In Conversation

Nightmares on Wax Presents: Carboot Soul 25 Years Special” DJ EASE joins Jeff Weiss in the studio for Music, Chat and more! As Warp Records’ longest-serving artist, Nightmares on Wax, also known as George Evelyn, has consistently been at the forefront of contemporary music, seamlessly blending electronica, jazz, hip-hop, techno, dub, funk, and soul. The album Carboot Soul remains a cornerstone of N.O.W.’s genre-defining work, captivating audiences for 25 years with its timeless sound. This masterpiece features unforgettable contributions from musicians such as Chris Dawkin, Hamlet Luton, Bruce Wood, Robin Taylor-Firth, and Sarah Winton. He will be joined on-air by Jeff Weiss to chat about Carboot Soul’s legacy and playback the record.

Frosty interviews experimental, electronic musician Markus Popp from the group Oval. Tune in!

This program is part of the dublab’s early archives. Enjoy “Twilight Circus Dub Sound System Interview”

Joe Rihn is a DJ, musician and writer with endless enthusiasm for his hometown of Los Angeles. His show Audio Days explores the wide world of electronic music and beyond with particular attention to artists pushing the boundaries of sound. In this special interview episode of Audio Days, influential UK artist Mark Stewart discusses his body of work, his creative processes and the music that has inspired him along the way. After beginning his career as the frontman of Bristol’s celebrated post-punk band The Pop Group, Stewart went on to break new ground in electronic music through his work with dub producer and On-U Sound Records head, Adrian Sherwood, along with drummer Keith LeBlanc, bassist Doug Wimbish and guitarist Skip McDonald. Having performed as members of the Sugar Hill Records house band on early hip hop classics including “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LeBlanc, Wimbish and McDonald provided the instrumental foundation for Stewart’s 1985 album, “As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade,” as well as other projects such as Tackhead and Fats Comet. With his new record “VS.,” which releases April 8, 2022 on Emergency Hearts, Stewart continues in that collaborative spirit. In addition to including names like KK Null, Stephen Mallidner and Mike Watt in its roster of uncompromising artists, VS. features contributions from late musicians Lee “Scratch” Perry and Mika Vainio. Following the hour-long interview segment, this episode features a mix of industrial, synth-wave and left-field cuts from the orbit of Mark Stewart and beyond.

To explore the music, life, and genius of the late Judee Sill, as well as discuss the new documentary about her, LA-based musician Aaron M Fernandez Olson sits down with Judee’s lifelong friend and fellow musician, Tommy Peltier, and the film’s co-director, Brian Lindstrom. Together, they converse on the subject of Judee while listening to her songs. The film, Lost Angel: The Genius Of Judee Sill, will be in select theaters and streamable on April 12, 2024, and you can find Tommy and Aaron playing music around L.A. at various times and places as well. For information on the film’s screening dates/times/venues, please visit the film’s website.

Atlas is a monthly show hosted by Barbarelle in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Connecting different parts of the world with obscure tracks, Barbarelle takes us through a deep and evolving sonic landscape. From Ambient, Experimental and Jazz, to Latin, African and Middle East sounds, this imaginary musical journey evoques the -both subtle and deep- connection between worlds, existent and imaginary. In celebration of 25 years of Moon Safari, Barbarelle travels from Buenos Aires to Paris to meet and have an inspiring conversation with JB Dunckel and Nicolas Godin from the french band AIR to talk about their new tour and their music and inspiration. This AIR special also features all music by them – Barbarelle selects her favorite songs, as AIR is her favorite band! Thanks JB Dunckel, Nicolas Godin, Thierry, Ferreol and Radio Nova. Special thanks to Peter for sound recording.

It was a treat to chat with the minds behind one of the coolest and most significant stores in rave and NYC history. From the early 1990s until the close of its second location in 1999, Liquid Sky was a clothing shop, a record store, a hang-out zone, a permanent art installation—it was a lot of things to a lot of young people, the grandest of countercultural “third places” the 90s saw. Their store merch was home to Claudia Rey’s one-of-a-kind pieces of street fashion (a lot of it predating the term itself), and to Carlos “Soul Slinger’s” expertly curated vinyl selections, much of it exclusive DJ imports that became a ground zero for British jungle and avant-garde breaks for NYC and, indeed, America. Stick around until the end of the interview for a mini-mix of tracks from the Weä album “Decentertainment,” a milestone release in the illbient genre from Liquid Sky’s own label. Liquid Sky is/was: Rey & Carlos

On May 3rd 2023, UCLA hosted a conversation between Xuman (aka Gunman Xuman) and Samuel Lamontagne. Xuman is a social activist and legend of Senegalese Hip Hop, who’s been active for over thirty years. He’s a member of the pioneer group Pee Froiss, and besides his solo career, also created the Journal Rappé for which he’s internationally known. The conversation happened in Royce Hall and covered Xuman’s roots and upbringing, the history of Hip Hop in Senegal, and how Hip Hop is an important medium to build solidarity across the African Diaspora. *After Xuman returned to Dakar, Senegal, protests broke out as Ousmane Sonko, the main opponent to the current Senegalese president, was imprisoned. Senegalese people are protesting so that Macky Sall doesn’t run for a third unconstitutional term. The protests were violently quashed by the police, and multiple restrictions have been placed on social media by the government. #FreeSenegal

Who, what and indeed where is Can? Krautrock legends bring The Can Lost Tapes (Mute), due out imminently. The band’s founder/chief theoretician Irmin Schmidt discusses the whys and wherefores; Can archival engineer Jono Podmore, also of analog electronic band Metamono, spins tracks from Metamono’s new Parcel Post EP (Instrumentarium Records). For more from John Payne, check out bluefat.com

This is an interview Jana Hunter in the early stages of their music career. Jana is a non-binary indie acoustic/folk musician based in Baltimore and the founder of the band Matty and Mossy. Hunter was signed to Gnomonsong, a record label run by Devendra Banhart and Vetiver’s Andy Cabic. Hunter’s solo debut album Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom was the label’s debut release. In 2007 Hunter founded an independent record label based in Houston, Texas, Feow! Records, with musicians Matthew Brownlie of Bring Back the Guns and Arthur Bates of Houston band Wicked Poseur.

Prince Paul and Dan the Automator from Handsome Boy Modeling School is interviewed on dublab. Listen in to hear some of their stories behind HBMS and some of their favorite songs. 

This program is part of the dublab’s early archives. Enjoy this episode from Frosty’s Celsius Drop radio show.

Enjoy this special broadcast featuring Lukas McFadden, also known as Cut Chemist, interviewing two members of the renowned British funk band, Cymande, the day before their first show in America in the last forty years at the Fonda Theatre. dublab is a listener supported non-profit radio station. Become a Sustaining Member today at: https://www.dublab.com/support/memberships

“Legend” is a word that is often too lightly doled out, but today we proudly present an interview with a bonafide LEGEND. Art Laboe is a broadcasting icon who was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. This honor was rightly bestowed as he was the first DJ to play Rock and Roll on the west coast airwaves, smashed color lines by presenting mixed race concerts and playlists, coined the term “Oldies but Goodies,” invented the concept of the compilation album and continues to bring joy to generations of radio listeners. At 87 years young, Art is a sprightly figure, holding one of the top rated slots in Southern California radio, one of the world’s most important markets. He graces the airwaves six nights a week with his Art Laboe Connection program. The show’s format is an exception amongst commercial radio, emphasizing a direct connection with the community. Throughout each show he takes dedications from listeners and sends their songs and kisses over the airwaves to loved ones, many of whom are incarcerated. His radio show is a pipeline through which the emotions and wishes of listeners are transmitted. The songs heard on the Art Laboe Connection are a refreshing and heartfelt break from the glossy buzz flooding much of the dial. While Art plays tried and trued favorites every show his playlist varies widely night to night based on to listener requests and his mood. On any given episode you’re likely to hear rare doo-wop, R&B or sweet soul cuts played nowhere else. We were honored that Art Laboe opened up his studio and schedule to graciously allow us this interview. Scholar and dublab board member Josh Kun sat down with Art at his Original Sound Studio on Sunset Boulevard to revisit the history of his illustrious career and explore the dynamic of his nightly connection with listeners cruising the California streets or listening close for the voice of a loved one. On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, we pay tribute to Art Laboe at Grand Performances. More details here: https://www.dublab.com/events/111367/a-tribute-to-art-laboe

On May 17th, Peter Brotzmann, the godfather of European free jazz, stopped by the dublab studio and recorded a wide-ranging interview with Acting Consul General of Germany in Los Angeles and dublab friend Stefan Biedermann. We’re proud to present this very special conversation in full, along with a selection of recent recordings from Peter Brotzmann.

Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer, and drummer who melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and rap in unmapped directions. On ANIMALS, his Warp Records debut, Kassa pushed his kaleidoscopic, subersive vision further. Listen back to the conversation between Kassa and Qur’an Shaheed.

On April 20, 2023, dublab, In Sheep’s Clothing, & Rhino Records presented the first listen of the newly reissued Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968! Celebrating its 50th birthday, this groundbreaking collection doubles in size for a new anniversary edition that launched as a Record Store Day exclusive on April 22. This is the recording of the live Q&A between the original producer Lenny Kaye and host, Tana Yonas.

Super-inspired electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick joined us during our DUBLAB DECADE PROTON DRIVE a couple of months ago. He gladly allowed us to pick his brain for some wisdom and inspiration, and shared some awesome stories of the old school Avant Garde. Dig this session and uncover some of the deepest roots of electronic music today. Find lots more Morton Subotnick at mortonsubotnick.com

Wall Matthews, founding member of The Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble beamed into Celsius Drop to shine light on the obscure yet impactful group’s history. Formed in 1970, Entourage performed long form sets fusing varied sonic elements into their own unidentifiable genre. Weaving together modern dance, poetry, lighting design and flowing sound they created immersive, dream-state environments. The group released two critically acclaimed recordings on Folkways, a 1973 self-titled album followed by The Neptune Collection in 1975, famously sampled by Four Tet on his song “She Moves She”. Entourage’s sole surviving member Wall Matthews, carries the light forward by honoring the group’s heritage and reviving its innovative spirit through performance. He recently oversaw the Tompkins Square Records album Ceremony of Dreams : Studio Sessions & Outtakes, 1972-1977, a collection of 30 previously unreleased archival tracks. Enjoy this interview with Wall Matthews including a mix of Entourage songs he personally selected and sequenced. Press play and you’ll understand why Entourage believed, “Communication Is The Outer World’s Intersection With The Inner World.”

Together On the Air: LIVE on Radio, co-presented by dublab and ONE Archives Foundation, dedicated to LGBTQIA+ storytelling since 1952. This show was recorded in front of a live audience as part of ONE Archives Foundation’s latest exhibition Together On the Air, which chronicles the historic contributions of Radio GLLU, the first bilingual LGBTQIA+ and Latinx-run radio program in the United States. Radio GLLU co-hosts reunited on air for exclusive interviews with activists from the queer Latinx liberation movement in 1980s and 1990s Los Angeles. Check out togetherontheair.onearchives.org to view the full exhibit and explore listening rooms of archival materials.