Leave Work Now! with Rick Koster and Peter Huoppi
55 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsRick Koster on music, arts, entertainment, and what to do this weekend in New Lodnon county and southeastern Connecticut.
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Episodes
Can towns really postpone Halloween?
October 30, 2019 19:08 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBIt's going to rain on Halloween this year, and Rick is not okay with towns trying to postpone trick-or-treating. Halloween is full of memories for both Rick and Pete - like the time Pete walked into a nursing home and realized his costume was totally inappropriate, or the incident that made Rick realize he was too old to dress up and knock on doors. Links: Rick's List - Halloween Tombstone Edition UFO hits Wolf Den on their farewell tour Garde hosts showing of original "Godzilla"
Going to see someone else's favorite band
October 18, 2019 12:47 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBRick and Pete reflect on Justin Hayward's show with Mike Dawes at The Garde, and recall times they went along to see someone else's favorite band.
Exploring the music of Justin Hayward and the Moody Blues
October 09, 2019 14:46 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBJustin Hayward of the Moody Blues plays at the Garde Arts Center on Saturday. The Moody Blues, and Hayward's songs in particular, were a big deal to a young Rick Koster. Songs we discuss: “In the Beginning / Lovely to See You” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AukFsBv2oDY “Watching and Waiting” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHCtqq8GDxA “The Actor” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFHUJeTHznk “Are You Sitting Comfortably?” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcPApPO20s “The W...
Do movie soundtracks still resonate?
October 02, 2019 13:41 - 33 minutes - 46.3 MBRick's band used to cover songs from movies in the eighties. Pete's musical taste was defined by movie soundtracks of the nineties. Are films still a major vehicle for popular music, or have video games taken over?
Twenty-five minutes on sound checks
September 27, 2019 15:38 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBWe were supposed to talk about something else today, but our sound check turned into an entire episode. Rick sneaks into a Brian Wilson sound check, while Pete look for help facilitating sound checks at local candidate debates.
Is pop music getting stupider?
September 18, 2019 18:05 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBStupider? More stupid? Rick and Pete discuss a scientific study that found pop songs have become musically and lyrically simpler over time. Does simpler equal worse?
Rustic Overtones and road trip radio
September 11, 2019 15:37 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBHow do certain bands become our favorites? Pete's favorite band, Rustic Overtones, play Saturday at the Knickerbocker Music Center in Westerly. Plus, Rick has some ideas on how to use the radio to make road trips more interesting.
Song Spinner Extra with Jon Young of Straight to VHS
June 07, 2019 13:54 - 13 minutes - 18.6 MBSong Spinner is a video series we produce for The Day where musicians perform a song and tell the story behind it. This episode of the podcast is an extended interview form our most recent Song Spinner session. See the video at: https://youtu.be/wPV8QWruQsA Straight to VHS is a three piece rock band from New London, Connecticut whose members, guitarist/vocalist Jon Young, Drummer Jay Silva, and bassist Tim Donnell, recently recorded a new album, “Friend Music.” We spoke with Jon Young about...
Will we ever visit the places on our bucket lists?
January 31, 2019 22:56 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBThere is so much art, history and culture in the world, and so much of it is so far away, how will we ever get to see everything we want to see before we die?
Hamilton was never president?
January 24, 2019 17:13 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBA lot has happened to musical theater since Rick's favorite musical, "Pippin." Features editor Kristina Dorsey sits in to discuss how "Hamilton" has put hip hop in front of new audiences while teaching history lessons in a novel way.
Is it OK to laugh at Louis C.K. anymore?
January 17, 2019 18:12 - 16 minutes - 23.1 MBIs it possible to appreciate art while disapproving of the artist? Rick and Peter discuss the talented comedians, musicians, authors, actors and athletes who were revealed to be terrible people, and how to view their work in light of their transgressions. Topics include Woody Allen, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, Ted Nugent, Michael Vick, Harvey Weinstein, Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain.
Texas Roadhouse, Texas BBQ, and musical encores
September 28, 2018 02:05 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBRick and Peter find some things to like about chain restaurants, find even more to like about authentic Texas BBQ, and try to determine the appropriate amount of time for bands to wait before playing an encore.
Why did so many people leave the Kendrick Lamar concert before it was over?
June 15, 2018 17:28 - 28 minutes - 39 MBPut down your cell phone! Stay until the end of the show! And stop talking! Rick went to see Kendrick Lamar recently, and can't understand how millennials behave at concerts.
Homemade earplugs at the Slayer concert
June 04, 2018 15:02 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MBRick went to review Slayer's show at Mohegan Sun Arena, part of their Farewell Tour, (read the review here) and it was so loud, he had to improvise a pair of earplugs.
Watching the Royal Wedding
May 21, 2018 21:30 - 18 minutes - 25.8 MBRick calls Peter at 6:30 Saturday morning to make sure he doesn't miss the Royal Wedding.
Fleetwood Mac, The Moody Blues, and Childish Gambino
May 11, 2018 17:10 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBRick reacts to some news about his favorite musicians – Neil Finn of Crowded House joins Fleetwood Mac, and The Moody Blues are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And what do you think about the new Childish Gambino video for This Is America?
Do childhood favorite movies still hold up to adult scrutiny?
February 15, 2018 17:37 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBIs Rick still scared by zombie movies? Will Pete’s kids love The Goonies and The Princess Bride as much as he did? We reflect on the movies we saw as children and what we see in them now when we watch as adults.
Rick on the Grammys: Where were the musicians?
January 29, 2018 22:34 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBRick opines on the latest Grammy awards, lamenting that pop performance and spectacle have pushed out musicianship. He approves of Bruno Mars, but Cardi B? not so much.
Reflecting on 2017
December 22, 2017 16:54 - 20 minutes - 28 MBRick and Peter think back on their work and musical listening habits of the past year.
A year on the road with Pocket Vinyl
December 01, 2017 13:57 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBSinger/pianist Eric Stevenson of the piano/painting duo Pocket Vinyl talks about their new documentary Drive. Play. Sleep. Through dozens of interviews and on-the-road footage, the film tells the story of independent, do-it-yourself musicians touring the country and trying to make a living from their art. Stay to the end of the podcast to hear a new song from their forthcoming album "Uncomfortably Unsure." See the film at http://www.driveplaysleep.com/ and find out more about the music and a...
What do you do when you see your favorite musician shopping at Target?
November 22, 2017 16:36 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBWhen is OK to be a fanboy? Rick once handed a cassette tape of his band to one of the members of The Church. Peter saw Spose and Dave Gutter out shopping and was too scared to say hello.
What to do when you're alone on Thanksgiving
November 17, 2017 15:44 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBRick and Peter try to figure out what to do on Thanksgiving when you don’t have a family get-together to attend. Their best options: go watch high school football, stay home and drink away your sorrows, go to the casino, or make nachos.
Rick hassles Blue Öyster Cult's Joe Bouchard at an Imagine Dragons concert
November 10, 2017 17:17 - 25 minutes - 35.3 MBRick ran into one of his musical heroes, Blue Öyster Cult bassist/vocalist/composer Joe Bouchard, at an Imagine Dragons concert at Mohegan Sun Arena. Peter stumbled upon a Boyz II Men concert at Disney World. Also, Rick and Peter agree that modern popular music all sounds the same, and admit that they are old and out of touch.
Waiting outside Fats Domino's house with a 12-pack of beer
October 27, 2017 16:16 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBRick recalls an unsuccessful stakeout outside the New Orleans home of Fats Domino. Lady Madonna by Fats Domino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1OdbPpvFYg
Eminem's anti-Trump freestyle: Is it OK when musicians get political?
October 12, 2017 20:17 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBAfter Eminem made headlines with his anti-Trump freestyle, Rick and Peter discuss the history of musicians making political statements and consider the varying motiviations behind them. Is Eminem just out to promote a new album?
Do Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers belong in the top five greatest American rock bands?
October 06, 2017 14:52 - 23 minutes - 31.8 MBAfter the recent passing of Tom Petty, Rick and Peter consider his band's place in the pantheon of great American rock bands. Who else belongs in the top five? The Allman Brothers? Bruce Sprintsteen and The E Street Band? The Eagles? The Grateful Dead? The Beach Boys?
Who is responsible for taking care of public art?
September 28, 2017 19:37 - 17 minutes - 35.4 MBRick and Peter look at several examples of public art in New London that has been poorly maintained, or not maintained at all. Arts writer mary Biekert, who has writtern about the New London Scupture Mile, joins in to discuss who is responsible for maintaining and restoring a public art installation in the months and years after it is unveiled? The Wyland whale mural has been completely repainted in a way that hardly resembles the original. The Sandy Garnett Light Cube has only one light rem...
Paying our respects to Groton's Bayou Smokehouse
September 13, 2017 19:52 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBThe Bayou Smokehouse in Groton in closing as chef/owner Pierre Boutros steps aside to spend more time with his family. Rick has made it his life's work to find a local barbecue joint that is tolerable to his refined southern palate, and the closing of Bayou is going to make it that much harder. Rick and Peter have one last meal before the restaurant closes on Saturday.
Concept albums: masterpieces or cheap gimmicks?
September 07, 2017 18:49 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBRick and Peter consider the concept album, from Frank Sinatra to Green Day, and whether the format still resonates today when people don't buy albums. Our favorite local concept albums include Red Over Red by Bedroom Rehab Corporation, Death Anxiety by Pocket Vinyl, and El Amor de los Muertos by The Hempsteadys. Also, Rick remembers Arthur Falconi, a local musician who died in yesterday's storm.
White guys with guitars covering rap songs, and Kylie and Kendall Jenner's rock tee shirts
August 24, 2017 19:43 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBWhat distinguishes a good cover song from a bad cover song? Martha Shanahan joins Rick and Peter to provide a young person's opinion. Plus, Kylie and Kendall Jenner's vinatge rock tee shirts, and Future performs at Mohegan Sun Arena.
How does a four-year-old start singing Simon and Garfunkel?
August 17, 2017 16:42 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBPeter discovered his kids singing a Simon and Garfunkel song that came out over 50 years ago. Turns out they heard "The Sound of Silence" in the animated movie "Trolls." What determines whether a song has staying power? Are there artists today whose music our grandchildren will be listening to? Rick remembers thinking that "She Sheila" by The Producers and "Hold On" by Santana were going to be massive hits.
Ed Sheeran on Game of Thrones: Did we need another rock star TV cameo?
July 20, 2017 20:00 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBRick and Peter bring in The Day features writer Mary Biekert to talk about Ed Sheeran's cameo appearance on game of Thrones, and to look back through TV history and some other notable musical cameos. Plus, The Who and Queen + Adam Lambert at Mohegan Sun Arena.
How our wives affect our musical tastes
July 07, 2017 19:40 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBRick's wife made him listen to New Order. He went to a New Order "concert" and saw them playing exactly zero instruments. What do you think of concerts that are more dance and theater production than musical performance?
Going the distance on the Appalachian Trail or to see your favorite band
July 01, 2017 00:37 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBPeter hiked 52 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Rick's band played a marathon weekend of shows and almost ran out of beer, before being saved by their lead singer's Elvis impression.
Slow dance songs for middle school, proms and weddings
June 23, 2017 19:34 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBRick and Peter reminisce about slow dance songs from their past, and read through the list of favorites sent in by friends and listeners. RICK'S HIGH SCHOOL Bread – “Make It with You” Chicago – “Colour My World” Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven” Moody Blues – “Nights in White Satin” PETER'S MIDDLE SCHOOL Extreme - "More Than Words" Richard Marx - "Right Here Waiting" Bryan Adams - "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" Damn Yankees - "High Enough" Boyz II Men - "It's So Hard...
Replacement lead singers and playing bass with arthritis
June 14, 2017 16:34 - 29 minutes - 40.2 MBOne of Rick's former bandmates, Robert Corky Ray, calls in to reminisce, and Rick talks about getting ready to play bass in his one and only concert of the year. Plus, replacement lead singers and Pippin at Foxwoods.
How many festivals is too many? And what makes Hot Rod's wings so good?
June 09, 2017 16:48 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MBThere are way too many festivals in southeast Connecticut this weekend - the Strawberry Park Cajun Zydeco Festival, ComiCONN Foxwoods, the Sea Music Festival at Mystic Seaport, the New London Blues and Brews Festival, the Outer Light Brewing rebrand party, and Taste of Mystic. Plus, what makes the wings at Hot Rod Cafe so good, and neural network metal band names.
Songs we hate by bands we like
June 01, 2017 15:43 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MB"Mansion in the Slums" by Crowded House. "I Remember California" by REM. "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2. Why are there certain songs by our favorite bands that we always skip over? Steve Chupaska joins Rick and Peter to discuss. Also, Braiden Sunshine launches his first U.S. tour.
When is it OK to sing along at a concert?
May 25, 2017 14:54 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBRick and Peter share memories of concert sing-alongs gone good, and bad, including Ben Folds, Rustic Overtones, O.A.R. and Crowded House. Plus, David Crobsy at The Garde.
The death of Chris Cornell
May 18, 2017 16:27 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBSomehow, a conversation about the death of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell turns into a discussion about the merits of Curly and Schemp in The Three Stooges. Also, Vadim Neselovskyi at the Side Door Jazz Club and Ben Folds at Foxwoods.
Mind-numbing pop music at the gas pump
May 11, 2017 17:47 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBHave you ever noticed the bland, inoffensive pop music that is playing everywhere you go? At the supermarket? At the gas pump? In every restaurant? Rick and Peter have noticed, and they're sick of it. Plus: Mary J. Blige and Blackberry Smoke.
Witnessing the electrocution of Gary Thain
April 27, 2017 18:59 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBRick and Peter share favorite concert memories that had nothing to do with the music. Rick was in the front row when Uriah Heep bassist Gary Thain was electrocuted. Peter met As Fast As frontman Spencer Albee in the mens’ room. Listener Keith saw Tommy Lee fall from a drum set 25 feet in the air. Plus, Fox Farm Brewery and the Karl Kelly Memorial Concert. Leave work now is a production of The Day Publishing Company. The program is hosted by Rick Koster, and produced by Peter Huoppi. You can...
The passing of Barkley Hendricks, and grown men wearing concert t-shirts
April 20, 2017 22:47 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBIs it appropriate for an adult man to walk around wearing the jersey of his favorite sports team? How about a concert t-shirt? Aren't we just paying a band for the privlege of advertising for them? Shouldn't they pay us? Plus, reflecting on the passing of renowned painter Barkley Hendricks.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs, The Musical Box Genesis tribute, and the Knickerbocker All-Stars
April 13, 2017 14:53 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MBWho deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Who's in the shouldn't be? Should music be a meritocracy similar to sports? Plus, Rick's thoughts on the Genesis tribute band The Musical Boz, and the Knickerbocker All-Stars.
New London Youth Talent Show, Bon Jovi, and Long Day's Journey Into Night
March 30, 2017 18:11 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBThe seventh annual New London Youth Talent Show is coming to The Garde on Saturday night. Has the show joined the Hygienic art show and Sailfest as one of the premier events of the year in New London? Bon Jovi is coming to Mohegan Sun Arena, doing the same thing that has made them popular for decades. Flock Theatre is staging performance of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" in real time in the Monte Cristo Cottage that inspired the play's setting.
Joshua Tree nostalgia, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin's final tour
March 23, 2017 15:17 - 24 minutes - 16.5 MBWas U2's The Joshua Tree a life-changing album, or is it overrated? Is the new Joshua Tree 30th anniversary tour a chance to cash in on nostalgia, or is the album relevant again in today's political climate? Plus: reflecting on the passing of Chuck Berry and Aretha Franklins' farewell tour comes to Mohegan Sun Arena.
So you think you want to be a concert reviewer
March 16, 2017 19:45 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBSome people think reviewing concerts is the coolest job in the world. Sometimes it is, but it's not always easy to write something that people will actually read. The Day's Rick Koster shares some things he has learned in his years writing about music. Plus, the Mystic Irish Parade is coming this weekend. Leave work now!
Eating at Guy Fieri's and listening to bro-country
March 09, 2017 20:35 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBRick Koster shares his thoughts on his recent dining experience at Guy Fieri's Kitchen+Bar at Foxwoods (Donkey Sauce! Trash Can Nachos!) and reveals his in-depth reseach into the Saturday party/Sunday church dichotomy in the lyrics of Florida Georgia Line.
20 years of The Rivergods
March 02, 2017 18:46 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBRick Koster and Peter Huoppi discuss the longevity of New London band The Rivergods, and preview tracks from their new album "State of the Union."
Rick and Kristy go to The Oscars
February 23, 2017 19:45 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBRick Koster and Kristina Dorsey discuss the upcoming Academy Awards, plus The Subdudes atThe Garde and The Banff Mountain Film Festival at Connecticut College.