Figure Eights: A Music Podcast

Join me as I chat with Matthew Caws. Matthew is the singer/songwriter/guitarist of Nada Surf. He takes me through their early career, meeting Ric Ocasek of the Cars, having an MTV hit, Elektra and keeping the train rolling for all of these years. Wonderful conversation. Make sure to pick up a ticket for their upcoming tour.

Hi all, this is the 52nd episode of the podcast. I made it a year! I'm going to be taking a month or so off before starting a season 2. I need to get a few things in order. In the meantime I will be posting the top ten episodes from the first year. That will start a week from today. Today I'm speaking with my High on Stress bandmates about the making of our third album "Living is a Dying Art" whic...

Join me as I talk to Michigan's own, Jeremy Porter from Jeremy Porter & the Tucos. Fresh off his show with Soul Asylum & Local H, he talks to me about his life, songwriting and trying to stay creative during the pandemic. Good guy!

Join me as I chat with Greg Eklund. Greg takes me through his well timed meeting with Art Alexakis, releasing 3 platinum records and 1 gold, working on songs like "Father of Mine" & "Everything to Everyone", touring with Fastball and Soul Coughing and so much more. Great chat! Don't forget to check out his new solo album "Muffled Tears".

Join me as I talk to drummer, Brian St Clair. He takes me through his career with Triple Fast Action, Local H, Rights of the Accused and more. It's all here. Major label bidding wars, band breakups, Chicago in the 90s and we also talk about his current gig as Production Manager for Cheap Trick. Great guy!

Join me as I chat with Tamar Berk about songwriting, working with Steve Albini, the 90s rock scene in Chicago, Fig Dish, Caviar, her inspirations as well as her amazing new album "The Restless Dreams of Youth". Pick up her record!

Join me as I talk to Marc Solomon about his time playing guitar in Perfect w/Tommy Stinson, contributing to Puff Daddy's "All About the Benjamins," getting fired by Spike Jonze, performing with Rick James and more. Great dude!

Join me as I talk to my pals, Martin Zellar (Gear Daddies), Andrea Hyra (Billy Pilgrim) and Dave Gualandri (Songwriter Series Curator and Founder). We talk about the history of Dave's series "Harbor Stories: Unplugged" as well as house shows, terry cloth robes, "Boy in the Bubble" and hanging out at Starbucks for a little too long. Fun chat.

Join me as I talk to my current and former bandmates in High on Stress. We chat about the making of our 2008 album "Cop Light Parade". It was a blast to catch up with original guitarist, Ben Baker. Tune in!

Join me as I talk to Ronnie Barnett from the Muffs. We talk about growing up in Texas, their career, Tommy Keene, the Clueless Soundtrack as well as Kim Shattuck's battle with ALS and the making of their final album. This is one of my favorite episodes to date. He's a great guy with a lot of great stories filled with heart and humor. It's a must listen.

Join me as I talk to Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland) about touring with Sonic Youth, her favorite concerts, hanging out at the Nirvana "In Utero" recording sessions, whether there will be more Babes in Toyland shows and so much more. She's one of the nicest people you could possibly meet. Tune in for a fun conversation.

Join me as I talk to Phil Solem. He takes me through his music career including his time in Great Buildings and the Rembrandts. Also, he talks to me about how the "Friends" theme, "I'll Be There For You" came to be. Great chat!

Check out my conversation with record producer, Ted Niceley. Ted takes me through his life and career including playing bass in the Tommy Keene group and recording such brilliant records as Fugazi's "Repeater," Shudder to Think's, "Pony Express Record" and much more. Fun chat!

Join me as I chat with former Atlantic Records recording artist, Mary Karlzen. We talk about Billy Pilgrim, playing CBGBs, VH1, opening for Bob Dylan and balancing being a mother and a recording artist at the same time. Fun talk.

Join me as I talk to legendary producer and musician, Mitch Easter, about his career. We talk Let's Active, meeting REM and recording "Radio Free Europe", recording Wilco and so many more fantastic stories. Gracious guest with an amazing career. Tune in!

Join me as I chat with acclaimed singer/songwriter, Cory Branan from Memphis, TN. We chat about Foghat, the movie "Splash", David Letterman, meeting Prince and he shares a great story about the one and only, John Prine. It was a fun talk. Tune in!

Join me as I talk to drummer, William Goldsmith (Sunny Day Real Estate / Foo Fighters / Assertion / Fire Theft). We talk about stage fright, his career, parenthood and what he's up to these days. Fun talk

Join me as I talk to the very talented, Craig Wedren, frontman of Shudder to Think. We talk about his life, Shudder to Think, approach to songwriting as well as his successful career scoring TV & Film including School of Rock (Jack Black), Shrill (Aidy Bryant), Reno 911, Moxie (Amy Poehler) and so many others. It was quite a pleasure.

Join me and special guest co-host, Bill Muller from the band Saint Small, as we talk to Matt Gentling about his life, hobbies, history of Archers of Loaf, joining Band of Horses and all sorts of bass guitar talk. Fun conversation with a great guy. Go see him this summer at Lollapalooza with the Band of Horses.

"I lived my dream" Join me as Gary Lee Conner of the Screaming Trees talks to me about SST Records, the early 90s Seattle scene, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Mark Lanegan, drugs, van crashes and everything else under the sun. Awesome in depth conversation.

Join me as I chat with Record Producer / Engineer, Jim Ebert, as he takes me through his career producing the "Hey Album" by Marvelous 3, solo Butch Walker records, Matthew Ryan, Meredith Brooks, Madonna, Jason Falkner and more. He also talks to me about his program "Cancer Can Rock" which is for a fantastic cause. Nice guy! Great talent.

Join me as I chat with Mike Malinin. Mike was the drummer of the Goo Goo Dolls from 1995-2013 starting with the "A Boy Named Goo" Tour, through the huge success of "Dizzy Up the Girl" and more. He's now the band leader and drummer for country music legend, Tanya Tucker. Really fun talk about punk rock, country music and Minot, North Dakota. Give it a listen!

Join me as I speak with music journalist and author, Charles R. Cross. He was the Editor of The Rocket in Seattle for fifteen years (1986–2000) during the height of the Seattle music mania. He is also the founder of Backstreets Magazine, a periodical for fans of Bruce Springsteen. His 2001 biography of Kurt Cobain (Heavier Than Heaven) was winner of the 2002 ASCAP Award for Outstanding Musical Bio...

Join me as I chat with musical wizard, Jason Falkner. Jason chats with me from his porch about being in the studio with Paul McCartney, the origins of Jellyfish, the Grays, playing shows with Cheap Trick and many other wild adventures. He's most likely been on some of your favorite records. Fun chat with a one of a kind musician.

Join Nick as he talks to Sam Powers, former bass player of Superdrag as they discuss touring with Guided by Voices, playing live shows with Lees of Memory and what's he's been up to since his time in Superdrag. Good talk!