Reggae music kept Clinton Fearon on the path to happiness.

March 30, 2013 by Blake Morneau in Interviews

The great Roger Steffens told me that reggae music is "the sound of the beating human heart at rest," and few musicians embody the warmth and peace of the music like Clinton Fearon. Through his work with the Gladiators, the Defenders and his solo work, Fearon has been keeping roots reggae alive and well for over four decades. I got the chance to talk with him before 2012 Victoria Ska Fest about his own introduction to reggae, the changing landscape of the genre and working for shifty contractors. Enjoy!

Tech N9ne is much more sane than his rapping indicates.

March 26, 2013 by Blake Morneau in Interviews

When I heard independent music titan Tech N9ne was coming to Victoria, I jumped at the chance to talk with the Klusterfuck himself. We had a great chat about youthful energy, religion, fan expectations and the importance of smiles.

"A lot of people shun my music because of the imagery and because it isn't the norm. When something's not the norm people don't understand it and they try to destroy it because they can't control it. One thing you can't control is me."

Even if you've never heard the man, step into the mind of a fascinating artist and the most technically skilled rapper working today.

Reggie Watts will defragment your brain.

March 21, 2013 by Blake Morneau in Interviews

I had the privilege of talking to the artist-extraordinaire and all-around great dude Reggie Watts before his mind-altering set at the 2012 installment of Rifflandia. We didn't have a lot of time on the phone together but we still managed to cover audience expectations, Comedy Bang! Bang! and the mighty Doob. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it. Long live art! Long live Reggie!

Marc Maron's neurosis is contagious.

March 20, 2013 by Blake Morneau in Interviews

Not since the Simpsons has a piece of media consumed my time like WTF with Marc Maron. When I found out that Maron was headlining the first Blue Bridge comedy festival here in Victoria I had to reach out and try to score an interview with the comedy legend. As soon as the interview was set, some three weeks before our actual chat. the sweating started...

Jesse Wagner of the Aggrolites - "Bring your dancing shoes."

March 19, 2013 by Blake Morneau in Interviews

I did this interview with Jesse Wagner of the California reggae champs, The Aggrolites, in late June of 2012 in preparation for writing a piece on them in the guide for the fifth installment of the Rifflandia festival. I didn't know much about the band going in (A big, big fan now, though) but was onto their fantastic album Rugged Road. We talked about the album, some brief reggae history and blowing away reggae stereotypes.