Spare Notes
Spare Notes is a music-based podcast featuring conversations with indie musicians that explore the ins and outs of the internal, artistic process. Hosted by music journalist Jonah Evans, each week sees new artists join the conversation to discuss topics ranging from artistic influences to the role mental health plays in art and music.
Three Questions with Kylie Gaspard of Cashier
For this segment I prepare three questions only, and then let the wind take us. In this episode, I interviewed Kylie Gaspard who sings and plays guitar in the Lafayette, Louisiana band, Cashier. Their new EP, The Weight just came out. Kylie Gaspard talks about her Cajun roots and community, we delve into some influences and inspirations, and talk a little bit about the construction and intention behind the songs of The Weight EP.
Cashier, The Weight: https://cashier-band.bandcamp.com/album/the-weight
Cashier IG: https://www.instagram.com/cashier.band
...
SN: Mental Health in Music with Ale Campos ( Iggy Pop, Las Nubes, Ana No Duerme )
Welcome to the second episode of Spare Notes: Mental Health in Music. This is a new segment of the podcast where Jonah Evans is joined by co-host Thrin Vianale (Winded). They talk to artists about mental health, well, in music. This can include mental health while touring, mental health in general, and or mental health related to music in any way. Episodes of this segment will generally air on the last Saturday of the month, featuring Thrin and Jonah in conversation with a new musician or musicians each time.
In this episode, Thrin and Jonah interviewed Ale...
Three Questions with Trembler
Three Questions with Trembler
At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. I had a nice chat with Luke Gonzales of the band, Trembler. They have a new EP out called Total Sorry. It kind of dawned on me how much I listened to Trembler's previous work after jumping back in for this interview. I think it was on some playlist where songs from the Trembler//Palefade split from 2023, an awesome EP with another sick band thatâs more metal/post-hardcore-ish than I...
Three Questions with Ringing
Three Questions: While Ringing has been making music for a minute, their debut album, another cycle in the cosmic wash, is coming out March 20 on Julia's War & Signal//Noise. Colton Waker and I get into the recording of the album, how the band conceptualized some of their recording through live show references, and some Cloakroom. They have two singles out right now, âWant2want2â and âincandecent.â Go check them out.
Ringing: ringingnyc.bandcamp.com/music
Ringing Insta: www.instagram.com/ringingnyc
Julia's War: juliaswar.com
Signal Noise: https://signalnoiserecords.com/
Three Questions with Flippeur
This segment is called Three Questions. At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall.
In this episode, I interviewed Yacine and Léo from the Parisian band Flippeur. Their latest record, Elastique, came out on Howlin' Banana Records a few months ago.
Bandcamp: flippeur.bandcamp.com/album/elastique
Instagram: www.instagram.com/flippeur_/
Howin' Banana Records: howlinbananarecords.com
Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: h...
Three Questions with Delaney Bailey
This segment is called Three Questions. At least one question is about the artist's current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall.
In this episode, Jonah interviewed Delaney Bailey. Her latest album, Concave, just came out, and itâs a banger! Some things they talk about include Romanticism, soundscape, and production.
Delaney Bailey: https://www.delaneybaileymusic.com/
Intro Music: is "XXO" from the album Teeth by Magana: https://maganarama.bandcamp.com/album/teeth
Three Questions with Special Friend
In this episode, Jonah interviewed Guillaume and Erica of the band Special Friend. Theyâre single âBreakfast,â and the music video for the song came out last month, and their new album comes out on March 20th! One of them lives in Paris and the other, outside. There's a conversation about the evolution of the duo, how access can affect production of music, and some meanings behind the band's artwork and lyrics.
"Breakfast" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV0UutWIPAw
Special Friend Social: https://www.instagram.com/specialfriendmusic/
H...
SN: Mental Health in Music: Sam (Two Inch Astronaut/Deady/Mister Goblin) is interviewed by Thrin (Winded) and Jonah about mental health as a musician
Welcome to Spare Notes: Mental Health in Music. This is a new segment of the podcast where Jonah Evans is joined by co-host Thrin Vianale (Winded). They talk to artists about mental health, well, in music. This can include mental health while touring, mental health in general, and or mental health related to music in any way. Episodes will air on the last Saturday of each month, featuring Thrin and Jonah in conversation with a new musician or musicians each time.
In this episode, Thrin and Jonah interviewed Sam of (Two Inch Astronaut/Mister Goblin/Deady). In...
Buildings on Reuniting, Influences, Lyrics of the Past, and Making New Music
I interviewed Brian from the noise rock band Buildings. Buildings originally broke up in 2020 in the midst of the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. We met last year through a mutual friend, and I was fortunate to get to see Buildings play in Portland, Oregon, at that time. It was in November. I recorded two sessions with Brian because the first session focused more on influences and how the band got back together. In the second session, we get into the discography of Buildings, how they operated as a band, and what their future may hold.
Instagram...
Three Questions with Local Weatherman
In this episode, I spoke with Fritz Ortman of Local Weatherman, a Brooklyn-based band. Their new EP, Right One, was released on January 16th by Karol Records. Some things that Frizt and I talk about in the interview include the magic of DIY shows and the production of the Right One EP.
Local Weatherman: https://linktr.ee/LocalWeatherman
Karol Records: https://karolrecords.bandcamp.com/
Original photo by: Caroline Safran @ https://www.carolinesafran.com/
Ideofon Talks TromsĂž, The Arctic Circle, and Creating their Sound
In this episode, I talked to Ideofon. They have a new single called âLAVA" that just came out, and a new EP called The Alps available on Bandcamp. They are originally based out of Tromso, Norway. Fun fact: TromsĂž is in the Arctic Circle. We talk about where they formed, Social media shenanigans, and how they make music together. See you on the other side
Bandcamp: https://ideofon.bandcamp.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ideofon
Episode Track Listing: 1. "Bright White Light" 2. "Misadventures in Broadcasting" 3. "LAVA".
Three Questions with Samuel Aaron & Glass Beagle
This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist three questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Samuel Aaron and Glass Beagle. Theyâre two separate acts formed for a two-song EP called Home Again / Storm Chaser. Theyâre out of Chicago, Illinois. We get into the topics of Home, Cross-Colaboration, Lyrics, and Imagery.
Home Again / Storm Chaser EP: Samual Aaron: https://musicbysamuelaaron.bandcamp.com/album/home-again-storm-chaser Glass Beagle: http...
Leilani Patao Talks New EP, Self-Love, and the State of Music Streaming
In this episode, I talked to Leiani Patao. They have a new EP that just came out called 'Daisy.' They're originally from LA but live in NYC. We cover topics like the State of music Streaming, the practices of self-awareness and self-love, and songwriting.
Bandcamp: https://leilanipatao.bandcamp.com/album/daisy-2
linktree: https://linktr.ee/leilanijpatao
Released by Audio Antihero: https://audioantihero.com/
Photo by Shannon McMahon: https://mylittleunderground.neocities.org/
Episode Track Listing: 1. "BIRD WHISTLE" 2. "get em boy." 3. "Red Hair Dye. 4. "branded." 5. "portrait"<...
Three Questions with MONT LOSER
This segment is called Three Questions. One question is specifically focused on their current project, and the other two generally revolve around ideas related to their art as a whole. In this episode, I interviewed Suzy from MONT LOSER. The band is from Paris and they recently released their first single, "Never Guess." We talk about the Paris DIY music scene too! Check it out!
Ce segment s'appelle Trois Questions. Une question est spécifiquement axée sur leur projet actuel, et les deux autres tournent généralement autour d'idées liées à leur art dans son ens...
Three Questions with Elie Zoé
This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist 3 in-depth questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Elie ZoĂ©. Theyâre a Swiss artist originally from Lausanne who recently released their 4th studio album, âShifting Forms.â We cover topics like snail touring, the importance of community, and what might happen when we name anything. The song coming up is âShifting Forms.â
Elie Zoé: https://humus-records.com/elie-zoe/
Bandcamp: ht...
Ivy Boy Talks Debut Album, Life Changes, and a Little Bit of Nostalgia
In this episode, I talked to Perry Eaton, AKA Ivy Boy. The self-titled debut record of Ivy Boy came out on October 24th. Heâs from Boston, Massachusetts, and a fun fact: heâs one of the co-founders of Allston Pudding. he was kind enough to share some demos of a couple of songs for the episode, so youâll hear some before and after snippets of those two songs, as well as part of another song or two. We cover topics like recording, life changes, and nostalgia.
K and B of Bussy Kween Power Trip talk Cracker Barrel, Performance, and How they Create
In this episode, I had a nice chat with B and K from the band Bussy Kween Power Trip, from Chicago, Illinois. Their debut album, Coming With the Strap, came out earlier this year. I actually saw them in Philly a few months ago at Break Free Fest, and they absolutely melted my face off. Bâs singing is absolutely scorching, and Kâs bass playing, I swear, some of the best in the land. We cover topics related to absurdity, performance, and Cracker Barrel.
Bussy Kween Power Trip: https://linktr.ee/bussykweenpowertrip, https://www.inst...
Three Questions with Josaleigh Pollett
This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist 3 in-depth questions. One question is for sure, specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are usually about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Josaleigh Pollett. Theyâre a Salt Lake City artist with a Poltergeist-inspired single out this week, called âRadio Player.â We get into the topics of collective grief, the ideas of Hope, Jason Molina, and the multiple avenues of uncertainty and change.
Bandcamp: https://josaleighpollett.bandcamp.com/track/radio-player
Instagram: https://www.in...
Nico Magi of Pamplemousse talks Black Box Studio (FR), Performance, and Music Inspirations
Had a nice chat with Nico Magi(Guitars/Vocals) from the band Pamplemousse. Pamplemousse is a duo and also includes Sarah Lenormad (Drums). They are based in the Lorraine region of France, though they formed in Reunion Island. Their new album Porcelain came out Septermber 26, 2025. We cover topics related to music rehearsal, Performance, and Black Box recording studio. Black Box was founded in 1993 by Iain Burgess and Peter Deimel.
Jâai eu un joli chat avec Nico Magi (Guitares/Voix) du groupe Pamplemousse. Pamplemousse est un duo et comprend Ă©galement Sarah Lenormad (Batterie). Ils sont basĂ©s dans...
Dylan Citron of Bedbug Talks DIY Music Scene and Intentional Creations
In this episode, I interviewed Bedbug, aka Dylan Citron. Theyâre a Los Angles-based artist, but used to be in Boston and threw countless shows in the DIY music scene. Their most recent Album came out a while back and is titled pack your bags the sun is growing. We discuss topics related surrounding musical influences, intentional creations, the DIY music scene in LA and Boston, and more.
Bedbug: https://www.instagram.com/bedbugofficial/
Bandcamp: https://linkedin.bandcamp.com/album/pack-your-bags-the-sun-is-growing
Episode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "halo on the interstate" 2. "pack your ba...
Lamont Brown of RNIE Talks about his New Album, 'FULL NEPTUNE'
In this episode, I interviewed Lamont Brown, best known for his moniker, RNIE. Heâs a Philadelphia-based artist. His latest LP, which is self-released, is titled FULL NEPTUNE and was released on August 29th, 2025. Originally from Pittsburgh, heâs also spent significant time coming up in the Charlotte, North Carolina, DIY music scene and New York City. We discuss topics related to music, such as influence, discipline, themes, and intentionality.
RNIE: https://www.instagram.com/rn_ie/?hl=en
Bandcamp: https://rnie.bandcamp.com/album/full-neptune
Episode Track Listing: Snippets: 1. "LOW HIGH...
Three Questions with Aure
This is a segment called Three Questions, where I ask an artist only 3 in-depth questions. One question is specifically aimed at their current project, and the other two are about ideas connected to their artistry overall. In this episode, I interviewed Aure. Sheâs a Paris-based singer, former architect, and multilingual singer. Her first EP, âA Few Notes,â was released in 2023 on Mayway Records, and sheâll release her first album in 2026. Out recently is her single âThe Sailors' Tales,â and we jump into the deep end talking about the topics of language, uncertainty, imagination, and her new song.
C'est u...
Room Sound and Raw Truth â Jens Kuross Talks 'Crooked Songs'
I sat down with Jens Kuross recently and talked about his new LP, Crooked Songs. Some themes and topics we cover are learning, ambition, recreation, and Idaho. Thereâs also a published version of this interview in The Tonearm magazine if youâd like to read it with an extended introduction. Itâs Called Room Sound and Raw Truth, and the link to the article is here: https://www.thetonearm.com/room-sound-and-raw-truth-jens-kuross-talks-crooked-songs/
Jens Kuross: https://www.jenskuross.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jenskuross/?hl=en
Released on Woodsist Records: https://woodsist.com/<...
Léna Bartels on Leaning into Intensity and Giving Herself Permision to Be as Epic as Possible
Talked to Lena Bartels recently, whose 2nd LP, called The Brightest Silver Fish, is out as of September 12th. We get into some ideas of music being a place to lean into the darkness of being alive, and what itâs like for her dipping into that eeriness. Questions that come up that we discuss and correlate with the album are what itâs like making active choices, the fragility of the COVID era, and coming out of it while planning for a future beyond that, and recognizing the moments of oscillating or moving from disempowerment to empowerment.
<...
Yuri of BOK SUNA on the Absence of Structure in Music and What Happens When Stars Collide
In this episode, I talked to Yuri, who is BOK SUNA. Her album CARNATE came out recently. A fun fact is that she illustrated her music videos, and at one point, we get into this idea of two stars converging, which is illustrated in the âdoghornâ video, and she talked about how it relates to the conception and creation of this album, CARNATE. And itâs like there are these layers of creation that BOK SUNA operates on that are just really beautiful. Yâall should check out the vids, and of course, the album. We get into the absence...
Jeni Magaña of Magana on the Tension, Release, and Resolution of Making Music
Had Jeni Magaña on recently, and her band is Magana. Sheâs a multi-instrumentalist and producer who is always creating and releasing art into the world. Her EP Bad News came out earlier this year. She also plays bass in Mitski and has another band called Pen, Pin. I think that if the world shut down again, her innate desire to create would probably produce so many albums within a year, as much of her life is spent on tour, and the time isnât always there.
Magana was kind enough to share notes connected to the m...
Alexei Shishkin on His Album 'Good Times', Getting Ideas Down, and the Nature of Music
From the importance of enjoying your creations and the nature of music, to getting down ideas and making art, Alexei Shishkin and I delve into ideas of taking advantage of time and moments to make music, because sometimes itâs hard to know what youâre gonna get done. Having created up to almost a dozen LPâs out, up-to-date, Shishkin is no stranger to getting it done. His latest record, âGood Timesâ is out September 5th. We explore the making of âGood Timesâ and get into the state of the music industry a bit.
The two latest...
14: Matt O'Connor of Tuxis Giant on the Contrast of Joy and Tragedy in Song Compositions and a Little Love for Huey Lewis
Tuxis Giant has an album coming out this week called âYou Wonât Remember this, and I had a chat with Vocalist, guitar player, Matt OâConnor about it. We got into the contrast of joy and tragedy, Midwest family feels, dove into some lyrics, and talked about Huey Lewis, as one of the songs on the record is named Huey. It was nice having Matt OâConnor on for a second time!
Tuxis Giant:
INCREDIBLE INTERACTIVE Music Video for "Huey" HERE: https://worrybeadrecords.com/huey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeDkODvqPb58g0aTwVWTpH5Mc6hXPZCtvZ...
G'Ra Asim on Race, Gender, and Class in the Punk Music Scene, in Life and in His Book, 'Boyz in the Void: A Mixtape to My Brother' featuring Guest Cohost, JK Hobson
In this interview, I was joined by writer, musician, and professor, GâRa Asim, the author of Boyz in The Void: a mixtape to my brother. His nonfiction book reflects on his own identity while navigating Blackness, and Iâm taking this from the descriptions of the book, while blending music and cultural criticism and personal essay to explore race, gender, class, and sexuality as they pertain to punk rock and straight edge culture. Using totemic punk rock songs on a mixtape to anchor each chapter, the book documents an intergenerational conversation between a Millennial in his 30s an...
Brendan Wright of Tiberius on DIY Community, Ego Death, and Creating Music in Tiberius
I recently interviewed Brendan of the band Tiberius. Theyâre releasing their new album Troubador this fall in November. Right, they have a single called âSagâ thatâs out. Thereâs a fun Music vid on YouTube for it too! Link Below
We talked about how Tiberius creates music together, the music communities in Allston/Brighton neighborhoods of Boston, the importance of the DIY music community, ego death, Rutland, Vermont, and what ambition could mean as an artist.
Tiberius â "Sag" (Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XhEQW0D8uI&list=RD9XhEQW0D8uI&s...
Sara Mae of The Noisy on Meat Dresses, Being Seen, and Creating Art that Fights Patriarichal Expectations
I recently interviewed Sara Mae Henke of The Noisy. Theyâre releasing a deluxe edition of their debut album, The Secret Ingredient is More Meat, and the Deluxe version is called The Secret Ingredient is Even More Meat. Comes out in October. Some things Sara Mae and I talk about are, but not limited to, sharing the love of silly things, performance as a clown, fighting feelings of inadequacy, creating art that fights patriarchal expectations of desirability, sharing gratitude instead of wounds, Tony Soprano, Grey Gardens, Virgin Suicides, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Check out th...
Rachel Cholst of Rainbow Rodeo on Creating, Documenting, and Preserving Queer Country Canon
I spoke with Rachel Cholst, a music journalist from New York City who has been writing about the queer country music community for the last 9 years. You may have already seen her work in magazines like No Depression, The Boot, and Wide Open Country. Currently, she is the editor of Rainbow Rodeo Magazine, and as far as she knows, Rainbow Rodeo is the first print publication devoted to queer country music.
There are interviews, reviews, critical essays, and some podcasting. Something I think that is amazing is that Cholst talks about creating, documenting, and preserving history for...
Eleanor Henderson on Ten Thousand Saints being Adapted to a Movie and the Challenges of Writing
I worked with Eleanor Henderson for a year at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, during the 2022/2023 school year. She was the chair of the Writing department at the time, and I was a lecturer. We had a lot of conversations about teaching, writing, and ideas. We've stayed in touch since, and still to this day, talk about said things, while keeping each other up to date as our lives keep moving on through new milestones. I was so excited and a little nervous to interview her. But she is a teacher, and a novelist, and her presence is very...
Misha Tentser on Writing and Using Language to Explore Comlex Emotional Experiences
I met Misha Tentser at graduate school in Syracuse, New York, four years ago and we became friends not long after. He's a poet, writer, and teacher, and it's always a pleasure to talk to him! We get deep into dream logic, mental health, the figurative weight of objects, being nerdy about your art, emotional confrontation of the self, psychogeography, and what it's like to be a writer.
Here are some links to Misha's published work!
"Before" in Midway Journal.
"BoJack Horseman Visits Chagallâs America Windows," "BoJack Horseman Visits the St...
Gory: On Finding Music Communities Far From Home, and the Life of a Nomadic Musician
Gory and I had a nice talk about what it's like for her bing a nomadic musician. She's from Panvel, Maharashtra, India, and it's difficult to play there as a musician unless you are performing covers. This spurned her musical journey. We talked about the challenge of finding a place to play at home, while finding so much by way of traveling to play. Not just artists to colaborate with, but the joy and comfort of becoming a part of a larger music community. She's got.
She just released her first EP, called Teen Error...
Thrin Vianale of Winded on Music as a Healing Process, New Records, and Growth as a Musician
I think I fell in love with winded sometime in 2022. I used to play "Swallowing Hair" and "I know it's Thin" on repeat during my drives from Syracuse, NY, to my job in Ithaca, NY. Mostly rolling hills and farms, and deep green walls of trees and fields, calm scenery. The songs soaked into my veins with their melancholic, grunge-infused, lonely, haunting guitars, and outbursts of crunchy, searing melodic static.
It was great to have a winding conversation with Thrin Vianale, the originator of Winded! What a great soul, awesome music creator, and community organizer! We went...
Matt O'Connor on the Trans Youth Emergency Project and Composing a Fundraising Music Compilation
Matt O'Connor recently started a record label inspired by the need to help trans youth, creating Worry Beads Records' first release, a compilation of 18 different bands called True Names: A Benefit for Trans Youth. We talked about how we can create space to honor and support trans youth, while not only with fundraising, but also through the impact of literature and music. We also talked about literature, the origin of True Names, and learning how to open the self by letting go of control.
Trans Youth Emergency Project Website
True Names: A Benefit...
David Schellenberg of Tunic on life and A Harmony of Loss
I tracked down David Schellenberg after listening to the new record of his band Tunic, A Harmony of Loss Has Been Sung. Listening to the album was an intense experience and a pleasure for me. I liked listening to this record in my car the best, surrounded by the dark tones, the grief and pain in the lyrics, and the absolutely stunning composition of instruments, dragging me into the depths of this loss. The deep bass, the wretched pain in Schellenberg's voice, wails of loss, and a cathartic expression through dissonant sounds and distorted guitars. The album is a...
Ian Kelly on Creating in Motion and Evolving by Letting Go
In this interview, I hang out with Ian Kelly, a versatile rapper and storyteller from Oakland, California. We talk about community, the artist's evolution, intentionality, and of course, all of this involves music.
As Iâve continued to talk to artists recently, Iâve noticed that there are certain things a few have in common in their growth. Itâs part of being intentional and part of letting go. This can seem strange because itâs contradictory, but it also seems true. Ian and I discussed this relation to his evolution. I donât know; weâll see where th...
Three Questions with Avery Friedman
I recently reviewed Friedman's debut album, New Thing, in Post-Trash magazine. Knowing she had limited time because it was the week of the album's release, I came up with three questions that focused mainly on community and performance.
This interview with my OLYMPUS Digital Voice Recorder VN-7200 was recorded over the phone, so it's fuzzy. To me, it feels like one of those voice memos on a Midwest emo song, where someone is playing some slow single-string notes on a guitar, and someone is talking over it, contemplating something.
Check out the Album...