Our pilot episode introduces the concept of the podcast and takes a close look at Sunburned’s iconic album, Headdress. We hear about the origins and goals of the podcast—grappling with the complexities of Sunburned’s chaotic narrative. Music journalist Allison Hussey joins us to provide an outsider’s perspective of the band. Byron Coley describes Sunburned’s impact on the wider music scene. Then we focus on one song in an attempt to discern a bit of what Sunburned does when they jam. Finally, we turn to Sunburned’s iconic 2002 release, Headdress, and that album’s recent 20th anniversary reissue.
Category: Podcast
Transmissions :: Lincoln Barr
Back in 2022, songwriter Lincoln Barr got in touch, writing a personal note in which he expressed an appreciation for what we do here at Aquarium Drunkard. “Listening to the topics that come up in your conversations, I can’t help but recognize a kindred spirit out there in the desert.” Since then, Barr and Transmissions host Jason P. Woodbury have gone back and forth via email, discussing spirituality, art, poetry, Ireland, Sinéad O’Connor, NRBQ, psychedelia, personal work, and much more. And now, they finally link up for a proper podcast discussion. Though their conversation was shaded by the passing of O’Connor, a shared favorite, they covered lots of ground additionally, waxing on mysticism, personal exploration, and Barr’s incredible album, Forfeit the Prize.
No Way Out: An Oral History of Sunburned Hand of the Man (Coming Soon)
With this podcast, we embrace the full force of Sunburned Hand of the Man. The final result is assembled from conversations and recordings with 15 current and past members as well as outside commentary from friends, fans, and collaborators. Across eight episodes, we unravel the band’s complex history and examine the hows and whys of this bizarre creative endeavor. Coming August 14th from Aquarium Drunkard and Talkhouse Podcast Network.
Transmissions :: Hataałii
Hataaliinez Wheeler grew up in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. And though he’s just recently released his Dangerbird Records debut, Singing Into Darkness, he’s spent the last few years creating as much art as he can—recording music, making lo-fi videos, and writing poetry. Today, he joins host Jason P. Woodbury to discuss his run-in with and shout-out from Mac Demarco, discuss the influence of his father’s record collection, and discuss what its felt like for his personal art project to find a life outside of his own head.
Transmissions :: Andy Zax
Producer Andy Zax joins us this week on Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions. Zax was exploring Rod McKuen’s vaults one day when he uncovered something remarkable: lost music by electronic pioneer Mort Garson. Ahead of of Sacred Bones’ release of Journey To the Moon and Beyond, Zax joins Jason P. Woodbury to discuss his archival adventures in pop music, the moon landing, Woodstock, Leonard Nimoy’s late ’60s discography, his forthcoming Extinctophonics.
Transmissions :: Gia Margaret
Though Gia Margaret’s 2018 debut, There’s Always Glimmer, was the striking work of a singer/songwriter, when medical issues put a strain on her voice, she turned to instrumental music, first with her ambient leaning self-titled 2020 album, and now Romantic Piano, a collection of moving piano compositions, mostly instrumental, that feels at once meditative and comforting. It’s the kind of music that carves out more space for the listener—and it turns out, it’s the kind of music that did something similar for its creator.
Transmissions :: Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot is one of the most intriguing and dynamic guitarists in music. But when he wants to cut loose, he unites his punk-informed trio Ceramic Dog. Ahead of the charging Connection, Ribot joins us today on Transmissions to discuss musician labor rights, Hal Willner’s Night Music and more.
Transmissions :: Jared Swilley (Black Lips)
While Black Lips have matured and grown since forming in 1999, the Atlanta-based garage band haven’t “settled down.” Case in point is Apocalypse Love, the group’s 10th album, released last year on Fire Records. Incorporating gospel and country influences, it’s as strange and exciting as the band’s early work, but it also showcases a new depth to the band. Today on Transmissions, Black Lip Jared Swilley joins us to discuss his pentecostal roots, his minister father coming out of the closet, the importance of the Bomp Records catalog, his mentor The Mighty Hannibal, and much more.
Transmissions :: David John Morris (Red River Dialect)
David John Morris of Red River Dialect joins us to discuss his 2021 album Monastic Love Songs, 2022’s Wyld Love Songs, his time in a Buddhist monastery, how it augmented his approach to music, his podcast listening habits, the consistent spiritual longing of the creative process and, truthfully, so much more.
Transmissions :: The Modern Folk
Writing about The Modern Folk’s Modern Folk One in our AD 2022 Year in Review, we called it, “A blend of field recordings, astral zones, freak outs, leisurely jams, and rustique concrète from the ever-prolific Josh Moss.” That gives you a little sense of the kind of music Moss creates with his ultra-prolific recording project. Head over to his Bandcamp and you’ll find dozens and dozens of releases.
Transmissions :: Bruce Licher (Independent Project)
Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press and Records joins host Jason P. Woodbury to discuss his album art creations, his time in the Mojave Desert, the Southwestern dream-pop scene of the ‘90s, his letterpress origins, his work with R.E.M. and much more.
Transmissions :: Suss
This week on Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions: ambient country trio Suss. On their own, Suss members Jonathan Gregg, Bob Holmes, and Pat Irwin have been involved in musical projects, with artists like k.d. Lang, the B-52s, John Cale, David Bowie, Norah Jones, the War on Drugs and Wilco—Irwin even contributed music to Nickelodeon’s Rocko’s Modern Life.
Transmissions :: Allyson McCabe on Sinéad O’Connor
Today on the show, we’re joined by Allyson McCabe, author of the new book: Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters. McCabe is a writer, broadcaster and producer, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, BBC Culture, Wired and on NPR.
Transmissions :: Alex Pappademas & Joan LeMay on Steely Dan
We’re pleased to welcome Alex Pappademas and artist Joan LeMay on today’s episode. Together, they have created a tremendous and deeply entertaining new book about one of Aquarium Drunkard’s favorite bands: Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors From The Songs of Steely Dan.
Transmissions :: Janaka Stucky
Our guest this week is mystic poet, writer, publisher, and performance artist Janaka Stucky, who’s been hailed as “extraordinary” and “riveting” by no less an occult authority than Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Today on Transmissions, he discusses adapting his epic poem Ascend, Ascend with Lori Goldston, and reflects on the dread-soaked nature of reality.