Today’s guest is the multi-talented JEFF GARBER — singer, guitarist, composer, producer, & engineer. From the mid-to-late ‘90s Jeff played in the Champaign, IL indie rock band CASTOR, who released 2 LPs, a single, & some compilation tracks, all of which have just been remixed, remastered, & pressed to vinyl on Matt Talbott’s EARTH ANALOG label. That set is called Moving Backgrounds; it’s now up for pre-order on POLYVINYL RECORDS. Link below.
Jeff’s next project, NATIONAL SKYLINE, which he started with Nick Macri (C-Clamp), Derek Niedringhaus (Castor), & Jeff Dimpsey (HUM), put out over a dozen releases, some on indie labels & some self-released.
He moved to Los Angeles in 2001 under the suggestion of producer/engineer/mixer Ken Andrews (Failure). Along with Andrews, Tim Dow, & Solomon Snyder, he formed YEAR OF THE RABBIT, who signed with Elektra Records & released their stellar self-titled album in 2003, followed by tours with A Perfect Circle & Pete Yorn.
After the demise of Elektra Records, he trained as an engineer & producer under Andrews throughout the 2000s. With the release of National Skyline’s 2009 epic Bliss & Death, Garber drew the attention of several key figures at MTV. That self-released album had several songs featured on TV shows The Hills, Jersey Shore, & Teen Mom.
Jeff went on to provide thousands of music tracks for shows on ABC, NBC, Fox, AMC, & many more. He's been awarded SESAC’s Honors in Cable Television & also received network TV honors at BMI.
He's currently the composer for the Netflix hit series Virgin River & Full Swing, & he writes & records music in his basement studio in Altadena, CA.
In this episode, we talk about the magnetism of college towns, end-of-the century anxiety, & endless endless layers of guitars.
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https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/products/castor-moving-backgrounds
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TIMESTAMPS:
03:15 // "Pontiac" (Castor)
04:34 // Castor News
08:40 // Origins
14:07 // "Trackstar" (Castor)
15:26 // Influences & Inspirations
18:31 // "Anecdotes" (Castor)
23:52 // Recording with Matt Talbott
26:52 // National Skyline
30:06 // "Reinkiller" (National Skyline)
35:52 // Year of the Rabbit
37:57 // The Gospel of Fantastic Planet
40:11 // YOTR Live
41:17 // "Let It Go" (Year of the Rabbit)
46:56 // Showcase Showdown
52:50 // Electra 2000 Tape
55:40 // Inlet LP
1:00:36 // "Folding" Discussion
1:30:13 // "Dust Gun" (Castor)
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"Folding" Live in STL (2018)
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