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Emily places a call to Excello Recording of Brooklyn, New York to talk to the multi-talented guitarist/music producer Hugh Pool about his career, his studio, and his collection of notable lipstick pickup guitars. 

Hugh shares his journey as a musician and producer, highlighting the importance of community, collaboration, and the evolution of the music industry. From his early days in Pennsylvania to establishing himself in New York City's vibrant music scene, Hugh reflects on the challenges and joys of balancing family life with a music career. The discussion  touches on the impact of technology on music production, his work with various artists to explore the versatility of the baritone guitar and electric sitar, and the importance of gear in creating music. 

Learn more about Hugh by visiting his website!

"Just when you thought you knew all about the Williamsburg rock scene, here comes someone to throw a wrench in the works. For the uninitiated, this is Mr. Hugh Pool who's been sliding and fingerpicking his National through his Ibanez Tube Screamer since the first time those clothes were in style.

He has shared the stage with such luminaries as Patti Smith, Gov't Mule, Leslie West, Johnny Winter, Dave Edmunds, John Mayall, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and more. He has performed on the Emeril Lagassi Show, The Mitch Albom Show and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. His original songs have been used in network TV, movies, award-winning documenaries and an off Broadway play. When he's not playing, performing or writing you can find him twiddling the knobs on the big board at his Brooklyn studio. Excello Recording is where he's worked with talented folks like Debbie Harry, Kiki & Herb, Michael Brecker, Radio 4, Joseph Arthur, Larry Campbell, Tony Garnier, and, well, the list does go on.

So you can see that he's no one trick pony. Hugh hails from the Rust Belt, which is where he draws inspiration for his backwoods amalgam of rock, country & blues. But living in New York for the last 20 years has tweaked his sensibilities a bit. His brand of trad psyche-delta stomp comes with a bit of New York noise-damage."

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Emily and DeeOhGee's Matthew Paige delve into the fascinating history of the Bellzouki, a unique 12-string electric guitar. They explore its history, cultural significance, and the impact it has had on various music genres. Matthew shares his personal experience with the instrument, discussing its features and the challenges of playing it. The conversation also touches on the broader context of 12-string guitars in music, the road life of musicians, and the joy of discovering and sharing musical instruments.

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On the episode of The Lipstick Pickup Podcast, I call accomplished Blues Guitarist Johan Borgh of Stockholm, Sweden to discuss his new album Island Blues and the Danelectro Guitars that are a critical part of his sound. 

https://www.instagram.com/johanborgh/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Johan Borg
02:51 Johan's Musical Beginnings
05:32 Influences and Inspirations
08:32 The Journey to Guitar Mastery
11:28 The Role of Self-Teaching
14:21 Discovering Slide Guitar
17:31 Social Media and Musical Growth
20:12 The Making of Island Blues
31:22 Recording Process and Instrumentation
33:27 Cinematic Influences in Music
35:19 Collaboration and Guest Musicians
39:00 Listening Experience and Album Intent
40:17 Musical Inspirations and Composition Techniques
44:19 Gear Talk: Guitars and Equipment
59:56 Exploring Guitar Tones and Techniques
01:02:59 Live Performance Gear and Setup
01:03:37 Vintage Guitars and Their Stories
01:06:02 The Sparkly Berry Tone and Its Unique Sound
01:07:58 Songwriting and Creative Process
01:10:41 Valuable Guitars and Personal Connections
01:12:33 Merchandise and Community Engagement
01:18:26 Life in Stockholm and Future Aspirations
01:23:00 Lipstick Pickup_Outro_31sec.mp4

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On this episode of The Lipstick Pickup Podcast I go on location to my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi to having a very inspirational talk with audio engineer/producer Wolf Stephenson of Malaco Music Group.

Wolf helped found and build “The Last Soul Company" Malaco Records in 1967 and he and his partners have managed to outlast major record label competitors and remain independent for nearly six decades. The small, mostly unheard-of independent record label has been home to multiple recording artists and songwriters and has a catalog of original recordings and music copyrights, numbering into the thousands. The history of Malaco is one of the most enduring success stories in the history of recorded music and Wolf's personal history is just as phenomenal. He's a survivor with Gospel to spread and I hope you enjoy this visit to the one and only Malaco Music Group.

https://www.malaco.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@malacomg

"Malaco Records is an American independent record label based in Jackson, Mississippi, United States,[1] that has been the home of various major blues and gospel acts, such as Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Bland, Latimore, Z. Z. Hill, Denise LaSalle, Dorothy Moore, Little Milton, Shirley Brown, Tyrone Davis, Marvin Sease, and the Mississippi Mass Choir. It has received an historic marker issued by the Mississippi Blues Commission to commemorate its important place on the Mississippi Blues Trail.[2]

A tornado on April 15, 2011, destroyed much of the company's main building and studio at 3023 West Northside Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, which have since been re-built.[3]"

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On this episode of The Lipstick Pickup Podcast, I make a Scouting Trip to see Lipstick Pickup Community Cornerstone Jack Brunson of Jack's Guitarcheology in Lebanon, Tennessee. 

Jack shares his journey in the world of guitars, from his early days of fixing broken instruments to establishing https://www.jacksguitarcheology.com/ and brick-and-morter location on the Lebanon Town Square. Our discussion digs into the importance of preserving vintage guitar construction, the legacy of retailers like Sears and Roebuck on instrument accessibility, and the collaborative spirit within the sales and service network that he built to serve the Nashville Music Community. We also discuss our mutual admiration for Danelectro Re-creationist, luthier Ian Williams of Nepco Guitars and Jack helps me show off Ian's latest high flyin' creation, my Birdman electric sitar. 

Come get your vibration high with this fun visit!

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On this episode, I take a trip through the Lone Star State with Steven Cooper, a native Texan and Nashville-based touring/session guitarist who has worked with a variety of artists including the Watson Twins, Patrick Sweany, Jessie Baylin, Nicole Atkins, and his own band Indianola. Steven's knowledge of lipstick Stratocasters can be traced back to his youth spent at Dallas' legendary Charley's Guitar Shop and two of Texas' favorite guitar-playing sons: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Charlie Sexton. In addition to discussing the Lipstick Stratocaster's rich history, we explore the importance of communication and professionalism, navigating Nashville's music culture, and the complexities of owning vintage guitars.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stephen Cooper and the Lipstick Stratocaster
03:16 The Journey of a Young Guitarist
06:09 Charlie's Guitar Shop: A Hub of Musical Knowledge
09:16 The Evolution of Guitar Ownership
12:18 The Impact of Local Music Scenes
15:17 The Legacy of Charlie's Guitar Shop
17:56 The Influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan
20:52 The Importance of Small Amplifiers
23:53 The Role of Jazz in Guitar Playing
27:04 The Guitar Community and Its Evolution
29:45 The Value of Vintage Guitars
32:41 The Relationship Between Charlie and Stevie Ray Vaughan
38:33 The Supportive Role of Relationships in Music
41:11 The Evolution of the Lipstick Strat
47:34 The Legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan
51:25 Charlie Sexton: A Multifaceted Artist
56:05 The Gear Behind the Sound
01:10:48 The Power of Instruments in Music
01:12:15 Guitar Acquisitions and Personal Preferences
01:14:15 Touring Experiences and Musical Connections
01:16:49 The Significance of Guitar Shops
01:20:17 The Journey of Giving and Receiving Guitars
01:22:35 Guitar Choices and Personal Comfort
01:24:30 Influences and Early Musical Inspirations
01:27:37 The Role of Communication in Music
01:31:15 Building Relationships in the Music Scene
01:33:24 The Economics of Vintage Guitars 

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Guitarist Michael McAdam comes by The Lipstick Pickup Listening Lounge with an armful of interesting guitars and talks to Emily about playing professionally in Guitar Town for nearly 4 decades. It's a journey of a million miles and it all started on a Silvertone guitar and that's why he still loves the TONE of Masonite and Lipstick Pickups. 

More on Michael at :

https://michaelmcadam.com 

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Writer, blogger and rock historian Angie Moon returns to The Lipstick Pickup Podcast to help Emily take the Sitar Electric and discuss a subject of her authority, Beyond The Sitar: Indian Influences in Classic rock. The conversation explores the concept of "Insomnia," the role of session musicians, and the impact of culture, fashion and style on rock culture, highlighting how these elements intertwine to shape artistic expression. 

More on Angie and the music discussed:

https://crazyonclassicrock.com/2017/01/10/indian-influences-in-classic-rock/

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75UVBqXxCXo5HQKHuNCvAk?si=21916da5c6b54659 

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In this episode of the Lipstick Pickup Podcast, Emily welcomes back Stu Snyder to discuss various topics related to vintage instruments, music recording, and New York City and it's rare birds. They pickup where they left off with a discussion of his vintage guitar string collection and also get a look at his specimen lefty Rickenbacker, among other things. There's also Lipstick Pickup Merch on the way and Stu and Emily touch on the rock and roll legacy and costume history of the Bandana. 

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On this episode of The Lipstick Pickup Podcast, Emily calls Classic Rock historian Angie Moon in Coventry, England to talk about her new book The Crime of The Century and the subject of her blog, The Diversity of Classic Rock. She discusses her personal journey through music, the healing power of sound, and the importance of accurate music history. Angie also touches on her future writing projects, including a focus on celebrity trials, and reflects on the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of music. In this engaging conversation, they delve into the intricate connections between personal history, music, and cultural identity. They explore the legacy of Oscar Wilde, The Kinks and how The Great Migration shaped American Music. The discussion also touches on the role of storytelling in history, the influence of Sitar in music of the British Invasion, and the significance of personal style in creative expression. 

Follow Angie here:

https://www.instagram.com/angiemichellemoon

https://crazyonclassicrock.com/