Aural Mess

In this episode, Fiona McQuarrie discusses her background in music journalism and academia. She shares her experiences interviewing musicians and talks about the challenges and rewards of being a music journalist. Chad and Fiona discuss sampling and cover songs, sharing their favorite examples and the art of reimagining songs. They also explore the common thread among artists like Prefab Sprout, Steely Dan, Lloyd Cole, and Kate Bush, focusing on their strong songwriting and wordplay. Fiona shares insights from her book and hints at the possibility of future projects.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mixtape: 21 Songs from 10 Years (1975-1985)

https://www.amazon.com/Mixtape-21-Songs-Years-1975-1985-ebook/dp/B0BHPNQJTR

Mixtape book playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC22aSSZi81L4Fyl59Jcs98jPHLWFAMOj

Sampladelic playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4cvQVFHB78jiIMijQ7n8kA?si=1634240a28f74752

I Have You Covered/Uncovered (originals) playlists

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ee0qHymSdj9DiLGUuvYPF?si=8bb1310de86246d5

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2PgI0CQ9crhnUH4IuVM5Go?si=6e91d95366c340a0

Vanilla Fudge "Keep Me Hangin' On" on The Ed Sullivan Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJO47d26kc

Episode 10 playlist (Spotify)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4RHZZIJV0ZEzCHTaEeWsmj?si=10a3ee2ae6dd4b0f

Episode 10 playlist (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb4gnAgmxIq0FnPCX2MlXKw3

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In this episode of the Aural Mess Podcast, Chad and Mackenzie discuss their love for Steely Dan and go through a fun game of 'Smash or Pass' for each of the band's albums. Mackenzie shares her journey of discovering Steely Dan and how she initially disliked their music but eventually became obsessed. She also talks about her professional connection to the music world, particularly in jazz and classical music. The conversation dives into the merits of each album and their favorite tracks, providing insights into their personal preferences and connections to the music. Mackenzie and Chad discuss the impact of Steely Dan's music, the juxtaposition of happy melodies and dark lyrics, the phrase 'You swing like a brick in a dryer', the surprising love for Mac DeMarco, and an unlikely obsession with 'Ready or Not' by Bridgit Mendler.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mackenzie’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jumpinjackmac

Tony Soprano sings “Dirty Work”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZRyuiefjE

The Danettes sing “Dirty Work” (live in Charlotte 2006)

https://youtu.be/wCKeJnLKtCI?t=3632

Horace Silver - “Song for My Father”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXOm49kE0

Pretzel Logic album cover location

https://popspotsnyc.com/pretzel_logic/

Aja documentary

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL324F104A39F16841

Yacht Rock web series

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL10CF667591857A2D

“Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book” by Maxine Hong Kingston

https://a.co/d/9rOKQgO

The Sinatra Group on SNL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8

Episode 9 playlist (Spotify)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NbyAHAyOKGxgdY4FiBFmE?si=a3fbca069e904cd8

Episode 9 playlist (YouTube)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb6Wwd5azE3LukO53OSiSAff&si=Q8E24rodw6tadUz3

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Artist Joan LeMay discusses her work on the "Quantum Criminals" book about Steely Dan, sharing the origin story of the project and how she got involved, her love for Steely Dan, and how her taste in music developed. She explores the intersection of visual art and music and her experience with DIY art and making flyers during her punk days. Joan and Chad discuss the influence of album covers on their music choices and the iconography of band logos. Joan talks about her days at Sub Pop and starting her own music PR firm. They discuss the issues in the music industry and the importance of maintaining integrity. Joan mentions her current projects, including selling paintings and working on a Grateful Dead book.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joan LeMay

https://www.joanlemay.com

Quantum Criminals (University of Texas Press)

https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477324998/

The Warriors vs. The Orphans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pFWZyeKuI

Lloyd Cole’s Patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/lloydcole

Raymond Pettibon – The Art of Black Flag

https://americansuburbx.com/2015/06/raymond-pettibon-the-art-of-black-flag-1980s.html

Led Zeppelin avocado poster

https://www.wolfgangs.com/posters/led-zeppelin/poster/BG170.html

Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)

https://www.squaringthecirclefilm.com/

Garden State: The Shins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziwr4f5eR0M

Meet The Artist Behind Spoon’s ‘Lucifer on the Sofa’ Cover: Edel Rodriguez

https://consafosmag.com/2022/02/23/meet-the-artist-behind-spoons-lucifer-on-the-sofa-cover-edel-rodriguez/

United Musicians and Allied Workers

https://weareumaw.org/

Episode 8 playlist (Spotify)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/34j80pYDdHz5bBUbngIPP5?si=735295e7a1024f67

Episode 8 playlist (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb6wcKJFQaO2PAn4NFv1LnA6

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Cal and I discuss musical influences, the process of discovering new artists, the importance of B-sides, the role of technology in music discovery, the art of making mixtapes, iconic bands like Led Zeppelin and Guns N' Roses, and favorite songs that serve as lessons in songwriting.

Mentioned in this episode:

Accidental Ghost on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bHzEGRJ1iuboMP5TQKnkI?si=DW6T9gOcQ0GUs9_Yz4PC0w

Cal’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4rt5QZ8fsUVKu3sBlqZpYY?si=c60c990a09704cf0

Chad’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZQge7I9AXmXXLFTCv41x3?si=4d0e22f050a24493

Cal’s songwriting influences

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHjFHdBRD-fSoV0hGWkpQ6vc3vzTBDo7y

Episode 7 playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5RIY6yP4UWoILWqezBBp6P?si=5e2a083fa2c54ce0

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb41rlmqw-096qHc-J3cw1nd&si=1aW38wtFZZDzguJ1

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Manny and I muse on musical influences, Looney Tunes, and more.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Tooney Tenor on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thetooneytenor/

Manny’s Linktree

https://linktr.ee/thetooneytenor

“Tomorrow’s Girls” music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDmmUstCbtM

Episode playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/34vrEwKJGDzSBQHy5xIki6?si=8940e86a08f44a6a

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb4gU7pJiWBDpbv4SeODS58b&si=UVnsMyNnHd_3YICI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane and I chat about her recent EP of cover songs, her songwriting process, the history of the Troubadour, and…wait for it…Steely Dan.

Mentioned in this episode:

Troubadour history page

https://troubadour.com/history

“One For Mrs. Claus” music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBNmGeqDp1Q

Jane Sheldon on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/16GwepX8Yfk2iBYgoPZGJC?si=-FtoeCwPR9GbhZQD2pCpSA

Jane’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Alud3PMfHIfbbGxdTN8MW?si=8edf77eeb16941ca

Episode 5 playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KzVfOj66WuHsbLcpyH3Wi?si=6501c4907432401d

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Dave and I talk about Steely Dan, other favorite artists and tracks, and playing saxophone in school bands.

Links mentioned in episode:

#30Days30DJs: Buffalo Tom Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7g9lcJDKuBu7c63k9EVxpG?si=e54ed33deedf4eb4

#31Days31DJs: Elizabeth and the Catapult Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4CqzYv59xzFPKRcyIAa9gz?si=dbce46cbee5d4cbb

Marvelous 3 on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3KI6zIpi3DotbOSOM0tK7o?si=ogJDgKz0Su2IZA37hzQ6dA

Episode 4 playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7BmGrlpy7NL1YLaMTf6Eei?si=406ed0d8d880486c

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Carly and I talk about her recent release, her musical process, records and CDs, and of course, Steely Dan!

Links mentioned in the episode:

“Problems” video by Carly Shea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX8v8WpcY8U

Carly Shea on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1h5Y3Br3FMdQXJHqCN1SAA?si=4dqPIVkjRNq-EbyBzWRwEA

Carly’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2jOqeHgoO3atHsx2YGyzub?si=9c4aca1340b844f2&nd=1&dlsi=a237bb99d923486f

Episode 3 playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kKRVdbOzLbGiTJrMCRDHG?si=f16acffe0a864ae5

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Reagan and I discuss the art of making mixtapes and playlists, and highlight some that we've made along with favorite tracks and artists.

Links mentioned in the show:

Reagan’s podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/6RB7FDmceeaVowvCwNyT9s?si=mZSGzvBCQPGZvX4yxR5fAw

Reagan’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Akl18wIJrqTmZuKvJjNZm?si=8eff141c9e604507

Chad’s playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3SDalZqOHc7oUhm9rxZS9S?si=d63a66eb5ad846cc

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Lou and I talk about Steely Dan, what we've been listening to, memes, and guitars.

Links mentioned in the show:

Jon Mattox on TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@creatingmusicandsound?_t=8jHBzt6o9xC&_r=1

Green Earrings demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3rDQUCHnMI

Buffalo Tom playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZxNoMtSJteIVFWF9TVaE1ufmmOSDnX6q

Silver Seas - Chateau Revenge

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mW7Nuj78ILNwC3QahVaNUgLKQsDaBLKYk

Lenise Bent on Aja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t1SCVSaGN0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.