Stereo Embers: The Podcast

“Alan White Remembered: You’ve Got To Be Spot-On” In memory of Alan White (1949-2022), we're re-airing our chat with him from 2020. Being spot-on is what drummer Alan White says you have to be when it comes to being behind the kit for a band like Yes. One of the most technically proficient outfits in rock and roll history, Yes are musically precise and that’s why White has been behind the kit with them since 1973. One of the most formidable drummers in rock and roll for the last 50 years, the British born White started playing in bands when he was 13. And over the course of his career he played on records by George Harrison, Ginger Baker, Joe Cocker, Terry Reid and John Lennon. He played live with Lennon as part of the Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival in 1969 and he also had a stint playing live with Steve Linwood. When he joined Yes he also had two other job offers at the same time with Jethro Tull and America. But White said no to them and yes to Yes. Pretty good move. He played on 17 Yes records, and established himself as one of the most innovative, intuitive and muscular drummers around. His playing is a deft combo of finesse and power, that’s as athletic as it is stylistic. Recorded live at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel, back in July of 2019, Yes’s newest effort is called THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR, LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS and it’s a beast. A sterling collection that showcases not only the depth and scope of the band’s winning songbook, it features Mr. White tearing it up. In this chat he talks about the magic of Charlie Watts, whether or not you can master the drums and why you’ve got to be spot-on to be onstage with Yes.

"Cathal Coughlan Remembered: Somewhere Between Joe Gould And Lee Mavers" “The supreme question about a work of art,” James Joyce once wrote, "is out of how deep a life does it spring.” If you tried to plumb the fathoms for a measurable reading of the life of Cathal Coughlan—well, the depth finder would crack right in half. Coughaln’s life has been a rich and textured affair and his talent is vast and incomprehensibly majestic. With his band Microdisney, The Cork -born musician put out several of the most affecting albums ever made. Efforts like The Clock Comes Down the Stairs in 1985 or the following year’s Crooked Mile, are front to back classics. After he and his bandmate Sean O-Hagan dissolved Microdisney and O-Hagan went on to form the High Llamas, Coughlan fired up the Fatima Mansions—an aggressive, fiery and angular outfit, that played synth-laced alternative rock that churned away with grinding and brutal beauty. Viva Dead Ponies and Lost In The Former West are two personal favorites, but the fact is, I love every album in their discography. Over the course of his career Coughlan put out a series of brilliant solo albums, collaborated with the likes of comic Sean Hughes and British singer/songwriter Luke Haines, scored movies like The Last Bus Home and The Mapmaker, toured with U2, appeared onstage in a contemporary opera, and reformed Microdisney for a brief series of triumphant shows. His new album Song of Co-Aklan is a work of startling beauty and precision. Imbued with poetic invention and finesse, haunting melodies, riveting ballads and an unmistakable wisdom and pop grace, Coughlan has never sounded better. This is a deep and focused conversation that can’t be encapsulated in a sentence or two—you just have to listen. But we do touch on Lee Mavers, friendship, Sting, the legend of Joe Gould, the vulnerability of solo shows and staying prolific during lockdown. Digital pre-order orcd.co/songofcoaklan CD / Vinyl pre-order (USA) amzn.to/3jcx8CM CD / Vinyl pre-order (UK) ffm.to/songofcoaklanalbum

“Courageous” Róisín O's 2012 debut The Secret Life of Blue was a stirring and sonorous collection that announced her arrival in a big way. Over the course of her career she’s played on bills with everyone from Bryan Ferry to Lionel Richie, opened for her mom on her U.S. tour, formed the band Thanks Breother with John Broe and she’s been known to post YouTube clips of her covering tracks by Selena Gomez and Sia. Her new album Courageous is a powerful an evocative collection, filled with some of the most captivating vocals you’ll hear all year—or any year, Courageous is a bold and artistic step forward. It’s beautiful work. www.roisino.com www.alexgreenonline.com www.bombshellradio.com Stereo Embers The Podcast Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com

“For The Country” By the time Seth Tiven formed Dumptruck in 1983, he’d already had a few bands under his belt, including Saucers, a band he was in with fellow Connecticut pal Mark Mulcahy who would go on to form Miracle Legion. Tiven had relocated to Boston after graduating from Wesleyan and the supporting cast of Dumptruck had a few personnel changes, but changes aside. their first two albums D is For Dumptruck and Positively Dumptruck--both issued on Big Time--were two very strong entries to begin a career. Moody, dark and filled with jangle and melodic smarts, the band were lumped in with folks like R.E.M. and the Connells and rightfully so, as they were all kind of in the same sonic pocket. But it was 1987’s For The Country, which featured new guitarist Kevin Salem who replaced singer/guitarist Kirk Swan, that really was their apotheosis. A stirring and angry collection that explored isolation and the geography of loneliness, For The Country bristled with confidence and indie rock grace. Tracks like Going Nowhere and Carefree demonstrated that Dumptruck were one of the most vital and stinging outfits out there. They played with the Replacements and Husker Du, had a growing fan base and were poised to take the next big step forward to the big time. And then the big time took that step forward and pushed it ten steps back. Not the big time, as in THE big time, but the big time as in Big Time Records. Dumptruck were crushing it but Big Time was getting crushed and were in tons of financial trouble. The label was free falling so the band’s lawyer tried to sell their contract to Phonogram, Big Time got pissed and decided to sue Dumptruck for 5 million. This became a protracted legal battle and all the momentum Dumptuck had going for them was devoured. The resolution took years and a lot of money and in the end, Dumptruck prevailed. If you think most bands would have had a hard time recapturing the momentum that sidelined them after a thing like this went down, you would be right. And Dumptruck fell into that category. They never really found their swing again and broke up in 1991. Tracks they recorded during the legal battle were released as the Days of Fear album in '94, they put out Terminal in ’98, Lemmings Travel to the Sea in 2001 and Wrecked in 2018. All great records, but it’s hard not to think about what would have happened if Dumptruck had been allowed to maintain the momentum they’d managed. One never knows, but one thing I do know is that Seth Tiven is a truly nice guy and I’m so happy he answered the indie rock bat signal and came out for a chat. www.dumptruck-music.com www.bombshellradio.com www.alexgreenonline.com Stereo Embers The Podcast Twitter: @emberseditor IG: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com

“Long Live King Kobe” Sherman Chambers’ 21 year old son Tyler Kobe Nichols was murdered in a random knife attack in Brooklyn two days before Christmas in 2020. Nichols, who was with his brother, had just gotten a haircut when the incident occurred. As author Paul Auster writes: “It was a weird and senseless crime…a sudden, unprovoked burst of violence, on a tranquil street in a tranquil Brooklyn neighborhood on the eve of Christmas Eve.” That incident not only disrupted the tranquility of the holiday of season, it permanently capsized the tranquility of a family who no longer had their son. But they had each other. And while the void Tyler left was a gaping absence that could never be filled, his family guarded that space by gathering together. And after they found strength in each other, they reached out to their community and anyone else who had suffered a similar loss. And the unvarnished realization that emerged was that we can’t heal without each other. Tyler’s mother Sherma’s chance meeting with photographer Spencer Ostrander who was working on a book with novelist Paul Auster, formed an instant connection and gave birth to the book Long Live King Kobe: Following the Murder Of Tyler Nichols. A powerful book whose connective narrative tissue is made up of interviews with Tyler’s family along with stirring photographic portraits and spartan prose from Auster, Long Live King Kobe is a compelling document of the geometry of loss and the calculus of healing. It’s a eulogy, it’s a celebration and it’s a testament to the fact that trauma can dissolve and turn into healing. I’ll let Sherma and Tyler’s cousin Kareem Eusebe and Spencer tell you about the book and the Long Live King Kobe Foundation and the peaceful initiatives that have been enacted through the foundation to help support families who have suffered losses. But let me just say this before we begin: this is a heavy conversation but it’s also a beautiful one. And if you’re a person on this planet you’re going to experience loss and nothing can prepare you for it—even if you think you are. And this is a very important reminder that all we have is each other and if we stick together we can get through anything. www.longlivekingkobe.org www.bombshellradio.com Stereo Embers: Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast

“New Jersey Rock and Roll” The New Jersey born Ben Vaughn has put out close to twenty albums, including personal favorites of mine like Beautiful Thing, Mood Swings and Ben Vaughn Blows Your Mind. Aside from his own records, Vaughn has produced records by Ween, Los Straitjackets, Nancy Sinatra, and Charlie Feathers, had his songs covered by everyone from Marshall Crenshaw to Deer Tick and collaborated with the likes of Alex Chilton, Alan Vega, and Rodney Crowell. Vaughn loves punk and surf and rockabilly and folk and country and the blues, which explains the versatility of his collaborations. And if that wasn’t an impressive enough resume, let’s add these two career highlights: he penned the themes for both Third Rock From The Sun and That 70's Show. Oh, and he hosts the radio show The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn. Let’s not forget that because it’s one of the best radio shows out there. His new album The World Of Ben Vaughn not only demonstrates his musical dexterity, it also showcases his brilliance as a songwriter—filled with humor, wisdom and grace, Vaughn’s work is always soulful, introspective and impossible to resist. Instagram: @benvaughnmusic www.bombshellradio.com Stereo Embers The Podcast: Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com

“Just One Voice” Michelle Willis has one of those voices that’s so stirring, it makes you feel things you didn’t know you felt. Actually, let’s take that one step further: her voice makes you feel things you didn't even know you could feel in the first place. Yes, she’s that good. The Canadian singer/songwriter and keyboardist decided to hit the 212 back in 2016, which really just means she moved to New York from Toronto and once she was there, it didn’t take long for her to make her mark. She secured a monthly residency at the Rockwood Music Hall and just two months later she was touring in two bands led by David Crosby and one by Becca Stevens. Shortly after that, the ball that got rolling started rolling faster: She opened for Snarky Puppy and toured and recorded with the Zac Brown Band, Iggy Pop and Michael McDonald. Her sophomore album Just One Voice, which is the follow up to her 2016 debut See Us Through, is one of our favorite albums of the year. Soulfully precise and filled with smooth grooves, lustrous melodies and luxurious pop hooks, Just One Voice is a straight up knockout. www.michellewillis.ca Instagram: @boutwillismusic www.bombshellradio.com Stereo Embers The Podcast Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com www.stereoembersmagazine.com

“The Circle” The singer/guitarist Jim Shepherd is probably best known for being a part of the legendary indie Scottish outfit the Jasmine Minks. One of the first bands signed to Alan McGee’s Creation Records, the ‘Minks put out a handful of albums, including classics like Another Age and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 All Good Preachers Go To Heaven. They played with bands like the Violent Femmes, Jesus and Mary Chain and The Go-Betweens, recorded a Peel Session, got tons of critical acclaim and got airplay on college stations all across the U.S. The band went on hiatus in 2001, reformed in 2010, played sporadic gigs here and there since then, put out a handful of new singles and have a new album brewing as we speak. In the meantime, Shepherd’s first solo album has just hit shelves. Titled The Circle, Shepherd's band for the record includes members of The Loft, The Weather Prophets, June Brides and The Distractions. A ferocious and thoughtful collection filled with indie rock stomp, melodic mod hooks and introspective ballads, The Circle is stirring, satisfying and altogether thrilling work. www.jimjasmine.bandcamp.com www.bombshellradio.com www.alexgreenonline.com Stereo Embers: The Podcast Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine/com

“Mosaic” Matt Rollings is a musical monster, with a resume that would make anyone envious. He’s played with Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Richie Sambora and Peter Wolf, he's produced records by Blues Traveler and Willie Nelson, won a Grammy for that very same Nelson album, played in Lyle Lovett's Large Band, did several torus with Mark Knopfler as his keyboardist, got nominated for two more Grammys and the list goes on. This one is just the abbreviated version. Long story short? 30 years later, Matt Rollings got around to following up his debut album Balconies. But forgive him—he’s been busy, A riveting and rootsy platter, Matt Rollings' Mosaic is fabulous work. Featuring Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, the album is filled with finesse and groove and is one of the most refreshing, enlivening and satisfying albums in recent memory. www.mattrollings.com www.bombshellradio.com www.alexgreenonline.com Stereo Embers The Podcast Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: editor@stereoembersmagazine.com

“Fazz: Now & Then” Noel Paul Stookey became a household name as the Paul part of the Peter Paul and Mary equation. The landmark folk trio formed in New York in the '60s and went on to lead the American folk music revival with massive hits like If I Had A Hammer, Puff The Magic Dragon, and Leaving On A Jet Plane. Hammer, of course was written by Pete Seeger and Jet Plane John Denver, but that was the thing about Peter Paul and Mary—they were incredible interpreters of American song. Their readings of Dylan tracks like Blowin' in the Wind, and the Times They Are A Changin’ are further evidence that they could not only interpret but in many ways make those songs their own in the process. Peter Paul and Mary put out nearly twenty albums in their career, including 2003’s In These Times and the band ceased to be when Mary Travers passed away in 2009. As for Stookey, he remains a pretty active guy both in and out of music. From founding the non-profit Music To Life with his daughter to producing artists like Dave Mallet and Gordon Bok to playing at Dartmouth in honor of Martin Luther King Day, Stookey is still out there, doing the work. And speaking of work, his new album has just hit shelves. Titled Fazz: Now & Then, the staggering 20-track collection mixes new compositions with folk, jazz, gospel, classical, and world music. It’s been germinating in Stookey’s head for almost 25 years and it was well worth the wait. Filled with folky precision, poetic finesse and clever wordplay, Fazz: Now & Then is a refreshing blast of musical fusion commandeered by one of the greatest songwriters in American Music. A singer, a father, a husband, an artist and and an activist, Stookey is the real deal. www.noelpaulstookey.com www.bombshellradio.com www.alexgreenonline.com Stereo Embers: Twitter: @emberseditor Instagram: @emberspodcast Email: Email: Editor@stereoembersmagazine.com