Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer

Latest Episodes:

The Check-In with Ed Rodriquez and John Dieterich of DEERHOOF Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Ed Rodriquez and John Dieterich are the guitarists for Deerhoof. Though they branch out with other projects, they have both been dedicated to the band for over 20 years and are celebrating the bands 19th album Miracle-Level (out March 31st on Joyful Noise Recordings). As standard with Deerhoof, the new record shimmers with newness and is full of sonic and lyrical surprises, but what stands out most is that this is the first "studio record" they've recorded in their long career. In this episode John and Ed share the recording experience and the motivation behind it. We also learn how John and Ed's artistic and personal relationship formed, how music brought them together and why this bond is so important them. John Joe and Ed discuss the path of their early influences and how they rear their head in the music and life. John tells us about Pond Hockey and we hear a couple tunes from the new record.

https://deerhoof.website/

https://deerhoof.bandcamp.com/album/miracle-level

https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/collections/deerhoof

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

The Check-In with David Dickenson-Suicide Squeeze Records Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

David Dickenson is the founder of Suicide Squeeze Records. Based in Seattle, David's first release was a 7” from indie duo 764-Hero in 1996. Following its success, he used his label to release singles and EPs by local acts like Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, and Pedro The Lion. Over the past 27 years, David has greatly expanded his roster outside the Northwest with releases from The Black Keys, The Melvins, Iron and Wine, The Coathangers, Death Valley Girls and Holy Wave. In this episode, David catches us up on the newest at Suicide Squeeze, what motivated him to start the label in the frist place and what has kept him interested for close to 3 decades. He shares his philosophy behind choosing artist to work with and also his experience of working with Elliott Smith and how that relationship started. We learn the meaning behind Suicide Squeeze and hear a couple tunes from Death Valley Girls.

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope

The Check-In with Cat Clyde Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Cat Clyde is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Ontario, Canada. Her third and beautifully versatile record Down Rounder was produced by Tony Berg and is out February 17th on Second Prize Records. In this episode Cat shares her musical background, her influences growing up and the music and state of mind she was in at the onset of recording Down Rounder. She explains the multi-faceted meaning behind the single Papa Took My Totems and how it relates to nature, her Métis heritage and patriarchy. She also shares the dynamic journey of making and finally finishing the record with Tony Berg at Sound City Studios. We hear a couple tunes and Cat tells us what the term "rounder" means to her.

https://catclydemusic.com/

https://catclydeband.bandcamp.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

The Check-In with Fantastic Negrito (Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz) Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Fantastic Negrito (Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz) is a singer, song writer and three time Grammy award winner from Oakland, California. His newest record, Grandfather Courage , is an acoustic rebirth of his previous record, White Jesus, Black Problems. In this episode Joe and Xavier discuss this sonic reimagining, the rich familial story behind the record and fresh vibe this new version has created. Xavier also shares the philosophy behind Revolution Plantation, his urban farm project aimed at youth education, empowerment and community sufficiency. Xavier explains the origin of his last name and we hear a couple tunes.

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Izotope

Schecter Guitars

Tour Stories 2022 Thank You and Invitation Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

Joe takes a moment to thank YOU the listeners for all the support in 2022! He also invites you to chime and let him know how he's doing, what's great, what could be better and what you'd like to see or hear from Tour Stories/The Check-In in 2023 and beyond. He also wants to thank all the guests of 2022 and encourages YOU to support them by going to shows and buying their records. And please, check out the growing roster at Ruinous Media and stay tuned for some radical new shows in 2023. Reach Joe at tsjoe@ruinousmedia.com

https://www.ruinousmedia.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

Distrokid

The Check-In with Sam Coomes-Quasi Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

Sam Coomes is a singer, songwriter and multi- instrumentalist from Portland, Oregon. He is a founding member of Quasi along with Janet Weiss and has recorded and toured extensively with the likes of Elliott Smith, Built To Spill, Heatmiser, The Go Betweens and John Spencer and the Hit Makers. Ten years after their last record, Quasi is releasing their tenth record, Breaking the Balls Of History (Sub Pop Records) on February 10th, 2023. In this episode, Joe and Sam discuss the motivation, process and circumstances behind the new release. Sam tells us how this record is different from past Quasi records, why being in "touring shape" was so important to the recording and shares his thoughts on Janets insistence on adding a chorus to lead single, Doomscrollers. Joe reminisces on the their days touring together, they touch upon their shared affinity for British punkers Subhumans and we hear a couple tunes from Breaking The Balls Of History.
https://theequasi.bandcamp.com/album/breaking-the-balls-of-history
https://www.subpop.com/artists/quasi

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

Live! Rachel Demy: between, everywhere, Live at Elliott Bay Book Company Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

TOUR STORIES LIVE! with Joe's long time touring comrade and photographer, Rachel Demy. Rachel's has a vast experience on the road, (The Shins, St. Vincent, Neko Case) ranging from tour managing, tour booking, driving, merchandise, and everything in between it takes to support and execute a live show on the road, day after day. Now Rachel has focused on her first love, photography. Her first book, Between, Everywhere (out now, Minor Matters), is a collection of photographs and words from her time on the road with Death Cab For Cutie. Joe and Rachel discuss the inspiration and process behind her work, the power of the collective ever-moving nature of rock n roll touring and they look back on their days with The Shins.
https://www.racheldemy.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope

Annual Holiday Special. The Case Of The Missing Bass with Michael Cera Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

To celebrate the holidays, we are replaying Joe's favorite episode of Tour Stories with pal and former bandmate Micheal Cera. Even more, now is your chance to help him recover his favorite instrument! Listen, share! Let's get Michael his bass back in time for Christmas.

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Izotope

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

The Check-In with Anna Mieke Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Anna Mieke is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Wicklow, Ireland. Her newest record, the potent, droning folk soundscape, Theatre, is both a freer and more focused follow up to her well received first release, Idle Mind. In this episode, Anna shares the process of making Theatre, why the live setting was crucial to the final recording, and what made it such a special experience. Joe and Anna discuss their shared love of drone and the role it plays in Anna's songwriting. She also tells us how she found herself back in her home town and why she might already be missing the city life. Anna shares her upcoming tour dates and we hear a couple tunes.

https://annamieke.com/

https://annamieke.bandcamp.com/album/theatre

https://nettwerk.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Nate Mendel: Live Nude Guys Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

Nate Mendel is the bass player of the Foo Fighters. He cut his teeth in the Northwest punk rock scene touring and recording with Diddly Squat, Christ On A Crutch and Sunny Day Real Estate, to name a few. In this episode Nate shares the curious history of nudity in his rock n roll career.

Music by Nate Mendel, Lieutenant, and Joe Plummer.

https://lieutenantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/if-i-kill-this-thing-were-all-going-to-eat-for-a-week

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.

visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

Distrokid