 27. Kill Lincoln will be touring the US in October and will be playing their album release show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with saxophonist and vocalist Matt “Food” Ellis to talk about the new album, the evolution of the band’s songwriting process, Mike Park writing a song for the album, Riker from Star Trek, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Matt “Food” Ellis took place over Zoom on September 18, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Catching up with Raylin, Adam, and Clarence of The Calamatix

We are just one day away from the release of the debut self-titled album from California’s The Calamatix. The 12 tracks highlight the sonic dexterity of the band as they seamlessly blend elements of traditional ska, reggae, rocksteady, and punk together to create an undeniably groovy sound that will have you dancing in seconds. Lead singer Raylin Joy’s powerful voice is on full display as she delivers lyrics exploring heartbreak, love, staying true to oneself, the power of music, and friendship with heartfelt emotion. The Calamatix will be out everywhere on September 20 via Hellcat Records. The Calamatix start their US tour tomorrow.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Raylin Joy, guitarist Adam Porris, and drummer Clarence “Pocket” Kidd III to talk about the new album, the origin story of the band, the cathartic power of music, working with Tim Armstrong, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Raylin Joy, Adam Porris, and Clarence “Pocket” Kidd III took place over Zoom on September 12, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Kayla, Thomas, and Ryan of Voluntary Hazing talk their debut LP 'Addictive Little Sounds'

Back in July, San Jose-based Voluntary Hazing released their excellent debut album Addictive Little Sounds into the world. Over the course of 11 tracks, the 13-piece band continues to push their blend of ska, pop punk, alt-rock, and emo (along with dashes of disco and country) to new heights with fresh arrangements, quotes from classical compositions, and infectious energy. Along with exploring the relationship we have with our phones (the notifications of which are the album’s namesake), the band also confronts unrequited love, pays tribute to a beloved parent, and deals with self-doubt with heartfelt, sometimes humourous lyrics that are delivered with an incredible amount of emotion. Addictive Little Sounds is available digitally now. Voluntary Hazing will be playing a handful of shows around California this fall.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Kayla Renelle, tenor saxophonist Thomas Narveson, and trombonist Ryan Heisinger to talk about their new album, songwriting, dealing with online life, rubber chickens, the best way to eat a saxophone reed, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Kayla Renelle, Thomas Narveson, and Ryan Heisinger took place on August 28, 2024 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In conversation with Frank Turner

Frank Turner has had a huge year so far. Along with breaking the world record for playing the most shows across multiple cities in 24 hours and keeping up a nonstop touring schedule, the UK-based punk singer-songwriter has also released his 10th solo album, Undefeated, which might be his most vulnerable work to date. Over the course of 14 tracks he tackles aging, talks openly about mental health, puts arguments with his younger self to rest, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pays tribute to the excitement inherent in record shops, and celebrates the joy of punk rock with honest lyrics that are visceral, defiant, and introspective. Undefeated is available now via Xtra Mile Recordings. Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls are currently touring North America and will be bringing the Lost Evenings festival to Toronto for the first time later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Frank to talk about the new album, songwriting, literary references, why Canadian music rocks, what goes into putting Lost Evenings together, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Frank Turner took place over Zoom on August 30, 2024 before his show in Bozeman, Montana. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking Year 1 of Prepare the Ground and looking ahead to 2025 with KW Campol

On May 31-June 2, 2024 the streets of Toronto, Ontario were filled with heavy music aficionados going venue to venue to experience once-in-a-lifetime sets by legendary bands along with hearing some of the most exciting emerging voices within the genre as part of the inaugural Prepare the Ground festival. The festival is the brainchild of KW Campol (Vile Creature, Mythos Management, and Perpetual Flame Ministries) and Denholm Whale (Odonis Odonis and MODO-LIVE) who saw the need for a highly curated, multi-venue, community-focused celebration of heavy art and music in Toronto and filled that void. Taking inspiration from European festivals such as Roadburn, they have created a festival that is wholly unique in North America and is put together with an incredible amount of care. Year 1 was filled with amazing performances and an extraordinary amount of catharsis and Year 2 is shaping up to be even better. Prepare the Ground will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025 across multiple venues in Toronto, Ontario.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with KW to talk about bringing the festival to life, what goes into curating the fest, learning from Year 1, working to make Year 2 the best it can be, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and KW Campol took place on August 7, 2024, over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Daryl of the Bollweevils talks the bands new LP, T1 Fest, and Steve Albini

T1 Fest is October 10,11, and 12 at Reggie's in Chicago. Bollweevils are one of the headliners, making the gig their second time at the fest. They also just released an album last year. So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to singer Daryl Wilson about the fest, the band's new LP, and even a little bit about the fact that he is a ER Doctor! Read the article below.

Talking all things 'WAS HERE' with Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic

With everything they put out Stand Atlantic continue to expand their sound and that is especially true on their fourth album WAS HERE. The Australian quartet weaves elements from alternative rock, metal, hardcore punk, and hip-hop into their signature pop-punk sound to create 15 high-energy tracks that will have you dancing and belting out their anthemic choruses in no time at all. Their lyrics are some of their most vulnerable to date as they take a deep dive into toxic relationships, explore the existential nature of life, discuss mental health, call out online trolls, and rip into the misogynistic nature of our society. WAS HERE will be out everywhere on August 23 via Hopeless Records. Stand Atlantic will be touring Australia later this month and will be touring Europe and the UK in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Bonnie Fraser to talk about their new album, the therapeutic nature of songwriting, the curse of love songs, dealing with mental health, shoeys, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Bonnie Fraser took place over Zoom on August 9, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Graham Isador goes country with Stuck Out Here's Ivan Rivers

Ivan Rivers is best known for co-fronting Stuck Out Here. Over the last decade the band has played with heavy hitters in the Southern Ontario punk scene, opening for acts like Pkew Pkew Pkew and The Drew Thompson Foundation, while developing a devoted following on the back of catchy pop-punk hooks and introspective lyrics. But the realities of making music in today’s landscape -- friends living in different cities, scheduling conflicts between both day jobs and different artistic ventures -- often meant that Rivers was writing and performing songs on his own.

Originally at shows Rivers took on a persona, the smalltown hillbilly poet Mikey Chuck Rivers. Brash and lyrical, the singer demanded attention on stage with jokes and banter between compelling tracks. But after a few years of living the gimmick the character became less distinct from the musicians day-to-day before it was dropped entirely. Still, the aspects of humor and heart Rivers developed on stage spill through into his recorded material. Today Rivers releases I GIVE, four tracks of hooky alt-country peppered with hints of punk flair. The singer will be supporting the EP with a residency this September at The Cameron House in Toronto.

Recently Graham Isador had the chance to chat with Rivers about his band, the new work, and his love of songwriting. Read the interview below!