Stereo Embers: The Podcast

“David Schelzel Used To Think 30 Was A Good Age To Stop Making Records” But that was before he was 30. Admittedly, when you’re an introverted kid growing up listening to The Smiths and Echo and the Bunnymen, 30 probably seems pretty ancient. At least it did to the Ocean Blue’s David Schelzel He figured once he hit 30, he’d probably be done putting out records. Well, he was wrong. Although The Ocean Blue did stop putting out records for almost 15 years while the members of the band pursued other careers—Schelzel, for example, became a lawyer—they didn’t stop for good, and we’re grateful for that. Six years after their last album Ultramarine, comes the band’s sixth long player, the meditative and melodic Kings and Queens/Knaves And Thieves. In this conversation, Schelzel talks about what it was like to sign a record deal and head to London at 19, why he decided to pursue a career outside of music and his dizzying work ethic. He also talks about the evolution of the band’s sound, whether or not he keeps up with the work of his heroes and what emotional season The Ocean Blue are entering at this stage in their career.

“The Days Of White Men Shutting People Up Are Over” In this frank and unflinching interview Laces talks to Alex about her past as a young artist on a major label when she worked under the moniker Charlotte Sometimes. A truly exciting time, for sure, but she opens up about the dark side of the experience and the abuse she incurred in the most forthright of terms. The good news is that Laces is a survivor and not only has she shed the Charlotte Sometimes sobriquet, she’s rechristened herself as Laces and stormed back with some of the most powerful and soul-stirring music you’ll ever hear. Laces talks to Alex about vocal injuries, playing the Warped Tour and why working in advertising didn’t work for her. She also opens up about not feeling supported during a particularly harrowing time, why boundaries are important and why she’s never recorded under her actual name…..

“When Lou Reed Calls At 4:30 AM And Tells You To Get A Pen…You Get A Pen” There’s no other option. And that’s exactly what happened to Nils Lofgren years ago when the legendary singer/songwriter phoned him to tell him he’d written lyrics for some of Lofgren’s compositions. While the fruits of that early morning collaboration remained dormant for decades, Lofgren’s new album Blue With Lou brings five of them to light to sit alongside some of Lofgren’s newer compositions. In this conversation the Chicago-born musician talks to Alex about his fifty year career in rock and roll. They chat about punk rock, basketball, the Velvet Underground, Pink, gymnastics and the joys of on-stage improvisation.

“Matthew Edwards May Have Just Recorded His Last Album” Although he’s in an admitted state of grace about his band’s new album The Birmingham Poets, singer/songwriter Matthew Edwards isn’t sure he’s got it in him to do another. While recording the album Edwards’ parents passed away, a member of his band fought through a serious illness and another experienced a wrenching breakup. In other words, the experience was fraught with darkness and emotionally trying times. But tested as Matthew Edwards and the Unfortunates were, they came through it all with one of the most beautiful and moving albums of 2019. “If this is the last one,” he tells Alex, “I’m incredibly happy with it.” In this entertaining and probing chat, Edwards tells Alex about what it was like growing up in Birmingham, his perception of California and how he feels about the new Robert Forster record. He also talks about his love of Broadcast, the danger of sentimentality and why you should never trust a man who juggles…

“Meat Beat Manifesto Are Like The Beatles…Interpreted Through A Jackhammer” It turns out there’s some pop roots coursing through the creative veins of the legendary Industrial outfit Meat Beat Manifesto. Growing up, braintrust Jack Dangers may have been a huge fan of bands like Throbbing Gristle, but he was also a huge fan of The Beatles. In this interview, the Swindon-born Dangers talks to Alex about how his factory jobs coupled with his love of pop music informed the future sound of Meat Beat Manifesto. He also talks about becoming a vegan, his friendship with XTC and how he met his wife at an animal rights concert. Dangers gets into the making of MBM’s new album Opaque Couche’, why he’s more creative now than ever and whether or not he’d ever move back to Swindon…

“The Waterboys’ Mike Scott Always Has Something Cooking” One of the most prolific songwriters around—his band’s B-sides have B-sides—it’s no surprise to hear Mike Scott tell Alex that he’s always got a new music idea cooking. The Waterboys have released three albums in the last five years and their new effort Where The Action Is might very well be one of their best ever. A simmering platter of Celtic soul, rock and roll, hip-hop and classic poetry, the band’s 13th long player is an energizing blast of rootsy bliss. In this interview Scott talks to Alex about being a musical outsider growing up, how he missed a chance to work with George Harrison and his admiration of The Clash’s Mick Jones. They also chat about the poetry of Robert Burns, making the perfect set list and working with Jim Keltner.

“Be Gentle With Yourself” It can get pretty tough out there for any aspiring artist putting themselves and their work on public display. But singer/songwriter Rosie Carney has some advice: Be gentle with yourself. The British-born musician may only be 22, but she’s been through so much, she’s wise beyond her years. Carney was signed at 16 to Polydor and dropped by the label at 18. While that might have discouraged many (“I could have quit and become a florist,” she laughs), the experience only made Carney more resolved to become the artist she felt she was destined to be. Learning to ignore criticism and take praise with a grain of salt, Carney re-started her career and the result is Bare, a stark and stirring debut album that brings to mind the raw intensity of Patty Griffin’s Living With Ghosts and Beth Orton’s Trailer Park. A survivor of sexual assault, bullying, anxiety and depression, Carney is honest and upfront about what she’s been through, and her steadfast resolve has served as an inspiration for all her fans who have been through similar experiences. In this candid and thoughtful chat, Carney talks about being Irish but raised in England, her supportive parents, and her love of Joni Mitchell. She also talks about moving back to Ireland, giving impromptu piano concerts to her childhood friends and why she didn’t become a florist after all. Oh, and Alex reads her Morrissey lyrics…

“No Loops For Robert Forster” It may come as no surprise for fans of Robert Forster, but the singer/songwriter is not a guy who uses laptops and loops when he’s recording. A traditional studio approach works just fine for the Brisbane-born musician and his winning body of work verifies that. The co-founder of the legendary Australian band The Go-Betweens has just put out a new solo album called Inferno and in this interview he talks to Alex about his affection for his home town, his love of the Velvet Underground and how his songwriting pace compared to that of his former Go-Betweens bandmate Grant McLennan. Forster also chats about why his songwriting vaults are empty, recording in Berlin and how he feels about the Go-Betweens’ legacy.

“Jenn Vix Is NOT Having It” Jenn Vix admits that at this point in her life, her fuse is smaller than it’s ever been and she refuses to tolerate nonsense from anyone. “I can’t afford to,” she says. “I’m not going to tolerate crap from anyone…Jenn Vix is NOT having it.” With a voice that’s sonorous, soulful and stirring, Vix is one of the most fascinating and inspiring artists around. Refusing to be seen as a victim, Vix has confronted her battle with PTSD as well as recent medical scares that nearly killed her with self-empowering sovereignty and advocacy. In this unflinching, honest and inspiring conversation, Vix talks to Alex about how hard it was not to be able to make or listen to music, the rigors of being a recording artist in 2019 and her new role with the band Positive Negative Man. She also chats about working with the late drummer Andy Anderson of The Cure, her new EP 6 and why she decided to intentionally write a pop song….

“Robin Wilson Doesn’t Want To Watch YouTube” Well, to be more specific, Robin Wilson doesn’t want to watch a YouTube channel of some guy with a guitar singing covers. In this conversation, the Gin Blossoms singer tells Alex that he may not be into that, but he’s into a lot of other stuff. For example, the home studio he built with his son, sailing on his boat and the Gin Blossoms themselves. Together since 1989, the Arizona band are arguably more prolific than ever and they’ve never sounded better. Juggling duties fronting the legendary Tempe outfit and singing for The Smithereens, Wilson’s a busy guy these days. In this conversation he talks about his love of The Smiths and Johnny Marr, why he hates waiting for the check after a meal and the legacy of The Gin Blossoms. He also talks about the stability of the band’s lineup, the brotherhood of the Tempe scene and what bands he’s turned his son on to.