Playing 'The Idea of North'

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the annual Letters to Santa Holiday Gala is taking place at the Chop Shop in Chicago. This year’s event is headlined by Fred Armisen and Jeff Tweedy and if you can’t make it to Chicago, you can learn how to livestream it and donate money to this remarkable and life-affirming and live-saving poverty alleviation initiative at letterscharity.org.

People who are familiar with the history of Kreative Kontrol know that the late Steve Albini and I would often have talks just ahead of each year’s Letters to Santa event, to catch up on stuff, ponder the year that was, and spread the word about Letters to Santa.

While Steve and I can’t have such conversations anymore, to maintain the tradition and spirit of the talks we had, I plan to feature archival interviews I conducted with Steve over the years, presenting them here ahead of Letters to Santa events for as long as possible.

If my records are correct, here now is the third radio interview that I asked Steve to participate in. It took place in the early fall of 2008 just ahead of Shellac playing what I’m rather certain were their first and only ever shows in Toronto and Montreal. Discussion topics included the friendly but somewhat tense diplomatic relationship between Canada and the United States of America, and how the Republican Party was letting “the oldest man in the world” run for president to further their ruinous policies and strengthen their vision for a police state. Again, this talk is from 2008.

Enjoy this blast from the past, support Letters Charity, and always and forever, thank you Steve Albini.

Support vish on Patreon! Specifically, by November 28, 2025 to help reach our membership drive goal of 700 paid subscribers!

Thanks to Blackbyrd Myoozik.

Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.

Related episodes/links:

Ep. #925: Steve Albini (2007)

My first Steve Albini interview (2006)

Ep. #869: Steve Albini

Ep. #826: Steve Albini and Fred Armisen

Ep. #692: Wilco

Ep. #669: Dallas Good Remembered

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