Witchpolice Radio

10/11/2026

NEW EPISODE: Here's my conversation with saxophonist Neil Watson, who is directing the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra's upcoming tribute to Dave Brubeck!

We talk about what makes Brubeck’s music so enduring, delving into his deep catalogue beyond the hits, translating music written for a quartet into a big-band setting, and more!

‘Take 5: Dave Brubeck and West Coast Swing’ takes place Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Concert Hall. Check out the WJO’s website for ticket details.

Full disclosure: I'm doing some contract work for the WJO these days, but I don't consider it a conflict of interest to do an episode like this, because I'm a fan of what they do first and foremost... and in this case, I've listened to Neil's music for a number of years, and even have a copy of his 2013 'Move!' LP.

Need more Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in your life? Check out episode #750 (Dec. 2022), in which I interviewed the WJO's Richard Gillis.

Follow the podcast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! You can also support on Patreon... and do us a favour and leave a rating or review on your podcast player of choice. Thanks for listening!

Here's my conversation with saxophonist Neil Watson, who is directing the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra's upcoming tribute to Dave Brubeck!We talk about what makes Brubeck’s music so enduring, delving into his deep catalogue beyond the hits, translating music written for a quartet into a big-ba...

10/10/2026

Hey look! Claire Thérèse is back on the show! Stay tuned for a great conversation about the band’s upcoming LP release (Oct. 16! Sooon!) and its origins as a solo record, celebrating all things DIY, being backed up by the stone-cold pros in the Lockdown, and much more!

This one will be out RIGHT before the release show, likely even the morning-of, so stay tuned and get excited!!

10/10/2026

Sam with Claire Thérèse!

10/10/2026

On this day in 2022: Brandi Vezina episode!

Here's what I said about it at the time:

"Country singer-songwriter Brandi Vezina is on the show! Check out this conversation about her new single, getting nominated for five Manitoba Country Music Association awards this year, going in an outlaw country direction, and much more…" 🤠

Country singer-songwriter Brandi Vezina is on the show!Check out this conversation about her new single, getting nominated for five Manitoba Country Music Association awards this year, going in an outlaw country direction, and much more…   This episode brought to you by our pals at ...

10/10/2026

On this day in 2021 (5️⃣): Brendon Ehinger (Prairie Wires) episode!

Here's what I said about it at the time:

"Brendon Ehinger (formerly of Bucko, the Vagiants, et al) is on the show to talk about his current obsession with modular synthesizers and his work running the Prairie Wires Modular festival, which just wrapped up in his current home base of Brandon, Manitoba!"

Brendon Ehinger (formerly of Bucko, the Vagiants, et al) is on the show to talk about his current obsession with modular synthesizers and his work running the Prairie Wires Modular festival, which just wrapped up in his current home base of Brandon, Manitoba! This episode brought to you by our....

10/10/2026

On this day in 2013: Big Flaming Pile episode!

What I said about it at the time (and please note this is a very early episode in the show's old format):

"This week, it's a Sam solo-host job, with three guests: the brain-wizards behind DIY t-shirt manufacturers/filmmakers Big Flaming Pile.

"In a rare remote show, this time from BFP Headquarters in Winnipeg's West End, the trio of Derek Heaman, Alex McPhaden and Brian Griffith talk band merch, rural metal shows and this week's randomly-generated theme word: polar.

"These guys are best known today for their merch biz (highly recommended), but they started out doing no-budget filmmaking way back in the 1990s, including such gems as Cop Fiction. For the past 10 years or so, they've been moonlighting in the rarely-performing punk rock group the Damn Dirty Apes."

This week, it's a Sam solo-host job, with three guests: the brain-wizards behind DIY t-shirt manufacturers/filmmakers Big Flaming Pile.   In a rare remote show, this time from BFP Headquarters in Winnipeg's West End, the trio of Derek Heaman, Alex McPhaden and Brian Gri...

10/10/2026

On this day in 2019: The Gerry Hatricks episode!

What I said about it at the time:

"Progressive folk-rock-punk foursome The Gerry Hatricks are on the verge of releasing their excellent self-titled debut EP, so we sat down in a dog-filled living room to talk all about it.

"The group, which is an extension and expansion of frontman Gerrit Delaquis' solo sound, discusses the songs' complexity and technicality, the process of recording and writing the EP, and a lot more.

"They also perform four acoustic songs, and since – at the time this is being released – there isn't a ton of Gerry Hatricks material available until the record hits Bandcamp on Oct. 11, it's a cool way to get an advance listen."

Progressive folk-rock-punk foursome [The Gerry Hatricks](http://thegerryhatricks.bandcamp.com/releases) are on the verge of releasing their excellent self-titled debut EP, so we sat down in a dog-filled living room to talk all about it. The group, which is an extension and expansion of frontman Gerr...

10/09/2026

Attention local musicians (and music-adjacent people)! The podcast is free and always will be, but I'm trying to find ways to generate some kind of revenue from the show, because I put a crazy amount of work in.

I've tried selling traditional ads in the past, but I get very uncomfortable asking for money, so I haven't done it in a few years ... but what about something like this?

You have a big show coming up, or a new single, or something else? Maybe I come down and record some video and help promote you that way? I have a LOT of people asking if they can be on the podcast to promote a single, and I usually tell them to wait until they have an album or a more substantial body of work... but this could be a great way to promote something like that to the Witchpolice audience (which is probably also YOUR audience). I could also run an audio version on the podcast as well.

Get in touch and let's figure out some kind of a deal. Thanks, pals.

10/09/2026

Sam with Neil Watson! 🎷