Stereo Embers: The Podcast

“I Throw More Things In The Garbage Than I Should" That’s what Bob Perry says about the songwriting process when it comes to lyrics, but the singer/songwriter is being far too hard on himself. The former Winter Hours guitarist has quietly become one of the most wise and knowing songwriters around. In this conversation the New Jersey-born Perry talks to Alex about Winter Hours' ill-fated deal with Chrysalis, how he met his wife Stephanie Seymour (There Are Birds, The Aquanettas) and what his parents thought about him leaving college for a career in music. Perry also chats about his love of Jeff Beck, why the business is so hard to make a living in, his own creative process and what he learned from the magic of the words of Winter Hours singer Joseph Marques.

"This Actually IS An Outerspace Ship" A friend of mine asked me the other day to describe the music of Love Tractor and I tried (I said something like, "Brian Wilson singing for Can on Mars..."), but the fact is, words fail when it comes to that particular assignment. All I know is this: Love Tractor were one of the most innovative, inventive and truly wonderful bands of their era. And all these years later, their music doesn't sound rooted in a time or place; they exist out of time. In this comprehensive chat with Mark Cline, the guitarist talks about the band's back catalogue, the work ethic of R.E.M.'s Bill Berry and what the Athens Inside/Out movie got SO wrong. He also talks about why everyone wanted to be in Love Tractor, why they took a long hiatus and why 2020 will be the year of the Tractor!

"You Deserve A Bath" That sentiment may be comprised of just four words, but in life so many of us forget to recognize that in the constraints of our daily existences some self-care--like the simple pleasure of taking a bath--is deserved. In this conversation the Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Rose Cousins talks to Alex about stillness, self-care and, to borrow a phrase from her new album, the benefits of being alone. They also chat about the supportive Halifax music scene, how to handle small talk and what to do if you see one of your fans at a pet store.

"Shooting Free Throws And Playing Guitar" You may not realize it, but there's an intersection between playing sports and playing music. In fact, there's really no difference between playing guitar and shooting free throws--both take time, discipline, commitment and concentration. The Georgia-born Josh Kelley grew up playing golf in Augusta and while a golf scholarship landed him at Ole Miss, he'd been hard at work playing music since he was 11. His passion for writing songs overtook his passion for golf and before college was over Kelley had landed a record deal. In our first episode of 2020 Kelley talks to Alex about the intersection between sports and art. He also chats about the power of manifestation, how fatherhood informs creativity and why the first person he plays his new music for is his wife. PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Hackworth

"The Theory Behind Our Last Episode Of The Decade" Okay, there's no conspiracy theory behind the fact that this our last episode of the decade. We meant that above sentence literally--like, SUPER literally. The decade is coming to a close in a few days, so there's that and helping us put a button on it all is Theory bassist Dean Back. The Canadian musician talks to us about his band's new album Say Nothing, dressing up in a Spaceballs costume for Halloween and how Theory critiques their performances by laughing at their mistakes. Great chat, great guy, great decade! See you in 2020!! PHOTO BY GEOFF TISCHMAN

"For Our Christmas Episode We Couldn't Get Jesus Of Nazareth So We Got Dan Of Nazareth Instead" Okay, to be fair Dan McCafferty left the legendary Scottish band back in 2013 but worthy replacements aside, he will always be the voice of Nazareth. After 45 years fronting the internationally acclaimed outfit, McCafferty stepped aside due to health reasons. Recharged, revitalized and sounding better than ever, McCafferty is back with his third solo album--and first since 1987. In this conversation he chats with Alex about his collaboration with the Czech instrumentalist Karel Marik, why he's never planned anything in his life and why the easiest people to talk to are fishermen.

"All You Have To Do Is Do The Dishes" Sounds simple, right? Well, that's because it is. And, according to singer/songwriter Emerson Hart, that act of contributive collaboration is is the key to a lasting relationship. Hart has had a lasting relationship with music and his artistic evolution has been a joy to follow. Over the course of his career with Tonic and his marvelous solo work, including his new album 32,000 Days, Hart has been one of the most affecting singer/songwriters out there. In this conversation he talks to Alex about seeing U2 in France in 1987, the stillness of Paul Simon and the inspiration he found in the life of his step-father.

"F. Scott Fitzgerald Was Wrong..." Well, to be fair, F. Scott Fitzgerald was right about a lot of things, but he was certainly wrong about his assertion that in life there are no second acts. For example, you ask? Limahl. The former Kajagoogoo singer has not only just released an instant holiday classic with "London For Christmas" interest in the charismatic singer has never been greater thanks to his songs showing up on popular programs like "Stranger Things" and "American Horror Story." With his profile back in the spotlight, Limahl is finishing off 2019 with his Christmas single and planning a full-fledged comeback in 2020 with new music on the way. In this conversation Limahl talks to Alex about escaping a job working in the mines, the power of networking and how to eat pudding and stay fit at the same time. They also talk about leaving home to follow your dreams, the '80s confederacy and why the story of an artists life really is never ending....

"Throwing Curveballs At The Moon" That's how The Pop Group's Mark Stewart describes the creative process and it might also very well be the perfect description of the Pop Group's career. Unconventional, ferociously innovative, and delightfully idiosyncratic, The Pop Group have never cared about what's happening in the mainstream and instead adhered to the rhythms and sounds that they wanted to make. In this whirlwind of an interview, the Bristol-born Stewart talks to Alex about UFO's, having tea with Sun Ra, The Sex Pistols, and how music bridged the racial divide in his town in the late 70s. He also talks about why he likes to hang out with oddballs, the avant-garde New York scene and a fight he once had with Allen Ginsberg.

“Should Only People Who’ve Been To Space Dress As Spacemen?” Well, it’s certainly a good question. In this follow-up to his wildly popular episode wherein he offered an explanation about Brexit, singer/songwriter Owen Vyse is back and this time he’s tackling cultural appropriation, intentionality and gender bias. A discursive chat that starts in a construction zone in Bangkok and ends at an early ‘90s Halloween party where Owen’s costume is inspired by Shaft and P-Funk, this is one of those conversations you won’t want to miss.