Making Ways: The Art of Music

We hope you all enjoyed this latest season of Making Ways: The Art of Music. Can’t believe the amount of talent we squeezed into these episodes. We thought it could be fun to look back on a handful of the episodes that made this season sing. So we're dropping a two-part recap of the season for those of you who might have missed an episode or want to hit rewind on some of the magic. In this first i...

In this bonus episode, you'll hear film / TV composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think with director, writer, and actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame as they discuss finding inspiration and tricking yourself into a beginner's mindset. And if you missed our full episode with David and Craig, get it here: https://www.makingways.co/...

In this episode, we’re joined by two of Seattle’s finest –– Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone and artist Zack Bolotin . Sera played drums with the adored indie rock group, Carissa’s Wierd, and later with Band of Horses. She went on to release four solo records, two on Sub Pop, and in 2019 received a Gold Record for her work with Band of Horses. She’s toured with Indigo Girls and Dave M...

We’re talking about the art of music for film and TV with composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think and director, writer, actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame. In this conversion, we dive into David and Craig’s lifelong friendship, the creative kindling of their days as roommates at NYU, working together on The State and films Rol...

This episode is dedicated in memory of Eric Livingston. We’re talking about the art of the music of Dead Cross , a thrash metal supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantômas, drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame, guitarist Michael Crain from Retox, and today’s guest –– bassist Justin Pearson also from the Locust, Head Wound City, and Deaf Club.  J...

GQ calls them “The UK’s hottest band” and after spinning their records, you’ll call them a new favorite too. Lead singer, songwriter, and frontman Murray Matravers joins the show to talk about the art of the music of Easy Life. Alongside designer and award-winning creative director for the band Charlie Drinkwater and the brilliant claymation animator and director Will Child who created the artwork...

We're hitting rewind on one of our favorite episodes! Laura Lee of Khruangbin and designer Nate Utesch discuss the stories behind the art of the band’s latest album "Mordechai." In this expansive conversation for the new Making Ways podcast, we dive into the origin story of the record and how the artwork came together as a collaboration between Laura and Nate. Laura shares her creative songwriting...

Neil Frances, the LA-based electropop band comprised of Sydney-born Jordan Feller and Southern California native Marc Gilfry, join Making Ways: The Art of Music alongside their creative family to talk about how their visuals for albums, videos, and the group’s overall aesthetic come together. In this interview featuring the duo’s collaborators photographer Pia Riverola, painter John Reagan, a...

Today we’re joined by Kevin Morby, the Kansas City-based musician and songwriter, to discuss the art of the music for his latest album “This Is a photograph” and 2020’s “Sundowner” alongside the designer for those records, the multitalented Mike Krol. “This Is a photograph” is a brilliant career-standout record for Morby who has been releasing solo records since 2013 and started off in the bands T...

In this special twofold episode, we talk to musician and songwriter Scout Gillett, photographer and filmmaker Julie Orlick, and graphic designer and artist Ian Langehough about the visual world of Scout’s music. You’ll get a glimpse into the very old-school photography process that was used to create the cover image for “no roof no floor” –– Scout’s debut album on the Captured Tracks record l...

If there’s one word that describes Lambchop, it’s reinvention. Kurt Wagner has been on an unpredictable musical journey since his first release under the moniker in the mid-90s. From “How I Quit Smoking” to “Aw Cmon,” “No You Cmon,” “Nixon,” and his latest release, the masterful “The Bible,” his albums veer from folk to gospel to electronic and all the sonic nooks and crannies in between. And the...

“Trust the vision.” So says Buzz Osborne of the legendary band Melvins who joins the show with his creative partner of 30+ years and wife, Mackie Osborne, whose incredible portfolio includes design for Tool, Bad Religion, and Mr. Bungle. We’re talking about the seriously dark sense of humor in the band’s art and music, hardcore work ethic, and what makes for a longstanding creative partnership. Vi...

In this first episode of the new season, we're joined by Doug Martsch of Built to Spill and music video director Jordan Minkoff chatting about Doug's hands-off approach to creative collaboration and the hysterical backstories behind some of the band's latest videos for their newest record When The Wind Forgets Your Name . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New bands! New artists! Making Ways: The Art of Music is returning with a brand new season! And we’re so excited to be joining the Weirder Together podcast network for it all. This season we’re bringing together even more bands and musicians with the visual artists they work with to talk all about the art of music and creative collaboration. Everything from band posters to album design, music vide...

In this conversation, we go deep into the art of the music for “Marrow,” the latest single from Thao & the Get Down Stay Down off the deluxe edition of their album, Temple. Thao and filmmaker Linda Mai Green discuss their collaboration for the music video for “Marrow,” the meaning behind the song, and Thao shares the influence her work as host of the podcast Song Exploder had on her overcoming cre...

What happens when the anthem for our times meets… elf yourself? It’s the story behind the music video and song, Born For This Bullshit , with acclaimed and beloved rocker Ben Lee and the brilliant director Byron Spencer. Buckle up for a wide-ranging conversation about the music video, Ben’s upcoming 20th (?!) LP “I’m Fun” and explore why embracing your own weirdness can lead to amazing new work. H...

We're talking about building consensus in creative projects, how to give feedback, and the value of clearly defined roles... so much goodness in one lil' bonus episode. You'll hear from  Laura Lee of Khruangbin and designer Nate Utesch, Anaïs Mitchell of Hadestown and Bonny Light Horseman with designer Aaron Denton, and Ra Ra Riot’s Mathieu Santos with designer Chris Everhart. Tune in for lessons...

We implore you to watch the music videos for Cholla , My God , and Your Cocoon , they will most certainly blow your mind. Lucas Nathan aka Jerry Paper makes music that is chill, breezy, absurd, and as Lucas puts it: funny with a touch of sadness. Steve is one of the most talented 3D animators out there and he’s worked with Team Coco, Snapchat, and edited the TBS TV series The Dress Up Gang . Both...

Speedy Ortiz started off as a solo project for musician, songwriter, and poet Sadie Dupuis that quickly grew into a full band experience. Over the past several years Sadie has been experimenting with a new solo project under her own moniker of Sad13. Her latest album Haunted Painting is a loud danceable indie-pop gem that is as personal as it is relatable. Michael DeForge is a celebrated comic boo...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats and Bonny Light Horseman and his wife and creative collaborator, photographer Annie Beedy, all about their work together that pairs his music with her vivid documentary-style photography. And we’re joined later in the episode by Daniel Murphy, acclaimed album designer, now residing as Art Director at Merge Records. Daniel has design...

In this episode, we’re joined by Mathieu Santos, bassist and founding member of the band Ra Ra Riot and Chris Everhart, the graphic designer who has worked on all their album packages, countless posters, and creative collaborations. We talk through the band’s creative approach to songwriting and what it’s like to manage so many creative voices and opinions (with 5 members of the group). We walk th...

Anaïs Mitchell, is a singer-songwriter, creator of the 8x Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown, and 1/3 of the folk-rock supergroup and twice Grammy-nominated Bonny Light Horseman. Aaron Denton is an acclaimed poster artist and designer for music including work with Stereolab, Slowdive, Khruangbin, and… Bonny Light Horseman. In this episode, we go deep into the backstory of where art meets music f...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hazel English discussing her latest album “Wake UP!” with bandmate and album designer David Vieira. Hazel and David discuss working together on the album, how the packaging came together, and Hazel’s process for songwriting. You’ll hear about the themes behind “Wake UP!” and David’s approach to the handcrafted design elements he brought to the album’s packaging....

George Clarke, lead singer from the band Deafheaven joins Making Ways alongside his creative collaborator, close friend, graphic designer, and musician Nick Steinhardt from the band Touché Amoré. In addition to his work with Deafheaven, Nick Steinhardt has designed packaging for popular artists like Tom Petty, Pink, Britney Spears, and the latest Paul McCartney album, McCartney III. In this conver...

Songwriter and musician Shamir Bailey and artist Faye Orlove talk about the art of the music video that Faye illustrated and animated for the song “Running” off of Shamir’s latest self-titled album. In this conversation, we get into the collaboration and connection between these two, the backstory of the video, and go deeper into both the songwriting and artmaking process. Shamir and Faye talk abo...