Dry Paint Signs Presents: The Next Round

As a founding member of the Mekons, Jon Langford has been making music since the 1970s, so we had a lot to talk about in this two-beer chat at Halyards in Brooklyn.  He covers his entire history, from his childhood in Wales, to art school in Leeds, to his migration in the '90s to Chicago, where he formed the Waco Brothers.  Now backed by his band, Skull Orchard, he's just released Here Be Monsters, his critically lauded sixth solo LP.  Langford also explains how he came to design labels for Dogfish Head Brewery, and reveals the greatest gig he's ever seen. facebook.com/jonboylangford drypaintsigns.com 

As the drummer of Soulive, Alan Evans has played several concerts over the years, but the biggest event is always the band's two-week Brooklyn Bowl residency known as Bowlive.  Over a backstage beer during Bowlive 5, Evans gives a brief history of the tradition and shares his daily routine on a gig day.  Alan explains what it's like to feed off the energy of the audience, his bandmates, and any number of special guests that frequently sit in with the band.  He reveals it's this same energy that inspired the Alan Evans Trio to record their latest album, Woodstock Sessions Vol. 1, live in a room full of friends. soulive.com drypaintsigns.com

The World/Inferno Friendship Society's Jack Terricloth has a few drinks with me at Matt Torrey's in Williamsburg.  He shares his thoughts on what makes a good bar and why he prefers to write songs about historical figures.  Jack reflects on his first punk show, his time in Sticks & Stones, and the collaboration with Mitch Clem to create a comic book to accompany the band's latest EP. worldinferno.com drypaintsigns.com

Gordon Voidwell sits down for a drink between DJ sets at Brooklyn Bowl.  He explains why he classifies his music as "memory pop" and why fashion is important to him as a performer.  Having just released his third mixtape, Bad Études, Gordon shares his thoughts on the current state of the music industry, as well as his picks for a dream producer. www.gordonvoidwell.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Chris Mills and I sit down for "the best interview he's ever been a part of" in this funny, milkshake-fueled chat at Fort Greene's 67 Burger.  Mills explains how teaching affirmed his idea of the power of a song, and how Kickstarter demonstrated that power firsthand with fans of his around the world.  Some have even named their children after him!  He talks about a few of the tunes on his latest LP, Alexandria, a full-band effort that can't easily be confined to a genre. www.chrismillsmusic.com www.drypaintsigns.com    

Philadelphia folk artist Chris Kasper has a pre-show drink with me at Little Town in NYC.  On the road with the Wood Brothers, Chris takes a guess at why artists from Amos Lee to Tristan Prettyman choose to bring him along on tour.  He details the entire process of his latest album,Bagabones, from workshopping tunes in a primitive cabin in upstate NY to the finishing touches that were funded via PledgeMusic.  He also tells what makes a great cover song, and champions the healing power of music. www.chriskasper.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz of ALO has a beer with me at the Wythe Hotel's Rooftop Bar in Brooklyn, NY.  Having just played a show at Brooklyn Bowl with his latest side project Incidental Animals, he explains the nuances of performing with improvisational groups like Everyone Orchestra and Kimockowitz, as well as backing singer-songwriters like Brett Dennen and Jack Johnson.  Lebo reveals how an interest in jazz led to his discovery of world music in college, and why it was important for ALO to establish their Hot Tub Club fan service. www.alomusic.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Sasha Carlson of the alternative shoegaze band Splashh joins me for some New York beers at the Gibson in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  In the midst of a two-night stand at the Brooklyn Bazaar, he explains how he's road-testing songs for the upcoming Splashh LP.  A native of New Zealand and Australia, Carlson tells how crowds vary worldwide, and divulges his dream vacation. splashh.co.uk drypaintsigns.com

Brian Sendrowitz a.k.a. Beat Radio joins me for happy hour at the Churchill in New York.  A self-proclaimed "dad rocker," he explains that having a day job and a supportive family actually allows him the freedom to make the kind of music that he wants to make.  He also discusses the difficulties of crowdfunding, what it was like being a music blogger's darling in the early days of blogging, and how he found inspiration in a certain Swedish pop star. beatradio.org drypaintsigns.com

Johnathan Rice and I get a sidewalk table at Bar Chevere before his concert at Mercury Lounge.  He explains why Largo is his favorite venue, how he came up with the idea for his latest single's blood-drenched music video, and what it was like watching a movie with Lou Reed. johnathanrice.com drypaintsigns.com

Bleu has a beer with me during his stop at the Bowery Electric on the PledgeMusic Tour.  He reveals the source of his name, why he went electronic on his newest album, and what it's like at the Hanson compound. www.bleutopia.com www.drypaintsigns.com

All five members of Pennsylvanian indie rock band Edelweiss share a table with me at Sugar Cafe.  They discuss their evolution from garage cover band to fidgety dark-wavers on their latest EP, Honduras.  Each musician also reveals his dream act to open for. www.facebook.com/EdelweissOfficial www.drypaintsigns.com

Siddhartha Khosla of Goldspot invites me into the green room at Rockwood Music Hall in New York, NY.  He reveals the backstory of his latest work, Aerogramme, which is his most personal album to date.  Sidd recalls childhood memories from India, and he also explains why it was important for him to release a song from the album as a charity single. www.goldspot.net www.drypaintsigns.com

Austin Hartley-Leonard of the L.A.-based band, Broken Anchor, sits down for a chat at the Thompson LES Hotel Bar in New York, NY.  He discusses his new album, Fresh Lemonade, and how he wrote some of the songs in his sleep.  Austin also reveals how alcoholism was holding him back from creating his best tunes, and how he's adapting into a one-man band following the departure of his drummer. www.brokenanchormusic.com www.drypaintsigns.com