Episodes
EP36. William Goldsmith
Participating in the now-classic soundtrack that ushered in the new century, William Goldsmith pounded the drums for legendary bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Foo Fighters, until his frustration with the industry drove him to take a decade-long break from music altogether. But a chance meeting with a devoted musician and father inspired William to get back behind the drum kit, and share his passion and talents with his children. Nick and William reminisce about the music scene of the alternative era, and how his career and life have left him with no regrets.
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EP35. Brian Lopez
Growing up in the melting pot of Tucson primed guitarist and singer Brian Lopez for absorbing the cultural music of other countries. Graduating from college with a background in classical guitar, Brian made a name for himself in the band Mostly Bears before striking out as both a solo artist and an acclaimed sideman. With his band Xixa, Brian has channeled his many influences into the new album "Genesis", a collection of songs that reflect the concerns of our Covid-rattled world. Pour yourself a big mug of chicha and kick back as Nick and Brian talk about touring in Europe, how an artist's political slant informs their art, and the rise of today's Seinfeld hipsters.
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EP34. Vinnie Dombroski
Forget Seattle... Detroit is and always will be Rock City! Raised on the classic R'n'R sound of Motor City radio, singer Vinnie Dombroski suddenly found himself and his band Sponge swept up in the alternative music frenzy of the early 90s. Over the last two decades he has expanded his musical portfolio, recording with a who's who of alternative legends in Spys4Darwin, founding outlaw country band The Orbitsuns, and reuniting with his Sponge bandmates. Join Nick and Vinnie as they discuss what it means to be a frontman, the storied history of Detroit's recording studios, and his potential future as a nomad of the highways.
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EP33. Caroline Kingsbury
With the onslaught of new music available every day, it's hard for a new artist to stand out. But Caroline Kingsbury isn't going to let that get in her way. Realizing at an early age she wanted to make music, her life was changed forever when family tragedy and an inner awakening showed her the path she was meant to follow. Years spent writing, recording, and touring led to the collection of songs that form her debut album, "Heaven's Just A Flight", a personal and sometimes raw chronicle of her life and the experiences that brought her to where she is today. Listen in as Nick and Caroline explore the pros and cons of being an independent artist in today's social media climate.
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EP32. Ross Copperman
Ross Copperman does it all. He writes hit songs. He produces hit records. He nurtures the next wave of musical superstars through his philanthropic work. And somehow he also finds the time to be a husband and father. From his early days as a reluctant eight year old banging away on an upright piano, Ross eventually flirted with a solo career across the pond before returning to the States, where he became one of Nashville's most in-demand players. A chart-topping songwriter and producer with twenty-nine number one hits to his name, the upcoming release of his newest EP brings Ross' career full circle, returning him to his pop music roots. Hang out in the virtual studio with Nick and Ross as they weigh in on a wide range of topics, from the differences between songwriting for yourself and for other artists, to the seismic changes that have leveled the playing field in the music industry.
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EP31. Peter Ames Carlin
For three decades, one record company ruled the music charts. But in the blink of an eye, their reign was over. After crafting in-depth biographies of music legends like Brian Wilson and Bruce Springsteen, New York Time best-selling author Peter Ames Carlin decided to tackle his most sweeping subject yet: the history of Warner Bros. Records. Through a series of wide-ranging interviews with industry legends Mo Ostin, Lenny Waronker, and many others, Peter wrote the book "Sonic Boom", the amazing story of a record label that put artists before commerce, and in the process built a musical dynasty. Join Nick and Peter as they discuss the tumultuous history of Warner Bros. Records, from its formation as a way to keep the studio's actors from making money for other companies, through the heyday of the 1970's psychedelic rock era, to the corporate machinations that tanked the label in the 1990s.
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EP30. Ayman Hariri + Pete Lawrie
Social media platforms have become so crowded and chaotic, it's almost impossible for a true artist to make their talents known... until now. Vero is more than an app, it's a carefully and thoughtfully designed digital community that allows creative types to display their art, without the platform's design getting in the way. Not only are founder Ayman Hariri and Vero Music head Pete Lawrie passionately involved in running the company, they're enthusiastic members of the community themselves. Log on with Nick and join the next wave of the online artistic revolution, as Ayman and Pete dive into the real-world philosophy that guides the Vero development team.
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EP29. Aaron Lee Tasjan
Aaron Lee Tasjan never met a boundary he didn't like to push against until it toppled right over. Realizing at an early age that music school wasn't for him, Aaron struck out for the Big Apple to chart his own creative course, both as a member of Semi Precious Weapons, and as a solo performer. He brings his quirky, flirting-with-androgyny sensibilities to everything he does, whether it's belting out spur-of-the-moment lyrics for his agit-pop songcraft, or working behind the console as a producer for Drivin' N' Cryin'. Follow along as Nick and Aaron navigate a freewheeling walk down memory lane that takes them from the bars of New York City to the star-studded stages of Bonnaroo.
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EP28. Ann Wilson
In a career spanning five decades, Ann Wilson has seen and done it all. Starting out as a young woman who just wanted to make music with her sister, Ann shattered the rock 'n roll glass ceiling as she soared to the top of the charts and into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. After a string of classic hits with her band Heart, Ann found a creative renaissance through the support of her new husband, along with a social media presence that connected her directly to her fans. Jump on the tour bus with Nick and Ann as they review her early days as a Marine brat, her reinvention as a solo performer, and how she's navigated the major changes in the music industry over the years.
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EP27. Hugh Forrest
From its humble beginnings in 1987, Austin's South By Southwest has evolved from a small music festival into a two-week multimedia bacchanalia that brings together artists and trendsetters of every kind. And for the last three decades, SXSW director Hugh Forrest has been one of the driving forces behind the SXSW experience, working with the artistic community to create immersive programming that celebrates and predicts the best of art and technology. Join long-time pals Nick and Hugh as they explore the philosophy behind SXSW's themed events, the challenges of going virtual during a global pandemic, and their friendly American League East baseball rivalry.
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EP26. Michael Beinhorn
The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Soundgarden. Herbie Hancock. Their records all have one thing in common: the fantastic production skills of Michael Beinhorn. Starting out as a founder of the legendary post-punk band Material, Michael eventually realized that his destiny lay behind the mixing console, not the microphone. Almost winning a Grammy started Michael on a career filled with both seminal albums and creative revelations. Join long-time friends Nick and Michael for an incredibly revealing conversation, as they discuss the ethereal workings of the creative process, the pros and cons of being a record producer, and the long road Michael traveled from music prodigy to creative philanthropist.
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EP25. Shawn Harris
Some people call it "pop-punk". Some call it "punk-pop". But the kids in the early 2000s, they called it "awesome". Guitarist and vocalist Shawn Harris fronted iconic band The Matches through three classic albums, playing to throngs of adoring fans across three continents. But as his musical career began winding down, he found himself expressing his creative energies through visual arts and graphic design. Settle back and listen in as Nick explores Shawn's inspirational creative journey, from high school musician to webcasting pioneer to award-winning picture book and graphic novel illustrator.
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EP24. Marvin Etzioni
With a recording career that spans forty years, musician/producer Marvin Etzioni has done it all. Not only has he performed with legendary band Lone Justice, Marvin has collaborated with such luminaries as Lucinda Williams, Toad The Wet Sprocket, John Doe, and Counting Crows. His unique skills with the mandolin, his knack for efficient production, and his personal approach to accessing his creative space, have all resulted in an impressive body of work that spans genres and decades. Join Nick as he embarks on a trip through the events that shaped Marvin's creative life, a journey that reaches from the sweatshops of New York in the early 20th century, to a recording studio in the midst of the 2020 lockdown.
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EP23. Danny Zelisko
If you went to a concert sometime in the last thirty years, there's a good chance super-promoter Danny Zelisko was involved in bringing it to your town. From his humble beginnings booking shows in Arizona way back in the 1970s, Danny built his company Evening Star Productions into a nation-wide business. After several years as part of the Live Nation family, Danny decided to return to his independent roots, promoting shows across the Southwest. Flick your Bic and wave it high overhead as Nick and Danny discuss concerts in the time of Covid, Danny's new book "All Exce$$ - Occupation: Concert Promoter", and the evolution of the live music industry.
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EP22. Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon has carved out an impressive career as both a writer and director. His creative endeavors are fueled by his passion for the culture, politics, and people of the American South, especially the city he calls home, Memphis. In this installment, Nick engages Robert in a wide-ranging discussion of his life and how his interests provided the impetus for his documentaries and books. From the music of almost-forgotten blues legends, to the Emmy-winning political documentary "Best Of Enemies", to the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking book "It Came From Memphis", Robert and Nick immerse themselves in the intertwined history of Memphis and the clash of cultures that formed the backdrop for the rise of rock 'n roll in the 1950s.
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EP21. 2020 Radicals
The event that so many never thought would happen is finally here: the end of 2020 has arrived! But despite all the uncertainty and sadness in the world, the last twelve months weren't all gloom and doom. Over the course of the inaugural year of "The Radical", Nick and an eclectic group of artistic individuals discussed the rewarding and uplifting nature of the creative process. Iconoclastic singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Metal legend Rob Halford of Judas Priest. Pop superstar Jason Mraz. Musician and TV personality Randy Jackson. Guns N' Roses guitar virtuoso Richard Fortus. Alternative rock legend Bob Mould. And Glen Phillips of Toad The Wet Sprocket. Ring in the New Year with Nick as he revisits the highlights of some of his most in-depth and freewheeling discussions from the past year.
EP20. Ilan Rubin
Ilan Rubin is the youngest person ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Nine Inch Nails as well as Angels & Airwaves. He also runs his own band, The New Regime, which recently released a new album, Heart Mind Body & Soul, and it’s out now! Ilan gives Nick incredible faith in the future generation of musicians. Join them as they discuss Ilan’s extensive career path and his achievements, what the album recording process is like, Ilan’s intense fascination with music theory and how music is constructed, and where the future of music is headed.
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EP19. Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer, songwriter, and composer. He has created two classical operas, Prima Donna and Hadrian. He also has ten studio albums and has contributed to many film soundtracks. He’s been nominated this year for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Every week he also hosts a Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective, where he plays music from his past studio albums. Nick used to manage Rufus back in his very early career and has gotten to know his family throughout the years. Madonna also believes Rufus stole Nick from her. Nick and Rufus discuss his opera work, what it’s like to make a pop album, and how family life has changed Rufus for the better.
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EP18. Tom Kitt
Tom Kitt is a composer, orchestrator, and music director, and is most known for his work on Broadway. He has worked alongside acts like Green Day and Alanis Morissette to transform their bodies of work into full-fledged musicals. His score on Next to Normal, a project that took nearly 11 years to develop, has gained him a 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and won two Tony Awards. Lin-Manuel Miranda has declared him one of the best melodists of our generation. Nick and Tom sit down to discuss his rollercoaster path to success, the adaption of musicals into film, and so much more.
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EP17. Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz perfectly embodies the balance of artist and humanitarian. He’s not only chalked up eight Billboard Top 20 hits, won a couple of Grammys, and brought tons of joy to millions of fans around the globe but he also tends his farming operation and record label. His latest album Look For The Good embodies the positivity and light we collectively need as we shove this year out the door. Nick has known Jason for a couple of decades now so this conversation covers a lot of ground. Strap in for a deep dive in music, organic farming, philanthropy, and launching a new record label model.
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