Podcast

This podcast was started as a place for me to talk about music and promote the songs from “Escape from Society.” Most of the first 14 episodes DJ a song from the album and tell some stories about how it was written or recorded, or what influenced it. In episode 16 I begin a new format, discussing my performances and DJing the music that I’ve been directly involved with each month.

Episodes very in length but always feature at least as much music as talking. They are streaming below and here’s the link to go subscribe from the iTunes Store: Escape From Society Podcast on iTunes

Episode 1: Middle of Nowhere

EFS1 Middle of Nowhere

This episode introduces song-poems by playing the Ron Davis classic “Escape From Society” and then moves on to discuss the song “Middle of Nowhere.”  Posted July 10, 2012.  Running time 17:36

Episode 2: The Verge

EFS2 The Verge

This episode talks about recording in Las Vegas and being introduced to song-poems by Penn Jillette. The bizarre song “At The Time” serves as an introduction to my song “The Verge.”  Posted July 17, 2012.  Running time 23:45.

Episode 3: Last Train To Paradise

EFS3 Last Train To Paradise

This episode plays some Harry Nilsson, Fred Neil, and Gillian Welch, while explaining why I think some jazz musicians are fools to think their jazz chops enable them to play any type of music.  Posted July 28, 2012.  Running time 26:08.

Episode 4: More Than Your Dog

EFS4 More Than Your Dog

A conversation with the lyricist for the song “More Than Your Dog,” 10 year-old Carolina Komorova. Also the classic song-poem “Woman’s Liberation.”  Posted August 8, 2012.  Running time 23:06

Episode 5: Infinite Shit

EFS5 Infinite Shit

Mostly music on this one. I got inspired by a stretched out Justin Bieber track I found on the internet and slowed down one of my own pieces from about 2 minutes to about 18.  Posted August 25, 2012.  Running time 28:10. 

Episode 6: Tres Dedos Marron

EFS6 Tres Dedos Marron

The song with words by NPR’s Mike Pesca, plus his original broadcast that they came from and some background about the ballplayers mentioned. Also some of Kyle’s outtakes of the organ solo and a song from his own record.  Posted September 11, 2012.  Running time 17:00.

Episode 7: Election Edition

EFS7 Election Edition

None of my own music in this episode, just 4 classic song-poems about presidents in honor of our own upcoming election. JFK, Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. Hilarious and amazing songs.  Posted September 25, 2012.  Running Time 24:12.

Episode 8: South Philly Daze

EFS8 South Philly Daze

This is maybe my favorite story from the album. A lyricist in Philly was afraid that her lyrics were being stolen and smuggled to the Roots and we had a bizarre conversation about her suspicions and demands.  Posted October 12, 2012.  Running time 17:46.

Episode 9: Bellarthur An Albino

EFS9 Bellarthur An Albino

Inspired by a strange piece of spam I received, this piece is for six trombones and voice and reminds me of Guygax and Deerhoof.  Posted November 1, 2012.  Running time 20:20.

Episode 10: Thank You

EFS10 Thank You

The tuba episode, featuring the epiphany I had that I was making MY OWN record and could put a TUBA SOLO on it if I wanted to and no one could stop me.  Posted November 29, 2012.  Running time 20:44.

Episode 11: So You Want to Be a Slug?

EFS11 So You Want to Be a Slug?

One of the most fun songs, possibly the most psychedelic of all, gets its turn in the podcast spotlight. What it was like working with real slugs, with a little Rodd Keith and Norris the Troubadour thrown in.  Posted December 14, 2012.  Running time 25:30.

Episode 12: Escape From Christmas

EFS12 Escape From Christmas

A little revue of songs that I’ve written for the Yulenog series and more Christmas song-poems such as “Snowbows,” “Peppermint Stick Man,” and “Santa Came On A Nuclear Missile.”  Posted December 22, 2012.  Running time 28:48.

Episode 13: The Winter Storm

EFS13 The Winter Storm

Episode 13 first of 2013! Changing the lyrics around and incorporating unusual sounds for the track “The Winter Storm”, plus a goodie from the Skeleton$ Big Band.  Posted January 16, 2013.  Running time 27:14.

Episode 14: I Flip My Rhythms

EFS14 I Flip My Rhythms

This was the most collaboratively created piece on the album. I worked with deaf artist Christine Kim on creating a rhythmic score and chose to not use pitches in the piece at all, a la Frank Zappa’s “Approximate” and Helmut Lachenmann’s “Pression.”  Posted February 8, 2013.  Running time 22:20.

Episode 15: Cynthia Hopkins

EFS15: Cynthia Hopkins

This episode is a long-form interview with Cynthia Hopkins, a theater-maker whose recent work “This Clement World” I was a part of. The subject of that show is climate change so we mostly discuss that, though we also listen to some of her music and take a couple of tangents.  Posted April 20, 2013.  Running time 1:24:52.

Episode 16: January, 2014

EFS16: January 2014

After a long hiatus, the podcast returns with a new format: longer shows featuring discussion and recordings related to my performances from the past month. In January, 2014, I played with 11 different bands, most of which are featured with a song on the show. Brief discussions ensue on audience expectation, compositional process, and getting paid. For a complete listing of the music heard on this episode, click here.  Posted February 4, 2014.  Running time 1:13:23.

Episode 17: February, 2014

EFS17: February 2014

It wasn’t a terribly busy month but I did have the tasks of playing solo trombone, leading a blues band through 4 sets on vocals and guitar, and playing an Escape From Society show entirely on bass for the first time. This episode features music by Levon Helm, NRBQ, The Neville Brothers, and Don Byron, and mashes up some other recordings in interesting ways while I talk about the concerts. Complete playlist here.  Posted February 27, 2014.  Running time 38:24.

Episode 18: March, 2014

EFS18: March 2014

March in review!  Two gigs at Roulette (with the Western Enisphere and Skeletons), one bad and one good Mitra Sumara show, and various other work. This episode includes a couple of my home recordings, one of a Robert Ashley song and one of the folk song “Katie Cruel.” Complete playlist here.  Posted April 24, 2014. Running time 52:10.

Episode 19: April, 2014

EFS19: April 2014

A flurry of activity ranging from Ellington transcriptions to church gigs to new African friends and renaissance music for brass. Special attention given to musician and pal Jordan McLean. This episode could have been a two-parter given its length, have fun listening! Complete playlist here.  Posted May 15, 2014.  Running time 1:34:37

Episode 20: May, 2014

EFS20: May 2014

20 gigs in 31 days…from “Under the Boardwalk” to Phill Niblock, some good and bad tuba experiences, easy money and work-your-ass-off money. Complete playlist here.  Posted June 7, 2014.  Running time 1:18:01.

Episode 21: June, 2014

EFS21: June 2014

Touring England with Tin Pan, also playing in Chicago and thinking what Tom Waits is about. Complete playlist here.  Posted July 15, 2014.  Running time 1:13:55.

Episode 22: July, 2014

EFS22: July 2014

Chasing the gigs from Cape Cod to Montreal to Woodstock. An exciting new Stravinsky production and what I think about Kickstarter. Complete playlist here.  Posted August 8, 2014.  Running time 1:14:28.

Episode 23: August, 2014

EFS23: August 2014

A shorter episode for a summer month…a performance installation and a handful of nice casual gigs around town. Complete playlist here.  Posted September 2, 2014.  Running time 37:16.

Episode 24: September, 2014

EFS24: September 2014

Lots of busking, expanding a new theater piece, a little bit of Escape From Society solo, and some Afrobeat too. Complete playlist here. Posted October 3, 2014.  Running time 51:50.

Episode 25: October, 2014

EFS25: October 2014

Shouts out to Frank Zappa and Matt Nelson among regular gigs with Tin Pan and the Universe Is A Small Hat and a trip to Montreal with Gordon Webster. Complete playlist here.  Posted November 5, 2014.  Running time 37:25.

Episode 26: November, 2014

EFS26: November 2014

Tour diary of Europe with Carate Urio Orchestra, Elyas Khan, Escape From Society, and others. Not to mention some swing gigs and an annual “In C” performance in NYC. Complete playlist here.  Posted December 8, 2014.  Running time 1:39:58.

Episode 27: December, 2014

EFS27: December 2014

Lots of Christmas music, as I’ve come to expect and enjoy. The iconic release of Yulenog 10, some parties, a little Tin Pan, and a little free jazz for no one. Complete playlist here.  Posted January 29, 2015.  Running time 57:05.

Podcast Drawing