209. Leanne Butkovic and Angie Boylan of Freezing Cold Discuss No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom
Send us a textLeanne Butkovic and Angie Boylan, who comprise the rhythm section of the New York-based indie rock trio Freezing Cold, join Al to discuss No Doubt’s 1995 breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom. Leanne and Angie each talk about how the album was formative for them, why they still enjoy it and why being a fan of the band—and of Gwen Stefani in particular—is sometimes challenging. They also talk about Freezing Cold’s latest album, Treasure Pool, and their collaborative songwriting process.You can follow Angie on Instagram at @angie_boylan. Freezing Cold also has an account on Instagram: @freezingcoldband.Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first four episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:38 Leanne and Angie join the show2:04 Al talks about his preconceptions about Tragic Kingdom3:43 Angie details how she became obsessed with Tragic Kingdom and No Doubt when she was 127:46 Leanne recalls her first concert and her early music listening experiences10:58 Leanne identifies the elements of No Doubt’s sound and image that she found so appealing14:14 Angie talks about Gwen Stefani as a fashion icon15:18 Leanne discusses the complicated nature of being a Gwen Stefani fan20:43 Angie talks about the more politically progressive side of No Doubt23:03 Leanne and Angie have felt betrayed by Stefani at times25:10 Al got over his preconceptions27:31 No Doubt demonstrate their versatility on Tragic Kingdom30:49 Leanne talks about Gwen Stefani as a lyricist32:00 Angie, Leanne and Al discuss how Adrian Young and Gwen Stefani thrived as relatively inexperienced musicians36:13 Angie and Leanne cite some of their favorite tracks from the album39:39 Angie notes the one track that she skips40:27 Leanne thinks No Doubt may have benefited from Interscope needing Tragic Kingdom to be a hit 41:48 Leanne shares her reactions to the album’s final two tracks45:34 Leanne and Angie enjoyed No Doubt’s 2024 reunion performance at Coachella47:08 Leanne explains how she joined Freezing Cold48:52 Leanne discusses how Freezing Cold typically write songs50:40 “The Day” is an outlier on Treasure Pool55:20 Angie talks about how she and Jeff Cunningham have simplified their songwriting for Freezing Cold57:03 Angie explains how she became the touring and studio drummer for Sleater-Kinney58:26 Leanne discusses some of Marissa Paternoster’s contributions to Freezing Cold1:00:12 Angie and Leanne talk about Freezing Cold's upcoming plansOutro music is from “Eclipse” by Freezing Cold.Support the show
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208. Will Paquin Discusses Paulinho Nogueira, O Fino do Violão
Send us a textNashville-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Will Paquin joins Al to introduce him to Paulinho Nogueira’s 1965 album O Fino do Violão. Will talks about how he got into Brazilian guitar, why he didn’t tell anyone about the music he discovered and why he has a particular affinity for Nogueira’s music. Will also highlights some of his favorite parts of the album and notes some features that can best be appreciated through active listening. He and Al talk about Will’s recently released debut album Hahaha and his upcoming plans.To find Will’s music, tour schedule and more, visit his site at https://www.willpaquin.com/ or check out his Bandcamp page at https://willpaquin.bandcamp.com/.You can also find Will at @will.paquin on Instagram and TikTok.Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first four episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:19 Will joins the show1:38 Will talks about how he got introduced to Brazilian music and how that influenced his guitar playing5:33 Will explains how Nogueira’s approach is different from other Brazilian guitarists, such as Baden Powell and Luiz Bonfá9:21 Will had second thoughts about discussing this album on this episode11:06 Will explains why Nogueira’s style suits him better than Powell’s14:54 Will and Al talk about the different moods on the album17:13 Will talks about some of the things one may notice when listening actively to O Fino do Violão24:04 Will has found the album comforting in many moments throughout his life31:56 Will explains why “Largo” sounds different from the other tracks on the album34:15 Will identifies his favorite moments on O Fino do Violão35:50 Will gravitates towards the more spontaneous-sounding tracks37:45 Will explains why he prefers to listen to O Fino do Violão rather than Noguiera’s other albums39:54 Will talks about how he and other artists have been influenced by Brazilian music43:17 Al cites some of the other influences that he noted on Hahaha45:30 Does Will want his albums to be cohesive?50:08 Will talks about the decade-long span involved in writing “I Work So Hard”53:19 Will discusses his upcoming tour dates and recording plansOutro music is from “We Really Done It This Time” by Will Paquin.Support the show
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207. Caro Kelley Discusses Jacob Collier, Djesse Vol. 4
Send us a textMunich-based soul-pop artist Caro Kelley joins Al to talk about Jacob Collier’s 2024 album Djesse Vol. 4. Caro revisits her first encounter with the album—and why it led her to go on an extended housecleaning binge—and she explains why she loved the album instantly. Caro also explains why she thinks the album’s eclecticism suits it well. She and Al wrap up by talking about her latest album QUIET, why she had to take a break from recording the album and why that hiatus led to her 1000 Albums project.You can learn more about Caro and her music at https://carokelley.com!Also, you can follow her on the following platforms:Instagram and TikTok: @caro_kelleyFacebook: @carokelleymusicYouTube: @CaroKelleyBe sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first four episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. That includes the Bonus Tracks episode with Caro that was published simultaneously with this one. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:29 Caro joins the show2:12 Djesse Vol. 4 was instrumental in Caro undertaking her 1000 Albums project3:46 Caro recalls the first time she listened to the album5:23 Caro and Al talk about their reactions to “100,000 Voices”10:08 Al explains why he had a hard time warming up to the album13:36 Caro thinks the featured performers make the album even better15:34 Having made a multi-genre album herself helps Caro to appreciate the variety on Djesse Vol. 422:40 Caro explains why “A Rock Somewhere” is a highlight27:58 Caro admires Tori Kelly’s performance on “Bridge Over Troubled Water”31:31 Caro shares her reaction to the album closer, “World O World”34:10 Caro thinks albums should have a clear intro and outro35:49 Caro feels that the “over-the-top” nature of the album is a genuine reflection of Collier as an artist36:33 Caro helped Al to get more comfortable with talking to guests about albums he doesn’t like38:55 Listening to Djesse Vol. 4 prompted Caro to think about how “weird” she wanted QUIET to be45:31 Al hears similarities between Caro’s music and Toto46:56 Caro discusses the setback that led her to start the 1000 Albums projectOutro music is from “On the House” by Caro Kelley.Support the show
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206. Eliza Niemi Discusses The Cradle, Half a Double Life
Send us a textOn this episode, Toronto-based singer, songwriter, composer and cellist Eliza Niemi joins Al to introduce him to Paco Cathcart’s project The Cradle and their 2021 album Half a Double Life. Eliza talks about how she first learned of Paco’s music, and Half a Double Life in particular, and she discusses the lyrical and musical elements that keep her coming back to the album. Eliza also delves into her 2025 album Progress Bakery, noting the features that were consciously and subconsciously influenced by Cathcart.Follow Eliza on Instagram at @eliza.niemi! You can also follow her label, Vain Mina Records, on Instagram at @vain.mina.records.Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first three episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum, and more monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:31 Eliza joins the show2:00 Eliza explains how she became a fan of The Cradle5:08 Eliza notes why Half a Double Life stands out to her among Cathcart’s albums6:15 Eliza breaks down some of Half a Double Life’s lyrical themes14:46 Al enjoyed the contrasting imagery in “No Human Hands”16:30 Eliza and Al talk about the cyclical nature of the album’s songs19:54 Half a Double Life got Eliza more interested in minimal arrangements22:28 Paco’s theme of compromise extends to “Always Certain Trades”23:48 Is it easier to get attached to albums that are “growers”?25:13 Eliza has listened to the album steadily since its release27:43 Eliza has questions about the album that she’d like to ask Paco29:25 Eliza appreciates the thought Paco gives to the musical elements they use31:56 Eliza likes the album’s blend of darkness and silliness33:45 Eliza and Al compare and contrast Half a Double Life with Progress Bakery38:49 Eliza explains the origins of a lyric from “Do U FM”42:10 Eliza talks about the ASMR quality of her music45:04 Eliza explains why she called her album Progress Bakery46:57 Eliza talks about some upcoming shows48:52 Eliza alerts us to a new release on her labelOutro music is from “Dusty” by Eliza Niemi.Support the show
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205. Tasmin Archer Discusses A Cauldron of Random Notes and Answers Your Questions
Send us a textBritish singer-songwriter Tasmin Archer returns to YMAAA to discuss her newly-released album, A Cauldron of Random Notes (or ACoRN for short), and to answers questions submitted on Instagram and via the YMAAA newsletter. (Tasmin first appeared here on Ep 161, when she discussed Daniel Lanois’ album Shine.) Tasmin revisits the process she and her partner John Hughes undertook to create ACoRN—her first album in 19 years—as well as the ways in which being an independent artist has changed since releasing On in 2006. She also addresses several other subjects, including her 1994 Shipbuilding EP, her vision for future live shows and her reaction to cover versions of her signature hit “Sleeping Satellite.”Al mentioned a YouTube video by Struthless in which he talks about overcoming creative blocks by borrowing from someone else's art. Here's the link; the section Al referred to begins at 5:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n8W6CBxc64&t=335sYou can keep up with Tasmin at https://tasminarcher.com/. Also, you can follow her at @tasmin_archer on Instagram and @tasmin.archer on Facebook. To get notifications of Tasmin’s new videos, like the one for “Free Fall” that she mentions on this episode, subscribe to @tasminarcher on YouTube.Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first three episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum, and more monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:15 Tasmin joins the show1:45 Al explains the format of this episode2:27 Tasmin talks about the process of choosing songs for ACoRN10:35 Will Tasmin’s next record sound very different?12:02 Tasmin explains the basis on which she and John chose the singles from ACoRN14:06 Tasmin talks about her and John’s lack of involvement in the Sweet Little Truths compilation16:34 Tasmin discusses the changes in the independent artist environment since the release of On27:28 Tasmin talks about the role of influences on her music35:07 Has songwriting become easier or harder for Tasmin over the years?39:17 Tasmin explains why she made the Shipbuilding EP after Great Expectations43:29 Tasmin talks about the sorts of live shows she would want to do in the future46:36 Tasmin describes her reaction to the “Sleeping Satellite” covers she’s heard48:48 Does Tasmin have a favorite track from ACoRN?52:32 Tasmin makes doing inner work a priorityOutro music is from “In the Blood” by Tasmin Archer.Support the show
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