Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Figure Eights: A Music Podcast

Join me as I talk to record producer/engineer, Steve Fisk. As a musician, he has been in bands such as the instrumental alternative/indie rock band Pell Mell and the electronic band Pigeonhed. He has long been associated with the Pacific Northwest music scenes recording such artists as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Unwound, Ben Gibbard, the Wedding Present, Beat Happening and much more! Fun talk.

Matt Keating is a fantastic songwriter from New York City. We talk about his solo career, Steve Earle, living near the World Trade Center, opening for the Cranberries and ummmm…DAVID BOWIE! You can catch him on Thursday at the Driftwood in MPLS with his band “The Bastards of Fine Arts”. Great guy and fun conversation.

Join me as I chat with Steve Albini. Steve is a key figure in the American underground music community since the 1980s. He's led bands Shellac & Big Black and has recorded some of the great albums of all time including Nirvana "In Utero," Cheap Trick "Rockford", Nine Inch Nails "the Fragile", Page & Plant "Walking into Clarksdale", Guided by Voices "Under the Bushes, Under the Stars", Jawbreaker "24 Hour Revenge Therapy", Pixies "Surfer Rosa" and so many more. Great conversation.

Check out my conversation with filmmaker and photographer, Kevin Kerslake. Kevin has directed documentaries on Joan Jett, Nirvana, Ramones, Bob Marley and more. He's made music videos for Nirvana, Prince, Rolling Stones, REM, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum, Iggy Pop, Soundgarden, Bob Mould and more. Fun talk. He's a wizard.

Join me as I talk to Producer, Engineer, Mixer, John Agnello. John has worked with such diverse artists as Cyndi Lauper, Twisted Sister, John Cougar Mellencamp, Tommy Keene, Screaming Trees, Drive by Truckers and the Hold Steady. Such a fun guy and great conversation. Tune in!

Join me as I chat with Matthew Caws. Matthew is the singer/songwriter/guitarist of Nada Surf. He takes me through their early career, meeting Ric Ocasek of the Cars, having an MTV hit, Elektra and keeping the train rolling for all of these years. Wonderful conversation. Make sure to pick up a ticket for their upcoming tour.

Hi all, this is the 52nd episode of the podcast. I made it a year! I'm going to be taking a month or so off before starting a season 2. I need to get a few things in order. In the meantime I will be posting the top ten episodes from the first year. That will start a week from today.

Today I'm speaking with my High on Stress bandmates about the making of our third album "Living is a Dying Art" which came out 10 years ago. Join as we talk about transitions in the band as well as the album itself. Thanks for listening!

Join me as I talk to Michigan's own, Jeremy Porter from Jeremy Porter & the Tucos. Fresh off his show with Soul Asylum & Local H, he talks to me about his life, songwriting and trying to stay creative during the pandemic. Good guy!

Join me as I chat with Greg Eklund. Greg takes me through his well timed meeting with Art Alexakis, releasing 3 platinum records and 1 gold, working on songs like "Father of Mine" & "Everything to Everyone", touring with Fastball and Soul Coughing and so much more. Great chat! Don't forget to check out his new solo album "Muffled Tears".

Join me as I talk to drummer, Brian St Clair. He takes me through his career with Triple Fast Action, Local H, Rights of the Accused and more. It's all here. Major label bidding wars, band breakups, Chicago in the 90s and we also talk about his current gig as Production Manager for Cheap Trick. Great guy!

Join me as I chat with Tamar Berk about songwriting, working with Steve Albini, the 90s rock scene in Chicago, Fig Dish, Caviar, her inspirations as well as her amazing new album "The Restless Dreams of Youth". Pick up her record!

Join me as I talk to Marc Solomon about his time playing guitar in Perfect w/Tommy Stinson, contributing to Puff Daddy's "All About the Benjamins," getting fired by Spike Jonze, performing with Rick James and more. Great dude!

Blake Smith returns to the show and brings along his co-conspirator, Rick Ness. Join us as we talk about coffins, weird shows, unimpressed bartenders, Minneapolis, Oasis and the great yacht rock fall out. 

Fig Dish will reunite for two sold out shows next week in Chicago. They are also putting out their previously unreleased third record, "Feels Like the First Two Times."

Always a pleasure to dish with the dish.

Join me as I talk to my pals, Martin Zellar (Gear Daddies), Andrea Hyra (Billy Pilgrim) and Dave Gualandri (Songwriter Series Curator and Founder). We talk about the history of Dave's series "Harbor Stories: Unplugged" as well as house shows, terry cloth robes, "Boy in the Bubble" and hanging out at Starbucks for a little too long. Fun chat.

Join me as I talk to my current and former bandmates in High on Stress. We chat about the making of our 2008 album "Cop Light Parade". It was a blast to catch up with original guitarist, Ben Baker. Tune in!

Join me as I talk to Ronnie Barnett from the Muffs. We talk about growing up in Texas, their career, Tommy Keene, the Clueless Soundtrack as well as Kim Shattuck's battle with ALS and the making of their final album. This is one of my favorite episodes to date. He's a great guy with a lot of great stories filled with heart and humor. It's a must listen.

Join me as I talk to Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland) about touring with Sonic Youth, her favorite concerts, hanging out at the Nirvana "In Utero" recording sessions, whether there will be more Babes in Toyland shows and so much more. She's one of the nicest people you could possibly meet. Tune in for a fun conversation.

Join me as I talk to Phil Solem. He takes me through his music career including his time in Great Buildings and the Rembrandts. Also, he talks to me about how the "Friends" theme, "I'll Be There For You" came to be. Great chat!

Check out my conversation with record producer, Ted Niceley. Ted takes me through his life and career including playing bass in the Tommy Keene group and recording such brilliant records as Fugazi's "Repeater," Shudder to Think's, "Pony Express Record" and much more. Fun chat!

Join me as I chat with former Atlantic Records recording artist, Mary Karlzen. We talk about Billy Pilgrim, playing CBGBs, VH1, opening for Bob Dylan and balancing being a mother and a recording artist at the same time. Fun talk.

Join me as I talk to legendary producer and musician, Mitch Easter, about his career. We talk Let's Active, meeting REM and recording "Radio Free Europe", recording Wilco and so many more fantastic stories. Gracious guest with an amazing career. Tune in!

Join me as I chat with acclaimed singer/songwriter, Cory Branan from Memphis, TN. We chat about Foghat, the movie "Splash", David Letterman, meeting Prince and he shares a great story about the one and only, John Prine. It was a fun talk. Tune in!

Join me as I talk to drummer, William Goldsmith (Sunny Day Real Estate / Foo Fighters / Assertion / Fire Theft). We talk about stage fright, his career, parenthood and what he's up to these days. Fun talk

Join me as I chat with Dakota Shakedown about their history as well as their brand new album "We All Spin Together". We talk about run ins with Keanu Reeves, getting played during the Super Bowl and the night that Night Ranger sent them down a dark path.

Join me as I talk to the very talented, Craig Wedren, frontman of Shudder to Think. We talk about his life, Shudder to Think, approach to songwriting as well as his successful career scoring TV & Film including School of Rock (Jack Black), Shrill (Aidy Bryant), Reno 911, Moxie (Amy Poehler) and so many others. It was quite a pleasure.

Join me and special guest co-host, Bill Muller from the band Saint Small, as we talk to Matt Gentling about his life, hobbies, history of Archers of Loaf, joining Band of Horses and all sorts of bass guitar talk. Fun conversation with a great guy. Go see him this summer at Lollapalooza with the Band of Horses.

"I lived my dream"

Join me as Gary Lee Conner of the Screaming Trees talks to me about SST Records, the early 90s Seattle scene, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Mark Lanegan, drugs, van crashes and everything else under the sun. Awesome in depth conversation.

Join me as I chat with Record Producer / Engineer, Jim Ebert, as he takes me through his career producing the "Hey Album" by Marvelous 3, solo Butch Walker records, Matthew Ryan, Meredith Brooks, Madonna, Jason Falkner and more. He also talks to me about his program "Cancer Can Rock" which is for a fantastic cause. Nice guy! Great talent.

Join me as I chat with Mike Malinin. Mike was the drummer of the Goo Goo Dolls from 1995-2013 starting with the "A Boy Named Goo" Tour, through the huge success of "Dizzy Up the Girl" and more. He's now the band leader and drummer for country music legend, Tanya Tucker. Really fun talk about punk rock, country music and Minot, North Dakota. Give it a listen!

Join me as I speak with music journalist and author, Charles R. Cross. He was the Editor of The Rocket in Seattle for fifteen years (1986–2000) during the height of the Seattle music mania. He is also the founder of Backstreets Magazine, a periodical for fans of Bruce Springsteen. His 2001 biography of Kurt Cobain (Heavier Than Heaven) was winner of the 2002 ASCAP Award for Outstanding Musical Biography. We chat about Kurt Cobain, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, cancel culture and so many more topics. Fun music fan chat. Give it a listen!

Join me as I chat with musical wizard, Jason Falkner. Jason chats with me from his porch about being in the studio with Paul McCartney, the origins of Jellyfish, the Grays, playing shows with Cheap Trick and many other wild adventures. He's most likely been on some of your favorite records. Fun chat with a one of a kind musician.

Join Nick as he talks to Sam Powers, former bass player of Superdrag as they discuss touring with Guided by Voices, playing live shows with Lees of Memory and what's he's been up to since his time in Superdrag. Good talk!

Join Nick as he talks to David Bash. David is the founder and CEO of the International Pop Overthrow Music Festival that talks place all over the country as well as a handful of other countries including the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. They chat about the festival, record collecting, COVID and silver linings. Nice talk!

Join Nick as he chats with American actor, comedian, and writer, Brian Stack. Brian is best known for his sketch comedy work on all three Conan O'Brien late-night talk shows, previously working on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, and on O'Brien's current talk show, Conan on TBS. Stack left Conan in April 2015 to join the writing staff of the CBS series The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Topics include entertainment giants Chris Farley, Jon Favreau, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell as well as musicians Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, the Replacements, Lou Reed and more. Hilarious guy! I'm Wiki Bear...yay!

Join me as I chat with Twin Cities radio icon, Brian Oake. We cover a lot of topics including the ups and downs of the radio industry, the band that changed his life, the greatest concert he's ever seen and the joys and occasional downsides of interviewing musicians. Great chat!

Join Nick as he talks to singer/songwriter, Emma Swift. They talk about her move from Australia to Nashville, doing online shows with Robyn Hitchcock, thrifting, songwriting and her new album of Bob Dylan covers entitled "Blonde on the Tracks." Great conversation and fascinating person.

Join Nick as he talks to American Singer/Songwriter, Mike Doughty. Mike talks about Soul Coughing, his solo career, the music business today and answers the question "Is there a better music venue than First Avenue in Minneapolis". Tune in! Great guy.

Join Nick as he chats with Alex Dezen. They talk about growing up in the 80's, the Damnwells, geniuses in music, his new project "Broken Baby" and many other great topics. Fun conversation!

Join Nick as he talks to his original bandmates in High on Stress. Nick Leet, Mark Devaraj, Jon Tranberry & Ben Baker talk about the formation of High on Stress and the making of their debut album "Moonlight Girls".

Join Nick as he talks to Miles Nielsen about his music career, growing up with a rock star dad, "Cop Dave" and just exactly what went wrong with Guns n' Roses. It was nice to catch up.

Join Nick for the second installment of his conversation with Kevin Salem. This sucker wrapped up at about 3AM. Thanks to the universe for late night coffee and a great conversation with a great dude and musician.

Join Nick as he chats with the great Kevin Salem. Kevin is a musician and producer who has worked with Elton John, Matthew Ryan, M. Doughty, Freedy Johnston, Rachel Yamagata and many others. Topics include Peter Jesperson, Slim Dunlap and what he likes to call the True Believers. Awesome chat.

Join Nick as he talks to Jacob Slichter from Semisonic. We chat about his life and career, Closing Time, Secret Smile, Singing in my Sleep and more! Great conversation with a great drummer. Check it out!

Join Nick as he speaks with Ruthie Morris from Magnapop. Topics include working with Michael Stipe and Bob Mould, recording for Priority Records, using Smashing Pumpkins equipment at festivals and sharing a backstage area with Nirvana as they destroy the catering. Great chat. Awesome lady and band.

Doctor!!!

Join me as I talk to one of my childhood heroes, Dr Fink from Prince & the Revolution. Matt shares stories about growing up in the Minneapolis area, meeting and playing with Prince from the beginning of his groundbreaking career through the success of such records as 1999, Purple Rain, Sign o' the Times and beyond. It was a great conversation and a great honor.

Thomas O' Keefe is a tour manager musician and author, best known for his work with Weezer, Antiseen, Whiskeytown, D Generation, Mandy Moore, Train and more!

"The truth is you've never lost"

Matthew Ryan is an American musician from Chester, PA and currently residing in Nashville, TN. No Depression magazine has described him as "Equal parts Springsteen and Paul Westerberg". He's one of the great lyricists around today. Tune in for a great conversation about life, culture, record companies, art vs commerce and the truth. A must listen.

Dearly Beloved...we are gathered here today to talk about Prince.

Join Nick as he talks to Neal Karlen, friend to Prince and author of the book "This Thing Called Life." Topics include their 30 year friendship, how it feels complicated to call a legend a friend and their final conversation weeks before his death. Great guy and great talk.

Join Nick as he talks to Glen Phillips about the history of Toad the Wet Sprocket. You'll learn about his big hits, record company politics as well as his solo career. Great talk. Great guy.

Nick has a hilariously entertaining conversation with Blake Smith (Fig Dish/Caviar/Forgotten Species). Learn what it was like to be on a major label in the 90s, fight with vicious geese, open for Alex Chilton and blow a bunch of record company money on a video they wouldn't be able to run. Check it out! It's a lot of fun.