This week, to commemorate the passing of Prince (ten years ago) we have a special show. I talk to New Power Generation drummer Michael Bland. He is one Prince's longest tenured collaborators, a creative partner, and a drummer who weathered Prince's most restless creative period,

Mr. Bland offers insight to his process, Prince's process, and he shares some insight and stories. He also offers what it's like being a drummer to one of the most iconoclastic musicians of the 20th century, and he celebrates his beloved home of Minneapolis and the community that keeps him loved and challenged.

I Want You To Know Michael Bland

This is a remix rerun of an episode I did with Bird Call (aka Chiara Angelicola). Chiara and I came up in the San Francisco music scene together, even collaborated (hear the unearthed live recording courtesy of Not Quite The 80's host DK Coleo. back in his Spicy Meat Parade days, 15 years ago). Chiara and I both moved to LA, so we draw contrasts to home and LA.

Also, hear Chiara and I discuss the creative process, and we reconnect after not speaking to one another for over a decade (sometimes we think we are at odds, when we are not).

Tune into this elevated discussion about life, love, and music. It's one of my favorite episodes.

My next guest is a young stand up comic who sought and found the value of coming up the hard way; doing open mics, sharing bills and stages with older men, yet still finding time to do the Tik Tok comedy thing.

I met her when she was an intern at a historic comedy institution. She missed her first day, or first week or something—due to a startling and horrific incident. And, when she eventually started—I found her to be irreverent, funny, and kind. You’re going to enjoy this.

I Want You To Know comedian Emmie YK

My next guests are a band who value volume, energy, and attitude. At one point this would have been a given for a rock and roll band. But, now we live in a culture where an old codger like me is disappointed by the next generation being softer--telling young folks how soft they are, remembering back to when the next generation was always more devious….but music and culture is in a complete is in a retrograde. But, the next band isn’t ready to stop having fun, and won’t stop pushing the deviousness forward.

I Want You To Know—Los Frankies.

My next guest is a performer, writer, musician… after viewing a friend/colleagues one person show—she felt inspired, but also felt a little aimless in what she should write… she opted to share. She dared to tell everyone, personally, anecdotally-- Schizophrenia Is Funny.

(she's also turning her show into a short film!)

I Want You To Know Alyssa Scholl

Some of my favorite episodes are no longer available online. I wanted to rerun this episode from the archives, the episode where I speak with legendary Boxing analyst and commentator—Jim Lampley.

Jim and I discuss story telling, boxing, his iconic calls, and where boxing is today. He was promoting his memoir “It Happened”. It was a joy discuss Mr Lampley’s career

Musician/Artist JPBraxton is in the drivers seat, and at the wheels of steel, with a live mix for you, he takes us deep in the mix, and he manages to torment Nero with food talk as Nero is out via a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (and can't eat).

Check out JPBraxton's new album!!

Puckett Electric guest hosts on IWYTK this week. The show was hatched from a discussion Nero and Puckett Electric had regarding "who'd be in your super group? what makes a super group?" etc.

Puckett Electric showcases his heady, groovy, gritty, and cinematic songs, and plays cuts from his supergroup candidates, he also spotlights Nero's picks. You'll learn a lot, and rock and dance too..

(Nero is out due to his tonsillectomy)

This week on I Want You To Know my guest is musician/composer Jerik Centeno. Jerik is releasing his score to the feature film Riley. It’s a lush, dreamy, pensive, melancholy piece, that suits the achey, sensual and raw 'coming of age' film.

We discuss Jerik’s upbringing, influences, mentor, and process. And we play lots of ambient, weird, and arty soundscapes for your rainy days.

This week on I Want You To Know—Rachel Walther is in for Nero. Rachel's a film columnist, writer, & our I Want You To Know film critic. And, she talks to— musician and cultural historian Nick Rossi. Nick is an accomplished musician, a mover and shaker in the Jazz scene, and he’s also the Music Director for the Noir City.

Rachel and Nick deep dive into some of the songs synonymous with film Noir, Noir City’s history as a film fest, the background stories to these famous Noir themes, and-- overall enlighten us on Noir. if you love Film Noir—this will be a gas, and an education.