Send a text

Woodstock, NY-based composer and musician Will Epstein joins Al to introduce him to Lou Reed’s 1982 album The Blue Mask. Will talks about when he first got acquainted with the Velvet Underground and how he eventually started listening to Reed’s solo material and The Blue Mask specifically. He breaks down several of the album’s tracks, illustrating what impresses him about Reed as a songwriter and performer. Will also discusses his recently-released album Yeah, mostly and talks about his upcoming plans.

You can follow Will on Instagram at @willcrushwater and find his music on Bandcamp at https://willepstein.bandcamp.com/.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 

The first seven episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.

To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum

1:15 Will's introduction

1:55 Will talks about how he first got interested in the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed

5:24 Will explains why The Blue Mask impressed him when he first explored it

13:04 Al and Will discuss the album’s track sequencing

16:35 Will explains how “My House” inspires him

20:44 Will discusses the contradictions of “Women” and “Underneath the Bottle”

24:36 Will sees Reed as being connected to Larry David

26:50 Al is impressed by the fluidity of the moods on The Blue Mask

28:03 Will hears contradictions in “Waves of Fear,” too

32:15 Will talks about how listening to The Blue Mask had an impact on the making of Yeah, mostly

40:25 Will explains why he name-checked Reed in “Socks in LA”

42:23 Will revisits some of the times he saw Reed perform

44:07 Did Will channel Reed on “Dishwasher”?

49:03 Will explains why he chose Yeah, mostly as the album title

53:12 Will talks about his plans for the coming months

Outro music is from “Brideshead Revisited Revisited” by Will Epstein.

Support the show