Look At My Records‪!‬ Thomas Gallo

Episode 234 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Sun Kin. The Los Angeles-based project of Kabir Kumar just released a new record titled Sunset World, which has been years in the making. The record features songs written as far back as November 2020 and thematically, explores the dichotomy between the beauty and terror of the natural world and the convenience of the virtual. The album also features a litany of collaborators, including Kabir’s partner Nicole Levin, his bandmates in Guppy, Julian Fader of Ava Luna, Dawson Timpany of Plum, and Mark “Echo” Edwards of Cheekface. We chatted about all of this and more, including how the previously mentioned collaborations informed the record and how Khalid partially inspired the song “Water Turns Black At Night.” Plus, Kabir picked some awesome records, including choice cuts from Depeche Mode, Tele Novella, and Twin Sister. You can follow along with his picks via the official playlist for Episode 234.

Sun Kin will be celebrating the release of Sunset World this Saturday, April 27th at the Scribble Community Center in Los Angeles. Pacing and Preformer are also on the bill.

You can purchase Sunset World on Bandcamp. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the project via Instagram.

Episode 233 of the Look At My Records! podcast features an interview with Marc Masters, author of High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape. The cassette has a long, storied, and complex history, and in High Bias, Masters takes readers through some of its most notable moments. From the birth of magnetized sound to the proliferation of the game-changing Sony Walkman, and much of what happened in between and after, Masters dives into key technological advancements, tape subcultures, mixtapes, tape traders, and more. During the interview, Tom and Marc spoke about some of the book’s highlights, including the massive popularity of the cassette in Eastern cultures and Africa, and the format’s recent resurgence in underground circles. Marc also picked some awesome records from Times New Viking, Silver Jews, and more. You can follow along with Marc’s picks via the official playlist for Episode 233.

This episode also features music from the cassette accompaniment to High Bias. You can purchase the book and the cassette via Bandcamp.

Episode 232 features an interview with Eliza Vera, who performs under the moniker Hot Moms Club. The San Diego-based project just released their second EP, Welcome To The Club, which features three songs that soothingly reflect on finding joy in simple pleasures, like the calming effects of wading through Trader Joe’s and the memory-triggering scent of fried pork. But before Eliza and Tom dove into the here and now, they spoke at length about her background in music, including how winning a guitar at a raffle sparked her interest in pursuing the instrument, her first time performing in front of an audience at summer camp, and her free-wheeling college years at the University of San Diego. Plus, Eliza shared how her friendship and collaboration with acclaimed songwriter Bartees Strange blossomed, the development of her creative relationship with producer Mallory Hauser, and what’s in store for Hot Moms Club in 2024. Eliza also picked some great records from Tom’s collection, including some choice cuts from Lomelda, Barrie, Katy Kirby, and more. Check out the official playlist for Episode 232 to peep her selections.

Welcome To The Club is out now! You can purchase a copy of the EP on Bandcamp (along with other cool merch) or stream it on your platform of choice. Keep up with Hot Moms Club on Instagram.

Episode 231 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Matt Allan of the Brooklyn-based band Star 80. We last chatted with Allen prior to the pandemic on the Look At My Records! radio program. Back then, he was releasing his first singles as Star 80, and in the intervening years, he’s accumulated a bevy of solid material. Much of it appears on his brand new, debut full-length, New View. The record is a cohesive, yet eclectic mix of stories and sonics, with Springsteen, British post-punk, and more playing an influential role. During the interview, Matt and Tom chatted at length about New View, including how Atlantic City inspired the second track on the album, “Atlantic City,” how a well-known Sopranos quote worked its way into the sixth track, “Autumnal Baby,” and much more. Plus, Matt picked some excellent records from Tom’s collection, including choice cuts from Tommy Keene, Purple Mountains, and Pulp. You can follow along with his selections via the official playlist for Episode 231.

New View is available to purchase via Bandcamp. You can also stream it on Spotify.

Our friend Kip Berman, who performs as The Natvral returns to the Look At My Records! podcast for Episode 230! Since he last appeared on the podcast in 2021  the former Pains of Being Pure at Heart frotman has released a few singles as The Natvral, and last week, he shared the project’s second full-length, Summer of No Light. The title, which was inspired by the climate crisis of 1816, draws parallels to two “lost summers” in Berman’s own life, specifically, his first summer post-grad in 2002 and the shut-in pandemic summer of 2020. It was during the latter that Berman penned the songs that appear on the record, escaping nightly to the basement of his Princeton home after putting his kids to sleep. During the interview, Berman and Tom chatted about this period of deep reflection, including what it was like sifting through past memories and relationships during a time of isolation, how the writer Mary Shelley inspired the record’s themes, the more full band sound of “Summer of No Light,” recording with producer Andy Savors for the fourth time, and more. Kip also picked some awesome records from Tom’s collection, including some great cuts from the Kinks, Girls, Billy Bragg, and more. You can follow along with the official playlist for Episode 230.

Summer of No Light is out now via Dirty Bingo Records. You can order a copy on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. You can also listen to The Natvral on your streaming platform of choice. Keep up with the project by following them on Instagram.

The Natvral will be performing at Pet Shop in Jersey City next Thursday, September 14th. He’ll be performing alongside Desir Decir and Joy Cleaner. Doors are at 7 pm and admission is free. For more information, check out the event listing here on the site.

Episode 229 of Look At My Records! features an interview with Brooklyn artist Oropendola. The project of songwriter Joanna Schubert recently shared their debut album as Oropendola, an eclectic and vibrant 11-song collection titled Waiting For The Sky To Speak. The record, which is described as a “celebration of choosing life even in the face of its ephemerality, and of finding motion even in the midst of stillness,” shimmers with bursts of energy and emotion, swinging from playfulness to earnestness with deft, technicolor brushstrokes. During the interview, Shubert and Tom spoke at length about the record, including its themes, her “morning pages” writing strategy for certain tracks, and how playing a supporting role in projects like Barrie helped shape her songwriting.  They also touched on Schubert’s formative years in New Jersey, her experiences attending LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, and more. Schubert also picked some excellent records from my collection, including choice cuts from Joni Mitchell, TLC, Beach House, and more. You can follow along via the official playlist for Episode 229.

Waiting For The Sky To Speak is out now via Spirit House Records. You can purchase it on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. It’s also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the project via Instagram.