Carina Round discusses the new Puscifer album "Normal Isn't", their creative partnership, how motherhood transformed her songwriting, the emotional experience of revisiting The Disconnection and much more.

Topics Include:

• New Puscifer album "Normal Isn't" and concert film drop February 6th
• Puscifer described as dark multimedia project with interconnecting 20-year storyline
• New characters introduced: Belendia Black, Fanny Gray, the Synth Whisperer
• Writing began post-Existential Reckoning; Mat keeps a magical idea folder
• Maynard learned Logic software, contributed more initial musical sketches this time
• Carina waits for lyrics—word rhythms shape her vocal approach entirely
• Mat masters specific gear per album: Fairlight, Synclavier, custom guitars
• Carina sang through Eventide effects unit, letting it shape melodies
• Mat designs all stage plots, lighting, and visual concepts himself
• Carina recently started improv classes—facing her worst nightmare on purpose
• Mat discovered her at LA show; V is for Vagina hooked her
• Maynard conveys mood clearly while leaving lyrics open to interpretation
• Humbling River audition taught her: no preciousness about ideas here
• Maynard's response—"as long as it doesn't interfere with me"—was freeing
• Having an eight-year-old son completely changed her creative process
• Revisiting The Disconnection live revealed surprising wisdom in her youth
• Music became her way to connect rather than dissociate emotionally
• She bootlegged her own Interscope album just to have it on vinyl
• Kids today skip songs constantly—no commitment to full album journeys
• Rare Ocean Blue pressing was a happy accident—only 13 copies exist

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Lucinda Williams discusses her recent creative surge with multiple tribute albums, paying homage to the masters, Folkways days, post-stroke recovery and the new album World's Gone Wrong

Topics Include:

• Lucinda announces her 18th album "World's Gone Wrong" releasing January 23rd
• Reveals dramatic shift from releasing albums every 3-8 years recently
• Credits husband-manager Tom Overby for keeping creative momentum going post-stroke
• Explains how new band members made working out songs fun
• Describes creative process challenges between inspiration and studio deadlines
• Shares need for quiet, private spaces to write freely
• Reveals hotel rooms as unexpected creative sanctuaries like John Prine
• Discusses how songs emerge either formed or requiring detailed work
• Explains editing process of refining and "trimming the fat"
• Details collaboration with Tom Overby on "We've Come Too Far"
• Talks recording at Ray Kennedy's Room and Board studio
• Shares Steve Earle connection from Car Wheels on Gravel Road
• Laments losing song ideas when unable to record immediately
• Recalls taking control in studio despite band's initial surprise
• Tells sweet story of meeting Ringo Starr at Capitol Records
• Discusses transformative Beatles albums from early work to Sergeant Pepper
• Names Bob Dylan as her North Star musical mentor
• Explains The Doors' influence especially their dark poetic imagery
• Connects tribute album work to preparing for original songwriting
• Previews future projects including Neil Young tribute and stroke treatment

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Erik "Smelly" Sandin discusses NOFX life after touring, new music, sobriety through the NOFX hurricane, the Las Vegas incident controversy, the upcoming NOFX Retrospective at the Punk Rock Museum and more.

Topics Include:

• NOFX didn't break up, just stopped touring, still recording new music together
• Band recorded 6-7 new songs three months ago in the studio
• Mike constantly writes new material, has lots of unreleased songs ready
• January 16-18 NOFX retrospective exhibit opening at Las Vegas Punk Rock Museum
• Smelly will give personal tours but doesn't know what artifacts they'll display
• Never kept any memorabilia from 42 years, always gave everything away immediately
• Shocked that original PMRC records now sell for $5,000+ on collector market
• Band relationships remain same, they talk regularly but need space between tours
• Currently playing drums with Randy from Pennywise, Cameron Webb
• Fills in with the Vandals when Josh Freese tours with other bands
• Recorded drums on Vandals' Christmas album 30 years ago, including transgender song
• Early drug experimentation began with acid at 16, escalated quickly into addiction
• Became homeless junkie living on streets for years during darkest period
• Got clean in 1992, has maintained sobriety for over 30 years now
• Joined NOFX through classified ad, instant chemistry with Mike during first jam
• Band went through multiple lineup changes before finding the classic NOFX formula
• Fascinated by ancient mysteries like underground Turkish cities, pre-Incan megalithic structures
• Favorite museum artifact: Joe Strummer's original "London Calling" lyrics with water stains
• His museum tour focuses on how punk rock saved his life story

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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