Interview by Meghan Killimade Thanks for chatting with us again Michael! We last did an interview in November of 2021 when you had just released ‘Montauk Mohawk’. You’ve released a number of recordings since then and have played a slew of shows solo and with the band -- catch us up with what you’ve been up to since we last spoke?
Oh yeah 'Montauk Mohawk' was ages ago now! Where do I even begin? According to the Bandcamp site there have been 8 tapes, 4 lp's , 1 cd and a few various internet only things. So much, dang.... it's weird to look back at all the things -- I often feel unproductive haha. I've been playing with The Family Stoned, 2 of the LP's are from that band... and I've been playing in a duo with Russell Linder as BENT LIGHT, 2 of those tapes are from that project. Russ also plays in the fam now and it's been really wonderful. The other two LP's are just me alone. I don't like playing alone so much, but making records alone … yes. Angel Eyes and the Whistling Moon Travelers are these two other groups I've been playing with, well it's sort of the same group give or take a member, though they all live in Maine so shows are few and far between. They're all old and very close friends... love them dearly and love playing music with them. Johnny from the travelers and I have a project going called Daisy Cross outside of that too, its poetry stuff, some tapes and guitars -- can be really beautiful or totally fucked. There's also Pink Sap though that's sorta burned out and the No (insert word) in the Valley Band. Those two are total improv things. Exciting and scary, who knows what will happen or who will be in the band at the show, yes a sound person's worst nightmare... sorry. So yeah quite a lot of action...
Catch us up with The Family Stoned – what’s the
current lineup and for the folks that aren’t familiar - what kind of music have
you guys been creating?
The fam stoned is me on vocals, guitars and sometimes some tape action; Kevin on a guitar; Cameron on a guitar; Tim on the drums and Russell is the newest member playing a bass guitar. Our music is pretty strange... it borders on punk rock, sorta extreme feedback noise and a bit of long, completely freaked out psychedelic improv excursions. Some shows we'll just play all the rippers and get in and out in a fury and some shows we'll dive into the jams with no direction really...take some chances. There's also three guitars so we try to fill up space with some interesting harmony... whether we succeed with that is to be determined, show to show. Think a mix of sonic youth and the dead with some ideas from the dead and a small amount of pop structure.
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| Wailing City Archive: Slyne & The Family Stoned at Telegraph January 2025 |
What’s the songwriting process like for you guys
and how does everyone in the band contribute to the music?
Songwriting is kind of a group effort. I may bring a riff or a really primitive idea or motive and we all hash it out together. We also start every practice with a jam whether it be 10 minutes or 45... so we pull some ideas out of those. I think it's pretty democratic. Everyone's ideas are heard and tried. This is true because if it were up to me there would be no riffs, just a total sonic freak out.
Songwriting is kind of a group effort. I may bring a riff or a really primitive idea or motive and we all hash it out together. We also start every practice with a jam whether it be 10 minutes or 45... so we pull some ideas out of those. I think it's pretty democratic. Everyone's ideas are heard and tried. This is true because if it were up to me there would be no riffs, just a total sonic freak out.
You’re about to release a new album – congrats! What’s
the title and talk about the inspiration behind the songs and the recording experience!
The new album is called 'The Future is a Valley' -- I have some idea of what it means... something with time and time passing, sort of how time is carving at us all. It makes a scene in my head, but maybe not everyone's. That's ok. We recorded it in my living room. Lee, our previous bassist, recorded it mostly. We pushed all the furniture out of the way and loaded the living room with drums, amps in stairwells, amps in the kitchen -- mixing boards and microphones all over. I loved seeing my house this way, it felt natural. I edited it and did the mixing. It was very hard and taxing honestly. It was finished a year ago. I needed some time away from it. Finally, Tim was like "Slyne you gotta put our record out" -- I was sort of reluctant to do it. I'm happy now that it's out though. We worked really hard on it. Shout out to Emily Barresi for always providing us with great art...
In addition to The Family Stoned Bandcamp page – will you be
releasing physical copies of the new album and where can folks pick up a copy?
Yeah we pressed 100 LP's. You can get it from one of us or The Telegraph or other local shops. Best bet is to just come to a show and cop one, but do it fast, there will be no repress of these. Once they're gone --that's it!
Yeah we pressed 100 LP's. You can get it from one of us or The Telegraph or other local shops. Best bet is to just come to a show and cop one, but do it fast, there will be no repress of these. Once they're gone --that's it!
In celebration of the new album you’ve got a
release show planned for Friday August 29 at Oasis in New London – tell us what
peeps can expect at the show and who else is on the bill with you?
I think we're just going to play the whole record.. and maybe a couple even newer songs. We've got Missed Cues coming up from New Haven to play with us... they are so sick. They have all been around the New Haven punker scene for years and always had great bands. This one is no exception.
I think we're just going to play the whole record.. and maybe a couple even newer songs. We've got Missed Cues coming up from New Haven to play with us... they are so sick. They have all been around the New Haven punker scene for years and always had great bands. This one is no exception.
Any other shows coming up that folks can check
out?
Oh there's so many shows coming up... just keep an eye out for flyers... or check on my Instagram if spotting flyers isn't for you. I would list a couple, but they all hold the same weight, none should shadow any of the others... go to shows people, it's very important.
What are some of bands/musicians (local or otherwise)
that you’ve been digging lately that you think folks should check out?
Local bands... oh shit... so many... Pencils Down, Xenos, Dirt Pile, BALLERS, Lazy Trail, Thirst Trap, Fatal Film, Bards of Gungywamp, Bears Don't Care...
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What's next... well for the fam we are always writing new stuff... so hopefully we'll get around to recording another LP. I've got a solo LP I'm going to release soon... heard it here first. There is Bent Light stuff recorded, Daisy Cross recorded things... all sorts of stuff on the horizon...
Anything else you want to add?
I just want to encourage people to GO TO SHOWS. It's so important to the community. Don't take these things for granted.... also big ups to all the bands and friends we've made over the years -- Maria for putting up with and my often frantic pursuit of art and music, Emily B. for all the art... all the heads that come to the shows and all the people that I play music with, it is the greatest joy of my life. xoxox
FOLLOW
CATCH THE SHOW
Fri August 29, 2025 @ Oasis Pub
16 Bank Street, New London
9pm / $10 / 21+
w/ Missed Cues
LISTEN