100 Words Or Less: The Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Dave from Chicago’s Slow Mass to trace the band’s path from early DIY roots to becoming one of the city’s most quietly adventurous heavy bands. We talk about growing up in the Chicago scene, how projects like School of Rock shaped his relationship to music and community, and the long arc of Slow Mass finding its own voice—balancing melody, noise, and emotional weight in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.
Dave also gets into the idea of “reclaiming sleep music,” using atmosphere and dynamics not just for aggression but for comfort, reflection, and late-night listening, and how that mindset has influenced the band’s writing and recording. Along the way, we dive into some great scene history, including the story of booking Ethel Cain’s very first show and what it was like to witness an artist at the very beginning of what would become something massive.
Slow Mass, formed in Chicago in the mid-2010s, have built a reputation through a run of releases that blur the lines between post-hardcore, noise rock, and melodic indie, anchored by deeply personal songwriting and a strong sense of place. This conversation is about the band’s history, Dave’s own journey through music, and how community, patience, and evolution have shaped everything they’ve made.
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This week we kick off a new annual tradition with The Best of the Rest, joined by Riley Breckenridge (Thrice, Less Art). Riley drops by to talk through the records that just barely missed our Top 10 cut this year—the heartbreakers, the growers, and the albums that lived in heavy rotation even if they didn’t make the final list. Along the way we touch on his life in and out of bands, how his listening habits have evolved, and what makes certain records linger long after the year ends. Consider this the start of a yearly ritual: rounding out the list, giving the near-misses their flowers, and closing the book on another year in music.
Best Of The Rest
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This week we’re joined by Will Anderson, songwriter, guitarist, and driving force behind Hotline TNT. Will traces his path from the Midwest DIY circuit to building one of the most emotionally direct guitar bands of the last decade, including a surreal early moment where a young Justin Vernon was his camp counselor—long before Bon Iver became a household name. We talk about creative whiplash: jumping from obscurity to wider attention, from solo control to full-band collaboration, and how that shift reshaped his relationship to music. Will also reflects on how songs risk becoming cultural wallpaper in the streaming era—and why loud guitars, intention, and community still matter.
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Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order.
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On this episode, we’re joined by Mercedes Arn-Horn of Softcult for a wide-ranging, laid-back conversation ahead of the band’s new record arriving this January. We talk about finding a creative “zen” state in writing and production, the importance of ownership—of songs, ideas, and identity—and why subtlety can often be more powerful than being loud or explicit. Mercedes reflects on building something sustainable and intentional, navigating art with purpose, and how Softcult continues to evolve without losing its core.
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This mailbag episode pulls back the curtain on the podcast, reflecting on the most-listened-to conversations of the year—featuring Brenden Murphy, Dwid & Aaron Melnick, George (Blacklisted / Staticlone), Brian from Incendiary, and Josh James (STYG). We also spotlight “new” bands shaping the present and future with guests from End It, Home Front, Restraining Order, and Saturdays At Your Place. Listener questions drive the rest: day jobs outside the mic, whether episodes ever get scrapped, how guests are chosen, why the show spans so many genres, and the hard-earned lessons learned along the way—including the interviews that changed how these conversations are approached altogether.
Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed
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Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order.
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.