Crash Chords: Autographs

Prepare your ears for Insane Ian, parody artist and comedy musician extraordinaire from Baltimore, Maryland. Also a member of the The Funny Music Project (a.k.a. The FuMP), Ian is here to chat with Matt about how he got started down the path of hilarity, and about what goes into creating a solidly funny sketch on a comedy album. His latest album, Internet Famous, has a title track featuring Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America. Hear about how that connection developed, the origins of the FuMP, about music, movies, gaming, and more, in this Insane-ly entertaining interview! Continue reading

Back to nerdcore! This week we take an excursion through the life of Mega Ran, nerdcore rapper hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. For the full excursion, fans can now purchase a documentary that was released about Mega Ran's life called MEGA-LO-MANIA. With Matt, however, he discusses recent projects such as his latest solo record, Mega Ran Com: Mission, as well as a collaborative effort with fellow nerdcore rapper Storyville called Soul Veggies. Touching upon an upcoming record and the concept behind its inspiration, they also chat about how gaming has influenced his life & music, what it feels like to be officially licensed by Capcom as an indie artist, and his unique transition from a teaching career to full-time rapper. Continue reading

Matt has sure taken a slice out of the nerdcore community, but today he sidesteps towards... "nerd rock!" by introducing Seattle-man Kyle Stevens of Kirby Krackle. Apart from Kyle's roles as frontman, singer-songwriter, and guitarist for the band, Kyle can tack on "founder of the Charging Hippo Brewing Co." to his résumé. Along with Kirby Krackle's latest LP, Mutate, Baby!, the band has also ventured into the world of podcasting, with their series: The Kracklekast. On this podcast, however, you can hear Kyle discuss everything from his decision to pursue nerd rock, to Kyle & Matt's initial meeting at the NY Comic Con, to a whole slew of complimentary digressions on comics, video games, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Enjoy! Continue reading

This week we welcome special guest, Graham Elwood: comedian, documentarian, and podcast host. An influencial figure in the work of Crash Chords, Graham's presence in the podcasting community is just as revered as his standup career, particularly as host of the Comedy Film Nerds podcast (co-hosted by Chris Mancini). He is also one of the creators of the podcast festival in L.A. called L.A. Podfest. Having released a documentary on his time performing for the troops in Afghanistan (called Laffghanistan), he is extending his interest in documentaries to a project called "Ear Buds", a documentary about podcasting. Matt and Graham chat about his latest album, Palm Strike Dance Party (featuring a self-titled song written with former guest Mike Phirman), and about the many branches of the podcasting industry collectively changing the face of entertainment. Continue reading

For today’s episode, Matt confronts the seasoned nerdcore talent of YTCracker. A humble artist with big ambitions, YTCracker’s extensive discography has brought him to his latest release, Introducing Neals, a narrative about a not-too-distant future where web security and piracy prevention have become privatized. A chat on the origins of this musical concept reveals further plans of a possible film adaptation. Also hear Matt and YTCracker discuss the importance of sacrifice when making art, and the need to decompress. With some final jibber-jabber on League of Legends, dive into this jam-packed discussion! Continue reading

First appearing on Crash Chords in a 2010 interview, following the release of The Very Last Songs I Will Ever Record (Part 1), Matt welcomes back one of the most creative comedy musicians to emerge from the west coast, Mike Phirman. With his humble self-released ditties, Phirman's capacity for brilliant satire also extends to a penchant for over-blowing benign subjects, such as breakfast, streetmeat, and children's games. Whatever subject is at his whim, he consistently extracts a hilarious and addicting adventure. This time around, Matt and Phirman discuss the process behind writing a great comedy-music song, Phirman's many influences, how certain tracks came together, and finally the peculiar position he is placed in as a full-time family man -- thus caught between writing funny kids songs and writing funny songs for adults. Continue reading

Beefy is Matt's guest today! And not only is he here to promote his nerdcore-laden LP, Grown Up (featuring the likes of MC Lars, Mikal kHill, Adam WarRock, and MegaRan), he's also here to discuss the fascinating impact producers have had on his many albums. From there, Beefy also discusses a less-common tribulation facing artists: balancing a steady job, a family, and his art all at once. Onward to a mutual joy for the online game League of Legends, come step into the world of Beefy with your host, Matt Storm! Continue reading

Today we arrive at the long-awaited appearance of rapper and Philadelphia native, Adam WarRock. Another pillar in the annals of nerdcore, WarRock is also known for his sincere raps about life in all respects. His latest release, Gifted Student, was produced by previous guest to the podcast Mikal kHill and was released on January 22nd, 2015. Matt and WarRock discuss this working relationship, along with their shared addiction to Magic: The Gathering. Then we hear about WarRock's participation in the annual 24-hour Rap-A-Thon, a charity event, for which (in its latest run) Adam contributed over 18 songs — written, produced, and released, in just 24 hours. This and more chitter-chatter with today's prolific artist and your host, Matt Storm. Continue reading

Matt is invited behind the DJ booth for this exclusive interview with the singer-songwriter, producer, and DJ/mashup artist, meekly known as ShyBoy. Once a member of the band Hypnogaja, ShyBoy discusses the band's dissolution but reaffirms a working relationship with its members. His solo work, however, has taken flight with two LPs, Lost In Space and Water on Mars, not to mention his newest EP, Daisy Pusher. Solo work aside, his career is complemented by a recent residency at the club, Bootie, at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, which he discusses alongside his fondness for making mashups. Fielding a vast array of musical tastes (and an ode to Donna Sommer), ShyBoy leaves time for a chat on Sci-fi and comic books for his & Matt's "spinning" dialogue. Continue reading

Dishing out another serving of nerdcore for our referentially-inclined fans, today’s interview demands a certain callback: In CCA Ep. #8, Matt had the pleasure of speaking with Mikal kHill of the two-piece rap group, ThoughtCriminals. Now, Matt completes his cross-examination of the duo by taking on its other member, Sulfur. Like Mikal kHill, Sulfur keeps the tradition of nerdcore alive with his own solo career, and with his new EP, Enter the 36th Chamber — a work that entirely concerns the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Discussing this, his love of gaming, and dropping some hints at an upcoming full-length, get the full scoop on Sulfur’s many talents with today’s interview. Continue reading

Keeping with the theme of nerdcore, Matt sits down—yes, sits down—with one of its legends, MC Lars, in this rare face-to-face interview held in the confines of his very own tour van. Following a concert with MC Chris and Spose, this jam-packed interview covers Lars's origins in the nerdcore community and his approach to songwriting and sampling. Featuring additional commentary on up-start musicians, many hailing from the unheralded YouTube generation, Lars's advice is sure to inform and inspire over the course of this lively chat. Continue reading

Today Matt welcomes kristybee!, a solo nerdcore rapper from Virginia Beach and member of the rap group, The Nerdlucks. Another musician priviledged to work with some of the best in the industry, kristybee has exchanged collaborations with the one-and-only Schaffer the Darklord. She was featured in his single and music video, "Boys" (from the album Sick Passenger), and he in turn was featured in her song, "Ramona Flowers vs. The World", which will appear on her new album slated for release in 2015. Join in as Matt learns how kristybee! was introduced to the community of nerdcore and hear about her tour with Mikal kHill. Also enjoy a pointed digression on the movie, comic, and soundtrack of the highly influential Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Continue reading

Perhaps underrated in the dark corners of music criticism is the importance of spreading positivity in the medium. Thankfully this necessity is not only considered, but passionately realized by today's guest, SkyBlew, the 23-year-old rap prodigy who lives by the slogan, "I don't rap... I paint the Sky Blew." With the release of his new record, SkyBlew's UNModern Life, he conveys this philosophy in a variety of ways, from the album's smooth tones and warm imagery to his heartfelt lyrics about overcoming setbacks. With Matt, SkyBlew discusses the theme of positivity and how surprisingly rare it is across multiple genres. He also celebrates his passions by dabbling in nerdcore, which he expresses to Matt along with his influences, his aspirations, and a deep love for anime. All this and how the artist got his start in today's uplifting interview! Continue reading

This week on Autographs, we bring you the one-on-one between Matt and the Dallas-based Country Rock artist, Erik Neff. Not long ago in Crash Chords history, Neff's debut LP, At the End of the Day (released Nov. 10th), was featured in a written (and raving) record review titled "Subtle Revitalization" by writer and CCP co-host, Steve Nagel. To prod behind the art, Matt interviews Neff on how his sound has molded over the years, on his touring ambitions, and on the mutual benefits of having a music and modeling career. Also listen in for Neff's take on covers, and finally on—you probably didn't guess it—football! Continue reading

The "two-time" lead singer of the band SOiL joins Matt today, namely, Ryan McCombs. Formed in 1997, SOiL's latest album, Whole (August 2013) is the first album since 2004 to again feature the vocals of the reincorporated McCombs. Ryan, who had left the band in 2004, discusses this departure, his interim work with the band Drowning Pool, and his eventual return to SOiL. Matt also prods into Ryan's infuences and his vocals origins, finally spurring a discussion on the changing landscape of the Metal and Heavy Rock scene. Continue reading

Culling through the bowels of Nerdcore, this week Matt takes on the talented Mikal kHill, solo rapper and founder of the rap group ThoughtCriminals. Having collaborated with some of the best in the business, kHill found his stride on his latest album, The Snuggle is Real (featuring the likes of Schaffer the Darklord, MC Frontalot, Adam WarRock and Dr. Awkward). Listen to kHill discuss his foray into the world of nerdcore, the unsung process of beat production, and of course, many asides on gaming as a pastime. Continue reading

Hugo Ferreira is Matt's focus today, the Portuguese-American African-born frontman for the band Tantric. A seasoned Post-Grunge band, Tantric has recently released a compilation record called Blue Room Archives featuring a medley of hits, remixes, and acoustic covers. It also opens with their newest single, "Cynical." In the interview, Hugo discusses the band's breakup and reformation, his passion for song-writing, and the state of the music industry. Continue reading

This week Matt chats with the singer-songwriter from Juneau, Alaska — and Rennaissance woman of lyrical subjects — Marian Call. After the release of her newest record, Marian Call Sings the Classics Vol. 1, she is well on her way through her Autumn Tour from Portland to Portland. She'll find herself in NYC on October 19th at 6pm, performing at Rockwood Music Hall at 196 Allen St. She can also be found on MC Frontalot's new record Question Bedtime, in the song "Mornings Come and Go." Today, she shares her thoughts on the process of making a new record, with various "nerdigressions" from comic books to Doctor Who. Continue reading

Dipping into a slightly heavier rock scene and burgeoning talent, Matt shares his time this week with Justin Doyle of ADAGE. A relatively young band from Winston-Salem, their debut came as recently as August 19th, in the form of Defined, an EP that showcases what they have to offer the world of music. Vying for that coveted listenership (and a lump sum to boot), they'll be performing in a Battle of the Bands concert at Ziggy's Main Hall in Winston-Salem this October 10th. Hear about Justin's musical upbringing, his thoughts on the EP, and even his love for cars — all here on Crash Chords: Autographs! Continue reading

If you've never heard an interview from a gondola lift before, now's your chance! The Indie rapper/rocker Coolzey took some time out of his sky-high excursions to speak with Matt about his current musical endeavors. Having released his latest album Hit Factory, Coolzey now also has two new music videos to promote: "Want It The Most" and "Glasses." The latter features his fellow rapper and touring mate, Schaffer the Darklord, who accompanied him on the Fam Fiction Tour along with MegaRan and Fresh Kils & Uncle Fester. Listen in for discussions on nature, horror flicks, and of course for the gondola portion as this guest is surely taking interviews to new heights. Continue reading