Now Here We Are Thirty Years Later

A lot of stars. In this episode, I celebrate my sixth birthday in the West Deeping village hall, and John Darnielle comes up with a series of dance moves. Featuring discussion of covers, authenticity, and young Kurt Cobain. Show notes 2001 interview with Space City Rock, discussing live performance changes and popular culture: http://www.spacecityrock.com/2001/03/15/heavy-metal-ephemera-and-popula...

A book of maps. In this week's episode, it's 1995 and I'm in the stocks for some reason. Meanwhile, John Darnielle is finishing up college and expanding his horizons. Featuring discussion of ISKCON, John Berryman, translating Seneca, the Throgs' Neck Bridge, and what the hell there is to do in South Lincolnshire anyway. Show notes Links to sources mentioned in the episode: Darnielle’s comments on...

I will carry you home in my teeth. Two decades before the release of 'Dark in Here,' this episode features another song for singing in caves: 'Grendel's Mother.' I also discuss Peter Coviello's 'Long Players,' Toni Morrison, the 1970s conversation pit aesthetic of my reception classroom, and a self-eviscerating live take on 'Going to Georgia.' Show notes On the ‘more-than-human’: https://www.ideab...

The Mountain Goats get productive. In this episode, it's 1993 and John Darnielle is reading Sophocles, writing prolifically, and recording immediately. Over in England, I'm reading the names of dinosaurs over my grandmother's shoulder. Topics include: self-belief, grace, the Wedding Present, and the Southern California divorce rate. Show notes: ‘John On Process #2,’ discussing unfinished songs fro...

Now I have everything I need. In this episode, it's 1992, and John Darnielle has everything he needs (flowers; some books; a Panasonic boombox). Meanwhile, I've got a cake for my birthday in the shape of a tractor. Topics include: electrical equipment, design theory, Christian socialism, and Brian Eno on why we're drawn to the 'sound of failure.' Web links mentioned in the episode: - NPR piece on...

New flowers, cold comfort. In this episode, John Darnielle wakes up after a Portland blackout with a click in his hip, and Richard learns to sit up straight. Topics include: Graham Greene the 'Catholic atheist,' biographers and their subjects, 'confessional' music, and this year's worst 'Jeopardy!' guest host, Dr. Oz. Links to articles mentioned in this episode: - Graham Greene obituary: https://a...

A young man slips a poem under a doormat. In this episode, a baby is born during the knock-out stages of the Italia 90 football World Cup, and John Darnielle experiments with setting some words to music. Topics include Romantic poet and farm labourer John Clare, dramatic monologues, and trying to become a new person. Links to articles mentioned in this episode: - Pop Matters interview: https://www...

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