Badass Records

by Blair Johnson

Music Commentary Music History Music Interviews

Episode #166, Morgen Agesen

My guest for Episode #166 is a daughter, a fiancée, a mother, and an artist. She has a tremendous aura about her. She's been blessed with compassion, intelligence, talent, determination, fantastic conversational skills, and she has boldly faced that which life has dealt her. Her name is Morgen Agesen, and she deserves steadfast applause for being an awesome human being. As Executive Assistant for Art Garden KC, Lead Designer for Worlds of Fun, and In-House Muralist for Vignettes Bar, Morgen still manages to find time for her own work, and on top of all that, she made a hearty trek to my place for a healthy chunk of one of her Saturdays, leaving me both impressed and grateful. We talked growing up, family, moving, navigating both the rocky seas and consistency of curve balls that life often presents, as well as both the creation and the vending of art. We talked about the coolness behind the purpose of such a thing as Art Garden KC (artgardenkc.org & @artgardenkc on the Socials), and it wouldn't've been a proper episode of Badass Records if we didn't have a peek at a few of her favorite records. So, we did, and those were these: Jagged Little Pill (1995), Alanis Morissette Gorillaz' Demon Days (2005) Alopecia (2008), Why? Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel... (2012) While I'm happy that you have read this far (and I don't want you to quit now), I'd be tickled if you considered giving our conversation a view or a listen. But beyond that, please give Art Garden KC a follow (or at least a look-see). They are a fascinating source for facilitating popup markets and festivals in a way that joins artists and vendors with the community, and I can't speak loud enough to the importance of having such an organization in our midst right here in Kansas City. So, please use them. Consider them. Know about them. Share about them. Thank you for supporting the progrum. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are clips from an aptly named tune called, "Saturday," which is a Real Estate song from their 2017 release, In Mind (c/o Domino Recording Co Ltd).

Episode #165, Becoming a Swifty, Vol. 4, featuring Lisa Alpert

I couldn't be happier to share that -- not only is the wonderful Lisa Alpert back, but -- the Becoming a Swifty series has had new life breathed into it. Yes. It's Episode No. 165 of Badass Records, but installment number four of Taylor Swift talk. If you didn't happen to catch Lisa's first episode, please check out No. 147, and -- in today's episode -- take note of all of the phenomenal guests Lisa has sent my way. Anyway...Lisa and I had a fantastic conversation in which we mulled over family dynamics, the path to becoming a death doula, the necessary courage of launching a writing project, and we eventually made our way to talking about Lisa's favorite Taylor Swift albums, which were these: folklore: the long pond studio sessions (2020) Midnights (2022) The Tortured Poets Department (2024) Talking Taylor Swift isn't my absolute favorite thing, but talking Taylor Swift with awesome people who are passionate about this incredible artist is for sure a thing that I super-enjoy. So, I'm hopeful that you'll take a chance and listen to our conversation. It's a really good one, even if Miss Swift isn't your jam. Thank you, Lisa. I'm a better person for knowing you, and I really appreciate your time and energy. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are clips I stole from a Kurt Vile tune called, "Stuffed Leopard," which can be found on his 2022 release, (watch my moves). That album exists courtesy of -- say it with me now -- A Verve Records Release; overnite kv incorporated, under exclusive license to Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Episode #164, Cole Bales

After a couple of weeks off for rest and recalibration, Badass Records is back with a new episode, and this one features the fantastic Cole Bales of Black Light Animals. Cole is a son, a brother, a boyfriend, a bandmate times two, and he's my guest for Episode No. 164. Black Light Animals has an upcoming RecordBar gig. That's Thursday, May 1st at RecordBar. They also have a new album out. It's called Last Call Love Songs, and you can find it digitally or get yourself a vinyl copy via their Bandcamp, or at blacklightanimalsband.com. Cole's also a member of The Freedom Affair, and they have a gig, Friday, May 2nd at The Madrid. So, please check them out, too. My conversation with Cole involved growing up, the art of recording and producing, bandmates, family, and -- of course -- a few of his favorite albums. Those were these: The White Album (1968), The Beatles George Harrison's All Things Must Pass (1970) Exile on Main Street (1972), The Rolling Stones The Black Keys' Brothers (2010) Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018), The Arctic Monkeys It was both a pleasure and a joy meeting Cole and chatting with him. Follow @blacklightanimalsband on Instagram, and make sure you're dialed in with all that Cole has going on. Cheers. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a track called, "Rich Woman" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and it's the leadoff track from their 2007 release, Raising Sand (c/o Rounder Records, distributed by Concord).

Episode #163, Til Willis

Pleased as punch to share that Til Willis made his return to Badass Records after an 80-episode gap; if you're doin' the math at home, he was here for Episode No. 83 back in September of 2023, and it was a great one. Highly recommend you visit (or revisit) it. This time around -- for Episode No. 163 -- it was smooth sailing' for Til and I to pick up where we left off last time, and talk about a healthy bunch of cool stuff. At the forefront of said stuff, Glass Cactus, the new album from Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy, drops today, Thursday, March 27th. Not only can you acquire your own physical copy of this latest release at tilwillis.net, or via tilwillis.bandcamp.com, you can stream it or download it from either of those places or wherever it is that you stream your music. There's more, though: We chewed the fat about songwriting, recording, gigging, a super-cool sound space in Rangely, CO, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the episode's list of badass records, which -- by the way -- are all friends, acquaintances, and partners of Til's. Those records were these: Miracle Mule (2004), The Subdudes Pierced Arrows' Descending Shadows (2010) Growing Season (2013), Gardenheads Faceman's Wild & Hunting (2016) Santa Lucia (2019), Windwolves Til's on Instagram and Facebook, and certainly worthy of a follow, in that he not only posts cool stuff about his life and music/band updates. He shares art. Yes, Til makes cool collages and shares not only those, but the occasional version of stuff he creates in other mediums, so please consider checking him out. It was both a pleasure and an honor to welcome Til back to town from LFK, and I couldn't possibly dork out any harder about how the timing of our talk -- plus the coinciding release of this episode and Glass Cactus -- worked out. Thank you, Til. And cheers to those Erratic Cowboys. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They belong to a fine, fine artist by the name of Sly5thAve, who put out a swanky cover of "Let Me Ride" in 2017, c/o Tru Thoughts.

Episode #162, Marilee Rose

It was an honor and a privilege to meet Marilee Rose and chew the life-story fat with her a couple of weeks ago. She is a daughter and a sibling and a mother and a fiancee. She's a years-long entrepreneur, a lover of planning and travel, and a gangster in her own right. She's also my guest for Episode No. 162. Marilee and I talked growing up, being a businesswoman, acknowledging adversity and flourishing in spite of it, and being an artist/creator, a connector, a dreamer, and one who manifests. We also talked a little bit about a few of her favorite albums, which were these: The Very Best of the Everly Brothers (1964) No Need to Argue (1994), The Cranberries Everclear's Sparkle and Fade (1995) All Eyez on Me (1996), Tupac Shakur Post Malone's Austin (2023) Find Marilee on Instagram at @marileerose1. Check out her IG photography page, which is @wildrose.photography.kc. Her Web site is wildrosephotography.com, and be sure to find her Air BnB link on her personal Instagram page as well, as new developments there will be happening soon. Chatting with Marilee was a blast, and my only notes correction would be that I foolishly said "Isley Brothers" when Righteous Brothers was the artist name I'd meant. Thank you to both Marilee and to everyone that supports the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are samples I poached from a DJ Logic song called, "J.J. Bailey," which comes from his 2001 release, Project Logic (c/o ropeadope Records).

Episode #161, Jamie Campbell

Please put your hands together for Mr. Jamie Campbell! Jamie is a son, a brother, a husband, an actor, a stand-up comic, and he's also my guest for Episode No. 161. Find Jamie at jamiecampbellcomedy.com, on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and where you stream. If you go the YouTube route, be sure to check out his hour-long special, Big Dad Energy, and if you go the social-media route, keep an eye out for not only his upcoming new hour (courtesy of Dry Bar Comedy), but also a handful of movie projects he's got in the works. I enjoyed visiting with a working comic who's skilled in the art of creating specials, touring and gigging, and writing new material. And talking with Jamie in general was a great time. Whilst we visited, we touched on a few of his favorite albums, which were these: The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend (1971) Rancid's Let's Go (1994) Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), Ben Folds Five Outkast's Aquemini (1998) White Pony (2000), Deftones Many thanks to Jamie for gifting me some of his valuable time. I have always had an admiration for those in his field that put in the real work. And thanks to any and all that support Badass Records. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are snippets from a tune called, "Ron's House," which is a DJ Logic track from his 2001 release, The Anomaly (c/o ropeadope Records).

Episode #160, Derrick Benitz

Derrick Benitz joined me for Episode No. 160, and I'm super-grateful that he stuck with me through a period of correspondence, ultimately making the trek over in late January to bullshit with me about photography, growing up, Spotify playlists, and being happy/healthy in life. Find Derrick on Instagram under the @nomadphotog handle, and please peep his handsome Web site, derrickbenitz.com. Whilst we were fat chewing, Derrick and I managed to touch on a few of his favorite albums. They were these: Metallica (1991) Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) Continuum (2006), John Mayer The Decemberists' The King Is Dead (2011) From the Wreckage (2014), The Wind & the Wave Taylor Swift's 1989 (2014) Really enjoyed Derrick's company. Really appreciate all that support the show. Cheers. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are snippets I lifted from a song by the greatest rock band in American history. Song's called, "Roggae." Album's from 1998, and titled The Story of the Ghost. All of that's here c/o Phish Inc.

Episode #159, Solomon Alpert

Solomon Alpert joined me for Episode No. 159. Solomon is a son, a brother, a husband, a father figure, and a Reentry Counselor at Benilde Hall, a facility which helps folks by fostering sustained recovery, stable housing, economic self-sufficiency, and improved mental and physical well-being. An honorable career and facility, to say the least. This week's guest came highly recommended courtesy of his wife, Lisa, who joined me for Episode No. 147 (and is tentatively slated to join me once more, this time for the newest installment of Becoming a Swifty), and he did not disappoint. There's nothing better than a healthy mix of good vibe and qualifiable intelligence. Solomon and I talked about growing up, being first-borns, education, figuring out one's professional self, and a bunch more. We also talked about a few of his favorite albums, which were these: Heaven or Las Vegas (1990), Cocteau Twins Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville (1993) Chutes Too Narrow (2003), The Shins Toro y Moi's Freaking Out! (2011) If You're Reading This It's Too Late (2015), Drake Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion (2015) Many thanks to both Solomon and to everyone that supports the show. This is a look into (mostly) Kansas City folks, who they are, what they're into, and what tunes make them groove. Cheers, y'all. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained in this episode. They are snippets from Benevento/Russo Duo's, "Walking, Running, Viking," which I probably used already once before, so shame on me. It's from their 2006 release, Play Pause Stop, however, and we're blessed with its existence c/o Royal Potato Family.

Episode #158, Jeremiah James Gonzales

Pleased to've met Jeremiah James Gonzales and learned all about Redder Moon for Episode #158. Redder Moon's blend of gothic new-wave/post-punk can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Bandcamp. They've got something in the neighborhood of eight releases available to check out, including a single from late last year, with more stuff coming soon. Jeremiah was kind enough to share a portion of an evening in January with me, and I enjoyed hearing about his songwriting, recording, and band history. We talked about growing up, family, friends, and a few of his favorite albums, too, which were these: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), Iron Maiden The Cure's Disintegration (1989) Angel Dust (1992), Faith No More Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights (2002) Badass Records podcast episodes air Thursdays where you stream and on YouTube. You can keep tabs on the show via Twitter and Instagram. Everything lives on the site (badassrecordspodcast.com), and guest inquiries should be delivered to badassrecordspodcast at gmail dot com. Thank you for your support of the progrum. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio content contained within this episode. They are clips from a STS9 track called, "Tokyo," which is from their 2005 release, Artifact, c/o STS9.

Episode #157, Lukas

Ladies and gentlemen...It's Lukas! The brain child behind Sentimental Creatures was kind enough to make the hour-long commute to the B.R.P. studio amidst winter conditions last month, and I was grateful he did, as we talked growing up, God, earning first-gig cap feathers, and a ton more. Lukas and his outfit can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Soundcloud, plus all streaming services. Learning about all that has transpired in a short time for both Lukas and Sentimental Creatures was exciting, as was our conversation about a few of his favorite records, which were these: Prince's self-titled, (1979) Hysteria (1987), Def Leppard Jeff Buckley's Grace (1994) self-titled (2013), The 1975 Fun chat with good people. While we were talking, we both reminisced about our respective third-grade teachers. And even though the particular memory I shared about mine wasn't anything profound, it did jostle fond memories of my time in Sarah Sangster's Annistown Elementary classroom in Snellville, GA. Miss Sangster had great energy and the real "it" required for getting kids' attention and keeping it. She was always bright, cheery, witty, caring, and juggled savvy with empathy like no other I'd had (or would have). I've Googled former teachers before, and this one had me quasi-curious as to whether she was still at it, or even around; I was saddened to learn that she had passed a couple of years ago. She married in 2000, and became Mrs. Davenport, which made me happy for her. Shouts out, though, to Miss Sangster. May you rest in peace. Anyway...please consider giving Sentimental Creatures an IG follow, so you can stay in the loop with upcoming gigs and release updates. Thank you for supporting the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio samples contained within this episode. They are clips from a Galactic tune called, "Cineramascope," from their 2010 release, Ya-Ka-May, c/o Anti Inc.

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