Episode 64: Is It…Man or Astroman? by Man or Astro-man?

Nearly 35 years ago, a group of extraterrestrials became stranded on Earth. Posing as college students attending Auburn University, they would make the most of the situation by starting a band and making a record. In Episode 64, Brian Teasley aka Birdstuff tells the story of how Man or Astro-man?’s 1993 debut full-length Is It…Man or Astroman? came to be. Recorded in a 100 year old house in rural Alabama, Teasley touches on the band’s experience working there with engineer Jim Marrer as well as the events that led to the album’s creation.

For more info on Man or Astro-man?, visit astroman.com or manorastroman.bandcamp.com

Episode 62: Sylvie by Sylvie

After spending some years contributing to various projects within the Los Angeles music community, musician Ben Schwab would take advantage of the time afforded to him through the Covid 19 lockdown, as well as a new sense of creative freedom, to focus his energy towards the creation of Sylvie. In Episode 62, the California by way of Ohio songwriter tells the story of how Sylvie’s 2022 self-titled debut came to be, touching on the key events and influences that inspired the album’s conception.

For more info on Sylvie, visit sylvie-music.bandcamp.com or fulltimehobby.co.uk/en-us

Episode 61: 2 by Coco

Shortly after the release of their debut album in October of 2021,  the band Coco would begin work on its follow-up. In Episode 61, Maia Friedman, Oliver Hill, and Dan Molad discuss the making of their 2024 sophomore effort 2. Written and recorded during significant transitions within their personal lives, the members of Coco touch on the catalysts that would result in the album’s creation including their shared and unshared histories, formation, and experiences recording in both Virginia and Yucca Valley.

For more info on Coco, visit songofcoco.com

Episode 60: Call and Response by Call and Response

In August of 2000, the San Francisco based indie pop band Call and Response would travel to the other side of the country and make a record in the sleepy college town of Athens, Georgia. For Episode 60, Call and Response’s Carrie Clough, Dan Judd, Terri Loewenthal, and Simone Rubi tell the story of how their 2001 self-titled debut came to be. Recounting the events that led to the album’s creation, the bandmates touch on the key influences that would guide its lyrical and sonic directions as well as their experience working with the late, great Bill Doss.

Episode 59: Spirit Stereo Frequency by All Night Radio

In 2002, the Los Angeles based country psyche band Beachwood Sparks would go on an extended hiatus. Making the most of the opportunity presented, multi-instrumentalist Farmer Dave Scher would begin to construct a record, enlisting the help of his Beachwood bandmate Jimi Hey. In Episode 59, Scher tells the story of Spirit Stereo Frequency, the lone full-length effort by All Night Radio. Sharing insight into the experiences and events that helped shape its creation, Scher touches on the painstaking process of recording the album in his Echo Park apartment as well as the concepts and influences that inspired its overall sound.

For more info on All Night Radio, visit farmerdavescher.com and bigpotatorecords.bandcamp.com/

Episode 57: Bucksport Motel by Milan McAlevey

In the Spring of 2022, singer-songwriter Milan McAlevey would begin to develop the material that would make up his 3rd solo release. Working in his home studio in South Portland, Maine, the songs would start to move in a specific direction while still maintaining the same darkness, humor, and sincerity of his past works. In Episode 57, McAlevey tells the story of his 2024 album Bucksport Motel, discussing its lyrical inspirations, the influence country music had over its musical direction, and the people that would help color the finished product.

For more info on Milan McAlevey, visit milanmcalevey.bandcamp.com and fortuntellersmusic.com

Episode 50: Golden Time by The Rock*A*Teens

By the 1990s, the Atlanta mill village known as Cabbagetown had become a haven for artistic types due to its location and cheap rent. It is in this rich environment that The Rock*A*Teens would form and become the pride of the neighborhood’s musical community. In Episode 50 of In Loving Recollection, The Rock*A*Teens’ Chris Lopez tells the story of how the band’s 1999 album Golden Time came to be.

For more info on The Rock*A*Teens, visit therockateens.bandcamp.com and mergerecords.com

Episode 49: Protest a Dark Anniversary by Masters of the Hemisphere

Formed during the halcyon days of the late 90s/ early 2000s Athens, GA music scene, Masters of the Hemisphere would become the quintessential indie pop act of beloved local label Kindercore Records. In Episode 49, Adrian Finch, Jeff Griggs, Bren Mead, and Sean Rawls tell the story of their 2002 album Protest a Dark Anniversary. Recounting the events that led to the record’s creation, the members of the Masters touch on their experience recording at World as Myth Studio and the sense of an impending transition that permeated the whole proceeding.

Episode 46: Good God by Cyrus Gengras

After several years of non-stop touring, Los Angeles based musician Cyrus Gengras would find himself stuck at home in the spring of 2020. Making the most of the situation, Gengras would order a digital 8 track recorder, break out the wah-wah pedal, and make a record. In Episode 46, Gengras tells the story of his 2022 album Good God, detailing the DIY nature of the album’s production and touching on the various characters he has known throughout his life that inspired much of its lyrical content.

For more info on Cyrus Gengras, visit cyrusgenras.bandcamp.com and wastemgmtmusic.com

Episode 42: Dirt Yard Street by Clay Harper

Having relocated as a teenager from the suburbs of Philadelphia to a small town in Georgia, singer-songwriter Clay Harper would eventually draw inspiration from the experience, and in the end, make a record. In Episode 42, the former Coolies front man and restaurateur tells the story of his 2020 album Dirt Yard Street. Recorded at his home studio in Atlanta with help from the city’s music community, Harper recounts the events that led to the album’s creation and details the methods used during the writing and recording process.

For more info on Clay Harper, visit clayharper.bandcamp.com