Back to the Light

Host J.D. Reager revisits his conversation from 2020 with one of his all-time favorite musicians and guests, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf. Included is a Back to the Light-exclusive solo performance of the Nada Surf song "Just Wait."  

Host J.D. Reager talks to musician Alicja Trout about her love of analog synthesizers, collaborating with her husband Severin in the new band Sharkteef, the volatility of the Lost Sounds, continuing the Lost Sounds legacy in Sweet Knives, touring Europe with River City Tanlines, her brief collaboration with Love's Arthur Lee, and the new Alicja-Pop album Howlin' . J.D. also spins two songs from Ho...

Host J.D. Reager chats with guests Bailey Bigger, Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady, Bash & Pop), Elizabeth Cawein (Music Export Memphis), Andrew Geraci (Alicja-Pop, San Salida) and Chris Davenport (San Salida) on location at the Levitt Shell during The Tambourine Bash, an annual fundraiser for Music Export Memphis. J.D. also shares a live performance from the evening - Selvidge's "Lazarus" feat...

Host J.D. Reager moderates a discussion with producer, engineer and vinyl cutter Jeff Powell in front of a live crowd at the Memphis Listening Lab. They have a long chat about the recent resurgence of vinyl sales, the ins and outs of vinyl mastering and production and Jeff's career cutting big-time records while taking questions from audience throughout. 

Host J.D. Reager talks to musicians Michaela and Will Forrest about falling in love and founding Rosey (in that order), their individual musical pasts, and the band's imminent emergence from pandemic hibernation. Then J.D. spins the song "Tradition" from the new Rosey album I'd Move House if My House Moved Like Yours , and Michaela and Will perform an acoustic set live in the studio.  

Host J.D. Reager presents the third of a three-part series of episodes recorded live at Gonerfest 18 in Memphis, TN. This installment features conversations with Alex Greene (Reigning Sound, Rolling Head Orchestra, Memphis Flyer) and Ross Johnson (Panther Burns, Alex Chilton, Turnt).  

Host J.D. Reager presents the second of a three-part series of episodes recorded live at Gonerfest 18 in Memphis, TN.  This installment features conversations with the legendary Wreckless Eric, returning guest Jeremy Scott (Reigning Sound, Toy Trucks), and Young Avenue Sound owner and co-founder Cameron Mann.  

Host J.D. Reager presents the first of a three-part series of episodes recorded live at Gonerfest 18 in Memphis, TN.  This installment features lively conversations with Alicja Trout (Lost Sounds, River City Tanlines, Sweet Knives, Alicja-Pop, Sharkteef), Mike McCarthy (Guerrilla Monster Films, Time Warp Drive-In, Teenage Tupelo ), Graham Burks (Loose Opinions) and Jared McStay (Shangri-La Re...

Host J.D. Reager talks to Goner Records co-owner Eric Friedl  - A.K.A. Eric Oblivian - about the success of last year's virtual Gonerfest and the many challenges of putting together this year's festival. J.D. also spins recent music by five bands appearing at Gonerfest 18: Reigning Sound, The Archaeas, Big Clown, Optic Sink and The Exbats.   

Host J.D. Reager talks with author, social worker, record label owner, and record store legend Bela Koe-Krompecher. They dig into Bela's time behind the counter (most notably at Used Kids Records in Columbus, OH), founding the Anyway Records label, finding sobriety and a new career in social work, and writing the autobiographical book Love, Death & Photosynthesis. J.D. also spins songs by two...

Host J.D. Reager digs in to the new Blindcopy song "Hard Times," which he sang and co-wrote.  First, Blindcopy founder J.Robot discusses the song's musical origins and J.D. shares his inspiration for the lyrics.  Then musician/comedian Joshua McLane performs a dramatic reading of Dusty Rhodes' legendary "hard times" promo and Brian Balough chats with J.D. about the promo's historical sig...

Host J.D. Reager chats with two close friends -  musician Graham Burks (Loose Opinions) and fellow podcast host Marvin Stockwell (Champions of the Lost Causes) - in front of a live audience at The Memphis Listening Lab.  J.D. also spins his new single, "Back Off." 

Host J.D. Reager talks to his friend, frequent collaborator and Loose Opinions bandleader Graham Burks about the night they met over 20 years ago, how Graham developed an interest in music early on, and his rich and eclectic musical history. J.D. also spins the extended version of the title track from the new Loose Opinions album Shadow of a Shadow , and Graham performs live from his home studio i...

Host J.D. Reager talks to musician, songwriter and visual artist Hannah Sandoz about their early life in Louisiana, the creative benefits of a formal education from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, moving to Chicago, and finding the inspiration to release two records in one year.  J.D. also spins two tracks from Hannah's new EP To Love and Loss!     

Host J.D. Reager talks to Lucero guitarist Brian Venable about his early days in the Memphis punk scene, picking up guitar and co-founding Lucero, the highs and lows of life on the road, the decision to get sober, balancing fatherhood with being a working musician, and his many side pursuits. J.D. also spins two songs by Brian's new electronic/dance project, The Venable Exploration Society.  

Host J.D. Reager talks to recording engineer and producer Jeff Powell about his early career at Ardent Studios, working with The Afghan Whigs and Alex Chilton (both solo and in Big Star), learning to cut music vinyl, the move from Ardent to Sam Phillips, and starting his own business, Take Out Vinyl.   

Host J.D. Reager talks to Aquarian Blood singer and guitarist J.B. Horrell about their history together recording J.B.'s previous band Noise Choir, the time his band Reginald performed both for and with inmates at a Shelby County correction facility, finding unexpected success with Ex-Cult, the healing power of music in the midst of personal tragedy, collaborating with his wife Laurel, and Aquaria...

Host J.D. Reager talks to Sherman Willmott about the newly opened Memphis Listening Lab and the vast collection of music it houses, the journey from selling Stax bricks at Shangri-La Records to the creation of the Stax Museum, making the professional wrestling documentary Memphis Heat , and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him.  J.D. also makes a big announcement about a Back to the Lig...

Host J.D. Reager talks to Chicago musician Mike Fox about the origin of the two-H spelling of "Arthhur," migrating from Ohio to Chicago, the evolution of Arthhur from an indie solo project to a disco-punk trio, the band's love of Microsoft Excel, making the new album Occult Fractures , returning to live performance, and more. J.D. also spins "Ripped and Dumb" from Occult Fractures , and Arthhur pe...

Host J.D. Reager talks to legendary Memphis soul musician Howard Grimes about coming up as a drummer in the '50s, working with fellow legends such as Rufus & Carla Thomas, William Bell, Al Green, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright and Willie Mitchell, writing his new autobiography Timekeeper , and how Memphis music has evolved over the years.  J.D. also spins two songs featuring Mr. Grimes on drums...

Host J.D. Reager gives a quick update on his first week in Memphis and upcoming shows at B-Side and Black Lodge before turning over the podcast to Graham Burks and Neil Bartlett from the band Loose Opinions.  Then J.D. plays a cover song that he recorded during the pandemic and makes an exciting announcement about the Chicago band Arthhur.  

Host J.D. Reager previews part one of a two-week, action-packed trip to Memphis. First he talks to musician and purveyor of fine collectibles Harry Koniditsiotis about the 5th anniversary celebration for 901 Comics, which J.D. will be a part of on June 5th. Then J.D. presents the world premiere of a new song called "Philanderer," which features guest lead vocals by the Baron of Love himself, Ross...

Host J.D. Reager talks to musician and Back to the Light Records recording artist Joshua C. Travis about their shared history in the Memphis/Jonesboro band Sal Si Puedes, Josh's various experimental music projects in Jonesboro, how drug addiction derailed and nearly ended his life, and why his path to recovery and return to creativity are intertwined.  J.D. also spins two new songs by Joshua...

Host J.D. Reager talks to musician and producer Frankie Siragusa about his upbringing and education in music, founding theLAB studio in Los Angeles, joining and touring with The Posies, collaborating with The Lickerish Quartet, the inspiration behind his new Beatles tribute album Goodbye My Love , living with social anxiety, and more.  J.D. also spins two solo tunes of Frankie's: "Amuse" and...

Host J.D. Reager talks to musician Aaron Robinson about the Murfreesboro music scene, the rise, fall and return of his band Imaginary Baseball League, his later work both as a solo artist and with Pale Houses, the Memphis-Nashville rivalry, and the importance of proper wig maintenance.  J.D. also spins "The Road" by Imaginary Baseball League and "The Ocean Bed" by Pale Houses.