Community Matters + For the Record

Grey Matter

On Community Matters, we chat with artists who share their stories on how other people impact their music. A supportive community is one of the things that inspires artists to start making music & then keep making it — this is an ode to those relationships. For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads about their stories + the music that makes them. Both are productions of Grey Matter, a community for sharing and discovering music, together. Our mission is to connect people through music and build enduring value for those who make it.

  1. 061 For the Record || Kane Mayfield

    03/11/2025

    061 For the Record || Kane Mayfield

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Kane Mayfield is a visionary artist who has successfully bridged the worlds of hip-hop, digital innovation, and Web3 technology. With roots in Long Island, New York, and a decade-long stint in Baltimore that shaped his musical career, Mayfield has emerged as a multifaceted creator whose work spans traditional rap, cutting-edge NFTs, and groundbreaking audio experiments. MUSIC MENTIONS Bob Marley“Redemption Song” by Bob MarleyBig Daddy KaneKool G RapRakimPoor Righteous TeachersNice N SmoothCanibusHipHopDXAllHipHop2DopeBoyzNah RightS.O.B.’s (NYC)Lupe FiascoSXSWStereogumSpin MagazineThe FaderThievery CorporationDrakeA3C FestivalCore DJ’sCMJQ&A GriseldaRoc MarcianoThe Alchemist“Mural” by Lupe FiascoKendrick LamarKaYouTube MusicDJ ClueFat JoeRaekwonCormegaCutmaster CDJ Kay SlayEARTHGANGCoast ContraWise IntelligentIce Cube“Wicked” by Ice CubeSmooth B“WRAiTH” by Mickey FactsRoyce da 5’9”RJ PayneRansomGhostface KillahBlack ThoughtHomeboy Sandman“Illmatic” by Nas“Kill at Will” by Ice Cube“Ironman” by Ghostface Killah“Stakes is High” by De La Soul“Intelligent Hoodlum” by Tragedy KhadafiMobb DeepDe La SoulTragedy Khadafi“H.N.I.C.” by Prodigy“Hell on Earth” by Mobb Deep“Murda Muzik” by Mobb Deep“Amerikaz Nightmare” by Mobb Deep“Immobilarity” by RaekwonWu Tang ClanSkrillaDJ BoomanLizzoSketchDiscovering music today (35:55): Riding as a passenger in his brother’s carMixtapes, freestyles, etcLA LeakersFirst album ever purchased (43:44): “Holy Intellect” by Poor Righteous TeachersMost recent album purchased (47:18): “The Thief Next to Jesus” by KaArtists discovered in the past year (48:45): JIDMickey FactsDesert island discs (58:30): “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (The Purple Tape)” by Raekwon“Orpheus vs. the Sirens” by Hermit and the Recluse and Ka“The Infamous” by Mobb Deep

    1h 6m
  2. 060 For the Record || Doug Moore

    03/11/2025

    060 For the Record || Doug Moore

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Doug Moore is a prolific extreme metal musician based in Queens. He’s the vocalist of Pyrrhon, Scarcity, Glorious Depravity, & Seputus, and the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Weeping Sores. In prior years, he worked as a music critic and editor for Stereogum, Invisible Oranges, and BrooklynVegan, among other outlets. Outside of his musical activities, he pays the bills by working as a software engineer, and pursues lifelong interests in fitness and literature. https://linktr.ee/avantdumb MUSIC MENTIONS NirvanaStone Temple PilotsSoul AsylumRadioheadFairport ConventionThe BeatlesPink FloydLed ZeppelinMetallicaSlayerMatt HollenbergJohn ZornClericEarly days, vocal inspirations (11:50): James HetfieldMikael ÅkerfeldtOpethThe Dillinger Escape PlanDimitri MinakakisTomas LindbergAt the GatesJ.R. HayesPig DestroyerPeter TägtgrenHypocrisyDavid VincentMorbid AngelTom ArayaJeff WalkerCarcassSteve SchweglerPyrrhonSeputusDylan DiLellaDigital MetalMetal JudgmentLambgoatMetal ReviewLast RitesWNYU RadioContextualizing work as a music journalist (26:45): Invisible OrangesWyatt MarshallStereogumRelapse RecordsQ&A LankumIan LynchBill WellsAidan MoffatArab StrapPhilip GlassKrallice“Second Wound” by Plowshare“Exhaust” by PyrrhonWillowtip RecordsScarcity“The Promise of Rain” by ScarcityThe FlenserWeeping SwordsI, Voidhanger RecordsHave a Nice LifeDiscovering music today (35:08): Music journalist friends, band mates, etcWyatt MarshallIan ChaineyAaron LariviereCaroline HarrisonThomson GusterFire Draw NearFirst album ever purchased (41:11): “Tubthumper” by ChumbawumbaMost recent album purchased (42:42): “Everything’s Getting Older” by Aidan Moffat and Bill WellsArtists discovered in the past year (44:20): Shovel Dance CollectiveBłotoPlowshareDesert island discs (49:33): “Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis“OK Computer” by Radiohead“Master of Puppets” by Metallica

    57 min
  3. 059 For the Record || Justin Strauss

    02/07/2025

    059 For the Record || Justin Strauss

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss. Since he was 17, when his first band was signed to Island Records, Justin has had a career that reads like a Who’s-Who of the music scene, spinning at nearly every dance club that you’d ever want to go to. Starting as DJ at New York’s legendary Mudd Club, he spun his way through The Ritz, Limelight, Area, Tunnel, M.K., Life, Centro Fly and more, pioneering his own distinctive sound, and becoming one of the most sought-after remixers and producers not just in New York, but in the world. He has worked with the gamut of artists - Depeche Mode, Hot Chip, Sergio Mendez, Tina Turner, Jimmy Cliff, B-52s, Luther Vandross, 808 State, Malcolm McClaren, Skinny Puppy, Goldfrapp, LCD Soundsystem to name a few and on over 300 records! MUSIC MENTIONS Early years, from being in a band to becoming a DJ: The BeatlesThe Rolling StonesThe KinksThe WhoJames BrownChuck BerryDavid BowieMilk ’N’ CookiesIsland RecordsRoxy MusicSparksRobert PalmerTop of the PopsNew York DollsCBGBSex PistolsThe Mudd Club (NYC)Studio 54Max’s Kansas City (NYC)Paradise Garage (NYC)François KevorkianThe Limelight (NYC)Aria (NYC)Tunnel (NYC)Danceteria (NYC)Hurrah (NYC)Palladium (NYC)The Ritz (NYC)Webster Hall (NYC)PrinceKraftwerkHuman LeagueDepeche ModeGang of FourTina TurnerAfrika BambaataaLiquid LiquidESGSpotifyQ&A Vinylmania (NYC)OptimoJames MurphyThe DareDeeweeSoulwaxFat White FamilyParanoid London“Brat” by Charli XCX“B2B” by Charli XCXHot ChipJoe GoddardMarcus MarrMax ParkPrince LanguageDiscovering music today (30:42): Clubs, DJ’s & FriendsBandcampBeatportFavorite clubs in NYC right now (38:52): Gabriela (NYC)Good Room (NYC)Night Moves (NYC)Public Records (NYC)Nowadays (NYC)Outer Heaven (NYC)Jean’s (NYC)Baby’s All Right (NYC)First album ever purchased (45:01): “Meet The Beatles” by The BeatlesMost recent album purchased (45:45): “Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)” by DeciusArtists discovered in the past year (46:48): DeciusOthaCharli XCXSleaford ModsDesert island discs (49:44): “Computer World” by Kraftwerk“Revolve” by The Beatles“In the Jungle Groove” by James BrownCurrent and upcoming collab projects: Each OtherExtra Credit

    56 min
  4. 058 For the Record || Ian Chainey

    02/04/2025

    058 For the Record || Ian Chainey

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Ian Chainey has been writing Stereogum's The Black Market since 2014. Former editor and associate editor - respectively - of the Invisible Oranges and Last Rites music blogs, his bylines have also spanned several publications over the years. Moreover, he's produced many a podcast and runs two newsletters: Plague Rages and Wolf's Week. MUSIC MENTIONS - Metal Trenches - R.E.M. - New Kids on The Block - “You Got It (The Right Stuff” by New Kids On The Block - “Revolver” by The Beatles - “Tomorrow Never Knows” by The Beatles - Aerosmith - Steely Dan - “Black Cow” by Steely Dan - WBCN Boston - “Mysterious Ways” by U2 - “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. - All Music Guide - Epitonic - Pearl Jam - Metal Review - Invisible Oranges - Fenriz - Darkthrone - Petethepiratesquid - Parliament - György Ligeti - Jeromes Dream Living in ‘golden ages’ (24:20): - Krallice - Encenathrakh - Colin Marston - Weasel Walter - Mick Barr - Paulo Henri Paguntalan - Effluence - Matt Stephans - Anal Stabwound - Trichomoniasis - Hunter Peterson Q&A - The Metal Archives - Pyrrhon - Scarcity - Starkweather - Machine Music - “Orange Crush” by R.E.M. - “Monster” by R.E.M. - Chloroma - Embryonic Devourment - “Keeper of the Shepherd” by Hannah Frances - Al Stewart - Kraftwerk - The Buzzcocks - Sunrise Patriot Motion - Yellow Eyes - Sonic Youth - The Cramps - “Primitive Thrill” by Weegee - Prince - Richard D. James - John Coltrane - Xeno & Oaklander - “Pierced from Within” by Suffocation Discovering music today (28:10): - Bandcamp - Doug Moore - Wyatt Marshall - Jon Rosenthal - Spotify - Rennie Resmini - Ron Ben-Tovin First album ever purchased (33:30): - “Green” by R.E.M. Most recent album purchased (34:25): - “Prime Specimens” by Embryonic Devourment Artists discovered in the past year (35:41): - Hannah Frances - Cosey Mueller - Weegee Desert island discs (38:45): - “Requiem” by György Ligeti - “Free Hand” by Gentle Giant - “Journey in Satchidananda” by Alice Coltrane

    45 min
  5. 057 For the Record || Heno.

    01/24/2025

    057 For the Record || Heno.

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Heno. is an artist and producer who experiments across different mediums, hailed by Fortune as an "early innovator" & praised by COLORS for his "hard-hitting and powerful aesthetic." A first-generation Ethiopian-Eritrean based in Los Angeles, CA by way of Takoma Park, Maryland, Heno. uses his music and love for art to explore impactful stories & build worlds bridging the traditional music industry & the Web3 space. Sonically, Heno.'s versatility knows no bounds with collaborations from Mick Jenkins, JPEGMAFIA, Chaz Bear (Toro Y Moi), Elujay, J.Robb & many more that have amassed millions of plays. Heno. has a lot in the queue this year with new music on the horizon, stay tuned for more. MUSIC MENTIONS James Brown Smokey Robinson Jackson 5 Tina Turner Britney Spears N*Sync Tupac Tilahun Gessesse Mulatu Astatke Teddy Afro Aster Aweke Whitney Houston Mahmoud Ahmed Q&A Pigeons & Planes Complex illroots Limewire Nas “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” by Jeezy “Graduation” by Kanye West Black Star Mos Def Talib Kweli “Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star” by Black Star JPEGMAFIA Lupe Fiasco “Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool” by Lupe Fiasco Chief Keef André 3000 Killer Mike Nipsey Hussle Denzel Curry Earl Sweatshirt Brent Faiyaz Doechii Quincy Jones Kanye West Pharrell Stevie Wonder Future Mad Keys Jamee Cornelia Discovering music today (44:08): Friends Shazam Annabelle Kline That Good Shit Assorted Tapes Saving Connie Bandcamp Spotify First album ever purchased (47:48): “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” by 50 Cent Most recent album purchased (51:54): “Blue Lips” by ScHoolboy Q Artists discovered in the past year (56:47): 454 Nino Paid Loe Shimmy Desert island discs (1:00:19): “Thriller” by Michael Jackson “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar “The Best of Sade” by Sade

    1h 9m
  6. 056 For the Record || Roxane Métayer

    01/24/2025

    056 For the Record || Roxane Métayer

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Roxane Métayer is a visual artist and musician based in Brussels. Her work primarily focuses on forest wildlife and flora. The living world and our connection to it play a central role in her creations. Her music combines collages of sound recordings captured in nature (forests, marshes, ponds, clearings, etc.) with various wind and string instruments, such as the violin, as well as her own voice. Through imitation, she stages fictional wildlife and flora. She has released several albums on labels such as Matière Mémoire, Kraak, Morc, Primordial Void, Wabi-Sabi Tapes, and Marionnette Label. Her album Perlée de Sève was named one of the best experimental music selections on Bandcamp. MUSIC MENTIONS Dead Can Dance Adobe Premiere Tomás Tello “Le Chant des Oiseaux” album by various artists Codex Club Q&A “Pianoon” by Limpe Fuchs Discovering music today (24:55): Ocora (label) Secondhand record stores First album ever purchased (28:05): “Hilary Hahn Plays Bach” by Hilary Hahn Most recent album purchased (29:18): “Oude geuze uit Niemandaal” by Linus Vandewolken Artists discovered in the past year (30:06): Audrey Carmes Limpe Fuchs Desert island discs (32:48): “Hilary Hahn Plays Bach” by Hilary Hahn “Turtle Dreams” by Meredith Monk “The Voice of Lightness, Vol. 1: Congo Classics (1966-1977)” by Tabu Ley Rochereau

    37 min
  7. 055 For the Record || Dougal Perman

    12/19/2024

    055 For the Record || Dougal Perman

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Dougal Perman is a seasoned figure in Scotland's music industry, with a career spanning over two decades. In 2001, he co-founded Radio Magnetic, one of the UK's pioneering internet radio stations, dedicated to promoting underground and alternative music. His leadership extended to the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), where he served as Chair from 2016 to 2023. During his tenure, Dougal played a pivotal role in launching and developing the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, now recognised as Scotland's national music prize. He was actively involved in lobbying government and industry representation during the pandemic. Beyond his contributions to music media and industry development, Dougal loves playing music. He began DJing at 16, ran hip hop clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow later was a resident at Kinky Afro at Glasgow's Sub Club and various Radio Magnetic nights around Scotland. He plays piano, guitar and oboe, and occasionally creates electronic music. Music is a family affair, Dougal enjoys jamming with his girlfriend and children. He believes that music is in all of us, it's part of what makes us human. MUSIC MENTIONS The Who Ian Dury “The Jungle Book” Soundtrack Scottish Chamber Orchestra Segei Rachmaninoff The Temptations Usher Hall (Edinburgh) Apollo Theater (NYC) Iron Maiden Led Zeppelin Frank Zappa MTV Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana NME Melody Maker (publication) Subcity Radio Rolling Stone Cafe Graffiti (Edinburgh) Radio Magnetic Radio Magnetic (31:00): Warner Music UK Ultimate Dilemma Records Mushroom Records Much Music Soma Records Slam Phonetic Recordings Tania Swift Jill Mingo Chicks on Speed TripTych Music Festival Underground Solution (Edinburgh) Rubadub Records Ninja Tune Grand Central Records Compost Records Kompakt Records Q&A Chemikal Underground Records The Delgados Scottish Music Industry Association “dinny greet” by rEDOLENT The National Piping Centre Celtic Connections (festival) First Aid Kit Björk Joanna Newsom Constant Follower “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations “Double Figure” by Plaid Warp Records Vicki Troop David Kelly Honeyblood Discovering music today (1:01:24): Bandcamp Shazam Bleep Scottish Album of the Year Award First album ever purchased (1:07:45): “The Song Remains the Same” by Led Zeppelin Most recent album purchased (1:08:25): “Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On” by Andrew Wasylyk and Tommy Perman Artists discovered in the past year (1:11:15): rEDOLENT Becky Sikasa Charm of Finches Irish Mythen Bird Vox Jemima and the Fuse Desert island discs (1:17:00): “All the Million-Sellers” by The Temptations “The Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky (Dutoit, Orchestra Symphonique de Montreal) “A Hi-Tech Jazz Compilation” by Galaxy 2 Galaxy (Underground Resistance)

    1h 27m
  8. 054 For the Record || Daniel Collás

    12/10/2024

    054 For the Record || Daniel Collás

    For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them. Join the Crate Coalition: https://discord.gg/sAaG6a7bv4 Daniel Collás is the founder and producer of the Phenomenal Handclap Band, whose works have attracted critical acclaim as well as praise from such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Gilles Peterson, Elton John and Simon LeBon, to name but a few. Aside from his work with the Phenomenal Handclap Band, Daniel has carved out a unique and enviable career producing records for some of his musical heroes: Joe Bataan, Marcos Valle, Ned Doheny, and most recently Gil Scott-Heron’s longtime collaborator and co-writer, Brian Jackson. As a DJ, Daniel Collás has provided the soundtrack for countless parties and festivals in his home city of New York and around the world, including the legendary PS1 Warm Up, Croatia's Garden Festival, Munich’s Charlie and Lisbon's Lux Frágil, as well as many fine nightclubs from London to Ibiza, Stockholm to Tokyo. MUSIC MENTIONS Daptone Records Joe Bataan “Chick-A-Boom/Cycles of You” by Joe Bataan Vampisoul Amy Winehouse Lily Allen Subtonic Bee Gees ABBA Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas JKriv Idris Muhammad Bernard Purdie Lou Donaldson Lonnie Smith Jack McDuff Booker T. & the M.G.’s Zigaboo Modeliste The Meters Horace Silver Art Blakey Balancing different musical identies (15:23): Yes Rush Gunyun Elston Gunn Mitch Mitchell Paul McCartney BBC Radio 1 Zane Lowe Triple J Zan Rowe Brian Jackson Marcos Valle Ned Doheny Suzanne Ciani Booker T Q&A Zoë Kravitz Chaka Khan “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan Numero Group David Holmes Dynastie Crisis The Specials The Selecter English Beat Madness “On My Radio” by The Selecter Hansson & Karlsson Talking Heads David Byrne “Stop Making Sense” by Talking Heads “Do The Strand” by Roxy Music Brian Ferry Top of the Pops The Old Grey Whistle Test AC/DC The Grateful Dead The Warlocks “Shakedown Street” by The Grateful Dead “Meditation” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s Lone Limited Recordings Discovering music today (25:20): Shows & movies First album ever purchased (29:21): “This Are Two Tone” by Various Artists Most recent album purchased (30:20): “Attic Thoughts” by Bo Hansson Artists discovered in the past year (31:12): Roxy Music Desert island discs (37:05): “The Greatest Hits of Shocking Blue” by Shocking Blue “Soul Limbo” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s “Freedom Suite” by The Rascals

    42 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On Community Matters, we chat with artists who share their stories on how other people impact their music. A supportive community is one of the things that inspires artists to start making music & then keep making it — this is an ode to those relationships. For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads about their stories + the music that makes them. Both are productions of Grey Matter, a community for sharing and discovering music, together. Our mission is to connect people through music and build enduring value for those who make it.