THE PLUG W/ JUSTIN JAY

This episode we sit down with entrepreneur and surfer Dave Taylor — owner of Waco Surf in Waco, Texas — for a wide-ranging conversation about building something from scratch, the culture of surfing, and what it means to bring a coastal lifestyle to the heart of the Lone Star State. A Southern California native who spent years in entertainment and the restaurant industry, Taylor stumbled into wave pool ownership almost by accident. A three-day visit to Waco Surf in 2019 — while he was weeks away from retiring to Mexico with his pregnant wife — convinced him he couldn't walk away. What started as a beat-up water park with a rough reputation has become a 500-acre surf destination drawing everyone from professional surfers to first-timers who've never seen the ocean. The conversation dives into the real costs and regulatory hurdles behind building a surf park, why a Texas zoning loophole called the ETJ made it possible when California couldn't, and how Waco Surf carved out its identity as the "people's pool" in contrast to Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch. Taylor also gets philosophical about whether a perfect wave on demand carries the same meaning as one you earned in the ocean — and what it looks like to build a genuine surf culture somewhere that's never had one. Our conversation with Dave is a grounded look at entrepreneurship, authenticity, and the surprising things that happen when a laid-back Californian bets everything on Waco, Texas — and wins. YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@theplugwithjustinjay Website → https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plug-w-justin-jay/id1517322794 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3M3BwnadvgbuwtErUHN1pl Email → theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

This episode we sit down with actor, director, and New York Times bestselling author Andrew McCarthy for a candid conversation about friendship, identity, and reinvention. Best known for iconic roles in St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty In Pink, Weekend at Bernie's and some of your favorite 80's films, McCarthy has spent the last decade carving out a second act as a deeply introspective writer. His latest book, Who Needs Friends, documents a 10,000-mile solo road trip across America, where he spoke with strangers—from cowboys to cops—to explore the often unspoken realities of male friendship. The conversation dives into why men struggle with vulnerability, how friendships evolve (or fade) over time, and what happens when a life in Hollywood gives way to a quieter, more reflective creative path. McCarthy also opens up about the complicated legacy of the Brat Pack, the loneliness of the open road, and the surprising honesty he found in conversations with strangers. Our conversation with Andrew is a thoughtful look at connection in modern life—and a reminder that it's never too late to redefine who you are. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 Purchase Who Needs Friends by Andrew McCarthy https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andrew-mccarthy/who-needs-friends/9781538768945/ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠⁠⁠ Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael "Kaves" McLeer is a Brooklyn-born painter, recording artist, graffiti artist, author, tattoo artist and creator of Brooklyn Pop - an astounding immersive experience celebrating the borough of Brooklyn. The installation features hip-hop memorabilia, graffiti, movie collectibles, historical artifacts, and personal items celebrating the neighborhood that shaped him. In this episode we discuss his path from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks in Bay Ridge, to becoming a renowned graffiti writer and founder of the rap/punk rock group Lordz of Brooklyn. We also chat about the neighborhood gangsters growing up, why free Adidas tracks suits sometimes fell from the sky above Verranzano Bridge, and how Brooklyn based movies and television like The Warriors, Saturday Night Fever and Welcome Back Kotter played a key role in developing self-identity and career goals. Throughout his career he's designed exclusive visuals for Audemars Piguet, Jaguar, NIKE, Rockstar Games, WWE, MTV, ADIDAS, Van's Warped Tour, and created logos & graphics for world-renowned artists such as the Beastie Boys and Metallica. Kaves' energy and thirst for creative expression took him to the world of acting and filmmaking. In 2006, Kaves created, produced and directed The Brooklyn Way, a multi-episode docu-series about his family's life. From 2011 to the present day, Kaves has been featured in short and feature films including The Many Saints of Newark, Gravesend, The Humdinger, Star and The Eulogy. The Brooklyn Pop interactive installation is open to the pubic at Industry City. See link below for details. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠ ⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠ Brooklyn Pop ⁠https://thebrooklynpop.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Plug w/ Justin Jay is proud to announce a collaboration with Monster Children — the independent art and media platform that has been shaping taste for over two decades. I For the next several weeks, Monster Children will be presenting a curated series of encore episodes of The Plug across their website and social channels. To kick things off, we sit down with Editor-in-Chief Naz Kawakami to discuss how a scrappy Australian print title built a global audience without losing its point of view. We'll explore the tension between print and digital media, why some stories are too meaningful to be reduced to a digital scroll, and how imperfection can serve as proof that something is real. Be on the lookout for new episodes here in the weeks ahead, and revisit some of our favorite conversations — including Stacy Peralta, Arto Saari, Tom Sachs, and more — at monsterchildren.com and on Instagram at @monsterchildren and @nazkawakami Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Luxxury—music producer and co-host of the hit podcast One Song. Each week on their podcast One Song, Luxxury and his co-host Diallo Riddle take a deep dive into a single classic song, and explore the inspirations and specific production techniques that make the track unique. By playing rare, isolated vocal and instrumental stems, they give listeners the chance to rediscover familiar songs, revealing details and textures often hidden in the full mix. So what is the difference between sampling, interpolation, and outright plagiarism? Why is the Jamaican concept of copyright, creatively and the ownership of music almost completely opposite of the way we think of it in the US? Why is it now legally risky to use the overall vibe and arrangements of a Marvin Gaye track as inspiration for your own song? We'll find out as we sit down for a chat with someone who blends technology with his passion for music history to shed new light on your favorite songs. 00:00 — How Stems Change the Way We Hear Music 00:55 — The History of Sampling in Hip-Hop 01:23 — Luxxury Explains the One Song Podcast 01:52 — Sampling vs Interpolation vs Plagiarism 02:22 — Podcast Production: Research vs Improvisation 03:45 — Why Playing Music in Real Time Matters 05:11 — Music Stems Explained for Non-Musicians 08:01 — Where Do Producers Get Stems? 12:20 — AI Music, Stem Separation, and The Beatles 19:05 — Quincy Jones as a Music Producer 27:05 — Famous Examples of Interpolation in Pop Music 43:22 — Taylor Swift, Masters, and Music Ownership Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Nicholson is the bassist and founding member of Arctic Monkeys. This episode he sits down for one of his most open and personal interviews yet. With the 20-year anniversary of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not approaching, Andy reflects on the band's explosive early years and the moments that shaped modern indie rock. Andy shares the story behind his brand-new photography book, I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table, featuring rare and intimate behind-the-scenes photos from 2005–2007. From tiny Sheffield gigs to global fame, Andy captured the raw reality of life inside a band becoming a worldwide phenomenon. In this episode: • How Arctic Monkeys handled sudden fame • What life backstage and on tour really looked like • The creative chemistry behind the first album • Andy's personal journey after leaving the band • Why revisiting hundreds of old photos changed his perspective • Meeting The Strokes, playing SNL, and surreal early-days stories • The emotional process of releasing his photos to the world Whether you're an Arctic Monkeys fan, a music-photography lover, or someone who lived through the 2000s indie rock era, this conversation offers rare insight from someone who was there for it all. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Mittleman worked as VP of Design and Creative Director at Stussy. In this episode, he shares stories from decades shaping the DNA of modern street culture. From working directly with Shawn Stussy to influencing brands like Supreme, Adidas, and Converse, Paul reflects on authenticity, creativity, and the evolution of streetwear. He explains why early Stussy and Supreme succeeded where others failed, and why the term "streetwear" misses the point entirely. Paul also dives into collab culture, subcultures in New York and Tokyo, and how Instagram reshaped personal expression. It's a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and philosophies that built modern street style. 00:00 – Intro: Paul Mittleman on shaping modern street culture 02:30 – Connecting Shawn Stussy to New York's creative scene 06:15 – The rise of Supreme and its Stussy influence 08:40 – Why Stussy and Supreme stayed authentic 11:00 – The power of saying "no" in creative work 14:00 – When collabs lost their meaning 17:00 – "Future landfill": the dark side of drop culture 20:30 – Streetwear vs. street culture 23:00 – Can real subcultures still exist today? 29:30 – From downtown discovery to the algorithm era 39:00 – Instagram, identity, and authenticity 46:30 – Choosing integrity over corporate success 48:50 – Paul's recommendation: Subculture by Dick Hebdige Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step inside the mind of legendary writer and director Larry Charles, best known for Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and for directing films like Borat, Bruno, and The Dictator. In this episode of The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Larry shares raw, unfiltered stories about Hollywood, comedy, and the creative process. From working alongside Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to directing groundbreaking films with Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry reflects on risk-taking, failure, and why comedy still matters in a divided world. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of classic TV, the challenges of making bold, politically charged films, or the evolving role of comedy in culture, this conversation is essential listening. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 00:00 – Larry Charles joins The Plug 03:15 – Breaking into comedy writing 07:40 – Behind the scenes of Seinfeld 12:20 – Risk and innovation in comedy 16:45 – Curb Your Enthusiasm and improv freedom 21:30 – Directing Borat and its impact 27:10 – Working with Sacha Baron Cohen 32:00 – Hollywood vs independent voices 37:50 – Comedy as social commentary 42:30 – Lessons from failure 48:15 – The future of comedy 53:00 – Closing thoughts & takeaways Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MC Serch made his mark as one-half of the legendary rap duo 3rd Bass. With classics like The Gas Face, Brooklyn Queens, and Pop Goes the Weasel, the group left an unmistakable stamp on hip-hop. In '94, Serch went on to executive produce Nas's groundbreaking debut, Illmatic, cementing his place in rap history. But that's only part of the story. In this encore episode, Serch takes us inside his wild early days — from battle rapping in Far Rockaway, to a life-threatening clash with MC Hammer in LA, to the lessons in growth, learning, and positivity that continue to drive his entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this conversation with one of hip-hop's most enduring figures. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leo Fitzpatrick is a New York-based actor best known for his breakout role in the groundbreaking 1995 film KIDS. To mark the 30th anniversary of this controversial classic, we're bringing back our conversation for an encore release. Leo's debut in KIDS—a raw, unfiltered look at the downtown NYC skate scene—was as jarring as it was unforgettable. With its explicit portrayal of sex, drugs, and youth culture, the film felt disturbingly real, and the aftermath for Leo was intense. In the years since, he's built a diverse career in TV and film, but today his focus has shifted to his longtime passion: fine art. In the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Leo opened Public Access Gallery on the Lower East Side, aiming to recreate the sense of community he once found among skaters—only now through art. This week on The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Leo reflects on the legacy of KIDS, his transition into the art world, and why you should never feel intimidated walking into a high-end gallery. Tune in for some authentic stories from the gritty heart of '90s New York. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Corporan is the director of the new documentary Empire Skate, which chronicles the rise of Supreme and the evolution of downtown New York skate culture. It was a movement that reshaped streetwear, art, and youth identity around the world. Alex wasn't just there to witness it — he helped build it. To celebrate the release of the film on ESPN, we're bringing back this special encore episode, originally recorded before the documentary's debut. From 1996 to 2004, Alex was the store manager of the original Supreme on Lafayette Street — a space that became ground zero for a cultural revolution. In this conversation, he shares wild behind-the-scenes stories from the shop's legendary back room, and gives a firsthand account of Supreme's early days, its community, and its unexpected rise to global icon status. We also dive into his close friendship with the late, great Jake Burton — founder of Burton Snowboards — and talk about the 10th anniversary edition of FULL BLEED, Alex's iconic photography book celebrating NYC skateboarding. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Selema Masekela is a uniquely versatile sports commentator whose career spans everything from surfing and skateboarding to the NBA, soccer, and Formula One. As a teenager growing up in a predominantly white beach town in Southern California, he was one of the few Black surfers in the water. That meant navigating everything from subtle bias to outright racism. While he refused to let that stop him from pursuing the sport he loved, the absence of others who looked like him left a lasting impression. In this episode, we discuss his essay in the new book Surfer Stories, where he reflects on South African surfer Mikey February's historic qualification for the professional tour. For Selema, the moment wasn't just significant—it was deeply personal. His father, legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela, was exiled from South Africa during apartheid. So seeing a Black South African competing on surfing's biggest stage brought decades of struggle and resilience full circle. We also discuss how someone goes from the surf break to the broadcast booth to build one of the most diverse résumés in sports media, and why curiosity has been one of his greatest strengths. Selema also shares some of his biggest on-air blunders—and what they taught him. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Plug w/ Justin Jay, we sit down with Jeff Ament—bassist and founding member of Pearl Jam. Beyond the stage, Jeff has been a dedicated skateboarder since his teens and he's personally funded the construction of over 27 skateparks across his home state of Montana. For Jeff, it's more than a passion project: he visits these parks regularly to sweep the concrete, skate alongside local kids, and see the positive impact firsthand. In this episode, we talk about his new band, Deaf Charlie, how touring with a side project compares to life on the road with Pearl Jam, and what inspired him to embark on a 1,200-mile skateboarding journey with kids he met through his parks. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠ ⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices