My guest this week is Baltimore-based author and illustrator Kevin Sherry. He’s been writing and illustrating children’s books since 2006. I’ve always liked his artwork, and I was excited to learn about his grind.

He talks about starting at MICA, and moving into Baltimore’s copycat building with other visual artists at a young age. We discuss his career in children’s books and his former company Squidfire. He tells me about his future plans, including collaborating with Ed Schrader on an animated series based on Ed’s “A Family Affair,” podcast.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Kid ‘n Play’s “Funhouse.”

http://splicetoday.com/music/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-31-kevin-sherry-badass-rude-dude

My guests this week are Amy Reid and Chase O’Hara of Chiffon. They’ve made a big impact in Baltimore (and elsewhere) since forming in 2012. I’ve seen them play a few times, but I had never really talked to them and I was happy to get a chance to find out what they’re all about.

We talk about the local punk scenes they were part of as kids, as well as Chases’s past (and my present) dabbling in juggaloism. They explain how their previous band, INEVERYROOM, morphed into Chiffon. We talk about their relentless touring, and how they feel that hard work and self-sufficiency are the spirit of Baltimore.

The art this week (by Mike Riley Comics) is an homage to Digable Planets’ “9th Wonder” single. Check this episode out at SpliceToday.com.

My guest this week is Vans_Westly, an up-and-coming MC out of Baltimore. He’s released three EP’s, and is currently working on his debut full-length. I first met him when he hopped on a show I helped set up in Baltimore, and I was excited to learn more about him.
He talks about his past life as a professional wrestling teen, and how his health issues forced him to change gears and focus on writing rhymes. We talk about learning the ropes of being a part of the local music scene, and the challenge of making a name for himself in an over-saturated rap world. I ask him about his forthcoming Loserisms album, and he tells me what separates this project from his past work.
Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Whodini’s “Open Sesame.”
http://splicetoday.com/pop-culture/splice-presents-height-zone-world-ep-29-vans_westly-furiously-trying-to-live

My guest this week is Chris Freeland, the man behind Baltimore’s Beat Babies studio. He’s been a member of Oxes, Frenemies, International Soundscape Internationale and (my early group) Wounds. He’s been a cool older brother figure to me since I was in sixth grade, and he’s produced a lot of my early Height tracks.

He talks about his early days playing in garage bands, and the other 90’s DIY Baltimore bands that inspired him. We talk about the rapid rise of his band Oxes, and his travels with Will Oldham, Cass McCombs and David Pajo. He told me how he’s lost the burning desire to be noticed, and how he’s reimagined himself as a behind-the-scenes studio man.

This episode was recorded at the Lineup Room. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to The Geto Boy’s “We Can’t Be Stopped.” Check out the episode at Splice Today.

My guest this week is Katrina Ford, of Celebration and Mt. Royal. She also sang in Lovelife, and the influential 90’s band, JAKS. I’ve been a fan of her bands since I was in high school, and I was excited to get the scoop on her history.

She talks about her chaotic childhood, and how the world of music and art gave her strength in her young adult life. I ask her what touring was like before the internet, in the time of pay phones, landlines and Book Your Own Fucking Life Magazine. She gets real about the frustrations of trying to make it happen in the music business, and explains how she’s been able to persevere through disappointments and keep pressing forward.

It all went down at the Lineup Room. Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Salt and Pepa’s “A Salt with a Deadly Pepa.” Check this episode out at Splice Today.