Witchpolice Radio

Her name always comes up whenever I ask listeners which local artists they'd like to hear on the show, so here it is: an interview with Winnipeg pop chanteuse extraordinaire Begonia ! We talk about the new ‘ Powder Blue ’ LP, living up to expectations after the success of 2019’s ‘Fear’, touring the U.S., some of her extensive history in the local music scene, and a whole heckuva lot more! This epi...

The gents from "wholesome musical fusion" duo Hallfield Community Home were on the show for a good talk about punk rock, exploring pop sounds, finding a good vibe writing music together during the pandemic, having a name that sounds like a seniors’ residence, and much more! Plus hear some brand new tunes from the group right here on the podcast. Hot damn! Need more Hallfield? They both appeared to...

Singer-songwriter Shay Wolf is back on the show to talk about still being a “baby” artist, her excellent new EP, ‘ Stay ’, emotional reactions to songwriting, why everyone should sing, and so much more. Need more? Hear Shay Wolf on the second Quick Hits episode ( #579 , April 2021). This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company  and by past Witchpolice guests  Book of Ghosts , w...

Great conversation on this episode with Chell Osuntade of Fold Paper ! We talked about the other bands he plays in ( Julien's Daughter , JayWood ), loving post-punk, future plans for the Fold Paper project, experiencing Winnipeg’s music scene after moving here from the U.S., and much more! Want to hear more from Chell? Check out the Julien's Daughter interview ( #545 , Dec. 2020) This episode brou...

This one's a little different. It's part of a series of episodes I'm doing in collaboration with local rapper Ezoman 's Creative Side Entertainment for this year's 'Future of M"you"sic' competition, which is a five-month long showcase of up-and-coming local artists at the Limelight Here's the first episode, which is similar to my old Quick Hits format (remember that?), and it features Ezoman givin...

One of Winnipeg's most successful musical exports to the world is celebrating a milestone. On this episode, I talked to Sammy Kohn (drums) and Daniel Greaves (vocals) of The Watchmen  about the super-deluxe reissue for the 25th anniversary of their landmark  'Silent Radar'  LP. We got into the background of the deluxe edition's 46(!) tracks, the staying power of the band's songs from that era, the...

This episode is my conversation with Clint Chaboyer about live-streaming local punk and metal bands on Red Tie Live , the upcoming ‘90s tribute show in support of MS Canada (May 5 at The Park Theatre), and much more. The songs on this episode are from previous charity tribute events -- this year's is the eighth annual -- and are covers by all-star lineups of Winnipeg musicians, with suitably ridic...

Caught up with Jude and Wyatt of metalcore maniacs Hopscotchbattlescars  to talk about their upcoming record, making music with a confusing beat that’s hard to dance to, ‘wacky’ songs, and much more. You can pre-order the digital album ,  Sick of You,  which comes out May 5, now. Need more Hopscotchbattlescars in your life? Check out episode #617 (Aug. 2021) This episode brought to you by our pals...

Balanced Records has been holding it down for the local electronic scene(s) for more than two decades. Great conversation on this episode with Adam (Kasm) Hannibal about the label’s DIY history in a golden era for Winnipeg music, the community’s growth, musically unique live shows, and much more! Song selections: Kasm - Stargate (Michael Red Remix), Paris to Kyiv - Call (J57 Remix), Silla and Rise...

Great conversation with Ariane Jean of francophone alternative pop project Sala ! We talked about her roots in the local music scene with groups like Madrigaïa and Chic Gamine, writing in French vs English, the upcoming Sala album and release show , and much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company ! Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on  Patreon ! You c...

Singer-songwriter Larysa Musick has just released the debut single, ‘ Joan of Arc ’, from her upcoming EP. We sat down to talk about moving from the world of poetry slams into playing folk music, working with women and non-binary collaborators, writing about history, house shows, and so much more. This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice mer...

I talked to multi-instrumentalist and producer Joel Klaverkamp ( Cookie Delicious ) about the new ‘ Fox in Golden Armour ’ record, the differences between his previous garage rock-inspired solo project ( Beefdonut ) and Cookie Delicious’ freaky dance music, needing to be in three bands at once (see Merin and Robojom )… and more! Need more Joel? You can hear him on episode #083 (2014) as Beefdonut...

If you were anywhere near a radio in the ‘90s, Winnipeg’s Crash Test Dummies  were hard to miss. Decades later, with members spread out across the continent, they’re back on the road with a new single, “ Sacred Alphabet ”. I sat down with frontman Brad Roberts to talk about performing for multi-generational fans, pressure-free touring, being a terrible hockey player, and much more! This episode br...

This one definitely qualifies as ‘music-adjacent’: I talked to Shane from 3D Pro Wrestling and wrestler/podcaster/man-about-town Stefan Richard about the upcoming ‘Protect Ya Neck’ event , March 30 at the Pyramid Cabaret! In addition to live indie wrestling, local bands Cheap Heat , xMeans to an Endx , and Murder Capital  are performing (and I threw a song by each into the episode too)! Check out...

With the new tape, ‘ The Body Horror ’, Matthew Powers (a/k/a Midnight Review Presents ) adds to his already stellar catalogue of DIY weirdness. We talked about the new album, the ongoing horror motif, collaborating with artists like The Famous Sandhogs , non-standard cassette packaging, and much more!   This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpol...

Rumours of The Thrashers'  demise have been greatly exaggerated. Winnipeg’s favourite skateboardin’, garage-rockin’, Transistor 66 -in’ power trio is back, briefly, with one last record — their first since 2015. Well, technically,  it's two records in one : the brand new  We Are Literally the Thrashers   and  This is a Pizza Party With the Thrashers EPs, combined into a single slab o' wax! Here's...

‘ The Empire is in Decline and Growing Weaker by the Day ’ is the excellent new record by rapper/producer/songwriter Rob Crooks . We sat down to talk about the album, the political context behind it, making angry, anxious music, and a whole lot more!   Way back in 2012, Rob was one of the original co-hosts of this podcast, so he's on a lot of past episodes, but if you want to hear more of him (as...

Here's an interview with the members of Winnipeg's Campfire Sigh about psychedelic pop, navigating social media and self-promotion, last fall’s ‘ Different Peninsulas ’ album, prolific songwriting… and more!   This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch in the works! Watch for that!   Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on  P...

‘ From the Attic ’ is a new video series based out of Argyle Studio , featuring some of Winnipeg’s latest and greatest artists! Here's a quick conversation with the trio behind the project (Cam Loeppky, Mike Requeima and Tom Elvers) about the series’ origins, upcoming episodes, filming b-roll of Winnipeg streets in the dead of winter, and more. The series already has a couple of episodes out, incl...

Local video gang The Village Idiots  were always ahead of the curve when it comes to live-streaming Winnipeg music. After a pandemic-related hiatus, Rylie Saunders, one of the Idiots-in-chief, is back with The Spare Room, a new series of live performances and conversations with local musicians! On this episode, we chat about the new show and much more!   Need more Village Idiots? Check out episode...

I inaugurated my new memory card with a great conversation with Veronica Blackhawk of Tinge ! We talked about the upcoming Big Deep Sigh EP on the House of Wonders  label, indie folk (but also math rock), the joys of Midwest emo, making music for people who are underrepresented, and much more! This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Company , who have brand new Witchpolice merch i...

Great conversation with contemporary drum kit specialist Ben Reimer ! Really enjoyed this one. We talked about expanding the horizons of the drum kit into forms of classical music, the melodic playing on his Katana of Choice LP, working with composers, using techniques from genres like metal in symphonic settings (classical blastbeats!) and much more.   NOTE: As I mention in the intro, my trusty o...

Winnipeg singer-songwriter Cec Lopez  is out-of-province working on a Master’s degree, but more of the soulful songs of heartbreak that made 2021’s “ Canola ” EP so memorable are in the works.   Here's a conversation about vocals with presence, Manitoba as home and inspiration, learning the business side of being an independent artist, and much more.   NOTE: As I mention in the intro, my trusty ol...

After a decade of band practice, the members of Satanic Rights  are ready to celebrate with an anniversary show March 10 at The Handsome Daughter ! We talked about the milestone, how staff Christmas parties are responsible for the band’s longevity, what they probably *should* have named themselves, working on new music, and much more.   This episode brought to you by our pals at  Devine Shirt Comp...

Very interesting conversation on this episode with jazz vocalist/composer/educator Adele M Wilding . She’s presenting a three-week vocal workshop on African-American spirituals next month at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts, and we discussed the direct throughway from spirituals to all genres of popular music today, aural and oral traditions, the idea of musical “soul”, and much more. W...