Stereo Embers: The Podcast

"Everybody Had Heard Them Songs" When The Sherlocks went into the studio to record their first album Live For The Moment, their arsenal of songs had already been battle-tested on the road. In fact, before the band even put a record out, many of those songs were already fan favorites. The challenge when recording their second album Under Your Sky, was putting together a collection that people weren't familiar with. Up for the test, the South Yorkshire outfit have released one of the best albums of 2019. A melodic blast of alternative pop played with muscle and heart, The Sherlocks' music is anthemic and rousing. In this chat, singer Kiaran Crook talks to Alex about working with The Coral's James Skelly, his parents' record collection and how he keeps challenging himself creatively. He also talks about the irony of being an introvert who fronts a band, touring America and why The Sherlocks will always sound like...The Sherlocks.

"Throw It In The Bin And Don't Worry About It" That's Glenn Campling's motto when it comes to the music business and it's a good one. Why worry about the pressures of an industry that can't be pleased? Please yourself, man! In this interview the former Tones on Tail bassist talks candidly to Alex about his friendship with Daniel Ash, his feelings about David J and his take on the Bauhaus reunion gigs. He also talks about why Tones on Tail broke up, why their sound couldn't be replicated by one of the members alone and what it was like to take his bass off the wall after nearly 20 years of not touching it. Campling reveals where the wealth of live material from this short lived band is coming from and he discusses his plans for the future....

"Keep Your Hands Loose And Beat Out The Time With Your Feet" That's Mike Mesaros' advice for any aspiring bass player. In this conversation the Smithereens bassist talks to Alex about how watching Pete Townsend informed his playing style and taught him to keep his hands loose and beat out the time with his feet--in other words, he learned to play with his whole body. In this thoughtful conversation Mesaros reflects on the lifelong friendships that are the foundational elements of The Smithereens. He also talks about his love of Jack Bruce, how being on stage overrode his initial shyness and what it's like to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Mesaros also talks about missing late singer Pat DiNizio, seeing Johnny Thunders and the Ramones and what's next for the Smithereens.

"Golf Clubs Gliding Through Space" Well, not exactly. But in spite of the fact that Greg Laswell is a singer-songwriter of tremendous sensitivity, if you happen to see him on the golf course, he might be throwing a club across the course. In this engaging, contemplative and honest interview, the Long Beach-born Laswell talks to Alex about how even though he's a chill guy, something about playing golf lets out his inner demon. Laswell also chat about getting through a terrible year, how he's inspired by his relationship with his fans and covering bands like Catherine Wheel and Depeche Mode on his new album Covers II.

"Brexit: Allergy Medication Or Baffling British Political Strategy" Let's be honest: you have no idea what Brexit is. I mean, you kind of know, but you don't REALLY know that much. Well, you're not alone. I don't get it either, but I want to. In this wildly educational chat with Owen Vyse, who sang for Starclub and toured as a guitar player with Echo and the Bunnymen, Owen explains blow by blow EXACTLY what Brexit is and how we got here in the first place. Sure, he's drinking a lot of red wine while breaking down Brexit, but let's face it--you kind of have to. The whole Brexit thing is such an absurd notion, once you get your head around it, you'll be shocked at how its been able to advance as far as it has. And after this hour-long talk, you'll be able to hold your own at any party where Brexit comes up. Think of the social command you'll have! Think about how cool you'll seem! Listen and learn....this one is fun!

"The Impossible Falcon Flies" And it almost didn't. Although the brother/sister duo Wardell, which is comprised of Theo and Sasha Spielberg, had a ton of momentum with their debut album Love/Idleness in early 2015, the follow-up took years to make and it almost didn't happen. But thank god it did. Titled Impossible Falcon, the band's new long player is a bewitching blend of mesmerizing indie pop and dreamy ballads that rank it among the best albums of 2019. In this engaging and spirited interview, Theo and Sasha talk to Alex about why they went off the radar for a spell, why their was a delay between albums and why Wardell is more in control of their artistic direction than ever. They also talk about The Cocteau Twins, sounding French and why breakups yield such great material....

"Feminine, Marvelous And Tough" Using that line from the poet Ted Berrigan is the only way that Alex can describe what it was like to see Paula Cole play live in 1995. A spellbinding performer whose arresting and percussive approach to music was as refreshing as it was exciting, all these years later Paula Cole is still one of the most thrilling musicians in the business. The Massachusetts native's brand new album Revolution is a sonorous indictment of the dangers of silence and it urges us to speak out against injustice with empathy and heart. In this chat Paula talks to Alex about Margaret Atwood, being a woman in her fifties in the music business and why we always need to speak up. They also chat about punk rock, what to do with self-doubt and the beauty of The Sundays' "Here's Where The Story Ends."

"The Best Thing To Do In High School? Start A Band, Man" That's what Phil Radiotes did. The Bay Area born musician grabbed his friends and they spent their high school years playing in a band. But here's the thing: that band still exists. Although almost 20 years have passed and the band have relocated to Brooklyn, Phil and the Osophers have almost 15 albums under their belts and their spry indie pop has never sounded better. In this chat Radiotes talks to Alex about leaving the Bay Area, how he regards his acting career and his love of The Grateful Dead. They also talk about artistic inspiration, the approach of the Beat Poets and the percussive sounds of a typewriter.

“Drive Your Convertible Into What’s Left Of The Summer” Wilderado’s “Surefire” is such a late summer anthem that it makes Alex want to get in his convertible and drive into what’s left of the summer. But then he remembers: he doesn’t have a convertible and he’s in the middle of doing a podcast. So: back to business. Convertible or not, Wilderado’s track is so catchy, so free and so irresistibly awesome, it’s one of the year’s best songs. Not only that, but this American outfit are quickly establishing themselves as THE band to watch out for in 2020. After a winning three-stage stint at Lollapalooza, a tour with Mt. Joy and with a debut album just about done, Wilderdo’s career is about to hit stratospheric heights. In this chat with singer Max Rainer, the Oklahoma-born musician talks to Alex about discovering music in college, what it’s like to have a burgeoning career with two young children at home and why he’s not worried about his kids Googling him in ten years. The two also talk about the trick of touring around family, J.J. Cale and how to keep this crazy life in perspective.

“Don’t Die Alone In A Dark Room” That’s the thesis that James Levy and Alex arrive at in this epic conversation. It’s how Serge Gainsbourg ended up, and as far as endings go, that’s about as big of a downer as you can get. A discursive mediation on life, love, human behavior, the creation of art and why we do it in the first place, the Vermont-born singer-songwriter opens up about—well, about pretty much everything. With his remarkable new album Somebody out now, Levy also talks to Alex about Bob Dylan, being part of a band versus playing solo and his New York days in the band LEVY. They also cover why James is drawn to recording duets, the power of Charles Bradley and the appeal of talking on the phone.