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Nakedly Examined Music Podcast — Music
Nakedly Examined Music Podcast

Song Analysis with the Songwriter

Latest Episodes:

NEM#18: Jill Sobule Takes America Back Jun 29, 2016

Show notes

Jill is a big personality, rivaling Elvis Costello in the creation of acerbic, stylistically varied singer-songwriter material, and shes been putting out tuneful, story-laden albums since 1990. Visit jillsobule.com. We discuss "Jetpack" from Underdog Victorious (2004) and get to meet her frequent co-writer Robin Eaton, "Empty Glass" (co-written with Elise Thoron) from The California Years (2009), and "Pilar (Things Here Are Different)" from Things Here Are Different (1990). Finally, we hear a new recording of her political manifesto "America Back." The intro/outro music is "Supermodel" from her 1995 self-titled album. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#17: Carrie Akre’s Different Ways of Fronting Jun 04, 2016

Show notes

Carrie fronted Seattle grunge favorite Hammerbox in the early '90s, then moved to the more poppy guitar rock band Goodness for the latter part of the decade, and released three solo albums in the '00s. The overall movement is from harsh exuberance to quiet reflectivity, and Carrie's role evolved with her starting off as new newbie to rock bands singing over already-composed music and ending up in a much more controlling position, as she experiments with different musicians to get deep textures. We discuss "No" from Hammerbox's Numb (1993), "Cozy" from Goodness's Anthem (1998), and "Reflection" from her solo album Home (2000). We also listen to "Coat of Arms" from the Rockfords' self-titled 2000 album (a band that features members of Goodness as well as Mike McCready from Pearl Jam), and the opening music is Hammerbox's single "When 3 is 2," also from No. Hear some more conversation about Carrie's most recent musical efforts and other topics with bonus songs by signing up for a recurring donation, then clicking here. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#16: Narada Michael Walden Funks the Moment May 26, 2016

Show notes

Narada started as a fusion drummer in the '70s (with Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck, etc.) then released numerous solo albums and produced and wrote for artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, and many more. He believes in working fast: creating a mood and getting the most out of it. We discuss "Freedom" (written by Richie Havens) from Evolution (2015), "I Shoulda Loved Ya" from The Dance of Life (1979), and the title track from Garden of Love Light (1976). We also listen to "Billionaire on Soul Street," also from Evolution. The opening music is from "Freeway of Love" which Narada wrote and produced for Aretha Franklin, and the outro music is from "How Will I Know?" which Narada produced and wrote the verses to for Whitey Houston. Learn more about Narada at naradamichaelwalden.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#15: Craig Wedren’s Non-Linear Clarity May 15, 2016

Show notes

Craig led Shudder to Think from 1986 to 1998 and has since had a solo career and done soundtrack work. Shudder to Think was a band that started as part of Washington DC's "hardcore" scene, but challenged musical conventions to try to achieve U2-level success with Captain-Beefheart-level weirdness (they failed). We discuss their song "Pebbles" from Get Your Goat (1992), then go post-Shudder to "Show Down" by Craig's short-lived pop-dance band, Craig Wedren & Baby. Then we talk about working on assignment on "I Am the Wolf, You Are the Moon," for Wet, Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. We also listen to "Heaven Sent" from Crag's album Wand (2011). The opening music is "X-French Tee Shirt" from Pony Express Record (1994) and the closing music is the theme from The State. Learn more at craigwedren.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#14: Jonathan Donahue (Mercury Rev): Mountain Man of Subtlety May 01, 2016

Show notes

After serving a stint with the Flaming Lips, Jonathan has been putting out albums with Mercury Rev since 1991. Over time, their music has shifted from noisy alternative rock to symphonic, soundtrack pop songs... still psychedelic, but now with an unapologetically Disneyesque influence, with the magic of nature swirling out through harp glissandos and french horns, all standing behind a simple, stark melody delivered by Jonathan's high, Neil-Youngesque voice, which sings of nature and things more abstract. We discuss "Autumn's in the Air" from The Light In You (2015), "Holes" from Deserter's Songs (1998), and "Empire State (Son House in Excelsis)" from See You on the Other Side (1995). We also listen to "Central Park East" also from the new album and intro music is "Car Wash Hair" from Yerself Is Steam (1991). Learn more about Mercury Rev at mercuryrev.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#13: Beth Kille Rocks and Leads Others to Rock Apr 22, 2016

Show notes

Beth fronted Clear Blue Betty from 2000–2007, then in 2009 became a solo artist, co-founding Madison's Girl's Rock camp and letting music consume all of her professional life. She's a classic singer-songwriter whose mission is to help others unlock their creative rockery. We talk about "Wrong Side of Gone" from the Beth Kille Band's 2015 EP Stark Raving Songbird, "Dead Man in a Dream" from Dust (2012), and "Through the Walls" from the EP of that name by Clear Blue Betty (2007). Plus, "Little Bit Drunk" from Beth Kille's Ready(2010). The intro music is "Go Back" from Clear Blue Betty's Never Been a Rebel (2004). Learn and hear more at bethkille.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#12: John Philip Shenale: String Arranger, Composer, Producer Apr 12, 2016

Show notes

Phil is the long-time string arranger for Tori Amos and has done a heap more production, arrangement, and keyboard work. He has a very deliberate production style, carefully crafting a very natural-sounding theatrical background using both cutting-edge and very old tools. We talk about "Cross the Channel" from the Brik & Shenale EP (2012), Phil's arrangement and production of "Stars that Speak" by Willie Deville from Pistola (2008), and "Pornokiss" from a project Phil initiated called The Royal Macadamians from their album Experiments in Terror (1990). We also listen to a brand-new Shenale instrumental "Gautama in Love." The opening music is from "Yes, Anastasia" by Tori Amos from Under the Pink (1994). Learn more about Phil at johnphilipshenale.com. Hear more conversation with Phil and three more songs by signing up for a recurring donation. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#11: Bob Manor: No Alt-Country for Old Men Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

Bob leads the Madison, WI band The Getaway Drivers; he shares the vocal duties with his wife Shiela Shigley. Though Bob has displayed a lot of affection toward old-timey, world-weary music since starting off his major songwriting efforts around 2000 at the ripe age of 28ish, The Getaway Drivers' new album Bellatopia is a conscious attempt to break with that, though Bob still likes telling stories informed by nostalgia for a long-gone past. We discuss "Suburban Summer Shine" and "Signs" from the new album, as well as "Stuck" from the Bob Manor 2005 album Ghosts of Yesterday. We end by listening to "Stay" from The Getaway Drivers (2006). The opening/end music is from "A Call Out" from the new album. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#10: Nick Eede (Cutting Crew): Escape from the ’80s Mar 25, 2016

Show notes

In 1986 Nick van Eede released a song ("I Just Died in Your Arms") that will be played long after we are all dead. But he's got a lot more going on than that, and on his new album (still under the moniker "Cutting Crew") he's recorded his best songs from the last decade without regard for continuity with the sound that made him famous. We discuss "Reach for the Sky" from The Scattering (1989), "Berlin in Winter" from Add to Favourites, "Frigid as England" from Compus Mentus (1992), and wrap up by listening to "Looking for a Friend," also from the new album. Learn more at cuttingcrew.biz. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

NEM#9: Roderick Romero: Psychedelic Treehouse Poet Mar 19, 2016

Show notes

Roderick Wolgamott Romero founded and fronted the Seattle 90s space rock band Sky Cries Mary. So how does a poet get a band? Is a poet's process different from a typical lyricist's? We discuss "Gliding" from Taking the Stage Live: 1997–2005 (2011), "December Snow" from Roderick's in-progress project One Point Moment Still (featuring Romanian techno duo We'd), and "Queen of Slug Theater" from Moonbathing on Sleeping Leaves (1997). We also listen to "You Are" from Sky Cries Mary's final studio album, Small Town (2007), and the opening/closing music is "Walla Walla" from A Return to the Inner Experience (1993). Hear more conversation with and four more songs by signing up for a recurring donation, then clicking here. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.

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