My Fantasy Funeral

Mary Mancini is the current Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. She moved to Nashville in the early 1990’s, and in 1992 she opened Lucy’s Record Shop, an all-ages venue and record store, on what was then a nearly deserted Church Street. In more recent years Mary has fought for voter’s rights as Executive Director for Tennessee Citizen Action, run for a seat in the Tennessee State Senate, and been elected as Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party three times in a row.

On this final episode of Season One of My Fantasy Funeral, Mary and host Ryan Breegle discuss her grandmother’s openness about the tricky topics of politics and race when she was young, what concerns Mary the most about the direction the country is headed, and her fantasy for the anthem of the women’s suffrage movement to be sung by Beyoncé.

Hear Mary Mancini Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Caitlin Rose writes and records songs of many moods, somehow always managing to make heartbreak sound triumphant. Her albums Own Side Now and The Stand-In were beloved by critics, ending up on many Top 10 year-end lists. Her popularity soared overseas as a live performer, turning out BBC Radio sessions for Marc Riley and Bob Harris, and back in the US she could be seen with The Old 97’s in a performance on Conan O’Brien’s late night television show.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Caitlin and host Ryan Breegle discuss her love for American standards of the 20th century, when we might be treated to a new album, and the five songs she would choose for what she describes as ‘the last playlist you get to make.’

Hear Caitlin Rose Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Jasmin Kaset is a songwriter and vocalist who records under her own name and as one half of two very different musical duos — the vulgar yet witty Birdcloud, and the electronic and emotional You Drive. She grew up in Cottontown, TN, a place that she doesn’t enjoy visiting now except for its good thrifting opportunities. Yet she has remained close to her family, and they play a large part in her funeral plans.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Jasmin and host Ryan Breegle discuss the surprising reason Birdcloud performed a tour in adult diapers, whether there might be a second You Drive album, and the prominent pubs she would choose for her ghost to haunt.

Hear Jasmin Kaset Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Nathanael Mehrens is a beverage inventor and entrepreneur, creator of Matchless coffee soda, and one of the founders of the Stay Golden cafes. Growing up in Joplin, Missouri, he credits being home-schooled for his life-long love of learning. Nathanael worked with a number of Nashville cafes — including Fido, CREMA, and Steadfast — before becoming part of the founding team of Stay Golden.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Nathanael and host Ryan Breegle discuss the origins of Stay Golden, how his grandparents have influenced his funeral song choices, and the respected author and orator he would resurrect for his fantasy eulogy.

Hear Nathanael Mehrens Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Kyshona Armstrong is a songwriter and vocalist who grew up in South Carolina, learning the magic of a melody while singing with her family at church each week. She worked in the music therapy field in Atlanta and Athens for 12 years, then left that industry when she moved to Nashville in 2014. But through her work with Southern Girls Rock Camp, performing for the incarcerated, and her extensive tours of the US and the UK, music therapy is not completely in her past.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Kyshona and host Ryan Breegle discuss how her choice to play oboe in school represents her desire to stand out as an adult, the eerie coincidences that brought her to Nashville, and what it’s like to sing at the funeral of a friend.

Hear Kyshona Armstrong Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Sarah Souther is the creator of the Bang Candy Company, the sweets emporium responsible for bringing delicious homemade marshmallows to the mouths of Nashville. She grew up in Ireland, in a house where sugary treats were rarely allowed. After meeting and marrying a musician visiting from Tennessee, she soon found herself living in Nashville. In 2010 she began Bang Candy, and to the line of marvelous marshmallows she quickly added Sparkle Bark, CBD Dream Drops, and many varieties of Boozy Caramels.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Sarah and host Ryan Breegle discuss the magical night she first tasted a homemade marshmallow, why Kate Bush was her choice of party costume as an eight-year old, and her desire for a eulogy full of comedy and laughter.

Hear Sarah Souther Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Elizabeth Williams is a graphic designer and one half of New Hat, a Nashville art and design studio that has transformed much of the city’s interior decor through wallpaper. Growing up in East Tennessee, the only hint that she might one day have an artistic career came from the crafts she would make with her grandmother for their local bazaar. Now with her New Hat partner Kelly Diehl, she is responsible for the vibrant wall coverings and art installations found in numerous Nashville establishments such as Dozen Bakery, the Noelle Hotel, and The Green Pheasant.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, she and host Ryan Breegle discuss her love for ‘gloopy piano music,’ the immigrant cartoon mouse who spoke to her as a child, and her desire to be remembered by friends and family on psychedelics around a fire.

Hear Elizabeth Williams Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Spencer Cullum Jr. is a pedal steel guitar player and one half of the genre-defying duo Steelism. Raised in Essex, England, amongst the ‘riff-raff of Romford,’ he sought out Elton John’s pedal steel player from “Tiny Dancer”, BJ Cole, to give him lessons on the instrument. Spencer moved to Nashville after joining Caitlin Rose’s backing band when she was on a tour of the UK. He and guitarist Jeremy Fetzer expanded on song fragments they came up with in soundchecks, and Steelism was born.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, Spencer gives host Ryan Breegle a lesson in Cockney rhyming slang, they discuss his highly original game show-styled eulogy — complete with prizes, and we hear the song that will follow him until his dying day.

Hear Spencer Cullum, Jr. Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Larissa Maestro is a cellist and a co-founder of the Nashville Concerto Orchestra. The daughter of two scientists, she was raised in Ithaca, NY, in a community that strongly encouraged her mother’s Philippine heritage. She was drawn to the cello as a child, further inspired by the passionate playing of Jacqueline du Pre. Larissa is now one of Nashville’s most in-demand cellists for live performances and studio work, having played on recent albums by Margo Price, Caitlin Rose, and Jasmin Kaset.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, she and host Ryan Breegle discuss the importance of Nashville having a locally sourced volunteer orchestra, the 90’s songs she loves and hates singing with My So-Called Band, and how the small, intimate moments of our lives really make us into who we are.

Hear Larissa Maestro Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

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Music by Kindercastle.

Trevor Mikula is a painter whose bright and whimsical depictions of animals and flowers have gained him a devoted set of fans all over the country. At an early age Trevor knew he was gay, yet he felt compelled to hide his desires as he got older. Raised by very strict Christian parents, he and his siblings were cut-off from the world — not even allowed to have a TV in the house. But he attributes much of his vivid imagination and lust for life as a reaction to his sheltered upbringing.

On this episode of My Fantasy Funeral, he and host Ryan Breegle discuss the pull that the art community of Provincetown, Massachusetts has on him, why it is important for him to give back to the LGBTQ homeless youth of Nashville, and how he would like to be remembered for decorating the lives of everyone he has met.

Hear Trevor Mikula Funeral Song Selections on Spotify

Follow My Fantasy Funeral on Instagram & Twitter.

Find host Ryan Breegle on Twitter.

Music by Kindercastle.