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A great chat with Jay Pennington (aka Rusty Lazer), a New Orleans-based musician and organizer. He’s best known as the live DJ and creative partner of Sissy Bounce rapper Nicky Da B, and as the onetime manager of Big Freedia. In 2006 he co-founded the artist-driven nonprofit organization New Orleans Airlift. He helped create the Music Box Village, where every house can be used as in instrument. We get into the music industry from Jay's unique perspective -- prepare to be dazzled!

A lovely late-night chat with multi-instrumentalist Aurora Nealand from New Orleans. We unpack Nealand's 2017 masterpiece, "The Monocle" and much more. Whether you're a searcher or a believer, believe this: Aurora is a heavy-hitter who will leave you smiling. Get into it!

From Rhino Party HQ we catch up with their fierce leader, Sébastien CoRhino. We not only talk about some inside party tactics, we also unpack his career in music with the collective LE GGRIL out of Rimouski, Quebec. Sébastien does a COVID test during the episode, and pure chaos oozes from nostril from there: including an historic appointment, a thickening of the caucus, if you will (and you won't). Get into the politics of music and madness with none other than the chef pachyderm himself, the legendary Sébastien CoRhino!

We get to talk with an accordion legend, Michael Ward-Bergeman a passionate performer, songwriter and composer. In 2011 he launched his GIG 365 project, which saw him performing at least one gig for every day of 2011. Performances took place at an incredibly diverse range of venues in over thirty-five states and nine countries. Highlights included performances at Gainesville Correctional Facility, Danish Radio Concert Hall, and on the streets of New Orleans. Ward-Bergeman’s electro-acoustic compositions have won international awards and he has premiered new works at Carnegie Hall. In 2011 he was commissioned to compose for Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. This episode is chalk full of wisdom, hope you dig it!

Friendly Rich catches up with the great experimental artist Vicky Mettler, aka Kee Avil from her hometown of Montreal. They discuss her process and what led to her upcoming release "Crease" which comes out next Friday March 11, 2022. You get a sneak peak today into the wacky world of producer, guitarist and artist extraordinaire -- Kee Avil. Enjoy!

From his bunker in San Francisco, we catch up with the godfather of weird, the elder statesperson of experimental music, the reason for the season -- none other than Homer Flynn. Homer Flynn is an American artist, graphic designer and businessman who is a founding member, co-owner and President of The Cryptic Corporation; the management firm who have represented the legendary cult band The Residents since 1976. We talk about family, friendship, Vonnegut, the music industry, the new book on The Residents by Melodic Virtue and even get a sneak peak into the creative process of The Residents. Enjoy!

We go cross-continental on today's episode from Berlin to Brampton, with the great John Kameel Farah. We talk about his unique path to music, his one-of-a-kind compositions, with a side order of barbershop magazines, Bramalea bullies, and more!

In this episode, we talk with jazz legend Richard Underhill of his early days coming up in Toronto, co-leading The Shuffle Demons, touring, promotion, even running for mayor!! Get on the right path with sax great, Richard Underhill. Enjoy the ride!

The ever-evolving Aiyun Huang enjoys a musical life as soloist, chamber musician, researcher, teacher, and producer. In this episode we talk about her amazing career to date, and how she found her voice as an artist/educator. Bon appetit!

This talk with Hugh Marsh goes all over the place, from his work on the Armageddon score to 3am phone calls from Robert Palmer. Hugh Marsh has had some incredible adventures in music, playing with everybody from Loreena McKennitt, The Rheostatics, Bruce Cockburn and more. Hugh shares some very important tactics in this episode, as he prepares to release an album of 80s cover tunes, alongside Kevin Hearn. Get into it, an epic chat with the prolific violin guru, Hugh Marsh!

Suzie Vinnick unlocks the secret level of Industry Tactics, where we talk Hyundai Touring, Ellen McIlwaine, growing up in Saskatoon, with a side order of Tim Hortons jingle work. Dig in to a DIY feast, served fresh from just yesterday with the great Suzie Vinnick!

An uplifting chat with the Professor Emeritus, Casey Sokol. We talk about piano performance, music education, improvisation, early days in Toronto and a hell of a lot more! This episode pairs nicely with episodes 129 (Lisa Conway), 19 (Bob Wiseman) and 71 (D Alex Meeks). Let's connect the dots!

Shanika Maria is a queer Black singer-songwriter, producer and creator currently based in Toronto. Her lyrics are contemplative and introspective. She is influenced by music across genres, borrowing sounds and ideas from country, folk, jazz, classical, latin and electronic music. She is interested in integrating new styles and ways of creating music into her practice. In this episode we discuss her latest release under the artist name Shn Shn and a new EP, "Estranged". Sponsored by the new absurdist comedy podcast series The Boringville Chronicles [subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts].

On his way to Nova Scotia to start afresh, we catch up with trombonist, composer and producer, Tom Richards about his incredible musical career to date. We go from Moosejaw, to Boston, to Toronto, to Nova Scotia! His "Unfolding River" a ten-year ongoing series of 81 compositions based on the Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu is a work of true beauty that we unpack at great length. Get out your notepad, and maybe a spreadsheet, as we sit with the great Tom Richards.

What a special talk with Canadian trumpeter, improviser, prolific composer, and bandleader Lina Allemano. From her flat in Berlin, we discussed how she has shaped her life as a creative musician. With an active international career, performing and recording cutting-edge contemporary music primarily in experimental, conceptual, improvised and jazz settings, Lina is a fountain of creativity, working in a wide array of genres. She is educated in both classical and jazz trumpet and specializes in extended technique on her instrument. Allemano now splits her time between the music scenes in TORONTO and BERLIN, and she runs her own internationally-acclaimed record label LUMO RECORDS. It's mushroom season! Sponsored by the new podcast THE BORINGVILLE CHRONICLES, available wherever you fetch your fungus.

He's a tour guide, he's punk, he's jazz, and everything in between - Jaymz Bee shows us all how to live a creative life to its fullest. Learn how he does it, his tactics, his philosophy, he is a very generous artist and he does not skimp today on sharing how to keep it weird! An deep dive that barely scratches the surface on the many lives of Jaymz Bee.

Colin Fisher listens to himself, and shares the deep wisdom in this episode. We talk Alexander Technique, Stratford, Bieber, music festivals and much more. The audio quality may be a little dicey, but don't turn that shit down like those wankers from NXNE -- crank it!

Legendary songwriter Ron Sexsmith shares much of his learning to date, from a rich career in music that spans over three decades. We talk about his early days, working with various producers like Mitchell Froom, Tchad Blake and many others. A generous artist and national treasure, hope you enjoy this very special episode with Ron Sexsmith!

From his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, we catch up with drummer, writer, poet, percussionist Dr. Rob Wallace. We discuss his dedication essay "On Neil Peart", his time in Guelph, Nonessential Records and his beautiful career in music to date. Get into it!

The final of our partnership with the Guelph Jazz Festival, this an insightful chat with festival founder, Dr. Ajay Heble. From his chalet in the Gaspé, Dr. Heble unravels his early career, what led him to the City of Guelph, and the rest is history. Ajay Heble is Director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation and Professor of English in the School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph. He is the author or editor of several books, and a founding co-editor of the journal Critical Studies in Improvisation/Études critiques en improvisation. We hope you enjoy this interview as we prepare for another incredible year of the Guelph Jazz Festival (Sept 14-19, 2021).