When it comes to writing upbeat pop songs about insects, deceased spouses, and other suitable-for-nightmares subject matter, former Soft Boy Robyn Hitchcock is the best there is. And his singular point of view has developed no small number of friends, fans and followers: he's recorded with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (Spooked), been filmed by Jonathan Demme (Storefront Hitchcock),and both recorded and toured with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and longtime R.E.M. sidemen Scott McCaughey and Bill Rieflin (Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3's Ole! Tarantula).

Just after noon on July 11th, with Hitchcock traveling across the Long Island Sound on his way to another solo acoustic tour stop, he offered his views on the Arctic Circle, his vast songwriting catalog and the potential lifespan of vinyl, while brushing aside the opportunity to pimp out his latest box set, Luminous Groove, released this past Tuesday.

Click below to read the full interview.