Episodes
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Yva Las Vegass is a groundbreaking musician and queer icon whose journey from immigrant busker to trailblazing artist has shaped the soundscape of both Venezuelan folklore and American alternative music. Born in Venezuela, Yva began her musical career as a busker, performing on the streets of Seattle after immigrating in the early 1980s. Her unique fusion of traditional Venezuelan rhythms and melodies with the raw energy of punk and alternative rock became a hallmark of her sound, which she introduced to the American music scene in the 1990s.
Throughout her career, Yva has been involved in several influential bands, including Dos Mundos with Deanna Chapman, later renamed Tres Mundos with the addition of Christine Gunn in the Cello. In Seattle Yva sang in Bochinche the only salsa band in the city at the time. Together with her band mates from Tres Mundos she formed Delusions of Grandeour a fusion of pop, folk, punk and rock where they played original tunes. in the early 90's she joins the Florists,a funk rock band as the vocalist and guitar player and the band, Sweet 75, who together made a record and toured the U.S and parts of Europe. All the while she continued performing and writing venezuelan folkloric songs on her own. She continues to explore themes of identity, cultural resistance, and the experiences of marginalized communities.
Today, she is a fixture in the NYC music scene, performing in clubs and theaters projects alike, and remains an independent force in the world of music and performance art, defying boundaries and challenging conventions as a queer female Venezuelan alternative artist. Her contributions to both folklore and alternative music have made her an influential figure for young artists living in NYC today.
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Joey Killingsworth, the driving force behind Joecephus and the George Jonestown Massacre, has spent close to 20 years blending outlaw country with thrashing riff rock to build a loyal following. A Memphis native with deep musical roots—his father, Bo Jack, played with rockabilly legend Eddie Bond—Killingsworth initially resisted country music but later embraced it, launching the Massacre as a vehicle for his diverse influences. Known for creative collaborations and tribute projects, he’s worked with legends like Jello Biafra and Greg Ginn. Joey is also a booking agent who works with both Lydia and Tim.
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Episodes manquant?
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Anton Newcombe is the creative force behind The Brian Jonestown Massacre, a band he founded in 1990. He is a prolific songwriter and a hands-on producer. Anton has collaborated with artists like Tess Parks and Dead Meadow and even scores the films and television such as the film Moon Dogs. Beyond music, he runs his label, A Recordings Ltd., likes to cook and supports causes like Oxfam during his tours.
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Daniel House is an entrepreneur and musician, he i the co-founder and bassist of Skin Yard, a band that played a pivotal role in shaping the grunge sound in Seattle and served as a starting point for many influential musicians. Initially purchasing C/Z Records as a platform to release his own music, Daniel transformed the label into one of the cornerstones of the Seattle music scene, championing acts like The Melvins and Built to Spill. After relocating to Los Angeles in 2003, he launched online projects, including DownloadPunk.com and RocknRollDating.com.
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Oliver Edward Ackermann is a musician and innovator best known as the founder of the Brooklyn-based effects pedal company Death By Audio and the frontman of the rock band A Place to Bury Strangers, often called "the loudest band in New York." A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Oliver has crafted custom effects for legendary bands such as U2 and Nine Inch Nails. His work is driven by a passion for cultivating a vibrant artistic community, exemplified by the iconic Death By Audio venue.
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While Lydia and Tim have been busy on their respective tours, finding time to record new episodes has been challenging. In the meantime, take a trip down memory lane revisiting a memorable moment from the early days. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles in January of 2019, Lydia and Tim sat down with the legendary burlesque star and actress, Kitten Natividad. In this candid conversation, Kitten shares how she transitioned from a conventional career to burlesque, her experiences with director Russ Meyer, and her fond memories of Tom Selleck and Sean Penn's bachelor party. Sadly, in 2022, Kitten passed away. welcomed Lydia and Tim into her home as they navigated the early challenges of podcasting. She was cheerful, whip smart, and very very funny.
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Kevin Rutmanis is a bassist and experimental musician, known for his work with bands like Cows, The Melvins, Tomahawk, and hepa.titus. Recently, he has teamed up with visual artist Gina Skwoz for the project Lords and Lady Kevin, creating boundary-pushing music. Their latest release, Last Days At Hot Slit not to be confused with the Andrea Dworkin book of the same name is due out December 6, marks a collaborative effort with Trevor Dunn.
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Oliver Edward Ackermann is a musician and innovator best known as the founder of the Brooklyn-based effects pedal company Death By Audio and the frontman of the rock band A Place to Bury Strangers, often called "the loudest band in New York." A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Oliver has crafted custom effects for legendary bands such as U2 and Nine Inch Nails. His work is driven by a passion for cultivating a vibrant artistic community, exemplified by the iconic Death By Audio venue.
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This episode of The Lydian Spin is filled with haunting reflections and fierce critiques. Lydia opens by reading a sharply worded Daily Beast op-ed from Michael Ian Black on the high stakes of the upcoming election. She then dives into the Shimmy Disc release Poe: To One in Paradise (for Hal Willner), a limited edition LP that celebrates Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic verse. This 13-track album featuring luminaries from across poetry, literature, theater, and music—honors the late Hal Willner.
On Side A, listeners are treated to To One in Paradise by Joan as Police Woman, Eldorado by Edgar Oliver, To My Mother by Thurston Moore & Eva Moore, The Valley of Unrest by Eric Mingus, A Dream Within a Dream by Britta Phillips, and Evening Star by Teller.
Side B includes Fairy-Land by Anne Waldman, Dreamland by Lydia, The Sleeper by Larry 'Ratso' Sloman, Silence by Chloe Webb, Imitation by Rick Moody, The Lake by Jennifer Charles, and finally, an archival recording of Allen Ginsberg reading The Bells. Kramer's composition ties the collection together with an atmospheric score, keeping Poe’s spirit alive for a modern audience. A special thank you to Kramer for allowing the Lydian Spin to play the album. Happy Halloween!
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Writer, Oxbow alum, Bunuel frontman and friend of the Lydian Spin, Eugene Robinson, joins Lydia and Tim to read from his memoir A Walk Across Dirty Water and Straight Into Murderer's Row and share other entertaining stories from his life. Catch Lydia and Eugene at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on November 9th.
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Drummer Sim Cain played with the Rollins Band from 1987 until 1997. Before joining Rollins Band, Sim played in the instrumental trio Gone, alongside future Rollins Band bassist Andrew Weiss and Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn. He has also recorded with artists like David Poe, Marc Ribot, David Shea, and played in Elliott Sharp's Terraplane group. Cain appeared on Ween's 2004 album Quebec and performed with blues legend Hubert Sumlin in the early 2000s.
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Babeth Mondini-VanLoo is an artist, filmmaker, and cultural ambassador. She studied art under Joseph Beuys in Germany and earned a Master's in Film & Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1977. Babeth is the programming director and founder of the first Buddhist television station in the West. Her art, often described as Social Sculpture, emphasizes spiritual activism. She has created over 60 documentaries on topics such as the science of the mind, Buddhism, punk music, and poetry. Her subjects have included the Dalai Lama, Joseph Beuys, Meredith Monk, the Sex Pistols, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Babeth directed the 1990 film Kiss Napoleon Goodbye which starred Lydia and Henry Rollins. Her work has been exhibited and is held in collections worldwide.
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Jim Jones is the legendary frontman for Thee Hypnotics, The Jim Jones Revue, and the explosive new project Jim Jones All Stars. Since the late 80s, Jim has been known for his wild, and intense live performances. Lydia, Jim and Tim discuss a myriad of subjects including: touring, underground rock n roll, and in the distinctly British sense, cunts.
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Composer/guitarist Nick Sadler was the guitarist for the rock band Daughters. In addition to this he has played bass and co-authored songs for the band Way Out. Nick also composes music for film and television.
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Steve First is an actor, writer, and comedian known for his roles across TV, film, and stage. He gained recognition starring in the Gold Spot commercials for Orange and as a supporting actor in Little Britain. As his alter-ego Lenny Beige, he created and starred in numerous TV shows and live performances. Steve's acting credits span popular shows like Holby City, Friday Night Dinner, and The Serpent Queen, as well as films such as Disobedience and Walk Like a Panther.
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Peter Jesperson, is a legendary figure in the music world—DJ, label founder, tour manager, and lifelong music enthusiast. He is best known as the former manager of The Replacements and founder of Twin/Tone Records, Peter joins Lydia and Tim to talk about his journey through the industry and his memoir Euphoric Recall, which is a deep dive into his incredible career.
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A San Antonio-born vocalist, lyricist, and artist, Suzy Bravo has performed in heavy metal, punk, blues, and soul bands. Formerly the front woman for bands like The Rocket 350 (later Suzy Bravo & The Rocket 350), Witchcryer and Temple of Love., she is also in the Plasmatics cover band named Tits Out..
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Nicky Miller is a Berlin-based, genderqueer interdisciplinary artist with roots in France and Vietnam. Specializing in film, performance art, and creative writing, Nicky’s work explores LGBTQ+ sexualities and identities, often tackling politically sensitive topics like sex work, BDSM, and queer practices. Their award-winning films, including Twisted Distinction and Pink Lips, have been showcased at international queer film festivals, challenging societal norms and redefining perceptions of queer identities.
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Travis Jeppesen, is an American novelist, poet, artist, and art critic who is currently based in Berlin. He has authored several notable works, including The Suiciders, Poems I Wrote while Watching TV, and See You Again in Pyongyang. His latest book is Settlers Landing.
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Jennifer Charles is a proud childless cat lady writer, singer/songwriter, actor, and poet, best known as one half of the New York cult band Elysian Fields. She has performed and collaborated with artists worldwide, singing in over 10 languages. Notable projects include Lovage with Mike Patton and Dan the Automator, and her Sephardic Diaspora group La Mar Enfortuna. Elysian Fields has created original music for television, film, and stage, including works by Jim Findlay and the French dance company Affari Esteri. Jennifer originated the role of Girl Angel in the Pulitzer-winning opera Angel’s Bone and played Emily Dickinson in BAM's Lightning at our Feet. Elysian Fields recently released their 14th record, What the Thunder Said. Jennifer also launched a new project called Bohemian Flesh with Thomas Bartlett and has recorded audiobooks, including Edith Wharton’s The Touchstone. In her free time, she creates art, gardens, cooks, travels, and cares for her cats.
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