The Song Is Never Done

The Song Is Never Done is a song about what exactly we're trying to do with all this art business. From a guitar to the canvas, we're all out here making beautiful things as a way to explore the world around us and our place in it. In this final episode, we discuss that very process. This episode features guests Matt Berninger, Harrison Whitford, Judy Martin, Hollis Heichemer, and Kat Edmonson. Li...

The Crow Symbolizes Love is a song about the journey one takes to find love and the personal growth that happens along the way. The song moves through life stages from childhood crush to settling down and is the perfect set up for the album's final track. This episode features guests Kat Edmonson and Judy Martin, Walter's mom. Listen to The Song Is Never Done Official Playlist on Spotify. You can...

Not My Mother is a song about the cold harshness of those who don’t care for your wellbeing. While our mothers are caring and supportive, there are some out there who, to put it bluntly, are not our mothers. In this episode, we’ll explore criticism and support and the role they can play in the artistic process. Featuring Judy Martin, Eric D. Johnson, Kat Edmonson, Harrison Whitford, and Matt Berni...

Easter is a song about the insecurities and responsibilities of adulthood. In this episode, we'll dive deeper into the dichotomy of light and heavy topics to explore how Hiram Hollow perfectly frames Easter, allowing it's more anxious moments to shine. This episode features guests Harrison Whitford, Peter Mather Bauer of The Walkmen, and Matt Berninger of The National. Listen to The Song Is Never...

Hiram Hollow is a song about parading through town, hunting foxes, and going to war. It's also the most whimsical song on The Bear with an approach closer to Walt's various children's albums. While his kid's music builds into punchlines, Hiram Hollow pivots the formula and ends on a note fitting for The Bear. This episode features guests Eric D. Johnson and Kat Edmonson. Listen to The Song Is Neve...

In lieu of a new episode this week, I wanted to share part of an amazing interview Walt did with the Art Grind Podcast earlier this year. This is the very same podcast that introduced him to the art of Hollis Heichemer, whose art is featured on the cover of The Bear. If you like this, I highly recommend checking out Hollis's interview on The Art Grind Podcast. Listen to The Song Is Never Done Offi...

The Bear is a song about... well, a bear. But it's also about our history, growth, and preparing for what comes next. In this episode, we tell the tale of The Bear before touching on the Faulkner story that inspired the title and meeting the album cover artist, who has a bear story of her own. This episode features guests Peter Mathew Bauer, Eric D. Johnson, Hollis Heichemer, and Judy Martin, Walt...

Baseball Diamonds is a song about the moments, memories, and people that make up our life. In this episode, we’ll track the inspirations of the song to find a lineage of loved ones that bring us all the way back to the baseball field. Along the way, we’ll hear about Walt’s longtime friendship with Jonathan Fire*Eater frontman Stewart Lupton and the song that planted the seeds for The Bear. This ep...

New Green is a song about the complicated but loving relationships we have with our families. We’ll dive into those relationships, how they change, and what it means when time turns our life into memories. This episode features guests Judy Martin, Emile Mosseri, Matt Berninger, and Kat Edmonson. Listen to The Song Is Never Done Official Playlist on Spotify. You can purchase The Bear at waltermarti...

Hunters in the Snow is a song about the changing seasons of life and our place in it all. In this episode, we’ll explore Walt’s own seasons as we look back at his time in Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Walkmen-- two bands that paved the way for the New York City rock scene of the early aughts. This episode features guests Matt Berninger of The National, Peter Mathew Bauer of The Walkmen, and Judy Mar...

Following a long career in bands like The Walkmen and Jonathan Fire*Eater, musician Walter Martin crafted his 6th studio album, The Bear, warmed by a wood burning stove in a bright red one-room schoolhouse_._ Tackling themes of family, art, and the changing seasons of life, the album resonated with host Talon Stradley as his own seasons changed. The Song Is Never Done is a track by track explorati...