Beginnings artwork

Beginnings

672 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 100 ratings

We all know the stories of how creative people get into the business of creating for a living, but how did they start using their imaginations in the first place? On the Beginnings podcast, writer and performer Andy Beckerman asks well-known and on-their-way-up comedians, musicians, writers, artists and thinkers about their earliest creative acts, their formative childhood experiences, and how they've developed both creatively and emotionally over the years. Beginnings is part therapy, part philosophy and almost all fascinating (95% according to FDA studies).

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Episodes

Episode 430: Jamie Drake

February 06, 2020 08:37 - 1 hour - 66.9 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Jamie Drake. Based in Los Angeles, Jamie has been making music for a long time, though only released her first album When I Was Yours in 2010. She's performed in the Off-Broadway folk musical Lonesome Traveler and collaborated with everyone from Ed Helms to Moby to Tim Robbins. Her latest album Everything's Fine was released late last year, and it's great! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 429: Stephin Merritt

January 27, 2020 06:40 - 1 hour - 62.8 MB

On today's special 10th anniversary episode, I talk to musician Stephin Merritt. Stephin is the founder and primary songwriter behind the band The Magnetic Fields. Started in 1991 in Boston, the band has released 11 albums including the three-volume 69 Love Songs and his most recent 5-LP collection 50 Song Memoir. In addition to The Magnetic Fields, Stephin also performs in The 6ths, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes; has scored a number of films and TV shows; and has even collabora...

Episode 428: Josh Siegal

January 16, 2020 09:28 - 1 hour - 64.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Josh Siegal. Originally from Niskayuna, New York, Josh took a non-traditional route into TV writing, but that route led to some amazing jobs on shows like Viva Variety, the original UCB sketch show, Crossballs, Monk, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and currently The Good Place, which is in the middle of finishing up its final season on NBC. This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 427: Ada Lea

January 02, 2020 06:50 - 1 hour - 66.7 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Alexandra Levy AKA Ada Lea. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Alexandra was on the path to become a professional competitive skater, but the end of her skating career led to an artistic one as a painter, visual artist and musician. Her debut album what we say in private was released last summer on Saddle Creek, and it is incredible! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 426: Mikal Cronin

December 19, 2019 06:48 - 1 hour - 57.9 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Mikal Cronin.Originally from Laguna Beach, CA, Mikal's been playing music professionally for almost a decade as a member of bands like Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, King Tuff, Shannon & the Clams and many more. He also has been playing bass in Ty Segall’s touring band for the past 8 years. On his own, he's recorded four albums: Mikal Cronin on Trouble in Mind Records and MCII and MCIII on Merge. Merge also released his latest album Seeker at the end of Octobe...

Episode 425: Alexandra Stréliski

December 05, 2019 08:12 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to pianist and composer Alexandra Stréliski. Raised between Paris and Montreal, Alexandra didn't set out to make music for a living, but after a long night of the soul, so to speak, dedicated herself to writing and performing. In 2010, she recorded her first album Pianoscope and late last year, her latest album Inscape was released on Secret City Records. In addition to these, she's also composed the soundtracks for a number of director Jean-Marc Vallée's projects i...

Episode 424: Magdalene Visaggio

November 21, 2019 06:20 - 1 hour - 77.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to comics writer Magdalene Visaggio. Born in Long Island but raised in Richmond, VA, Magdalene has been making comics for over a decade, but it wasn't until 2016 that she began to garner acclaim thanks to her series Kim & Kim, which netted Magdalene both an Eisner Award nomination and a GLAAD Award nomination. Since then she's written a number of great comics including Eternity Girl, Morning in America and currently, she writes Doctor Mirage for Valiant. In addition...

Episode 423: Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus

November 07, 2019 08:51 - 1 hour - 69.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Patrick Stickles of the band Titus Andronicus. Originally from Glen Rock, New Jersey, Patrick started Titus Andronicus in 2005. Since then, the band has garnered a great deal of critical praise and commercial success. Their first three albums were released on Troubleman and XL, but starting with The Most Lamentable Tragedy, they've been part of Merge Records. Their latest album, An Obelisk, was just released this past June, and it is wonderful! This i...

Episode 422: Cara Beth Satalino of Outer Spaces

October 24, 2019 07:45 - 1 hour - 68.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Cara Beth Satalino of the band Outer Spaces. Originally from the small rural town Pittstown, NY, Cara has been playing music since she was young. She moved to Athens, GA after college and formed the band Witches, a fantastic punk trio which put out two 7”s and a full-length record, Forever, and a few years later formed the band Outer Spaces. As Outer Spaces, Cara's written a number of EPs as well as two LPs, 2016's A Shedding Snake, and her latest Gazing...

Episode 421: Vagabon

October 10, 2019 19:35 - 1 hour - 62.1 MB

On today's episode I talk to musicians Lætitia Tamko AKA Vagabon. Originally from Yaoundé, Cameroon, Lætitia and her family immigrated to the US when she was 13. While she graduated from CUNY with a degree in engineering, a chance event led her to playing music full time. Her first album Infinite Worlds was released in 2017 to general acclaim, and her latest album, the self-titled Vagabon, will be released on October 18 on Nonesuch Records! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on...

Episode 420: Redd Kross

September 26, 2019 08:02 - 1 hour - 65 MB

On today's episode I talk to musicians Jeff and Steve McDonald of the band Redd Kross. Originally from Hawthorne, CA, brothers Jeff and Steve started playing music together in 1978, in a band called The Tourists while both were in middle school. A few years later, they changed the name to Red Cross (and eventually Redd Kross), and since then have released seven albums and a number of EPs. In addition to Redd Kross, the brothers perform in a number of other groups, including Ze Malibu Kids wi...

Episode 419: Punam Patel

September 12, 2019 06:07 - 1 hour - 72 MB

On today's episode I talk to actor Punam Patel. Originally from Florida, Punam took a circuitous route to the world of acting that eventually led her to performing with Second City in Chicago. After moving to Los Angeles, she booked her first major role in 2015 in the ABC Family sitcom Kevin From Work. And since then, she's acted in Adam Ruins Everything, Alone Together, I Feel Bad, as well as many other shows, and next season will be playing opposite Kenan Thompson on NBC's The Kenan Show. ...

Episode 418: Alexander Noice

August 29, 2019 08:11 - 1 hour - 66.9 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Alexander Noice. Based in Los Angeles, Alex is a composer, guitarist, producer and bandleader who has toured the world performing with many notable artists from Charlie Haden to Art Ensembles of Chicago’s Famoudou Don Moye. From 2008-2013, he led the highly revered art rock/punk trio Falsetto Teeth, and in 2016, he released his first solo electronic album called Music Made With Voices. His newest project is simply called NOICE, and their self-titled debu...

Episode 417: Jim Gavin

August 22, 2019 08:52 - 1 hour - 64.9 MB

On today's episode I talk to author and TV writer Jim Gavin. Based in Los Angeles, Jim's fiction has appeared in numerous publications including The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Zoetrope and many others. His book of short stories Middle Men was published in 2013 by Simon & Schuster, and the TV show he created, Lodge 49, just debuted its second season on AMC. This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 416: Dre Babinski of Steady Holiday

August 08, 2019 07:43 - 1 hour - 70.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Dre Babinski of Steady Holiday. Originally from the Los Angeles area, Dre is a singer, songwriter, violinist, and guitarist. From the mid-2000s on, she played in a number of bands including Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Miracle Days, Hunter Hunted, The Elected, and more. In 2015 though, she started her own project Steady Holiday, and since then, has released two albums, 2016's Under The Influence on Infinite Best Recordings, and her latest Nobody's Wa...

Episode 415: Sasami

July 25, 2019 07:22 - 1 hour - 61.7 MB

On today's episode I talk to Sasami Ashworth. Raised mostly in Los Angeles in a religious household, Sasami has been making music in the LA area for over a decade. This includes playing French horn in orchestras and studios; playing keys, bass, and guitar in local rock bands like Dirt Dress and Cherry Glazerr; and contributing vocals/string/horn arrangements to studio albums from artists like Vagabon and Wild Nothing. But only recently has she started to record music on her own, and her debu...

Episode 414: Bleached

July 11, 2019 08:34 - 1 hour - 67.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to Jennifer and Jessica Clavin of the indie rock band Bleached. Born in California and based in Los Angeles, Jessica and Jennifer began playing music as teenagers, and eventually formed the punk band Mika Miko in 2003. The band released a number of albums and EPs on labels like Sub Pop and Kill Rock Stars, but broke up in 2009 due to band members' wishes to return to school and work on other projects. Two years later, Jessica and Jennifer formed Bleached, and since ...

Episode 413: Ellen Kempner of Palehound

June 27, 2019 08:12 - 1 hour - 59.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Ellen Kempner. Originally from Westport, Connecticut, Ellen began playing music as a pre-teen, and even formed a band in high school. However, it's when she moved to New York for college that she really began making music in earnest, and in 2013 debuted as Palehound with the Bent Nail EP. Since then, she's made three albums: 2015's Dry Food, 2017's A Place I'll Always Go, and her latest Black Friday, which was released by Polyvinyl earlier this month. ...

Episode 412: Andy Hull and Kevin Devine of Bad Books

June 13, 2019 08:34 - 1 hour - 75.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to Andy Hull and Kevin Devine of the indie rock band Bad Books. While both Andy and Kevin have successful careers with other bands - Andy with Manchester Orchestra and Kevin as a New York-based singer-songwriter, Bad Books is their decade-long collaboration that formed after Kevin began touring with Manchester Orchestra in 2007. Together they've written three albums, a self-titled LP in 2010, 2012's II and III, which will be released this Friday. This is the webs...

Episode 411: Nick Turner

May 30, 2019 07:18 - 1 hour - 71.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to comedian Nick Turner. Originally from Virginia, Nick has been performing stand-up for 15 years, and you can see him on Late Night w/ Seth Meyers as well as Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, and his own Comedy Central Half Hour special. He was a regular cast member on VH1’s Best Week Ever and I Love the 2000’s and is an undefeated champion on TruTV's Comedy Knockout. In addition to all this, his debut album Yelling was released in 2016 on Comedy ...

Episode 410: Will Fox

May 23, 2019 09:55 - 1 hour - 64.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Will Fox. Born in Houston, TX, and raised in London, Paris, and the American South, Will spent his adolescence moving from country to country with his family. Back stateside, destined to operate a historic gristmill in the Shenandoah Valley, he instead moved to Los Angeles to become a troubadour. After his stint as a member of the now-defunct LA indie rock band Los Angeles Police Department, Will turned his attention to his own pursuits. His first solo w...

Episode 409: Chris Cohen

May 09, 2019 07:51 - 1 hour - 63.3 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Chris Cohen. Originally from Los Angeles, Chris has been playing in bands since the early 2000s. He played with Deerhoof from Apple O' to The Runners Four, as well as in bands like The Curtains and Cryptacize, as well as on a number of Cass McCombs albums. As a solo artist, Chris has recorded three albums, 2012’s Overgrown Path, 2016’s As If Apart and his latest self-titled album, which was just released at the end of March on Captured Tracks.  This i...

Episode 408: H. Alan Scott

May 02, 2019 06:21 - 1 hour - 67.5 MB

On today's episode I talk to writer and comedian H. Alan Scott. Based in Los Angeles, H. Alan has been writing and performing for over a decade. He's appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Ellen, CNN, Fusion and MTV and written for TV Land, VICE, Fusion, Out Magazine, Newsweek and Nerdist. He's the subject of the forthcoming documentary Latter Day Jew, and he also co-hosts two wonderful podcasts: Out on the Lanai: A Golden Girls Podcast and You’re Making It Worse Starburns network. This is th...

Episode 407: Anna Connolly

April 18, 2019 07:50 - 1 hour - 71.5 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Anna Connolly. Originally from Los Angeles, Anna grew up going to punk shows as a young teenager, and when her family moved to DC in the 1980s, she and her sister Cynthia became part of a small, nascent punk scene, which later became what everyone knows as “DC punk rock.” Anna spent many of her high school years working at a record store, buying records, and going to shows. Though many of her friends were in bands (Minor Threat practiced in the basement ...

Episode 406: Michael Collins of Drugdealer

April 11, 2019 08:02 - 1 hour - 63.3 MB

On today's episode I talk to Michael Collins AKA Drugdealer. Originally from Boston, Michael much more identifies an an artist rather than a musician, even though his music is quite wonderful. He moved to Los Angeles in 2013 and began making music under different drug pun monikers including Run DMT and Salvia Plath, and eventually formed Drugdealer, which he thinks of as more of a collective than a band and includes folks like Ariel Pink and members of Weyes Blood. Their first album The End ...

Episode 405: Natalie Palamides

April 04, 2019 04:20 - 1 hour - 62.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to comedian Natalie Palamides. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Natalie's path to comedy started with clowning and devised theater with the Obie-Award-Winning Pig Iron Theatre Company. After moving to Los Angeles, she became an official performer at UCB, and since then, has garnered a number of accolades including being named a Just for Laughs New Face in 2016 and Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2017. Natalie is also a voice actor working on a number ...

Episode 404: Ben Cooper of Radical Face

March 28, 2019 04:59 - 1 hour - 94.3 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Ben Cooper AKA Radical Face. Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, Ben has been making music since he was a teenager, originally as a way to escape his difficult upbringing. Since 2003, he's released six albums and eight EPs. His latest EP Therapy is out on April 26 via Bear Machine Records, and it's great! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 403: Megan Neuringer

March 21, 2019 07:41 - 1 hour - 68.5 MB

On today's episode I talk to comedian and writer Megan Neuringer. Originally from New York, Megan got her comedy start at UCB, where she was an official performer for over a decade. As an actor, she was a panelist on Best Week Ever and a number of other VH1 shows, and has appeared on Flight Of The Conchords, Fringe, Strangers With Candy, @Midnight, Kroll Show, Comedy Bang! Bang! and much more. And as a writer, she written for numerous shows including Portlandia and Netflix's new show The Fix...

Bonus Episode 42: Andy Daly from 2014

March 14, 2019 08:34 - 1 hour - 61.3 MB

I am trying to finish one of the biggest projects of my career so far this week, so I thought I'd put out an episode from the archives! Andy Daly is one of my favorite comedians, and he stopped by the Harlem studio in 2014 while promoting Review. We discuss The Monkees, the fragility of existence, fatherhood, “Cookies On a Shelf”, neighborhood games, living in your imagination, the character of Ridgewood, NJ, trouble with school, and more! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on ...

Episode 402: Mike Deni AKA Geographer

March 07, 2019 09:48 - 1 hour - 70.1 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Mike Deni AKA Geographer. Originally from New Jersey, Los Angeles-based musician Mike Deni has been writing music for most of his life, and for over a decade as Geographer. In that time, he's released a number of EPs and albums including Innocent Ghosts in 2008, Myth in 2012, and Ghost Modern in 2015. His latest EP New Jersey will be out March 22nd, and it is wonderful! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twit...

Episode 401: Solomon Georgio

February 28, 2019 07:31 - 1 hour - 60.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to comedian and TV writer Solomon Georgio. Born in a refugee camp in Sudan, Solomon immigrated to the US at a young age, and his family eventually ended up in Seattle. As a stand-up he performed on Conan, This Is Not Happening, Viceland's show Flophouse, The Meltdown, 2 Dope Queens on HBO and his own Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents special. As a TV writer, he's written for a ton of shows including Spongebob Squarepants, Adam Ruins Everything, Crashing and the upcom...

Episode 400: Scott Thompson

February 22, 2019 08:05 - 1 hour - 76.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Scott Thompson. Originally from Brampton, Ontario, Scott is 1/5 of the iconic sketch group The Kids in the Hall, whose show ran for five seasons. They also made the film Brain Candy, the series Death Comes to Town, and continue to tour. In addition to this, Scott has also acted on dozens and dozens of shows including The Simpsons and Tim and Eric. He also played his character Buddy Cole on the Colbert Report and was a regular on two of the best...

Bonus Episode 41: Aaron Burdette on TV Development

February 14, 2019 07:52 - 1 hour - 64.4 MB

To celebrate the upcoming 400th episode of the show, I thought I'd drop a bonus episode this week! What's a "bonus episode" of Beginnings? These are episodes that deviate from "let's talk to a creator I admire about their childhoods" and instead take a peek behind the curtain of showbiz. As I get deeper into the business part of this industry, I learn so much more about the real structures underpinning why certain TV shows get made or why certain actors become household names, and I think it...

Episode 399: SOAK

February 07, 2019 08:44 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Bridie Monds-Watson AKA SOAK. Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, Bridie began making music when she was 13, and quickly found acclaim. Her first album, Before We Forgot How to Dream was released in 2015 on Rough Trade. It won the Irish Choice Music Prize Album of the Year and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize as well. Her latest album, Grim Town, which is also on Rough Trade, will be out this April. This is the website for Beginnings, subs...

Episode 398: Rosie Tucker

January 31, 2019 06:42 - 1 hour - 59.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Rosie Tucker. Originally from the San Fernando valley, Rosie is now based in Los Angeles proper. She is 1/4 of the post-rock band Gypsum, and though only in her early 20s, she's written two albums under her own name. Lowlight was released in 2015, and her latest Never Not Never Not Never Not will be released this March on New Professor Music. This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.

Episode 397: The Blow

January 24, 2019 08:55 - 1 hour - 73 MB

On today's episode I talk to Khaela Maricich and Melissa Dyne of the band The Blow. Originally from Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Khaela is an artist, writer and musician, and has been part of the Olympia/K Records music scene for a long time, as a solo artist, as a member of The Microphones, and for a number of years with YACHT's Jona Bechtolt as The Blow. However, since the mid-aughts, The Blow has been Khaela and artist/musician Melissa Dyne. Melissa classically trained on the cello as a chil...

Episode 396: St. Lenox

January 17, 2019 07:23 - 1 hour - 79.4 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Andrew Choi AKA St. Lenox. Originally from Ames, Iowa, Andy has lived many lives. In the mid ’90s, he was a Juilliard-trained violinist. He then quit music to get a degree in Philosophy and went on to receive his PhD from Ohio State. And after this, he moved to New York City, where he now works as a singer-songwriter and a lawyer in Manhattan. As St. Lenox, Andy has released three albums: Ten Songs About Memory and Hope, Ten Hymns From My American Gothic...

Episode 395: Alison Tatlock

January 10, 2019 09:36 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Alison Tatlock. Originally from Brookline, MA, Alison has taken a circuitous route to television from actor to non-profits to playwright. And while Alison only started her TV career less than a decade ago, she's written for a number of the best dramas of the 21st century. This includes shows like In Treatment, Stranger Things, Halt and Catch Fire, and Better Call Saul, the latter of which has been nominated for a 2019 Writer's Guild Award in Drama. T...

Bonus Episode 40: Let's Get Metaphysical pilot

December 27, 2018 05:27 - 55 minutes - 128 MB

I'm taking a break for the holidays, so I thought I'd put up this pilot I did for Earwolf late last year called Let's Get Metaphysical. LGM is a hybrid philosophy discussion/sketch show (maybe from that combo you can see why it didn't get picked up), but besides some of the usual awkwardness in a pilot, it's pretty fun and interesting - I got to talk to some funny people, plus a philosopher that was a real inspiration to me, and the sketch actors are some of my favorite performers, and I got...

Episode 394: Adeline

December 20, 2018 03:17 - 1 hour - 62.1 MB

On today's episode I talk to singer, bass player, model and actress Adeline Michèle. Born and raised in Paris to a French mother and a father hailing from the Caribbean island of Martinique, Adeline started singing at the ripe age of five and was accepted in a professional choir and grew up performing live around Europe and on T.V. In 2006, Adeline moved to New York City to more actively pursue her music career. She joined legendary acid jazz/hip-hop band Us3 and her self-written single, "S...

Episode 393: Black Belt Eagle Scout's Katherine Paul

December 13, 2018 04:06 - 1 hour - 69.1 MB

On today's episode I talk to Katherine Paul of Black Belt Eagle Scout. KP grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. From an early age, she was singing and dancing at powwows including her family’s own powwow, called the All My Relations Powwow. In 2007, KP moved to Portland, OR, to attend college and get involved with the Rock’n’Roll Camp for Girls. Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement, KP dove deep into the Portland music scene, playing guitar and drums in...

Episode 392: Kether Donohue

December 06, 2018 05:12 - 1 hour - 66.6 MB

On today's episode I talk to actress Kether Donohue. Originally from New York, Kether has been a working actress for over twenty years. She began doing voiceover for anime like Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! as a teenager, and since then has been in a number of great shows and movies including Pitch Perfect, High Maintenance and unsung sitcom LA to Vegas. Currently, Kether stars on one of the best shows on TV You're the Worst, which returns for its fifth and final season on January 9th on FXX. Thi...

Episode 391: Chapman and Brocker Way

November 29, 2018 08:44 - 1 hour - 61.7 MB

On today's episode I talk to filmmakers and musicians Brocker and Chapman Way. Originally from Thousand Oaks, CA, Brocker and Chapman, along with their third brother MacLain, are responsible for the wonderful documentary The Battered Bastards of Baseball, as well as the six part Emmy Award-winning documentary Wild Wild Country about the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his community of followers that emigrated to a small town in Oregon.  This is the website for Beginni...

Episode 390: Nnamdi Ogbonnaya

November 21, 2018 09:37 - 1 hour - 65.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician and rapper Nnamdi Ogbonnaya. The child of Nigerian immigrants, Nnamdi mostly grew up in Chicago, where he has been a member of the DIY music underground for many years. This includes drumming in bands like Monobody and Ittō, playing bass in groups like Nervous Passenger and Teen Cult, and rapping under his own name as well as Nnamdi’s Sooper Dooper Secret Side Project. His most recent album DROOL was released last year on Father/Daughter Records, and it'...

Episode 389: Becky Thyre

November 15, 2018 09:51 - 1 hour - 63.7 MB

On today's episode I talk to actress Becky Thyre. Originally from Louisiana, Becky got her real start in theater in Chicago. Eventually moving to Los Angeles, she's acted and lent her vocal talents to a number of amazing shows and films including PCU, The Oblongs, Six Feet Under, The Sarah Silverman Program, Parks and Rec, Weeds, Arrested Development, Transparent, and nearest and dearest to my own heart Mr. Show. Most recently, Becky has performed roles on shows like New Girl and Modern Fami...

Episode 388: Maria Taylor of Azure Ray

November 08, 2018 09:38 - 1 hour - 66.8 MB

On today's episode I talk to musician Maria Taylor. Originally from Birmingham, AL, Maria's been playing music for a majority of her life. Her first band, Little Red Rocket, which she formed with Orenda Fink as a teenager, was signed to Geffen in the mid-'90s and eventually morphed into Azure Ray. As Azure Ray, Maria and Orenda released four albums and numerous EPs, mostly on Saddle Creek Records. On her own, Maria has released seven solo albums, both on Saddle Creek and her own label Flower...

Episode 387: Amber Nelson

November 01, 2018 08:07 - 1 hour - 65.1 MB

On today's episode I talk to stand-up and actress Amber Nelson. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised mostly in Louisiana, Amber has been performing comedy for many years, as both a stand-up and a sketch performer on numerous house teams at UCB as well as as a member of one of the best sketch groups of the last decade Murderfist. In addition to all this, Amber's appeared on Netflix's The Characters, Guy Code as well as Almost Genius on TruTV, and she co-hosts the wonderful podcast The Brighter Sid...

Episode 386: Tony Millionaire

October 25, 2018 06:48 - 1 hour - 66.5 MB

On today's episode I talk to cartoonist, illustrator and author Tony Millionaire. Originally from Gloucester, MA, Tony's been drawing for most of his life, but it was his early-1990s comic strip Maakies that really put him in the public eye. Starting in the New York Press, Maakies was soon syndicated and became one of the most popular weekly comic strips in America, running in many of the largest U.S. weekly newspapers, including the Village Voice, the L.A. Weekly, the Chicago Reader and Sea...

Episode 385: Howard

October 18, 2018 09:02 - 1 hour - 75.4 MB

On today's episode I talk to Howard Feibusch of the band Howard. Howie is a composer, producer and engineer and has produced, mixed, and engineered records for many artists as well as composing for film and television, where his work has been featured on networks like CBS, MTV, A&E, and more! As the band Howard, Howie's recorded three albums and his latest Together Alone was released earlier this fall, and it is just lovely! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts,...

Episode 384: Ohmme

October 11, 2018 07:54 - 1 hour - 64.2 MB

On today's episode I talk to Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart of the band Ohmme. Based in Chicago - where they've been hailed as "the heart of Chicago's music community" - Sima and Macie are both classically trained musicians and established players within the Chicago music scene who have collaborated with everyone from Richard Thompson to Jeff Tweedy to Chance the Rapper to Ken Vandermark. Though they have collaborated together for many years, Ohmme is their first rock band, and their debu...

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