This week on Transmissions, the final episode of the season: Steve Berlin. Steve plays saxophone in Los Lobos, whose new album is called, Native Sons. It features Los Angeles-centric covers by the likes of WAR, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, and Thee Midniters. But Steve’s a fascinating figure on his own. He came up in the punk scenes of LA, playing with The Blasters and the Flesh Eaters, but since then he’s gone on to work with everyone from Rickie Lee Jones to The Replacements, The Go-Gos to R.E.M. and many more.
Category: Podcast
Helado Negro :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions, our weekly series of strange conversations: Roberto Carlos Lange of Helado Negro. His new album of electronic bliss pop, psychedelic ambient, and soulful love songs is called Far In. Lange joined host Jason P. Woodbury for a talk about Marfa, his journey through the world of independent music, expansive views of consciousness, and the early days of his musical practice—as well as much more.
Scott Hirsch :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions: Scott Hirsch. Sitting down with host Jason Woodbury, he discusses his new album, Windless Day, the spiritual topography of California and his punk rock immersion alongside MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger.
Jeffrey Alexander (Dire Wolves/Heavy Lidders) :: Transmissions
This week on the Transmissions, Jeffrey Alexander of The Heavy Lidders and Dire Wolves. For decades now, he’s been a fixture in the psychedelic mutant underground. And as a bonus, we’re presenting a live performance, featuring Drew Gardner and Jesse Sheppard of Elkhorn and drummer Scott Verrastro.
Damon & Naomi :: Transmissions
Today on Transmissions, two lifers of independent rock, Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang. Our talk covers the duo’s days in Galaxie 500, Naomi’s interest in boxing, Damon’s ever fascinating and insightful takes on the state of the industry, and their gorgeous new album, A Sky Record.
Neko Case :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions: the magnificent Neko Case. She’s recently launched Entering the Lung, a newsletter of nature writing. She joined us this week to discuss the mores of the Victorian age, listening to Jane’s Addiction and ’80s albums by The Who, and what initially drew her to punk rock.
Alan Licht :: Transmissions
Today on Transmissions, author, artist, guitarist, and creator Alan Licht. He’s the author of Common Tones: Selected Interviews with Artists and Musicians 1995-2020, which features insightful conversations with ANOHNI, Tony Conrad, Greg Tate, Yo La Tengo, Kelly Reichardt, Lou Reed, and many more.
Nick Lowe :: Transmissions
Nick Lowe returns to our weekly Transmissions podcast to discuss the 20th anniversary of what many consider to be his best album, The Convincer, the influence of the Everly Brothers, and much more.
Neko Case :: Transmissions (Early Access)
Happy Monday. It’s bonus Transmissions time with Neko Case. Before this episode appears later this month in its edited and polished form in the regular feed, Aquarium Drunkard Patreon supporters get early access to this extended edition.
Chris Swanson :: Transmissions
Welcome to Transmissions. Today on the show: Chris Swanson, co-founder of Secretly Group. This year marks 25 years of two of the flagship labels in the group, Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, and to celebrate they’ve got tons going on—including SC25 Editions, which features titles by Damien Jurado, Anohni, Richard Swift, and more, as well as Merch, with net proceeds benefiting Bloomington’s New Hope For Families. Also of note: Jagjaguwar’s Join the Ritual, a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired release featuring Angel Olsen, Bruce Hornsby, Cut Worms, Jamila Woods, and many more. Swanson joined us to discuss the labels’ roots, artists like Anohni, Richard Swift, Jason Molina, Bon Iver, and much more.
Bela Koe-Krompecher :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions, a conversation with author and label head Bela Koe-Krompecher on the rock & roll underground of Ohio and his new book, Love, Death & Photosynthesis.
Jon Wurster :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions, Jon Wurster, the drummer of Mountain Goats, Bob Mould Band, and Superchunk and one-half of Scharpling and Wurster, the long running radio comedy duo as featured on The Best Show. In his wide-ranging talk with Jason Woodbury, he discusses growing up in Philadelphia during the birth of punk and alternative rock, working with Replacements producer Jim Dickinson in the mid-’80s, his experiences at Sun Records, getting the call to join Superchunk, and much more.
Nathan Salsburg :: Transmissions
This week on Transmissions, Alan Lomax Archive curator and guitarist Nathan Salsburg joins us from his place in rural Kentucky to discuss his new album of Hebrew devotional music, Psalms, conceptions of the divine, life as a new parent, and much more.
Rickie Lee Jones :: Transmissions
Ahead of hitting the road on tour, Rickie Lee Jones joins us to discuss her incredible memoir, Last Chance Texaco on Transmissions, documenting her rebellious youth in California and Arizona in the ‘70s, her rise to stardom, run-ins with other artists, and much more, with poetic and literary charm.
John Leckie :: Transmissions
A sprawling talk with record maker John Leckie. As a tape operator at Abbey Road, he oversaw the All Things Must Pass and Plastic Ono Band sessions and rolled tape on Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Kevin Ayers, Fela Kuti, and more. Soon he began producing records, and he’s gone on to work with Radiohead on The Bends, plus Dr. John, Spiritualized, My Morning Jacket, and many more. He joins host Jason Woodbury this week on Transmissions to discuss his extensive history and much more.