Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady, Author of "Band People")

Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady, Author of "Band People")

What happens when a classically trained kid from a tiny 800-person town in New Hampshire ends up touring Russian anarchist punk squats? In this episode of Overeducated and Underemployed, we sit down with author, multi-instrumentalist, and legendary keyboardist of The Hold Steady, Franz Nicolay! When the Senate investigated Live Nation and Ticketmaster, indie rock veteran Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady, World/Inferno Friendship Society) stood alone as the only musician at the witness table, risking industry retaliation to defend the music middle class. We sit down for an intimate, exclusive interview exploring the life of a "rock and roll lifer." We dive into his upbringing, how his time at NYU provided a crucial clean slate, and how decades of grinding DIY tours across places like Siberia and Mongolia directly inspired his acclaimed books, The Humorless Ladies of Border Control and Band People. This is the real, unvarnished truth of the 21st-century music industry, straight from someone who has lived it in both no-name punk houses and Carnegie Hall. Franz takes us on a journey through his unique musical evolution: from being an elementary school "classical music snob" to picking up the guitar during the '90s grunge explosion and later accidentally falling into punk rock keyboards. He exposes the bizarre late-'80s ideology that tried to ban keyboards from rock , shares insane stories from his DIY touring days with the World/Inferno Friendship Society , and explains how his international travel diaries shaped his career as an author. If you're a musician trying to make a living, a fan of indie rock history, or just love crazy travel stories—this deep dive is for you! https://franznicolay.com/ [https://franznicolay.com/] https://www.instagram.com/franznicolay/ [https://www.instagram.com/franznicolay/] https://franznicolay.bandcamp.com/ [https://franznicolay.bandcamp.com/] https://www.facebook.com/franznicolay/ [https://www.facebook.com/franznicolay/] https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PhAVWXD3Q1n54WJA6rkhq [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PhAVWXD3Q1n54WJA6rkhq] https://theholdsteady.net/ [https://theholdsteady.net/] https://open.spotify.com/artist/3qkZBMz5JgmRN9u5wwhRC6 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3qkZBMz5JgmRN9u5wwhRC6] https://www.instagram.com/theholdsteady/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/theholdsteady/?hl=en] https://pianofighter.substack.com/ [https://pianofighter.substack.com/] https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477323533/ [https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477323533/] Theme Song by Sloan Brothers : http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] New Album By Sloan Brothers: https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses [https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses] Title inspired by Lee Bains III: https://www.thegloryfires.com/ [https://www.thegloryfires.com/] https://www.patreon.com/Feddun [https://www.patreon.com/Feddun]

Comedian Evan Rossi

What happens when you actively refuse to make money from your art so you don't learn to hate it? In this episode of Overeducated and Underemployed, host Feddun sits down with comedian and experimental musician Evan Rossi for a wide-ranging, chaotic, and deeply insightful conversation. Evan breaks down his philosophy on keeping your passions strictly as hobbies, his childhood obsession with tape manipulation that birthed his lo-fi project Dactyloi, and his time writing sketch comedy for Murderfest. Plus, Fedin and Evan pull no punches while discussing why modern social media crowd work is ruining live comedy, their mutual love for cult classics like UHF and The Monkees' "Head", and why hot dogs are just "the smooth, pink fruit of industry." 👉 Check out Evan's experimental music project, Dactyloi, on Bandcamp! daktyloi.bandcamp.com [http://daktyloi.bandcamp.com] Theme Song by Sloan Brothers : http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] New Album By Sloan Brothers: https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses [https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses] Title inspired by Lee Bains III: https://www.thegloryfires.com/ [https://www.thegloryfires.com/] https://www.patreon.com/Feddun [https://www.patreon.com/Feddun] #ComedyPhilosophy #TheMonkees #TapeArt #Plunderphonics #Underemployed Podcast

Comedian Epolight Lavalle

Virtual Reality saved stand-up comedy during the pandemic—but for East Coast comic Epolight, it became a wild, unpredictable playground for mastering human psychology. In this episode, Epolight breaks down the bizarre, hilarious, and paradigm-shifting world of VR comedy. We dive deep into navigating crowd dynamics as a stealth trans comedian, the brutal grind of the tri-state open mic circuit, and the sheer sensory overload of performing a stand-up set to a virtual room filled with Grover from Sesame Street and a speedo-clad Ronald McDonald. If you've ever wondered how comedians handle a brutal bomb, control a room's energy, or adapt to the future of digital performance (even if it means communicating strictly via avatar finger-guns), this masterclass in comedy mechanics is for you. 🔥 CHANNELS MENTIONED & UPCOMING GUESTS: Hit that SUBSCRIBE button! We have a massive season lined up, including upcoming episodes with: • Comedians Sean Lubin & Evan Rossi • Parliament-Funkadelic bass legend Lige Curry • Film composer Matthew Cravener • Musician Franz Nicolay 🎵 FOLLOW OUR GUEST: Follow Epolight: https://www.instagram.com/epolight__/ [https://www.instagram.com/epolight__/] Theme Song by Sloan Brothers : http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] New Album By Sloan Brothers: https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses [https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/love-other-diagnoses] Title inspired by Lee Bains III: https://www.thegloryfires.com/ [https://www.thegloryfires.com/] https://www.patreon.com/Feddun [https://www.patreon.com/Feddun]

S4 E1 | The Magic of Word of South and Cascades Park History

Welcome back to Season 4 of Overeducated and Underemployed! To kick off the new season, we are diving deep into the heartbeat of Tallahassee’s cultural scene: the Word of South Music, Arts, and Literature Festival. In this episode, we chart the fascinating, sometimes dark, and deeply resilient history of Cascades Park—from its origin as a toxic gas plant graveyard to holding the Prime Meridian of Florida and becoming home to the Adderley Amphitheater. We also take a nostalgic trip through iconic festival mashups of the past (including running slides for Lee Bains III & John T. Edge) and break down a legendary 2018 Muscle Shoals Eddie Hinton tribute set. Finally, we take you behind the scenes of the 2026 festival, including a killer late-night set by Taylor Hollingsworth at the Blue Tavern, watching Earth, Wind & Fire side-stage with Lee Bains, Danny Bedrosian’s comic book panel, and an unexpected backstage hang with Amythyst Kiah and Chuck Reece (Salvation South). ⚠️ VISUAL NOTE: This episode features tons of exclusive video clips and archival photos from the festival! If you're listening on an audio-only platform, head over to our YouTube channel to see the full experience. What we cover in this episode: • The 35-year toxic freeze and EPA cleanup of Cascades Park. • How a "halfway point" compromise between Pensacola and St. Augustine created Florida's capital. • Preserving hard truths: The dark history of the park’s lynching tree and the legacy of Centennial Field. • The legendary 2018 Eddie Hinton tribute supergroup featuring Patterson Hood, David Hood, Spooner Oldham, and John Paul White. • A deep dive into the "School of P-Funk" culture and why George Clinton's legacy thrives through musicians like Danny Bedrosian and Lige Curry. • Falling head over heels for Amythyst Kiah’s music and unearthing a mutual connection to rock idol Butch Walker. RESOURCES & LINKS: • Pre-order Lee Bains’ upcoming poetry book: [INSERT LINK] • Listen to Danny Bedrosian’s podcast "Danny on Everything": [INSERT LINK] • Learn more about Word of South Festival: https://wordofsouthfestival.com/ [https://wordofsouthfestival.com/] • Support Salvation South: https://www.salvationsouth.com/ [https://www.salvationsouth.com/] https://www.hubcity.org/books/poetry/work-lunch [https://www.hubcity.org/books/poetry/work-lunch] Theme Song by Sloan Brothers : http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] Title inspired by Lee Bains III: https://www.thegloryfires.com/ [https://www.thegloryfires.com/] https://www.patreon.com/Feddun [https://www.patreon.com/c/Feddun]

George Clinton, P-Funk & The Future of Funk | P-Funk Fest 2026 Documentary

This week on Overeducated and Underemployed, for the Season 3 Finale, we’re bringing you a full mini-documentary from P-Funk Fest 2026 — a celebration of the life, legacy, and ongoing influence of George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic universe. Photos by Mike White: Deadlydesigns.com Recorded in Tallahassee, Florida at Phipps Farm, this episode blends live performances, backstage interviews, and deep conversations with members of the P-Funk family. You’ll hear from musicians, organizers, and longtime collaborators as they break down what funk really is — not just as a genre, but as a philosophy, a performance style, and a cultural force that shaped everything from hip-hop to rock. From the influence on artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar, to the technical discipline behind the music itself, this episode explores why P-Funk continues to matter across generations. Featuring: * Danny Bedrosian (Parliament-Funkadelic) * Shonda Clinton * Desmond D'angelo (Soular System) This isn’t just a concert recap — it’s a look at how a musical movement survives, evolves, and stays alive through live performance and community. If you’ve ever wondered why funk can’t be defined — this episode is your answer. Follow the show for more interviews, live recordings, and deep dives into music, culture, and creative work. https://pfunkfest.com/ [https://pfunkfest.com/] https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/make-my-funk-the-pfunk-9798881800642/ [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/make-my-funk-the-pfunk-9798881800642/] https://www.instagram.com/dannybedrosian/ [https://www.instagram.com/dannybedrosian/] https://www.patreon.com/DannyBedrosian [https://www.patreon.com/DannyBedrosian] https://www.youtube.com/@dannyoneverything [https://www.youtube.com/@dannyoneverything] https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeClintonPatreon [https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeClintonPatreon] https://www.patreon.com/GEORGECLINTONPFUNK [https://www.patreon.com/GEORGECLINTONPFUNK] https://georgeclinton.com/family/lashonda-sativa-diva-clinton/ [https://georgeclinton.com/family/lashonda-sativa-diva-clinton/] https://www.discogs.com/artist/4226275-LaShonda-Clinton?srsltid=AfmBOoqeZcffLGLtIA_AWK6_U4WsztuAZFHohFJN0ycxZIzUsxAIp8A1 [https://www.discogs.com/artist/4226275-LaShonda-Clinton?srsltid=AfmBOoqeZcffLGLtIA_AWK6_U4WsztuAZFHohFJN0ycxZIzUsxAIp8A1] https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/sativa [https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/sativa] Theme Song by Sloan Brothers : http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] tovciEDRoRNudB [http://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z0YyvTetovciEDRoRNudB] Title inspired by Lee Bains III: https://www.thegloryfires.com/ [https://www.thegloryfires.com/] https://www.patreon.com/Feddun [https://www.patreon.com/c/Feddun]