Talking Coldplay with Kyleen Downes

Age Nowhere is a relatively young band. Formed in Dayton, Ohio in 2017, the Americana-leaning quintet has been far from complacent. They are set to release their debut album “Airport Sounds” on March 23, and already have the makings for a follow-up well underway.

Paul Monnin serves as the singer/songwriter of the group. He also plays keyboards for another Dayton band Neo American Pioneers. On this episode, we deep dive on the 2008 release “We Have Cause to Be Uneasy” by Wild Sweet Orange.

I also take some time at the top to discuss two documentaries – one you shouldn’t watch (“Leaving Neverland”) and one you definitely should (“Free Solo”).

As always, thanks  to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” from their 2017 EP “WARPIG.”

Don Thrasher’s status on the Dayton, Ohio rock scene is unquestioned. He’s been making and writing about music for decades now. However, it might surprise people to know that Thrasher has an intense love for hip hop. The bulk of the episode is devoted to an album that Thrasher describes as virtually perfect, Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” from 2010. The discussion took place this summer.

Before we dive into that, I give my thoughts on the new Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” While audiences have loved it – my wife included – I had some problems with it and felt like the pod was the perfect place to air those grievances.

As always, thanks  to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” from their 2017 EP “WARPIG.”

Smug Brothers

Kanye West

Frontier Folk Nebraska

I’m not waiting for Dec. 31 to make a New Year’s resolution. I’m vowing to put one of these “shows” up every week for the foreseeable future. Put it on the board – commitment = made.

I kick things off this week by recommending a few podcasts. They are by no means new, but they are new to me. The first is “99% Invisible” hosted by Roman Mars. I couldn’t remember Mars’s name while I was recording, and rather than editing out my ignorance, I leaned into it. It’s a great show that tells engrossing tales about seemingly mundane topics. It is flawlessly executed and always enlightening. As I was catching up on a few shows I missed, Mars recommended “the memory palace” hosted by Nate DiMeo. DiMeo deals in more long form essays rather than relying on interviews. His writing style is pretty phenomenal. Check them both out.

My guest is the incredible Kyleen Downes. Downes released her latest EP “FRIENDS” earlier this year. We talk about how these songs were written and if her relationship with the songs has changed after eight months of playing them live. She performs the track “Six Years.”

We then deep dive on the 2002 Coldplay album “A Rush of Blood to the Head.”

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” from their 2017 EP “WARPIG.”

Well, well, well... look who's back. After a long hiatus, Side Tracks is back in your eardrums with a brand spanking new episode. This special Thanksgiving edition is chock full of goodness. If you need a break from your family and all the Trump talk, you've come to the right place.

On this episode, I talk about the HBO series “The Deuce,” before bringing back friend of the show Travis Talbert. Travis is the lead guitarist for the band Frontier Folk Nebraska – which you may recognize from the pod’s theme music – and he has a new album under the moniker Mavis Guitar. “Porch Songs” is a collection of meditative and cerebral songs that draws from a wide range of influences. We talk about the differences between how the two albums came into the world, how Travis began playing music like this for a yoga class and the creative advantages of putting yourself at a disadvantage. We also get into a truncated discussion about steel guitar players and the gospel tradition where that instrument has quietly thrived.

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song "Cut you Loose" from their 2017 EP "WARPIG" as our theme music.

Mavis Guitar

Frontier Folk Nebraska

As this little show continues to Little-Engine-That-Could its way up the Podcast Mountain, I’ve started to look at how I can make things better.

That means it’s time to start experimenting. I have some big plans for 2019, but I felt like episode 25 was a good time to mix things up. I added a short intro last week before getting into the interview segment. I’ve started trying to bank as many interviews as I can – doing a bunch and having them in reserve. As such, sometimes the conversation veers into current events which make no sense when the pod finally posts. This intro gives me a chance to fill in those blanks.

I can also use this to address any issues that might have popped up from previous episodes.

This week doesn’t really fall into either of those categories, so I came up with a new segment.

The Random Shuffle Re-Discovery Song of the Week needs a more catchy title. For my first selection, I pick the track “Smile” by Smith Westerns from their 2011 album “Dye the World.”

My guest this week is Don Thrasher. Thrasher is a musician and journalist from Dayton, Ohio. He is a tireless champion of local music. We talk quickly about his band Smug Brothers before deep diving on the 1978 album “Dub Housing” by Pere Ubu.

As always, thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

Smug Brothers

Pere Ubu

Frontier Folk Nebraska

If I never get to do another podcast episode, this is the one I would want to go out on.

Neal Casal has always had a restless musical spirit. He has released a string of acclaimed solo albums. He played with Ryan Adams & the Cardinals for a stretch. He was a founding member of Hard Working Americans. Since 2011, he has traveled the world with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

On Aug. 17, 2018 yet another of his bands, Circles Around the Sun, will release their sophomore effort “Let it Wander” via Rhino Entertainment.  

A side note, I was nervous for this one. I practiced the pronunciation of his name for two straight days and still screwed it up once the recording light had gone red.

We talked about the origin story of CATS, the process behind the new album and how the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy got involved. We also hear the track “One for Chuck.”

Normally, my guest and I will deep dive on an album that deserves more attention or love in the second half of the show. Casal chose the 1968 self-titled debut from California band Spirit. Admittedly, we didn’t really spend enough time on this delightfully weird and complex offering. The story of guitarist Randy California would make for a great documentary. He played in Jimmy James and the Blue Flames with Jimi Hendrix. Spirit’s original drummer, Ed Cassidy, was also Randy’s stepfather. He had played with Thelonious Monk, Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. Suffice to say, it was a topic that deserved more discussion. However, we did talk about the mythology of California and what it’s like to make music there. Also, Casal gives an update on the progress of the new CRB album.

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

Circles Around the Sun

Frontier Folk Nebraska

Ethan Miller’s band Howlin’ Rain has been making incredibly soulful psychedelic music since forming in 2004. Their latest album “The Alligator Bride” has been described by NPR as “Howlin’ Rain in full-on Crazy Horse mode.”

We talk about the new album, hear the cut “Alligator Bride” and deep dive on the 1969 Leigh Stephens album “Red Weather.”

As always, thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

Howlin' Rain

Leigh Stephens

Frontier Folk Nebraska

Kent Montgomery is the lead guitarist for the Dayton, Ohio band The New Old Fashioned. Their latest release “Small Town, Midwest, USA” is the band’s first full-length effort in three years.

We talk about the new record, hear the Montgomery penned track “Simpler Time” and deep dive on the 1996 R.E.M. album “New Adventures in Hi-Fi.”

As always, thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

The New Old-Fashioned

R.E.M.

Frontier Folk Nebraska

Sam Moss is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from the Boston area. Growing up in Connecticut, he began playing violin at an early age. He eventually found his way to guitar and began composing hauntingly introspective songs. His latest release is “Neon.”

We talk about “Neon” and hear the track “Flowers.” Sam then discusses the 2006 album “To Find Me Gone” by Vetiver.

As always, thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

Sam Moss

Vetiver

Frontier Folk Nebraska

It’s not really fair to lump Michigan Rattlers into the world of country music. While elements of that genre are certainly present, it’s more by association that through intent. Beneath the harmonies and great stories lies a folksy sensibility that has more to do with rural American side roads than the beer-soaked streets of Nashville.

It makes sense that such an American band would love Randy Newman.

We talk about their upcoming album before diving into the 1974 Newman album “Good Old Boys.”

As always, thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as our theme music.

Michigan Rattlers

Randy Newman

Frontier Folk Nebraska