Like most things in 2020, my typical routine of attending concerts and music festivals and interviewing and photographing artists was distrupted. Yet I still had the opportunity to speak with several musicians for the beer publication October and even share a drink with them virtually over Zoom.
The backdrop of the global pandemic made these conversations more profound as we discussed relatives battling COVID-19, the uncertain future for music venues and their employees, and focusing on social justice and the presidential election as opposed to self-promotion.
These artists also shared the challenges of virtual performances, releasing music in a pandemic, and just how much they drank in quarantine. I’m proud that these conversations go beyond beer and capture this moment in time.
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes’ fourth album, Shore, delivers frontman Robin Pecknold’s signature atmospheric indie folk with buoyant confidence. Shore’s music was mostly composed and recorded ahead of the pandemic, but its lyrics were written during this summer. Pecknold ultimately distilled the collective experiences of the global pandemic and reckoning with systemic injustice into gratitude. Read the full interview.
Margo Price
Margo Price’s year reads like a Margo Price song. Fortunately, things are looking up. Price released her third full-length record, That’s How Rumors Get Started, in July. Blending her country roots with folk, psych rock, and soul, the album stood at number one on the Americana chart for weeks. She joined me by phone from her childhood bedroom in Illinois to chat about getting an education in beer and writing timeless music in a historic moment. Read the full interview.
Lydia Loveless
Singer-songwriter Loveless’s new album, Daughter, is a lesson in reinvention. Loveless experimented with a drum machine and synthesizers, recorded on piano for the first time, and played some bass instead of her ex-husband and bandmate. Loveless’ self-reflection cuts through artifice with biting wit and the confidence of someone learning who they are now. Lydia joined me from her home in North Carolina to discuss dad beers and the female experience. Read the full interview.
Japandroids
The roar of a crowd, a punishing snare roll, and an electric guitar lick—the opening of Japandroids’ live album feels so familiar yet painfully far away. The Canadian rock duo didn’t plan on releasing the live album during a pandemic, but transporting listeners to a concert is just what we need while the possibility of crowded rooms and live music feels all too distant. The most venerated venue in Canada, Toronto’s Massey Hall, isn’t the most obvious fit for the band’s punk-influenced rock anthems and raucous live show. A band that is known for relentless touring, Japandroids are experiencing some uncharacteristic downtime. Read the full interview.
Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors quietly released a series of five EPs this year. In a time when we’re disconnected from others, the 5EPs collection is a testament to something we’re missing—the magic of collaboration.Band members Maia Friedman, Felicia Douglass, and Kristin Slipp to co-wrote and sang lead vocals on one EP each. The EP format explores a different musical style on each. Friedman, Douglass, and Slipp joined me for a virtual drink to discuss this experimental writing style, the limitations of virtual performances, and their favorite beer memories. Read the full interview.
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
