Beginnings
Episodes
Episode 713: Connor Armbruster
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In 2023, they recorded their first full-length album Revival of a Friend at Tiny Telephone, and it will be released on Exploding In Sound Records at t...
Episode 712: Julia Steiner of Ratboys
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Julia Steiner of the band Ratboys. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Julia started Ratboys in college at Notre Dame ...
Episode 711: Amelia Fletcher of Heavenly
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Amelia Fletcher of the band Heavenly. Raised in Oxford, Amelia started playing in bands in the mid-1980s. Her first majo...
Episode 710: Mort Burke
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comedian and actor Mort Burke. Originally from St. Louis, Mort came up in the Chicago comedy scene before moving to Los ...
Episode 709: cub
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Lisa Marr and Lisa Gertrud, two-thirds of the band cub. Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Lisa Marr and Robynn I...
Episode 708: Mary Lattimore
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to harpist Mary Lattimore. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Mary began playing the harp as a tween and eventually...
Episode 707: Julianna Barwick
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Julianna Barwick. Originally from Louisiana, Julianna ended up in New York in the early aughts and self-release...
Episode 706: Elliott Kalan
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's 16th anniversary episode, I talk to Emmy Award-winning TV and comic writer and podcaster Elliott Kalan. Originally from Millburn, NJ, Ellio...
Episode 705: Jen Bender of Cusp
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Jen Bender of Cusp. Originally from Long Island, Jen and her bandmates formed Cusp a little over five years ago in Roche...
Episode 704: Steven Brown of Tuxedomoon
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Steven Brown. Originally from Chicago, IL, Steven moved to San Francisco in the 1970s, where he eventually join...
Episode 703: Kassie Carlson of Guerilla Toss
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Kassie Carlson. Originally from Cape Cod, Kassie began performing in an early incarnation of Guerilla Toss afte...
Episode 702: Amy O
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Amy Oelsner AKA Amy O. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Amy has been recording and releasing albums sinc...
Episode 701: Claire Rousay
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to experimental musician and composer Claire Rousay. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Claire grew up in San Antonio, Tex...
Episode 700: Brian Michael Bendis
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comics writer Brian Michael Bendis. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Brian knew from an early age he wanted to make comics...
Episode 699: Marc Hollander
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Marc Hollander. Born in Geneva, Switzerland right after WWII, Marc was raised in Brussels and started the band ...
Episode 698: David J. Roth
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to journalist and writer David J. Roth. Raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey, David started out his writing career writing and e...
Episode 697: Thalia Zedek of Come, Live Skull and Thalia Zedek Band
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Thalia Zedek. Originally from Washington DC, Thalia attended college at Boston University for one semester befo...
Episode 696: Gina Birch of The Raincoats
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Gina Birch. Originally from Nottingham in the UK, Gina formed the seminal art-punk band The Raincoats with Ana ...
Episode 695: Joelton Mayfield
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Joelton Mayfield. Originally from the Marble Falls/Granite Shoals area of Texas, Joelton grew up in a family wh...
Episode 694: Julia Kugel of The Coathangers
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Julia Kugel. Originally from Belarus, Julia and her family immigrated to Atlanta, GA when she was a child. In 2...
Episode 693: Hannah Frances
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Hannah Frances. Growing up just outside of Philly, Hannah was doing all kinds of creative work from a young age...
Episode 692: Anamanaguchi
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musicians Peter Berkman and Ary Warnaar of the band Anamanaguchi. In 2004, school chums Peter Berkman and James DeVito w...
Episode 691: Nick Dragotta
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comic artist Nick Dragotta. Originally from Cape May, NJ, Nick came to prominence working on Fantastic Four with Jonatha...
Episode 690: Dan Wriggins of Friendship
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Dan Wriggins. Originally from Yarmouth, ME, Dan started playing piano and guitar in high school, and around thi...
Episode 689: Peter Salett
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to singer/songwriter Peter Salett. Born in Princeton, NJ, Peter grew up near Washington DC in Columbia, MD. As part of the ...
Episode 688: Laura Ballance of Superchunk
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Laura Ballance. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Laura moved around a fair amount as a child, eventua...
Episode 687: Carson McHone
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Carson McHone. Originally from Austin, TX, Carson has been playing music live since she was a teenager. Her fir...
Episode 686: Mark Russell
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Eisner and GLAAD Award-winning comics writer Mark Russell. Born in Springfield, OR, Mark broke into professional writing...
Episode 686: Rory Blank
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist Rory Blank. Originally from Carrollton, Georgia, Rory eventually ended up in Austin for college, where he b...
Episode 685: Selwyn Seyfu Hinds
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to writer and showrunner Selwyn Seyfu Hinds. Originally from Georgetown, Guyana, Selwyn and his family moved to Brooklyn in...
Episode 684: Daniel Littleton of Ida and The Hated
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Daniel Littleton. Originally from Annapolis, MD, Daniel's first band The Hated was part of the first wave of ha...
Episode 683: Kelly Sue DeConnick
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-winning comics writer Kelly Sue DeConnick. Born in Columbus, OH, Kelly Sue moved around a lot as a child an...
Episode 682: Michael DeForge
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comics creator Michael DeForge. Originally from Ottawa, Michael had been making mini- and webcomics for years before he ...
Episode 681: David Bazan of Pedro the Lion and Headphones
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician David Bazan. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, David started Pedro the Lion in 1995, and his first full-length album...
Episode 680: Tune-Yards
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner of the band Tune-Yards. Started by Merrill in the mid-aughts, Tune-Yards first official ...
Episode 679: M(h)aol
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland and Sean Nolan of the band Dublin and London-based band M(h)aol. Formed in 2014, the band ...
Episode 678: Maia Friedman of Coco and Dirty Projectors
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Maia Friedman. Originally from Los Angeles, Maia's family moved around to different California locales, and eve...
Episode 677: Mr. Fish
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to political cartoonist Dwayne Booth AKA Mr. Fish. For over 20 years, Dwayne has been creating political cartoons for publi...
Episode 676: David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician David Longstreth. Originally from Southbury, CT, David recorded his first album The Graceful Fallen Mango after...
Episode 675: Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Krisitin Hersh. Originally from Atlanta, Kristin's family moved to Newport, RI when she was six. Here she met T...
Episode 674: Tina Halladay of Sheer Mag
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Tina Halladay. Originally from Long Island, Tina met Matt Palmer, and Kyle and Hart Seely in college, and forme...
Episode 673: John Davis of The Folk Implosion
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician John Davis. Growing up in Cambridge, MA, John formed The Folk Implosion with Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr.'s Lou B...
Episode 672: Anders Nilsen
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist Anders Nilsen. Growing up between Minneapolis and the mountains of Northern New Hampshire, Anders is the arti...
Episode 671: Daniel Warren Johnson
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comics creator Daniel Warren Johnson. Originally from Massachusetts, Daniel started in the world of cartooning with his ...
Episode 670: Jeffrey Lewis
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician and cartoonist Jeffrey Lewis. Originally from the Lower East Side, Jeffrey has bounced back and forth between h...
Episode 669: Jack Pendarvis
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Pendarvis. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Jack has been writing books, articles and TV ...
Episode 668: Bob Mould
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Bob Mould. Originally from Malone, New York, Bob attended college in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he formed Hüs...
Episode 667: Jamie McKelvie
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to artist Jamie McKelvie. Born in London, Jamie came to prominence in the world of comics through his collaborations with K...
Episode 666: Josh Zetumer
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Josh Zetumer. Originally from San Diego, Josh broke into screenwriting on the back of a script that got on the...
Episode 665: Tim Midyett of Silkworm, Bottomless Pit and Mint Mile
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Tim Midyett. Originally from Havre, Montana, Tim started the band Ein Heit in 1985 with his friends, and two ye...
Episode 664: Dave Holmes
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to writer and podcaster Dave Holmes. Born in New Jersey, but raised in St. Louis, Dave came to national prominence when he ...
Episode 663: Guy Maddin
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to director Guy Maddin. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Guy did not set out to be a filmmaker, but after working odd jo...
Episode 662: David Cross
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comedian and actor David Cross. Originally from Roswell, GA, David started as a stand-up at the age of seventeen, first ...
Episode 661: Seth Gordon
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to director Seth Gordon. Originally on the path to be an architect, Seth's life took a detour into documentary filmmaking w...
Episode 660: Sunroof
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones of Sunroof. Daniel and Gareth have had long, varied careers for decades - as musicians, ...
Episode 659: Brian Blomerth
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to illustrator and comics creator Brian Blomerth. Brian grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and in college started to move t...
Episode 658: Jason Aaron
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comics writer Jason Aaron. Originally from Piney Woods, Alabama, Jason started writing comics professionally after winni...
Episode 657: Ed Herro
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Ed Herro. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Ed fell in love with improv in middle school. He started doing c...
Episode 656: Brian Ennals and Infinity Knives
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to rapper and musician Brian Ennals and Tariq Ravelomanana AKA Infinity Knives. Originally from Annapolis, Maryland and Tan...
Episode 655: Fred Thomas
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Fred Thomas. Originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan, Fred started playing music as a teenager, and in 1994 founded...
Episode 654: Jake Xerxes Fussell
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Jake Xerxes Fussell. Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Jake is the son of folklorist Fred Fussell, and as a te...
Episode 653: John Pham
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist John Pham. Born in Saigon, John's family immigrated to the US towards the end of the Vietnam War. In the year...
Episode 652: Tsunami
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musicians Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson of the band Tsunami. Tsunami formed in Arlington, VA in late 1990, when Jenny...
Episode 651: Roy Montgomery
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to guitarist and composer Roy Montgomery. Originally from London, Roy grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, and his first b...
Episode 650: Meredith Scardino
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to comedy writer Meredith Scardino. Originally from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Meredith first got into the business of show a...
Episode 649: Rose Melberg of The Softies
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Rose Melberg. Originally from Sacramento, California, Rose has been a performing musician since high school in ...
Episode 648: Angry Blackmen
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to rappers Brian Warren and Quentin Branch AKA Angry Blackmen. Both living in Chicago in the mid-20-teens, Brian and Quenti...
Episode 647: Kishi Bashi
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Karou Ishibashi AKA Kishi Bashi. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Karou grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and al...
Episode 646: Los Bitchos
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musicians Josefine Jonsson and Agustina Ruiz of Los Bitchos. Originally from Sweden and Uruguay respectively, Josefine a...
Episode 645: Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician and academic Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings. Originally from Stevens Point, WI, Dylan is an enrolled member of the B...
Episode 644: Lia Kohl
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to cellist and composer Lia Kohl. Growing up in the Bay Area, Lia began playing the cello when she was eight-years-old and ...
Episode 643: Matt Bors
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to Eisner-winning comics editor and two time Pulitzer Prize Finalist in cartooning Matt Bors. Originally from Canton, Ohio,...
Episode 642: Mabe Fratti
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Mabe Fratti. Originally from Guatemala, Mabe studied cello from a young age, but was on a path to become a jour...
Episode 641: Asher White
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician and artist Asher White. Originally from Evanston, Illinois, Asher has built an immense discography since she wa...
Episode 640: Doug Henwood
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to journalist and political writer Doug Henwood. Originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, Doug has been writing publicly about ...
Episode 639: Colin Meloy of The Decemberists
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Colin Meloy. Originally from Helena, Montana, Colin played in a few bands in high school and college before eve...
Episode 638: Sour Widows
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musicians Maia Sinaiko and Susanna Thomson, the founders and 2/3 of the Bay Area band Sour Widows. Originally meeting an...
Episode 637: Marina Allen
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Marina Allen. Originally from New Jersey, Marina's moved back and forth across the country a couple times, and ...
Episode 636: Jim Mickle
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to writer and director Jim Mickle. Originally from Douglassville, PA, Jim studied film at NYU and then worked his way up in...
Episode 635: Susan Coyne
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to playwright and TV writer Susan Coyne. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Susan studied intellectual history before pivo...
Episode 634: Jeff Martin of Idaho
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Jeff Martin. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Jeff started playing piano when he was but a mere toddler. In 199...
Episode 633: Vicky Farewell
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Vicky Nguyen AKA Vicky Farewell. Originally from Garden Grove, CA in Orange County, Vicky has played piano sinc...
Episode 632: Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Eric Earley. Originally from Salem, Oregon, Eric and his friends formed the band Garmonbozia in the year 2000. ...
Episode 631: Ben Chasny of Six Organs of Admittance
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Ben Chasny. Born in Los Angeles, Ben's family moved to rural Northern California when he was young. His recordi...
Episode 630: Chris Black
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Chris Black. Originally from Toledo, OH, Chris went to USC, which eventually led to him working in television....
Episode 629: Peyton Pinkerton
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Peyton Pinkerton. Originally from Pleasantville, New York, Peyton formed New Radiant Storm King in 1990 while a...
Episode 628: Friko
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Niko Kapetan AKA one-half of the band Friko. Originally from Evanston, IL, Niko had been writing songs since he...
Episode 627: Rafael Toral
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Rafael Toral. Born in Lisbon in 1967, Rafael has been intrigued by the potential of sound and the functions of ...
Episode 626: Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Tracyanne Campbell. Originally from Glasgow, Tracyanne founded Camera Obscura in 1996 with John Henderson and G...
Episode 625: Linda Smith
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician and home recording pioneer Linda Smith. While Linda had started playing out in New York in the late 1970s, it w...
Episode 624: Dan Abnett
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to seven-times New York Times bestselling author and award-winning comic book writer Dan Abnett. Originally from Maidstone,...
Episode 623: Mark Robinson
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician and founder of TeenBeat Records Mark Robinson. Originally from New Jersey, Mark moved to Washington DC as a chi...
Episode 622: Madeline Link of PACKS
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Madeline Link. Originally from Calgary, Madeline Link initially started PACKS as a solo project, but it eventua...
Episode 621: Andrew Kenny of The American Analog Set
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Andrew Kenny. Originally from Fort Worth, Kenny formed The American Analog Set in 1995 and over the next decade...
Episode 620: Juel Taylor
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to writer and director Juel Taylor. Originally from Tuskegee, Alabama, Juel at first wanted to design video games, but in c...
Episode 619: ISMAY
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Avery Hellman AKA ISMAY. Originally from the Bay Area, Avery grew up surrounded by music - their grandfather fo...
Episode 618: Jonathan Lethem
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's 14th Anniversary episode, I talk to MacArthur Genius Grant-winning author Jonathan Lethem. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jonathan at ...
Episode 617: Arnold Dreyblatt
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to composer and artist Arnold Dreyblatt. Originally from New York City, Arnold is part of the second generation of New York...
Episode 616: Evan Dando
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Evan Dando. Attending the CommonWealth School in Boston in the early 1980s, Evan met Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz...
Episode 615: Tanya Donelly
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, I talk to musician Tanya Donelly. Originally from Newport, Rhode Island, Tanya founded not just one, but three, incredible 20th ce...