Lean Forward Podcast

Zach and Brian from the Lone Bellow join us on the sidewalk for our first ever field interview—moments after their live performance at Rockwood Music Hall in the lower east side of NYC. Promoting their third album “Walk Into A Storm”, and fresh off of an exclusive show for acclaimed radio station WFUV, the band talks about growing as a family band, and how they altered their approach with this album.

And as always Jay and Jacob bring some quick hits, and the boys are all about Faith Healers.

Remember to get these Spotify and Apple Music playlists with all these great tracks at www.leanforwardpodcast.com/episodes

Netflix’s Ozark is the must-watch show of 2017, and we’re joined by Marc Menchaca who plays Russ Langmore on the groundbreaking new series—who also stars in the latest music video from The Lone Bellow 'Times Always Leaving’.

Warning: we get into some major Ozark spoilers, so if you haven’t seen the show stop what you’re doing right now and watch it. Marc also talks about how Jason Bateman is one of the most thoughtful people to work for in Hollywood, and that he’s a HUGE Radiohead fan. Be sure to stick around to the end as Marc chimes in with a on another superb Quick Hits.

Jonathan Eshak joins us from Mick Management, the company responsible for Leon bridges, Maggie Rogers, Ray LaMontagne, Jon Batiste, Real Estate, Walk the Moon, and many others.

He explains the role a manager plays in the discovery of an artist, their development, and how they help them achieve their goals.

Plus, Jacob goes to a Phish show, and lastly, some delicious Quick Hits.

Short episode alert! Jay and Jacob catch up after recently seeing a couple live shows in Brooklyn; Kendrick Lamar on the DAMN. tour, and a live performance of Planetarium—then straight to the Quick Hits. All killer, no filler.

Our first guest ever joins the show as Jonny Aherne from The Temper Trap sits down with us, and he talks about what it was like going from working in a mall in Australia to blowing up the charts with "Sweet Disposition", opening up for the Rolling Stones, and how Taylor Swift told them that her boyfriend at the time, Harry Styles, was such a huge fan that he got a Temper Trap tattoo (with a typo). Plus quick hits, Jacob's abhorrent Australian accent, and a quick shout out to HBO's The Defiant Ones.

Rick Rubin was Jay's boss for a year, and he fills us in on what it was like working directly for one of the most influential people in contemporary music—while Jacob rattles off almost every band Rick has ever touched. The boys muse about the Nickelback/Corey Taylor feud, and later share some quick hits including Jacob's favorite chef-turned-rapper, and the long and unlikely journey of a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter getting his debut album off the ground.

Production note: The missing Polar bear pic discussed in the episode was found after taping, and is featured in the episode image and on the Lean Forward Facebook page

The boys respond to their first listener question which prompts Jay to share how almost signed Cage The Elephant and it blew up in his face, while Jacob laments passing up an opportunity to buy a real Banksy piece for $30. Are the Foo Fighters getting heavier with age? The boys share their thoughts, and later Jay confesses he's into the new Harry Styles and wants to know if that's ok. Jacob is late to the St. Vincent party, but he never wants to leave now. Later, producer Lee hops on the mic to dive deep into Sufjan Stevens' new project Planetarium.

Buckle up and bear with us on this one. It’s a doozy. Jay and Jacob spend time discussing the very recent loss of a loved one and music’s role (or lack thereof) in it. Producer Lee jumps on the mic to talk about how Rick Rubin gave us the best possible version of Johnny Cash, and the boys weigh the influence and impact of early 90’s rock music in the wake of Chris Cornell’s passing. Bonus: Jay doesn’t know how twitter works.

Jay blames his closest friends for not helping fix his mistakes, and Jacob reminds him how responsibility works. Jay tries to fly one of his Quick Hits under the radar, but Jacob isn’t having it. The conspiracy theories were true, and as OK Computer turns 20 the boys are gearing up for its re-release. Jacob names his favorite planets in the Gorillaz solar system, and Jay talks about the ones he’s visited. And Jay discovers the number one way people discover new music isn’t what you’d think.

Jay and Jacob get teary-eyed over the amount of people who’ve actually listened to the podcast now—then immediately get into a fight over Spotify versus Apple Music. They discuss new music from Portugal. The Man, Mitski, Soulwax and Kelsey Kopecky, and revisit the original Trainspotting soundtrack to discover some overlooked gems. Jacob gives his take on Kendrick’s latest release and talks about the similar career-arch Kendrick shares with Radiohead. He also swears on his life he didn’t steal that idea from this article, and supposedly has the evidence to prove it. Lastly, does Jay have a U2 tattoo on his inner thigh?