BIG EGO Tapes

Junatime mastermind Heather Sommerhauser talks about the two years spent making her album Remember The Magic, how she approaches rhythm and songwriting, and being validated in her love for Def Leppard and being an artist for the first time.

Guitarist, songwriter, and sideman for Califone, Alex Dupree, and others, Max Knouse talks about how seriously everyone takes music, knowing what you're good at by how others react, finding inspiration in gear, and being a guitar-for-hire after the pandemic. 

Guitarist, songwriter, and conceptualist Josh Ottum talks about the power of sound, if proficiency is the enemy of the creative process, honest passions vs. post-modern irony, and the effects of listening to Patrick O'Hearn's album Between Two Worlds in the late 80's.

Alto saxophonist, arranger, and composer Alex Sadnik talks about his newest album Flight, contending with Charlie Parker, the difference between working for yourself and others in the recording studio, and defining success as an artist.

Drummer, percussionist, and studio denizen Ryan Jewell talks about why some drummers sound different even when they're playing the same thing, loving Weird Al Yankovic, and dissecting Al Jackson Jr.'s drum parts for Al Green limb by limb.

A rambling solo start to the fourth season of BIG EGO Tapes featuring a general wellness check, an update on the future of the studio, the voice of Stewart Copeland, album release news, photography talk, and other meanderings.

Prodigious drummer & composer Chad Taylor discusses his time spent playing alongside Pharaoh Sanders and Marc Ribot, cutting Sam Prekop's self-titled album, why Stereolab took Chicago Underground Duo on tour, and William Parker's admonition that "The music doesn't care whether you think it's good or bad."

Maria Elena Silva talks about the trust and telepathy of Eros, touring the album, getting COVID, touring again, the American Dream prescription, and balancing her creative and maternal selves. 

Guitarist, singer/songwriter, and Guma mastermind T.J. Masters talks about the recording his newest album, "A List of Sightings" before and after the pandemic, how different the record would be if he hadn't shown up for mixing, and the possibility that his next collection of songs will be entitled, "Workingman's Guma."

Astral Spirits owner Nate Cross pours the sotol and talks about why he still listens to unsolicted demos, releasing 30 albums a year, how record labels are modern day record stores, and being the home for a potential Peter Brötzmann disco album.