If you haven’t heard of Paper Suit, you might be feeling a little left out right now. But the fact of the matter is, Paper Suit is just now being brought into the fold. Launched just last month, the five-artist collective is a collaborative project between internet friends who also happen to be rappers. Together, they blend their styles, intonations, and perspectives to make this a beautiful and fun experience for all.
We sat down to get to know the guys recently, and it inspired an interview series. Tune in to part one below, and let us know what you think of the new project on Instagram!
Petoskey, Michigan bred folk-rock quartet Michigan Rattlers – expertly comprised of Graham Young, Adam Reed, Christian Wilder, and Anthony Audia – is probably showing up close to you sometime soon. They mounted a three-month tour in February, and don’t show any signs of slowing down. We got a few minutes to catch up with lead singer Graham Young ahead of their March 12th show in Kansas City.
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Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to pursue music as more than a hobby?
Graham: I feel like I’ve always kind of been somebody that goes all in. When I was a kid, probably between the ages of 5 and 11, I played hockey and I was going to play in the NHL. It wasn’t just for fun.
Then I got a guitar for my 12th birthday and I’ve seen some live ACDC videos. I needed to get a guitar because that’s what I wanted to do. I needed to be in a band and play a big stage and be a guitar player. So it was kind of like, from the moment I started it was all I wanted to do. And do it seriously.
It really was never a hobby to begin with. I went in full steam ahead.
That’s incredible, to just know in your bones. You found your people pretty quickly too, yeah?
Graham: I grew up in a small town so there weren’t that many kids and people around. Seemed like I got a guitar and Tony – everybody that’s in the band now – we’ve all been playing together in some iteration since we were 12 or 13 years old.
Part of it too, where we grew up the school band program was pretty intense and pretty respected and we were all part of that. Kind of going to school every day and playing music and learning different instruments. Saxophone was my first instrument. All the other guys played percussion. You’d go to the band room every day from 6th grade to 12th grade and play that. Then after school we’d kind of do the rock band thing. Playing music together was always part of what we did.
I’m just happy your region had resources to be hard! That’s amazing. Over the years – and maybe even more recently – how have you noticed your music shift and maybe your approach to it?
Graham: When we first started the band it was really a bunch of songs I had written by myself in my bedroom. It was just me and a guitar. That was kind of where it started, then as personnel expanded and instrumentation expanded, you just kind of are able to do more things. It was kind of a natural evolution in terms of how we create the music, what it sounds like. And there’s a little bit of an audience too. It’s not something you like to think about, but it does certainly factor.
When you think about creating this body of work, I feel like we are far enough down the road a little bit – almost like 10 years – and you can kind of get a bird’s eye view of where we were and where we’re going and kind of take that into consideration.
I did feel more connected to this third album. It is such a journey, is there a particular song on this release you identify with the most or have a story about?
Graham: Good question. I mean, all of them. For us, as a band, I think it’s true that this third album does feel kind of like the first album that we really made in the way that we wanted to make it. We really took our time with it, with the songs. Some of these songs started in Covid, 2020, 2021. It took years to kind of shape them in these different ways.
The title track, “Waving From A Sea,” is pretty important to me. In the past I didn’t do a lot of rewriting. I was kind of just like “This is how it is.” But with “Waving From A Sea,” we were in Burlington, Vermont on tour and had a couple of days off. I was sitting in the Air BNB and had a moment. I had the guitar out and was flipping through some notebooks and just fell upon some lyrics from… I don’t even know how long ago I’d written them. And it was kind of like a verse. And I was like, “Well, this is pretty sweet” and then just started messing around with it. So it was a process of finding these old bits I’d completely forgotten about and working with them. It kind of sparked this new feeling to just take these and run with them. So that was that song.
And “Heaven,” sonically and phonetically, was one of the touchstones for this album. Just the bigger, more filled out sound with the synths and guitars. And the idea of just kind of not living in this weird, nostalgic past and not being in this anxious, uncertain future. Just telling yourself; “You’re living right now and your life is going to be over soon, you’re going to be really pissed that you missed it.” You’re here, in Paris, with a beautiful lady. So let’s live here and not worry about what’s coming next. So that was kind of “Heaven.”
The little spoken outro was something too. We got some gear this time so I was able to do some recording and demos on my own. We had kind of been going in and out of the studio here in Nashville. I was just at home and I felt like there needed to be something at the end. So I was messing around with this weird spoken, half sung thing that I would have been way too embarrassed to do in the studio with everyone else just watching me try this thing. Since I was by myself, I was just having fun. And I was like, “Oh shit, this is actually pretty sweet.” So I was able to take a chance and if it sucked, I was the only one that knew about it. So that was kind of a fun piece of it.
It turned out so well, too! What a lesson in confidence. Speaking of “Heaven,” how did the concept for the video come about, or do you have any stories from set?
Graham: The “Heaven” video was directed by my girlfriend, Ally Bernstein. And then her friend and our friend, Shelby Goldstein who has taken a bunch of photos for us over the years. We were doing things on this album we hadn’t done and we wanted to create this world visually too. We knew “Heaven” was gonna be one of those singles and really it was just kind of Ally and Shelby who came up with the concept of it.
Kind of in tandem, though, we shot “Heaven” and “Gridlock” on the same day in the exact same spot. We didn’t have a ton of money, we shot it in LA and Shelby had some connections. It was a whole crew, it was a real deal production which was really fun. We did the “Heaven” video around 11am and finished at 4pm. And then we reset and did “Gridlock” after that. So they are kind of connected in this way where it’s kind of “Heaven” and then “Gridlock” kind of descends into this dark red, hellish vibe.
[The “Heaven” video] was fun [to make]. It’s easy to have fun when you’re playing, it’s a little strange when you’re lip syncing and dancing around and trying to vibe out in front of the camera with a bunch of people watching.
You are NOT wrong! Michigan Rattlers are stopping thru KC on March 12. Anything you’re looking forward to?
Graham: We’ve been to Kansas City a handful of times. It’s one of those places where it took a couple times to feel like we had kind of broken through in a certain sense. The last time we were there was definitely the best turnout. But yeah, Kansas City was fun. I feel like we always go to Arthur Bryant’s, so done that 2 or 3 times. Everywhere we go we try to find good food and a bookstore or something.
Fantastic! Now, you all started tour already and you’re going through, more or less, the middle of May. How did you prepare yourself for that?
Graham: I feel like I’m still preparing, we’re still figuring it out. We did a lot of rehearsal. Outside rehearsal, you just have to do it live and figure it out. We have been touring for a while, so we kind of know what we’re getting into with these long stretches. It has been a while, we didn’t do much touring last year at all. This is the first time in a while that we have really hit it hard.
You just take it a day at a time and you try to treat it like you’re waking up and doing it at home. Don’t treat it too differently. Find the little things to make yourself comfortable.
Any items you have to have with you on the road?
Graham: Healthyish bars, protein bars, things like that. Can’t snack on Chex Mix all day long. You gotta have a water bottle and some vitamins.
Good! We take care of ourselves! I’m proud of you guys.
Graham: It’s been about a decade. When I was 20, we weren’t as conscientious about being healthy. And we have so much more gear now. Back in the day, it was a couple guitars and a bass. SOundcheck took 15 minutes. Now, it takes almost 2 hours to load in, soundcheck. It’s a little more physically intense than it used to be so you have to prepare yourself and be able to just do it. It’s not just oplkaying the show, you’ve got to be in shape enough to do the other things. Otherwise it’s truly miserable.
If you could be any superhero… or have a specific power, who or what would you choose?
Graham: Umm I’ve always kind of been drawn to Batman. He’s just a regular dude that’s trying his best. I mean, regular, filthy rich guy. He’s just kind of like a weird guy doing his thing.
A superpower? I think being able to hold a book by the covers and absorb everything that’s in the book. Like, all at once. That would be incredible. It would save a lot of time.
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Michigan Rattlers play Encore at the Uptown Theater on March 12. Waving From A Sea is out now. Check out the “Lilacs Bloom” video here.
In 2024, Kansas City welcomed over thirty talented artists and performers to compete on Second Chance Stage, a television show that serves to give people a second shot at some of their biggest dreams. From a grocery store clerk who can belt out opera songs, to a special education teacher who sings to uplift those around him, to a flight attendant whose dreams of stand up comedy will never be dashed, the stages at the historic Music Hall and Arrest Bank Theater at The Midland were absolutely lit up – physically and emotionally – with every performance. I was lucky enough to be hired as an associate producer on the project, along with the my twin sister. It was here that we fell in love with a select few performers that we just couldn’t get enough of.
One of those outstanding entertainers? A comedian by the name of Xazmin Garza. During the entire two weeks of filming, we found ourselves drawn to her energy. From her live sets to the content she shares with such vulnerability, it’s clear that Xazmin has lived a thousand different lives. And bits of her story are so deeply relatable, that the humor she finds in life – dark at times – is undeniable. She is a captivating artist, and I’m just sorry I didn’t know about her sooner.
And when you sit down to watch Second Chance Stage – we will just assume you haven’t, but that you will immediately and then suggest it to all of your friends – you will understand why. When a comedy set has everyone cheering, and the comedian’s story leaves not a dry eye in the house, you know there’s magic in the air. When she tells you, specifically, “My biggest influences are Chris Rock and all female athletes,” then you know you’ve met someone with that extra sparkle.
And that’s exactly what she told us when she sat down to answer a few questions with us.
Upfront, Xazmin Garza will tell you who she is and how proud she is of herself and her family, an ownership we need more of onstage. An unrelenting appreciation for what we have when we have it. Some of her jokes will center on feeling “other” in many different types of scenarios – from growing up in Utah, to living on the east coast, to finding a church she can really vibe with – and they’re endlessly relatable. “I grew up in Utah. I’m not white or Mormon so I never felt at home there,” she explains, understandably. “I couldn’t wait to leave and be around more racially diverse people. But yeah, being from a place where I was called the ‘n’ word as a child (wtf?!) definitely shaped who I am today. I’ll probably always be healing in some way from that, whether I realize it or not.”
While she heals from experiences like growing up in Utah and moving from New York City and feeling like she lost momentum on her comedy career, she seems to have hit a groove in recent months. And her fanbase is benefitting. Her jokes are solid, her delivery is confident, and her moves feel purposeful.
But it wasn’t always exactly this smooth. She got started in comedy in her late thirties, which is almost unheard of for female entertainers, and played to many audiences across the east coast in cities like Boston and New York. Thank goodness society has gotten a kick in the ass and is beginning to appreciate different perspectives in comedy now, because Xazmin always found purpose in bringing others joy.
I could always bring my loved ones to tears with laughter. The more defining moment [when I realized I wanted to pursue comedy] was when I realized doing that was the best feeling in the world to me. I was at a wedding where I was someone’s plus one. I was cracking up all my date’s friends and I could tell it was upsetting my date. I could’ve gotten quiet from there, and just sat and looked pretty, but I chose to keep upsetting him.
I’m sure she’s found herself involved in many defining moments since, especially as she pursued comedy in New York City. “Moving to New York to make it as a comedian was scary,” she admits. “I knew it was going to be lonely and hard but I believed in my skills enough to do it anyway. It felt amazing to have something worth doing that for.”
In all honesty, I haven’t seen near enough of her material to understand how much she has evolved. But I do know that she went through the wringer as a female comic. Because of that, she has so much respect for other female comedians, and a really strong stance on how to maintain self-respect that most people could learn from. “When I was starting out, a local headliner told all the female comics not to fuck the guy comics,” she tells us. “I totally disagree with that. I just wish female comics wouldn’t fuck guys—comics or not—who don’t think they’re funny. If a woman is serious about comedy, she shouldn’t do that to herself or her art.”
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Xazmin recently moved to Arizona to be a source of full-time support for her mother, whose dementia diagnosis has provided a different set of experiences to fuel her growing comedy career. When Xazmin talks about her mother – whether she is posting a video to social media in vulnerability or mentioning her during a set – you can see deep appreciation and warmth wash over her. “My mom’s dementia caused her to lose some of her inhibitions,” she explains. “She laughs loud as hell now—like her kids do. When I hear her cracking up laughing—especially when I caused it—I feel so happy. Yes, because she’s having a good time but to hear her that free and taking up space gives me so much pride as her caregiver.”
Xazmin isn’t just getting support through her family unit back in Arizona, her day job fully backs her comedic aspirations. They posted about their star copywriter on their social media accounts when her episodes of Second Chance Stage were airing. “My day job has been supportive of my comedy aspirations from day one. I’m very fortunate in that regard. They encourage me and truly want to see me win. Plus, there’s no one in the world I would hide this from. ‘I’m dope and I do dope things!'”
Now, to get to Second Chance Stage, which was filmed in the springtime of 2024. Every contestant from a warm weather state was losing their minds while we suffered through freezing temperatures during that time. One of the perks, Xazmin, admits, was the food. “I liked the barbecue in Kansas City,” she remembers.
I, personally, think this warrants another trip to our city to rank the best barbecue, but we can table that for now.
After we wrapped, the contestants and crew had to wait eight months before the first shows aired. This type of wait time is not as common, but reality television often has a lot more footage to sort through and compile. This particular show, like many on-stage competitions, incorporated both live performance and documentary-style footage, a crew of dozens, and a lot of good energy. Xazmin had no problem keeping the experience tucked away, though. Confidently and hilariously, she admitted, “I’m a great secret keeper. Especially when I sign 42 pages of legal documents promising to keep a secret!”
Xazmin’s experience as a contestant was reason enough for her to keep the secret close to the vest. “The experience [on Second Chance Stage] was the time of my life. We got the star treatment, I got validation from the judges and audience, and I went home with restored hope for the future of my career.” This was such a golden takeaway for everyone in the cast, crew, and audience. The performers all left with advice to further their careers, nuggets of inspiration, and having inspired theaters full of dreamers, me included.
When asked directly how she handled staying grounded and calm during her stay in Kansas City, Xazmin admitted that her mother had a lot more to do with it than any distance would have indicated. In honesty and hilariously, she admitted, “I stayed grounded because my mom was calling me while I was in my hotel room, telling me my dad doesn’t take care of her as well as me.”
See what I mean? Humor. Grace.
While those words of affirmation may have kept her going during her two weeks in Kansas City, what about the things that get her amped up on a regular basis? “On my drive to the club, I listen to music that hypes me up. ‘Queen Bitch’ by Lil Kim and ‘X Gon Give It to Ya’ by DMX. Once I’m in the green room, I just try to be in good spirits before I go up so I can genuinely bring positive energy to the stage. I avoid people and energy that piss me off or make me self-conscious.” In other words, she’s living the life we all strive for.
If she had one piece of advice for someone beginning their career later in life, it would be this: “I would tell someone starting comedy later in life to use their life experience to their advantage. They have stories to tell and a point of view to share. I’d also tell them that if they don’t want to learn how to edit videos to not start doing comedy.”
The following is a quote straight from the lips of the angel Xazmin Garza herself, perhaps a bit of advice for anyone who chooses to pursue her – professionally, personally, or otherwise – for any reason in the future.
Oysters and dirty martinis always put me in celebration mode. It is time to party when I’m having those.
Keep up with Xazmin on Instagram, where she posts all upcoming shows and comedy updates.
Modern pop outfit Kiss Bang is forever imprinted onto our minds as exceptionally fun convention/festival-goers. The duo took to the @imperfectfifth Instagram account during SXSW 2024 to give us a glimpse into their spring break fun. Not to mention the fact that they were attending SXSW as performers. (But really, do go on.)
We got to throw a few post-fest questions their way. Results below.
You approached strangers. You ran around. You tried to win things – and WON! What was your FAVORITE experience during your iF takeover?
We really did do it all haha! I think the best part of doing this takeover was really getting to explore SXSW. It felt like we went straight from one show to the next so this really gave us the opportunity to check it out.
Was there another experience that exceeded expectations during your trip to SXSW 2024?
We would say our last show at Hotel Vegas. It was the day of our EP release and performing to a packed out venue was the best feeling in the world.
Who was the best artist or act that you discovered (besides your damn selves) this year at SXSW?
We would have to say Shannon and the Clams! We had a chance to stop by their set and we’re blown away.
What was the best food you ate that week? (For real, always need suggestions.)
Terry Black’s!!! It was on our bucket list before we got to Austin and did not disappoint.
Any highlight moments from your SXSW performances you’d like to share?
One of our favorite moments was watching people who’d never heard us before singing along to our songs by the second chorus. With the EP only being out for a couple of weeks, it was incredible to see how quickly people were falling in love with this band.
What else would you like to share that’s coming down the stretch for Kiss Bang?
More music and more shows!!! We are so excited for what’s coming up 🙂
While SXSW 2024 was too fast and too wild for many of us, Montreal-based duo DVTR – expertly comprised of Demi Lume and Jean-Cimon Tellier – kept us guessing during their fun takeover. Always ones to engage an audience, we deeply enjoy their humor and urge you to go see them live. For now, do everything you can to learn everything you can about them. We were lucky enough to have Tellier answer a few post-fest questions for us, below.
You always have such fun takeover topics planned. What made you choose your approach this year, and ultimately sharing free things you acquired?
We love free stuff and there’s a lot of free stuff usually at SXSW so you know, we didn’t have to think a lot. At first, we wanted to film ourselves doing an escape room thing downtown but it was too expensive. Then we wanted to do like an alligator tour thing but it was too expensive. So we chose the free stuff.
What was the BEST free thing you got during your stay in Austin?
All the free shows everywhere all the time, we mean, that’s better than free Coca Cola.
You encountered Nobro during your takeover. What was that experience like?
Meeting Nobro was not that big of a deal because we see them all the time in Montreal. An ok experience overall.
[laughing] Well, it was exciting for viewers! What a thrill, to be part of such a creative community! What was the best food you ate at SXSW?
So we tried to go to Franklin’s BBQ one morning but holy shit we had to wait 4 hours outside. So we went to Micklethwait BBQ, waited 0 minutes, and had the best meat ever. Much better plan.
Any highlight moments from your showcases?
We don’t remember anything. It all went too fast, too late, too much booze and whatnot, so we were too fucked up most of time. So no highlights, no.
Well, our highlight was absolutely your takeover. (Sorry, it’s the truth!) What else is coming up for you?
We’re going to the UK and France in a couple of weeks for a tour. Can’t wait to see if they’re more troublemaking people than peeps in Texas. We love troublemaking gents.
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Keep up with charming duo DVTR here. (And check out their archived takeovers and reels on our Instagram!)
SXSW 2024 was one for the ages. Our good friends Bad Bad Hats had 5 showcases and didn’t find themselves with much downtime between everything else going on that week. We were lucky enough to adventure with them when they did a takeover on our Instagram account. So, we wanted to wind down from the week with a few quick questions and feelings of admiration and fulfillment for all of the fun.
You ate tacos. You pet dogs. You sampled new La Croix. What was your FAVORITE experience during your iF takeover?
The migas tacos from Veracruz are an all time fave, but my favorite part was definitely hanging with our friends (whose dogs we were petting!) at their lovely Austin home. We’re grateful that music lends us the opportunity to visit friends all around the country.
Was there another experience that exceeded expectations during your trip to SXSW 2024?
We found parking every day! A miracle!
I’ll say! Who was the best artist or act that you discovered this year at SXSW?
We loved checking out Snacktime, so fun. And we enjoyed hearing and meeting Airu from Spain. We gotta get over there to a play show sometime!
What was the best food you ate that week?
Everything is so tasty at Loro. The brisket on the burger?? The salsa with the wonton chips?? Don’t get me started on the cocktails!!
YUM! You played at least 5 showcases during SXSW. Any highlight moments from your performances?
We were so pleased with the turnout at all the shows. We know there are lots of bands to see so we’re honored when people come by to check out a set. I had to bust out the kazoo at a few shows and show off my skills.
What else would you like to share that’s coming down the stretch for Bad Bad Hats?
Our new album is out April 12th! So excited for people to hear it. And we’ll be hitting the road in May to start the first leg of our album release tour. Come see us in a city near you!
