Beginnings

Episode 514: Daniel Wyche

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and Professor of Religious Studies Daniel Wyche. Daniel is a Chicago-based guitarist, composer and improviser. ...

Episode 513: Modern Nature's Jack Cooper

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Jack Cooper. Originally from the Fylde Coast, Jack began playing music professionally in the early 2000s, where...

Episode 512: Rebecca Gibney

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor Rebecca Gibney. Originally from Levin, New Zealand, Rebecca grew up the youngest of six children, and after a some...

Episode 511: René Kladzyk AKA Ziemba

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician René Kladzyk aka Ziemba. Originally from Michigan, Rene is an El Paso-based musician and writer. As a journali...

Episode 510: Lionlimb's Stewart Bronaugh

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Stewart Bronaugh. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Stewart has been playing music for a majority of his li...

Episode 509: Brent Jennings

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor Brent Jennings. Originally from Little Rock Arkansas, Brent got his start acting professionally in the New York th...

Episode 508: Cedric Noel

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Cedric Noel. Montreal-based artist Cedric Noel has spent the past decade creating music informed by his unique ...

Episode 507: Ram V

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comics writer Ram V. An author and comic book writer from Mumbai, India, Ram V's comics career began in 2012 with the aw...

Episode 506: Patrick Shiroishi

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Patrick Shiroishi. For years, Los Angeles-based saxophonist and composer Patrick Shiroishi has been playing mus...

Episode 505: Katelyn Tarver

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician and actor Katelyn Tarver. After getting her start performing in prestigious talent competitions as a child in G...

Episode 504: Buzz Osborne of Melvins

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Buzz Osborne. Originally from Morton, WA, Buzz founded the rock band Melvins in the early '80s, and in 1986, C...

Episode 503: Keith Knight

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to cartoonist Keith "Keef" Knight. Starting with his K Chronicles in the early '90s, Keith has been a professional cartooni...

Episode 502: David Thomas of Pere Ubu

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician David Thomas. Raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, David is one of the founders of the short-lived but influenti...

Episode 501: Indigo De Souza

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Indigo De Souza. Originally from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and later based in Asheville, Indigo recorded her...

Episode 500: Arthur Mathews

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's special 500th episode, I talk to BAFTA Award-winning comedy writer Arthur Mathews. Originally from Navan, Co Meath, Ireland, Arthur was ori...

Episode 499: McKenzie Chinn

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician/poet/actor McKenzie Chinn. Originally from Fort Washington, McKenzie is a true triple threat. As an actor, she ...

Episode 498: Nite Jewel (Ramona Gonzalez)

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Ramona Gonzalez AKA NIte Jewel. Born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, Ramona studied philosophy at Occidental...

Episode 497: Bill Oakley

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Bill Oakley. Originally from Union Bridge, Maryland, Bill attended Harvard where he spent most of his time wri...

Episode 496: Kath Myers

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kath Myers. Originally from Ohio, Kath had a roundabout route into making music that took her from the world of...

Episode 495: Terry Riley

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to modern composer Terry Riley. Originally from Colfax, CA, Terry began studying composition and performing solo piano in t...

Episode 494: Robert Popper

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedy writer Robert Popper. Robert Popper is a multiple award-winning writer, producer and performer. He's the creator...

Episode 493: Joe Jack Talcum of The Dead Milkmen

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Joe Jack Talcum. Originally from Wagontown, PA, Joe Genaro AKA Joe Jack Talcum is the guitarist and co-lead si...

Episode 492: Anna McClellan

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Anna McClellan began performing original songs in her hometown of Omaha, NE at the age of seventeen and has be...

Episode 491: Steve Aylett

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer Steve Aylett. Born in Bromley, Steve is the author of over a dozen novels, comics and collections of short fictio...

Episode 490: Lou Barlow

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Lou Barlow. Originally from Ohio, Lou formed his first band Deep Wound in 1982, while attending high school in ...

Episode 489: Michaela Watkins

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actress and comedian Michaela Watkins. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Michaela's career really began when she moved to Lo...

Episode 488: Melvin Gibbs

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to bass guitarist and record producer Melvin Gibbs. A native of Brooklyn, He has been called "the greatest bassist in the w...

Episode 487: Isobel Campbell

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Isobel Campbell. Originally from Glasgow, Isobel's musical career began with the acclaimed indie rock group Bel...

Episode 486: Michael Cerveris

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Tony Award-winning actor and musician Michael Cerveris. Originally from Huntington, West Virginia, Michael got his start...

Episode 485: John Allison

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Eisner-award winning comics creator John Allison. John started creating webcomics in 1998 with Bobbins, a series which r...

Episode 484: Bonnie McKee

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Grammy nominated musician Bonnie McKee. Raised in Seattle, WA, Bonnie had been singing and writing her own songs from a ...

Episode 483: Trevor Kampmann AKA hollANd

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Trevor Kampmann. Born in Naperville, IL in the early '70s, Trevor began making music under the name Sea Saw in ...

Episode 482: Peggy Seeger

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Peggy Seeger. Sister of Pete Seeger (the great-grandfather of USA folk revival) and partner of the late Ewan Mac...

Episode 481: Clay Tarver

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician and TV writer Clay Tarver. Clay first came to prominence as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the Boston hard...

Episode 480: Matt Sweeney

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Matt Sweeney. Originally from northern New Jersey, Matt started playing in bands in high school with his first g...

Episode 479: Jana Schmieding

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and actor Jana Schmieding. Originally from Oregon, Jana cut her teeth performing sketch, improv and characters a...

Episode 478: Bob Nastanovich

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Bob Nastanovich. Born in Rochester, but raised in Richmond, Virginia, Bob spent the early part of his life playi...

Episode 477: Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jamie Stewart. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jamie played in a number of bands as a teenager, including a paro...

Episode 476: Hans-Joachim Roedelius

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Hans-Joachim Roedelius. A pioneer in the field of electronic music, Hans-Joachim Roedelius is considered one of ...

Episode 475: Tobin Sprout

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician and painter Tobin Sprout. Born in 1955 in Dayton, Ohio, Tobin is an American artist, musician and children's boo...

Episode 474: Sarah Mary Chadwick

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Sarah Mary Chadwick. New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Sarah Mary Chadwick has been making mu...

Episode 473: Bobby Previte

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to drummer and composer Bobby Previte. Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, Bobby was one of the seminal figures of the ...

Episode 472: Ron D. Moore

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and showrunner Ron D. Moore. Originally from Chowchilla, CA, Ron broke into TV writing when he passed a spec scrip...

Episode 471: Chip Zdarsky

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician James Yorkston. Originally from the village of Kingsbarns, Fife in Scotland, James has been playing music since ...

Episode 470: James Yorkston

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician James Yorkston. Originally from the village of Kingsbarns, Fife in Scotland, James has been playing music since ...

Episode 469: Frances Quinlan

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to solo artist and principal songwriter of the band Hop Along, Frances Quinlan. Growing up in Boyertown, PA, Frances recorde...

Episode 468: Mark Little

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and actor Mark Little. Originally from New Westminster, British Columbia, Mark has been writing and performing c...

Episode 467: Richard Dawson

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Richard Dawson. Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, avant-garde folk musician Richard Dawson has been performin...

Episode 466: Ian MacKaye

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Ian MacKaye. Originally from Washington DC, Ian is a guitarist and singer who founded Dischord Records as a teen...

Episode 465: Mary Timony

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Mary Timony. Originally from Washington DC, Mary began playing in bands in the early '90s, first with Autoclave,...

Episode 464: Si Spurrier

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comics writer Si Spurrier. Raised just outside London, Si had a number of different jobs before he began writing for comi...

Episode 463: Chris Hedges

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Chris Hedges. Chris is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for...

Episode 462: Steve Conrad

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer and showrunner Steve Conrad. Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Steve has been writing screenplays for over two de...

Episode 461: Chad Clark of Beauty Pill

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Chad Clark. Originally from Harlem, Chad moved to DC as a teenager, where he eventually became part of the DC pu...

Episode 460: David Sirota

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to journalist David Sirota. In David's long career, he has done a great deal of work both inside politics and outside, repor...

Episode 459: Diane Cluck

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Diane Cluck. Originally from Lancaster, PA, Diane began playing music in grade school. She started to perform pu...

Episode 458: Thurston Moore

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Thurston Moore. Originally from Coral Gables, Florida, Thurston eventually ended up in New York in the late-70s,...

Episode 457: Silas Howard

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and director Silas Howard. Silas is an award winning director and writer whose recent work includes executive prod...

Episode 456: Owen Pallett

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Owen Pallett. Since the age of three, Owen has been playing violin, and as a young teenager, he composed his fi...

Episode 455: Tim Smith of Midlake and Harp

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Tim Smith. From 1999 to 2012, Tim was the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for the indie rock band Mid...

Episode 454: Psalm One

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to rapper Psalm One AKA Cristalle Bowen AKA Hologram Kizzie. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, Cristalle was set to ...

Episode 453: Brian Gallivan

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Brian Gallivan. Originally from the Boston area, Brian was a middle school language arts teacher before taking ...

Episode 452: Shirley Collins

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Shirley Collins MBE (Yes, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire!). Shirley is an English folk...

Episode 451: Josh Radnor

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and musician Josh Radnor. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Josh got his start in New York theater before being cast ...

Episode 450: Mac McCaughan

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Mac McCaughan. Mac is a singer, songwriter and the co-founder of Merge Records, one of the most influential lab...

Episode 449: Sabrina Ellis of Sweet Spirit and A Giant Dog

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Sabrina Ellis. Originally from Houston, Sabrina has been a mainstay of Austin indie rock for years. In 2008, the...

Episode 448: Andrew Becker

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Andrew Becker. Andrew began his musical career with the post-Faraquet Dischord Records band Medications, drummin...

Episode 447: Sam Prekop

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Sam Prekop. Sam grew up in Chicago and while he went to art school, forming the band Shrimp Boat sent him off in...

Episode 446: Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jason Williamson. Originally from Grantham, Lincolnshire, Jason spent several years pursuing music unsuccessfull...

Episode 445: David Hill

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Dave Hill. Dave is originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was raised in a family of carnies, gamblers, he...

Episode 444: Shamir

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Shamir Bailey. Originally from North Las Vegas, Shamir's music career took off relatively quickly after signing ...

Episode 443: Greg Saunier of Deerhoof

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician, producer, composer and founding member of Deerhoof, Greg Saunier. After graduating from the Oberlin Conservator...

Episode 442: Ben Passmore

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to cartoonist Ben Passmore. Originally from Massachusetts, Ben has been writing and illustrating comics since he was a child...

Episode 441: Dan Levy

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and stand-up Dan Levy. Originally from Stamford, CT, Dan has been performing comedy since he was nine years old, a...

Episode 440: Thao Nguyen

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Thao Nguyen. Originally from Falls Church, VA, Thao began playing music as a young teenager, but it was with the...

Episode 439: Rob Guillory

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Eisner-Award winning comics creator Rob Guillory. Born, raised and currently based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Guillory is ...

Episode 438: Jimmy Flemion of The Frogs

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jimmy Flemion. Jimmy and his brother Dennis began playing music together in the late '70s in a number of differe...

Episode 437: Michael R. Jackson

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to playwright and composer Michael R. Jackson. Originally from Detroit, Michael holds a BFA and MFA in playwriting and Musi...

Episode 436: Dennis Callaci

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Dennis Callaci. Raised in Upland, California, Dennis has bounced around Southern California his entire life.  H...

Episode 435: Anna Burch

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Anna Burch. Originally from St. Joseph, Michigan, Anna began touring with her band Frontier Ruckus at the age of...

Episode 434: Jeff Parker

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jeff Parker. Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Jeff has been playing music since he was 8-years-old. Eventually...

Episode 433: NIIKA

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Nika Nemirovsky AKA NIIKA. Born in Uzbekistan in the wake of the USSR's dissolution, Nika and her family immigrated to Ch...

Episode 432: Larry Hankin

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

  On today's episode I talk to comedian and actor Larry Hankin. Originally from Long Island, Larry got his start doing stand-up in Greenwich Village ...

Episode 431: Sarah Bolger

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actress Sarah Bolger. Originally from Dublin, Sarah started acting at a young age, and since then has been in many films ...

Episode 430: Jamie Drake

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jamie Drake. Based in Los Angeles, Jamie has been making music for a long time, though only released her first a...

Episode 429: Stephin Merritt

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's special 10th anniversary episode, I talk to musician Stephin Merritt. Stephin is the founder and primary songwriter behind the band The Mag...

Episode 428: Josh Siegal

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Josh Siegal. Originally from Niskayuna, New York, Josh took a non-traditional route into TV writing, but that r...

Episode 427: Ada Lea

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Alexandra Levy AKA Ada Lea. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Alexandra was on the path to become a professional...

Episode 426: Mikal Cronin

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Mikal Cronin.Originally from Laguna Beach, CA, Mikal's been playing music professionally for almost a decade as ...

Episode 425: Alexandra Stréliski

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to pianist and composer Alexandra Stréliski. Raised between Paris and Montreal, Alexandra didn't set out to make music for ...

Episode 424: Magdalene Visaggio

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comics writer Magdalene Visaggio. Born in Long Island but raised in Richmond, VA, Magdalene has been making comics for ...

Episode 423: Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Patrick Stickles of the band Titus Andronicus. Originally from Glen Rock, New Jersey, Patrick started Titus Andr...

Episode 422: Cara Beth Satalino of Outer Spaces

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Cara Beth Satalino of the band Outer Spaces. Originally from the small rural town Pittstown, NY, Cara has been p...

Episode 421: Vagabon

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musicians Lætitia Tamko AKA Vagabon. Originally from Yaoundé, Cameroon, Lætitia and her family immigrated to the US wh...

Episode 420: Redd Kross

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musicians Jeff and Steve McDonald of the band Redd Kross. Originally from Hawthorne, CA, brothers Jeff and Steve started ...

Episode 419: Punam Patel

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor Punam Patel. Originally from Florida, Punam took a circuitous route to the world of acting that eventually led her ...

Episode 418: Alexander Noice

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Alexander Noice. Based in Los Angeles, Alex is a composer, guitarist, producer and bandleader who has toured the...

Episode 417: Jim Gavin

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to author and TV writer Jim Gavin. Based in Los Angeles, Jim's fiction has appeared in numerous publications including The N...

Episode 416: Dre Babinski of Steady Holiday

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Dre Babinski of Steady Holiday. Originally from the Los Angeles area, Dre is a singer, songwriter, violinist, an...

Episode 415: Sasami

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Sasami Ashworth. Raised mostly in Los Angeles in a religious household, Sasami has been making music in the LA area for o...