Episode 98 - Don't Cry Paula

My guests this week are Don’t Cry Paula. They’re a hip-hop duo from Little Rock, Arkansas. We first met when we played a show together in Arkansas in the fall of 2013.

They talk about their early solo ventures, and the shared influences that inspired them to join forces. I ask them what it’s like to do what they do in a place like Little Rock. They tell me about the making of their recently-released triple album, Rogue Dreamscapes.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to UTFO’s Skeezer Pleezer. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 97 - Mike and Height Spinning Tunes

Mike Riley and Height catch up and spin tunes from recent HZW guests.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to the Gravediggaz’s The Pick, The Sickle and The Shovel. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 96 - Weird Paul

My guest this week is Weird Paul. He’s a Pittsburgh-based musician that’s been putting out amazing albums since the mid-80s. We first met when we played a show together in Pittsburgh in 2005.

He talks about releasing about his first homemade tapes in high school, and making his live debut at a Beat Happening show in 1988. He tells me about Homestead Records putting out his Lo Fidelity, Hi Anxiety album in 1991, and the confusion he felt after severing ties with that label. He explains the feeling of being on a windy/rocky path toward success, and says he feels more confident than ever that music is his calling.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Too Short’s Cocktails. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 95 - Mikal kHill

My guest this week is Mikal kHill. He’s a North Carolina-based MC and producer, and a member of Thought Criminals and Malibu Shark Attack. We first met when we played a show together in Charlotte, NC in 2011.

He talks about his early solo efforts, and about how being embraced by nerdcore hip-hop fans helped push his career forward. I asked him about his outlook on balancing music, fatherhood and a day job. He talks his new years-in-the-making solo album, and explains why that will probably be his final solo album.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Y’all So Stupid’s Van Full of Pakistans. This episode is hosted by Splice Today.

Episode 94 - Bleubird (Part 2)

This week, Bleubird returns for part two of our interview. He talks about getting booed at a Los Angeles Shape Shifters show, only to have the legendary Percee P come to his defense. He explains how continuing to fly out and play California shows led to meeting the people behind the Grimm Image label, which led to him starting his Freeebird project. He breaks down the new ground he covered on Cannonball and Ft. Lauderdale.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Poison Clan’s “Ruff Town Behavior.” This episode is hosted by Splice Today.