Episode 779: Darden Smith

Hello friends! My guest for episode 779 is singer/songwriter/author/entrepreneur,  Darden Smith whose thirty-year career redefines what it means to be a artist. In addition to fifteen critically acclaimed albums, Smith continues to break new ground using the craft of songwriting in education, entrepreneurship, and in service to others. His amazingly inspiring memoir, The Habit of Noticing: Using Creativity to Make a Life (and a Living), was released in September and is available in all the mediums. Go to dardensmith.com for all things Darden. We have a great conversation about his personal and artistic journey. I really enjoyed getting to know Darden. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 773: The Higher Ups / Altamesa Returns!

Hello friends! I have a double-header for you today! First up, Gray Parsons, who's one-man recording project The Higher Ups have just released it's debut album, the brilliant, Eternal Return. Gray wrote, recorded and produced the album all by himself on his Tascam 388 analog tape recorder (my all time favorite machine) and you can find it The Higher Ups Bandcamp page. Gray and I have a great conversation about making an album by yourself on analog equipment, the biblical imagery on the album, what is a nihilist and more. Next up, Altamesa frontman Evan Charles joins me. Their new album, the dark and dreamy, Idol Frontier drops next Friday, 2/8. They're celebrating with a release show on that same night at Cheer Up Charlie's here in Austin. Go to altamesamusic.com for show dates, music and more. Evan and I talk about the gothic element in their sound, his musical journey, co-producer Jonas Wilson, recording to tape and much more! I had a great time getting to know these brilliant artists. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 770: On the Record | An ATX Music Marketplace & Panel w/ Chris "Frenchie" Smith, Kathy Valentine and Louis Black Live at Native Hostel!

In December of last year, The Austin Music Foundation invited me to do some live panel discussions with three legendary Austin creatives about their journey and "how they got here" at the On the Record An ATX Marketplace and Panel event at Native Hostel. I sat down and got into it with producer/musician, Chris "Frenchie" Smith, Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's and The Bluebonnets and Louis Black film producer, co-founder of SXSW, The Austin Chronicle and the new Sex Hawke Black Records. I would like to thank On the Record sponsors, Vinylmnky, Native Hostels, SXSW and The Austin Music Foundation for having me. I would also like to thank WERD Productions for recording the show and running the sound. I hope you enjoy these inspiring conversations with these legendary creative trailblazers. I sure did. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG
 

Episode 738: Aaron Stephens / Sam Ravenna / Donnie Henry

Hello friends! I have a three-fer today! First up, artist/musician, Donnie Henry checks in via Skype to talk about his music memorabelia themed art show "Racontour", running for the duration of ACL Festival at Hotel Van Zandt. Find Donnie at hotelreginamtme.com. Next, Lake Tahoe based soul artist, Sam Ravenna checks in via Skype from the road! Sam's latest EP, the soul laden and brilliant, Fragile drops Friday, October 19th and he is currently on tour supporting and playing with, Eric Lindell. They'll be in Austin next Tuesday, October 9th at The Continental Club! Go to samravenna.com for music, videos, tour dates and more. Last but not least, I am joined in the studio by Austin R&B/soul artist, Aaron Stephens. Aaron's latest album, the gorgeous Focus, came out a few weeks ago and I can't stop listening to it! Go to aaronstephensmusic.com for music, show dates and more. We have a great conversation about growing up in a border town, his songwriting process and much more! I hope you enjoy getting to know Aaron. I sure did. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 715: Mary Streepy - Queue Queue

Hello gang! Prolific artist/musician, Mary Streepy is my guest for episode 715! Mary plays drums, guitar and sings in the shoegaze trio, Queue Queue which also includes Carrie Clark (of the psychedelic noise pop band, Sixteen Deluxe) on guitar/vocals and Claire Hamilton (of chill wave/dream pop band, Paraguay) on bass and vocals. They're about to go back into the studio and record their sophomore album, but you can find their debut, self-titled album where ever you stream and download music or at queuequeueband.com Mary is also an amazing and very accomplished artist and painter. You can find her work at marystreepy.com We have a great conversation about her time at Wichita State University, The Buglies, her love of whoopie cushions, living a life filled with art and music and much more! I had a great time getting to know Mary. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 698: Patricia Vonne

Hello friends! Multi-talented artist, Patricia Vonne is my guest for episode 698! Her 7th album, Top Of The Mountain drops this Friday, May 25th. The album was produced by Rick Castillo and Michael Ramos, mixed by Joey Benjamin and features special guests, David Grissom, Johnny Reno, Robert LaRoche and more. She's celebrating with a release show at The Continental Club this Saturday, May 26th at 10 pm. Go to patriciavonne.com for more tour dates, music, videos and more. Patricia and I have a great conversation about growing in San Antonio with her 9 brothers and sisters, discovering herself in NYC, touring Europe with Tito & Tarantula and on her own, making Top Of The Mountain, dance, Castanets and much more! I had a great time getting to know Patricia. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -jg

Episode 689: Candace / Gold Casio

Hello friends! We have a Portland-centric, SXSW 2018 double-header for you guys today! Julius and Brock from Portland, Oregon's big and crazy Nu-Disco band, Gold Casio came by the apartment while they were here for SXSW 2018! Their brand new e.p. Sinners is out TODAY Friday 4/20! Go to goldcasio.band for tour info, music, videos and more. We have a great conversation about being a gold plated nu-disco band, touring their way down to SXSW, the logistics of keeping a big band on the road, making Sinners and much more! After that, I am joined by Portland country-shoegaze trio, Candace! Their gorgeous new album, New Ruins is out now. The album was recorded in rural Iowa and mixed by the legendary, Larry Crane (The Tape-Op magazing guy). You can find their music, tourdates and more at candaceisaband.com. We have a great conversation about making New Ruins in the aftermath of the 2016 election, the meaning of "country-shoegaze", touring their way down to SXSW 2018, The similarities between Portland and Austin and much, much more! I had a great time getting to know both of these amazingly talented bands. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 664: Suspirians

Hello friends! Marisa Pool, Lisa Cameron and Stephanie Demopulos collectively known as the art/punk band, Suspirian are my guests for episode 664! Their lastest ep, Ti Bon Ange on Super Secret Records is amazing and you can find it where ever you stream music. Find them on the socials or HERE. I came across the band while surfing the world wide web a few weeks ago and fell in love with the music. We have a great conversation about creating songs out of their jams, their upcoming trip to International Noise Fest in Miami, the magic of a rehearsal space, Lisa's rich, legendary musical history and much,  much more. Plus, I got a haircut from Marisa and I love it. Enjoy getting to know these fine ladies. I sure did. Let's get down!
ciao! -jg

Episode 652: Eddie Wilson & Jesse Sublett

Hello friends! Austin music legends Eddie Wilson and Jesse Sublett are my guests on the show today! Eddie Wilson started The Armadillo World Headquarters in 1971, brought the cowboys and the hippies together under one strange and beautiful roof to bond over music made by people that would go on to be some of music's greatest legends. He and musician/author, Jesse Sublett wrote the definitive story of the celebrated, historical music/art venue. "Armadillo World Headquarters: A Memoir" by Eddie Wilson with Jesse Sublett is an amazing account of the place and the people set in motion the Austin music scene that we know today. You can find it at awhq.com We have a great conversation about getting AWHQ started, why Eddie left AWHQ, great stories about the old days at The Adrmadillo, Threadgill's, Thanksgiving with The Grateful Dead and much, much more. I really loved this book and had a blast chatting it up with these two legendary gentlemen. Enjoy. Let's get down!
ciao! -jg

Episode 650: Conrad Keely

Hello folks! Multi-instrumentalist, co-founder of ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Conrad Keely is my guest for episode 650! Conrad recently moved back to the U.S. after living in a few countries and finally settling in Cambodia for a while where he recorded a brilliant solo album, Original Machines. You can find his music and his amazing art on his Facebook pages conradkeelymusic & conradkeelyart. The Trail Of Dead are currently working on their 10th album and they're playing shows. Conrad and I have a great conversation about recording and living in Cambodia, the story of The Trail Of Dead, his artwork, being influenced by classical music, The Trail Of Dead's reputation of destruction and chaos and much, much more! I had a great time catching up with my old friend. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
ciao! -jg