Episode 48: Ted Leo

Explicit content warning

03/03/17 • 89 min

From highly-influential albums like 2001's "The Tyranny of Distance" and 2003's "Hearts of Oak" to his collaboration with Aimee Mann in The Both to the charming, seemingly effortless covers he's laid down in salute to Tears For Fears, The Pogues, Split Enz and more, it's abundantly clear that Ted Leo loves the art of songwriting. Through his kinetic guitar work and a voice that reaches for the rafters, he can jump remarkably from a protest motif to waxing nostalgic, or the 2 Tone movement to power pop, often within the same song. And while it's been a long seven years since his last proper album with the Pharmacists, that doesn't mean one of indie-rock's brightest and most passionate performers hasn't been busy. Announcing that he's honed nearly three albums worth of new material since 2010's "The Brutalist Bricks," the timing was right for a Kickstarter launch earlier this month to fund his upcoming full-length sans label structure. While admitting he had some fears about crowdfunding, Ted's fans and fellow musicians came out in droves to support him when the news dropped, crushing the original goal and then some in less than 24 hours. On today's show, Ted discusses the Kickstarter process, his days as a DJ at school dances as well as on Notre Dame campus radio, some favorite record stores to dig in, a few punk rarities in his collection, his favorite Pharmacists album cover, recording a show direct-to-acetate at Third Man Records in Nashville, whether or not his records with the Pharmacists will be reissued, what keeps him happy and motivated in today's political climate and much more. Follow @tedleo on Twitter, and through March 24th, you can pre-order the new album over at tedleo.com! PLUS we spin a new jam from Boston band Sinnet, who are friends of the show and need your help through PledgeMusic to get their next LP pressed to vinyl. Go to sinnetsongs.com for more info!

Previous Episode

Episode 47: Austin Lucas

Singer/songwriter Austin Lucas' unique, lush voice and DIY ethics have earned him tours with a vast array of artists -- ranging from Frank Turner to Willie Nelson -- and rave reviews from well-known music publications like Q Magazine and No Depression. Today, Austin chats about the influence of fellow Indiana native John Mellencamp, his early attraction to "We Are The World" and the La Bamba soundtrack, having an album rejected by his previous record label, how his background in opera and choir as a child helps him today, why women are too often the villain in country songs, the songwriting career and massive record collection of his father, and much more. You can help Austin fund the recording of his next album, Immortal Americans, by purchasing tickets to his house-show tour, which begins March 10th and goes through May. Those who purchase tickets can also get a download of the specific show they attended! All the details are at austinlucas.com. SPONSORS: Pinwheel Records at 1722 W. 18th St. in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood; Vinyl For A Cause, promoting charitable good, one record sale at a time; Flipbin: the handy as hell, flip-thru, now-playing, keep 'em close, flip/play/display storage for your favorite vinyl records. Follow @VinylEmergency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Questions and feedback are always welcomed at [email protected]. Please consider making a donation over at vinylemeregncy.com, leaving an iTunes review or sharing our program with a friend!

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Episode 49: Allen Epley of Shiner and The Life & Times

Kansas City, MO quartet Shiner are seen as giants of the indefinable mathy/space-rock scene, having built a rabid cult following while touring with acts like Jawbox, Hum and more during the mid-90's/early-00's. For the last five years, the band has done sporadic reunion shows in support of pressing their albums to vinyl for the first time, beginning with 2001's "The Egg," followed by "Starless" (2000) and most recently "Lula Divinia," coinciding with that record's 20th anniversary this year. Today, vocalist/guitarist Allen Epley discusses his journey from 70's AM favorites to indie heavyweights like The Jesus Lizard, his current musical role in Chicago's production of the Blue Man Group, recent happenings with his current trio The Life & Times, how the remastering process works for the Shiner vinyl pressings -- plus how Fall Out Boy's Joe Trohman got that reissue campaign going -- and more! You can order "Lula Divinia" on black or splattered vinyl at shiner.seenmerch.com as well as purchase the latest Life & Times covers EP "Dopplegangers" at thelifeandtimes.bandcamp.com. SPONSORS: Pinwheel Records at 1722 W. 18th St. in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood; Vinyl For A Cause, promoting charitable good, one record sale at a time; Flipbin: the handy as hell, flip-thru, now-playing, keep 'em close, flip/play/display storage for your favorite vinyl records. Use promo code EMERGENCY to save $10 off your order, for a limited time! Follow @VinylEmergency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Questions and feedback are always welcomed at [email protected]. Please consider making a donation over at vinylemeregncy.com, leaving an iTunes review or sharing our program with a friend!