Cover to Cover with Matt Tarka

In this episode, songwriter Wes Tucker of Wes Tucker & The Skillets shares how he discovered the socially conscious, melting pot of music of Ben Harper (as an opener for Pearl Jam in the mid 90's), and then subsequently borrowing a few albums from an old friend after that first live experience! We focus on Ben Harper's 1995 album Fight for Your Mind, which was his last solo offering on Virgin Reco...

Matt telephones Alexandria-based musician Scott Fallon of the Free Flowing Musical Experience and founder of the Alexandria Cryptozoology and Paranormal Society to discuss Neil Young's third solo record released in 1970 titled After the Gold Rush. Scott shares the origins of how he connected with Neil's solo material and we discuss the tone and tenor of each track. Do not be surprised to hear the...

Episode 29 brought Mark Beeson to the program! Mark owns Fred & Elvis' Guitar Lounge , a recording studio in Farifax, VA, is the bassist of his own music project The Jack Pine and can be seen holding down the bottom end, stage left for country/rock outfit Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 . Mark recounts that pivotal moment in his formative years when he discovered The Police and their 1978 debut record Out...

In Episode 28, we called up musician Jason (Jay) Byrd of Jay Byrd & the Musical Trust and South Rail to discuss Marietta, GA's stellar rock & roll outfit The Black Crowes and their second LP from 1992 titled The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Produced by George Drakoulias, this lineup of The Crowes gave fans and listeners alike a new dynamic, with Marc Ford on guitar and Eddie Harsch on k...

Matt telephones Brooklyn-based musician Zach Parkman of The Darkest Timeline , Bad Robot Jones and sci-folk project Here Lies the Human Race to discuss Tom Waits' 1976 album Small Change. Zach shares a few anecdotes about the impact of this record on his own creative pursuits, and his own formative years when left to his own devices in New Orleans, Both Zach and Matt marvel at Waits' literary geni...

In this episode, we have a discussion with Oklahoma City musician Dan Pechacek of Plain Speak and Old Blood Noise Endeavors about indie folk artist Chris Bathgate's A Cork Tale Wake and its early influence on Dan's own music. Fans of American Football, Neutral Milk Hotel and Nick Drake should cast their attention towards this record; it's a gorgeous and heart wrenching work in so many beautiful wa...

In this week’s episode, Matt telephoned documentary filmmaker and journalist Zachary Stauffer at his home in Berkeley, CA to discuss a collaboration between old friends Jerry Garcia and David “Dawg” Grisman titled “Been All Around this World.” BAATW is a shining example of two accomplished players covering the music which inspires them - from traditional folk songs, country classics...

In this episode, Andy Canadian of the band Canadian Invasion sits down with Matt to discuss Blur's 1995 record The Great Escape and its seedy and sinister characters in depth. Enjoy this tasty moment in the history of 1990's Britpop!

Nashville songwriter Jeff Ruby sits down with Matt to discuss Oasis and their 2nd full length record from 1995 titled What's the Story, Morning Glory? - and the songs that inspired Jeff to pick up a guitar. There are some gigantic songs as you may know on this record, dear listener, like Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger that stand the test of time and continue to inspire people around the w...

Hot 'Lanta songwriter Cory Welch visits the program to discuss Stevie Wonder's beautiful bicentennial record Songs in the Key of Life. What might you find in this conversation? We talked about long-time bassist and musical director Nathan Watts, the contributions of Snuffy Walden to popular music and even a connection with Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph to Songs in the Key of Life. So hit t...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Chris Rattie of Chris Rattie and The New Rebels to dig deep into the emotion and quality of Bruce Springsteen's 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. In addition, Chris announced to our listeners he has finished a musical score for a documentary titled " " Land and Water: An Ecological Study of the Teotihuacan Valley of Mexico ," which provides an invaluable...

In this episode, Matt Wanamaker of the band Maps and His Mothball Fleet stopped by the show to talk about a prolific band from Dayton, OH, known as (the mighty) Guided By Voices and their 7th studio album, 1994's Bee Thousand. Both Matt and Matt attempted to understand the lyrical minds of Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout. You be the judge if we made a gallant effort, dear listener.

Megan Petty, of the music blog Fuzzy Logic (one of the Top 200 Most Influential Music Blogs of 2019 ) stops by the show for a chat on The Verve's 1995 record A Northern Soul. If you love Britpop and all things Richard Ashcroft, you'll enjoy Megan's perspective on the band and their sonic landscapes. Enjoy! For more on Fuzzy Logic, visit: http://www.logicfuzzy.com/

In this episode, Dom Kelly of A Fragile Tomorrow and I go deep into the extraordinary and captivating world of songwriter Phoebe Bridgers full-length record Stranger in the Alps. It will become clear to you how much Dom treasures this record (he goes as far to call his generation's Blue by Joni Mitchell), and rightfully so. For all those unfamiliar, get your hands on this record from Phoebe Bridge...

Artist and poet M.R. Morrison pulls up a chair to discuss No Doubt's seminal record, titled Tragic Kingdom and listening to the album while growing up in New Zealand. Tragic Kingdom is the first record from No Doubt featuring lyrical contributions and autobiographical accounts from singer Gwen Stefani, and the last record that features her brother Eric on keyboards. Enjoy!   Morrison is the author...

In this episode, Nashville resident Casey Jo sits down with the Matt to discuss one of her all-time favorite records from Guster titled Lost and Gone Forever. LAGF turned 20 years old this year! Enjoy the conversation! For more on Guster, visit:  https://www.guster.com/  

On this episode of C to C, singer/guitarist Ryan Walker from The Beanstalk Library (a DC-area rock outfit) talks about his musical appreciation for Johnny CASH's album American II: Unchained. It's an extrordinary listen featuring Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as Cash's supporting cast. We delve into when Ryan became drawn to country music, the beauty and earnestness of Cash's songs, Cash's cov...

Singer/Songwriter Jasmine Gillison and Matt discuss Nelly Furtado's 2000 debut album "Whoa, Nelly!" and how Furtado's sound and lyrics continue to inspire her own creative outlook today.     To listen to Jasmine's music, go here: https://www.facebook.com/jasminegmusic/

Multi-instrumentalist Keith Fischer (of Bells and Hunters, Midnight Animals and The Fed) talked with Matt about everything Blind Melon, with a focus on a new documentary titled “All I Can Say” that was initially “All I Can Say” is based on a rock band whose career was halted due to untimely death of its lead singer, Shannon Hoon. Keith played a criticalrole in bringing this documentary about Blind...

Musician Neal Wojdowski, or "Wojo" sits down with Matt to talk about Silverchair, and their massive debut effort from 1995 titled Frogstomp. For those who remember Silverchair, they hail from Australia and were just 15 years old when they broke through in America. Enjoy! Wojo's music can be found online here:  http://wojomusic.com  

Singer/Songwriter and children's book shop manager Emily Henry sat down with Matt to discuss Patty Griffin's debut record from 1998 titled Flaming Red, and its continued impact on her own creative output. You'll hear discussions about lyrics and the concept of transformational songwriting that makes its way into both Patty and Emily's songwriting processes.     For more on Emily Henry, go to:  htt...

Drummer, teacher, booking agent, and app developer Ben Potok chatted with Matt about Dave Matthews Band's 2001 album "Everyday." Ben talks about being transfixed by "ghost notes" in the groove played by drummer Carter Beauford and listening to "Everyday" in his 1989 Buick LeSabre which subsequently changed his approach to his drum kit. Enjoy! Ben plays in the Americana band South Rail. Check them...

Eugene Foley of Foley Entertainment stopped by the show to discuss what record inspired him to develop a lifelong career in the music  industry - Van Halen's self-titled debut record from 1978. Gene shares a few anecdotes about the career of Van Halen and when he learned to play Eddie Van Halen's legendary instrumental "Eruption." Gene is the Author of the book Artist Development – A Distinctive G...

Matt sits down to talk with musician Derek Evry about the Lawrence, KS band The Get Up Kids and their 2004 record Guilt Show - its last with Vagrant Records. We reflect on keyboardist James Dewees leaving the group in September 2019 and Guilt Show being a perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies. We covered a ton of ground on the band and the impact this record had on Derek's own musical pursits. E...

Richard Newcomb stopped by the show to discuss Jets to Brazil's debut record, Orange Rhyming Dictionary (Jade Tree Records, 1998). JTB rose from the ashes after the breakup of three bands around the same time period (JAWBREAKER, Handsome and Texas is the Reason). Enjoy!