In Loving Recollection

After forming in 1978, the New York City based band The dB’s would, by the next year, begin recording material at Blue Rock Studio in Manhattan. The end result would become a seminal classic. In Episode 58, Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby tell the story of their band’s 1981 debut full-length Stands for deciBels. Recounting their formation and the recording of the album, the two bandmates detail their long history of playing music together which first began during their youth in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In the Spring of 2022, singer-songwriter Milan McAlevey would begin to develop the material that would make up his 3rd solo release. Working in his home studio in South Portland, Maine, the songs would start to move in a specific direction while still maintaining the same darkness, humor, and sincerity of his past works. In Episode 57, McAlevey tells the story of his 2024 album Bucksport Motel, discussing its lyrical inspirations, the influence country music had over its musical direction, and the people that would help color the finished product.

After a day spent searching for a place to make a record, members of the Richmond, VA by way of Redlands, CA band Cracker would decide to make a detour and get something to eat at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. It was there that everything would seemingly fall into place. In Episode 56, Cracker’s David Lowery tells the story of his band's 1993 sophomore effort Kerosene Hat. Recorded with producer Don Smith in Pioneertown, Lowery touches on the band’s experience making the album in an old barn that once served as a soundstage and the unexpected commercial success that would follow its release.

In the summer of 2000/2001, Melbourne, Australia's The Lucksmiths would enter Audrey Studios in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond to record with producer Craig Pilkington. When the sessions were complete, the band would emerge with an ambitious new album. In Episode 55, The Lucksmiths’ Marty Donald and Mark Monnone tell the story of their 2001 indie pop classic Why That Doesn’t Surprise Me. Detailing the events and experiences that led to its creation, the bandmates discuss the writing and recording process as well as the people that helped shape the album’s direction and sound.

After experiencing some success with the release of his band’s fifth album Nixon and quitting his long standing job with a flooring company, Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner would take advantage of the momentum and extra time by working on the songs that would make up the band’s next album. In Episode 54, Wagner tells the story of Lambchop’s 2002 album Is a Woman. Recorded with frequent collaborator Mark Nevers in their home base of Nashville, Tennessee, the band’s leader recounts the process of shaping the record’s sonic direction and the positive outcomes that occurred as a result of its creation.