The Self Portrait Gospel :: Podcast

An absoutle cherished gem in both the music world and the articulated documentation of the creative human process, Chasny is one of the greats of our generation and a sincere force of nature to be cherished for all of time. On this very special episode of the podcast we explore Chasny's youth growing up in Northern California listening to metal music, being first introduced to the guitar and his unique scholar approach to the instrument, becoming interested in more underground music such as Sun City Girls, influences from the east coast and their growing appreciation of his style of music, touring with the late Jack Rose in the early days of Six Organs of Admittance, albums such as "Asleep on the Floodplains", "Hexadic - Triology", "Burning the Threshold" and his most recent effort on Drag City entitled "Time is Glass".

On this special episode of The Self Portrait Gospel :: Podcast we explore the songwriter's daredevil youth, the influence of the ocean and the surrounding elements, how he got into playing music and sonwriting, the constant fountain of songs and material that flow from his unique mind, meeting longtime friend and creative partner Kyle Field of Little Wings, recording the amazing trilogiy: "Just a Minute", "Anyway" and "Echo Me On" and much more. Enjoy!

Making an epic return with her most distinctive effort to date, Timony followed up her long awaited LP "Ex Hex" with "Untame the Tiger" on Merge Records and is ready to share this one with the world. On this episode we explore the musician's youth growing up during the influential punk scene in WA, her relocation to Boston to find herself both personally as well as creatively, forming the incredible group Helium, becoming a solo artist, eventually moving back home, her process of writing and recording "Untame the Tiger" and much more. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Michigan, the now North Carolina based musician joins us to talk about her childhood growing up with her older siblings, relocating to Philly where she participated in an experimental outfit influenced by the likes of Sun City Girls, the Long Hots trio, releasing her 2016 debut "Out of Love", her groundbreaking LP "Trouble Anyway", the pandemic and its effects on creatives, her 2021 follow up "No Medium", sharing space with heros MBV and J Mascis and her most recent effort "Bite Down" on Merge Records. Enjoy!

Boston legend Rick Maguire has been writing and recording music under PILE for nearly two decades now. With the projects '07 debut entitled "Demonstrated" initiating Maguire's distinctive career, the musician has gone on to to release an outstanding body of work with titles such as "Dripping", "Magic Isn't Real", "A Hairshirt of Purpose", "Green and Gray" and 2024's "Hot Air Balloon - EP". On this episode of the podcast we explore Maguire's youth and how he got into music, Weezer's "Blue Album", recording PILE's groundbreaking "Dripping" on Exploding in Sound, touring with the band as well as solo, Nashville and back to Boston, Covid, 2024's plans and much more.

Born and raised in Pasadena, CA, Hanson grew up with a very influential mother, who is also a songwriter, making this the perfect base for a career in music himself in the years to come. With the growing skateboard scene at the time, Hanson soon found himself gravitating towards the arts and the creative individualism that comes with the territory. He would later go on to form Wand, releasing titles such as the band's 2014 debut "Ganglion Reef", "1000 Days", "Perfume" and "Spiders in the Rain". In 2016 Hanson released his solo debut "The Unborn Capitalist From Limbo" and has since released two more albums with 2023's "Western Cum" putting a particularly interesting light on the musician. Hanson, along with Wand, have a very productive year planned as they gear for a tour with the legendary RHCP, which Hanson says is just insane to fathom. I have no doubt the guys are working on new material and have something up their sleeves. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Coppenhagen, Ronnenfelt grew up with his classmates and future bandmates of Iceage before setting out on a music journey that has since launched an incredible career dating back to 2008. On this episode we explore Ronnenfelt's youth and early infleuences, the 2006 riots in Ungdomshuset, traveling the world at an early age as well as an early stage in the band, releasing groundbreaking albums such as "New Brigade", "You're Nothing", 2018's "Beyondless", the 10th anniversary of 2014's "Plowing Into The Field of Love", his recent book "Sunken Heights" on Anthology/Mexican Summer and much much more.

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA, McMahon immediately fell in love with music once Elivs. hit the scene and years before The Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion took over the world. Having played in bands during his school days, McMahon, like most men in our country during this time, were afriad of being drafted into the Vietnam war, so McMahon inlisted in the Air Force. Stationed in San Fran, McMahon saw the greats of his generation during their humble beginings and quickly realized somethig deepley spiritual was taken place in America. Having spent 11 months in Asia, it wasn't until his return to the states that he felt lost and isolated from his community. Thus the dawn of his legendary album, "Spirit of the Golden Juice". Recorded live in studio in 1969, McMahon shopped his record all over town for the next couple of years before realizing that a career in music wasn't in the cards. Nearly 50 years, his legacy and audience has only grown and now McMahon is a legend among legends and celebrated all over the world. 

Born and raised in the UK, Nick Saloman saw the rising influence of the psychedelic movement first hand and it forever changed his life. Having first formed a variation of The Bevis Frond back in '68 called "The Bevis Frond Musuem", Saloman was in the middle of one of the most influential times in music and was eager to be a part of it all. Influenced by groups such as The Pretty Things/Twink and The Creation, Saloman would later form his long-lasting legacy of music under the now revised titled, The Bevis Frond in the 1980s. Since then he has released a prolific body of work and more recently a new LP on Fire Records entitled "Focus on Nature" out March 1st.

This week's episode of the podcast is a great pleasure to share. The very talented and incredibly inspiring Rain Phoenix is our guest this week. A prolific artist, founder and host of the Launch Left podcast and musician in bands suchs as Aleka's Attic with late brother River Phoenix, Venus and the Moon and most recently Escape Artist Lovers with fellow musician Kirk Hellie. Rain is a courageous person and a determined artist. Carrying a torch through the darkness, lighting a way forward, Phoenix is a truly dedicated person in her craft, community and relationships in her life. For further deets on the happenings of Escape Artist Lovers follow them here on the socials for all their dates and announcements. 

On this episode of the podcast we explore Wallace's youth, early inspirations from bands like Pink Floyd, discovering gospel music, moving to Nashville, TN where he spent well over a decade honing in on his craft and the deadly dedication it takes to be an artist, getting his first break with YK Records and in recent years relocating to California. Wallace just released his most highly anticipated album entitled "Flight of the Long Distance Healer" back in November and his since then gained some successful momentum. Wallace doesn't plan to stop there even if the road moving forward is daunting and bare with little to future insight for himself and musicians/artists everywhere. He's a veteran and soldier of the arts and will continue on!

Pro skater for companies such as Toy Machine and RVCA, husband and father to three boys, Harmony is a special cat in the skateboarding world. Born and raised in California, Harmony relocated on a few different occassions with his family before relocating back to the west coast for good. It was then he met his long-time friend and boss man, the great Ed Templeton. With classic parts in vidoes such as "Good and Evil" and "Suffer the Joy", Harmony made a name for himself in the skate world, but that comes with a price for some. After a serious hip injury, Harmony found himself focusing more on music and art to get him through the healing process and has since released a number of albums. On this episode of the podcast we talk about youth, inspirations in as well as outisde of skateboarding, faith, working for Vans, hope, family and so much more. Enjoy!

Born and raised near the Bay Area alongside his brother, Presley was influenced by a plethora of different moments in culture, music and the arts. From hip-hop to punk and hardcore, it was in the mid to late 90s that Presely began his career in music with early outfits such as Model American and The Nerve Agents. Wanting to shape-shift, in the mid 2000's he put a new band together called Darker My Love and from there White Fence was born. Presely is also an acclaimed visual artist and poet and can be found demonstrating his craft in various exhibits all around the world. Enjoy!

Andrews has been making beautfiful and unique music for quite sometime now with earlier outfits such as Quilt. Now occupying his very own band, John Andrews and the Yawns, on this episode of the podcast we explore Andrews' youth growing up in Yardville, NJ, his love and passion for illustrations and visual art, becoming a mutli-instrumentalist, writing and recording music in New Hampshire with a collective of friends and like minded musicians, meeting and eventually joining Woods and the Woodsist family, recording his most recent record "Love For The Underdog", relocating to New York, touring with Max and the Cut Worms crew, the ultimate balance and reality of what it takes to be an artist and so much more. Enjoy!

Growing up outside of Dallas, TX, Williamson was heavily influenced by her late grandmother. Someone Williamson says has not only inspired her music, but has acted as a muse to help express herself throughtout her carreer. Having a deep love and admiration for the late Jimmy Buffett at an early age, Williamson knew she wanted to be involved in music somehow. She began writting reviews and interviewing bands before she herself would soon be interviewed and written about in later years. Having moved to New York in her early 20s for a brief stint, it was there she felt something was changing within her. She later self-released her first two albums, "Native State" and "Heart Song", on her very own label before meeting back up in New York a few years later with the Mexican Summer folks and starting what would eventually become the journey of her life. Her new album "Time Ain't Accidental" is nominated for a grammy and Williamson couldn't be more excited and blessed for all the hard work shes put in over the years and how its finally paying off. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Smyrna, TN, the states largest town as of 2020's census, Spencer grew up with a younger brother and two very supportive parents. A teen in mid 2000's Nashville, Spencer was influenced by the explosive hardcore scene that was sweeping across America at the time. With bands that occupied the local community and headlining festivals such as Van's Warped Tour, it was here that he realized something special was happening all around him. His influences stretched across an ever-changing horizon that consisted of punk, folk, rock n' roll, hip-hop and many others. I first met Dan around 2014, immediatlely hitting it off, he would soon meet all the locals in our area shortly after forming the great Pumpkinseed, an incredible collective consisting of Nashville/Cookeville based muscians/artists. With alot of changes in life and tides beginto change, Spencer has once again found himself in a very unique place as he's recently joined the Post Malone camp. Something he's still trying to fathom, but feeling blessed and thankful for. WIth this being our very first "in person" podcast episode, we couldn't have picked a more special guest to be on the show as well as close out Seaon 5 this month. Dan is true blue, a dear friend, an increasingly creative giant and we're very excited for you to hear this one. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Portland, Maine in the early 1960s, Colley's parents were both a teacher and illustrator. With a household built on education and creative influences, Colley was already in motion to become an artist of some sort. Eventually relocating to Hanson, Massachuetts, Colley began to learn the clarinet and saxophone throughout his elementary school days. As college began to roll around Colley switched between focuses and majors before deciding that music was it. Meeting locals such as Three Colors, the band would soon relocate to England to record their next album before the band decided to break up. It was then Colley met his future bandmate and dear friend Mark Sandman and together they would go on to form one of the most influential bands of the 1990's, Morphine. After Sandman's devistating passing in '99, Colley and others went on to form Twinemen, Orchestra Morphine and Vapors Of Morphine in order to keep the music and spirit alive. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Denton, TX with his younger brother Max, the Savage brothers had influential parents growing up in the mid west. Andrew eventually relocated to NYC and in years time his younger brother would joini up and the two, along with members Austin Brown and Sean Yeaton, would go on to form one of todays most influential groups Parquet Courts. On this episode of the podcast we explore the reality and ecosystems of Andrew's solo works "Thawing Dawn" and his most recent LPon Rough Trade, "Several Songs About Fire." Joined by friends and collaborators such as Jack Cooper of Modern Nature and Dylan Hadley, Savage set to record an album about love, existential perspectives, individuality, the world and it's increasingly  growing issues and much more. I was completely blown away by this record and the opportunity to speak with Savage as this can be felt throughout the episode. Enjoy!

Born and raised in New York, Brokaw caught alot of the of the mighty greats that came through the local scene at the time before deciding to relocate to Ohio for college and a new direction in life. Eventually he worked his way up to Boston, met the Allin brothers and briefly joined their outfit, GG Allin and The Aids Brigade. As the 90s rolled around he would soon meet Stephen Immrwahr and John Engle, joining their group Codeine. As a newly formed trio, the band would go on to record their 1990 masterpiece, "Frigid Stars LP". Shortly after departing from Codeine, Brokaw formed the band Come, releasing a number of great LP's on Matador throughout the remaining 90s. Brokaw still plays with Codeine and Come to this day. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, part of the the sacred triangle of North Carolina, Garrison has been a respected staple in the ever growing and influential scene for over thirty years. Having been the original drummer for Superchunk, also inspiring the name, Garrison participated on the band's grounbreaking first two albums, "Superchunk" and "No Pocky For Kitty" in the early 90's. After departing the group in '92, Garrison joined in on some local outfits such as Pipe, Evil Weiner and Small. All three groups would go on to record a number of albums as well as singles all throughout the 90's. Today Garrison is a family man and still plays drums and tours when he can. This was a great episode about a very special time and place in the punk/indie rock scene of 1980s and 90's North Carolina. Enjoy!