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On July 19, 2002, I interviewed They Might be Giants. John Linnell and John Flansburgh are the geniuses behind such songs as "Particle Man," "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," and "Birdhouse in Your Soul." You can listen to the interview here, as well as read a transcript here.

On May 3, 2003, I was able to catch up with John Linnell again and talk with him at the Aladdin Theater. You can listen here.


On September 21, 2002, I interviewed Sarah Vowell. Sarah is an author, journalist, and contributing editor on NPR's This American Life. She was in town to do a reading on the evening of the 21st at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, in support of her new book, The Partly Cloudy Patriot. You can listen to the interview here.

In the year 2000, before I even thought I wanted to go into radio, I went over to my grandparents' house and recorded my grandfather (known as "Grampy" to me and my siblings) telling stories about his life. He had started writing his life memoirs a few years prior, but had to stop because he lost the center of his field of vision, and could only see peripherally. My intention in recording him was to transcribe his story and synthesize it with what he had written so far.

I'm happier with it as a radio story. You really get a sense of who he was by hearing him describe what was important to him. He passed away in the fall of 2002, at the age of 95. The piece, called "Before My Eyes" appears on a CD by Clamor Magazine. Click here to listen.

On January 18, 2003, Vancouver's Tegan and Sara played at Borders Books in downtown Portland. I recorded their live show, and interviewed them after. You can listen to the piece I did on them, as well as five live mp3's from their acoustic in-store here:

So-Called Sisters. (the piece)

Monday, Monday, Monday
Living Room
Not Tonight
Don't Confess
When You Were Mine

On October 2, 2002, I interviewed Jimi Goodwin, lead singer of Doves, one of the best bands to come out of Manchester, England since James, Primal Scream and New Order. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.
  

January 4, 2003, I interviewed Matt Wignall, frontman of Havalina before their show.

Havalina is an eclectic blend of ragtime, country, jazz, Eastern European and American pop music. They should be about 500 times more known than they are.

Here is my interview with Matt. Here is their song Worst Days performed live.


Robert Deeble is an excellent singer and songwriter. He performed live in the KPSU studios in the summer of 2003, and you can listen to mp3's of that here:

Blue
A Formal Apology
Chinese Fighter Girl
Junkyard

November 14, 2002, I had recording artist Denison Witmer on the show. Denison was on tour for his new album, "Philadelphia Songs." He talked about his life and his career, and playing some songs from his most recent release.

Denison is a master at making sullen, honest and compelling ballads, and belongs in the company of Nick Drake, Robert Deeble, Damien Jurado and Pedro the Lion.

You can listen to some of Denison's songs here, and hear my interview, along with two songs he recorded here:

Interview

Stations
Leaving Philadelphia (Arriving Seattle)


Portland's Thom Grande was on NBC's reality dating show Average Joe: Hawaii. He left the show with his dignity intact, which is no small feat when you're the Reality TV Machine. He is a great guy and was fun to talk to. My Winter 2004 interview with him lasts an hour, and is peppered with lots of fun music related to themes on the show. Listen here.