Badass Records

di Blair Johnson

Commenti musicali Storia della musica Interviste musicali

Episode 226, An Esperluette (Jimmy Wing)

Jimmy Wing, a.k.a. An Esperluette, is a son, a sibling, a husband, and a conductor of synth-pop mayhem from Kansas City, Missouri. The handle for An Esperluette on Instagram is @anesperluette, and you can also find Jimmy's stuff on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, YouTube, and TikTok. An Esperluette's full-length release, Splatter, dropped in June of last year, and consists of 10 tracks and a 33-minute run time. And for the ultra-timely, catch his gig tonight, Thursday, October 1 at miniBar in KC at 3810 Broadway Blvd. Jimmy and I talked writing, gear, gigging, the pressures of being a one-man operation, and -- naturally -- we talked about a few of his favorite records. Those were these: Melt* (a.k.a. his third self-titled record) (1980), Peter Gabriel Depeche Mode's Construction Time Again (1983) Good Mourning (2003), Alkaline Trio Radiohead's In Rainbows (2007) A ton of courage goes in to doing something like what An Esperluette's doing, and I'd like to raise a glass to Jimmy for taking on this project. I thank him for his time, energy, and forgiveness, and I wish him continued growth and success as he moves the needle. And thank you to all of you that support the show. Not to be confused with the first self-titled Gabriel record (oftentimes referred to as Car), which is precisely what I did in preparing for this conversation. Kudos to Jimmy for being so kind. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio snippets contained within this episode. They are clips from a String Cheese Incident tune called, "Land's End," which is off their 1997 offering, Born on the Wrong Planet (c/o SCI Fidelity Records).

Episode 225, The Decemberists Discography, featuring Derrick Benitz

When Derrick Benitz joined me for Episode No. 160 (3/26/25), we were talking about a bunch of cool stuff and he said something that prompted me to mention that I'd like to have him back one day for another conversation. Today is that day. Or...the other day was that day, and today the episode's dropping, but you catch my drift. Derrick's first appearance covered topics like street photography, his University of Missouri-Kansas City gig, John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Dr. Dre, The Wind & the Wave, and -- last but not least -- The Decemberists. For the unfamiliar, the latter is an indie-rock outfit out of Portland, Oregon. They've released nine records, and this is a conversation rooted very loosely in an analysis of their library. And by "very loosely," I mean very loosely. That's not all, though; Derrick and I inadvertently talked about the slow, organic process of creating something cool that doesn't have immediate impact on society. Perhaps it never does. We talked about it anyway. He's definitely doing a version of that with his art, and he was kind and genuine enough to suggest that I might be, too, with this thing. Even cooler: Derrick suggested we incorporate a needle-drop exercise in which we share our top-10 moments in film where a piece of music really struck us, and it was a ton of fun to do. Can't say enough nice things about Derrick without sounding like a creep, so I'll leave it at this: I'm definitely looking forward to having him back a third time for either some Quentin Tarantino-rooted shenanigans or whatever feels right at the time. Derrick's good people. Oh. That Decemberists catalog looks like this: Castaways and Cutouts (2002) Her Majesty the Decemberists (2003) Picaresque (2005) The Crane Wife (2006) The Hazards of Love (2009) The King Is Dead (2011) What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (2015) I'll Be Your Girl (2018) As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again (2024) Many thanks to Derrick for the time, consideration, effort, energy, and great conversation, and thank you to all of you that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a Smashing Pumpkins tune called, "Drown." You can find it on their Rotten Apples: Greatest Hits record from 2001, but it initially came out on Singles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) in 1992, c/o Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Episode 224, Jen Jones

Jen Jones, Jen Jones, "...gonna walk around..." Jen Jones, Jen Jones, "...gonna..." Ho, boy, if dad jokes just aren't the bees knees. What a great guest for Episode No. 224, though! Jen Jones is a daughter, a sibling, an educator, and so much more. For example, she helps put together the monthly R.A.W. storytelling open-mic night at The Black Box in Kansas City (1060 Union Avenue), and the upcoming installment is this Monday, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Their Instagram handle is @raw_storytellingkc, and The Black Box's is @theblackboxkc. Jen also turned me on to cool things like the Missouri Writing Projects Network, the Greater Kansas City Writing Project (@gkcwp), and the Show Me Literacies Collaborative (@moliteracies). I could carry on and tell you about how cool her professional-educator's week is (roughly) shaped, or how organically she provided some cool storytelling tidbits in our conversation, but I wouldn't want to gloss over the amazingness that is her as the recipient of the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. Lots of good reasons for you to give this one a listen, and to add to it, we talked about a few of Jen's favorite albums, which were these: Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) Rent, the Original Broadway Cast Recording (1996) Counting Crows' Across a Wire: Live in New York City (1998) When the Pawn... (1999), Fiona Apple Many thanks to Jen for the time and the talk. And many thanks to all of you who support the show. Also: I can't remember if it was Jen's episode or Emma Jo's, but I meant to correct myself on the Saving Private Ryan dirt-jar writing; pretty sure I goofed it. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from the epic Phil Collins* tune, "Another Day in Paradise," which comes from his 1989 release, ...But Seriously, c/o Philip Collins LTD, under exclusive license to Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. * If you're a Phil Collins hater, you're not wanted here and should hastily find some rocks to kick.

Episode 223, Emma Jo

Before I tell you about the amazing Emma Jo as my guest for Episode No. 223, I'd be sorely remiss if I didn't give a world-class shoutout to the absolute North American hockey great, Barry Melrose. Barry warmed the hearts of hockey fans for decades and turned some of the non-hockey-knowing world onto the sport by virtue of his knowledge, charisma, and wit at a time when the game needed it most. On behalf of Badass Records podcast, R.i.P. in Peace to the legend, the real one, the mullet, Barry Melrose. Now...please let me tell you about Emma Jo, and her amazingness. She is a daughter, a sibling, a wife, a singer/songwriter/musician. She, as a solo artist, has two EPs, 11 singles, and two LPs out there on the platforms for you to consume. She's got vinyl/CD options available on her Web site, emmajo.rocks, and she's followable on the Instagrams as @theemmajo (and also as @thechromahouse and @pinkvelvet_kc for all your grins). Having been graced with the opportunity to meet Emma, I was further blessed by the privilege of sitting and visiting with her for a hefty chunk. During said chunk, we talked growing up, family, songwriting, relationships, and more. Somewhere in that mix was a visit to a few of her favorite albums, which were these: Come on Over (1997), Shania Twain Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998) The Rising (2002), Bruce Springsteen Many, many thanks to Emma for her time and her conversation. She's gigging on Thursday, September 17th at Hillsiders in KCK, and at 2:00 p.m. at the Plaza Art Fair, but -- if you've already broken away from reading this -- you know that. Also: many thanks to all those that support the show. You are loved. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a Widespread Panic track called, "The Take Out," which is on their 1988 debut, Space Wrangler, c/o Volcano Entertainment III, L.L.C.

Episode 222, Paul Seiz

Paul Seiz is a son, a sibling, a husband, and a father. He's also my guest for Episode No. 222. If one were so inclined, one could follow Paul on Instagram at @paulseizisalive, and one could peruse Paul's Web site, redbeatentertainment.com as well. Were one to check out said site, one would learn that Paul has an arsenal of entertainment at his disposal, and you can hire them. Or just check them out. Either way. Totally up to you. Anyway...on that site, you could find your entertainment-option choices, such as Pink Velvet, Winter Treats, Dueling Pianos, Neonic Nights Party with Songwheels, Party DJ-PJs, or Piano Man. Whether you visit it or not, Red Beat Entertainment has your party-vibe solution. So, please put a pin in them within your fun-planning folder. Paul and I talked about the pandemic, landing in a space wherein launching something like Red Beat Entertainment was real, and we talked about some goofy stuff, too. Like making mixtapes. We also talked about a few of Paul's favorite albums, which were these: The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Official Broadway Cast Recording (1979) Queen's Greatest Hits (1981) Ten (1991), Pearl Jam U2's Achtung Baby (1991) I had some seriously great conversational moments and some uber-memorable laughs with Paul. Hopefully you'll check out our conversation, and hopefully you'll give his deets a view. Thank you to Paul for the time and the energy, and thank you to all that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the clips within this episode. They are snippets from a Widespread Panic tune called, "Pickin' Up the Pieces," which is from their phenomenal Everyday record from 1993, c/o Volcano Entertainment III, LLC.

Episode 221, Ben Parks

Of Tree's Ben Parks joined me for Episode No. 221, and we've got a few things to cover, so let's get into it. Ben is a son, a sibling, a father, a visual artist, and a musician. On the artist front, please visit benjaminparks.info to check out his available workshops, studio space, exhibits, and commission-outreach details. His Instagram handle is @branchesoftree. For the musician in him, find details at benjaminparks.info/of-tree. That Instagram handle is @of_tree. Ben and his buddy, Danny McGaw, have a dual-release show happening Friday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. at 1413 W. 11th Street in Kansas City's West Bottoms. Ben's Of Tree outfit has a single, an EP, and a full-length release available where you stream. Ben and I talked family, his visual-art approach, installs and exhibits, working with the community, and a bunch more. We also talked about a few of his favorite albums, which were these: Smog's A River Ain't Too Much to Love (2005) In the Pines' self-titled release (2008) The Bunkhouse Vol. 1: Anchor Black Tattoo (2012), Fionn Regan Gregory Alan Isakov with The Colorado Symphony (2016) Sundowner (2020), Kevin Morby During our chat, I stupidly referred to the Track Star show as "Star Track." Derp. I also spaced on the name of Morgen Agesen's Art Garden KC. My apologies. Anyway...find tickets to Ben's release show via the EventBrite link on is Web site. Thank you, Ben, and thank you to all of you that support the program. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from the Phish track, "Tweezer," from their 1992 release, A Picture of Nectar, c/o Elektra Entertainment.

Episode 220, Christena Graves

Christena Graves is a daughter, a sibling, a wife, a mom, and a musician. She's also my guest for Episode No. 220. Christena joined me a couple of weeks ago to talk about her journey in youth, adulthood, parenting, and musicianship. We talked about faith and family, being a part of the music business and re-entering it after a short hiatus, recording, writing, producing, and so much more. We also talked about a few of Christena's favorite records, which were these: Amy Grant's Unguarded (1985) In My Tribe (1987), 10,000 Maniacs Hothouse Flowers' Songs from the Rain (1993) Imploding the Mirage (2020), The Killers The Killers' Pressure Machine (2021) Christena's 2021 release, Finding My Footing, can be streamed or downloaded on your platform of choice. Follow her on Instagram at @christenagravesmusic, and subscribe to her newsletter at christenagravesmusic.com. The Christena Graves Band also has seven singles available in addition to the full-length album, and there's more to come soon from whence that came. Many thanks to Christena for her time, and thank you to everyone that supports the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are clips from a ZZ Top tune called, "A Fool for Your Stockings," which is from their 1979 release, Degüello, c/o of Warner Records Inc., under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC. This is an especially important hat tip as we lost Frank Beard earlier this week. Mr. Beard manned the kit for the most-underrated Blues trio in American-rock history for 56 years, 16 records, and a ton of live shows. His passing is remarkable in that his bandmate and bassist, Dusty Hill, left this Earth five years and change ago, leaving only Mr. Billy Gibbons as the sole-surviving member of this fan-freaking-tastic outfit. Godspeed to you, Mr. Beard. We always found it appropriate that your facial hair marched to the beat of its own drum.

Episode 219, Adam Doyle

Adam Doyle of Shotgun Wedding Singer joined me for Episode No. 219, and it was both a treat to meet him and a delight to visit with him about his thus-far journey on this rock hurtling through space. We talked about crafting one's own musicianship path, the band community in Kansas City, seeing awesome live shows, and a bunch more. We also took a peek at a few of Adam's favorite albums, which were these: self-titled (2003) Blink-182 Green Day's American Idiot (2004) From Under the Cork Tree (2005), Fall Out Boy A Day to Remember's What Separates Me from You (2010) Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010), My Chemical Romance You can give Adam an Instagram follow at @gardoyle93, and the band's handle is @shotgunweddingsinger. Find their three singles and two EPs (including this year's Shotgun Wedding Singer Presents: An Introduction to Bridge Burning) where you stream and download your music and your podcasts. SWS is also on Facebook and YouTube (Check out their "I Think You Should Leave" music video.), and you can find the e-mail address for bookings under that good old IG-bio section. Many thanks (and apologies for having the wrong Blink-182 album cover) to Adam for the time and the enthusiasm, and thank you to all of you that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained in this episode. They are snippets from a Kurt Vile tune called, "Bassackwards," a baller track from his 2018 badass record, Bottle It In, c/o Matador Records.

Episode 218, Josh Barber

Josh Barber of Idle Heirs joins me for Episode No. 218. Mr. Barber is a son, a sibling, a husband, a bandmate, and a man of both vision and talent. Josh and I talked about the process of writing the bones of Life Is Violence -- Idle Heirs' full-length release from 2025 -- in the Pacific Northwest, recording it in Norway, and the excitement surrounding their next project. We also talked about a few of Josh's favorite albums, which were these: Lateralus (2001), Tool Glassjaw's Worship & Tribute (2002) You Come Before You (2003), Poison the Well Cult of Luna's Vertikal (2013) Drown the Traitor Within (2019), Lorn Follow Idle Heirs on Instagram at @idleheirs. Find their record on Bandcamp plus where you stream/download. They've got a Facebook page and a YouTube channel as well. Many thanks to Josh for the time and the good conversation. And thanks to all of you that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are clips from a Grateful Dead tune called, "Estimated Prophet," which is from their phenomenal 1977 release, Terrapin Station, which we have access to c/o Grateful Dead Productions, marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company (a Warner Music Group).

Episode 217, Ian Dobyns

Ian Dobyns is a son, a sibling, a partner, a mixer/producer, a musician, a super-sharp dude, and a great conversationalist. He's also my guest for Episode No. 217. He stopped by the studio Saturday and chewed the fat with me on life in the producing/engineering/mixing lanes, wearing different band hats, growing up, relationships, and a bunch more. Find him on Instagram at @atlantis_morrissey, @doubledrag.wow, @theyretheirs, @elementrecording, @squishy.audio, and @indiedrummercollective. Ian and I also talked about a few of his favorite records, which were these: Third Eye Blind's 1997 self-titled debut Machina/The Machines of God (2000), Smashing Pumpkins Colour Revolt's Plunder, Beg, & Curse (2008) Yuck's 2011 self-titled album Beach House's 7 (2018) If you're looking for assistance with your studio project, check out the folks over at Element. Looks to be a solid operation that will help you generate the results you desire. Many thanks to Ian for the correspondence to make this chat happen. I appreciated his time, his energy, and his wit. And thank you to all that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips in this episode. They are snippets I poached from White Snake's "Still of the Night," which can be found on their self-titled 1987 release, c/o Craft Recordings, distributed by Concord.

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