Low Times » Podcast

In Episode 50 of the Low Times Podcast, co-hosts Tom Scharpling, Maggie Serota and Daniel Ralston get together for the 2nd installment of the Fantasy Band Draft. They each draft a complete band from a pool of musicians (in this case 2014 Grammy nominees and 2013 and 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees). Once the bands are set, the arguing and back-stabbing commence. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 50 Play:

Paul Williams is a Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe-winning songwriter and performer. His songs have been recorded by David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Kermit the Frog and countless others. He's the President of ASCAP and an addiction and recovery counselor. Also, Williams is currently nominated for the Album of the Year Grammy for his work with Daft Punk. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 49 Play:

Alec Ounsworth is the singer and songwriter in Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, one of the first bands to hit it big in the "Myspace Era". Their self-released debut sold hundreds of thousands of copies and garnered endless hype. Alec sits down with Daniel Ralston to discuss his band's successes, failures, the business of blowing up and coming back down to earth. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 48 Play:

In episode 47, Maggie Serota sits down with Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers to discuss discovering music with childhood friend and legendary musician Richard Thompson, the transition from being part of a band to being a solo artist and how his failed attempts at becoming a scientist led to his musical career. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 47 Play:

Martin Rev is a founding member of legendary proto-punk band Suicide. In this career-spanning chat with Daniel Ralston, he discusses the dark origins of his first drum machine, Suicide's violent gigs opening for Elvis Costello, the Clash and others as well as Bruce Springsteen's long time Suicide fandom. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 46 Play:

In episode 45, Maggie Serota sits down with Jacob Slichter, drummer for Semisonic and author of the memoir So You Wanna Be a Rock n' Roll Star. They discuss the process of being courted by major labels, far-fetched music video treatments and the uncomfortable things the band had to when promoting its hit single "Closing Time." Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 45 Play:

Glenn Tilbrook, frontman for the English rock band Squeeze, sat down with Daniel Ralston to discuss working with John Cale, touring with Aimee Mann and hearing the influence of Squeeze on modern indie rock. Glenn also talks about his songwriting partnership with bandmate Chris Difford, which Bob Dylan called "the greatest since Lennon and McCartney". Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 44 Play:

In episode 43, Maggie Serota sits down with Seymour Stein, the President and co-founder of Sire records. They discuss the first time Seymour Stein saw The Ramones, the time he met with Madonna while in a hospital bed and the role the club CBGB played in his long and storied career in the music business. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 43 Play:

We've collected some of our favorite stories from the first 40 episodes of Low Times in celebration of our first New York Live Show, taking place October 5th at Union Hall. Episode 40 features stories from Guy Picciotto of Fugazi, Dave Wyndorf of Monster Magnet, Peter Hook of New Order/Joy Division, Chvrches, Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys and Janet Weiss of Wild Flag/Sleater-Kinney. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 40 Play:

Author and musician (1/3 of the band Buffalo Tom) Bill Janovitz payed a visit to Low Times HQ where he sat down with Maggie Serota to discuss his role on My So Called Life, the time he bonded with Keith Richards over their mutual love of Chuck Berry and his new book, Rocks Off: 50 Tracks That Tell The Story of the Rolling Stones. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 39 Play:

Low Times co-hosts Daniel Ralston and Maggie Serota are joined by Jake Fogelnest and returning guest Christian Finnegan for another "Oh Yeah!/Oh No!" discussion. The goal of the conversation is to find the absolute high point and absolute low point in the careers on the artists they love. The episode features discussions on Devo, Bob Dylan and The Misfits. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 38 Play:

Sarah Neufeld is best known as a member of Arcade Fire. She dropped by Low Times HQ to discuss her yoga studio, the early influence of her brother on her playing, fronting a band in high school and the differences between her solo work and the collaborative process of Arcade Fire. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 37 Play:

Lauren Mayberry and Martin Doherty of Chvrches talk to Maggie Serota about the band's forthcoming tour opening for Depeche Mode, their first appearance on American television, Lauren's qualms with how she is portrayed in interviews and Martin's failed attempt at meeting Morrissey. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 36 Play:

Our guests, author/actor DC Pierson and Grantland Staff Writer Bill Barnwell sit down with Low Times co-hosts Tom Scharpling and Daniel Ralston to define the 1990s in a single song. Forget "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (too good) or "Sex and Candy" (too awful), the Most '90s Song of the '90s is earnest, catchy, dated and reaches for a level of sophistication to which it can't live up. We'd also like to know what song YOU think defines the '90s. Tweet us, @lowtimes and give us your choice. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 35 Play:

Alex Zhang Hungtai plays under the name Dirty Beaches. He sat down with Daniel Ralston to discuss creating, destroying and owning his persona. He also recounts his time working in kitchens, his love of "Rhythm Nation" and finding comfort in new experiences. Subscribe: iTunes | RSS Download: Episode 34 Play: