Shows
KINDA NEATKaren Shaner (My Mom pt. 4)In this episode I kept saying it was the third time I've had my mom on the show for some reason, turns out this is actually the 4th episode with her. Interviewing my mom and trying to get a record of her (and our) life story is a time honored KN tradition. We haven't done one since January of 2016, so I'm glad I was able to even see her this year due to COVID, let alone get time to do an episode with her. She was down helping my grandmother out for a couple weeks and we recorded the...2020-10-141h 23
KINDA NEATSwarvySwarvy has become an integral and trusted part of the LA music community. He's produced, recorded, mixed, or mastered numerous songs and projects for friends of the show. But I invited him on because his new solo project, "Sunny Days Blue," is a magnificent accomplishment produced and performed almost entirely on his own. A a formally educated musician, muli-instrumentalist and engineer from Philadelphia, Swarvy moved to LA and immediately immersed himself into the scene.
-Lee2020-09-021h 29
KINDA NEATDeathByRomyDeathByRomy is unique amongst KN guests in that she's been navigating the major label system since the beginning of her career. While most of our prior guests have years of independent building and experimenting outside of the spotlight, she was pursued and signed by a major label at while most kids would still be in high school. It seems like a complex and intimidating task for anyone, let alone a teenager, but she's been doing a bang up job so far. We talk extensively about her experience being signed to a major, being given the room to grow as...2020-08-261h 12
KINDA NEATUno HypeUno Hype has been making music since he was 8 years old. By that measure he's already got almost 20 years of chops under his belt. It puts him in a unique standing amongst his peers as someone who began learning in an analog world (on pause tapes nonetheless!) and grew into the digital realm. He's been uploading music online since Soundclick; heads will remember this predates even Myspace. He's been grinding for years now and, with all the right weaponry aligned, 2020 was primed to be his big statement year. There were SXSW plans, a tour lined up, album ready, all...2020-08-191h 07
KINDA NEATAmindiWe sat down with Amindi, whose recently released tiny piece of perfection "minztape" made me an instant fan. I was sleep, turns out she had a big moment in 2017 with the release of her biggest song "Pine & Ginger" that got her signed to a major deal before she even graduated high school. Only problem was, "Pine & Ginger" was an outlier from most of the music she made. While she is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, and grew up with dancehall rhythms coming from the speakers of her childhood, she doesn't consider herself a dancehall artist. After spending the last...2020-08-121h 01
KINDA NEATCashius GreenCashius Green is someone I've known for years through my guys Speak & Westside Ty. We've always been cool and he's exactly the type of dude you gravitate towards while you're backstage at shows, or at various functions. That said, while we're long time acquaintances, we know next to nothing about each other, and I always look forward to learning about folks from the scene I came up in. Cashius just released an excellent album called "Best Western" that really puts his talents and charms on display in a brief and ultra digestible package. I've always know Cashius rapped, but...2020-08-051h 12
KINDA NEATGuapdad 4000This week we talk to Gordon Scamsey aka Shia Labustdown aka Bitcoin Batman aka Stone Cold Steve Flossin better known as Guapdad 4000. Guap has quickly become one of the most beloved characters in rap music and he's probably friends with everyone on your current playlist. He's also been busy during quarantine. His "Rona Raps" series has kept everyone stuck in the house entertained with features from all across the hip hop spectrum from Isaiah Rashad to EarthGang to Murs. This year's "Platinum Falcon" release shows a multifaceted Guap both floating over gentle melodies on songs like "Trade Place With...2020-07-221h 27
KINDA NEATRae KhalilRhythm & Flow began as a hate-watch for me, but quickly grew into a show I looked forward to every week, and Rae Khalil was my early favorite to win. She started off quietly, no flashy style or big forced personality that would normally make someone jump out on a reality show. What made her standout to me was she could actually rap. I noticed a lot of other contestants making rookie mistakes, or using bars that were just unexplainably bad to the untrained ear, but Rae's verses were all flawless (no Real Talk). I thought she'd easily end up...2020-07-151h 09
KINDA NEATAdam WeissAdam Weiss has become one of my closest friends and confidants since the last Kinda Neat episode we did in together in 2013. That first conversation centered around the journey into his addictions, and his eventually path to sobriety and recovery, and building one of the most well known underground party brands in Los Angeles. Since then his life has continued to change as he’s delved into Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA). After years in various recovery programs, he felt like SLAA really helped him learn about and deal with the childhood trauma at the root of his add...2020-07-081h 44
KINDA NEATNedarbNedarb wears many hats. Musician, producer, A&R, talent scout, manager, and overall connector of dots are just a few of those hats. We spoke on an episode a few years ago shortly after he'd produced an EP for Lil Peep and became a big factor in Peep's meteoric rise. In this episode we catch up on everything that's happened in his life since, and it's been a lot. Peep's tragic passing, not long after our last conversation, obviously had a huge impact on his life, and shortly thereafter Ned found out he was going to be a father...2020-07-011h 38
KINDA NEATMaxoMaxo's "Lil Big Man" was one of my favorite releases of 2019, and really introduced into the scene of rappers I've been gushing about since KN came back. We did a full "life-story style" podcast together last year on the "You Feel Me" podcast I was doing while KN was on hiatus. You can find that podcast here: Maxo on "You Feel Me?", you will get some real insight into his upbringing in the I.E. and his journey into rapping. This podcast was really a chance to catch up, test the waters of podcasting after a 2.5 month Covid break...2020-06-2458 min
KINDA NEATJonah MutonoJonah Mutono's recently released GERG is a deeply personal and beautiful record. Full of movement and life, GERG takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and musical stylings all carried by Jonah's wonderfully resonant voice and impressive range. Jonah's been bouncing around his whole life, raised between Philly, Uganda, Kenya, London, and stints in NY and LA, he's a rolling stone with a big bag of influence. A classically trained pianist, GERG also shows his depth as a producer and instrumentalist. We caught him during the tail end of the (first?) COVID-19 lockdown and he let us know...2020-06-171h 11
KINDA NEATLil LotusLil Lotus is someone I've known about for a while, one of those friends of friends type people who I'd yet to meet. He orbits around a scene in LA that I have a lot of respect for so I figured it was high time we sat down for a chat. To keep it a buck, with my current mindset and musical preferences his style is not something that would generally pique my interest, but I can also honestly say his sound is something I would have been absolutely obsessed with in high school when I was listening to...2020-06-101h 32
KINDA NEATHookThis week we caught up with Hook, who caught my attention last year with the release of her stellar tape "Bully." Had the opportunity to meet up and talk with her last year on the "You Feel Me?" podcast where I learned she's been gearing up to be a musician since childhood. She was in a girl group some family members as a kid, and the bootcamp-like environment of training to be a pop star has influenced her work ethic as an adult. She seemingly bootcamps everything now, an avid learner that obsessively studies music and philosophy, she'd rather...2020-05-271h 02
KINDA NEATLinaforniaLinafornia is a beat maker who honed her craft in Leimert Park. The swing, bounce, and intangible funk of her beats express a true sense of soul that many producers are never able to achieve. She's part of the first generation of beat makers to be inspired by the Low End Theory / LA beat scene mainstays like Ras G, Dibia$e, and FlyLo. In fact, seeing Ras G perform one night moved her to pick up beat making. Finding out he was a friend of her brother's who only lived a few blocks away from her only furthered the...2020-05-201h 35
KINDA NEATOvrkastOvrkast. (stylized period) is a rapper / producer out of Oakland, CA. I started hearing about him in late '19 as he was getting tweeted about by other guests we've had on the show, right before he got a huge beat placement on Earl's "Feet of Clay." Soon thereafter he released his "Try Again" tape and I knew I had to get him on the show. Ovrkast. was super patient and a pleasure to talk with and learn about, even as the episode experienced a disastrous technical difficulty. Our talk was very inspiring, and learning that he makes his soulful...2020-05-1359 min
KINDA NEATDeborah's ChildI found out about Deborah's Child as she released a string of hypnotic singles in 2019 (including "Margaret's Hymn" that she performed for us). Her recent EP "Look, Maw! A baby deer!" puts those loose singles and a couple new songs together in the context of a perfectly concise alt pop project. The level of polish on the songs is mind-blowing, particularly for how relatively unknown she seems to be at this moment. She and production partner Miles are making songs that would sound at home on the Billboard charts, and they are surprisingly doing it from home. I promise...2020-05-061h 04
KINDA NEATJelani AryehSan Diego native Jelani Aryeh is a genre-fluid standout from the crew Raised by the Internet. 2019's "Helvetica was a display of heartfelt songwriting, textural production, and an early look at a potential superstar. Hear us talk about quitting a promising football career to pursue music, how "Because the Internet" fittingly changed his life, and scouring reddit for like minded creatives. Head over to our YouTube page to see him perform "Patagonia" live in studio.
-Lee2020-04-2953 min
KINDA NEATlojiilojii is part of a rap scene I've been loving the last couple years. Guys like him, Mike, Pink Siifu, Maxo, Medhane, Earl, and a bunch of others are taking rap to places it's never been, while still making reference to and pulling influence from those that came before. The loose style of song structure, and deceivingly stream of conscious songwriting seem to dissect the genre to its most basic needs: a loop and some raps. Songs often come in under the 2 minute mark, and if the idea is finished after one verse, then so be it, don't force...2020-04-221h 08
KINDA NEATArmani WhiteArmani White talks losing his father, growing up in Philadelphia, managing himself, and performs "Thanksgiving" live in studio. Armani White has been on my radar a few years now. We've been trying to get this episode together for since then, but every time we got close, something came up where I was unable to get it together. When KN went on hiatus I just stopped answering emails about it because I didn't know what to tell people, and Armani got caught in that crossfire. So now that we're back he was one of the first people I wanted to...2020-04-151h 33
KINDA NEATZelooperzWe’re back. Feels good to say it. It’s been too long since I’ve made an official Kinda Neat podcast. For the last two years I’ve been working on a corporate podcast that made KN take a backseat. It was close to what I was doing with this, and it paid really well, but I obviously couldn’t have full control of the creative decisions, and that was a strange place for me to be. So it’s wonderful to be back in the house Ben and I built, doing the show Ben and I do. Our first gues...2020-04-0859 min
KINDA NEATEpisode 144: OutWestOutWest talks their unique blend of country tinged post-emo, growing up in a sleepy beach town called Ventura, being in bands by the time they were preteens, and perform the title track of their Through Highways EPLil Racecar and Gravelust grew up together in Ventura, a sleepy beach town north of LA, south of Santa Barbara. It's known as a small mecca for pop-punk and surfing, but it might've birthed the next big thing in post-emo. Already being dubbed “country trap,” I think they're more than a gi...2018-08-2900 min
KINDA NEATOmar ApolloOmar Apollo surprised me in a lot of ways. Beside dad issues, an ongoing personal theme of this show has been “people will surprise you.” It ties into plenty of old adages, but we tend to paint a picture of who a person is before we meet them. Every time I do this, I come to find out I'm completely wrong in my assumptions. With Omar‘s dreamy vocals, purposefully polished lo-fi aesthetic, and multi-instrumental self-produced musicianship, I made the assumption he might be an “industry plant.” I thought he'd come in to the studio dressed to the nines with a sma...2018-06-271h 07
KINDA NEATEpic Beard MenEpic Beard Men is the collaborative effort of Sage Francis and B. Dolan. The two have been touring and working together for a decade now and finally decided to team up for a full length effort. Their release Season 1 was an exercise for the established solo acts. Songwriting and conceptualizing music as a team was a new experience for both of them. Their immense performance chops, and vast knowledge of rap styles and history shine through on the project.
Full disclosure: Sage Francis was one of my favorite rappers when I was about 20 years old. He was th...2018-05-301h 28
KINDA NEATHunnahHunnah is one of the purest vocal talents we've ever had on the show. Jaws drop and spines tingle as soon as she begins to belt out notes. Still a relative unknown at this point, she gained traction and attracted music industry insiders via her YouTube cover videos. Having heard a few unreleased originals, I can vouch for her potential as a future powerhouse.
Born in Toronto to Ethiopian immigrants, Hunnah's childhood was relatively strict. Raised in church, no cable tv, and a strict regiment of classical piano lessons led to her being an excellent student. While...2018-04-111h 18
KINDA NEATROLE MODELTucker Pillsbury, soon to be much better known as ROLE MODEL, still has a boyish charm. In a movie he'd be the artsy kid next door the cheerleader secretly has a crush on. At 21 years old, he's only recently begun leaving his quaint Maine upbringing to explore the world. His songwriting is already world-building and impressive. I can only imagine how the music will develop as he continues his personal growth.
Raised the son of a “ski bum,” Tucker picked up a video camera initially to film his friends skiing. This led to him learning to edit shor...2018-04-051h 14
KINDA NEATphemphem is the latest and most permanent iteration of Liv Marsico's creative alias'. She's been making music for years in the LA scene. Cutting her teeth in the Low End Theory world, I first heard her on Nocando‘s “Little Green Monsters.” At the time she was making waves with her band Liphemra. She also as a hired gun drumming for studio sessions and touring acts. An accomplished jazz drummer, phem went to a creative arts high school where the emphasis was on musicianship.
But while working on Liphemra, Liv felt uncomfortable in her own skin, and living...2018-03-301h 10
KINDA NEATa l l i ea l l i e is a soulful sultry singer from just north of the border in Toronto. I stumbled on her thoroughly groovy “Bad Habits” video. That led me to her debut LP Nightshade. It's a laid back journey of modern soul with nods to the 90s R&B sound.
Hear us discuss her Toronto upbringing, and her half Jamaican heritage. We talk about the Toronto music scene that's bubbling. We talk about coping with depression and what works for us. She also tells a touching story about the revelations of growing her natural hair out for...2018-03-011h 17
KINDA NEATIDKIDK grew up in PG County, Maryland, a sprawling suburb of Washington DC. It's one of the most affluent predominantly black counties in America. He lived in a safe neighborhood. He was raised responsibly by hardworking African immigrants. They expected him to thrive in school and work ethic. Yet and still, he ended up as the first member of his family to go to jail and eventually prison. What could cause a seemingly good kid to end up entangled in the law? His new record IWASVERYBAD tries to unpack that question.
IDK's technical ability and the scope...2018-01-1758 min
KINDA NEATWes PeriodWes Period is a product of the nondescript Orange County suburb tucked between Whittier and Fullerton. La Habra is one of those places that people ask “where's that?” It's probably why folks from the OC just say their from Orange County. The only other person I know from La Habra is Jonwayne. I only know that because of La Habra's Wikipedia page.
But Wes made the most of his OC upbringing. As a mixed race youth he often felt like an outsider in his city's distinctly white and Latino sociological makeup. Searching for a way to find his...2017-12-131h 24
KINDA NEATChildish MajorI've tried booking a Childish Major episode for a hot minute. Found him around 2015 as a rapper that I knew made beats. By the time we had J.I.D. on the show, I knew I had to reach out (I assumed he was part of Spillage Village). But I honestly wasn't aware of this man's pedigree.
As it turns out his production credits are about a mile long. He's got placements with KN alums like the aforementioned J.I.D., along with EarthGang, and Rome Fortune. Not to mention works with J.Cole, Jeezy, 6lack, Big K.R...2017-11-151h 34
KINDA NEATCaleborateCaleborate breaks breaks our ongoing theme of bad dad relationships leading to great art. When his folks split as a kid, he and his brother decided to stay with their father. His dad was a working playwright and occasional teacher. They were no strangers to making a dollar stretch, and making it work. He instilled a sense of wonder and creativity in Caleb, acting in many of his fathers plays as a kid.
After quitting basketball at 16, He started working on raps. His dad knew a guy with a studio and he started to hone his skills...2017-11-011h 01
KINDA NEATTravis ThompsonTravis Thompson has been on my radar subliminally for many years now. Upon first hearing his music I was sure his name seemed familiar, but didn't research it. Then I saw Macklemore announce his recent Key Arena shows only to realize Travis follows me on Twitter. When the tracklist for Gemini was released, where he's featured with KN alum Dave B., I put it all together. Travis was a kid that had been reaching out on socials for years. Did some searching and realized he used to ask for music and podcasting advice way back. We'd tweeted back and fo...2017-10-181h 30
KINDA NEATOpen Mike EagleI met Mike in 2005 at a Project Blowed anniversary show. Our mutual friend invited us to join their crew onstage for a big cypher during their set. The dj for the set was supposed to switch instrumentals for each rapper. He ended up blending the instrumentals completely off beat in the middle of people's verses. In turn everyone sounded like they had no idea how to rap on beat. About 4 people out of the 12 or so onstage got to rap before they cut the power off because we were doing so poorly. I got to rap (poorly and off...2017-10-111h 40
KINDA NEATReo CragunReo Cragun first popped up on our radar in January (2017). He dropped “Inconsiderate” seemingly out of the blue. His polished song writing, confident delivery and unique vocal tone instantly caught my attention . We started making arrangements to be on KN way back then. Serendipitously when I reached out via DM he was already following us. Turns out, being from the Washington, he'd found out about KN through our ILLFIGHTYOU episode.
It took a while for this episode to finally come to fruition. Turns out Reo was in the lab crafting a masterful debut project. Growing Pain features 11 mostl...2017-08-161h 00
KINDA NEATRavyn LenaeRavyn Lenae is a phenomenally talented singer from the South Side of Chicago. She's part of Zero Fatigue crew with the likes of rapper Smino, producer Monte Booker, and others. Consequently, her sound has a familial feel next to her musical comrades. Her angelic falsetto, story telling lyrics, and the chosen bouncy on-beat-off-beat rhythms create a soulful dreamscape of every song.
A wunderkind of sorts, Ravyn has been a standout since childhood solos at church. By high school she'd been accepted to the Chicago High School for the Arts to continue honing her craft. Soon thereafter she...2017-07-191h 06
KINDA NEATCucoCuco celebrated his 19th birthday with us in the studio. The young singer / songwriter / composer / multi-instrumentalist is having quite the year. He's in the middle of an initial explosion that's seen his following double in only a couple months. That's because his sugary sweet pop ballads can melt the heart of a teenage girl, or catch the ear of a jaded mid 30's music fan.
Upon first listen I assumed Cuco's music was sample based. Figured he must be digging through heaps of vinyl to find obscure loops from tender old love songs. But it turns out...2017-06-281h 08
KINDA NEATIvy SoleIvy Sole is a wonderful talent out of Philadelphia by way of Charlotte, NC. Ivy's a very thoughtful and self-aware person, it is apparent in her music and this conversation. Her latest EP, East, is a quick listen packed with poetic bars and soulful melodies. Her deep smokey voice is an outstanding tool for delivering hooks that won't leave the back of your head.
From an early age, her placement in advanced curriculums gave her an outsider's experience. Residing throughout East and West Charlotte she'd go to school in affluent neighborhoods of North Charlotte. As a kid s...2017-06-211h 24
KINDA NEATNedarbFinally sat down with the legend: Nedarb. This dude's name regularly gets brought up on the show. Not only is Ned racking up production credits, he's one of the most prolific connectors in the LA underground. Truly a “guy behind the guy that did the thing” type.
We go way back. Ned used to reach out about working on KN right as I started it. Oftentimes people reaching out get on my nerves pretty easily. There's simply something off about a lot of folks' approach. But Ned was always respectful, inquisitive, and really willing to soak up game...2017-05-031h 39
KINDA NEATDave B.Dave B. is another phenomenal talent coming out of the Seattle scene. In a city known for supporting local rap acts, I wouldn't be surprised if he was the next heir to the Seattle throne. His latest record, Tomorrow, is a collaborative effort with Soulection's Sango (another Seattleite). The record brings the best out of both of them, and bottles up Seattle's vibe into beats and rhymes.
Dave is cool and calm. His talking voice is reminiscent of a whispery old-timey radio disc jockey, smooth and warm. He's unassuming…reserved bordering on shy. That's why it's all the...2017-04-2659 min
KINDA NEATGizzleGizzle is currently working on an expansive self-assignment. She plans to release four tapes she'll record in four different cities by the end of the year. Each will be seven songs, representing the seven days she'll spend there catching the vibe, writing, and recording. So far she's released the first in the series, 7 Days In Atlanta.
7DIA caught my ear via “Oh Na Na,” which you can see her perform above. The infectious beat coupled with the immediate charm of Gizzle's gruff voice instantly drew me in. Her prodigious song writing talents are also easily recognized, and vaguely...2017-04-191h 19
KINDA NEATSpeakPantherThis week we welcome back two friends of the show that went on to form a group together. Speak is an unpredictable and mischievous rapper that I've watched grow up. We met when he was just seventeen on a road trip to a rap battle in the Bay Area. Since then I've watched him adapt and readjust to the ever changing rap scene. He moved to Mexico after a revealing hallucinogenic experience. This new record puts his cultural growth and expanding maturity on display.
Dream Panther is Greg Sheran's open ended alias. Sometimes it's a group, sometimes i...2017-03-011h 20
KINDA NEATEarthGangEarthGang is comprised of rappers Johnny Venus and Doctor Dot. The duo's been putting in work for the better part of a decade and the payoff seems inevitable. They've been brought up on show by guests multiple times. Their crew, Spillage Village, includes KN alum J.I.D. who recently signed to J.Cole's Dreamville imprint. So needless to say it seems like EG and SV are in for a big year.
Last year's Bears Like This Too Much compilation was a shining example of Spillage Village's effortless style. The tape was the 3rd entry in a ser...2017-02-221h 19
KINDA NEATDeante’ HitchcockDeante' Hitchcock's song “No Secret” blew me away on the first listen. That led me to his slept on 2016 release “GOOD.” It's a solid and consistent effort that slipped under a lot of people's radar. He's got bar-heavy heady raps any backpacker would love. But he has the confidence and swagger only a Southside Atlanta native can emit at the same time.
This episode seemed to have a lot of fate involved. Days after hearing “No Secret,” a viral Twitter video of Deante' thanking Barack Obama showed up in my timeline. That further inspired me to reach out to folks w...2017-01-251h 08
KINDA NEATButtressButtress is an in-your-face character. She doesn't hold back as a performer, an artist, or as a conversationalist. Born to a strictly religious mother and attending Christian schools throughout her youth, she was once “punched in the gut by God” during a Pentecostal ceremony. While many would've used that experience to validate their belief in God, it made her believe in telepathy and begin reading up on the occult. Questioning everything and constant contrarianism seem to be ongoing themes in Buttress' life.
She left home for art school in Savannah, GA to pursue dreams of a career in ani...2016-12-141h 20
KINDA NEATNight LovellThis week we sat down with Ottawa's Night Lovell. The baritone voiced teen was a phenomenon from the jump. The first music video he released quickly gained traction, garnering millions of views in no time.
Meanwhile, the quiet and shy student was still in high school, his classmates none the wiser to his meteoric rise. Hear us talk about his dad's past as a emcee, dealing with Ottawa winters, and how he will beat that ass at Call Of Duty.
–Lee
2016-11-021h 10
KINDA NEATWicca Phase Springs EternalWicca Phase Springs Eternal has spent most of his life actively pursuing music. It's been the constant ever since starting bands in middle school. He went on to finding success with Tigers Jaw, and has now pivoted into the current form of Wicca Phase. You'd never guess that his hometown of Scranton was a hotbed of late era emo bands and record labels. But growing up there he found mentors and inspiration in local heroes.
Now his somber lyrics laid over lo-fi trap beats are genre defying and bending the limits of modern rap music. He's found kindred...2016-10-261h 26
KINDA NEATKenny SegalKenny Segal has a long and colorful history with Los Angeles rap. He's been a part of the underground scene in one way or another for 20 years now, dabbling in everything from Drum n' Bass, Turntablism, Blowdian rap production, to the current beat scene.
He's had a rebirth of sorts in the last few years working with artists like Milo and Busdriver, his project The Kleenrz with Self-Jupiter, and becoming a part of Team Supreme. This episode paints a broad stroke of Los Angeles music scenes from the late 90's to today. Hear us talk about moving to...2016-10-121h 29
KINDA NEATwifisfuneralWe caught up with wifisfuneral as he wrapped his first headlining tour. The Palm Beach rapper is only 19 yet has a surprising depth of knowledge about old school rap. He's faced hardships from abandonment to addiction. These struggles have helped him achieve a maturity beyond his years.
He's got a good head on his shoulders. His music is firmly planted in the fundamentals but maintains a modern aesthetic. Hear us talk about dropping out of school, and discuss the ever-looming dad issues. We also have a debate about the merits of modern rap and classic rap.
–...2016-10-051h 26
KINDA NEATAudio PushAudio Push have been working together for years. Surprisingly their debut studio album 90951 was only released last week. They met in middle school but lost contact with each other. They were reunited after a happenstance dance battle in high school and joined forces.
They've been in and out of the major label system twice. This led to them independently releasing their official debut. They utilized the breadth of knowledge picked up along the way.
Audio Push had a smash jerk record in 2009. They've since developed, matured, and polished their sound to it's current iteration. Hear us t...2016-09-281h 25
KINDA NEATAllan KingdomThis week we had the pleasure of sitting with the talented Allan Kingdom. Allan's has a unique rap voice, angelic falsetto, and a cold climate upbringing. This leads to music that can be dense, dark, contemplative and uplifting all at once. He's a young man with an aged veteran's demeanor. His career has already had a number of individual peaks (i.e The Stand4rd with Corbin neé Spooky Black, and a feature on Kanye's “All Day” that lead to 3 Grammy noms) with surely many more to come.
Hear us talk about his small familial unit, why he felt...2016-08-241h 09
KINDA NEATCozzThe 1st bar of the 1st song I heard from Cozz convinced me he was the truth. His sparse, dark, and deeply South Central LA looking video for “Dreams” came out of nowhere in 2014. We've been trying to get him on the show ever since. His story is a modern rarity in the music world.
While most folks toil in obscurity for a few years working out their sound, Cozz came out of the blue with a powerfully developed voice and the first song he put out in the world started an industry bidding war. He talked to a n...2016-08-171h 13
KINDA NEATJ.I.D.This week we sat with East Atlanta's own JID. Always happy to show you guys someone with so much potential so early in their career. He has industry insiders buzzing without even putting a tape out yet (it's coming in the fall, in the meantime check out the Spillage Village tapes Bears Like This and Bears Like This Too).
His style is so effortlessly confident and cocky it almost distracts from the fact the he's a technical wizard with words. The dude bars out. Hear us discuss being the youngest of 7 siblings, his fateful meeting with Earthgang whi...2016-08-031h 06
KINDA NEATRebecca HaithcoatRebecca Haithcoat has steadily become a trusted voice in music journalist. She's written for Billboard, SPIN, Pitchfork, Noisey, Complex and countless others. I met her weeks after she arrived in LA. We were frequently attending rap shows around the turn of the decade. I was instantly drawn to her warm personality and easy conversation style.
Those traits helped her become a excellent interviewer. It surely put folks like Nicki Minaj, YG, and Miguel at ease while covering them. She's a prime example of hard work and being open to opportunities.
Hear Rebecca Haithcoat talk about growin...2016-07-271h 23
KINDA NEATGhostemaneOne of my favorite subjects to harp on is becoming a middle aged rap fan. I try to stay open minded and excited about the evolution of the art. Last week I was at a $uicideboy$ show, feeling extra old. It was there I saw Ghostemane come out and kill a quick guest appearance during an opening dj set.
I'm only surface level familiar with the burgeoning sub-genre of aggressively dark underground rap I would compartmentalize him in. It's amazing to see this younger generation of underground rappers make their audience go berserk. The shows feel more lik...2016-07-061h 28
KINDA NEATVan StylesVan Styles is a king of Instagram. He's garnered 700K followers on the app by expertly photographing the feminine figure. He's translated that success into a thriving upstart clothing brand “Visual Apparel.” But it doesn't seem like that was ever the end goal.
As a young man he loved skateboarding but ended up directing porn. It seems the only common theme in his career path is “stay open to any opportunity.”
Hear us discuss his outlier-like opportunity to learn how to photograph women on the job (of a porno set). Also how he bought two cars and a...2016-06-151h 52
KINDA NEATK.FlayK.Flay is Dope. Couldn’t really think of another way to start this blurb.
If you mention Kristine Flaherty to musicians you'll hear nothing but praise for her talent and personality. Since she's been a road warrior for a few years now. Due to that she's crossed paths with plenty of artists to sing those praises. K.Flay is Ivy League level intelligent and rap star level swagged out. Our conversation proves the former, and her performance of “FML” on proves the latter.
Hear us talk about the beginnings of her rap career at Stanford, bein...2016-05-251h 33
KINDA NEATBobby HundredsBobby Hundreds and Ben Hundreds have created a brand you can't help but root for. Bobby's diligent content creation over the years has created a cast of characters that revolve around planet Hundreds. Being cool is the baseline, and being talented is the norm.
While known for creating one of the preeminent streetwear brands of the last 2 decades, take a closer look and you realize he's prodigious writer, photographer, and cultural curator. This was a very open and enjoyable conversation with a lot of insight into emotional themes of successful people. Felt very much like reading Outliers whi...2016-05-181h 41
KINDA NEATJohnny PolygonThis week we sat down with friend of the show Johnny Polygon. Always fun to sit and have a rambling conversation with a friend. We talk about his (very original) sleep over shows, my current rap existential crisis (honestly I kinda blacked out on this one and he became the therapist), and how it's far more intimidating to perform to 10 people than 1000 people.
–Lee2016-05-111h 50
KINDA NEATTommy GenesisWe talked to Awful Record's own Tommy Genesis. She began making music after leaving her small Canadian hometown for art school. While living in Vancouver she eventually caught the ear of Father.
Last summer's World Vision gave us a glimpse of what's to come. She's been in LA busy at work on World Vision 2. She'll be joining Father on tour starting in a couple weeks, so catch them in a city near you. Hear us talk about astrology (yeah yeah I know), growing up as a mixed kid, and demolishing walls in art school.
–Lee2016-04-271h 31
KINDA NEATSolOur guy Sol is on tour in support of his new record The Headspace Traveler. He's a “welcome whenever” friends. So it was good to catch up.
We talk about him moving into the studio where The Heist was recorded. He explains what it was like to watch a local friend become extremely famous. And he talks about moving to a cabin in the woods with no phone to help his writing.
–Lee2016-03-301h 19
KINDA NEATJMSNThis felt like one of the best conversations I've had in a while. JMSN had just finished his record and was re-entering society after his self induced creative hermitude. There was next to no small talk and we dove right into anxiety, depression, and loneliness like we were old friends catching up (we'd never met).
Even when I know better, occasional I make the mistake of assuming things work out immediately for talented people. When I first started hearing JMSN a few years ago I thought “hmm a dude with a great voice, great songs, great hair, and no...2016-03-161h 22
KINDA NEATDaddy KevWe talked to the man that helps it all happen for our 100th episode. Daddy Kev is a staple of the Los Angeles music scene. Bringing shine and helping artists in LA for over 2 decades.
He's been hugely influential in pushing the boundaries of electronic music as the proprietor of Low End Theory. He's also released 100s of records into the universe as the proprietor of Alpha Pup Records. Furthermore Kev's mixed and mastered records you've surely heard as the owner of Cosmic Zoo studio.
Not only has he provided us a platform, but he's p...2016-02-251h 35
KINDA NEATDizzy WrightDizzy Wright's life has not been a cake walk. He understands what it is to struggle. Diz was raised by a single mother of five children while his biological father was imprisoned. Yet and still, his attitude is refreshingly positive and his work ethic extremely strong. He's mature far beyond his years. It's no wonder he's gathered such a huge following in a short amount of time.
Wisdom and Good Vibes makes perfect sense as an EP title after hearing his life perspective. We're happy to finally get him on the show. He's been one of the most r...2016-02-031h 13
KINDA NEATWikiWiki Talks Growing Up In NY, Putting The Right Team Together, Misconceptions About Quakers and Performs “Seedy Motherfucker” Live In Studio
I've wanted to interview our guest Wiki for a while now. The “Wikispeaks” video blew me away. It was so authentic, so New York, and seemed to come out of nowhere. The music was firmly planted in the now while still reminding me of music I grew up on.
Fast forward 4 years, a few EPs, an album, tours, mixtapes, and Wiki is a grizzled veteran at 22. His work with Ratking has made him one of the leadin...2016-01-271h 19
KINDA NEATPrayersPrayers have become known as the originators of “Cholo Goth.” Rafael is quick to remind you the connection between dark emotional music and the Chicano community is nothing new. The connection is well established and widely known in Southern California.
Rafael has been many things in his life. To date he's been a gang member, restauranteur, inmate, and now rock star. Prayers is clearly on a roll. They sold out the El Rey the day before this interview. Days after the conversation it was announced they'll be performing at Coachella.
Rafa has stories for days so I had a...2016-01-131h 34
KINDA NEATKaren Shaner (My Mom)Brought my mom back in for the first episode of 2016. May be biased, but these are my favorite. We are ramblers, so we only make it through about a 6 year span in this conversation. Hear her talk about the birth of my brother, our move to Alaska, and give awkward shoutouts to family friends.
–Lee2016-01-061h 45
KINDA NEATWaxWax put out a new record called Livin Foul. We've done a whole bunch of podcasts in the last 4 or 5 years, so this one breaks format and we essentially don't talk about anything. But that's cool. He definitely sings the Full House theme at some point. Go get that new album, I'm on a song.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS HOMIES.
–Lee2015-12-231h 17
KINDA NEATThe GrouchI was very excited to talk to The Grouch. He was the first “underground rapper” (read: independent artist) I heard of after moving to California. Living Legends performing at KAOS Network was the first underground rap show I ever attended. It was at the home of Project Blowed, before I even knew what Project Blowed was. He was the first artist I ever ordered online merch from. Also the first rapper I ever photographed at a show. Not to mention the first rapper that made me think “underground rapper” could be a feasible career.
As a fresh faced Californi...2015-12-161h 37
KINDA NEATBusdriverThis week we sat down with friend of the show Busdriver. Been meaning to have him on since the release of his excellent new record Thumbs.
Moments before we started I saw the video of Mario Woods being executed by a firing squad of police officers. This is another in a long line of video taped police killings. We discussed race and politics issues before we began recording. It carries over into this conversation. This episode is different than our usual direction. Bus and I explore opinions more than life stories.
There are probably some momen...2015-12-091h 20
KINDA NEATIllmaculateI met Illmaculate when he was 16 years old on his first trip to California. He was already getting flown out of state by promoters to battle in their events. The Portland bred rapper has spent half his life pursuing a career as a rapper. He started in middle school.
It felt like he put the whole world onto our West Coast scene when he won Scribble Jam in '04. He's still considered one of the best working battle rappers a decade later.
The current KOTD champion talks about dropping out of school and his history of...2015-10-211h 33
KINDA NEATNacho PicassoNacho Picasso is a Seattle raised rapper. He's a clear alternative to what comes to mind when discussing “Seattle Rap.” Seattle is known for churning out safe, marketable, pseudo-uplifting, boom-bap inspired rap. Nacho's music lives in a dark world of gun violence, drugs, and sexual deviance.
After talking to him it seems that art truly imitates life. I'm aware many of our listeners are quickly turned off by those tropes and themes in rap music. But Nacho's music is filled with layered lyricism and obscure pop culture references. He's undeniably charismatic and has one of the most unique...2015-10-081h 27
KINDA NEATThe InternetIn our 90th episode we talked to Matt Martians and Syd of The Internet. Soon they're heading for a city near you on tour. Their new record, Ego Death, is a breezy dreamscape of a soul album. It finds Syd more mature, more comfortable, and more revealing than their prior releases.
It's easy to pick up on why these two would work together creatively so well. Their energies almost seem opposite. Syd is laid back, cool and quiet, seemingly scoping things out. At the same time Matt is boisterous and opinionated, speaking with authority on a myriad of...2015-08-261h 39
KINDA NEATScallops Hotel (aka Milo)When we last spoke to Milo he'd recently won the favor of his rap heroes and joined their team. At the time he was thinking of moving to LA. He eventually did, but things didn't go quite as planned. He's since moved back to Wisconsin and begun to regroup and rebuild.
Hear Milo talk about record label woes, neighborhood threats, and the great tape debate.
–Lee2015-08-121h 19
KINDA NEATMarc E. BassyThis week we sat down with singer-songwriter Marc E. Bassy. Kendrick tweeted the link to his East Hollywood EP. Due to that I spent the afternoon listening to it twice in a row.
The record is filled with vibey stylized pop music. Furthermore you can tell it was written by someone who grew up loving rap music. The tape seemed to come out of nowhere. But like any good music story, there were many years of hard work behind the scenes.
He got signed after moving to from the Bay to LA a decade ago. His ba...2015-08-051h 33
KINDA NEATSahtyreI've known Sahtyre for almost a decade now. We've never been close. If anything there's always been a strange tension between us. Because of that learning about his background during our discussion was a bit of a mind fuck.
His childhood was tumultuous to say the least. While I'd heard murmurs about his upbringing, hearing the extent of his family's dark moments directly from the source was moving. We came to realize our past differences probably stem from similarities in our character. This was a very open and cathartic conversation that we waited far too long to have.2015-07-291h 17
KINDA NEATRome FortuneThis week we sat down with Rome Fortune. The Atlanta rapper was in LA to escape for a bit. But he ended up in a few studios, like any hard working artist would. Sometimes it's just harder for artists not to work.
To be honest I'd labeled him a “fashion rapper” in my head. In my bias I feared he would be snobby or overly egotistical. He proved me very wrong. Rome Fortune is jovial, warm, thoughtful, skilled and humble. He's a true student of the game. He's a rapper not afraid to experiment, and striving to make hi...2015-07-231h 14
KINDA NEATpennybirdrabbit (Pt. 2)pennybirdrabbit was our sixth episode ever. Her performance went a bit viral. It was our first to hit a hundred thousand views. Major life changes have taken place since we last spoke. It was high time for a catch-up conversation.
We talk about her new motherhood and how she balances it with music. We also discuss maneuvering through the music industry.
–Lee2015-07-151h 20
KINDA NEATDanny SethWe're happy to welcome Danny Seth to the show. He's been back and forth between LA and London working hard. He's collab'd with the likes of G-Eazy and A$AP Ferg. In addition to being a talented lyricist, his live show is electric. But he's working diligently on an album that will show he's a very well-rounded artist. He further proves that heartfelt song he performed.
Listen to us talk about a miserable mushroom trip and being detained for 9 hours in an airport. We also discuss having the foresight to remove his first viral song from the i...2015-06-101h 21
KINDA NEATKamasi WashingtonThis week we talk with saxophonist, composer, and jazz aficionado Kamasi Washington. His latest record The Epic is a 3 hour dreamscape through the mind of a master craftsman. LA's jazz scene seems to revolve around a group of friends who've been playing music together since childhood. For example Kamasi has known Thundercat “since he was in his mom's belly.”
The players–Kamasi, Terrace, Thundercat, Ronald, Miles, Ambrose, etc–have been getting a lot of shine lately. Many of them worked on Kendrick's To Pimp A Butterfly. But make no mistake, they've been honing their craft in a vibrant LA sce...2015-05-131h 27
KINDA NEATDaye JackDaye Jack recently moved to LA. Born in Nigeria, raised in Atlanta, and schooled in New York. Consequently his music is as eclectic as the places he resided. He represents a new breed of rap artists as comfortable singing as they are barring out. Comparisons could be drawn to previous guest Pell. Listeners will appreciate his dense lyrics and ear worm melodies.
Listen as we talk about leaving NYU, his first show 6 months ago, and his surprising love for John Mayer.
–Lee2015-04-221h 18
KINDA NEATMarvel AlexanderI enjoyed Marvel Alexander's last project Don't Die Yet. It has avant-garde sounds from the likes of Sango, Kaytranada, and features from Wiki and Hodgy. There's a lot of great self-production as well, and it turns out he's also behind the scenes making hit records as a producer. I had no idea.
Really fun conversation with a perfect stranger, the dude can spin a yarn. Hear us talk about basketball scholarships, his friend Dennis' advice on getting girls, and waking up in the hospital with shaved pubes.
–Lee2015-04-011h 39
KINDA NEATPOSWe always love when we get to link with an artist you guys request. POS gets requested a lot. He's been a road warrior for a long time. So of course we caught him as he traveled with Doomtree in support of All Hands.
Listen to us talk about touring at the tender age of 14, why Minneapolis has such a strong history of music, and how the video for Guns N' Roses “Paradise City” changed his life.
–Lee2015-03-181h 15
KINDA NEATKreayshawnThis is the 2nd time I've interviewed Kreayshawn. We did a podcast with her 4 years ago the same week that “Gucci Gucci” blew up. She was only 21 years old then. One of her first songs had become a smash hit. Is anyone is ever ready for that?
A lot has changed since. She got signed, she toured, put out an album, became a media punching bag, got dropped, became a mom, and has been out of the public eye for a bit now.
But here's the thing about Kreayshawn: she wasn't cool because she had a hit...2015-03-111h 27
KINDA NEATBoogieThis week we talk to Long Beach native Boogie. Found out about him last year when our old pal Clayton started tweeting out his songs and vids. I knew listeners needed to hear Thirst 48 when it dropped last summer . The tape lays his cynical outlook on the social media generation over soulful, summery beats. Littered with production and features from former Kinda Neat guests, it's the perfect soundtrack to your next long drive.
Listen to us talk about singing in church, raising his son, and the difference between cliques and gangs.
–Lee2015-02-041h 05
KINDA NEATMr. Muthafuckin ExquireMr. Muthafuckin Exquire had a palpable buzz in 2011. The video for “Huzzah” was so raw, grimy, and stylized. It skyrocketed him into the limelight of every major music publication. Every rap fan I knew was excited by his potential. Then, somewhat surprisingly, he signed with a major. Things seemed to get a bit quieter. From the outside looking in it seemed like the label didn't know what to do with him. Eventually he announced he was no longer signed to Universal.
I find the early 2010's to be an amazingly interesting time in music. The labels really starte...2015-01-071h 37
KINDA NEATMichael ChristmasMichael Christmas joined us on this most fitting of occasions. The 20 year old Boston bred emcee recently moved to Los Angeles. He's already being talked about in all the right circles. He started gaining traction last year with videos like “Michael Cera” and “Daily” before releasing his Is This Art? mixtape early in 2014.
If you don't already love him you will after listening. We talk about his early aspirations of being the next Soulja Boy, watching his dad and step dad play Madden together, and freezing up at mansion party full of fine model chicks.
–Lee2014-12-241h 13
KINDA NEATFatherFather was our 75th guest. My favorite tape of the year might be Young Hot Ebony. The project is filled with infectious hooks, a cohesive sound, and clever wordplay. It's no wonder the Atlanta rapper was able to kick the door down after his frequent collaborator iloveMakonnen got his foot in it.
We discuss his self-inflicted isolation as a youth, and meeting the Awful Media affiliates in college. We also talk about the whirlwind life has become since the rest of the world found out about their enclave.
–Lee2014-11-121h 17
KINDA NEATDominic CooleyMy main hustle is photography. I travel a lot with my best friend and photographer Dominic Cooley. This is our first non-music guest. But his story of hard work and perseverance is going to inspire you to follow your dream whatever the dream may be.
I love this guy like a brother and respect his hustle and work ethic. We talk about being a social chameleon, raising a son with autism, and why our rag tag crew of knuckleheads keeps getting hired on photo jobs.
–Lee2014-10-291h 38
KINDA NEATSeshollowaterboyzThis week we talked with SESHOLLOWATERBOYZ. Chris Travis, Eddy Baker, Bones, and XavierWulf are standing left to right in the above photo. This was a really tough interview. It was 4 close friends versus a curious old rap fan with a surface level knowledge of their music. I probably come off like an idiot. Even still, I wanted to put it out because these guys have an absolutely undeniable movement going on.
From their prolific output (all of them have put out multiple tapes this year), to their rabid fan base, to their raucous (and always sold out) s...2014-10-221h 00
KINDA NEATKaren Shaner (My Mom)My folks were back in town this week so here's part 2 of our conversation about her life history. You can hear our first one back on Episode 46. I let her get VERY specific this time around. We only cover about 5 years of her life, but it was a huge transitional phase. We discuss my parents' wedding, moving to San Antonio, and the birth of your favorite rapper.
–Lee2014-10-151h 26
KINDA NEATJohnny PolygonBeen 3 years since I last interviewed Johnny Polygon. Not sure why I waited so long. We always have a great time shooting the shit. Those of you that've been around a while will remember him from the other show we used to do. Those of you who haven't will love his charm, wit, and easy demeanor.
This convo was a bit of a break from the norm. Rather than delving too deep into Johnny's personal history, we do a lot of bullshitting, meandering down long tangents, and musing about life, which makes us realize we're a whole lo...2014-10-011h 33
KINDA NEATPellListeners will love this dude. Dream Panther brought Pell to my attention last week. Then I serendipitously got a text from our dude Caleb Stone saying he was interested in doing the show. Have to admit, I was sleeping. Checked out his music and videos and they're great.
While showing wisdom beyond his years, he effortlessly transitions between rapping and singing. We talk to him about growing up in New Orleans, having to leave after the hurricane, and we relate to eachother in our college dorm room rap antics.
–Lee2014-09-241h 10
KINDA NEATDream PantherDream Panther is a name I've been hearing from the mouths of LA musicians for a long time now. Every few months I visit his Soundcloud page and leave his tunes on repeat for hours. It's dreamy electronic pop with easily digestible lyrics that sets the mood for chilling.
That being said he was a complete mystery to me. I'd never seen him perform and rarely saw him on show flyers. Realistically I'd never actually even seen a picture of him. His name has been popping up on big music sites due to his connection to IloveMakonnen (they'r...2014-09-171h 11
KINDA NEATLakutisThis week we talked to Washington Heights, NY native Aleksey Weintraub, better known as Lakutis. The first time I saw him perform at Los Globos was intriguing. He was on stage shirtless, hair covering his face, screaming like a rap game Danzig. The catchy dark pop hook for “Body Scream” caught my ear.
This year's 3 Seashells finds him experimenting on the outskirts of rap in a dark, party friendly world. We talk about growing up in New York in a one parent household, serendipitously falling into rapping, and trying to make a song he won't hate when it's done...2014-09-101h 11
KINDA NEATJensen KarpJensen Karp is our guest this week. He's been brought up on 3 of the last 4 episodes. He was signed as a rapper at the tender age of 13. As such he maneuvered his way through the industry as Hot Karl through his 20's.
Jensen is a prolific writer, podcaster, comedian, art curator, and artist manager. We talk to him about getting talent scouted at a bar mitzvah, finding out he has brain tumors, and Mack 1o showing up to his doorstep with a briefcase full of money.
–Lee2014-08-201h 29
KINDA NEATItsTheRealEric and Jeff Rosenthal are brothers who've been creating hip hop sketch comedy for nearly a decade. Whether it be parody rap songs, irreverent interviews, journalism, or sketches; they keep the artists laughing as hard as the audience. Their loving homages to the culture always have a fresh and funny take on what's happening in rap.
Simply put: they crack me up. They're able to laugh with the culture and not at it. Make sure to check out their mixtape Urbane Outfitters (I call it by the wrong name in the intro, my bad) and visit their site...2014-07-231h 36
KINDA NEATConrad LoeblShow booking can be a tiring and thankless job. Thankfully we have folks like Conrad Loebl behind the scenes. Working as the booker for IHEARTCOMIX for the last 2 years, he's been responsible for curating some of the most forward thinking and “up on shit” lineups that LA has to offer at venues like the Echoplex, Los Globos, and the El Rey.
Love these episodes where folks aren't necessarily full time musicians, but are still heavily involved in music. This is one of those episodes. Hear about how Conrad started throwing shows as a teenager, being straight edge for 10 ye...2014-07-091h 15
KINDA NEATNova RockafellerWe sat down with Canadian ex-pat and Los Angeles transplant Nova Rockafeller. I've been paying attention to her music for quite some time. We asked her to be a guest after finding out she's working with friend of the show Dj Nobody.
Hear Nova talk about her chaotic youth, her rebellious nature, and perpetually running away.
–Lee2014-07-021h 14
KINDA NEATKaren Shaner (My Mom)My mom, Karen Shaner, can spin a yarn (she's where I get that from). My folks were in town for the holidays. We took advantage of the time here by laying down some family history.
This episode is more for me than you, but you'll enjoy it as well. We only got about halfway through her life, so we decided to make this a yearly tradition.
We talk about our ethnic make up, family members I never got to meet, and she tells a good story about why she still can't properly cook a steak....2014-01-081h 19