Beginnings

Episode 614: Doug Bielmeier

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to composer Doug Bielmeier. Originally from Buffalo, Doug started out playing in indie rock bands before shifting his focus...

Episode 613: J. Blakeson

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to filmmaker J. Blakeson. Originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, J. started out making low-budget shorts of his own. T...

Episode 612: Arone Dyer

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Arone Dyer. Originally from Willmar, Minnesota, Arone began writing songs in high school and even won a contest...

Episode 611: Nina Nastasia

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Nina Nastasia. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Nina began writing songs in 1993 but initially had no real ambi...

Episode 610: Jordan Morris

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer and comedian Jordan Morris. Originally from Mission Viejo, Jordan attended UC Santa Cruz, where he met his future...

Episode 609: Matt Fraction

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-winning comics writer Matt Fraction. Originally from Chicago, Matt started out in comics writing for publis...

Episode 608: Mike Sweeney

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Emmy-winning comedy writer Mike Sweeney. Since childhood, Mike wanted to be in showbiz, but family issues prevented him ...

Episode 607: Marnie Stern

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Marnie Stern. Originally from New York City, Marnie didn't start out trying to pursue music professionally, and...

Episode 606: Derek M. Ballard

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist Derek M. Ballard. Originally from Mobile, AL, Derek was an artist from the jump. As a storyboard artist, he's...

Episode 605: Will Butler

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Will Butler. Originally from Floriston, California, Will mostly grew up in Texas, and after college moved to Mo...

Episode 604: A. Savage

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and painter Andrew Savage. Originally from Denton, TX, Andrew began playing music seriously when he formed the ...

Episode 603: Greg Rucka

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-winning comics writer Greg Rucka. Originally from San Francisco, Greg grew up in Salinas, California, AKA "...

Episode 602: Fat Tony

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Fat Tony. Originally from Houston, Texas, Anthony Obi started his musical career performing with a number of di...

Episode 601: Rod Argent of The Zombies

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Rod Argent. Originally from St. Albans, Rod became the founder, keyboard player and one of the principal songwr...

Episode 600: Ben Edlund

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics creator and TV writer Ben Edlund. While still in high school, Ben began developing the satirical superhero The T...

Episode 599: Will Oldham

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and actor Will Oldham. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Will was an actor before becoming a musician, appe...

Episode 598: Geoff Garlock

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer and musician Geoff Garlock. Geoff has been playing music since high school, first with the hardcore punk band Swi...

Episode 597: Teenage Fanclub

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley of Teenage Fanclub. Emerging from the Scottish C86 scene of the 1980s, Teenage Fanclub...

Episode 596: Bush Tetras

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musicians Pat Place and Cynthia Sley of Bush Tetras. Both art students, Cynthia and Pat moved to New York in the 1970s a...

Episode 595: Locate S,1

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Christina Schneider AKA Locate S,1. Originally from Westchester, New York, Christina began her career making m...

Episode 594: Jad Fair

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and artist Jad Fair. Originally from Coldwater, Michigan, Jad began playing music with his brother David in 197...

Episode 593: Heather Trost

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Heather Trost. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Heather really started taking music seriously in college, often...

Episode 592: Matt Christman

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer and podcaster Matt Christman. Originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Matt wasn't pursuing anything specific when h...

Episode 591: David Bizzaro

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Emmy Award-winning puppeteer David Bizzaro. Originally from Fresno, CA, David moved around a lot as a child. He fell in ...

Episode 590: Salami Rose Joe Louis

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Lindsay Olsen AKA Salami Rose Joe Louis. Originally from San Diego, Lindsay worked in the sciences as a lab te...

Episode 589: Rob Mazurek

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and composer Rob Mazurek. Originally from Jersey City, Rob started playing trumpet and cornet in high school af...

Episode 588: John Grant

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician John Grant. Originally from Buchanan, Michigan, John moved to Germany in 1988 to study German, but eventually m...

Episode 587: Zeena Parkins

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and composer Zeena Parkins. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Zeena is a pioneer of contemporary harp practice...

Episode 586: J. Holtham

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV and comics writer J. Holtham. Originally a playwright, J. moved to Los Angeles in the early 20-teens to pursue screen...

Episode 585: Half Gringa

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Isabel Olive AKA Half Gringa. Originally from Carbondale, Illinois, Isabel has been playing as Half Gringa - a ...

Episode 584: Joey Alison Sayers

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist Joey Alison Sayers. Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Joey has drawn comics for most of her life, but onl...

Episode 583: Bobcat Goldthwait

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait. Originally from Syracuse, Bobcat's career is so full of hyphens that "multihyph...

Episode 582: Carl Newman of The New Pornographers

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Carl Newman. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Carl began his musical career in the early '90s as a ...

Episode 581: Jeff Lemire

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-winning comics creator Jeff Lemire. Originally from Woodslee, Ontario, Jeff wrote and drew comics for years...

Episode 580: Rachel Brown of thanks for coming & Water From Your Eyes

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Rachel Brown. Originally from Chicago, Rachel attended NYU where they studied film and television. However, ins...

Episode 579: Satomi Matsuzaki

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Satomi Matsuzaki. Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Satomi moved to San Francisco in 1995 to study film production,...

Episode 578: Jerry Minor

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor and comedian Jerry Minor. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Jerry came up doing comedy at Second City in Detroit, C...

Episode 577: Oren Ambarchi

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Oren Ambarchi. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Oren began playing free jazz as a drummer in the late '80s, e...

Episode 576: Stimmerman

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Eva Lawitts AKA Stimmerman. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Eva has been playing music for most of her life. She ...

Episode 575: Kate Fagan

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kate Fagan. Growing up in Wisconsin and then outside DC, Kate made many more stops before ending up in Chicago...

Episode 574: Farel Dalrymple

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics creator Farel Dalrymple. Originally from Tulsa, OK, Farel Dalrymple has been creating comics for over two decades...

Episode 573: Avey Tare

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Dave Portner AKA Avey Tare of Animal Collective. Originally from Baltimore County, Dave met his future bandmate...

Episode 572: Emma Paetz

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actress Emma Paetz. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Emma realized she wanted to act for a living while au pairing in ...

Episode 571: Elina Löwensohn

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actress Elina Löwensohn. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Elina emigrated to the US as a child under somewhat harrow...

Episode 570: Damian Abraham of Fucked Up

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Damian Abraham. Originally from Toronto, Damian has been playing in punk bands since he was a tween. In 2001, h...

Episode 569: Terence Winter

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's 13th anniversary episode, I talk to Academy Award nominated and Emmy Award winning TV and film writer Terence Winter. Originally from Brook...

Episode 568: Jim Zub

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated comics creator Jim Zub. Jim began his comics career making webcomics starting in the e...

Episode 567: ALMA

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musicians Alba Torremocha, Melissa Carter, and Lillie McDonough AKA the band ALMA. Hailing from all over the world, the ...

Episode 566: Daniel Wyche returns

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician and scholar Daniel Wyche. Daniel is a visiting assistant professor in Albion College's religious studies departm...

Episode 565: Sheldon Epps

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to theater and TV director Sheldon Epps. Originally from Compton, CA, Sheldon's decades-long career in entertainment has sp...

Episode 564: Cliff Chiang

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics creator Cliff Chiang. Originally from New Jersey, Cliff wasn't sure of his direction in life, but wanted to give ...

Episode 563: Breeda Wool

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor Breeda Wool. Originally from Urbana, Illinois, Breeda moved to New York City after college to pursue acting, where...

Episode 562: Kurt Wagner of Lambchop

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kurt Wagner. Originally from Nashville, TN, Kurt was an artist and musician working a day job. But through the ...

Episode 561: Jerry Stahl

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer Jerry Stahl. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jerry won a Pushcart Prize early in his writing career bef...

Episode 560: Homeboy Sandman

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to rapper Homeboy Sandman. Originally from Elmhurst, Queens, Angel Del Villar II AKA Homeboy Sandman started making albums ...

Episode 559: Bill Orcutt

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Bill Orcutt. Originally from Miami, Florida, Bill made films and played music in various groups before co-found...

Episode 558: Robin Holcomb

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Robin Holcomb. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Robin grew up in the Bay Area and began playing piano when sh...

Episode 557: Tara Jane O'Neil

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to artist and musician Tara Jane O'Neil. Tara cut her teeth in the 1990s Louisville music scene as the bassist of the infl...

Episode 556: Microwaves

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Dave Kuzy and John Roman of the prolific Pittsburgh band Microwaves. Growing up in and around Pittsburgh, Dave and John ...

Episode 555: Tony Molina

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Tony Molina. Constantly juggling hardcore and pop projects, veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina has won over...

Episode 554: Dear Nora

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Katy Davidson AKA Dear Nora. Originally from Arizona, Katy has been making music for decades now under the name...

Episode 553: Kieron Gillen

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-nominated comics writer Kieron Gillen. Originally from Stafford in the West Midlands of England, Kieron beg...

Episode 552: Laura Veirs

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Laura Veirs. Originally from Colorado Springs, Laura first thought she was going to follow her family into the ...

Episode 551: Lean Year

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Emilie Rex and musician/filmmaker Rick Alverson AKA Lean Year. As a musical duo, Emilie and Rick have been maki...

Episode 550: Lincoln Michel

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to author Lincoln Michel. Originally from Virginia, Lincoln's fiction has appeared in The Paris Review, Pushcart Prize anth...

Episode 549: Attia Taylor

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Attia Taylor. Originally from Philadelphia, Attia is a writer and musician based in New York City. She is the f...

Episode 548: Karl Blau

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Karl Blau. Originally from Samish Island, WA, Karl grew up in a family of amatuer musicians and at first though...

Episode 547: Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Tim McIlrath of Rise Against. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Tim grew up about an hour outside Chicago ...

Episode 546: Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal. Originally from Ohio, Kevin eventually ended up in Athens, GA where he became part...

Episode 545: Half-handed Cloud

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician John Ringhofer AKA Half-handed Cloud. Based now in Helsinki, Finland, Half-handed Cloud started as a home-recor...

Episode 544: Britt Lower

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor Britt Lower. Originally from Heyworth, Illinois, Britt's first big role was on the short-lived 2010 Comedy Centra...

Episode 543: Mike Allred

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comics creator Mike "Spike" Allred. Originally from Oregon, Mike began his career in com...

Episode 542: Casper Kelly

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Casper Kelly. Originally from Burlington, North Carolina, Casper started working at Adult Swim in the early 20...

Episode 541: Pictoria Vark

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Victoria Park AKA Pictoria Vark. Originally from Cresskill, NJ, Victoria started playing in bands in high schoo...

Episode 540: Steve Keene

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to artist Steve Keene. Originally from the DC metro area, Steve wanted to be an artist from an early age, taking off on a p...

Episode 539: Kisskadee

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kasie Shahbaz AKA Kisskadee. Originally from San Diego, Kasie first started playing music under the name Coyote...

Episode 538: Joe Rainey

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Joe Rainey. Originally from South Minneapolis, Joe is A member of the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwe people and bega...

Episode 537: Diane Coffee

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Shaun Fleming. Originally from Agoura Hills, CA, Shaun started out their creative life as a child voice actor o...

Episode 536: Ryan North

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics writer Ryan North. Originally from Osgoode, Ontario, Ryan was on a path to a career in computational linguistics ...

Episode 535: Gabriel Kahane

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to composer and singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane. Originally from Venice Beach, California, Gabriel has been making albums ...

Episode 534: Kelly Thompson

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award-winning comics writer Kelly Thompson. After graduating with a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah Co...

Episode 533: Frontperson

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musicians Kathryn Calder and Mark Andrew Hamilton. Kathryn and Mark have been making music in different bands for years....

Episode 532: Linqua Franqa

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to rapper, academic and politician Mariah Parker AKA Linqua Franqa. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Mariah wears many...

Episode 531: Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Carey Mercer. Originally from Okanagan, British Columbia, Carey formed the band Frog Eyes in the early 2000s ou...

Episode 530: Andrew Farmer

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer and actor Andrew Farmer. Originally from Florida, Andrew is a recipient of the 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant, and...

Episode 529: Dan Erickson

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Dan Erickson.  Originally from Olympia, Washington, Dan earned a Masters in Dramatic Writing from NYU's Tisch...

Episode 528: Lennon Parham

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor, writer and improviser Lennon Parham. Born in Marietta, GA, Lennon was acting from a young age, but it was when sh...

Episode 527: Cadence Weapon

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to rapper Rollie Pemberton AKA Cadence Weapon. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Rollie began rapping as a teenager, an...

Episode 526: Kevin Huizenga

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics creator Kevin Huizenga. Originally from South Holland, a small town of Dutch immigrants in the suburbs of Chicago...

Episode 525: Jim Starlin

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner Award Hall of Fame comics creator Jim Starlin. Originally from Detroit, Jim broke into comics in the 1970s, first...

Episode 524: Julie Doiron

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Julie Doiron. Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Julie's musical career began with the acclaimed indie roc...

Episode 523: Basia Bulat

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Basia Bulat. The daughter of Polish émigrés, Basia was born and raised in Toronto's Etobicoke neighbourhood a...

Episode 522: Nels Cline

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Nels Cline. Nels is best known these days as the lead guitarist in the band Wilco, but his recording and perfor...

Episode 521: Martha Wells

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to author Martha Wells. Martha has been a sci-fi and fantasy writer since her first novel was published in 1993, and her w...

Episode 520: Matthew Herd of Seafarers

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Matthew Herd. Originally from Glasgow, Matthew is a Scottish songwriter, composer, and saxophonist living in ea...

Episode 519: John Linnell

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the 12th anniversary episode of Beginnings taped back in December, I talk to John Linnell of They Might Be Giants! Raised in Lincoln, Massachusetts...

Episode 518: Logan Lynn

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Logan Lynn. Born in York, Nebraska, Logan eventually moved to Portland after a tumultuous childhood. His music...

Episode 517: Wendy Eisenberg

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Wendy Eisenberg. Wendy is an improviser and songwriter who uses guitar, pedals, the tenor banjo, the computer, ...

Episode 516: John Vanderslice

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician John Vanderslice. Raised in rural North Florida, Vanderslice was forced into piano lessons as a young child, an...

Episode 515: Robert Haimer AKA Artie Barnes

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Robert Haimer AKA Artie Barnes. Born in Los Angeles, Robert began playing music with his friend, actor Bill Mum...