Beginnings

Bonus Episode 35: A Beginnings Live Music Mixtape

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

I'm moving to LA this week, so I wanted to take a break from producing an episode to settle into the new digs and recover from having to take two cats...

Episode 321: Jen Goma of A Sunny Day in Glasgow

29 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jen Goma. Based in New York City, Jen writes and produces music, comedy and videos. She is a member of the bands...

Episode 320: Joseph Kertes

22 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Joseph Kertes. Joe was born in Hungary but escaped with his family to Canada after the revolution of 1956. He stud...

Episode 319: Bill Scheft

15 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to novelist, columnist, and Emmy-nominated television writer Bill Scheft. Bill started his career as a sportswriter and as a...

Episode 318: Stephen Falk

08 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and showrunner Stephen Falk. Born in Berkeley, CA, Stephen has been working in television for a number of years, s...

Episode 317: Joel Church-Cooper

01 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and showrunner Joel Church-Cooper. Born in Sacramento, Joel grew up in Santa Cruz, and eventually made his way dow...

Episode 316: Damon Lindelof

25 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and showrunner Damon Lindelof. Originally from Teaneck, NJ, Damon has been a successful television and screenwrite...

Episode 315: Patrick Adams

18 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to songwriter, arranger and record producer Patrick Adams. Originally from Harlem, Patrick has applied his magic touch to mo...

Episode 314: Chris Leo of The Van Pelt

11 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Chris Leo. Originally from New Jersey, Chris started playing music in the early 1990s with his brother Danny in ...

Episode 313: Ronny Chieng

04 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Ronny Chieng. Born in Malaysia, Ronny was raised in New Hampshire and Singapore and graduated from the Universit...

Episode 312: Nathan Lee Graham

27 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Grammy Award winning cabaret artist and actor Nathan Lee Graham. Originally from St. Louis, Nathan's notable film roles ...

Episode 311: Negin Farsad

20 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer, comedian and podcast host Negin Farsad. Originally from Palm Springs by-way-of Virginia, Negin is highly accompli...

Episode 310: Caissie St. Onge

13 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Emmy nominated comedy writer Caissie St. Onge. Originally from Fitchberg, MA, Caissie is a prolific comedy writer. She's ...

Episode 309: Amy Hoggart

06 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Amy Hoggart. Amy grew up in the suburbs of London, and though she received an advanced degree in clini...

Bonus Episode 34: Naomi Ekperigin asks Is Showbiz a Meritocracy?

30 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often I do these "bonus episodes" where I talk to a showbiz professional about the actual nuts and bolts of different topics in the Entertain...

Episode 308: Tim Kasher of Cursive

23 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Tim Kasher. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Tim has been playing music since he was young. One of Tim's first b...

Episode 307: NE-HI

20 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Jason Balla and Mikey Wells of the indie rock band NE-HI. Based in Chicago, NE-HI originally formed in 2013 to score a f...

Episode 306: Jason Narducy of Split Single

16 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Jason Narducy. Jason began his rock career at the age of ten when he co-founded the band Verböten – one of th...

Episode 305: David Harrington of Kronos Quartet

09 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to violinist David Harrington. Originally from Seattle, David is the founder of the renowned contemporary classical group Kr...

Episode 304: Mara Wilson

02 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and actor Mara Wilson. Mara started off in showbiz as a child actor in such films as Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34...

Bonus Episode 33: Jesse David Fox of Vulture.com on Comedy Journalism

23 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often I do these "bonus episodes" where I talk to a showbiz professional about the actual nuts and bolts of different topics in the Entertain...

Episode 303: Tim Kinsella of Joan of Arc and Cap'n Jazz

16 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Tim Kinsella. Originally from Chicago, Tim has been part of some of the best indie rock bands of the last quarte...

Episode 302: Nadia Sirota

09 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to violist Nadia Sirota. Based in New York, Nadia is a Juilliard-trained violist best known for her singular sound and expre...

Episode 301: Sammus

02 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to rapper and academic Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo AKA Sammus. Originally from upstate New York, Enongo currently lives in Ithaca...

Episode 300: Chris Claremont

26 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Chris Claremont. Born in London, Chris' family moved to the States when he was a child, and though he originally s...

Episode 299: Joel Kim Booster

19 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to stand-up and writer Joel Kim Booster. Originally from South Korea, Joel was adopted at a young age and moved to the south...

Episode 298: Matt Pond PA

12 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Matt Pond. Originally from New Hampshire, Matt began writing and releasing music in 1998 as Matt Pond PA. Debuti...

Episode 297: Amber Ruffin

05 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and performer Amber Ruffin. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Amber began her comedy career studying at iO in Chica...

Episode 296: Josie Long

29 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Josie Long. Josie's originally from Sidcup, but grew up in Orpington, London. She began stand-up when she was 14...

Episode 295: Roy Wood Jr.

22 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Roy Wood Jr. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Roy began his comedy career in 1998 at the age of 19 while attend...

Episode 294: Baron Vaughn

15 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Baron Vaughn. As a stand-up, Baron's performed on Conan (twice), Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, L...

Episode 293: Mitski

08 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Mitski Miyawaki. Originally from Japan, Mitski grew up all over the world, eventually settling in New York. Whil...

Episode 292: Azie Dungey

01 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and actor Azie Dungey. Azie grew up in Philly and the DC area. After graduating as a drama major from the Tisch Sc...

Bonus episode 32: Andrew Ti on Irony and Appropriation

24 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Hey y'all! Happy Thanksgiving! With everything going on in the news lately (ahem, neo-nazis, ahem), I thought I'd take the chance to re-post a convers...

Episode 291: Matthew Shipp

17 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to free jazz pianist Matthew Shipp. Originally from Delaware, Matt moved to New York in 1984 and quickly became one of the l...

Bonus episode 31: Naomi Ekperigin and Election Depression

10 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Well. If you're anything like me and my almost-wife Naomi Ekperigin (Broad City, 2 Dope Queens, Comedy Central Half Hour), you spent Tuesday the 8th i...

Episode 290: Chioke Nassor

03 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and director Chioke Nassor. Chioke's previous work includes writing and directing short films for NBC's Late Nigh...

Episode 289: Tom Snyder

27 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Peabody-award winning writer and animator Tom Snyder. Tom is a writer and director well known in the world of animation f...

Episode 288: Affinity Konar

20 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to author Affinity Konar. Affinity studied writing at SFSU and received her MFA from Columbia, and is the author of two boo...

Episode 287: Anthony Atamanuik

13 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and actor Anthony Atamanuik. Over the last year, Tony has received a great deal of deserved acclaim for his accu...

Episode 286: Sasheer Zamata

06 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Sasheer Zamata. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Sasheer moved to New York after college and be...

Episode 285: Paul Hammer of Savoir Adore

29 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Paul Hammer. Paul is main singer/songwriter of the indie pop band Savoir Adore. Originally a duo with Deidre Mur...

Episode 284: Jen Spyra

22 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedy writer Jen Spyra. Originally from Pittsburgh, Jen was a senior writer for The Onion for many years. There she a...

Episode 283: Sarah Pappalardo

15 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and performer Sarah Pappalardo. Based in New York City, Sarah is an improviser, playwright, and documentation who...

Episode 282: Beth Newell

08 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Beth Newell. Originally from Lynnfield, MA, Beth has been writing, performing and teaching sketch at The Magnet Th...

Episode 281: Bhaskar Sunkara

01 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to the founder of Jacobin Magazine Bhaskar Sunkara. Bhaskar is the son of immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago, and has writ...

Episode 280: Nato Green

25 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer, stand-up and union organizer Nato Green. Nato lives and was raised in San Francisco, and the city's progressive ...

Episode 279: Elaiza Santos of Crying

18 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Elaiza Santos. Originally from Queens, Elaiza is the lead singer of the amazing chiptunes pop band Crying, who...

Episode 278: Sofia Alvarez

11 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to playwright and TV writer Sofia Alvarez. Originally from Baltimore, Sofia graduated from Juilliard for playwriting. She is...

Episode 277: Suki Kim

04 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Suki Kim, a novelist, investigative journalist and the only writer ever to go live undercover in North Korea to investig...

Episode 276: Barbara Manning

28 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Barbara Manning. Barbara is prolific songwriter originally from California, where she spent part of her childho...

Episode 275: Cole Escola

21 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Cole Escola. Cole is a comedian, actor, and writer; one of the 2014 OUT 100; as well as one of Time Out New York's Top Te...

Episode 274: Adam Wade

14 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to storyteller Adam Wade. For the past thirteen years, Adam has been a fixture in both the New York City storytelling and c...

Episode 273: Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers

07 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer/directors Charles Rogers and Sarah-Violet Bliss. Charles and SV broke out with their film Fort Tilden, a satire ...

Field Guide episode 30: The New York Television Festival

30 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I used to do bonus episodes of the show somewhat regularly called "Field Guides" where I'd talk to people about the actual steps they took to create ...

Episode 272: Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot

23 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Wes Miles of the indie rock band Ra Ra Riot. Originally from New Jersey, Wes has been playing music for most of his lif...

Episode 271: String Noise

16 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to avant-garde violin duo String Noise. For over half a decade, Conrad Harris and Pauline Kim, the husband/wife violin duo ...

Episode 270: Oli Chang of High Highs

09 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Oli Chang. Originally from Australia, Oli is one-half, along with Jack Milas, of the celebrated ambient dream-po...

Episode 269: Chris McCullough AKA Jackson Publick

02 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comic and TV writer Christopher McCullough AKA Jackson Publick. Chris began his comics career after a superhero spoof of ...

Episode 268: Will Sharpe

26 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and writer Will Sharpe. Will grew up in Tokyo and London and went to university at Cambridge, where he was presiden...

Episode 267: Open Mike Eagle

19 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to rapper and podcaster Open Mike Eagle. Originally from Chicago, Mike moved to LA where his hip hop career began, first as ...

Episode 266: Ohal Grietzer

12 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Ohal Grietzer. Born and raised in Ashkelon, Israel, Ohal moved to New York in 2001, where she began collaboratin...

Episode 265: Todd Goldstein of ARMS

05 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Todd Goldstein. Originally from Boston, Todd started ARMS as a musical outlet for himself when he first moved to...

Field Guide episode 29: Karan Bajaj on Writer's Block and Travel

28 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I used to do bonus episodes of the show somewhat regularly called "Field Guides" where I'd talk to people about the actual steps they took to create ...

Episode 264: Bonnie McFarlane

21 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to stand-up and writer Bonnie McFarlane. Bonnie hails from Canada, where she grew up on a small farm in Alberta. An accompl...

Episode 263: Josh Gondelman

14 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Peabody Award-winning and Emmy nominated stand-up and writer Josh Gondelman. Originally from Boston, Josh is currently b...

Episode 262: Dylan Marron

07 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer and actor Dylan Marron. Dylan is a Drama Desk-nominated writer & performer based in New York City. He is the voi...

Episode 261: Larkin Grimm

31 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Larkin Grimm. A descendent of the Brothers Grimm themselves, Larkin grew up in a monastic order called The Hol...

Episode 260: Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg

24 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg. Scott grew up in Stockton, California where he met his childhood friend and fut...

Episode 259: Curtis Gwinn

17 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Curtis Gwinn. Originally from Chicago, Curtis grew up in the suburbs outside of New York City, eventually fin...

Episode 258: Gareth Reynolds

10 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedian Gareth Reynolds. Gareth's parents originally hail from the UK, but Gareth was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. H...

Episode 257: Jacqueline Novak

03 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to stand-up and writer Jacqueline Novak. Easily one of the best and most creative stand-ups in New York, Jacqueline has bee...

Episode 256: Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano

25 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to the creators of the new HBO show Animals Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano. Phil and Mike are from New Jersey and Long Isla...

Episode 255: Geneva Carr

18 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Tony-nominated actor Geneva Carr. Geneva is a film, theater and television actor originally from Jackson, Mississippi. ...

Episode 254: Streeter Seidell

11 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedian and writer Streeter Seidell. Streeter first gained popularity as part of the cast of CollegeHumor's online vide...

Episode 253: Alex Ross Perry

04 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to filmmaker Alex Ross Perry. Alex was raised in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and attended NYU, where he graduated from their f...

Episode 252: Rick Moody

28 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode - the sixth anniversary of Beginnings - I talk to writer Rick Moody. Rick was born in New York City, and attended Brown and Columb...

Episode 251: Andrew Keoghan

21 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Andrew Keoghan. Originally from New Zealand, Andrew is a Brooklyn-based indie pop/folk artist. His first album...

Episode 250: Laura Cantrell

14 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to New York-based country music artist Laura Cantrell. Born in Nashville, TN, she came to New York to attend Columbia, and ...

Episode 249: Xenia Rubinos

07 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist Xenia Rubinos. Originally from Hartford, CT, Xenia was raised i...

Field Guide episode 28: Making a TV Show w/ Naomi Ekperigin

31 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year's Eve, friends! Instead of a new guest this week - I didn't want them to get lost in the holiday shuffle - I thought I'd try something...

Episode 248: Gabrielle Smith

24 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Gabby Smith, the woman behind the band Eskimeaux. As Gabby puts it in an interview with Stereogum, Eskimeaux be...

Episode 247: Daniel Kibblesmith

17 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedy writer Daniel Kibblesmith. Originally from Chicago, Daniel has has done many cool comedy things in his career. Th...

Episode 246: Ed Askew

10 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to painter and singer-songwriter Ed Askew. Born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1940, Ed left in the early '60s to attend Yal...

Episode 245: Mehran Khaghani

03 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to comedian Mehran Khaghani. Born in London to Iranian parents, Mehran grew up partly in Iran and mostly in the suburbs of ...

Episode 244: Kevin Barker

25 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kevin Barker. From 1995 to 2002, Kevin was a member of the wonderful indie rock band Aden, whose four albums w...

Episode 243: Aya Cash

19 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to actor Aya Cash. The daughter of a poet and a Buddhist teacher, Aya grew up in San Francisco. After moving to New York, s...

Episode 242: Kurt Heasley

12 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Kurt Heasley. A Floridian by birth, Kurt spent his early years in Hopatcong, NJ and in Virginia Beach. In 1988,...

Episode 241: Anika Pyle

05 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Anika Pyle. Originally from Monument, Colorado, Anika moved to New York with some friends to play music. And in...

Episode 240: Ted Alexandro

29 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to stand-up and activist Ted Alexandro. A New York native, Ted has been performing comedy for over 20 years and was called ...

Episode 239: Briana Marela

27 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Briana Marela. A Seattle native, Briana knew she wanted to be a musician from a young age. In 2010 she released...

Episode 238: Marina Franklin

22 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to stand-up and writer Marina Franklin. Originally from Chicago, she moved to New York in 1997 after getting her Master's d...

Episode 237: Leslye Headland

15 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to writer and director Leslye Headland. Leslye began her career in showbiz as an assistant to film producer Harvey Weinste...

Episode 236: Ted Rall

08 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to political cartoonist and writer Ted Rall. Originally from Kettering, Ohio, Ted's cartooning career began at Columbia Uni...

Episode 235: Murray Miller

01 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Murray Miller. Originally from the Bay Area, Murray began his comedy career as a stand-up and moved into TV wr...

Episode 234: Jack Stansbury

24 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to musician Jack Stansbury. Jack's family dates back to the founding of America, and Jack grew up on the not-so-mean street...

Episode 233: Tommy Blacha

17 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Tommy Blacha. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Tommy came to TV writing through the Chicago comedy scene. B...

Episode 232: Jane Espenson

10 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I talk to TV writer Jane Espenson. Originally from Ames, Iowa, Jane turned to TV writing after going to school to study computer ...

Episode 231: Live at UCB Sunset with Ron Funches, Andy Kindler, Nick Thorburn, Mike Eagle and John Gemberling

03 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, taped live at UCB Sunset on August 3rd, 2015, I'm joined by five of my favorite comedians and musicians: stand-up and actors Ron ...

Episode 230: Dash Shaw

27 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show I talk to comic book writer/artist Dash Shaw. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Dash studied at the School of Visual Arts in New Y...