Third Gear Scratch

Stage Manager Jaci Entwisle has two dream jobs; one at The Second City working within hallowed halls surrounded by hot new comedy talent, and another at the BlueManGroup here in Chicago. She walks us through how she ended up landing and keeping both.

Producer/songwriter Dan Dixon opens up about his bands DropSonic, PLS PLS and now NRCSSST, how to navigate difficult recording sessions, and how to get signed for 6 figures just to have that record never get a proper release; ah this business of music.

Mastermind of the band Spotlights Mario Quintero speaks candidly about his time at Berklee in Boston, his marriage to bassist Sarah Quintero and how that works on tour and home, and their lack of connection to genre names like doom, postrock and shoe-gaze.

Actor Patrick Fabian describes his assent to playing Howard Hamlin on Better Call Saul after 25 years of guest starring on hundreds of TV shows, how his film debut in The Last Exorcism didn't exactly change his life, and how being type-cast has kept him solidly employed. 

Professional stand-up comic Chelsea Hood spills the milk on her life in comedy, the rampant sexism, the long days of solitude on the road, the inherent self-doubt and depression of many comedians and how she balances it with her work at the 16 On Center restaurant group.

Singer/bassist/creative fount Steve Tulipana's influence can't be overstated in KC in light of his band Season To Risk, the Record Bar, the venue he started as a pillar music venue and his big imprint on the KC sound with so many of his bands and projects.

This is an encore presentation of Third Gear Scratch with Jason Narducy, with a new introduction about his new musical called Verboten in which he wrote all the music and lyrics, showing January 16-March 8 at the Chopin Theater in Chicago.

Producer/Engineer Casey DiIorio spills about working with artists like Snoop Dogg and R Kelly and what it's like to watch true genius at work, why he's never not worked in the music biz and has no intention of leaving despite navigating the ups and downs of the uncertain world of owning a recording studio in the wake of the laptop-studio revolution. 

Singer/Frontman/Saxophonist Bruce Lamont explains how he toggles between being Robert Plant in Led Zeppelin 2 into the dark noise fog of Bloodiest and experimental jazz metal of Yakuza, why Chicago music scene held such allure for him in the 90's and why his work in the service industry has been so crucial for him. 

Luis Maldonado reveals much about his journey to success as a touring and session guitarist with bands like Train, Big Elf, John Waite and UFO, why he loves making all kinds of different types of music and reflects on those who aren't serious at their craft and Silicon Valley's effect on his home, San Francisco.