Welcome to A Kiss of Life: A Michael Knott Series, Volume 1, hosted by Spun Counterguy and Todd Anthony Zeller. In this limited-run tribute series, we explore the life, faith, songs and artistry of the late Michael Gerard Knott. Our debut episode features an in-person conversation recorded about a year ago at a greasy spoon diner in downtown Salem, Oregon where Zeller sat down with podcast guest Robert Freeman during the raw early months of grief following Knott’s passing.

Robert, an Oregon IT professional turned indie vinyl curator, spearheaded the rerelease of Knott’s iconic first solo outing Screaming Brittle Siren on vinyl, but his story goes deeper: from commissioning Michael’s paintings, to late-night phone calls, to becoming a creative collaborator and friend.

Our listeners can expect to hear a potpourri of Knott's songs obsessively sprinkled throughout each episode from solo, live, band, demo's and elsewhere. Thanks to Stormie Fraser-Knott, Rick McDonough, Joshua Lory, Dearl Poore, Robert Freeman, artwork photography by Dearl Poore and Jason Chu. Audio editing by Todd A. Zeller, Spun Counterguy and Dearl Poore.

✨ Episode Highlights

Robert recounts how his friendship with Knott began through paintings and grew into deep personal connection.
Insights into the creation of multiple paintings inspired by Screaming Brittle Siren’s oceanic and siren themes.
Reflections on Knott’s collaborative spirit and openness to ideas, both musically and visually.
Emotional memories of Knott’s honesty, struggles, and faith and how those qualities made his art resonate so deeply.
Robert’s experience at the tribute show in Southern California, where artists, family, and fans celebrated Knott’s enduring musical legacy.
Discussion of songs like “Shine a Light,” "Brittle Body," "Christ Saves," and many others and how they continue to comfort and challenge listeners.
A look at the rerelease project itself, including collaboration with Cliffy Huntington on remixing and remastering.

Continued thanks to Dan Russell and Fingerprint Records for use of our podcast theme song Orphans of God by Mark Heard.

Features

Resources

Podcasts

Orphans of God