Andy Frye is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We chat about his book, Ninety Days In The 90s, the vibrant Chicago music scene, and how changes in popular culture are actually more gradual than we make them out to be in hindsight.

Andy talk about what he was able to discover in the late 80s and early 90s, contrary to radio pop and hair metal dominating the airwaves at the time. We dive into the quintessential Gen X topics: mix tapes, zines, the emergence of college and independent radio, and the age-old idea of being a ‘sellout’. How can you avoid betraying your ideals while still growing as an artist? Are Gen X authentic to a fault?

We explore the commodification of music, when concert tickets got super expensive, the best interviews Andy has conducted as a writer.

About our Guest

ANDY FRYE has written for Rolling Stone, ESPN, Chicago Tribune, and other publications. Currently, he writes about sports business for Forbes. Over his career, Andy has interviewed hundreds of professional athletes, rock stars and other celebrities. Among the bands and solo artists he has interviewed are Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Morrissey, Jimmy Eat World, Rage Against The Machine, and Alice In Chains.

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Special Thanks 💖

Doll Artwork by @hmdraws_

Theme Music by @egmusicnyc

Intro Video by @valentinareyes9

YouTube CC available in English and Español

Episode Transcript