Quarter Rest with Joe Diaco

Christmas time is upon us! To celebrate the season this year, I brought together talented musician friends Alexander MacNeil (Alexander and the Great Ones), Andriana Chobot and Chris Blades (Birds of Bellwoods) to form The Christmas Gang and asked past guests of the show to contribute a Christmas song of their choosing (us gangsters did a song each as well). Sit in on the Gang as we hear those songs for the first time, reacting in real time and bantering our little hearts out. Also featuring skits, totally authentic ads for definitely real products that absolutely exist (for sure!), and there might even be a seasonal poem in there. Best listened to while sipping your favorite holiday beverage in front of a roaring fire, while cooking a beautiful holiday meal or while driving down snow-covered lanes on your way to nowhere because holiday travel is off the table this year folks! C'mon, say goodbye to this year with us in style--you shan't regret it.Featuring music by Eric George and Nina Szenasi, Honey Badgers, Hillary Capps, Amelie Bouffard, Jon MacAulay, Harrison Hsiang from Couchsleepers, Alexander MacNeil, Cricket Blue, Joe Diaco, Chris Blades from Birds of Bellwoods, Izra Fitch and Andriana Chobot.Egg nog not included.

That's right, folks: it's December. Time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, don some gay apparel and all that seasonal goodness! And what better way to celebrate "the most wonderful time of the year" than with a Christmas special produced by your favorite music podcast? No better way exists. I've checked. That's right. Announcing the Very Quarter Rest Christmas Special Radio Hour and Fireside Chat, the music podcast Christmas special that sends your ears on Christmas vacation... with full pay! Tune in on December 20th for music, merriment, cups of good cheer and all the holly you can eat! Which isn't much. I've checked. Holly does not digest well, I do NOT recommend eating holly.

Partner is a Polaris Prize shortlister Canadian power trio that brings the rock. We talked about their new album, the music of Rush (RIP Neil Peart) and awkward encounters in the gym class changing room. You'll laugh, you'll cry... Partner delivers the goods.

In which I gloat cacophonously.

NYC denizen Hillary Capps makes pop music that's as inspired by her jazz vocal background as it is by the sounds coming from the radio. We talked about the Big Apple, the challenges of releasing new music in 2020 and listen to some songs from her new album, The Way Back Home, available today on your favorite streaming platform!

VOTE!

Nova Scotian Izra Fitch makes indie pop music so dynamic you can shake a stick at it. She joined me to talk about motorcycle helmets, movies, pop music and more movies. Featuring Izra's debut single "The Hollywood Kids."

Jon MacAulay is a singer/songwriter and guitar player from the Eastern Townships of Quebec, soon to be a mainstay of the Calgary scene. We talked about Americana music, jazz guitar and the blue eyes of Frank Sinatra.

An important message from the Quarter Rest bunker deep in the earth's crust.

The Honey Badgers is a folk duo from Newark, Delaware with a sound as sweet--and wild--as their woodland namesake. Erin and Michael joined me to discuss the non-stop thrill-ride that is Delaware, managing life as musical collaborators who also happen to be married, and the ultimate gigging controversy: wineries vs. coffee shops.

Ray Padgett is a music blogger extraordinaire who writes about cover songs so you don't have to. His blog, Cover Me, has been going strong since 2007 with no signs of slowing down and his book I'm Your Fan, part of the 33 1/3 series, is available at a bookseller near you (or Amazon. But avoid Amazon). In part two of our interview, we continue our discussion of Ray's book, discuss Leonard Cohen's music even more and play a game of Original or Cover?! You won't want to miss it.

Ray Padgett is a music blogger extraordinaire who writes about cover songs so you don't have to. His blog, Cover Me, has been going strong since 2007 with no signs of slowing down and his book I'm Your Fan, part of the 33 1/3 series, is available at a bookseller near you (or Amazon. But avoid Amazon). In part one of our interview, Ray sat with me across virtual time-space and talked about the history and purpose of the tribute album, the music of Leonard Cohen and the Machiavellian game of realpolitik that entails being the reigning King of Covers. Long live the King!

This week's guest hardly needs an introduction. Crash Test Dummies was one of the most successful Canadian rock bands of the '90s, with off-beat--even morbid--hits like Superman's Song and Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm built on Brad Roberts's unusually deep voice. Roberts--who was touring with the old band to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the 1994 smash hit album God Shuffled His Feet before a certain pandemic ground things to a halt--joined me to talk about differences between Canada and the United States (where he now resides), Archie Comics and his new quarantine adventures in learning the piano.

Sam Crooks, one half of London progressive acoustic folk/jazz/rock duo Gatekeepers, joined me from across the pond in Merry Olde England to talk about songwriting, pandemic funtimes and the conspiracy behind Boris Johnson's hair... because you just know there's something going on with that hair that they're not telling us! Check out Gatekeepers on Spotify.

Harrison Hsiang from Burlington, Vermont indie rock band Couchsleepers talks about songwriting, neuroscience and his problems with sleep. The singer/guitarist also plays some tunes, including some new material!

Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Director Amy Henderson joined me to discuss... well, business and arts! The choir director and non-profit leader talks Newfoundland music and culture, choir directing technique and how the arts can be beneficial to the private sector economy. "Active since 2014, [Business and Arts NL is] a non-profit membership based organization working to: Identify and foster alliances between the arts and community collaborators in the private, public and social sectors. Create & nurture a community that encourages creativity & innovation through collaboration with the artsCommunicate the benefits of art/community collaborationsIdentify, foster & facilitate access to alternative sources of financial, human and community capital for the arts"

Chris Blades from Toronto maple leaf raggers Birds of Bellwoods joined me to talk about their new single Pinebox, making music in Toronto and the trials and tribulations of touring in Canada. Check these indie rock'n'folksters out on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube. You won't regret it.#BirdsofBellwoods

Halifax, Nova Scotia singer/songwriter and bandleader Alex MacNeil (Alexander and the Great Ones) joins me to discuss the Canadian music industry, his favorite influences and the way forward for musicians during difficult times. Check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music and BandCamp.

Burlington, Vermont indie singer/songwriter/piano woman Andriana Chobot joins me for a conversation about acting, music tech and Sondheim. Listen and learn how you too can #livelovelaugh your best life to the fullest just like she is!

Introducing JONNY STRIKES UP THE BAND, a new Quarter Rest series featuring Jon Martin. In this week's episode, the hosts each review four albums picked by the other that they have never heard. Enjoy Part 2, a rare occasion where the sequel is just as good if not better than the first installment!Editing by Franck: https://www.instagram.com/frc.audio/

In this interview, Columbia PhD candidate in ethnomusicology Kyle Decoste discusses New Orleans brass band music, the history of his academic discipline and national conversations about race and power. A fun and informative conversation!Purchase Can't Be Faded: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/Can-t-Be-FadedEdited by Franck: https://www.instagram.com/frc.audio/

Introducing JONNY STRIKES UP THE BAND, a new Quarter Rest series featuring Jon Martin. In this week's episode, the hosts each review four albums picked by the other that they have never heard. Enjoy Part 1, Part 2 will be out next week!Editing by Franck: https://www.instagram.com/frc.audio/

Episode 1 of the new series Metal With Mike finds these two headbangers (host Joe Diaco and co-host Metal Mike) reviewing the discography of legendary death metal band Death.

In this bonus interview, drummer Ian Koeller talks about the trials and tribulations of being a professional musician, compares and contrasts the Vermont and NYC music scenes and bemoans the state of gigging in the times of COVID-19.

The emergecy siren is blaring! Weeyoo, weeyoo, weeyoo!Mr Bungle is BACK. This is not a drill, folks.

In this interview, Laura Heaberlin and Taylor Smith of Vermont indie-folk duet Cricket Blue discuss songwriting, gentle superpowers and the myth of the confessional folk-music hero. Complete with "live" performances and some fun surprises.Check them out Cricket Blue on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp!https://open.spotify.com/artist/6amt0SgoMbOz6jDxeKeoDrhttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/cricket-blue/1156128292https://cricketblue.bandcamp.com/https://www.cricketbluemusic.com/

An introduction to Quarter Rest, a music podcast featuring interviews, reviews and discussion. Be sure to listen to the end!