Episodes
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Nik Ewing is a visual artist, a bass player, keyboardist and founding member of LA based band Local Natives. His second LP, ‘Songs For Linnéa, a collection of piano songs written for his first child, is available now under his solo moniker Chewing. Nik share’s his experience of growing up in a musical household in San Diego, his first bands influences and how that has extended to the Local Natives songwriting. We learn why he wanted the listener to feel “in the room” on Songs For Linnéa what he did to make it a documentation of his child’s early years. Joe and Nick discuss their approaches to cover songs and how Cat Power inspired Nik’s approach to covering a Beetles song on the new record. Nik tells us why he sometimes puts out music anonymously and we hear a couple tunes.
Chewing
Local Natives -
This week Joe sneaks in Ep 1 of Ruinous Media's newest podcast, La Jolla Babylon: The Making Of A Suburban Punk.
Your host, musician and writer Aaron Hartman, shares stories about his stormy youth growing up punk in a conservative beach town with his Millennial sister, actor, writer and comedian Katie Hartman.
What emerges is a series of hilarious, poignant, and brutally honest weekly episodes that delve into the stark differences in their upbringings, despite being siblings.
La Jolla Babylon:The Making Of A Suburban Punk -
Missing episodes?
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Aaron Hartman is a writer, musician and podcaster based in Portland, Oregon. He is a founding member and bass player of Northwest indie legends Old Time Relijun, electro dance-rock pioneers IQU and releases music under the moniker Marine Layer. His newest endeavor, La Jolla Babylon-The Making Of A Suburban Punk, (out 10.18 via Ruinous Media) is a poignant and hilarious podcast where Aaron shares stories about his stormy youth growing up punk in a conservative beach town with his Millennial sister, actor, writer and comedian Katie Hartman. In this episode, Joe and Aaron get to the bottom of their first meeting and how Olympia’s music scene’s eventual acceptance of Joe led to the two playing together in the Replikants. Aaron shares how the struggle to publish his fictionalized memoir led to his new podcast, why he asked his sister Katie to join him and why it’s a platform for he and Katie to celebrate their closeness and rapport. The two quip about changing the narrative with their longtime friend Sara Lund and Aaron shares an outrageous story about sperm donation and how his older sister wrote a play inspired by the experience.
Marine Layer -
Pinhead Gunpowder is an East Bay punk band formed in 1991. The current line up consists of Aaron Cometbus (lyrics, drums), Bill Schneider (bass) Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals) and Jason White (guitar, vocals). After 16 years and several EP’s, the band will release their second full length LP, Unt, on October 18th via 1234 Go! Records. Bill and Jason share the origin of their rock n roll relationship, how the band ultimately formed and why their spacious cadence of activity has never resulted in a lack of enthusiasm or energy for the band. We learn how Aaron’s lyrical phrasing guides the chord changes, why trust comes so easy in their collective song writing and how a game they play in rehearsal lead to writing the new record. The two tell us why this record sounds different to them, they share their experience working with producer Chris Dugan and they explain the meaning of Unt. They discuss why Bill isn’t allowed to be a cobbler, what Jason does at home when not on the road with Green Day and we hear couple brand new tunes.
Pinhead Gunpowder
1234 Go Records -
James Petralli is the singer, guitarist, and a founding member of White Denim. Their twelfth record “12” is set to be released on 12.12 via Bella Union. James shares his journey from baseball to rock n roll, how the “absurd career choice” paralleled his dad’s and why learning how to talk about music was his ticket into his formative music circles. James tells us how “12” is drastically different from previous White Denim records, why he thinks being creative is inarguably the most positive thing he can do, and he explains his process of “live mixing”. Joe and James celebrate airport reverberations, what role confrontation plays in James’s live performance and we hear a couple rip roaring tunes.
White Denim
Bella Union -
Jayan Bertrand is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and founding member of Miami based band Seafoam Walls. Their anticipated sophomore effort, Standing Too Close To The Elephant In The Room, will be out October 18th via Dion Dia Records, with two singles Humanitarian Pt. II and Cabin Fever out now. Jayan explains how their last stint of touring both inspired and funded the new record, allowing them to go into the studio more clear headed and intentional than their debut release. Joe and Jayan exchange their views on the dilution of counterculture from the perspective of touring musicians and how their experiences were different. Jayan shares his love for harmonizing guitars, the band Deerhoof, and tells us how his writing has evolved to a more collaborative process. We learn why the band integrated samples and pads into their acoustic drum sound, Jayan hips us to a regional Chattanoogan fruit and we hear a couple tunes.
Seafoam Walls
Dion Dia
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Soph Nathan is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and founding member of London based Our Girl. Their second full length record, The Good Kind, is due out November 8th via Bella Union. Soph shares the relief and excitement she’s feeling after a 6 gap between the Our Girl records. We hear why the band likes to play songs live before recording them, how the influence of Warpaint came to fruition with the new record and Soph explains how lyrics and music operate as an unconscious coping and adapting mechanism. Joe and Soph exchange thoughts on “tour health”, celebrate the beauty of panning positions in a mix and we hear a couple new songs.
Our Girl
Bella Union
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Scott McCloud is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has been a founding member of Girls Against Boys, New Wet Kojak and Soulside. He continues to tour extensively, performs acoustically, and operates in various projects including Agrio and Paramount Styles. In this episode, Scott shares a story where a simple misunderstanding of gratitude leads to a confusing, riotous, and even violent reaction from the crowd when his band Operator opened for Placebo in Lisbon. Joe and Scott discuss what this good intention turned bad tells us about humans in large groups, selective communication, crowd tipping points and why Scott still thinks about this show today. Music by Operator. A special thank you to John Schmersal for generously funding this episode.
GVSB
Paramount Styles
Agrio
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Justin R. Cruz Gallego is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer based in Tacoma, WA. His newest record and Sub Pop debut, Grim Iconic…(Sadistic Mantra), is a cohesive, hooky noise odyssey laden with powerful beats, electronic layering and analog warmth. Justin shares his process of building the new songs and ultimately taking to a live setting. He also tells us how hitting a production ceiling was a healthy motivator to co-producing the record with Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets. We hear how the Latin music he grew up listening to seeped into the songs, Joe and Justin discuss the graduation rate of Berklee College of Music students and we hear a couple tunes.
J.R.C.G
Subpop
Machines with Magnets
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Sameer Gadhia is the singer and a founding member of Young The Giant. He also hosts the podcast Point Of Origin, which celebrates the lives and careers of musicians of color in the indie and alternative rock world. In this episode, Joe recovers an early recording where Sameer shares a few YTG experiences of being celebrated in Italy at the height of their hit single, Cough Syrup. We hear about the confusion of covering American Girl in front of a massive, lightly anti-American crowd; classic lip-syncing pranks; the hilarity of an entire country mispronouncing you’re biggest song and some daring yet cerebral food choices.
Young The Giant
Point Of Origin Podcast
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Kishi Bashi is a singer, songwriter, film maker and multi-instrumentalist currently based in Santa Cruz, California. His latest full-length Kantos (out now via Joyful Noise Recordings) is multi-genre exercise in duality: a fun, party album that address’s the current humanist role in art, life, and culture, all inspired by a mix of the sci-fi novel’s series Hyperion Cantos and philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kishi shares the initial motivation behind making a “party’ record and why a significant life change facilitated the work. Joe and Kishi question that role of fast-moving technology in music making, the hopeful notion that humanness will ground us despite tech advances and whether tech will outpace creativity. Kishi hints at a new film project and we hear a few tunes.
Kishi Bashi
Joyful Noise
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
This week Joe celebrates Hawaiian music and shares some early to mid-20th century public domain century recordings.
1. Dreams of Old Hawaii-Varsity Hawaiian Orchestra
2. Farewell to Thee - Toots Paka Hawaiians
3. Mai Poina Oe Ia'u- Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders
4 Aloha Oe- Hawaiian Quartett
5. Kuuaina Aliha-Varstiy Hawaiian Orchestra
6. Ke Kali Nei Au- George Kainapau with George Archer And His Pagans
7. He Manoa He Aloha- Kaai Glee Club
8. Kewaii - Palakiko and Paaluhi
9. Wailana (Drowsy Waters) -Ferera and Franchini
10. Aloha and Goodnight-Varsity Hawaiian Orchestra
Ruinous Media
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Scared of Chaka is an American punk rock band formed in 1993 in Albuquerque New Mexico by guitarist/vocalist, Dave Hernandez, bass guitarist Dameon Waggoner and drummer Jeff Jones. Jones was later replaced by Ron Skrasek. After a 15+ year hiatus, Scared of Chaka is back with a fiery new single and 7 inch on Slovenly Records. In this episode Joe talks with Dave, who is an old pal and former The Shins bandmate. Dave gives a brief history of Scared of Chaka, the story behind the “break up” and explains the vigor and excitement surrounding the new songs and upcoming shows. Joe and Dave share some “band guy” job stories, Dave gives us some real and hilarious insight into the elaborate culture of “ice cream men” and we revisit some outrageous Dillinger 4 tour shenanigans. The two discuss small dogs, cougars and we hear a couple rip roaring tunes.
Scared of Chaka
Slovenly Records
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Lollise is a Botswana born, Brooklyn based singer, songwriter, and multidisciplinary artist. After cutting her teeth recording and touring with the FELA! band and Underground System, she has brought her song writing efforts to the forefront with her debut LP, I Hit The Water, out September 6 via Switch Hit Records. Lollise shares the story behind the new record, why it plays tribute to her family's journey and how it keeps her connection with Botswana. She tells us how the lead single, eDube, is both a message to her deceased father and honors her mother’s experience with his passing. We learn how intuition guides her writing process, how collaboration played a role on the new record and why she does NOT like playing her song Birthday. Joe and Lollise bond on the power of rehearsal, the beauty of the shekere, their fixation with vintage fashion and we hear a couple tunes.
Lollise
Switch Hit Records
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid -
Duane Denison is a songwriter, guitarist and founding member of Tomahawk, The Denison/Kimball Trio and most notable and widely influential, The Jesus Lizard. The Jesus Lizard have recorded six studio albums, two live recordings and a brace of singles and EPs, with the band’s seventh album, Rack, out September 13 via Ipecac Recordings. Armed with their never dusty, always furious chops, The Jesus Lizard will support Rack with both national and international touring throughout 2024 and 25. Duane share’s his early relationship with music, why he decided to pick up a guitar and his path from classical training, to heavy, angular rock and jazz. He tells us why The Jesus Lizard are able to retain their energy and intensity over their long career and why quality control is so important to the band. We also learn how refinement and brutal honesty play a role in the evolution of his guitar playing. Joe and Duane discuss the celebration of “heavy music” in the UK with bands like IDLES, and we hear a couple new Jesus Lizard tunes.
The Jesus Lizard
Ipecac
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars -
Cal in Red is a Grand Rapids based indie pop project started by brothers Connor and Kendall Wright. Since 2022 they have released 2 Ep’s, a handful of singles and on September 22, they will release their full-length record, Low Low, via B3SCI records. The fellas tell us why they moved from their hometown of Lansing to Grand Rapids, what their early relationship with music was like and what bands inspired them to begin writing and recording music. We learn how experience and time shaped the new record, why their approach was different and how they share writing, recording and production duties. The brothers share the story of meeting James Mercer, how he wound up singing on the new record and we hear a couple new tunes.
Cal In Red
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars -
Joe talks with Greg Mahdesian and Ryan Berti, founding members of Los Angeles based Swerve. Swerve’s newest EP, The Darkroom, a lively and rifftastic look at an era of the band’s life, is out now and includes a wonderful rendition of The Stone Roses hit, I Wanna Be Adored. Greg and Ryan share their relationship with music in their formative years, including the influence of Megachurch rock and a hip older cousin who pointed Greg to the “cool stuff” We learn why System Of A Down carries a significance with Swerve, not only to their cultural identify, but also as a songwriting reference. They explain how a Supreme court decision inspired a song, why there is more sonic freedom in recording a cover, and why The Darkroom is a not only a look to the past, but a celebration of a new stage both personally and professionally. Joe, Ryan and Greg discuss the power and the baritone guitar, and we hear a couple tunes.
Swerve
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars -
Grasshopper is a multi-instrumentalist, lead guitarist and founding member of Mercury Rev. His other projects include Harmony Rockets and his own band Grasshopper and the Golden Crickets. Mercury Rev’s newest record, Born Horses, is yet another intriguing sonic step in the band’s evolution. Born Horses is out September 6 via Bella Union. Grasshopper shares his early relationship with music, how seeing Lou Reed steered the young horn-player to playing guitar and why he wound up focusing less on his guitar playing on the new record. He shares the process of writing Born Horses, how Brechtian Theatre and prose influenced the overall sound and why previous projects informed this process. Joe and Grasshopper celebrate the “utility musician”, Grasshopper tells us a sweet story about his last memory in his favorite Buffalo bar and we hear a couple new tunes.
Mercury Rev
Bella Union
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars -
Dustin O’Halloran is an American pianist and composer with six acclaimed solo albums under his own name. He has scored multiple films and TV shows, won an Emmy for the theme to Transparent and has been nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for his score to Lion, a collaboration with Volker Bertelmann (aka Hauschka). His most recent album, 1 0 0 1, is an instrumental four-movement exploration of the nature of the human mind, implications of artificial intelligence and raises questions of humanity in a world intertwined with technology is out now via Deutsche Grammophon. Dustin shares how his early relationship with music influenced his trajectory to go from a rock-oriented guitarist and singer to a solo pianist creating instrumental music. He tells us how 1 0 0 1 evolved from a performance dance piece to expansive sonic journey and functioned as a bridge to a new artistic path. Dustin and Joe discuss his process in writing and recording 1 0 0 1, Dustin walks us through the inspiration behind the four movements and he explains why texture drives his creativity. The two celebrate the power of re-amping and we hear two pieces from 1 0 0 1.
Dustin O'Halloran
Deutsche Grammophon
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars -
Nick Thorburn is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist residing in Los Angeles. Nick has fronted and co-founded bands such as The Unicorns, Human Highway, Mister Heavenly and Islands. The newest Islands record, What Occurs, is out now an available everywhere. In this episode, old pals and current bandmates Joe and Nick get cheeky and personal, touching on their first meeting, what bonds them and why they owe Ryan Kattner all the credit for their friendship. Nick shares the germ of inspiration behind What Occurs, how they wrote and recorded the record on an actual island and why live collaboration is so important to him. We learn how Joe and Nick differ on their view of death, how Nick found his singing voice and why a sense of play is so important to his songwriting. The two predict how and why AI will eat itself, they entertain a very special surprise guest, and we hear a couple new Islands songs.
Islands
Episode supported by Izotope
Episode supported by Distrokid
Episode supported by Thunder Road Guitars - Show more
