The Third Men Podcast

The Third Men are on summer break! But we couldn't leave you all without an episode, now could we? Well starting this week we're bringing you a series of some of the finest (?) moments from the last 100 episodes, and it all kicks off with BEST OF ALBUM RATINGS! Every time we tackle an Album Analysis and Review on the show, your super-sleuth co-hosts endeavor to bring you as many facts on that record as is third-humanly possible. But we also bring our own thoughts in the form of our patented (it's not) "3 Men" rating system. One means we like it, two means we love it, and three makes it one of our very favorites. It's at this juncture where James would remind you that this system is heavily reminiscent of a certain North American ice cream chain, though for legal reasons we must stress that it is not. Anyway, enjoy this special compilation we've put together to give you a flavor (again, not ice cream related) of our thoughts on each of the records reviewed, and please tell us your own! We want to hear what you would rate these albums, and what you think of our humble mumbles!

It's been three years and one hundred episodes, and you know what that means...mistakes! But who better to right our wrongs than perhaps the only man on God's green earth who could possibly know more about Jack White than Jack White himself: Third Man Records co-founder, co-owner and inventor of disco Ben Blackwell! That's right folks, Ben is back to take your humble co-hosts on a tour of our errors in an entire episode devoted to the longest-running segment in Third Men Podcast history: Stop Breakin' Down. In an effort to always bring you the most accurate information possible, the Stop Breakin' Down segment provides us a space to issue corrections on inaccuracies from past episodes, and correct any mistakes that we've made along the way. With Ben on the line, we've poured over our first year's worth of shows to highlight each incorrect assertion, each astute listener correction, and turn them loose on Ben's brain in the desperate search for insight on a whole host of topics. From Jack's drag racing skills to why it's OK to break up a nativity set and everything in between, Mr. Blackwell is here to right the ship, and we're delighted to have him! Paul and James are so happy & proud to bring you this podcast and are beyond thrilled to have 100 episodes under our belts - thanks to all our listeners for making this possible. And thanks to Ben Blackwell for being here to celebrate with us, Third Man's support and encouragement means the world. It's episode 100! Gonna make you lose your mind!

Hear the yell? We've got nouns and books and show and tell this week -- just for you! Third Man Books has slowly but surely made a name for itself within the broader pantheon of TMR output these past few years, but the most ambitious effort for the imprint to date has undoubtedly been Ben Blackwell's THE BLUE SERIES: THE STORY BEHIND THE COLOR. Chronicling ten years of releases in Third Man's fabled Blue Series, this epic tome of information offers the story of how these records came to be from the people who made them happen. Going through each release in meticulous detail, TMR co-founder, co-owner and famed inventor of disco Ben Blackwell contributes interviews with the musicians involved, an extensive conversation with Jack White, and detail down to the nitty gritty on the most imaginative series of singles in modern music history. This week we review the book, discuss some of our favorites from the Blue Series, and take you the listener on a trip between the pages of one of our absolute favorite TMR releases to date. All this, plus a very special interview with artist and author Sina Grace, who details for us his own musical journey designing artwork and merchandise for artists such as Jenny Lewis, Metric and many more. Boy, if we're giving you all this for episode 99, what on earth could we have in store for episode 100?!

If you're having pod problems we feel bad for you son, we've got 99 episodes...well, minus the 1! Behind these Ray Bans lurks the heart of another unsolved Jack White mystery -- the latest edition to our "Lost Albums" series! The Third Men podcast has gone deep down the rabbit hole to give you a firsthand look at everything we know about the collaboration that wasn't: Jack White and Jay-Z. From 2009-2010, these two titans of their respective musical genres made their way into the recording studio with the intent of producing an album together, but alas such an LP was not meant to be. This week on the show we've compiled dozens of interviews, sound bytes, pictures and more to explore everything we know about the project, what tracks were worked on, what tracks might have been worked on, and why this release ultimately never saw the light of day. All this, plus a special bonus preview of a brand new podcast being developed by your humble third men co-hosts set for release this fall. We hope you all enjoy what we've got in store, and if you like it, maybe we can get an encore? Do ya want more?

Thirty half steps to the microphone, smiles on our faces, flowers in our hands, we're here to make the crowd melt! Or at the very least answer their questions. This week it's a promise fulfilled as we answer the burning queries that you, our faithful listeners, have submitted to be asked on the podcast in the third installment to our WHO'S TO SAY Listener Questions episode series. From a Meg White reemergence to how chart data is collected to what Carl Butterball's favorite flavor of soup is and everything in between, we're answering all that is asked of us in this week's episode! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions - if you'd like a question answered on the show, send it our way! Plus we're joined by Soniphone Records founder and CEO Kyle Ledford for a conversation about the state of the music business today, being inspired by Jack White and much, much more. The motley mob settles down, and there's hardly a frown, now that all the questions have been answered!

The Third Men Podcast is proud to present an all-new exclusive extended interview with Grammy award-winning director Emmett Malloy! Emmett's epic journey toward becoming one of the preeminent music video directors of the modern musical landscape brought him into the orbit of countless rock and roll icons, but it was his work with Jack White which would truly cement his legendary status. From epic concert films such as Under Great White Northern Lights to Kneeling at the Anthem, DC and all the many music videos in between, Emmett is a quintessential figure in the Third Man world, and a principal storyteller in the history of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Jack White solo and more. Prepare yourself for some of the most memorable stories of our entire podcast library, as we learn why you should never steal Wu Tang weed, what to do whilst go-kart racing a Raconteur, how to put on a puppet show in a magic castle and much, much more! We’re thrilled to have had Emmett on the show and hope you all enjoy this interview as much as we did!

It's been ten incredible years since Third Man Records opened its doors in Nashville, Tennessee, and only fitting that our Third Man friends threw an incredible party to celebrate! On April 6th, 2019, the party kicked off and our very own James Kaminski was in attendance to give us all the details - from those who rocked the blue room to that which packed the swag bags, we've got your boots on the ground reporting of this major Third Man event! So for those of you who couldn't make it, take a walk through the streets of Nashville with us this week as we serve up our own special tribute to the record company we love, packed with music, fun and some very cool memories from your fellow listeners who were also in attendance. Also this week we're proud to present the second half of our interview with White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather and Jack White solo stylist Brandy St. John! Brandy's got loads more amazing stories for you all to enjoy this week - plus a look at her own musical project The Long Wives. So pop in them head phones and blow out the candles - Happy Birthday, Third Man!

We'll speak to you but won't speak softly - we'll talk to you and let you know all about Consolers of the Lonely! Welcome back to our analysis and review of the fan-favorite sophomore album by The Raconteurs. WOW, what a time to be a Racs fan! With a new album on the way, your home away from Nashville home is here to give you the down and dirty on the group's ambitious, thoughtful, spontaneous and razor sharp follow-up to 2006's Broken Boy Soldiers. Last episode we discussed the LP's release, the story behind the title and its elaborate packaging -- and this week we're talkin' the tunes. We'll go track by track and dissect this thing like a poor soul who trespassed against us, along with critical reception, some final thoughts from the band and our own personal ratings for the record. Plus, we're thrilled to welcome our very special guest Brandy St. John - stylist for the band and artistic contributor to much of the aesthetic that came to define this era for Jack White, Brendan Benson, LJ Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. In her over six years of working with Third Man, Brandy lent her skilled hand to key looks for The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, Jack White solo and the aforementioned Racs, and we're thrilled to present this first installment of our interview with her detailing it all! So while you're waiting for your Sunday driver, make a decision between just you and me and hold up them ear buds!

Any poor souls who podcast against us, whether they be beast or men, will stream with delight by our audio might and choose to download again! Welcome to pt1 of our 2-part deep dive into the Raconteurs sophomore LP: Consolers of the Lonely. For fans who were expecting the lightning rod power-pop of Broken Boy Soldiers, the second effort from Jack White, Brendan Benson, LJ Lawrence and Patrick Keeler may have come as a bit of a surprise. But this mix of country twang, vintage yarn-weavers and raucous jams quickly found a home as both a fan favorite and cult classic in the TMR world. This week we talk the record through from inception to release and analyze the elaborate album art and promotional stills that helped transition the Raconteurs from pop stars to old-timey medicine show hucksters. Plus we're joined by a couple of Ricky Skaggs super fans, Wayne and Elizabeth Kaminski, to talk about the bluegrass influence on the Raconteurs sound! So if you're lookin' for an accomplice, get ready to salute our solution to your podcasting needs!

The White Stripes Conquer the World! In the early months of 2003, Jack and Meg White braced for the release of their most ambitious, raucous and soon-to-be monstrously successful album to date: Elephant. With a titanic lead-off single in the ear-wormy Seven Nation Army, and growing legions of hungry fans clamoring for their new record, the band embarked on a word tour the likes of which they had never seen before. And make no mistake: there was NOTHING small about the Elephant tour. From stadiums to lunchrooms, from injury to triumph, from television to award shows, The White Stripes established themselves as worldwide superstars and a musical force to be reckoned with -- all at their trademark dizzying pace. This week we track their journey from spectacular high to crushing low and get to the bottom of just what made this tour so special in the hearts of all the candy cane children out there. We're also proud to be joined once more by White Stripes Junior Booking Agent Marc Bauer, who helped assemble this tour and stood in the wings to witness some of the band's most iconic performances. So book yourself a ticket and get ready to hit the road - let the stampede begin!