Stereo Embers: The Podcast

"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 tourin

“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.

"Give This Album A Grammy And Get On With It” It’s hard to explain how brilliant Bernard Fowler’s new album Inside Out is. A percussive and poetic spoken word reimagining of The Rolling Stones’ songbook, Inside Out is an innovative and wildly creative collection. If there’s any justice in this world, this record will not only be nominated for an album—it will win one. A touring member of The Stones since 1989, the New York-born Fowler has one of the most distinctive voices in the business. In this interview he chats with Alex about having Mick Jagger hear his interpretations of his compositions, the magic of Ray Parker Jr. and the wisdom of age. He also talks about working with John Lydon and Duran Duran and he has a priceless reaction when Alex compares him to Frank Sinatra….

“Kristin Hersh Makes Me Feel Better About My Birthday” It’s not easy turning…22. Okay, 49, but what really takes the sting out of the advancing years is a conversation with Kristin Hersh on your birthday. Alex welcomes the singer/songwriter back to the podcast on his birthday and the two get right to it, chatting about life, family, art and survival. They cover Hersh’s perspective on the Throwing Muses, why you should always separate the artist from the art and the rigors of the music industry. A spirited, lively and hilarious chat, Hersh is one of the most entertaining, brilliant and engaging people to talk to and this interview is filled with laughs, insight and conversational momentum.

"Of Sisyphus And The Rock (And Roll)” In this conversation with Wylder’s Will McCarry, Alex and the singer/guitarist uncover the tricky and bottomless nature of being an artist, likening the process to Sisyphus rolling the rock up the hill. In other words, once a song is written, instead of spiking the ball and stopping the clock, musicians go back to the grindstone to do it all over again. An intimate, revealing and honest chat about the life of a musician, McCarry talks to Alex about how he brings ideas to his band, why he felt unsatisfied playing certain gigs, and how he balances working life with the artistic life. They also chat about Wilder’s new album Golden Age Thinking, the importance of family support, sonic evolution and the career of the band Chicago….

“I Haven’t Talked To Stephanie Seymour In 30 Years” The last time I spoke to Stephanie Seymour was 1989. She was a publicist at Island Records and I was the Music Director of my college radio station. Stephanie and I lost touch after she left Island to go on tour with her band The Aquanettas but we’re back in touch now! In this entertaining conversation Seymour catches Alex up on the last 30 years and talks about what happened to the Aquanettas, why she didn’t make music for ten years and how she met her husband Bob Perry of Winter Hours. She also talks about her love of Stewart Copeland, why Alex Van Halen sounds the way he does, and her new album There Are Birds.

“Don Felder Says You’ll Never Master The Game” Although he’s one of the most legendary guitar players of all time, Don Felder says music is like golf—it’s a game you can’t master. That said, Felder is pretty masterful. The Florida born musician’s third solo album American Rock and Roll is further evidence that he’s one of the most innovative players on the planet and at the height of his creative powers. In this chat Felder talks to Alex about musical discipline, his love of B.B. King and what makes music eternal. He also talks about the power of collaboration, his teaming up with folks like Slash and Peter Frampton for his new album, and why it’s okay if an idea doesn’t always work out the way you planned…

“Two Terrible High School Class Presidents Come Clean” It doesn’t take long in this conversation with Modern Love Child’s Jonny Shane for he and Alex to realize they had a few things in common: they were both high school class president and they were both terrible at it. Motivated only by giving disruptive speeches, the two laugh about how they had no interest or capacity in their jobs beyond that. But poor student officer past aside, Shane is a remarkable songwriter, whose compositions are flecked with truth and soul. Falling somewhere between the heartbreaking precision of Evan Dando and the introspection of Rogue Wave, Modern Love Child’s music is a stirring blend of nervy indie rock and rootsy groove. In this entertaining chat, the Connecticut-born Shane talks to Alex about growing up back east, making a home in California and why he’s not a great boyfriend at the moment. They also chat about how Shane had to hide his musical proclivity from his football teammates, his newfound love of surfing and what t

Geoff Downes Always Knew He Wasn’t Going To Be A Concert Pianist” Although Geoff Downes is a staggering keyboard player who is truly one of modern music’s great composers and innovators, as a young man, he came to terms with the fact that he wasn’t going to be a concert pianist. Taking an alternative path through music, Downes formed The Buggles with Trevor Horn, then joined Yes for their Drama album. Teaming up with John Wetton of King Crimson, Steve Howe of Yes and Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Downes formed Asia and the band’s debut hit #1 in America for 9 straight weeks. In this conversation Downes talks to Alex about the rare gifts of John Wetton, his own discipline as a player and whether or not he ever felt intimidated playing alongside such powerful and gifted musicians. He also talks about the state of the keyboard in the current cultural landscape, his joy of playing live and whether or not The Buggles will be putting out new music.

“Chris Stamey Doesn’t Normally Do These Things” And by “things” we mean podcasts….It’s true: the Chapel Hill, North Carolina singer/songwriter doesn’t show up a lot on podcasts, but we got lucky by catching him at just the right time and he agreed to be on the show. Stamey may have cut his teeth with the db’s back in the early ‘80s, but since then he’s been a critically-acclaimed solo artist, a respected producer of bands like Le Tigre and Whiskeytown and the author of one of THE great rock and roll memoirs of all time—A Spy In The House Of Loud: New York Songs And Stories. In this interview Stamey talks to Alex about his new double album New Songs For The 20th Century, Elvis Costello and what he taught Ryan Adams. He also talks about artistic discipline, the power of Tom Verlaine and reuniting with his childhood piano.

“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

“Laces Says 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 a

“There Will Be 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….