98. Sam Coomes Discusses Velvet Underground, White Light/White Heat

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Portland-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Sam Coomes (Quasi, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, Heatmiser, The Donner Party) takes a break from a busy 2023 to get Al up to speed on the Velvet Underground. Specifically, he introduces our host to VU’s second album, White Light/White Heat. Sam goes in depth on the album’s 17-minute closer, “Sister Ray,” and also talks about the tracks that were his favorites when he first starting listening to the album. He also talks about Quasi’s soon-to-be-released (Feb. 10) album, Breaking the Balls of History, and their upcoming tour.

On this episode, Al made reference to an appearance Sam made on Joe Wong’s podcast, The Trap Set. You can listen to that episode here: http://www.thetrapset.net/290-sam-coomes-quasi/.

Sam mentioned that Quasi would be releasing a third single from Breaking the Balls of History shortly after the recording of this episode. In fact, that single — “Nowheresville” — is out now, and there’s a great video for it, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODVN6LoNL5g&list=RDODVN6LoNL5g&start_radio=1

Be sure to follow Sam on Instagram! @theecoomes

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For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

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1:21 Sam joins the show

2:09 The Velvet Underground’s first album was Sam’s introduction to the band

4:29 Sam talks about the group that inspired him to play in a band

8:03 Sam and Al wax nostalgic about record stores

9:10 Sam explains why he chose White Light/White Heat

10:17 Is “Sister Ray” prog?

13:27 Sam hears “Sister Ray” as a discussion

16:29 “Sister Ray” was the last song on the album that Sam got into

18:19 The Velvet Underground add unconventional elements to conventional rock songs

21:23 Sam identifies the elements of White Light/White Heat that made him love the album initially

26:33 Al had trouble with some of the more grisly lyrics

27:23 Sam used to focus more on the music than the lyrics in “The Gift”

29:16 Sam talks about the paradox of Lou Reed’s lyrics

31:59 The Velvet Underground got tighter as a band on White Light/White Heat

33:47 Al asks Sam if he models his own sounds on those of Velvet Underground

35:48 Al asks Sam about his hypothetical prog rock podcast

43:08 Sam talks about the soon-to-be-released Quasi album

46:33 Sam discusses his near-term touring plans

Outro is from "Doomscrollers" by Quasi.

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