My First Band Podcast

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100 – Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie, Ladyfingers) Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

My First Band has reached the century mark! We're celebrating the 100-episode milestone in grand fashion with the incomparable Adam Weiner, who you might know better as the singer, pianist and driving force behind Low Cut Connie. Over the course of the project's decade-long existence, Low Cut Connie has released six acclaimed albums, toured the world, earned high praise from legendary musicians like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, and has become a favorite of two United States Presidents. Weiner has been especially busy since last March, performing more than 70 "Tough Cookies" livestream shows to millions of viewers all over the world and releasing the latest Low Cut Connie album.

The day before he performed an official virtual event for the Biden-Harris inauguration, Weiner spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the rare honor he had to represent the new President's home state on the historic day, the band's recently released Private Lives and how a pandemic reinforced his belief in the powers of performance and the artist-audience connection. Of course, the hour-long interview also touched on Weiner's musical past, including his upbringing in New Jersey, attending art school in New York, memorable early shows and tumultuous tours during his days playing under the "Ladyfingers" moniker, and unforgettable experiences from the more than 10-year run (and counting) of Low Cut Connie.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Low Cut Connie ("Stay As Long As You Like").

99 – Scott H. Biram (The Dirty Old One Man Band) Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest is Scott H. Biram, but you might know him as "The Dirty Old One Man Band." Since releasing his solo debut in the year 2000, the tireless troubadour has played thousands upon thousands of shows at venues of all sizes and scope in North America, toured Europe more than 20 times, had songs featured on popular TV shows and Oscar-nominated films, and put out 11 albums. A couple months after he released Fever Dreams — his latest album, which came out on Bloodshot Records last November — Biram took some time out of his uncharacteristically quiet schedule to talk to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his 20-plus-year solo run and everything that came beforehand.

Over the course of an hour-long discussion, Biram talked about how he's keeping busy and staying productive during a pandemic, his upbringing in a fairly small Texas town, the inspiration artists like Doc Watson and Townes Van Zandt had on him early on, and his stints in adolescent and early adulthood outfits like The Happy Trees and The Thangs. Along the way, the accomplished singer-songwriter opened up about his decision to branch out on his own, what the "H" stands for (hint: it's not his middle name), getting signed to Bloodshot, the ups and downs of more than two decades spent on the road, performing on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, punching "The Devil" in the stomach in Atlanta, and much more.

98 – John Sparrow (Violent Femmes, The Danglers) Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

John Sparrow is living every Milwaukee musician's dream. The percussionist has toured all around the world, performed at legendary venues like the Sydney Opera House and Red Rocks Amphitheater, shared the stage with some of music's biggest names, and has earned a spot as the drummer of the Violent Femmes. Long before he was keeping the beat for Wisconsin's most renowned rock band, Sparrow was cutting his teeth in polka combos, dabbling in jazz and drumming along to Violent Femmes records in his basement.

Recently, Sparrow spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about many of the amazing experiences he's had as a member of the Femmes, the unexpected circumstances that led to him landing a spot in the band and all the projects that came beforehand. Over the course of the discussion, Sparrow talked about his years in The Danglers, unknowingly auditioning to become Violent Femmes' cajón player, his eventual move to becoming the band's drummer, using a grill during his performance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and playing the first musical notes in Fiserv Forum history.

97 – Lydia Luce Jan 08, 2021

Show notes

Even though Lydia Luce first came to consciousness in folk and Americana circles with her excellent 2018 debut, Azelea, the Nashville-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been working hard to hone her craft for decades. The up-and-coming artist was immersed in music since infancy. Her professional conductor mother put a violin in her hands at an early age, and she spent much of her childhood playing in a string quartet with her brother.

As Luce prepares to release her long-awaited sophomore record, Dark River, on Feb. 26, the lifelong musician talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of writing and recording the highly-anticipated album. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Luce also spoke about getting through the pandemic, a tornado hitting her home in March, her extensive and rigorous musical education, early tours with projects that preceded her solo work, and the pride she takes in her Lockeland Strings community arts organization.

96 – Charlie Berens (Manitowoc Minute, Berens & Greuel, The CripesCast) Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

My First Band kicks off 2021 with Charlie Berens. The affable actor, writer, comedian and Emmy-winning host has made a name for himself throughout Wisconsin (and far beyond) with his "Manitowoc Minute" segments and other hilarious videos that are rooted in Midwest-themed humor. In addition to making content that has garnered millions of views, touring throughout Wisconsin and its neighboring states, starting a great new podcast called The CripesCast, and adapting his web-based material into a sidesplitting long-form theater show, Berens recently joined forces with Adam Greuel, of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, to release an album full of Wisconsin-centric bluegrass songs.

A few weeks after the release of Berens & Greuel's debut album, Unthawed, Berens spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the album and its unique blend of local love, earnest bluegrass and well-crafted comedy. Over the course of the discussion, Berens also talked about his early musical attempts in the small Wisconsin town of Elm Grove, the development of Manitowoc Minute, the careful balance of humor and social commentary he tries to strike in his material, the process of writing and recording Unthawed, and spending a week in the top spot on the Billboard bluegrass charts (unseating Sturgill Simpson in the process). Before episode's end, Berens also dipped into Manitowoc Minute mode long enough to give some bold predictions for this weekend's Packers-Bears game.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Berens & Greuel ("Supper Club Shuffle").

95 – Shawna Nicols (DJ Shawna) Dec 24, 2020

Show notes

This week's guest — and the final My First Band guest of 2020 — is Shawna Nicols. Wisconsin sports fans probably know her better as "DJ Shawna," the moniker she uses while serving as the official in-game DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks as well as the Wisconsin Badgers football team. In recent years, the accomplished Milwaukee DJ and emcee has also worked the turntables and curated the musical accompaniment at the NCAA Women's Final Four, during University of Wisconsin men's basketball games, at Marquette women's basketball games, as a headliner at PrideFest Milwaukee, and as Lizzo's opener at last year's Summerfest. Oh yeah, she was also one of just four DJs invited to work in "The Bubble" when the NBA resumed its season/postseason in Orlando over the summer. Long before she was playing music during professional basketball games, Shawna was a pro basketball player herself.

Recently, a few days before the Bucks and Shawna were set to start another season, Shawna spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the work she puts into pairing music with specific players and in-game occurrences, the experience of living and working in The Bubble, and being one of the few people in attendance when Milwaukee made the historic decision to forego playing a playoff game in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Eventually, the conversation turned to Shawna's days as a Milwaukee basketball standout, a Badgers player and a professional baller in the Netherlands. Along the way, they talked about her unconventional path to becoming a professional DJ and how a mixture of tenacity and talent have opened exciting new doors for her in entertainment.

94 – Bartees Strange Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Though 2020 has been a downright awful year with very few bright spots, the emergence of Bartees Strange has been one silver lining people can be happy about. The Washington DC-based singer and multi-instrumentalist first came to widespread consciousness this March with Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, an EP of songs by The National that he reinterpreted in spectacular fashion. In October, that inventive release was followed by Live Forever, his debut full-length that's earned him international attention and high standing on a bunch of year-end best albums lists.

Last week — minutes after learning his song "Boomer" was named the best song of 2020 by Spin Magazine — Strange spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his whirlwind year (that just so happens to be taking place during a worldwide pandemic) and what he's working on to follow-up his pair of lauded releases. Eventually, the conversation turned to the up-and-coming musician's upbringing in a Christian household with an opera singer mother, his discovery of hardcore music as a teen living in the Oklahoma city of Mustang, his years as a backing musician and touring guitarist in Brooklyn, what brought him back to DC, and the years of work and life lessons that went into creating Live Forever. Along the way, the pair talked about Hanson's underrated "Mmmhops" beer and their shared love of Appleton, Wisconsin.

93 – Chris DeMakes (Less Than Jake) Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

As a founding member of Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes has spent close to 30 years traveling the world to perform thousands of shows. Along the way, the singer and guitarist has shared stages of all sizes and scope with some of the world's most renowned artists, released top-notch music at an impressive clip, and amassed an astounding collection of experiences associated with his one and only (true) project. Before he was at the forefront of the seminal ska-punk band, DeMakes was learning to play music in Port Charlotte, Florida, and laying the groundwork for what would eventually turn into Less Than Jake.

In the days leading up to the release of Less Than Jake's brand new album, Silver Linings, DeMakes spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new album, his just-released book, his excellent "Chris DeMakes A Podcast," and the Dec. 11 "Live With Less Than Jake" livestream event. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, DeMakes also talked about opening for Bon Jovi on an arena tour, playing with Snoop Dogg and Linkin Park, leaving major label deals in favor of independent imprints, and how Less Than Jake's work ethic and live show have played an important part in the band's longevity.

92 – Joel King (The Wild Feathers, The Effects) Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

During his 10 years (and counting!) as a member of The Wild Feathers, Joel King and his bandmates have released four well-received studio albums and a live record, played hundreds upon hundreds of concerts all around the country and toured with legendary musicians like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Bob Segar. Prior to his time with the accomplished Nashville-based Americana outfit, King — who plays bass and shares vocal duties in The Wild Feathers — was living in Oklahoma and working hard to make a living as the front man of a rock band called The Effects.

A few days before The Wild Feathers released its latest album, Medium Rarities, on Nov. 20, King spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the collection of B-sides, covers and unreleased material, as well as many of the standout moments from his decade in the band. Of course, the conversation eventually shifted to King's previous projects. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, he talked about making decent money and playing out often in high school bands like Rhythmic Overdose and The Denizens, touring avidly and even playing to American troops in the Middle East in The Effects, being courted by major labels after starting what would become The Wild Feathers, and what he hopes to do with the band once life returns to some semblance of normalcy.

91 – Zach Blair (Rise Against, GWAR, Drakulas) Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

These days, Zach Blair can be heard playing lead guitar in the world-renowned punk outfit Rise Against as well as Drakulas, his excellent side project. Before he was part of those bands, the guitarist was sporting formal wear as a member of Hagfish, touring overseas with a punk supergroup called Only Crime and wearing 60 pounds of prosthetics to play the part of "Flattus Maximus" in GWAR. And prior to any of that, Blair was just a kid in Sherman, Texas, who was listening to his dad's record collection and learning to play guitar.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas got a chance to hear some amazing stories from Blair's 30-plus-years in music. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, they spoke about the guitarist's lengthy tenure in Hagfish with his brother Doni, the unexpected circumstances that led to him joining GWAR (and the tragedy that brought him back to the band for a short time), memorable stints in Armstrong and Only Crime, and how he wound up joining Rise Against. Along the way, Blair also talked about ways he's keeping busy during a rare span of time in which he's not touring, all the amazing experiences he's been able to have with Rise Against and Drakulas' great new record entitled Terminal Amusements.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Drakulas ("Dark Black").

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