Brian Oake Show

Nick Leet (High On Stress, Figure Eights podcast) makes a long-overdue return to the SmartStartMN Studio. We talk about his new solo record (Detours) and all that that entails. We also dig into the forthcoming new High On Stress record, his podcast (which is excellent, btw), and his partcipation in Front Row Paul Fest, happening all weekend at Palmers. Nick is the best. Enjoy!

He's been improvising for 30 years in the Twin Cities.  His main group is "Five Man Job", but he also ran Huge Theater.  He runs Improv-A-Go Go at Strike Theater the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month AND he helps to run Twin Cities Improv Festival which is happening June 5th through 9th at Phoenix Theater on 26th and Hennepin in Minneapolis.  (Get tickets at the Twin Cities Improv Festival website).   Great song picks by Butch.  Enjoy!  

Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES) makes her inaugural visit ti the podcast to talk a little bit of everything. Her roots in Iowa, the two great bands she sings with and being a single mom who knows how to Rock n Roll. She's delightful, insightful and very funny. She also brought along some great music. Enjoy!

The Combo is back in the house! Julius 'Juice' Collins and Brian Z (Dr. Mambo's Combo) return to talk about a very special tribute to Prince. 'Forever In My Life: A Birthday Tribute To Prince' will feature the Combo playing Prince songs from every era of his legendary career. The celebration is on Weds, June 4th at The Parkway Theater. Juice and Z are always a great conversation. Enjoy!

MN music stalwart James 'Billy' Dankert (Gear Daddies, Insitutional Green, etc) stops by to talk music and the world in which we live. We get lots of good stuff - Gear Daddies stories, tales of backstage debauchery and hear his latest solo effort. I wish we could have kept him longer! Enjoy.

MN filmaker Paul Irmiter (39 Seconds) joins us to talk process, story and many other fascinating facets of filmaking. Hit latest full-length documentary '39 Seconds' tell the very little-known story of a man who many considered the greatest baseball player of his generation. It's an incredible story, and the story about making this film is also very interesting. This film has won numerous awards and was even picked up by PBS. Enjoy!

Edie Rae (The Edie Rae Band, The deLinda's, etc) makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStart MN studio! From humble beginnings in Spread Eagle, WI, she brings a lifetime of songwriting, storytelling and a fierce love of the Twin Cities music community to the conversation. She runs her own record label, is bringing out a MN Music themed cookbook, and so much more. This was a fun one. Enjoy!

What exactly is a front porch sinner?  You'll just have to listen to find out.  This outstanding Duluthian band has a new album coming out soon...if only enough people kick on their Kickstarter campaign.  https://tinyurl.com/525yusfk  We had a great conversation with Breanne and found out why she's so passion about their music AND she shared secret places in Duluth!  

Our old friend, Youa Vang stopped by to share what she's working on at the Ramsey County Historical Society and of course her amazing cross-stitch work with her sister.  Third Daughter, Restless Daughter work can be found at 3drdcrafts.com and on all the socials.  See them at Art-A-Whirl this year.  We love Youa!  

This Sunday may be Easter, but it's also 4/20!! Chris Mozena, Executive Director of the Hook & Ladder, tells us all about the annual ZEN20 celebration. Stoner bingo, live music (dosh!!!) and a coule rounds of The Bong Show, hosted by local comedian Ira Ford. Tune in turn on and turn out this Sunday for this highest of holidays! Cheers!!

Matthew French comes back to the 'cast and opens up a vein! We go unexpectedly deep on his journey with mental health. We also hear three songs from his new full length "Circles', which is largely informed by his aforementioned journey. The new album streams everywhere May 1st. You can also check him out live in Duluth on 4/27. Find out more at mfrenchmusic.com Enjoy!

These days, Drew Peterson is a solo artist, but he used to be the main man behind Midwestern greats 40 Watt Bulb. This Friday (4/11) at the Hook and Ladder, Drew and company will be playing 40 Watt's debut release 'Shovel's Length Short' in it's entirety to celbrate the 21st anniversay of that release. We talk life in rural Minnesota, on the road and hear some genuinely excellent music. Enjoy!

Ryan Robert Nelson joined us on today's show!  You've seen him in local TV commericals, in local productions for many years at Brave New Workshop and Yellow Tree Theater and now Ryan joins us to talk to us about his current project, the Folsom Prison Experience and original Johnny Cash tribute show that is touring and will arrive at the Fitzgeral theater in Saint Paul in October.  Ryan is hilarious and we highly suggest you buy tickets to anything he's involved with.  

It's the return of the Unofficial Mayor of St. Paul! Once again, Martin Devaney is back in the SmartStartMN Studio. We talk about his latest release, Blueprint For A Ghost, and his upcoming gigs. I'm glas Martin is a friend of the show. Enjoy!

This time, we are joined by MN author Scott Berndt. His book John Cleese Saved My Life...and Other True Tales of Pop, Politics and Prayer is an illuminating look at the intersection of Life, Music and Perspective. A very thoughtful man with great taste in music. Enjoy!

Reknowned MN music writer Jim Meyer joins to talk about the halcyon days of writing about the scene for City Pages. We also cover his time at the Minnesota Daily, The Star Tribune, writing for a major record retailer and more. After a twenty year absence from music journalism he's back on Substack. We cover a lot of ground and he chose some excellent MN music to puncuate the proceedings. Enjoy!

Chad Whittaker (Kung Fu Hippies) is back! Kung Fu Hippies are also back with a brand new album 5+ years in the making. 'North' will be released Friday March 28, and their massive album release extravaganza will happen the following night at Bunker's. The new songs sound great! Just listen for yourself. Enjoy!

Yay! It's the return of my dear, dear friend Keri Noble! She just recorded a brand new album in a highly unothodox manner. She brought along Matt Patrick (The Library Recording Studio) who helped her with this unlikely, yet wonderful project. We also debut three brand new songs! This one warmed my heart. I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

John Cosgrove joined us for the All Irish edition of the show in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.  Always great craic with Johnny!  Enjoy the tunes and the cheeky banter.

Mike Michel is more than the main brain behind the band The Orange Goodness. He's also a frequent musical collaborator, educator and a wealth of musical knowledge and good stories. His Indie Rock Den series (think School Of Rock for adults) has an upcoming showcase and is taking applicants for the next series. Enjoy!

This time Dylan Hicks  stops by to talk about the life and times of...Dylan Hicks. We also cover his upcoming  show at the Dakota with Sarah Morris, and hear plenty of his music. Enjoy!

We were joined by Elizabeth Ghandour from the band ELOUR.  She's the main singer and songwriter for the band.  This was a band stumbled into at The Big Turn festival a couple of weeks ago and we knew we had to have her on.  She plays one live and a couple off of her last album.  Shows coming up.  Check your local listings.  

Two-thirds of Turn Turn Turn stopped by to premier their new song "Hungry Ghosts", which is being released on Friday, February 298th.  Lovely conversation with Adam and Barb.  Enjoy!

Sean and his wifey went to the Big Turn Music Festival this last weekend.  He reviews the entire weekend and picked some songs that he absolutely loved on trip.  Please subscribe and share.  

The lovely and fierce Karan Casey spent an hour with us today to discuss her music which is rooted in passion and social justice.  She's performed with James Taylor, The Dubliners, The Chieftain's and many others.  She'll be performing at Celtic Junction in St. Paul on March 16th and tickets are still available.  Slainte'!  

Minnesota's own Pam Linton joined us to talk about her life as a country music performer, her life with country star Sherwyn Linton and her upcoming CD release party of "Songs of the Carter Family" on March 14th at Crooner's Supper Club in Fridley.  Get tickets before they're gone!  

Our dear friend and sponsor, Michael Anschel of OA Design, Build, Architecture joined us to let out some frustration about the current administration and to give some hope for our entire nation.  We talk Super Bowl halftime show, his fantastic business and so much more.  Enjoy!

Sarah Morris and Doug Collins treated us to three live songs in the SmartStartMN studio.  We shared "Plinko" stories, "petting the Ginko" and much much more.  They are both old friends of the show, so this one is particularly silly.  They will be at the White Squirrel the last Wednesday of every month until the end of time.  Enjoy!

Friend of the show, Ric Menck, joins us to pay tribute to Rob Sheeley. Rob was many things throughout his life, but probably best known as the proprietor and spritual core of the the Hopkins record store, Mill City Sound. We talk about the man and play some  of his favorite songs. Enjoy!

It's going to be close to 50 degrees in Minneapolis today.  Sean has a hankerin' for a bike ride.  That's today's theme.  Enjoy!

Brian is back from an illness.  He talks about it on the show and his path moving forward.  You'll hear some great tunes...a few tears from both of us, and some hope!  

My dear friend, Julius Collins comes out swinging!  We talk about the Trumpster fire, what's wrong and right with America.  Vikings intergenerational heartbreak.  And,  Juice picks some outstanding tunes, from Greazy Meal to Prince, to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.  Check out his Marvin Gaye tribute at the historic Capri Theatre on the North Side in February.  Tickets are still available.  You can always see him throwing down Sunday nights at 9ish with Dr. Mambo's Combo at Bunkers.  Dig!  

John Cosgrove (our Irish brother) talked about his Minnesota connections traveling to Ireland.  We talked a bit about what the Irish think about our recent election and John and I share many cover songs and why we love it when an artist makes the cover their own.  Enjoy the craic!

Our good friend John Cosgrove joined as co-host today. John is from near northern Ireland and he shared a bevy of great stories about growing up in Ireland and we focused the music around the trend of performers singing with their original accents, instead of trying to sound American.  We had a blast!  

Katy Vernon is back to talk about her music, music she loves and about her version of spirituality and so much more.  Enjoy!  Help her fund the new Favourite Girl album by going to GoFundMe.com and searching "Favourite Girl" (in that funky English spelling.  

Katy Vernon was on the show.  We talked a ton about her new music with her band, Favourite Girl and upcoming events like the Women's March and an event at White Squirrel.  We added a dose of recovery and mental health solutions as well.  Enjoy!  

You say you want a resolution, well, ya know... Front Row Paul is back as co-host and this time we talk about what he's looking forward to in 2025, live shows, golf and giving back.  He pulled some great tunes for this show.  Enjoy!

Are you kidding me?  Front Row Paul was on the show with me today, filling in as co-host while Brian is out.  We talked about the history of FRP and how he fell in love with music, a little politics and even some golf.  Enjoy!

Aaron Seymour joins the Brian Oake Show once again.  This time he highlights his favorite songs and shows of 2024 and previews his hopes and fears of 2025.  Enjoy!  

You may remember him from such bands as The Widgets, The Delilahs or even Bleek & Grimm.  I know him as Aaron Seymour, international man of mystery.  Aaron and I played some of our favorite Christmas tunes and told stories of getting the gifts we almost wanted as children.  Thanks to Aaron for co-hosting.  We're all hoping Brian is on the mend and will be back soon.  

Doug Collins co-hosted the show again and we talked about Christmas past and present, but ignored the future.  He picked some great tunes and shared some great stories.  Enjoy!  

Doug Collins came in to co-host the Brian Oake Show.  Brian is out with an illness.  Please send good vibes his way.  We talked about the passing of the incredible Slim Dunlap.  We also talked about the year that was 2024 and what Doug has coming up in 2025.  Enjoy!

Lizz Winstead!  Lizz mother-effin' Winstead was on the show today to promote Vajamma Party at the Parkway Theater and her year in review show (year 15 and it's fantastic).  We'll link to tickets in the  promos.  Great conversation  and a GIGANTIC holiday food tip!

Our good friend, Ben Cook-Feltz stopped by to bring us some holiday cheer with some of the great tunes off his Merry BCF-ing Christmas album.  He's doing a show with special guests this Sunday, 18/8 from 2pm-4ish on Sunday at the Cedar Cultural Center.  This is a kid-friendly show.  It all benefits the Rein In Sarcoma foundation.  Cheers!

Our good friend, Ed Cohen from SmartStartMN joined us to talk about Thanksgiving and Ikesgiving at First Avenue on Wednesday night.  Christ Costello, The Delilah's and then Ike will perform.  Great music and great conversation.  What are you thankful for this year?  

We did the show live for the very first time.  We were at HiFi Hair & Records and our friend Jon Clifford hosted the whole shindig.  Thank you again to SmartStartMN.com/thebrianoakeshow and OADesignbuild.com for sponsoring.  Thanks to Ben & Aaron from Fairwell Milwaukee and Molly Maher & Steve from Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers for performing.  We truly appreicate all of our listeners and our Patreon members.  Much love!

Ben Lubeck and Aaron Markson of the band Farewell Milwaukee join us in anticipation of their Brian Oake Show 5 year anniversary performance at HiFi Hair & Records this Thursday at 5pm.  They perform two songs in this episode that are not to be missed.  Please subscribe and share.  Thanks!

Local music legend Molly Maher joins us this week AND! joins us one week from tonight to perform at our 5 Year Anniversary show for the podcast. It's free!! Find out everything you need to know and learn much more about this fascinating performer on this episode. Cheers!

Woo Hoo! The 5th annivesary of our show is next week! It's free event , and filled with excellent music. It's happening early at Hi-Fi Hair and Records, so who better to check in with than our dear friend Jon Clifford!?! This is a fun one. Oh, we may have said a few things about it being election day...Enjoy!!

This time, Jillian Rae! She has a new Halloween single and a big video release show this Thursday at Icehouse. She's freaking rad. Listen learn, and enjoy! 

Allow us to introduce you to Nothwoods Goth. Founders Katie Shapiro and Laura Menck join us to talk about this very Minnesotan entrepreneurial endeavor. Moody, homey and maybe just a little spooky, this is a company that's got my attention. Enjoy!