Abandoned Albums

This week's throwback is a revisit to the singer/songwriter/guitar slinger with an almost insatiable intellectual and musical wanderlust - Anders Parker.

We closed out the fifth season of Abandoned Albums talking with the troubadour who entered the scene in the mid 90’s when a 4-track recording he made in his Portland, OR apartment, titled Man of Sin, got passed around. Anders then formed a band and began walking a trail that has defined his life, as you’ll hear.  

As the leader/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist of the band Varnaline, Parker toured and eventually released 5 albums under that name… and Anders entered the indie music lexicon.

As all things do, Varnaline ran its course, beginning phase two of Anders's artistry - a phase that has seen him exploring both his own solo work, collaborating with folks like Jay Farrar of Son Volt, and even adding music to some of the late Woody Guthrie’s songs. The resulting album New Multitudes found him collaborating with Jim James, Jay Farrar, and Will Johnson and remains a fan favorite.

The interview would’ve spanned two or three hours in order to cover everything Anders has accomplished in his career… and continues to accomplish. 

Geoff and Keith spoke with Anders about a fair chunk of his career and about his new album, The Black Flight, which drops on Friday, August 11.

Pull up a chair, relax, and discover one helluva great artist - by every measure and definition of the word.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

This originally aired in June of 2023.

While we're on hiatus, we're posting some of our favorite episodes, and this one caught both Geoff and me completely off guard. 

We'll return on 10.30. 

Do you like power pop? Well, we've got a band for you!

Dungeon of Skeletons!

Their album Patterns left Geoff speechless, and Keith thought it was the "best album of the year." And they both agree that despite the song title, "Doom and Gloom" is the song of the summer.

Once in a while, everything just clicks, and this episode is one of those.

Frontman Justin Kline stopped by to talk with Keith & Geoff, and the guys had a great chat about all sorts of things. And we're not speaking out of turn in saying some of the stories here might impress you.

This is a Rufus-approved, four-paw-rated episode!

Links

Dungeon of Skeletons Web

Dungeon of Skeletons Bandcamp

Dungeon of Skeletons IG

Dungeon of Skeletons FB

Book - Go All the Way

Zebrahead is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California, in 1996. Known for their energetic fusion of punk, rap, and alternative rock, the band has cultivated a unique sound that blends catchy melodies with rapid-fire vocals. 

The band gained significant attention with their 1998 debut album, Waste of Mind, and solidified their international presence with Playmate of the Year (2000) and MFZB (2003). Zebrahead has a strong fan base in Japan and Europe, often touring extensively in these regions. In recent years, they released the EPs III (2021) and II (2022), showcasing their continued evolution and commitment to high-energy performances. 

Zebrahead remains an influential force in the punk rock scene, celebrated for their dynamic live shows and genre-blending music. 

LINKS

Zebrahead on the Web

Zebrahead on IG

Zebrahead on FB

Zebrahead on Spotify

Zebrahead on YouTube

Jenna Fournier is a Cleveland-based musician and visual artist renowned for her ethereal vocals and expressive paintings. As the lead singer and guitarist of the dream pop band NIIGHTS, and with her solo project Kid Tigrrr, she captivates audiences with haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes. Both with NIIGHTS and Kid Tiger, Jenna has earned a dedicated following in the indie music scene.

Beyond music, Fournier is an accomplished painter whose artwork has been exhibited in many galleries. Her visual art explores themes of emotion and human experience, complementing the introspective nature of her music.

Fresh off of singing back-up on the new Smashing Pumpkins record, Jenna stopped by Thunderlove Studio to talk to Keith & Geoff about that, NIIGHTS, and her new Kid Tigrrr album Stoned + Animald... oh, and the Smashing Pumpkins stuff. 

LINKS

Kid Tigrrr

NIIGHTS

Jenna on IG

LinkTree

On this episode, we're spotlighting Las Nubes, a dynamic band hailing from Miami's vibrant music scene. Las Nubes—meaning "The Clouds" in Spanish—has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of indie rock, punk, and shoegaze influences. The band delivers a powerful mix of English and Spanish lyrics that explore themes of identity, emotion, and everyday life. 

They stopped by to chat about their career and their new album, Tormentas Malsanas.

So sit back and join us as we explore Las Nubes' atmospheric world and what makes them a standout act in South Florida's music landscape.

LINKS

Las Nubes Bandcamp

Las Nubes Web

On IG

On YouTube

On Spotify

Jacob Cade is Jaguar On Mars, a refreshing new artist who you will want to put on your radar. 

Jaguar On Mars straddles the line between rock and pop, and with his talent, he’s bound to leave a mark in both.

LINKS

Jaguar On Mars on Spotify

Jaguar On Mars on YouTube

Jaguar On Mars on IG

Orenda Fink is a musician, songwriter, performer, and writer whose work has been profiled in by NPR, Pitchfork, and more. She has been writing, recording, and touring for critically acclaimed records since 1997. Orenda got her start in Birmingham, Alabama, with the pop-rock group Little Red Rocket. 

In 2000, she formed the lauded ethereal folk duo Azure Ray with longtime friend Maria Taylor in Athens, Georgia. Azure Ray has cowritten with Moby and collaborated with Bright Eyes, Sparklehorse, and the Faint, among many others, with their music regularly featured in film and television programs. 

The Witch’s Daughter is her first book. She is originally from Alabama, and now resides in California’s Mojave Desert with her husband, Todd Fink of The Faint, and their dog, Grimm. 

The experiences described in this book prompted Orenda to become a certified Jungian Depth Coach with a specialization in shadow work and dream interpretation.

LINKS

Orenda on the web

The Witches Daughter Book

Orenda Fink on Bandcamp

Azure Ray on Bandcamp

O+S on Bandcamp

Closeness on Bandcamp

Orenda Fink Radio on Spotify

Jungian Dream Analysis

This week, we welcome the husband-and-wife team of Rachel McNally and Chris O'Rourke from the band Sleepyhead to Thunderlove Studio. 

Fiercely independent, the band has built a loyal and dedicated following throughout its career, including a host of fellow musicians, critics, and our own Geoff Calhoun. They're a band that continues to record and what you're hearing right now is their latest release, "I Guess I'm Hoping That You're Lonely."

What follows is a career-spanning conversation with a band that may be difficult to categorize unless that category is just plain awesome.

LINKS

Sleepyhead on Bandcamp

Sleepyhead on Slumberland Records

Sleepyhead on IG

Sleepyhead on FB

The original conceit of the Abandoned Albums podcast was to find albums that had been recorded but never released, in other words, abandoned. It has since morphed into so much more, but the band Shufflepuck fits perfectly into that original conceit. The band stormed through that Hollywood scene, whose ascension was fast and furious. When all the labels knocked, the band only had eyes for Interscope Records, the then-white-hot label. When Interscope knocked, Shufflepuck answered, a pairing as natural as peanut butter and jelly.

Shufflepuck was:

Adam Orth - vocals, guitar

The band recorded one full-length album for Interscope Records that was sadly never released… and that’s when the story gets interesting.

The album has been at full volume here at Thunderlove Manor for a few months now and the fact that this album did not see the light of day in 1996 is just another brick in the wall of befuddling music business decisions... and great musical travesties.

Thankfully, it’s being corrected.

We spoke with Adam and Justin from Shufflepuck awhile back and wanted to repost the interview in case you missed it.

From Adam and Justin’s humble Connecticut beginnings of tee-ball games to childhood friendships to heavy metal to everyone’s eventual sojourn west to Los Angeles up to Shufflepuck’s ultimate implosion, this band’s story is fascinating. Adam and Justin sharing the Shufflepuck story is one of the main reasons that a show like Abandoned Albums exists.

And we’re happy to be able to share it with you... again.

The album drops Saturday August 24th. And if you live in the Los Angeles area, I encourage you to head on down to The Viper Room on the 24th for a record release party and a full on reunion show.

Links

Shufflepuck

In this episode, I sit down with renowned drummer Don Harvey for an insightful conversation about his storied music career. We explore his work with legendary artists across numerous genres. Don shares behind-the-scenes stories from the studio and the road, offering a glimpse into the life of a professional drummer. We also discuss his solo work, a mix of ambient music reminiscent of Zero 7. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of rhythm and the art of Don Harvey.

LINKS

Don Harvey on the web

Don Harvey on YouTube

Don Harvey on Apple Music

Don Harvey on Spotify

Don Harvey on Tidal