Alicia Gaines is the singer, bass player and founding member of Chicago based Ganser. Their third and newest record Animal Hospital is due out August 29th via Felte Records. In this episode Alicia shares how the unintentional formation of Ganser came about and why she felt l she needed to unlearn here formal training.  She tells us why she views songwriting as a game of sorts, why the new record required a different process of preparation how she constructed the lyrics for the newest single Discount Diamonds. Joe and Alicia share their interpretations of Discount Diamonds and we learn how the song evolved from demo to final recording.  Alicia tells us why her demo bass line for a song on the record could not be beat in the studio, how the vocals are shared in the band, and we get a gear run down for the current lineup. Ganser (https://www.ganserband.com/) Felte (https://felte.net/) Tour Stories is now supported by @tandemdrums, maker of Drops drum mutes.  Joe’s absolute favorite drummute for live, rehearsal and the studio. visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tandem Drums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://tandemdrums.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor9zZo7UeVoaJP_GRU9kiy5zDzO8T4eqLMfWNQ22gMyfyBPTf0R) Please visit and support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://distrokid.com/) for continued exclusive listener discounts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) and you should too. Trust us. The best way to get your music into the worlds ears is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://distrokid.com/) . Artist keep 100% of their royalties and their mobile app is smartly designed, easy to use and perfectly intuitive.

On this episode, Zach speaks with Clark Vogler and Vaden Lewis from the Toadies.  The three discuss band’s origin, their unique sound and they share their experience working with legendary producer Steve Albini. They delve to the band’s overall dynamic and the influence the Deep Elum scene had on them. Clark and Vaden dig into gear preferences and the and how they play a role in their songwriting. They talk guitar modifications, pedal boards, and the importance of hearing protection for musicians. They share insights into their musical legacies, family connections (Zach’s brother Doni is their bassist), and the regrets of lost instruments, emphasizing the significance of their craft and the joy of playing music together. Toadies (https://thetoadies.com/) Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schecter Guitars⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.schecterguitars.com/) Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://distrokid.com/) Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jim Dunlop⁠⁠ (https://www.jimdunlop.com/)

Randy sits down with Guitarist/Improviser Jeff Parker to talk about going form Berklee School of Music to seminal post fusion band Tortoise. Jeff has a bunch of tour dates this fall go follow him on IG and go see him live. You can also buy his solo and ensemble albums as well. Don't miss out! https://www.instagram.com/jeffparkersounds/?hl=en

Swamp Dogg is coming to Olympia this weekend 7/13/2025! First, he'll be performing at Scherler Sundays, it's a free show that starts at 3pm. After that, Olympia Film Society will be hosting a free 8pm screening of the new documentary Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted at the Capitol Theater in Downtown Oly. No reservations required, all totally free! More info about the show can be found at freemusicolympia.org This is my 2020 interview with Jerry Williams, better known as Swamp Dogg. It was really fun to hear his wild stories again. Enjoy, and hopefully see you this Sunday!

Randy and Aaron talk about 1995's Johnny Mnemonic and also talk about last week's interview with Jeff Schroeder.

In this episode of Cult and Culture, Justin and Luke chat with longtime friend Johnny Whitney of the Blood Brothers (as well as Neon Blonde and Jaguar Love). Justin and Johnny reflect on the paths they've taken together over the last few decades: playing together on the Oops! tour, Three One G releasing March on Electric Children, and playing a show together again in 2024 during the recent run of Blood Brothers reunion shows. Johnny gives insight into the history of the band, working with iconic producers like Ross Robinson and Guy Picciotto, and riding the wave of commercial music success at the tail-end of an era for the music industry, at least as it was known at that time. Whitney also discusses the lessons he's learned and how his approach to playing shows now has changed since the band's inception.

Madeline Kenny is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Oakland, Ca. Her 5th record, Kiss From The Balcony is due out July 18th via Carpark records and is a follow up to her acclaimed release New Reality Mind.  Madeline shares her early relationship with music and why an education spilt between formal piano training and an all-ages punk venue proved to be a rounding experience.   She tells us how she accidentally fell into making her first recording with Chaz Bundick from Tori y Moi and why the neutrality of their relationship played a role in that process. Joe and Madeline discuss the current music landscape and why taking advantage of the NOW is more important to Madeline that chasing the moving target of media consumption.  Madeline tells us how recording Kiss From The Balcony at Tiny Telephone Studio gave her more freedom and dramatic license than previous records and why she is dedicated to performance both in the studio and live. We learn how Madeline feel in love with sideburns, how she came to be in a Neil Young cover band, and she reveals her next cover band project. Madeline Kenny (https://www.mkenneymusic.com/) Carpark (https://www.carparkrecords.com/) Tour Stories is now supported by @tandemdrums, maker of Drops drum mutes.  Joe’s absolute favorite drummute for live, rehearsal and the studio. visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tandem Drums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://tandemdrums.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor9zZo7UeVoaJP_GRU9kiy5zDzO8T4eqLMfWNQ22gMyfyBPTf0R) Please visit and support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://distrokid.com/) for continued exclusive listener discounts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Izotope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.izotope.com/) and you should too. Trust us. The best way to get your music into the worlds ears is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://distrokid.com/) . Artist keep 100% of their royalties and their mobile app is smartly designed, easy to use and perfectly intuitive.

Randy interviews Guitarist / Composer Jeff Schroeder formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins. He is playing shows up the west coast with his solo ambient guitar project this July. Go see him live! https://www.instagram.com/jjjschroeder/?hl=en