Employee of the Myth – Details, episodes & analysis

A continuation of Episode 18 with Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, this is a special live-off-the-floor recording session of Jim's song "Anywhere Else But Home" from his new solo album All The World Fades Away.

Recorded by Tim Vesely at Blue Rodeo's Woodshed Studio.

The band:
Jim Cuddy: acoustic guitar, vocals
Andy Maize: vocals
Anne Lindsay: fiddle
Jane Gowan: accordion
Tim Vesely: bass

more info:
jimcuddy.com
bluerodeo.com
anne-lindsay.com
skydiggers.com
thevioletarchers.com

A co-production by Music Buddy and Employee of the Myth

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"Blue Rodeo...were at the vanguard of creating a national movement of roots music...that really captured peoples' imaginations in the late 80s early 90s, and continues to this day" — Andy Maize

"The thing about community is that there are a lot of opportunities to give...[The] Christmas show from Skydiggers always feels like a gift... like [they're] doing this as an offering...Their band has never really let me down. I listen to every record and I think 'good on ya boys, you did again'. That show is like that too - one thing after another that's given to the audience, and it's not about their career, it's about this offering at a very important time of year"— Jim Cuddy

Loyalty, gratitude, and a belief in living fully: These are some of the things that motivate and inspire musician, singer, and songwriter Jim Cuddy. His new album All The World Fades Away (June, 2024) is—in his words—a "fictionalized memoir". It's a collection of personal and poignant songs infused with appreciation of life, love, family, and friendship.

Please enjoy this special conversation with guest Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. Featuring Andy Maize, Jane Gowan, Joel Stewart, and Tim Vesely.

This episode is a co-production between Music Buddy and Employee of the Myth.

Music samples in this episode:
"Learn to Live Alone" - Jim Cuddy (All The World Fades Away, 2024)
"Second Son" - Jim Cuddy (All In Time, 1998)
"Everyday Angels" - Jim Cuddy (All The World Fades Away, 2024)
"Will I Be Waiting" - Jim Cuddy (The Light That Guides You Home, 2006)
"Arizona Dust" - Jim Cuddy (The Things We Left Behind, 2009)
"Bad Timing" - Blue Rodeo (Five Days in July, 1993)
"Torn" - Jim Cuddy (All The World Fades Away, 2024)

More about Jim Cuddy at jimcuddy.com
More about Blue Rodeo at bluerodeo.com

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"...every time you get up on stage, you try to represent what you're doing, to the best of your abilities. You can have a sh*tty song or a sh*tty set, and then you can turn it around. That's one song at a time...night after night" —Andy Maize

In this episode, Andy and Josh explain how they stay positive when things get challenging, and how the band can be a safe haven when times are tough. They also talk about their annual Christmas show (a cherished tradition for so many of their fans), and what they might have been if they hadn't become musicians.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: The brand new "One Song at a Time" (Bide Your Time, 2023 ) and—"All Of Our Dreaming" (Bittersweet Harmony, 2003). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

At once current and timeless, "Just Another Lucky Day" calls out the behaviour of certain people in power and delves into the challenges faced by a divided society, while maintaining a deep warmth and strong melodic foundation.

In this episode, Andy and Josh talk pandemic times, working with producer Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), and creating another "classic Skydiggers" track.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "City of Sirens" (City of Sirens 2023 + Andy Maize'sThe History of Forgetting, 2010 ) and—from the brand new EP Bide Your Time—"Just Another Lucky Day". Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson discuss the first track from their new EP, Bide Your Time. They talk about their approaches to 30 years of singing harmonies together, and how they arrived at a "kitchen-party-bluegrass-jam" style for this track. They also reflect on a long-ago tour in the Netherlands with a stungun-toting promoter named "Rudolph", and the time when Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip quoted their song "A Penny More" on Saturday Night Live.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Employee of the Myth" (Bide Your Time, 2023) and "A Penny More" (Restless, 1992). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto.

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson are masters of embracing change and evolution in the creative process. Track 6—“Come to My Senses”—is an example of their ability to keep moving forward, and making music that is fresh, relevant, but still authentic to who they are.

In this episode, they reveal how a song written years ago, blossomed in the recording studio with the help of a solid bass line, great musicians (such as trumpet player Daniel Lapp), and a fruitful collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Joby Baker.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Come to My Senses" (Hide Your Light, 2023) and "Warmth of the Sun" (Warmth of the Sun, 2017). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

“A Wednesday meant for broken hearts to mend…” In Episode 5, Andy and Josh discuss finding meaning in the loss of loved ones and the healing power of music.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Anything For You” (Bittersweet Harmony 2003), and "A Wednesday" (Hide Your Light, 2023). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

In this episode we take a nostalgic look back to a time when everything was in front of us…  to the innocence and adventure of youth… the endless days of summer and the endless possibilities of life ahead… 

“All the time you can’t get back… when time is all that you need…”

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Muscle Cars and Sissy Bars” (Hide Your Light 2003), and "I Will Give You Everything" (Skydiggers, 1990). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

EP 3 - Hide Your Light, finds Jane, Josh and Andy shining a light on the EP's title track.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Hide Your Light” (Hide Your Light, 2023), and "Horseshoe Bay" (Bittersweet Harmony, 2003). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"Bit by bit, brick by brick, My city is gone..."

Josh and Andy discuss the changes that have occurred in Toronto over the years and also touch upon Josh's time in London during the early '80s.

In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Desmond's Hip City” (Desmond's Hip City, 1997), and "My City is Gone" (Hide Your Light, 2023). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely