Gaucho Amigos

Graphic designer/artist Anna Martinez (better known as "Jive Miguel" on Twitter) joins the podcast to talk about how connecting with other Steely Dan fans was like "finding her people." Anna also shares her thoughts on some of the catalogue's puzzling artwork choices, and explains why she's taken on learning the melodica as an homage to Donald.

Writer and film composer Paul Grimstad (The Sweet East) joins the podcast to discuss the particulars of Steely Dan's studio recording process and their mastery of arranging for rock music. Paul also shares how a piece on Gaucho he wrote for The Paris Review led to a correspondence and eventual interview with Donald himself.

New Zealand-based computer musician Luke Rowell joins the podcast to discuss how a surging interest in Steely Dan has influenced his vaporwave music project Eyeliner, whether it be from Donald's piano tutorials or a shared love of "fake fake jazz."

Vibraphonist Bill Ware (Groove Collective, Home at Last) joins the podcast to talk about his experiences as a band member of Steely Dan from 1993-95. Bill shares some "behind the scenes" tour stories, and explains how Donald's creative process and compositional techniques became an important influence his own work.

Singer-songwriter F.J. McMahon joins the podcast to tell the story behind his 1969 folk-rock masterpiece Spirit of the Golden Juice, sharing how his experiences in Vietnam and living in San Francisco during the 60's informed the songs on the only album he's ever released. Also, F.J. discusses his love of Steely Dan and explains why they were his favorite band throughout the 1970's.

Writer Jack Hamilton (author of Just Around Midnight: Rock and Roll and the Racial Imagination) joins the podcast to discuss Steely Dan's relationship to R&B and Motown, and how Donald and Walter's reclusiveness and decision to forgo touring helped create a cult following that endures today.

Kenny Vance (singer and founding member of Jay and the Americans) joins the podcast to tell the story of discovering two young songwriters named Fagen and Becker at the Brill Building in the late 1960's, and shares what it was like to tour, record, and collaborate with Donald and Walter in the "pre-Steely Dan" era.

Actor and comedian Rob Delaney (author of A Heart That Works) joins the podcast to talk about his newfound Steely Dan obsession, giving particular praise to their "rock band" era, and contrasting Donald's legacy with that of adjacent NYC-area rock legends Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed.

Brian Sweet, author of Steely Dan biography Reelin' in the Years, joins the podcast to talk about how he ended up writing the first Steely Dan book ever published.  Brian also shares what it was like to be a Dan fan in the pre-Internet era, and how he eventually came to meet his heroes Donald and Walter.

Keyboardist, arranger, and studio specialist Rob Mounsey joins the podcast to share his experiences working on Steely Dan's 1980 album Gaucho. Rob discusses in detail his contributions to the songs "Babylon Sisters," "Glamour Profession," and "Gaucho," and sheds some light on the creative process behind those three legendary Steely Dan tracks.