The Rudie Librarian

I spent some time chatting with Aaron Carnes author of In Defense of Ska and podcaster of the same-named podcast. We talk about his journey in ska and journalism, how the book came to be, and all of the rabbit trails therein. Strap in for a good chat.

I am deeply privileged and honored to have one of my favorite authors on the podcast today: Jennifer Mathieu. More than likely you know her from her 4th book that she published which Amy Poehler adapted to a fantastic Netflix film, Moxie. We spend some time discussing Moxie but we also chat about Bad Girls Never Say Die, and her upcoming adult deput novel The Faculty Lounge. There is a lot of fun educator talk in here as both me and Jennifer are educators and so we talk about all of the inside baseball on the new novel. Of course we also discuss our love for punk music. If you love the podcast, please subscribe, review, and share. A video version of this podcast is also available on my YouTube channel.

Today I spent time with the unbelievably cool Christie Gee. Christie is the kind of person that everyone wants to know and be friends with. She is a blogger, podcaster, playlist curator, artist, and all-around kind person. We talk about growing up in Texas in the Tooth and Nail era, her move to California, some of our favorite people, and all of the great things she is involved in creating.

I chat with Josh, Tam, and Brian (Brumpet) about the outstanding upcoming Backyard Superheroes album Mass Hysteria. We discuss New Jersey staples - like is NJ pizza better than NY - and we talk books!

What a fantastic conversation I had with the fabulous Erin MacKenzie from The Rins AND from Big D and the Kids Table AND also from the Doped Up Dollies. Loved all of the Boston talk and hearing about her awesome experiences and the excitement of this new project. There were a few technical difficulties, so pardon the sudden end to the conversation.

There is perhaps no ska band out there that has gotten the sudden and explosive hype that Mutiny has gotten. Their unique, narrative, genre-bending, aggressive music - paired with their fantastic manga - is definitely something you want to check out.

In the longest episode I have done yet, I spend nearly two hours chatting with the best blokes that you need to know. Call Me Malcolm talk to me about everything from tour stories, opinions on wearing their own merch, the new music, yodel-core, possible new entries into their merch stores, and the books they love. Check it out.

The amazing Tara Hahn is back from Half Past Two to discuss their upcoming full-length, Bad Time Records debut, touring, and movies.

In this podcast I chat with James Spooner. James is the creator of the Afro-Punk documentary, author of the acclaimed graphic memoir The High Desert, co-editor of Black Punk Now, and all-around great guy. This is definitely one to catch.

We're Back? I mean, maybe. Probably. Who knows. But what I do know is this episode was a blast to record. I spent time chatting with Andrew, Jessica, and Kerley from Flying Raccoon Suit about their new album Moonflower, their new music videos, their new remix, as well as discussing Garfield, Halloween candy, pollinating vampires, and cult classic films Grind and Monster Squad. Check it out, but strap in....this is a long one.

Did I freak out a little internally (and maybe externally) to interview my all-time favorite band? Yes. Yes I did. If you don't know MxPx, you need to rectify that immediately. Start with their new album. In this episode I talk to Mike about the new album, transitioning from being a high school kid in a punk band to being a husband and father in one. I also bring up the old MxPx hot sauce.

In which Brian catches up with a long-friend, former co-worker, and musician: Josh Glenn of the bands The Josh Glenn Experiment and Yosh & Yimmy. We talk about musical memories, musicians we have met, and what we are listening to now. Plus, plenty of love for Glen Hansard is shared here.

Long time friend of the podcast Jason Zeimet from UnoriginalVinyl is back to discuss the 20th Anniversary vinyl release of The Moon is Down by Further Seems Forever. If you aren't familiar with Further Seems Forever, they are a Florida emo / post-hardcore band whose first album featured Chris Carrabba (of Dashboard Confessional) on vinyl. We also discuss the process of gaining the rights and pressing a vinyl album using The Hippos and Dashboard as examples.

The return (!) of The Rudie Librarian podcast and the return (interrobang) of Starlight Beacon Podcast! Gary and Brian are reunited again to discuss all of the Star Wars: The High Republic and other Star Wars news coming out of Star Wars Celebration

Brian and his long time friend begin a series discussing the art and work of Cameron Crowe. We begin with cult classic, Criterion Collection selection, and seminal high school film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

On this episode I get the pleasure of chatting with Felipe Rosales of Flip and the Combined Effort. Felipe and I met in person for the first time when we were seconds away from sweating in the pit at the Kill Lincoln, We are the Union, and The Slackers show. We spend some time chatting about that show, teaching (since we are both teachers), music, ska, and books.  There is a moment where we get a little confused about the dates of his upcoming shows in relationship to when this show is coming out, so for clarification purposes, Flip and the Combined Effort are playing: June 20th in Denton, TX at Killer Tacos June 22nd in San Antonio, TX at The Starlighter June 23rd in Austin, TX at Flamingo Cantina July 21st in Dallas, TX at Three Links

You don't want to miss this mega-crossover-episode! In response to a Twitter request, On the Upbeat, In Defense of Ska, Ska Punk International, 23 Min of Ska, and The Rudie Librarian podcasts all get together to talk about reading, our love of music, the state of ska, and podcasting in general. Plus early in the episode I announce a coming change. This is our 1 year anniversary episode of The Rudie Librarian. It is also posted as this week's episode of On the Upbeat. I encourage you to listen to it here and then go on and listen again at On the Upbeat.

An episode that was a long-time-coming. Tim and Brit were able to carve some time out of their every increasingly busy schedule to chat with me about everything from their musical backgrounds, interest in ska, love for Taco Bell, future collaborations with other brands, and the Twilight series. Check it out.

Some hometown legends join me as we talk about Ska by Skawest, touring in Texas, convenience store snacks, California-style Mexican food vs TexMex, and the Surge commercial I filmed in my youth. Don't miss hearing Mark and Eric of Madeline and go pick up more of their music.

What don't we talk about in this episode? I really enjoyed chatting with Andrew and Jessica from the phenomenal band Flying Raccoon Suit about their introduction to music, ska, and ultimately the beginning of their band. Even more interesting, we talk about Garfield the cat's possible adulterous relationship with another famed feline , and we talked about marrying cousins. Check this episode out ASAP!

I am super excited to interview Carlos from the amazing band Meskales today. If you haven't heard this band, they absolutely slap - AND - they are a Spanish-language ska band. I spend some time talking to Carlos about being a Spanish-language ska band in the heard of Wisconsin. We also talk about the music that he has loved and been a part of leading up to Meskales, we talk about some great music biographies and histories, and a little bit of Star Wars at the end. Caution for a spoiler about the last couple episodes of The Book of Boba Fett.

Anthony and I just jumped right into the conversation and could have - for sure - talked for another hour after we ended. He tells me about his introduction to ska through an older family member, how he ended up playing with the Guilty Parties (as well as Half Past Two for a hot minute). We also talk about his move to Texas, the Texas ska scene, and teaching before we get into chatting about some great books.

Had a blast talking to Jeremy about his introduction to ska, the formation of Courtesy of Tim and their early days, a lot about mental illness, and we talked about more bands than I think have ever been mentioned on an episode. And of course, we talked books. Check it out.

As a great way to start our 2nd season, as well as a brand new year, I sat down with Chris from Ska Punk International to discuss some of our favorite moments in ska in 2021 and what we are most looking forward to in 2022. We also discussed the fantastic SPI compilation "Songs for Moms." I can't wait for you to get to know Chris, as I do.

Featuring Jason Zeimet from Unoriginal Vinyl, Duck from Joystick!, and Gary from The Backyard Superheroes.

I got a minute to chat with John Ryan while he was driving back home with a friend. We talked about Keep Flying's diverse influences and sounds, their fantastic merchandise, and what is coming next from the band (plus much more).

Craig's Brother has long been one of my favorite punk bands and so it is only fitting that they are the first punk band that I interview. If you have not had the opportunity to listen to Homecoming or Devil's in the Details, they are two of my favorite albums. They have a new album coming now so I was super excited to talk to him about his music, faith, the "Christian" music scene, and of course books galore.  Plus, it should be noted that he made cornbread during this chat. This is my longest podcast ever but it goes to a lot of fun places.

Ska is not only in the US. I mean it didn't even start here. I am super excited to finally go international as I chat with Trosso from Abraskadabra. These guys are absolutely amazing and I loved chatting all things Brazil, ska, and some really cool books with Trosso. Check it out.

After a solid month off, I am excited to get back to it with Jon who's new album Introducing...Mr. Kingpin is a very different vibe from most of the ska we have talked about. Further, we have a lot of fun conversation about ska in Texas, Supernova Ska Festival, and more. Check it out.

I got to have a super-fun chat with Cody from Millington. We talked about Ska for sure but we had a lot of conversations about punk and emo. Some chatting about Dashboard Confessional and Ruston Kelly may have happened. Listen to our fantastic chat about the music videos, manga, and Millington.

It was a blast getting to talk to Duck about growing up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, his history of ska bands, the absolutely killer new Joystick album, recovery, and horror movies! Check it out!

It was so much fun talking to Tahlena from Bite Me Bambi. We probably talked about Murder Podcasts (or True Crime as you have more likely heard it referred to) and musicals more than most people would expect. However, we also talked a lot about her fantastic band, their wonderful music and music videos, ska in general, and of course books!

If you know her, then you know how kind, tirelessly-energetic, and passionate she is. Tara is the lead singer of Half Past Two and in this episode we spend some time talking about all of the amazing music videos that Half Past Two has put out, the great ska music that exists - especially (but not exclusively) those bands from California where Half Past Two hails from, and how there is room at the table for a lot of different types of ska bands. We also shout out some Millington and talk Josie and the Pussycats, and of course we talk books.

Gary has become a great friend over the last year to a year and a half. I am so excited for you to get to know him and all of the stuff that makes him who he is. We talk about ska, Backyard Superheroes, his podcasts (1 about Universal Monsters, 1 about Star Wars High Republic, and 1 that is a bonus for On the Upbeat Patreons. Of course we also hit on Gary's Hot Takes.

What a blast I had chatting with Taylor Morden about ska music, his work on the two phenomenal documentaries Pick it Up! Ska in the 90s AND The Last Blockbuster, comic books, and comic adaptations. Taylor's a great guy and I guarantee you will enjoy this podcast - or your money back*. (This podcast does not cost you anything so there is no money to give back, but SERIOUSLY you will enjoy this episode!)

In this episode, The Rudie Librarian interviews Jason Zeimet. Jason owns Unoriginal Vinyl a company that has helped to create a number of spectacular vinyl albums and pressings including the soundtrack to Pick it Up! Ska in the 90s. Jason also was a producer on Pick it Up and talks about his role in the documentary. This was a really fun and fascinating conversation about music, ska, vinyl, and some of the great books that Jason loves. There a couple of brief instances of language in this episode.

In today's episode Brian interviews Joe Yerke, lead singer of The Insyderz. The Insyderz were "Detroit "Motor City Ska," and one of the big 3 Christian ska bands that first got Brian into ska. In this episode, we discuss Joe's first interactions with ska, the history of the Insyderz, what touring is really like, Joe's two podcasts, and what he likes to read!

In this premier episode of The Rudie Librarian podcast, I talk to Leanor Ortega-Till from the band Five Iron Frenzy. I share how Five Iron helped to connect me to ska and how the documentary she helped produce Pick It Up!: Ska in the 90s helped to bring me back to ska. We talk about the documentary, the band, some old stories and some new. We also talk about the books that Leanor loves. Take a listen.