HOMESHAKE’s Peter Sagar Makes Us the Dream Alt-Rock Playlist

Peter Sagar of Homeshake, photographed by Matthew Yoscary.

This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists from Tayla Parx, KenTheMan, and Shygirl. For this week’s edition, we got in touch with Toronto-based musician Peter Sagar, also known as HOMESHAKE. Many moons ago, Peter was best known for playing in Mac DeMarco’s live band, but since then he’s honed his infectious, experimental sound with six solo albums, including his latest, CD Wallet, released last week. Just don’t call it shoegaze. “I have been seeing a lot of shoegaze comments,” he told us, “but I don’t hear the shoegaze in it, to be honest.” After revealing his studio uniform and new favorite cocktail, Sagar made us a playlist of alt-rock delights, featuring Pavement, Incubus, and The Breeders.

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Where do you dance? The kitchen.

Headphones of choice? Sony MDR-G61.

What was your first concert? I’ve been going to concerts since I was a baby, my parents took me to a lot. But the first one I can think of that I actually chose to attend was Tool with my big sister.

What song do you have on repeat? “フロンティア” – Miki Nakatani.

Dream collaborator, dead or alive? I don’t really dream about collaboration, all the artists I love enough to dream about I would be too terrified to work with.

CD WALLET is a little more shoegaze-sounding than your previous music. Who’s your favorite and least favorite shoegaze band of all time? I have been seeing a lot of shoegaze comments, but I don’t hear the shoegaze in it, to be honest. But anyway, of course My Bloody Valentine is my favorite cause they’re the greatest band of all time. I don’t think I have a least favorite, maybe Chapterhouse? No disrespect.

What’s your favorite synth? Juno 60 or D-50.

Name a song that reminds you of your hometown: I don’t really have a song from my childhood or anything that sticks out, but when we were filming the video I was playing the latest ML Buch album on repeat in the truck and it now reminds me of that trip whenever I hear it.

Music video that impacted you the most growing up: “Freak On a Leash”? Or maybe an Incubus one. Maybe “Heartbreaker.”

Favorite album cover of all time: I don’t think I have a favorite, but I do tend to judge an album by its cover.

You just arrived at the function. What drink are you ordering? I’ve been loving a martini lately.

What do you wear to the studio? My studio is in my apartment so it depends on whether or not I left the house that day. Sweats or jeans, robe or hoodie.

Favorite Sinead O’Connor song? An obvious answer but “Nothing Compares 2 U” just hits so hard. A perfect performance, an incredible artist. RIP.

Coolest city you visited on your Fall tour? This would have been on our Asia tour right? Jakarta always gets me, I love playing there.

Name your favorite artist no one knows about. Romance, under the radar and so beautiful.

What album is playing in heaven? Every album ever made at the same time in a great beautiful hiss.