Remembering Phil Lesh

With a blend of sadness for loss and joy for the music and memories that we will always cherish, we pay tribute to Phil Lesh. A number of friends sent in their own remembrances and musings on the man and what he meant to them. I have included them along with a substantial dose of music for an epic episode, befitting this beast of a bass player and singular musician. 

I'd like to thank the following for their contributions (in order of appearance):

Ike Turner (Wowza In Kalamazoo)
Stefan Beck (Golden Brown, Prairiewolf)
Andrew Hitz (AndrewHitz.com)
Jake Lyons (NYCTaper)
Jeffrey Alexander (Heavy Lidders)
Josh Moss (The Modern Folk)

Once again, let me remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris podcast network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. To stay up to date on what we’re up to, visit OsirisPod.com and sign up for our newsletter. Osiris works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

Space Is The Place

 

Greetings Dead Freaks!

On this episode, Bubba Ayoub joins to take us on a journey through Space. Bubba operates the @OTDISpace twitter account, makes synthesizer music, and runs light shows with video synthesis & manipulation and can be found on instagram as @juggableoffense. So buckle up as we launch into the outer limits and shine a light on the weirdest corners of Grateful Dead.

As I mentioned, Bubba makes video art and does production for live shows and webstreams. He kindly made a video for my recent Christmas single which you can see below:

Thank you for sticking with the show through 2021. I'm looking forward to more great stuff in 2022. 

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Check out OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop.

Also, if you would like a BrokedownPod t-shirt or sticker or other merch in that vein, please head over to my Redbubble virtual merch table. All proceeds go straight toward hosting costs and are much appreciated.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use Apple Podcasts, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or over at Osiris! You can also listen in the player below.

Dave Harrington of Darkside

 

Greetings, Dead Freaks!

On this episode, I am joined by Dave Harrington. Dave has a lot of musical irons in the fire but his band, Darkside, has returned from hiatus with a new album entitled, Spiral. We talk about putting the duo back together, improvisation, Dave's numerous other projects and, of course, Grateful Dead. 

After the chat, there is a heavy dose of 1974 Dead to keep your head right for late July. Nothing beats the heat like blowing your mind. 

Be sure to check out Spiral, the latest from Darkside, on your favorite streaming platform, directly from Matador Records, or on Bandcamp. You can find Dave's Big Shapes Vol. 1 and lots of other great music at DHGroup.bandcamp.com.

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Check out OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop.

Don't forget to check out HFPod: On Tour while you're there!

Also, if you would like a BrokedownPod t-shirt or sticker or other merch in that vein, please head over to my Redbubble virtual merch table. All proceeds go straight toward hosting costs and are much appreciated.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use Apple Podcasts, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or over at Osiris! You can also listen in the player below.

July Mix

 

Greetings, Dead Freaks!

I've got a fresh episode today with no guests and no reason for being other than to entertain all of you. There's not a lot of talk here this time, either, other than to direct you to my guest spot  on the Deeper Listening Podcast which, I believe, will be out this week. So, if you want to hear more of my voice, make sure you follow them on Twitter or subscribe at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

The mix this week has some great songs, deep jams, and no conscious theme. That said, I think it hangs together pretty well. I hope you enjoy it.

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Check out OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop.

Also, if you would like a BrokedownPod t-shirt or sticker or other merch in that vein, please head over to my Redbubble virtual merch table. All proceeds go straight toward hosting costs and are much appreciated.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use Apple Podcasts, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or over at Osiris! You can also listen in the player below.

Time Travel

 

Greetings Dead Freaks!

We've reached a new year and what better way to mark the coming of a new year than to toss away our calendars and journey back in time. My guest this episode is Brad Tenbrook, co-founder of the Helping Friendly Podcast and my co-host there and on the upcoming Osiris Media podcast, Undermine. Brad and I take several trips through time to visit a mess of terrific shows from the first twenty years of Grateful Dead. Come for the great jams and stay for the time travel jokes. Brad and I have selected a bunch of songs for your listening pleasure.

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also, Osiris Media works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or over at Osiris! You can also listen in the player below.

Trummors

Greetings Dead Freaks!

For episode 74, I spoke with Anne and David from Trummors. We talk about all of their albums, their influences, and Grateful Dead. Afterwards, I deploy a hefty mix of jams to get you through the night. So tune in and hang out with Trummors, the Grateful Dead, and myself.

Steeped in their Southwestern environs and brimming with great players, the new Trummors album, Dropout City, comes out on August 21. You can find the physical and digital releases on their bandcamp page, trummors.bandcamp.com. Get your pre-order in today.

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris Media works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

One Eleven Heavy Redux

Back in episode 30, I spoke with James Toth and Nick Maiato of the then new band, One Eleven Heavy. Now, two albums and some tours later, the rest of the band comes on. Dan Brown, Hans Chew, Jake Morris (respectively: bass, keys, & drums) talk about their new live CD, share a few road stories, discuss improvisation onstage, and The Grateful Dead.

One Eleven Heavy has two studio albums: "Everything's Better" from 2018 (available here), and 2019's "Desire Path" (available here). Their latest release, "Live At Jam Castle" is due out on May 1 and you can grab it from wasistdas.bandcamp.com. The playing is a looser and the jams a bit longer and you can hear the good times being had.

Allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Media. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris Media works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

Tashi Dorji

Greetings, Dead Freaks! In this episode I chat with the extremely talented guitar player, Tashi Dorji. Dorji is a full-time practitioner of improvisational guitar. We get into his background, from piecing together Western music in his homeland of Bhutan and acquiring his first guitar, to coming to the States, joining a band, and discovering jazz. Dorji has a new album coming out on September 3 on Moone Records. "Midden" is a collaboration with John Dieterich (Deerhoof) and features two side-long improvisations from the two guitarists.

After the interview, we listen to a clip from the album which you can find on Bandcamp at moonerecords.bandcamp.com or at https://moonerecords.com. You can find more great, experimental, music from Tashi Dorji at his bandcamp page: tashidorji1.bandcamp.com.

After that we look back 45 years to September, 1974 for a little taste of Grateful Dead in Munich, West Germany.

As always, allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

Ryan Jewell

Greetings, Dead Freaks! We are back in the nick of time with your second July episode. This time around we are joined by drummer, Ryan Jewell, who has graced a number of terrific albums over recent years. We talk about his work, his recent and upcoming releases and, of course, The Grateful Dead.

Also in this episode, we say farewell to Garcia/Saunders drummer, Bill Vitt who passed away earlier this month.

Ryan Jewell has a lot to say and some great music coming out. Early in July, he released a record as the Ryan Jewell Quintet entitled "Vibration!". Somewhere between post-bop, free jazz, and the modern era, this collection of Ryan's compositions pushes and pulls at its boundaries, entertaining all the while. You can find that at https://ryanjewellquintet.bandcamp.com/.

Not content to do any one thing, his next release is under the name Mosses and is entitled, "T.V. Sun". This is more an experimental indie group which covers a lot of ground. Ryan plays dulcimer, guitar, synthesizers, and (of course) drums on this release. He tells us all about it and we get listen to a track after the interview. "T.V. Sun" is out on September 20. Keep an eye on https://mosses.bandcamp.com as well as Ryan's website, https://www.ryanjewell.com.

Ryan Jewell Quintet - Vibration!

As always, allow me to remind you that the Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

DelFest 2019

Greetings, Dead Freaks! I've had a little bit of time to come to grips with the terrific time that was DelFest 2019 and now it's time for me to share with you some thoughts, sounds, and discussions from what was one of my very favorite weekends since... last year's DelFest! This is one of the finest festivals in the land. Everything from the music, to the location, to the crowds in attendance, is just right. We're going to listen to some of the music from the weekend, some interviews that I conducted while I was there, and while this episode is certainly bluegrass-centric, we're still going to get a healthy dose of Grateful Dead...Sort of.

We're going to hear from Billy Strings, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Larry Keel Experience, The Travelin' McCourys, Railroad Earth, and The Del McCoury Band. That's just a small sampling of the great music that I saw. I try to run most of them down in the show.

After all the DelFest talk, I thought you might like to hear a little Jerry Garcia. In keeping with a popular discussion point from the weekend and the bluegrass festival thing, we'll be checking out a short set of Old And In The Way from the Marin County Bluegrass Festival in 1974.

I sat down to interview those artists and more for the new Osiris series 'InnerViews'. You can see all of our chats, and more on the Osiris YouTube page. Or scroll down after the jump to see them right here on this website. Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.


Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

Mike Finoia

Greetings, Dead Freaks!
This episode features a great conversation with comedian, writer, and podcast host, Mike Finoia. Mike hosts the Amigos podcast which is also a member of the Osiris network. He is also, of course, a Deadhead. We talk about his work on the show Impractical Jokers, his stand-up comedy, and his early exposure to the Grateful Dead.

After that, we spin some killer tracks from 1974.

You can find Mike Finoia's calendar of live appearances on his website, https://mikefinoia.com. There, you'll also find links to his podcast which is also available via iTunes and all of your favorite podcast apps.

Mike also appears along with your host as a guest on the most recent episode of film & television podcast, Welcome To The Party Pal. We discuss the career of Bill Paxton and have quite a few laughs. Be sure to check that out.

The Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Also,  Osiris works in partnership with JamBase, which connects music fans with the music they love and empowers them to go see live music. Check them out at JamBase.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account with the same handle. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.

Also, please keep sending your metaphorical cards and letters. Leave a comment on the blog or hit me up on any of the above social media. Let me know what I'm doing right, wrong, or horribly wrong.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen in the player below.

022 - Summer Jams

Hey there, Dead Freaks! It's summer time and the time is right for long, sick jams. This episode finds me digging into a serious dose of those along with some other great tunes. No guest, not a lotta nonsense, just good old Grateful Dead. I sat down on a rainy afternoon at the beach and sifted through shows to find this for you. I hope you dig this stuff as much as I.

Please check out the sweet new shirts that are available on our redbubble page. I hope you'll consider heading over there to cop a little something with our sweet new logo. We’ve got ladies and men’s shirts, stickers, and things that hold coffee (or tea!)

The Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. We'll be doing many live events this Summer around the country, which will include artist interviews, contests, and more. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Relix Magazine is a media partner of Osiris -- for music news go to Relix.com.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.


Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, or in the player below.

019 - On The Oregon Trail with Jeff Conklin

Listeners and Dead Freaks, this episode features a terrific chat with WFMU host, Deadhead, and encyclopedia on far-out music of all kinds, Jeff Conklin. Jeff's show on WFMU is The Avant Ghetto and there he spins all manner of psychedelic and experimental tunes including some terrific selections by our beloved Grateful Dead. We talk about his development as a Deadhead and then dug into studying the vast riches resulting from the Dead's many visits to the great state of Oregon.

You can check out playlists and stream archived editions of Jeff's WFMU show here and, if you like what you hear, please consider becoming a supporter of WFMU's mission to keep freeform radio alive by donating. If you use the twitter, you can follow Jeff @avantghettonyc.

We had no choice but to spread this out into two episodes so there is more music and conversation coming up in a couple weeks. So please do enjoy this and come back for more!

Also, please admire our new logo and watch this space as well as the BrokedownPod twitter account for t-shirts and other merch. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Sean, who did the amazing design work. The rest will be invested in hosting and equipment needs.

The Brokedown Podcast is part of the Osiris network. Osiris is creating a community that connects people like you with podcasts and live experiences about artists and topics you love. We'll be doing many live events this Summer around the country, which will include artist interviews, contests, and more. Sign up for the newsletter at OsirisPod.com to stay in the loop. Relix Magazine is a media partner of Osiris -- for music news go to Relix.com.

I value both your support of this show, and your opinion. As we continue to grow, we want to learn a bit more about you—your podcast and music listening preferences, other podcasts you listen to, other interests, and what you think we can do better. To that end, we have the Osiris Listener Survey. It'll take you fewer than 10 minutes to complete, there's prizes (You can win an LP of Rift signed by Tom Marshall, or a $100 Amazon gift card), and we'll never share any personal information. So please consider spending a few minutes to take the survey here.

Last bit of business: Please, don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. We also have an Instagram account. If you like pictures of things, you can find that here: BrokedownPod Instagram. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the word out.


Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, or in the player below.

015 - Bobby Songs

We begin the Spring thaw with a visit from my good friend and the founder of both the Helping Friendly Podcast and the Osiris Podcast Network, RJ Bee. RJ wanted to talk about Bobby songs so that's just what we'll do. We also, spend a fair amount of time discussing the work of the late John Perry Barlow. Barlow's writing for the Grateful Dead along with his advocacy for an open internet via the Electronic Frontier Foundation are both keys to the very existence of this podcast. He will be missed and forever held in the utmost esteem.

As of late February, the Brokedown Podcast became a charter member of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is a growing community of music and culture podcasts, connecting music fans with conversation, commentary and music. Osiris works in partnership with Relix, check them out for music news and information.

In addition to chatting about Weir, Barlow, and being a Grateful Dead fan, RJ and I assembled a set of tunes for you to enjoy. Check us out in two weeks for the second set.

In the meantime, thanks for tuning in, please share this with your friends, and consider posting a review on the iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. If you like pictures of things, you can find our Instagram account here: BrokedownPod Instagram. 

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, Spotify, or in the player below.

005 - Grateful Americana

This month on the Brokedown Podcast we take a look at the Grateful Dead's lyrical Americana. More an overview than a deep-dive, we're going to cover a fair bit of ground like a freight with a good signal and a head of steam. We're covering all four decades of Grateful Dead this time.

It's no question that the Grateful Dead are, musically, a potent amalgam of American musical styles. Bluegrass, jazz, rock, R&B, folk, country, and avant garde composition mesh into a tantalizing stew. Lyrically, the band tells stories that cover the gamut of American walks of life and even paint a romantic mythology blending old west, deep south, appalachian, and maritime themes with modern road songs.

This, along with some jamming, is what we set out to explore over these two sets of great live music. Naturally you'll get some discussion before and after each. The playlist will be posted after the jump to protect you from spoilers. So fire this up along with the backyard barbecue and have yourself a real good time.

Please don't forget to follow the @BrokedownPod twitter account for regular news, live tweetstorms of shows as I listen, and other minutiae. Also, if you use iTunes, please consider posting a review as it really help get the work out.

As always, Thank you for listening.

Listen via iTunes, GooglePlay, or in the player below.