Late Era

Hey there, Late Era fans! Check out the first episode of our new fiction podcast Sugar Maple, starring Fred Savage. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to hear where the story goes from here!

In the series premiere, we meet our narrator, Terrance Woodridge, who brings us a tale he’s chased down: the story of Sugar Maple, the guitar of legend with a timeless sound that's passed from hand to hand over the years.

In this episode, we go back to 1951 and hear the story of "Sweet Licks" Bobby Lindro, an orphan from the farmlands outside Chicago. When his brand new Telecaster’s neck is destroyed, he's sure nothing can replace it, until his Aunt procures mysterious wood that seems to make Bobby's guitar truly sing, and gives Bobby dreams that carry him places he never meant to go.

Sugar Maple is presented by Osiris Media. Be sure to listen to the premiere of the song from this episode, Brimstone Lampfire, on March 15, wherever you listen to music. Please check out the limited edition poster for this episode, and the limited NFT release of episode and series art. If you like what you hear, please give us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

Episode 1 stars Fred Savage as Terrance Woodrige, pRicky Gee as Bobby Lindro, Connie Castanzo as Becky, Jo Walker as Rebecca Woodridge, Deborah Geffner as Aunt Buggy, Daniel Light as Del Faucet, and Michelle Hurst as Doc. 

Brimstone Lampfire was written by Patrick Hart and Michael John Hancock.  

The Executive Producers of Sugar Maple are Tom Marshall and RJ Bee. Produced, Edited, Mixed and Mastered by Brad Stratton. Story by Ben Colmery, A.R. Moxon, and Tom Marshall. Episode 1 written by A.R. Moxon and Ben Colmery. Directed by James Masciovecchio. Musical direction by Don Hart. Produced by Tom Sullivan. Production assistance from Zach Brogan and Christina Collins. Art by Mark Dowd. Legal assistance from Gerald Gottesman. 

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

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

In the gripping Late Era season finale, the core trio is joined by music critic Mark Richardson (@MarkRichardson) to discuss the polarizing, blockbuster work of Eric Clapton in the 1990s. It was a time when his MTV Unplugged set launched him to new commercial heights, and his mysterious electronic project T.D.F. propelled him into strange creative depths. The focus of our discussion is 1998’s Pilgrim, his futuristic, adult contemporary attempt to make the “saddest album ever written.” Did he succeed? Is he even a good guitar player? Is there life beyond financial stability? All your questions will be answered in this emotional, high-energy conversation—a must-listen for Slowhand-haters and acolytes the world over.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 3 of Late Era - Coming Soon!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

In 2005, the English art-rock legend Kate Bush returned after a hiatus that spanned more than a decade to release Aerial, one of her most ambitious and mystifying albums. Joined by critic and journalist Jude Rogers (@juderogers), the Late Era trio discusses this magnificent double album: a conceptual opus that incorporates birdsong, a recitation of the digits of pi, and tributes to Elvis Presley and Kate Bush’s son (and frequent collaborator) Albert, aka Bertie. During the conversation, we explore the musical settings of Kate Bush’s work as well as the lyrical complexities, and we discuss her journey toward making this album and her enduring influence in the 21st century. Plus, our recurring Financial Corner reaches a surprising climax. Make a deal with pod and join us for another Late Era milestone.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 10 - our SEASON FINALE, coming July 15!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

Jay-Z in the 2010s and beyond embodies the sort of imperial excess we’ve generally associated with rock and capital-P Pop musicians on this podcast so far. He’d already ascended the highest mountains of success. The budgets were virtually unlimited, and the hits were still coming. But somewhere along the way, he lost touch with the essential spark of his artistry. Rapper, comedian, and podcast mogul Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) joins us for a frank discussion of Magna Carta Holy Grail—the moment when Jay’s world-conquering persona tipped closest to self-parody—as well as the complications of late-era rap albums more generally.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 9, coming July 1!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

In 2004, Loretta Lynn collaborated with Jack White for Van Lear Rose, a surprise critical and commercial comeback that helped secure the country icon’s legacy in the 21st century. Putting a focus on her gifts as a songwriter and backed by the kind of rootsy, stripped-back blues-rock that the White Stripes made their name on, it is a singular and strange moment in Lynn’s remarkable catalog. Joined by music journalist Allison Hussey (@allisonhussey), the Late Era trio discusses the pros and cons of the young producer/late-era artist team-up and dives into this album’s many mysteries.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 8, coming June 17!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

The long, strange career of Van Morrison has given the hosts of Late Era plenty to talk about, and on this very special episode, we discuss his uncommonly topical new album. Latest Record Project Volume 1 is a 28-track, two-hour dump of anti-lockdown protest songs, soulless blues vamps, and unfiltered rants that range from alt-right conspiracy theories to bitter musings about his ex-wife. An abysmal document of an aging artist’s worst tendencies, it inspires the Late Era boys to pose a stirring series of questions: How did we get here? What is he even going for? What do we do with our legacy artists after they release something like this? What does it really mean to have the blues? Like detectives on the case, Late Era gets to the bottom of things: It’s not always pretty but we get the job done.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 7, coming June 3!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

Sir Paul McCartney presents a fascinating point-and-counterpoint in the Late Era canon. 2018’s elaborate, pop-leaning Egypt Station and 2020’s looser, homemade follow-up McCartney III pose a series of existential quandaries: Which type of album is preferable from our rock gods? And at a certain point, how much of a difference is there between the two? Plus a rare visit from our producer Ian, a touching letter from a long-time listener, and a frank conversation about one of Macca’s worst songs ever. Maybe we’re appalled.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 6, coming May 20!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

Joined by New Orleans singer and songwriter Dawn Richard (also known as DΔWN - @DawnRichard), the Late Era crew dives into Damita Jo, Janet Jackson’s conceptual, suite-like 2004 album. Released shortly after her scandalous Super Bowl performance and unfairly eclipsed by an intense industry backlash, it is a fascinating document of a fearless artist at a crossroads. We reflect on Janet’s career-long battles against the mainstream, her ever-inventive choreography, and her lasting influence on today’s pop and R&B.

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 5, coming May 6!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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

Show a little faith, there’s magic in the ’90s! The core trio makes a thematic detour to discuss a pair of mid-career Bruce Springsteen albums—1992’s Human Touch and Lucky Town—as we investigate the “late-era energy” of these divisive pivot points following his triumphant run in the ’70s and ’80s. Why did he ditch the E Street Band for an army of Los Angeles session musicians? How did he end up releasing two albums at once? What do we think of “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)?” In a wide-spanning conversation, our resident Bruce scholar Sam explores his lifelong fandom with some heartwarming stories from his precocious childhood. Elsewhere, Winston ponders the big questions and Andy makes an exciting announcement about his future. You can’t start a fire without a spark, and Late Era is here to bring you the heat!

Please consider reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to join us for Season 2 Episode 4, coming April 22!

Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman.

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