Author: height keech

Episode 6 – Tim Kabara (It’s Always Happening Right Now)

hzw6Tim Kabara is a Baltimore-based music writer and musician. He was a part of the bands Within, The Unheard Ones and Legendary Champions before shifting his focus to writing. He’s been a consistent supporter of all tight Baltimore things, so much so that R.M. O’Brien called him Baltimore Music’s MVP.

I’ve always wanted to pick his brain about bands, shows and times from Baltimore’s past. We talked about 90’s Baltimore, and how things have evolved over the years. I learned a lot from talking with him. I loved his idea that there’s no point in pining for some cool thing from the music’s past, because a cool thing is always happening right now.

Artwork by Mike Riley. Recorded at The Lineup Room.

Episode 5 – Jenn Wasner (Bigger Isn’t Better)

hzw5Jenn Wasner fronts the bands Wye Oak, Dungeonesse and Flock Of Dimes. She’s a really intense and interesting person, and I was glad to be able to get her take on things.

This is a heavy one. She gets deep about the internal struggles that arise when using your highest passion as a means to pay the bills. She talks about feeling more like a songwriter than a performer, and about wanting to to trade in her life of constant touring for a life based on songwriting and producing. She dropped knowledge about songwriting, explaining how self-acceptance made her able to smash a bout of writer’s block.

Artwork by Mike Riley. Recorded at The Lineup Room.

Episode 4 – Emily Slaughter (The Will Smiths Of The New Age)

hzw4Emily Slaughter is one half of the (recently retired) group, AK Slaughter. She’s also one of the main people I’ve worked with in Height With Friends over the years. We’re good pals, and I was amped to get her perspective on things.

We talked about growing up in California, and her early music ventures out there. She told me what it was like to enter the Baltimore music world and to form AK Slaughter. We talk about tour blues and getting fed up with maintaining art hustles while holding down adult responsibilities.

Artwork by Mike Riley. Recorded at The Lineup Room.

Episode 3 – King Rhythm (It Came From The Desert)

hzw3King Rhythm is one of my favorite musicians and a good friend. He’s had a hand in almost all of my releases since 2007, either as a rapper, a beat-maker or an engineer.

He’s been making beats for ages, and I was fascinated by hearing him describe the process of learning to make beats on a Commodore Amiga. He tells me about his early group, The Downslide, and how he ended up being a solo artist. He talks about being drained by the experience of putting out solo albums on his own label, and how he was rejuvenated by his long-distance collaboration with French producer Colin Johnco.

Artwork by Mike Riley. Recorded at The Lineup Room.

Episode 2 – PT Burnem (Dumb Enough To Try)

hzw2PT Burnem is a rapper and beat-maker currently residing in Richmond, VA. He’s one of my oldest and closest friends. He’s been a big part of my albums, particularly Baltimore Highlands and Bed of Seeds. I’ve been a part of his catalog as well, particularly his Paper Cranes album.

We reminisce about our travels, from our early mini-tours to our European tour in 2011. He talks about  the cast of rap characters around the country that helped show him the way. He talks about his new band Drones, with Isaac Ramsey and Erik Akers, as well as his forthcoming Spruce Goose album.

Artwork by Mike Riley. Recorded at The Lineup Room.