You Feel Me?

Latest Episodes:

Nick Waterhouse | Episode 23 | Skullcandy Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

Nick Waterhouse's warm recordings take me back to hearing my dad's records in the basement as a child, where his vintage Sansui stereo made everything sound like the soundtrack to a Scorsese film. He blends influences from days past to make records that deal with modern problems in a classic way. His latest self-titled record takes everything he's learned over the last three and perfects into a masterclass of precise minimalism. Nick's approach is admittedly utilitarian. He purposefully makes sure not to get too obsessive with guitar mastery, so that he can worry about less about how technical his licks are and more about making the instrument emote. He understands and acknowledges the limitations of his voice, but makes sure every grunt and growl an extended note brings takes the listener on the same emotional journey he's on. He works with what's accessible to bring the sounds in his head to life. I talked to Nick about his upbringing in Orange County, and his coming-of-age-movie-worthy summer job in the dying days of the major record store chains. We talk about his pivotal days in San Francisco post dot com boom, pre new tech boom, where he DJ'd in a very particular rock n' roll warehouse scene. We also discuss the misconceptions people have about him as an artist and the stigma of being labeled "retro." All that and more this week on "You Feel Me."

Highlights:

0:28: Becoming a record store nerd

1:45: discovering music through sampling

3:40 Bro culture in Orange County

6:34: Music post WWll

7:05: living with a death wish in Southern California

12:55: growing up in an LA family

19:40: High School jobs

25:08: First Band Experience

31:54: Moving to San Francisco

36:12: Author dreams

43:45: Digger hip-hop shows

46:43: Producing music post college

49:14: Life as a working musician

54:15: The content business vs the music business

57:43: Releasing a self titled album

EARTHGANG| Episode 22 | Skullcandy Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

Music makes us feel elevated, and we chose West Atlanta natives EarthGang to represent that feeling. Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot have been elevating their craft together since their high school days. Having self-released a bevy of records and acquiring a cult following, EarthGang signed with Dreamville in 2017 poised to take their next big step.

On the verge of releasing their major label debut, Mirrorland, we sat with EarthGang to talk about how they've elevated their style, and remained elevated above the pitfalls of a music industry that can be reliant on cheap stunts and clout chasing. They've stayed the course since their college days of releasing music, and 2019 looks to be the year of the big pay off. Spillage Village peers like J.I.D. and 6lack have been on an exponential rise, and Mirrorland has the potential to elevate EarthGang into the stratosphere as well.

Listen to them give behind the scenes insight into one of the most talked about studio sessions of the year in Return of the Dreamers III, how life has changed since signing to Dreamville, their unabashed love for their home city, and much more on "You Feel Me?"

Highlights

4:30: Atlanta coming out for Dreamville Rap Camp

7:30: Staying grounded in the industry

9:03: Elevated

9:50: Naming your strain

11:10: Signing to Dreamville

16:20: Fans of comedy

20:15: Misconceptions of Atlanta

26:50: Working with local talent

36:46: Surprise musical tastes

43:10: Touring with Billie Eilish

45:10: Parents in the pit

Rico Nasty | Episode 21 | Skullcandy Mar 26, 2019

Show notes

Rico Nasty was our first and only choice when looking for an artist that embodied the word "bold." Not only is she the perfect artist to set off our 12 Moods project, but every decision she makes — from her visual aesthetic, to her ear for beats, her lyrics which are often scathing anti-hater incantations, to her fashion choices — all seem to radiate boldness. She has a magnetism that screams "look at me" paired with a disposition that seems to say "but I don't care what you see."

Highlights

1:23: Rico's Home talent shows

9:30: Moving schools and the balance of being academically and

socially driven to survive.

12:27: Myspace Scene Day.

13:38: Finding influences in Shrek.

17:40: Getting expelled from boarding school.

21:25: Talking about the difference of being sad and being depressed .

26:20: Making her first mix tape at 15.

37:10: Rico's Personas.

39:00: Meeting Malik.

46:00: Releasing Hey Arnold.

48:40: Don't slide under the radar.

50:20: Which School system is better? Private or Public?

53:15: Being on BET

Saba | Episode 20 | Skullcandy Dec 18, 2018

Show notes

A leader in the expansive Chicago art rap scene, Saba is an open diary. Tune in as he talks recording raps as a 9 year old, the legendary Chicago library open mics, and the stolen bikes of his youth. Stay tuned after the show for discount code offers.

Highlights:

14:00 Working a four track recorder at age 8

18:30 Defining the Chicago rap sound

29:20 Saba's attempts at visual art

36:00 Reading fan DMs

Kweku Collins | Episode 19 | Skullcandy Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

Gifted rapper and producer Kweku Collins has sprung from the Chicago art scene. Here he talks synergy between music and skating, growing up with a rhythmically gifted father, and how his skill for self-promo emails boosted his success.

Highlights:

05:50 Childhood musical influences

14:00 Kweku starts skating

20:00 The pressures of mixed race

32:00 How Kweku gained recognition

39:00 Credits and headphone discount code

Duckwrth | Episode 18 | Skullcandy Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Duckwrth fuses his design and music skills to create in-your-face, genre-defying music and even more electrifying live performances. Here he talks with Lee about his childhood and how his visual art helps with his music.

Highlights:

09:00 Sheltered home life in South Central LA

18:00 Feeling disassociated but finding your place

27:00 Loving Lupe Fiasco

31:00 Living in a Bay Area artist commune

37:00 Working with a label

47:00 Trap music and the Kendrick Lamar song, "Duckworth"

49:00 Credits and headphone discount code

Yuno | Episode 17 | Skullcandy Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

Yuno is one of Sub Pop's newest signees and a growing pop powerhouse. Hear us talk about his debut EP Moodie, finding out about punk rock by searching for a Bob Seger song, and how nerdcore rap influenced him.

Highlights:

03:45 Childhood creativity

08:00 Discovering music through skating

14:20 My first guitar and learned songs

18:00 "Accidental" racism

28:00 Getting signed to Sub Pop

39:50 Credits and headphone discount code

Mark McMorris | Episode 16 | Skullcandy Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

In Mark McMorris' words, "Get it while I'm young, I'll chill when I'm older." Check out episode 15 as host Lee Shaner and pro snowboarder Mark McMorris talk how to properly pronounce his hometown Regina (hint: it sounds inappropriate), how good hip-hop is right now, and how people handle fame differently.

Highlights:

03:00 Hometown resorts

07:30 Regina

15:30 The current state of snowboarding

23:00 Brotherly competition and being the youngest

26:00 Loving the fans

29:00 So much good hip-hop right now

33:00 What's a Twitter moment?

38:00 Olympic competition and the physics of tricks

46:20 Credits and headphone discount code

Princess Nokia | Episode 15 | Skullcandy Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

International rap phenomenon Princess Nokia talks about her activism, artistic progression, and some of her earliest conscientious objections in Catholic school.

Highlights:

01:00 Hood 2 La Gente

08:00 My brother the violinist

12:00 Dignified rebellion

25:00 Wavy Spice & A$AP Yams

30:00 Credits and headphone discount code

Lil Zubin | Episode 14 | Skullcandy Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Philly singer-rapper Lil Zubin a.k.a. "the SoundCloud Weeknd" discusses Post Emo, accidentally becoming a singer, and his underground breakout Misery EP.

Highlights:

05:00 Emo days

09:20 Discovered by Working On Dying

13:00 Who is Ned?

19:00 Post Emo

28:00 Credits and headphone discount code