In Loving Recollection

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.

In the summer of 1995, the Oxford, Mississippi based band Blue Mountain would release their sophomore effort Dog Days. The album would contain a tribute to our nation's 39th president and all-around good human being, Jimmy Carter. In celebration of this great man's 99th birthday, In Loving Recollection alumna Laurie Stirratt and her Blue Mountain bandmate Cary Hudson tell the story of their song “Jimmy Carter.”

In the fall of 1975, the children's educational program Schoolhouse Rock! would debut a song about the history of the Thirteen American Colonies titled “No More Kings.” Two decades later, quintessential American indie rock band Pavement would record a version of the song that would eventually appear on the 1996 tribute album Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks. In Episode 47, Pavement's Bob Nastanovich returns to In Loving Recollection to tell the story of how their recording of “No More Kings” came to be.

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.

In the spring of 2021, singer-songwriter Joan Shelley would visit Earthwave Studio, a recording facility situated in the pastoral landscapes of Shelbyville, Kentucky. In this ideal environment, Shelley and her collaborators would record the collection of songs that would make up her next record. In Episode 45, the native Kentuckian tells the story of her 2022 album The Spur, discussing the lyrical themes and inspirations within the tracks as well as her experience recording them while 7 months pregnant.

Following the release of Teenage Head in 1971, San Francisco's Flamin' Groovies would experience a significant amount of setbacks and change. Eventually, they would persevere and create a classic. In Episode 44, the Flamin' Groovies' Cyril Jordan tells the story of the band's arduous journey in bringing their seminal 1976 record Shake Some Action to fruition.  

In the summer of 1967, the Youngstown, Ohio band known as the Human Beingz would enter a Cleveland recording studio and make a hit record. A few months later, they would return to record a full length album. In Episode 43 of In Loving Recollection, guitarist Ting Markulin tells the story of The Human Beinz and their 1968 debut full-length Nobody But Me. Detailing the events that led to the album's creation, Markulin touches on how the recording of the “Nobody But Me” single first came to be and how its eventual success would cause the band to permanently lose the “g” in their name.

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 frontman 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.

After meeting through the sale of an obscure keyboard, musicians Brian Kehew and Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. would bond over their shared love of vintage synthesizers. Eventually, the two friends would start a band, make a record, and buy some space helmets. In Episode 41 of In Loving Recollection, Kehew and Manning tell the story of The Moog Cookbook's 1996 self-titled debut album, touching on the salad days of affordable synth acquisitions and how their love of Moog centric albums, such as Switched on Bach, helped to inspire the project's conception.

In the spring of 1996, the Georgia based indie rock band Joe Christmas would travel to Chicago to record with engineer and musician Bob Weston. The end result would be a collection of mostly subdued and sparsely arranged material that differed from previous efforts. In Episode 40, Joe Christmas's Zachary Gresham and Russell Holbrook tell the story of the band's sophomore album North To The Future, discussing the inspirations behind the record's lyrics and sounds as well as their experience recording at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio.

Armed with a four track and a vision of a post apocalyptic future, Blitzen Trapper's Eric Earley would spend much of the mid aughts tolling away inside a leaky practice space in downtown Portland. Eventually, a record would emerge. In Episode 39 of In Loving Recollection, Earley tells the story of the band's 2007 album Wild Mountain Nation, detailing the processes and equipment used during its creation and the unexpected outcomes that the end result would produce.

Having recorded their first album as a duo, the San Francisco based band Beulah would make their next record with an expanded lineup and an increase in fidelity. In Episode 38, founding member and multi instrumentalist Bill Swan tells the story of the band's 1999 sophomore effort When You're Heartstrings Break, touching on the various locations and stresses involved in bringing the album to fruition. 

Following the relative success of their sophomore effort Bows + Arrows, New York City's The Walkmen decide to finish out 2004 with the release of a holiday themed 7”. In Episode 37, The Walkmen's Walter Martin makes his triumphant return to In Loving Recollection to tell the story of the band's Christmas Party single.

With Capricorn Studio shut down due to a remodel, the Macon, Georgia by way of Jacksonville, Florida band Cowboy would travel to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama to make a record. In Episode 36, Cowboy's Tommy Talton tells the story of the band's 1971 sophomore album 5'll Getcha Ten, touching on the inspiration drawn from their time living together at an old farmhouse outside of Macon and their experience working in the studio with producer Johnny Sandlin and guitarist Duane Allman.

After moving with his family to upstate New York, singer-songwriter Walter Martin would set up in an old, one room schoolhouse and begin working on the material that would make up his next record. In Episode 35, Martin tells the story of his brand new album The Bear. Recorded at his home with some additional sessions in Los Angeles, the former member of The Walkmen and Jonathan Fire*Eater discusses the process of developing the album's overall sound as well as the inspirations behind much of its lyrical content.

In Episode 34 of In Loving Recollection, Chicago native Liam Kazar tells the story of his 2021 debut record Due North. Recorded at various locations with help from an encouraging group of collaborators, the Kansas City based musician discusses the experiences that led to the album's creation, touching on the specific influences that inspired the record's overall sound and the vital piece of songwriting advice he received from Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.

While researching the life of English mathematician John Venn, Nashville based singer-songwriter Lou Turner became inspired after discovering parallels between her life and his. In Episode 33, Turner tells the story of her 2020 album Songs for John Venn. Recounting the events that led up to the record's creation, the native Texan touches on how her work at a library influenced much of the album's lyrical direction as well as her experience recording with her Styrofoam Winos bandmates.

After meeting at American University in the late 90s, Roman Kuebler and Dan Black would collaborate on a recording project that would eventually morph into the Baltimore, Maryland based quintet The Oranges Band. In Episode 32, Kuebler and Black tell the story of their band's 2003 debut full length All Around, touching on their signing with noted independent punk label Lookout Records and their experience of making the album at Key Club Recording Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

During their brief time together, the legendary power pop trio The Nerves struggled to gain any sort of recognition. In an effort to remedy the situation, the San Francisco based band would enter a Chinese recording studio and make a record. In Episode 31, The Nerves' Paul Collins and Jack Lee tell the story of their classic 4 song EP, detailing the band's formation as well as their various schemes and attempts at achieving rock and roll glory.

Having made a name for himself as an engineer and producer during the burgeoning college rock scene of the early 80s, Mitch Easter would form the band Let's Active with bassist Faye Hunter and drummer Sara Romweber as a vehicle for his own songwriting. In Episode 30, Easter tells the story of the band's 1984 debut full length Cypress. Recounting the events surrounding the album's creation, the native North Carolinian touches on the band's experience working in the studio he built inside his parents' garage and how a bandmate's really great hair would lead to their signing with I.R.S Records.  

With their matching suits and unabashed love of the classic pop song, the band Holiday would become one of the country's finest practitioners of indie pop during the alternative rock heyday of the 1990s. In Episode 29, Holiday's Josh Gennet and Matt Snow tell the story of the band's sophomore record Ready, Steady, Go. Detailing the events that led to the album's creation, the two former bandmates discuss their beginnings in the hallowed halls of Yale University as well as their experience working in the studio with producer Dave Trumfio.

In the summer of 1994, David Berman along with bandmates Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich, and Steve West entered Easley McCain Recording in Memphis, Tennessee. The end result would be Starlite Walker. In Episode 28, Silver Jews founding member Bob Nastanovich tells the story of the band's debut full length recounting Berman's excursion into the woods of Oxford, Mississippi to write the album's lyrics as well as the impetus for and the experience of working in a professional recording studio.

In the winter of 2001, the Los Angeles based psychedelic country band Beachwood Sparks traveled to a snowy New England to make a record at J Mascis's house. In Episode 27, bassist Brent Rademaker tells the story of the band's sophomore album Once We Were Trees. Recounting the events that led to the album's creation, Rademaker touches on the influences that shaped the record's lyrics and sounds as well as the band's experience working with producer Thom Monahan.

When her plans to tour in January of 2019 get delayed, Michigan born songwriter Rosali Middleman decides to travel to South Carolina to spend some time alone and focus on new material. In Episode 26, Middleman tells the story of how her 2021 record No Medium came to be. Recorded in a Nebraska basement with David Nance Group as her backing band, the sometimes Philadelphian touches on the events that inspired the album's lyrics and her experience of releasing music during a pandemic.

After a chance encounter with a mysterious instrument called an optigan at a thrift store in Oakland, musician Pea Hicks brings it to his home in San Diego and quickly begins making music with his roommate Rob Crow (Pinback, Heavy Vegetable, Thingy). In Episode 25 of In Loving Recollection, the members of Optiganally Yours tell the story of their 1997 debut album Spotlight on Optiganally Yours touching on how the concept for the band was developed and the steps that were taken to avoid being viewed as a novelty act.

Following the release of his band's 2005 record We're Already There, Quentin Stoltzfus would lose the right to perform and record under the name Mazarin. Eight years later, he would finally release new music under the name Light Heat. In Episode 24, Stoltzfus tells the story of Light Heat's long journey to completion, touching on the events that inspired the record's themes of loss and hope as well as the experience of bringing the songs to fruition with the help of his friends in The Walkmen.

In the early 2000s, indie rock stalwarts Superchunk had entered a period of reduced activity. With his long-standing project Portastatic becoming his main musical outlet, Superchunk frontman and Merge Records co-founder Mac McCaughan travels to San Francisco with his Superchunk bandmate Jim Wilbur and brother Matt McCaughan to make a record. In Episode 23, McCaughan delves into the making of 2005's Bright Ideas touching on how fatherhood and the era's political climate would inspire the album's themes.

In January of 2012, singer-songwriter Josephine Foster, who was living abroad at the time, returned to her home state of Colorado to make a record. In Episode 22 of In Loving Recollection, Foster tells the story of her 2012 album Blood Rushing discussing the origins behind the album’s song cycle as well as her experience creating the music with producer Andrija Tokic and a cast of sympathetic musicians. 

When childhood friends Ben Crum, Dan Donahue, and Jamey Huggins all eventually move to Athens, Georgia in the 1990s, they begin making music under the name Great Lakes.  Episode 21 of In Loving Recollection explores the making of their 2000 self-titled debut. Self-recorded at home with the assistance and support of a strong musical community, the album’s core trio discusses the trial by error process of the record’s production as well as the inspirations behind its sights and sounds. 

In Episode 20 of In Loving Recollection, Philadelphia native Eric Slick tells the story of his 2020 record Wiseacre. Recorded in his home base of Nashville, Tennessee with producer Jeremy Ferguson (Lambchop, Turbo Fruits), the multi-instrumentalist discusses the circumstances that shaped the album’s creation touching on the inspirations behind record’s sound and the influence that his marriage to singer-songwriter Natalie Prass had on the lyrical content.  

Following the release of her 2nd album in the Fall of 2018, singer-songwriter Molly Burch decides to spend 2019 making a Christmas record. For Episode 19 of In Loving Recollection, the Austin, TX based artist discusses how the The Molly Burch Christmas Album came to be. Telling the story of the album’s creation, Burch touches on the unexpected normalcy of recording holiday music during springtime as well as the lasting effects the project has had on her songwriting. 

In the Winter of 2003, twin siblings Laurie and John Stirratt found themselves living in the same city for the first time in many years. Taking full advantage of the reunion, the Stirratts decide to make a record. For Episode 18 of In Loving Recollection, John Stirratt (Wilco, The Autumn Defense, Uncle Tupelo) and Laurie Stirratt (Blue Mountain, Teardrop City) tell the story of their 2004 album Arabella. Recounting the events that led to the album’s creation, the Stirratts discuss the process of writing and demoing songs while living in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago as well as the inspiration drawn from their childhood spent in close proximity to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Following a hiatus from her work as a touring and recording artist, Mountain Man’s Molly Sarlé decided to once again make music. In Episode 17 of In Loving Recollection, Sarlé tells the story of her debut solo album Karaoke Angel. Touching on the events that led to the album’s creation, the North Carolina based songwriter speaks of her inspiring visits to a Karaoke bar in Big Sur, California and her experience working with producer Sam Evian at Dreamland Studios in Upstate New York.

In the nascent days of New York City’s early 2000s rock scene, brothers Max and Julian Tepper along with drummer Derek Vockins created short and efficient bursts of melodically jagged pop under the name The Natural History. For Episode 16 of In Loving Recollection, the band tells the story of their 2003 debut record Beat Beat Heartbeat delving into their experience working with producer Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers, Beachwood Sparks) and the stresses of writing a record in a short window of time.

During the 1980s music scene known as the Paisley Underground, no other band effortlessly combined 60s Psychedelia with the DIY spirit of Punk better than Rain Parade. In episode 15 of In Loving Recollection, Rain Parade’s Matt Piucci tells the story of the band’s 1983 debut record Emergency Third Rail Power Trip touching on his early fruitful relationship with former bandmate and friend David Roback and the self discovery made while being in the recording studio for the first time.

Beside having one of the best middle names in independent music, singer and guitarist Jake Xerxes Fussell is one of his generation’s finest interpreters of traditional music. In Episode 14 of In Loving Recollection, the Georgia native tells the story of his 2017 record What in the Natural World and discusses how his early exposure to art and folk culture as well as his relocation to North Carolina led to the album’s creation. 

In the mid-90s, a group of like-minded bands known as the Elephant 6 Collective began to establish their presence throughout the various indie rock scenes of the U.S. with their most fruitful activity growing in the fertile soils of Athens, Georgia. Elf Power, one of many bands operating out of the Classic City, would become one of the scene’s best. In Episode 13 of In Loving Recollection, Elf Power’s Andrew Rieger tells the story of the band’s 1999 record A Dream in Sound. Recounting the events that led to the album’s creation, Rieger speaks on their experience working with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev) and the valuable practice of dream journaling. 

In the fall of 2003, singer-songwriter Jason Molina confused many with his decision to retire the Songs: Ohia moniker and begin recording and touring with a set group of musicians under the name Magnolia Electric Company. In Episode 12 of In Loving Recollection, Molina’s friends and bandmates recount the making of Magnolia Electric Company’s studio debut What Comes After the Blues touching on how the songs were developed through constant touring as well as their experience working with legendary engineer Steve Albini.

Midwest native Kevin Morby has been one of the more consistent songwriters of his generation since his solo debut in 2013.  For Episode 11 of In Loving Recollection, Morby discusses the making of his 2017 record City Music. Speaking on the inspiration that New York played during the writing process, the artist also touches on his experience of recording with band mates Meg Duffy (Hand Habits) and Justin Sullivan (Night Shop) in Stinson Beach, California as well as working with the late, great Richard Swift. 

For Episode 10, Los Angeles based songwriter Chris Cohen tells the story of his 2012 solo debut Overgrown Path. The multi-instrumentalist discusses the circumstances that shaped the album’s creation touching on the joys and stresses of DIY recording and the influence that his move to Vermont had on the record’s overall sound.

Following the demise of Pavement in 1999, founding member Scott Kannberg, aka Spiral Stairs, makes the most of the break up with his new project Preston School of Industry. Looking back on the moments that shaped his experience, Kannberg delves into the making of Preston School of Industry’s 2001 debut record All This Sounds Gas for Episode 9 of In Loving Recollection. Created in an atmosphere very different from that of Pavement’s final album, Kannberg discusses the joy of returning to lo-fi recording and the influences that helped to inform the record’s sound.

From a town known for birthing great music, Athens, Georgia’s The Glands produced what is considered by many to be one of the best records to ever come out of the Classic City. In this episode The Glands’ Joe Rowe and Doug Stanley tell the story of the band’s 2000 record The Glands. Recalling the events and experiences surrounding the making of the album, Rowe and Stanley speak on the excitement of signing with legendary Southern label Capricorn Records as well as share memories of their friend and bandmate Ross Shapiro. 

During the 1960s, in which girl groups were at their height, there was nothing quite like “Egyptian Shumba” by the Pennsylvania-based group The Tammys. In Episode 7 of In Loving Recollection, sisters Gretchen and Cathy Owens tell the story of the three singles they recorded with their classmate Linda Jones for United Artists Records. Reminiscing about their relationship with friend and mentor Lou Christie, the sisters also speak on their times in the recording studio and how their shrieking and howling once caused all the musicians in the studio to stop playing.

Jackson, Mississippi’s Tim Lee and Bobby Sutliff recorded jangly power pop under the name the Windbreakers during the heyday of 80s college radio. In Episode 6 of In Loving Recollection, Lee tells the story of their 1985 record Terminal. Speaking on the events that led to the album’s creation, Lee touches on working with legendary producer Mitch Easter ( R.E.M, Let’s Active, Pavement) and how the isolation of Mississippi caused the band to create their own scene.

Austin-based songwriter Caroline Sallee makes wistful and dreamy indie rock under the moniker Caroline Says. In Episode 5 of In Loving Recollection, the Alabama native delves into the making of her 2018 record No Fool Like an Old Fool speaking on her method of writing and recording songs simultaneously and her penchant for re-conceptualizing pieces of culture. 

Athens, Georgia in the mid to late 90s boasted an exceptionally strong music scene, and one of the great bands to emerge from that time was kincaid.. Episode 4 of In Loving Recollections explores the making of kincaid.’s 1999 record Super Hawaii. As told by through the memories of kincaid.’s Greg Harmelink, Dan Geller, Ryan Lewis, and Sean Rawls, the episode touches on the beginnings of Kindercore Records and how seeing a particular speed boat while out on tour influenced much of the record’s lyrical content.    

Multi-instrumentalist and all around creative spirit John Andrews (Woods, Hand Habits, Cut Worms) tells the story of his 2017 record Bad Posture in "Episode 3" of In Loving Recollection. Recorded with his "band" the Yawns, Andrews details the experiences that led to the making of his 2nd album including his move from Pennsylvania to a New Hampshire farmhouse as well as the freedoms and challenges that come with the life of an independent artist.

Episode 2 of In Loving Recollection tells the story of Clem Snide’s 2000 record Your Favorite Music. Singer and songwriter Eef Barzelay recounts the circumstances that influenced the writing and recording of the album, touching on how New Jersey inspired much of the record’s lyrical content and the thrill of signing with music industry legend Seymour Stein.

For the first episode of In Loving Recollection, Michael Holland of the North Carolina band Jennyanykind tells the story of their 1996 record Revelater. Speaking on the elements and events that inspired the album’s creation, Holland also touches the band’s experience working with noted producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Spoon) and their short foray into the major label system.

In Loving Recollection is a podcast in which each episode explores the creation of a particular record. With help from the artists responsible, the show tells the story of an album and the creative process behind its conception.  Musicians detail the experiences that lead to the writing and recording of their record, as well as the aftermath following its release. The podcast is a celebration of the victories and defeats present in a life devoted to the pursuit of artistic expression. This is a show that centers on the idea of memories and the connections we make with a piece of music. In Loving Recollection is made for the listener that has spent way too much time reading liner notes and thinking about music; it is a show made by an obsessive for other obsessives.