On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the annual Letters to Santa Holiday Gala is taking place at the Chop Shop in Chicago. This year’s event is headlined by Fred Armisen and Jeff Tweedy and if you can’t make it to Chicago, you can learn how to livestream it and donate money to this remarkable and life-affirming and live-saving poverty alleviation initiative at letterscharity.org.

People who are familiar with the history of Kreative Kontrol know that the late Steve Albini and I would often have talks just ahead of each year’s Letters to Santa event, to catch up on stuff, ponder the year that was, and spread the word about Letters to Santa.

While Steve and I can’t have such conversations anymore, to maintain the tradition and spirit of the talks we had, I plan to feature archival interviews I conducted with Steve over the years, presenting them here ahead of Letters to Santa events for as long as possible.

If my records are correct, here now is the third radio interview that I asked Steve to participate in. It took place in the early fall of 2008 just ahead of Shellac playing what I’m rather certain were their first and only ever shows in Toronto and Montreal. Discussion topics included the friendly but somewhat tense diplomatic relationship between Canada and the United States of America, and how the Republican Party was letting “the oldest man in the world” run for president to further their ruinous policies and strengthen their vision for a police state. Again, this talk is from 2008.

Enjoy this blast from the past, support Letters Charity, and always and forever, thank you Steve Albini.

Support vish on Patreon! Specifically, by November 28, 2025 to help reach our membership drive goal of 700 paid subscribers!

Thanks to Blackbyrd Myoozik.

Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #925: Steve Albini (2007)

My first Steve Albini interview (2006)

Ep. #869: Steve Albini

Ep. #826: Steve Albini and Fred Armisen

Ep. #692: Wilco

Ep. #669: Dallas Good Remembered

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Hélène Barbier is here to discuss her excellent new record Panorama, difficulties an untrained musician might have playing music publicly in France compared to Montreal, being drawn to the low notes, imposter syndrome and loving low-key rock stars, being something of a homebody, dealing with a health diagnosis with some measure of humour, avoiding pigeonholing yourself in the press, writing songs in French or English depending on the rhythmic feel of the words, the Celluloid Lunch record label, being a dog person, upcoming shows, other future plans, and much more.

EVERY OTHER COMPLETE KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO PATREON SUPPORTERS STARTING AT $6/MONTH. This one is fine, but if you haven’t already, please subscribe now on Patreon so you never miss full episodes. Thanks!

Thanks to the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts.

Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #1023: Cate Le Bon

Ep. #996: Bibi Club

Ep. #991: Elle Barbara

Ep. #965: Marlaena Moore

Ep. #961: Eliza Niemi

Ep. #885: Laughing

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kreative-kontrol.

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Liam Kazar is here to discuss his lovely new album Pilot Light, parts of Canada, living in Brooklyn but missing Chicago, being in Jeff Tweedy’s solo band and working on his recent triple album, Twilight Override, performing on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert so soon after its impending cancellation announcement, constantly touring with Jeff, Waxahatchee, Sam Evian, Kevin Morby, and on his own, multi-instrumentalists who are stymied by the drums, growing up close to the Tweedys and his father’s musical and writing pursuits, the Windy City and minimalism, board games, chess, and chance, lyrical juxtaposition, mourning what could’ve been, tour dates, other future plans, and much more.

EVERY OTHER COMPLETE KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO PATREON SUPPORTERS STARTING AT $6/MONTH. Enjoy this excerpt and please subscribe now via this link to hear this full episode. Thanks!

Thanks to the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts.

Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #1026: Tortoise

Ep. #869: Steve Albini

Ep. #826: Steve Albini and Fred Armisen

Ep. #779: Kevin Morby

Ep. #692: Wilco

Ep. #586: Spencer Tweedy

Ep. #450: Jeff Tweedy

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kreative-kontrol.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.