The House List Podcast

Shawn J. Period made an enduring mark in music during his prolific production output of the 90's - with his seminal hip-hop trio Down South (Big Beat/Atlantic) and later across a sprawling canvas for artists like Mos Def, Black Star, DJ Krush, Artifacts, Mike Zoot, Boot Camp and numerous others. Host Peter Agoston and Shawn J. dig deep into that period of time and bring it full circle in this rare and candid conversation on his life and career. After years of communicating on the phone and email this episode also marked the first time they met in person. Both natives of Virginia - we know Peter was excited to talk about that fact, so shouts to all those in or from VA listening! The true heads will definitely find this chat a treat and if you happen to be unfamiliar with this incredible multi-instrumentalist / producer, we hope it's a great primer to his catalog of music from then to now. Afterward, don't forget to subscribe!

This is certifiably an epic conversation. Marking our lengthiest episode to date, 'The House List' host Peter Agoston caught up with his old friend and collaborator Ge-ology. He is an incredible visual artist, painter/collage-art, soulful music producer and the Internationally touring club DJ. Growing up in Baltimore, Ge-ology graduated from The Baltimore School for the Arts, where he had (produced/DJ'ed) a seminal hip-hop group by the name of Born Busy with friend and classmate Tupac Shakur. Geo would also graduate from NYC's School of Visual Arts, which is where he'd befriend fellow-student and future collaborator Matt Doo. Together they formed 'Dooable Arts' amassing a mind-bending look-book of ground-breaking design work for print, album-covers, clothing and more - all sans the use of computers. Agoston and Ge-ology even breakdown the process behind his creation of the seminal Mos Def single 'Body Rock' in which he made the original art and record cover. It's an deep, in-depth conversation about growing up, art, DJing, music, Baltimore, and New York. Take your time with it and enjoy!

Welcome back! We usher in 2017 with an all new episode and the continuation of our conversation with booking agent/manager Michelle Cable, owner of Panache Booking. In this Pt. 2, we talk at length about Panache's move to Brooklyn in the mid 2000s, where our host Peter Agoston worked as an agent for some years. We go cover specifics with some of the agency's core acts past and present, including: Blowfly, Ty Segall, Monotonix, RTX/Royal Trux, The Spits, Mac Demarco + more - we got really in depth. Listeners get a candid look into the workings of the sought after boutique agency... there is MUCH more in this special 2017 kick-off episode, so get situated and press play. But if you haven't already, subscribe why don't ya? Happy New Year from 'The House List'!

In the final episode of 'The House List' for 2016, host Peter Agoston sat with old friend and colleague Michelle Cable in special extended two-part convo! Cable runs the highly respected Panache Booking agency - regarded worldwide as one of the more distinguished independent agencies in North America.. Panache currently represents a roster of beloved bands including: Mac Demarco, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Reigning Sound + many more. The first part of this conversation we cover her origin story. Born in DC her family soon moved cross-country to the quaint Northern California town of Fortuna. When Michelle was in high school, she established Panache originally as a zine. Host Agoston first met Cable as a teenage publisher/show-promoter and would soon become a regular contributor to the distinctive DIY-rag. The two delve deep into Humboldt-talk - laying a rich landscape of context as old friends catch up and reminisce. Part Two continues into Michelle's move to NYC (+ most recently to LA) and the evolution of her magazine into a full-service touring/booking agency. There is a lot more covered too so enjoy part one and thank you for listening and all the support in 2016! Look for much more in the new year!

Ep. 13 - Brian Coleman - Many folks out there know how deep 'The House List' host Peter Agoston's hip-hop roots travel so it's always a treat when he can sit in conversation with a fellow hip-hop journalist/collector. Here Peter and Author/journalist Brian Coleman do just that. You may know Coleman from his books - authoring three definitive hip-hop music tomes in the last 5 years - the self-published 'Rakim Told Me' and 'Check The Technique' (pts 1 and 2) - essential reading from the curious, casual fan to the intellectual inquisitive music-thinker. Funk spelunking at its most thoro. A longtime Boston resident, we dig deep into more than just the music of hip-hop but the worlds of local punk/hardcore/ska. With such ground covered in his books - host Peter Agoston and Coleman cover some key bits on hip-hop's most revered full-lengths.. Brian is also a player in the 'Get On Down' release-series - the cats behind recent Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang and Slum Village 7" box-sets among many others. A must listen for burgeoning music writers and hip-hop heads alike. Ok.. enough bio-typing, just listen!

In this episode Peter Agoston sat with iconic underground show promoter Todd Patrick (aka Todd P). Undoubtedly, Todd's impact in the NYC underground/experimental music community is powerful - Establishing a platform for both kids and show-goers as well as countless bands/performers through a rotation of alternative All Ages show spaces (primarily Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint). We talk about his modest start at college in Texas, a chance meeting with Elliot Smith that inspired a move to Portland, OR that would find him running his first show space 17 Nautical Miles. We go deep into his history in venues and his experiences as a Independent promoter working aside a corporate music industry.. In lieu of what's happening with all ages/DIY show-spaces across the country, this episode couldn't come at a more fitting time. We hope you enjoy

Our very special guest is Minneapolis born & bred self-taught multi-instrumentalist/DJ/producer Andrew Broder. Outside of his many Anticon-related contributions, Many will know of Andrew through his work as 'Fog' - the solo bedroom producer project which evolved into a full live-rock band (releasing a handful of albums on Ninja Tune and Lex) - now finds Andrew back to form on a more solo-driven 5th full-length "For Good". We chat about his begins in Minneapolis, as simply, DJ Andrew, our mutual connection through the cult-classic magazine Life Sucks Die. He was about to go on a lengthy European tour before our conversation and is returning to NYC on 12/12 and 12/13 opening for Bon Iver at King's Theater. So why not share this now! Make sure you purchase "For Good" - we play a snippit of "Kid Kuma" at the end of the show.

In our special 10th Episode host Peter Agoston takes a moment to reflect on the tragedy at Ghost Ship in Oakland. Later we catch up with an old friend in show-promoting, Jake Szufnarowski (note Peter humorously attempting to pronounce his last name). Primarily known for his NYC based company Rock's Off, Jake is also the talent buyer/booker at Brooklyn Bowl London. Peter and Jake remember his days at seminal downtown NYC venues: Tramps and the Knitting Factory. We go into his time at Cannes with Kid Rock and U2, surviving some misadventures at Gathering of The Juggalos and his friendship with 'The King of the Surf Guitar', Dick Dale. Jake is also running 3 miles everyday of 2016 to build awareness for an educational fund set up at Boston's Berklee College of Music in memory of his late friend & band-mate Rockin' Rodney Speed. Jake is a one of a kind human being, an incredibly unique show promoter, and keen anecdotist. Enjoy the show.

Ep. 9 - Host Peter Agoston chats with Sound Engineer and Tour Manager, Melanie Renecker on this episode. The two were both employees of the Leonard Street location of famed music venue the Knitting Factory. Agoston went on to work as a booking agent while Renecker took her board-work as Front of House and Monitor engineer out on the road (most regularly with Deer Tick and it's many side-projects), she now lives in Austin, TX and spends much of her time working on the road. During out chat she was out with a singer/songwriter by the name of David Ramirez whom she had a show just hours later. This show is especially for all the touring FOH's, Monitor engineers, and tour managers.

Ep. 8 - S.H. Fernando Jr - As a special Thanksgiving weekend double-episode, we sat with Skiz, the multi-talented Harvard grad, writer/author, film-maker, producer and now chef, for a flavor-packed chat about his life and career. As the founder of WordSound Records, a label known for it's deep, dense dub/hip-hop releases, he's also been produced original music under the name Spectre since 1995. As a college-radio DJ while attending Harvard, Skiz met the founders of rap-tome The Source and shortly thereafter began a long journey into music writing - known globally for his amazing book 'The New Beats'(published in '94), Fernando quickly became one of Rap's earliest published authors. We reflect fondly about both of us working on the VH1 reality show, ego trip's 'The White Rapper Show'... Skiz also brought Anthony Bourdain to Sri Lanka for a taping of his show 'No Reservations', which we get the scoop on. Enjoy all this and more on 'The House List'!

This fantastic episode was recorded using the wonderful facilities at beloved free form radio station WFMU (91.1FM)in Jersey City, NJ, where our special guest Billyjam has held a long run show 'Put The Needle on The Record' for years. Yet Billy, a native of Dublin, Ireland, has a history in radio running rather deep and in our talk we uncovered his origin-story getting his start in radio in Berkeley, Calif in the early 80's. Working his way around various stations and eventually becoming a pivotal figure-piece on the Pirate Radio scene. Many folks know Billy for his work with a wide swath of Bay Area rap/hip-hop artists - from Mac Dre, Master P, E-40, RBL Posse, Andre Nickatina and many more - along with playing an influential roll in pushing performance DJ-culture to new heights with his famed HipHopSlam series, affiliations with Bomb Records, and more. Ok - now just listen to this great conversation with Billyjam - especially because we're both on our own mic's!! If you dig this - please subscribe & comment!

In this episode host Peter Agoston met up with cult-hero, performance-artist/composer Gary Wilson, in a tiny hotel somewhere on the East Side of Manhattan. Having worked together for some years, the two caught up on old times as well as delving deep into Gary's childhood. Growing up in the small upstate New York village of Endicott (best known as the "Birthplace of IBM"). We spoke of Earl Sweathship and Jimmy Kimmel, seeing The Beatles at Shea Stadium (and The Worlds Fair, on the same day), his early, yet brief mentorship by John Cage, his time playing the Blues in L.A. in the early 80's (when it's often been reported he's stopped making music and disappeared), among much more. Gary is a musical genius, enjoy this rare peak into the real life of Gary Wilson ..... and then seek out his albums!

On June 25th of 2016 after over 20 twenty years in business - at the same location no less - beloved New York City record store Other Music closed its doors. For this episode of 'The House List' host Peter Agoston sat with OM shop-owner Josh Madell + long-time employee's Duane Harriott and Gerald Hammill for a candid conversation about Other Music's storied history. While in the shadow of their neighbor Tower Records, the East Village record store ushered in a new wave of music consumers in NYC. Born out of ex-Kim's employees, the Other Music story can apply to any 'Mom & Pop' shop across the globe. There is a certain level of blood, dust and guts, oh plus rent checks that comes with the turf of maintaining any record store. They aren't cash cows, so a particularly high level of dedication to the art can be found at the better ones. We recount it all from opening to closing. The records, the trends, the in-stores. Essential listening for any one that stepped into Other Music over the years as well any fan of record store culture. Enjoy! And please feel free to spread the word about this podcast to anyone you think may be interested.

For our forth episode of 'The House List' host Peter Agoston took the iron horse up to Spanish Harlem to have a fun, candid chat with the multi-talented (label exec, publicist, curator) Fiona Bloom. Born in Great Britain, Bloom came to the U.S. first for studies as a Classical Pianist. After realizing that may not be her true calling (with a brief stint in Israel) she returned to slowly make her way to NYC. Navigating the record business working at such labels as Chrysalis, Zero Hour, 3-2-1 and SubVerse Music (where she may be most known for seminal projects with MF Doom, Blackalicious, Rubberoom, and many others). She now runs her own company, The Bloom Effect. We recorded this conversation in an empty elementary school class room, which you can pick up in the overall ambience of the recording. I had to record the intro on my telephone, thus the poppin' P's! Thanks for tuning into 'The House List', please make sure to subbscribe and spread the word if dig the conversations! This is produced very independently so we appreciate you taking the time to listen.

On this episode of 'The House List', Peter Agoston travels to the top of The Bronx for a rare conversation with one of Hip-Hop's unsung legends, JUST-ICE. Born in Brooklyn, reared in the Bronx, Just-Ice is New York City personified. We talk about the earliest inclinations of what would be the genre of Hip-Hop, Justice's vast record collection, his seminal works with Kurtis Mantronik on the Fresh/Sleeping Bag imprint, getting lit with T-La Rock & Laurence Fishburne, playing ball with BDP's Scott La Rock, and much more. This is an essential listening for any purveyor of Classic Hip-Hop. All recorded in Just-Ice's home in the Bronx. Thanks for tuning into 'The House List', please make sure to subscribe and spread the word if dig where we're coming from! This is produced very independently! The intro's will tighten up over time, they were recorded in my bathroom!