This was outstanding, and a welcome respite from the barrage that is the news of the day.
Two things stood out. First, when y’all were changing cards/batteries, Steve slipped effortlessly out of interview mode and into conversation mode, telling his story of the go-go band opening for RHCP. The genuine enthusiasm, the on-brand for TFC, perfectly employed expletives. It was great.
On a sadder note, Steve sort of had a throw away line about his future and the 80 years he might get in this life. I felt a legit twinge of sadness. Obviously his very premature passing this year was a tragedy for him and his family. It also really sucks that we all were robbed of his future genius.
Okay Kemele you asked for thoughts & comments so here comes a truckload lol :-). Some things that came to my mind in no particular order:
--regarding the notion of our desire for artists to suffer as a prerequisite for their art, for some reason I'm reminded of an interview I once did as a writer with a hospice director who's statement always stayed with me: "It's a privilege to be with someone who is dying." When we share life's most intimate moments (the "thin times" as my favorite Episcopal priest used to call them, a Celtic notion I think) it's a tremendous privilege which can be seen as a gift to both the audience and the performer rather than a demanded blood sacrifice
--His dedication to helping artists craft their own sound vs. putting his trademark "stamp" on the work was admirable; no Albini *wall of sound* lol
--I loved punk rock (still do) and I traveled on the edges of that scene via a double-life while a young professional; that included seeing the Johnny/Joey/DeeDee/Tommy lineup of the Ramones at the Agora Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia back in the day; I understand from elsewhere that they were Albini's gateway drug too (many such cases :-)
--Albini's recollection of recording the band Sunn O)))'s extreme music brought to mind controversial British industrial rocker Genesis P -orridge and his band Throbbing Gristle, who's shows and even recorded music, it's said, would cause numerous audience members to throw up (not my cup of tea but if you're looking to provoke a visceral reaction then mission accomplished I guess)
--As a self-proclaimed *creative* who's also a pragmatist I appreciate Albini's pretty utilitarian (contrarian?) views on "meaning"
--His comment about the normie with a giant playlist full of a wide variety of both popular & obscure music from many genres/eras made me feel seen🙋♀️
--as mentioned elsewhere here his comment about being an 80 year-old was very poignant💔
--My autocorrect has continually insisted that I want to say Albino :-/
Well done, Kmele. Michael & Matt must be both proud and jealous. I’m really intrigued to see your documentary now too. Hope it’s still available somewhere.
I am finally getting around to watching the series now myself, I had been putting it off due to sheer laziness. Really enjoying it so far. Here is a link to a Youtube playlist with all 7 episodes:
I really enjoyed this Kmele and I'm glad you were able to feature it on TFC podcast. You were looking for thoughts on it and I have a few I want to share but first I came here to offer this link to the trailer for Sound City, the Dave Grohl documentary about the legendary recording studio discussed in the interview. I saw a serialized version years ago and I learned everything I know about D.C.'s Go-go music scene from the segment on it :-). I think it may be streaming on Apple TV and probably elsewhere.
This was one of the best interviews I have listened to for some time. What an interesting subject, and if possible, he can talk more than Moynihan. If there was an Olympic event for talking both would have podium finishes.
As someone who often gets bored of deep music talk on the normal podcast, I assumed that I was not going to enjoy this and likely skip it. I am so glad I didn't. This really was great work Kmele. A wonderful interview. He mentioned that he talks too long anyway, but you did a great job of asking good questions and then just letting him talk.
Something that I probably wouldn’t have searched out on my own but which vastly entertained me and left me perhaps a little bit smarter. Thank you Kmele 😘
This was a great episode. There was no reason for me to listen to it (nothing I connected with in the headline/description) but am so glad I did. I love the “regular” stuff but definitely appreciate things like this that are outside the norm from each of you three.
We already know your favorite podcast. But my view is that many of the people/groups who are the most "woke" scolds are those who have bad skeletons in their closet.
When Jason Mojica lived in Chicago I knew him as a strange, almost sexless, chubby kid with his own cafe who rode around town on a Vespa and just showed up at my apartment once in a while. If he had a crush on me, he never made any moves. He was the only person among my peers with any entrepreneurial spirit at all, which made him seem suspect. (So not punk!) Anyhow, it's funny to see his name out there. I hope he's doing well. I'll give this a listen.
I love listening to people talk about something they are really dialed into! Steve speaks with the kind of wisdom and clarity you only get from decades of pouring your heart and soul into a craft. It was about half way through that it hit me this guy had only recently passed away, and I was surprised how much it saddened me to think a person like this (a fellow Chicagoan no less), was no longer with us. Thank you for sharing this interview with us Kmele! I appreciate the change in topic. Helps me to remember there is more to life than rolling my eyes at whatever the 15-minute news cycle is chasing.
This was outstanding, and a welcome respite from the barrage that is the news of the day.
Two things stood out. First, when y’all were changing cards/batteries, Steve slipped effortlessly out of interview mode and into conversation mode, telling his story of the go-go band opening for RHCP. The genuine enthusiasm, the on-brand for TFC, perfectly employed expletives. It was great.
On a sadder note, Steve sort of had a throw away line about his future and the 80 years he might get in this life. I felt a legit twinge of sadness. Obviously his very premature passing this year was a tragedy for him and his family. It also really sucks that we all were robbed of his future genius.
Thanks for this Kmele.
I felt the same twinge at the "80 year-old" comment, very bittersweet to hear him say it
A Kmele cassingle. I enjoyed it.
RIP Steve Albini.
Okay Kemele you asked for thoughts & comments so here comes a truckload lol :-). Some things that came to my mind in no particular order:
--regarding the notion of our desire for artists to suffer as a prerequisite for their art, for some reason I'm reminded of an interview I once did as a writer with a hospice director who's statement always stayed with me: "It's a privilege to be with someone who is dying." When we share life's most intimate moments (the "thin times" as my favorite Episcopal priest used to call them, a Celtic notion I think) it's a tremendous privilege which can be seen as a gift to both the audience and the performer rather than a demanded blood sacrifice
--His dedication to helping artists craft their own sound vs. putting his trademark "stamp" on the work was admirable; no Albini *wall of sound* lol
--I loved punk rock (still do) and I traveled on the edges of that scene via a double-life while a young professional; that included seeing the Johnny/Joey/DeeDee/Tommy lineup of the Ramones at the Agora Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia back in the day; I understand from elsewhere that they were Albini's gateway drug too (many such cases :-)
--Albini's recollection of recording the band Sunn O)))'s extreme music brought to mind controversial British industrial rocker Genesis P -orridge and his band Throbbing Gristle, who's shows and even recorded music, it's said, would cause numerous audience members to throw up (not my cup of tea but if you're looking to provoke a visceral reaction then mission accomplished I guess)
--As a self-proclaimed *creative* who's also a pragmatist I appreciate Albini's pretty utilitarian (contrarian?) views on "meaning"
--His comment about the normie with a giant playlist full of a wide variety of both popular & obscure music from many genres/eras made me feel seen🙋♀️
--as mentioned elsewhere here his comment about being an 80 year-old was very poignant💔
--My autocorrect has continually insisted that I want to say Albino :-/
Thanks again Kemele!
So good! Thank you!
This was a fantastic conversation. I love how Steve talked about not regularizing the sound of the punk bands.
Well done, Kmele. Michael & Matt must be both proud and jealous. I’m really intrigued to see your documentary now too. Hope it’s still available somewhere.
Check out the video in Firehose #103, and work your way back!
I am finally getting around to watching the series now myself, I had been putting it off due to sheer laziness. Really enjoying it so far. Here is a link to a Youtube playlist with all 7 episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_B7bI1QVmJBz9-5hI4sihQbxgcShW77l
Love standard-issue TFC episodes *and* engaging off topic ones like this one. More of both, please!
I really enjoyed this Kmele and I'm glad you were able to feature it on TFC podcast. You were looking for thoughts on it and I have a few I want to share but first I came here to offer this link to the trailer for Sound City, the Dave Grohl documentary about the legendary recording studio discussed in the interview. I saw a serialized version years ago and I learned everything I know about D.C.'s Go-go music scene from the segment on it :-). I think it may be streaming on Apple TV and probably elsewhere.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoOfiLz1G4
Why is that every major music producer/engineer looks like Karl Marx/a cult leader?
I was hoping this missing podcast would be Matt post debate
This podcast was very different, but I truly liked it. There was an earnestness and openness to this that I really liked.
Kmele,
This was one of the best interviews I have listened to for some time. What an interesting subject, and if possible, he can talk more than Moynihan. If there was an Olympic event for talking both would have podium finishes.
Thanks,
Mark Wills
As someone who often gets bored of deep music talk on the normal podcast, I assumed that I was not going to enjoy this and likely skip it. I am so glad I didn't. This really was great work Kmele. A wonderful interview. He mentioned that he talks too long anyway, but you did a great job of asking good questions and then just letting him talk.
Something that I probably wouldn’t have searched out on my own but which vastly entertained me and left me perhaps a little bit smarter. Thank you Kmele 😘
This was a great episode. There was no reason for me to listen to it (nothing I connected with in the headline/description) but am so glad I did. I love the “regular” stuff but definitely appreciate things like this that are outside the norm from each of you three.
I just shared this to the “Noise Rock Now” Facebook page, where the olds gather to reminisce about the ‘90s (and sometimes beyond).
At least you won't be canceled for Moynihan's accents
Lord, these old punk rockers are the scoldiest motherfuckers… I didn’t say it was my “favorite” podcast lol.
There’s nothing like being lectured to by people who used to be GG Allin fans.
We already know your favorite podcast. But my view is that many of the people/groups who are the most "woke" scolds are those who have bad skeletons in their closet.
Nnnnnnnoooo I mean I didn’t say on the Facebook page it was my fav. It 100% is!!
In other words…I’m agreeing with you.
I can think of one old punk rocker who probably isn’t a scold...
John Lydon calls Donald Trump "the Sex Pistols of politics"
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/john-lydon-calls-donald-trump-the-sex-pistols-of-politics/
The Wedding Present forever
When Jason Mojica lived in Chicago I knew him as a strange, almost sexless, chubby kid with his own cafe who rode around town on a Vespa and just showed up at my apartment once in a while. If he had a crush on me, he never made any moves. He was the only person among my peers with any entrepreneurial spirit at all, which made him seem suspect. (So not punk!) Anyhow, it's funny to see his name out there. I hope he's doing well. I'll give this a listen.
Really loved this.
I love listening to people talk about something they are really dialed into! Steve speaks with the kind of wisdom and clarity you only get from decades of pouring your heart and soul into a craft. It was about half way through that it hit me this guy had only recently passed away, and I was surprised how much it saddened me to think a person like this (a fellow Chicagoan no less), was no longer with us. Thank you for sharing this interview with us Kmele! I appreciate the change in topic. Helps me to remember there is more to life than rolling my eyes at whatever the 15-minute news cycle is chasing.