Stereo Embers: The Podcast

“You Try Writing A Number One Techno Song In Italy” That’s exactly what Ian Gothe did. Back in the ‘80s Gothe decided to prove to a pal in a bar in England that writing a techno song was an easy thing to do. So he went home and did it. Little did he know, the song would later rise to the top of the charts in Italy. These things happen. Actually, in Ian Gothe’s life, a lot of things happen. Born in Iran to an Armenian family, Gothe’s life story is one that’s about as novelistic as it gets. His tale takes him from Iran to England to Baltimore to Los Angeles and along the way he got married, put down music for a decade, gots divorced and rediscovered his love of playing guitar through the…flute. That’s right. The flute. He’ll explain everything but until you hit PLAY, let us tell you this: Ian Gothe is a remarkable guitarist who plays with soul, finesse, groove and heart. His compositions are filled with dexterity, virtuosity and an otherworldly command of his instrument. Not only that, but on his debut album Memento, he takes on numbers by The Coral, The Bee Gees and The Doors. His journey is remarkable, his self-possession inspiring and his playing downright stunning. In this conversation Ian talks to Alex about how he learned to play guitar by deconstructing the music he loved, what it was like to not play music for so long and the shock of finding out he had a number one song in Italy.

“It Was Definitely Not Like Riding A Bicycle” That’s how Gary Douglas describes what it was like to get back onstage after not playing live for many years. Well, to cut him some slack, he’s been busy. Like, really busy. Douglas is not only an attorney, he’s in the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame and he’s devoted his life to fighting the injustices that are dished out by corporations to those who can’t afford to fight for themselves. After playing in bands for most of his young life, Douglas ditched his rock and roll aspirations to go to law school but a decade or so ago, he couldn’t stay on the sidelines any longer. Now with a few albums under their musical belts, the Gary Douglas Band is in full swing and their new album Wild Life is a roots rock gem, filled with numbers that bring to mind the work of everyone from John Mellencamp to Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers. In this interview Gary talks to Alex about his love of Bruce Springsteen, how to juggle two occupations and the Mark Buffalo-Starring movie Dark Waters, which is about the DuPont case that he helped settle in a record-breaking class action lawsuit.

“Oh My God, This Is Over” That’s the exact thought K.C. Clifford had one night a few years ago as she put her kids to bed. She was referring to her career as a singer/songwriter, which had taken a backseat to motherhood. Not that Clifford was complaining—for years she had struggled with infertility and thanks to an infertility study and IVF, Clifford became the mother of two and she couldn’t have been happier. But her identity as an artist was something that was as essential to her soul as being a parent and Clifford was worried that having not nourished it for almost eight years, she didn’t know who she was anymore. But then she started to write in little bursts and then bigger bursts, and suddenly she had a record. In this conversation, Clifford talks about artistic doubt, motherhood and finding a new voice for her music. She also talks about being a woman in the music industry, coming to terms with being a woman in front of millions of gazes and her take on Lizzo.

“I Throw More Things In The Garbage Than I Should" That’s what Bob Perry says about the songwriting process when it comes to lyrics, but the singer/songwriter is being far too hard on himself. The former Winter Hours guitarist has quietly become one of the most wise and knowing songwriters around. In this conversation the New Jersey-born Perry talks to Alex about Winter Hours' ill-fated deal with Chrysalis, how he met his wife Stephanie Seymour (There Are Birds, The Aquanettas) and what his parents thought about him leaving college for a career in music. Perry also chats about his love of Jeff Beck, why the business is so hard to make a living in, his own creative process and what he learned from the magic of the words of Winter Hours singer Joseph Marques.

"This Actually IS An Outerspace Ship" A friend of mine asked me the other day to describe the music of Love Tractor and I tried (I said something like, "Brian Wilson singing for Can on Mars..."), but the fact is, words fail when it comes to that particular assignment. All I know is this: Love Tractor were one of the most innovative, inventive and truly wonderful bands of their era. And all these years later, their music doesn't sound rooted in a time or place; they exist out of time. In this comprehensive chat with Mark Cline, the guitarist talks about the band's back catalogue, the work ethic of R.E.M.'s Bill Berry and what the Athens Inside/Out movie got SO wrong. He also talks about why everyone wanted to be in Love Tractor, why they took a long hiatus and why 2020 will be the year of the Tractor!

"You Deserve A Bath" That sentiment may be comprised of just four words, but in life so many of us forget to recognize that in the constraints of our daily existences some self-care--like the simple pleasure of taking a bath--is deserved. In this conversation the Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Rose Cousins talks to Alex about stillness, self-care and, to borrow a phrase from her new album, the benefits of being alone. They also chat about the supportive Halifax music scene, how to handle small talk and what to do if you see one of your fans at a pet store.

"Shooting Free Throws And Playing Guitar" You may not realize it, but there's an intersection between playing sports and playing music. In fact, there's really no difference between playing guitar and shooting free throws--both take time, discipline, commitment and concentration. The Georgia-born Josh Kelley grew up playing golf in Augusta and while a golf scholarship landed him at Ole Miss, he'd been hard at work playing music since he was 11. His passion for writing songs overtook his passion for golf and before college was over Kelley had landed a record deal. In our first episode of 2020 Kelley talks to Alex about the intersection between sports and art. He also chats about the power of manifestation, how fatherhood informs creativity and why the first person he plays his new music for is his wife. PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Hackworth

"The Theory Behind Our Last Episode Of The Decade" Okay, there's no conspiracy theory behind the fact that this our last episode of the decade. We meant that above sentence literally--like, SUPER literally. The decade is coming to a close in a few days, so there's that and helping us put a button on it all is Theory bassist Dean Back. The Canadian musician talks to us about his band's new album Say Nothing, dressing up in a Spaceballs costume for Halloween and how Theory critiques their performances by laughing at their mistakes. Great chat, great guy, great decade! See you in 2020!! PHOTO BY GEOFF TISCHMAN

"For Our Christmas Episode We Couldn't Get Jesus Of Nazareth So We Got Dan Of Nazareth Instead" Okay, to be fair Dan McCafferty left the legendary Scottish band back in 2013 but worthy replacements aside, he will always be the voice of Nazareth. After 45 years fronting the internationally acclaimed outfit, McCafferty stepped aside due to health reasons. Recharged, revitalized and sounding better than ever, McCafferty is back with his third solo album--and first since 1987. In this conversation he chats with Alex about his collaboration with the Czech instrumentalist Karel Marik, why he's never planned anything in his life and why the easiest people to talk to are fishermen.

"All You Have To Do Is Do The Dishes" Sounds simple, right? Well, that's because it is. And, according to singer/songwriter Emerson Hart, that act of contributive collaboration is is the key to a lasting relationship. Hart has had a lasting relationship with music and his artistic evolution has been a joy to follow. Over the course of his career with Tonic and his marvelous solo work, including his new album 32,000 Days, Hart has been one of the most affecting singer/songwriters out there. In this conversation he talks to Alex about seeing U2 in France in 1987, the stillness of Paul Simon and the inspiration he found in the life of his step-father.