Explore every episode of the podcast Close Enough for Jazz
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle | 30 Apr 2026 | 01:11:09 | |
Bassist Kevin Scott shares lessons from the road and the technical secrets of playing "out" while keeping the pocket. From touring with Gov't Mule to the manifestation stories that led to playing with his idols, Kevin discusses the necessity of artistic sacrifice and the "Dancing Poodle" analogy that defines the industry landscape. Timestamps: 00:00 - The reality of the professional music environment 00:26 - Touring with a "Raccoon Ambassador" 03:49 - Tour Hacks: Bus etiquette and sideman logistics 08:34 - Maintaining health and gym routines on the road 09:53 - Resonant Paths: Hiring Greg Osby and Ryan Clackner 13:42 - Manifestation: Joining Warren Haynes’ solo band 20:46 - Handling nerves when playing when being a “fanboy” 28:09 - The 55 Bar legacy and the 2026 NYC scene 35:36 - Building collaborative communities through sacrifice 44:19 - Playing "out" while maintaining the pocket 49:31 - The "Abusive Partner" analogy: Double Bass vs. Electric 53:14 - Electric Bass: The history of the "Ultimate Bastard" instrument 56:26 - The Mythic Pursuit: Col. Bruce Hampton and moving to Atlanta 01:06:16 - The Dancing Poodle Analogy: Why it always wins 01:10:19 - Upcoming records with Matt Chamberlain and Ryan Clackner BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Recording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:51:22 | |
Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund join Matt Scollante to explore the intensive process of recording the new Bear Skinner album, Unobtainium. They discuss the technical challenge of live tracking during a snowstorm, the discipline of creating original audio patches, and the infrastructure required to document high-level creative music. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Trevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:31:54 | |
Keyboardist Trevor Lagrange joins the show to discuss the evolution of his creative voice and the necessity of visual entertainment in live music. He breaks down the history of the Brooklyn loft scene, the influence of his classical training, and the mental tools he uses to master the advanced rhythms of the Bear Skinner project. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:54:49 | |
Matt Scollante interviews Alan Bjorklund on the technical and philosophical evolution of the producer's role in creative music. Alan breaks down the high-level vision for Birch Grove Media, his specific audio choices for the band Smirk, and the expansive influences that shape the label's identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Big Ears 2026: The Festival Experience | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:34:26 | |
Alan & Lindsay Bjorklund and Ryan Clackner gather in Knoxville to review a weekend of live performance. They discuss the importance of "play" in improvised sets, the local venues that support the scene, and the long-awaited reunion duo of Ryan Clackner and Tyshawn Sorey. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Versatility and the "Soft Prune": Nick Jost | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:36:44 | |
Bassist Nick Jost joins Lindsay to discuss his "prepped-for-anything" mindset and the reality of the creative music scene. He breaks down his roots in St. Louis, his technical tools for learning odd meters, and why the best music comes from leaving your ego at the door. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Exit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:21:49 | |
Alan and Lindsay break down the move from New York City to their new headquarters in Blairstown, NJ. They discuss the "obsessive" process of building a professional-grade home studio, the difficulty of booking bands in the city post-2022, and the local history of the Delaware Water Gap. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ryan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:52:10 | |
Guitarist Ryan Clackner joins the show to discuss why jazz guitar often fails to harness the true power of the electric instrument. From the "incestuous" habits of guitar players to the soul-crushing influence of academia, Ryan breaks down what’s wrong with the scene today—and why he had to move to the "Bermuda Triangle of Appalachia" to find his own voice. Timestamps: 01:30 - The "Sound Riddle": From Holdsworth to Scofield 03:49 - The hurdle of "straight-ahead" proficiency 11:10 - How the "classical sickness" infected jazz 16:46 - From eighth-grade Metallica to jazz band 22:03 - The cultural importance of the Garwood Crossroads scene 28:31 - Why Nashville actually "hates musicians" 37:43 - Details on the upcoming Big Ears Festival duo performance BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Introducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:28:21 | |
In the debut episode, founders Alan and Lindsay discuss why they decided to "choose themselves" and launch Birch Grove Media. They break down the importance of physical media, the roles of a creative director versus a label manager, and why their podcast won't sound like your typical "soothing" NPR jazz show. Timestamps:
BIRCH GROVE MEDIA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||