STEPHEN TO ANNE MARIE:

SB: What is your favorite song?

AM: Nobody Loves U (WYL) / Antoine Diligent

SB: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

AM: None!

SB: As you know, you've got a niece and a nephew. Someday, when we ship them off to you, you'll get to poison their ears with whatever music you want. Which artists or songs are you looking forward to introducing them to and how would you go about doing it?

AM: That’s tricky because I’m tempted to say ALL OF THEM. But really, I think I’m more curious to see what our “language” will be and we will only know that once we know more about their interests as they grow. Different people have different languages. You and I have the music thing. Billy and I talk about relationships more. You and Billy talk about the Mavs. I think that it’s really cool when you meet someone new(ish) and their interests bubble to the surface and you realize what your common loves are. Then that becomes a part of your ritual with that person. So, while I’m dying to tell them about how John Mayer’s music makes me feel creatively hopeful in dark times, or how Fleet Foxes is great for a long east coast morning drive, how Jessie Ware is good for a good heartbreak, or how Boogie Oogie Oogie is the sleeper party hit of the century…I’m more just dying to find out what we’ll have in common so I can geek out about it. It’d be cool if it’s music, but I’ll still love them if they like classic rock.

ANNE MARIE TO STEPHEN:

AM: What is your favorite song?

SB: Well I heard Lately by daydream Masi and thought...ok, this is my jam. But then I heard 4/4 and thought, damn, ok, I see what you're doing here. Yes, it's definitely that one. AND THEN you go sneak Untitled by Brigt in at the end, trying to hide it from me! But I found it and yes, that's the one.

AM: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

SB: I've heard of Sleater-Kinney and More Giraffes before, but never these songs.

AM: What album drop on the near horizon are you eagerly anticipating?

SB: I've got a 2 part answer. First...if I'm playing by the rules, I'd say that I'm really excited about the new Electric Guest album "KIN" which drops October 18th. I'm a huge fan of theirs. Amazing balance of complex beats and catchy rhymes. Their 2017 "Plural" album was my favorite of the year and after listening to a few of their singles from KIN, I've got very high expectations this time around. NOW HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE...If I were to pretend you asked this question last month, I would unequivocally say "Modern Animal" by the Magic City Hippies. It dropped August 16th and I have not stopped playing it. Like, I may have a problem. You should call the authorities. They're quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. I think we both fell for them back when they dropped "Heart Wants" but to me their songs have so many layers, all playing perfectly together to put you in some sort of trance. Even their vocals are treated more like instruments than lyrics. Plus, each song feels like 3-4 songs packed into one. Very little repetition and by the end of a song, it's almost unrecognizable from when it began. I love that. Just listen to Kamikaze. In the beginning you're on a beach in the Caribbean. But right around the 3:45 mark, it transitions to a cold cruise through a rougher part of Detroit. I love a song that takes you on a journey and if you can sustain that for an entire album, my hat's off to you. I can't say enough about this band.