This Must Be the Gig – Details, episodes & analysis

This Must Be the Gig is joined by Ólafur Arnalds.

Across his impressive career, the Icelandic composer's work has scored ballet, TV, and film, in addition to a stunning discography. Like a fusion of classical composition, modernists like Arvo Part, and his own background in punk, Ólafur's compositions tap into an immense well of emotion and deliver surreal heights. His latest album, Some Kind of Peace, appropriately places his face directly on the cover, eyes closed as if in the middle of a dream and that powerfully personal and intimate feeling swims throughout the record.

In this chat, Lior spoke with Ólafur about his old hardcore band, Fighting Shit, his introduction to composing through German metal band Heaven Shall Burn, what makes his new album his most personal, touring with Sigur Ros, and so much more.

Head here for more info on Ólafur Arnalds.

Head here for more information on this week's featured organization, The National Independent Venue Association.

For more from Lior Phillips and This Must Be the Gig, follow along on Instagram or Twitter, or like the show page on Facebook. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts.

--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This Must Be the Gig is joined by Local Natives.

As two of the founding members of the Southern California band, Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn first came together when they were just high schoolers. Not long later, Local Natives' debut record Gorilla Manor solidified their radiant credentials. Over a decade later, the five-piece have now released four studio albums and spread their sunshine and wonder at festivals and sold-out shows around the world. Most recently, the band put out the four-track Sour Lemon EP, collaborated with Sharon Van Etten, and put together an incredible live-streamed concert for eager fans.

In this chat, Lior spoke with Taylor and Ryan about playing shows in living rooms early in their career, idolizing At the Drive-In, working with The National's Aaron Dessner, keeping sane as a new parent during quarantine, and so much more.

Head here for more info on Local Natives.

Head here for more information on this week's featured organization, Good Kids Mad City.

For more from Lior Phillips and This Must Be the Gig, follow along on Instagram or Twitter, or like the show page on Facebook. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts.

--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The brilliant Katie Stelmanis of Austra joins the show this week to discuss her latest album and adjusting to life in the pandemic. After performing in other bands, Katie launched the Austra project in 2009, and since then has been producing some of the thoughtful, enigmatic electronic rock out there. While the pandemic may have delayed your opportunity to see her bring that music to life, her new LP, HiRUDiN, was released at the beginning of May, and offers an equally emotional ride. The album’s title is taken from a chemical found in the saliva of leeches, a substance that thickens blood prior to consumption--a process that is achieved in the sticky tracks that just dig right into your veins and refuse to let go.

In this chat, Lior Phillips spoke with Katie about how opera proved her gateway to performance, the power of a good show in Eastern Europe, seeing NSYNC as a teen, and so much more.

Head here for more info on Austra.

Head here for more information on this week's featured non-profit, Chicago West Community Music Center.

For more from Lior Phillips and This Must Be the Gig, follow along on Instagram or Twitter, or like the show page on Facebook. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts.

--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Johnny Marr calls into the podcast from the roof of his recording studio to chat with host Lior Phillips about new album Call the Comet, his dream gig, the superstitions that keep his performances supercharged, and much more. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Host Lior Phillips chats with Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty, better known as Scottish indie pop outfit CHVRCHES. The trio discuss their favorite hobbies to fill days off while on tour, new album Love Is Dead, and their secretive first shows—including a heated discussion over beer cases. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Host Lior Phillips chats with Adam Duritz, frontman of Counting Crows, about the gigs that changed his life, the anniversary of August and Everything After, and the genesis of Adam's own podcast and festival, Underwater Sunshine. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Host Lior Phillips chats with Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack of Wye Oak about the rigors of tour life, mental health outreach for musicians, and gaining confidence in your inner voice. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Host Lior Phillips chats with Phil Elverum of Mount Eerie and The Microphones, from a hotel room studio at the Sled Island Music & Arts Festival in Calgary. Lior and Phil discuss facing death with music, the escape of heavy metal, his upcoming live album, and his family's pet gorilla. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Host Lior Phillips chats with Ed, Greg, and John from Deerhoof, from a makeshift studio at the Sled Island Music & Arts Festival in Calgary. The group get into a real gigglefest as they discuss accents, putting together setlists, the World Cup, feeling confident onstage, and Zakk Wylde's underwear. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Our lucky eleventh episode features the wonderful Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus! Host Lior Phillips chats with Patrick about the similarities between music and politics, a life-changing Sleater-Kinney gig, rowdy crowds, and Titus Andronicus' new album, A Productive Cough. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Vivid Seats. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app