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Episode 14: Talking guitar with Travis Talbert

Travis Talbert has been the lead guitar player for Frontier Folk Nebraska for more than a decade. He also has released the album “Louisville via Boston” with his project Mavis Guitar. He tells us about FFN’s 2017 release “WARPIG” (2:19) and talks about going into the studio for some 2018 releases (4:26).

We tackle the wide lens issue of guitar players. Talbert talks about his personal history with the instrument (9:14), how he discovered Stevie Ray Vaughn (19:40) and how that led him to the world of Albert King, Freddie King and so many other blues greats (25:26).

As always, a special thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” off their “WARPIG” EP.

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Episode 13: A solo take on Leon Russell

My series of pods focusing on music that matters to me comes to a triumphant conclusion with a Leon Russell monologue.

After a recent purchase of the documentary “A Poem is a Naked Person,” I felt like this was the most natural way to wrap up the music that formed me. I talk about that doc (3:34) and give a much too short biography (10:51).

I then launch into my favorite albums from Russell, beginning with his self-titled release (13:12). I then move to “Leon Russell and the Shelter People” (19:38), the incredible “Leon Live” (22:50) and wrap up with the album that always reminds me of my dad “Will O’ the Wisp” (30:02).

As always, a special thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” off their “WARPIG” EP.

EDIT: I mistakenly said that Russell goes into “Amazing Grace” during “Crystal Closet Queen” on “Leon Live.” He actually does this on “Of Thee I Sing/Yes I Am.” I apologize for any confusion.

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Episode 12: A solo take on “Tommy (OST)” by The Who

On this edition of “Side Tracks with Rusty Pate,” I talk about “Tommy” by The Who. Rather than focusing on the 1969 album version, I look at the 1975 soundtrack for the Ken Russell film.

I talk about the strange and disjointed story (15:00) the questionable inclusion of torture and molestation imagry (21:25) and Pete Townshend’s 2002 child porn allegations (21:57).

As always, a special thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” off their “WARPIG” EP.

 

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Episode 11: a solo take on “The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion”

This week I dive into one of my favorite albums of all time – The Black Crowes “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.”

The early 1990s were a strange time. The American festival scene began to take it’s baby steps with the first Lollapalooza tours, the pop charts were ruled by country music for the first time and the entire rock world focused it’s glare on a community of musicians in Seattle.

In this pod, I talk about 1992. I give a brief history of the Crowes, a track-by-track rundown of “Southern Harmony” and talk about how this album shaped my outlook on music and art.

As always, a special thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” off their “WARPIG” EP.

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Episode 10 – A solo take on Kiss “Alive II”

This week, I’m rolling solo. For the next few weeks, I will be in full monologue mode discussing the albums that shaped my love for music. First off is Kiss “Alive II” from 1977. This was the first album that I picked out on my own and my first proper introduction to heavier music than I had heard. I talk about why the album was so important to me, how the death of Elvis and the rise of punk fit into the Kiss universe and the problems I have with the band’s later era.

I also draw heavily from a Chuck Klosterman article published on Grantland.com.

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their song “Cut You Loose” as the theme music. That track is available on their 2017 EP “WARPIG.” Pick up your copy today from their Bandcamp page.

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Episode 9: Talking music with Izzy Rock

Izzy Rock has been a podcast host since 2012, first on his own “Tales from the Hardside” and later as a co-host and producer of “The Gem City Podcast.” His “Storytellers” pods are an incredible resource for the vibrant Dayton, Ohio music scene.

We talk about what Izzy has been listening to lately, what he listened to in his formative years, his passion for the Dayton music scene and he revisits some of his favorite concerts he’s attended.

Make sure to head to check out Izzy’s pods:
Tales from the Hardside
The Gem City Podcast

As always, special thanks to Frontier Folk Nebraska for allowing me to use their track “Cut You Loose” from their 2017 EP “WARPIG.”

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Episode 8: Talking Big Star with Don Thrasher

This episode features the triumphant return of Don Thrasher. Thrasher has written about music in Dayton, Ohio since the early 1990s. He has also played drums for influential bands like Swearing at Motorists and Guided by Voices. He currently mans the skins for Smug Brothers.

Under the microscope this time: Big Star’s 1970s albums. Thrasher begins with a thorough history of the band and talks about why he loves them so much. Album discussions include: “#1 Record” (29:26), “Radio City” (39:50) and “Third/Sister Lovers” (45:46).

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” as the theme music. That track is available on their 2017 EP “WARPIG.” Pick up your copy today from their Band Camp page.

Check out this episode!

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Episode 7: Talking singer/songwriters with David Payne

For episode seven, David Payne joins the show. The front man for The New Old-Fashioned has a lot going on at the moment. Preliminary work has begun on that band’s next release, but Payne has kept busy in the meantime. An impromptu home demo recording session turned out so well that he has decided to release the tracks.

On this podcast, Payne talks about that new EP “Cheaper than Therapy” (0:40). He performs the songs “Cheaper than Therapy” (6:04) and “Silver & Gold” (18:18). We talk about John Prine’s 1971 self-titled debut release (23:00), Ryan Adam’s 2002 album “Demolition” (40:30) and Shrug’s 2005 release “Whole Hog for the Macho Jesus” (56:42).

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” as the theme music. That track is available on their 2017 EP “WARPIG.” Pick up your copy today from their Band Camp page.

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Episode 6: Talking The Monkees with Chad Wells

For episode 6, Chad Wells drops in. Wells currently helms the psychedelic-tinged band Cricketbows. We kick off the conversation with talk about their new EP “Communion” (1:00) and their full-length film “Where the Ocean Meets the Sky” (3:15). Chad also plays an exclusive solo acoustic performance of the track “Games People Play” (8:14).

Chad tells us why The Monkees are the “cornerstone from which all other music is judged” for him (12:33). The deep dive into the albums begins with “Headquarters” (19:14), “Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, LTD” (42:00), “The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees”(52:05) and the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to “Head” (1:02:09).

As always, thank you to Frontier Folk Nebraska for use of their track “Cut You Loose” as the theme music. That track is available on their 2017 EP WARPIG. Pick up your copy today from their Band Camp page.

Check out this episode!

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Introducing… “Side Tracks One Mic Sessions”

Sometimes, our guests are talented musicians. It wouldn’t make much sense to have them come in and NOT record an original song. This new feature is dubbed “Side Tracks One Mic Sessions” our first installment features Harold Hensley performing a track from his upcoming solo debut “Midnight Savings Time” called “Songs of Home.” It is a hauntingly beautiful true story of his family’s decision to sell their generations old Kentucky farm.

Make sure to like Hensley’s Facebook music page to keep up to date on the album’s release and tour dates.

The full episode of Hensley’s pod can be streamed here.