Digest

This podcast episode features Mark Marin interviewing Keith Urban, covering a wide range of topics from acting to music and personal growth. The episode begins with Mark sharing a humorous anecdote about how Keith Urban's scent has lingered with him since their interview, highlighting his appreciation for Urban's music. Mark then discusses his experience filming a challenging scene with Sharon Stone for his upcoming movie, revealing his initial struggles with acting and how Stone's advice helped him overcome his anxieties. The conversation shifts to Keith Urban's musical journey, exploring his early influences, including American country music, rock and roll, and blues. Urban discusses his admiration for guitar legends like Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, and Chet Atkins, and how their styles influenced his own playing. He reflects on the evolution of country music, acknowledging its shift towards a more pop-oriented sound while emphasizing the importance of lyrics and emotional connection. Urban shares his approach to live performance, emphasizing the importance of raw, stripped-down moments. He discusses his experience with a recent show in Vegas, where he performed with just an acoustic guitar and a fluorescent light, showcasing the power of simplicity and authenticity. He also reflects on his early days playing with his family band, discussing the importance of tone in guitar playing and sharing a humorous anecdote about how Tom Bukovak once advised him to stand still to improve his tone. The conversation delves into Urban's decision to leave home at 15 and pursue a career in music, discussing his experiences with various bands and his journey of discovering his own unique blend of country music. He talks about his early success in Australia and the decision to move to Nashville to further his career. Urban describes the challenges of breaking into the Nashville music scene in the early 1990s, where his unique sound was initially met with confusion. He shares a story about a producer who told him his uniqueness would be his biggest curse until it became his greatest blessing. The episode concludes with Urban discussing his journey with sobriety, sharing his experiences with rehab and the challenges of staying sober. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right support system and the need to be honest with oneself about the struggles of addiction. He recounts the story of how he was arrested for DUI and how his girlfriend, with the help of a police officer, convinced him to go to rehab. He describes the intense paranoia he experienced during this time and how it led him to seek help. Throughout the episode, Mark and Keith engage in a candid and insightful conversation, exploring the power of raw emotion, authenticity, and the importance of staying true to oneself in both music and life.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Keith Urban's Scent

Mark Marin introduces his podcast, WTF, and shares a humorous anecdote about how Keith Urban's scent has lingered with him since their interview. He discusses his appreciation for Urban's music and how the scent has become a constant reminder of their encounter.

00:00:19

Acting Experiences and Sharon Stone's Advice

Mark reveals that the cast of his upcoming movie is growing, with Sharon Stone and Lily Gladstone joining the project. He describes his experience filming a challenging scene with Sharon Stone, which required him to cry on cue. He shares his struggles with acting and his initial lack of confidence in pulling off the scene. He recounts how Sharon Stone helped him overcome his acting anxieties by suggesting he channel his emotions by connecting with the memory of his late wife, Lynn. He explains how this advice unlocked a well of genuine emotion, allowing him to deliver a powerful performance.

00:01:21

Home Chef Advertisement

This segment is an advertisement for Home Chef, a meal delivery service that provides fresh ingredients and chef-designed recipes. Mark highlights the convenience and cost-effectiveness of the service, sharing his personal experience with their Cuban-style avocado and quinoa bowl and butternut squash chowder.

00:01:28

Keith Urban's Musical Journey and Influences

Mark continues his conversation with Keith Urban, discussing his love for driving and his early musical influences. He shares his childhood experiences with American country music, his father's love for the genre, and his own journey into the world of rock and roll. Keith Urban discusses his early guitar playing experiences, starting at the age of six. He shares his admiration for guitar legends like Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, and Chet Atkins, and how their styles influenced his own playing. He reflects on his musical journey, highlighting the influence of various genres, including rock, blues, and country. He expresses his deep appreciation for George Jones's unique vocal style and the emotional depth of country music.

00:03:23

The Evolution of Country Music and Live Performance

Keith Urban discusses the evolution of country music, acknowledging its shift towards a more pop-oriented sound. He emphasizes the importance of lyrics and emotional connection in country music, contrasting it with the often-instrumental nature of rock music. He discusses his approach to live performance, emphasizing the importance of raw, stripped-down moments. He shares his experience with a recent show in Vegas, where he performed with just an acoustic guitar and a fluorescent light, showcasing the power of simplicity and authenticity.

00:03:58

Guitar Playing Techniques and Early Band Experiences

Keith Urban reflects on his early days playing with his family band. He discusses the importance of tone in guitar playing and shares a humorous anecdote about how Tom Bukovak once advised him to stand still to improve his tone. He also discusses his admiration for guitarists like Billy Gibbons and Peter Green. He shares his decision to leave home at 15 and pursue a career in music. He discusses his experiences with various bands, including a brief stint in a hard rock band called Fractured Mirror. He describes his journey of discovering his own unique blend of country music, influenced by artists like John Mellencamp and Ricky Skaggs.

00:47:36

Keith Urban's Early Career and Influences

Keith Urban discusses his early musical influences, including John Mellencamp, and how he was inspired to pursue his own path. He talks about his early success in Australia and the decision to move to Nashville to further his career.

00:50:21

Navigating the Nashville Music Scene and Adapting to Audiences

Keith describes the challenges of breaking into the Nashville music scene in the early 1990s, where his unique sound was initially met with confusion. He shares a story about a producer who told him his uniqueness would be his biggest curse until it became his greatest blessing. He compares the adaptability of music to comedy, noting that while he can't change his act as a comedian, he can adjust his music to appeal to different audiences. He discusses the importance of reading the room and choosing the right material for different gigs.

00:54:56

Keith's Early Image and the Influence of Outsiders

Keith reflects on his early image and how it may have hindered his success in Nashville. He describes his long hair, grunge-inspired look, and how it made him seem out of place in the country music scene. He discusses the influence of artists like Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, and k.d. lang on country music. He notes how these artists, who were considered outsiders, helped to push the boundaries of the genre and create a space for more diverse sounds.

01:01:46

Keith's Journey with Sobriety and Family Dynamics

Keith discusses his journey with sobriety, sharing his experiences with rehab and the challenges of staying sober. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right support system and the need to be honest with oneself about the struggles of addiction. He recounts the story of how he was arrested for DUI and how his girlfriend, with the help of a police officer, convinced him to go to rehab. He describes the intense paranoia he experienced during this time and how it led him to seek help. Keith and his guest discuss the impact of family dynamics on emotional well-being, particularly when parents struggle with addiction or mental health issues. They explore the challenges of growing up in dysfunctional families and the importance of breaking the cycle of unhealthy patterns.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did Keith Urban's scent become a lasting memory for Mark Marin?

  Keith Urban's scent lingered with Mark after their interview, becoming a constant reminder of their encounter. Mark finds it humorous and describes the scent as a \"spirit\" that has been with him ever since.

• What was the breakthrough scene that Mark Marin had with Sharon Stone?

  The scene required Mark to cry on cue, which he initially struggled with due to his lack of confidence in his acting abilities. Sharon Stone's advice helped him overcome his anxieties and deliver a powerful performance.

• How did Sharon Stone help Mark Marin overcome his acting anxieties?

  Sharon Stone suggested that Mark channel his emotions by connecting with the memory of his late wife, Lynn. This advice unlocked a well of genuine emotion, allowing him to deliver a powerful performance.

• What are some of Keith Urban's early musical influences?

  Keith Urban's early musical influences include American country music, rock and roll, blues, and various English bands like ELO and Supertramp. He also cites guitar legends like Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, and Chet Atkins as major inspirations.

• How has country music evolved over time?

  Country music has shifted towards a more pop-oriented sound, but it still retains its focus on lyrics and emotional connection. Keith Urban acknowledges this evolution while emphasizing the importance of staying true to the core values of the genre.

• What is Keith Urban's approach to live performance?

  Keith Urban values raw, stripped-down moments in his live performances. He recently performed a show in Vegas with just an acoustic guitar and a fluorescent light, showcasing the power of simplicity and authenticity.

• How did Tom Bukovak's advice change Keith Urban's approach to guitar playing?

  Tom Bukovak advised Keith to stand still to improve his tone, as movement can negatively impact sound quality. This advice led Keith to focus on his technique and play with more headroom, resulting in a cleaner and more dynamic sound.

• What was the pivotal moment that solidified Keith Urban's commitment to country music?

  Seeing John Mellencamp perform live in Brisbane was a transformative experience for Keith. He was inspired by Mellencamp's unique blend of Americana music and decided to pursue his own path within the country genre.

• What is Keith Urban's perspective on John Mellencamp's music?

  Keith Urban admires John Mellencamp's music and considers him a badass artist. He believes that Mellencamp deserves more recognition for his unique style and influence on the music industry.

• What were some of the challenges Keith Urban faced when trying to break into the Nashville music scene?

  Keith's unique sound, which blended elements of pub rock and country, was initially met with confusion in Nashville. He was considered too rock for country and too country for rock, making it difficult for him to find a place in the scene.

• How did Keith's early image potentially hinder his success in Nashville?

  Keith's long hair, grunge-inspired look, and overall appearance made him seem out of place in the traditional country music scene. This, combined with his unique sound, made it difficult for him to be taken seriously by Nashville's gatekeepers.

• How has the role of producers changed in the music industry?

  Producers are now more involved in the songwriting process, often co-writing songs with artists. This is due in part to the rise of high-quality home recording technology, which has made it easier for producers to create demos that sound like finished recordings.

Show Notes