Robbie Fulks first arrived in Chicago in 1983 with a pregnant girlfriend and not much of a plan. In fairly short order, he landed a job at the legendary Old Town School of Folk Music on the city’s north side. At the Old Town School, Fulks found a community of like-minded musicians and thinkers. He honed his chops, worked on his original songs, and soaked up the atmosphere.

By the time Fulks was ready to record his own material he began working with the now legendary Steve Albini at the controls. Their early efforts were recorded in the Albini basement before Steve had a proper studio of his own. Fulks paints a picture of Albini as a rabble-rouser with a firm moral code. It’s a fascinating look at a mercurial figure in the annals of indie-rock.

Fulks also shares his impressions of the shifting Chicago music scene of the early and mid-1980s. By the time that Robbie had arrived in the Windy City, the wave of singer/songwriters led by John Prine and Steve Goodman had run its course, and the city had not yet become a mecca for the guitar based indie rock that would shape the sound of the 1990s in Chicago.

Robbie shares the harrowing tale of making a record on a remote Scottish island with the band, The Mekons. Despite minimal planning, and haphazard conditions, the recording and subsequent tour were a remarkable and enlightening experience, mostly thanks to the Mekons leader, Jon Langford.

During our discussion, Robbie shares his approach to songwriting, and even touches on a song that he has stopped playing due to its lack of lyrical sensitivity. We run through some of Robbie’s catalog, and even chat about the nature of recording, and reinterpreting a cover song. This is a wide ranging conversation with a fascinating and funny dude who just happens to be one of the very best songwriters working today.

Cheers,

Matty C

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Thanks so much to Robbie for joining me. He is out on the road in the US throughout much of the late winter and spring. You can full dates at http://www.robbiefulks.com/

The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. 

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