My guest today is James Acaster, a comedian, author, musician, and interviewer. He’s filmed comedy specials for HBO and Netflix, which are hilarious and high concept. His musical project, Temps, has released an album and an EP. He’s written multiple books, including one about how the year 2016 was the greatest year for music. James also co-hosts the food podcast Off Menu, with comedian Ed Gamble. And I’ve listened to more hours of Off Menu than any other podcast. James and Ed don’t know it, but they’re my best friends. And I have lured James out of the parasocial relationship that we have in my head and into this conversation with me, to talk about a song that had a profound effect on his life.

You can buy or stream “Hey Ya!” here.

footnotes:
Nish Kumar
André 3000
Black Sabbath and AC/DC
Nu metal
Limp Bizkit
“Dressed To Kill” – Eddie Izzard
James’ latest standup special, “Hecklers Welcome”

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My guest today is Hanif Abdurraqib, a poet, cultural critic, and New York Times bestselling author of books like They Can’t Kill us Until They Kill Us, Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest, and A Little Devil in America, which won the Andrew Carnegie medal for nonfiction. I’ve been a guest on Hanif’s podcast, Object of Sound, and I just love reading and hearing his thoughts about music. When I first started toying with the idea for this Key Change series, I was specifically excited about the idea that it could give me the chance to have Hanif on as a guest.

You can buy or stream “Lost in the Supermarket” here.

footnotes:
Hanif’s profile on Spotify
The Columbus Metropolitan Library
Whitney Houston
Miriam Makeba
Hugh Masekela
The Oregon Trail
“Call The Doctor” by Sleater-Kinney
Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein
“Rudy Can’t Fail,” “Brand New Cadillac,” and “Jimmy Jazz” – The Clash

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My first guest is Sophie Thatcher, an actor and musician whose credits include starring in the TV show Yellowjackets, the film Heretic, and the new movie Companion. I met Sophie through Companion, because I composed the score to the film, and she contributes vocals to a few of the tracks I wrote. For this episode, we discussed how “Waltz #1” by Elliott Smith shaped Sophie’s tastes and work.

You can buy or stream “Waltz #1” here.

footnotes:
“Iris’s Theme” – Hrishikesh Hirway
“Ballad of Big Nothing” – Elliott Smith
Radiohead
The Smashing Pumpkins
Either Or – Kierkegaard
OK Computer – Radiohead
Meisner technique
“It’s a Wonderful Life” – Sparklehorse
Pan’s Labyrinth
Rosemary’s Baby
Neutral Milk Hotel
Elephant 6

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