Episode 244: Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr. / Sebadoh / Folk Implosion)
Vinyl Emergency
Fresh off of a blistering new Dinosaur Jr. album titled There Near, and the announcement of a 30th anniversary reissue of Sebadoh's Harmacy LP, Lou Barlow visits this week to discuss when the first Trump presidency kickstarted a picture sleeve obsession, why he intentionally destroyed Dinosaur Jr.'s first vinyl test pressing, and how a proper guitar tablature book for the band would be theoretically impossible. Visit for tour dates and for the Harmacy pre-order.
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Episode 243: Jim James of My Morning Jacket
Vinyl Emergency
Naturally and keenly shifting from soul to folk to stadium rock (sometimes in the same song) over the last 25+ years, Jim James -- and by extension My Morning Jacket, his Grammy-nominated powerhouse quintet -- points to an unlikely influence for such a kaleidoscope of sound: Jim Henson. Through The Muppet Show and Sesame Street’s wide-eyed optimism and cast diversity — be they human actors or handmade ones — songs like "The Rainbow Connection" spoke deeply to him as a youngster, leading to an admiration for the rag-tag nature of Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem. Fast-forward to the...
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The Promise Ring's 'Very Emergency,' Track-By-Track (with The Great Albums)
Vinyl Emergency
Enjoy this special feed drop of The Great Albums Podcast, where Vinyl Emergency's Jim Hanke guests to discuss The Promise Ring's 1999 LP, Very Emergency, track-by-track. Find and subscribe to the Great Albums wherever you get podcasts! Members of can listen to an additional interview regarding the album with Dan Didier, drummer and founding member of the band.
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Episode 242: Hutch Harris (The Thermals)
Vinyl Emergency
Describing himself as working within "the art of opportunity," Hutch Harris has been rummaging through charity bins and resale shops for years, pocketing vintage insurance ads or worn pages of childrens books, in order to create stunning, patchwork album covers for The Thermals. In today's conversation, Hutch describes what goes into those methods and how you at home can obtain personalized lyric sheets, unique LP/CD sleeves and more. Leading up to the September 4th release of Under Crushing Rain — the first new Thermals LP in a decade — we also cover when Broadway musicals fueled his...
info_outline![Episode 241: The Hold Steady [LIVE IN CHICAGO] -- 'Boys and Girls in America' Deep Dive show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/42386530?height=50&width=50)
Episode 241: The Hold Steady [LIVE IN CHICAGO] -- 'Boys and Girls in America' Deep Dive
Vinyl Emergency
Recorded in front of a live audience at The Salt Shed's Three Top Lounge in Chicago, all six members of The Hold Steady (along with album producer John Agnello) sit down to sum up the writing, recording and behind-the-scenes sagas of 'Boys and Girls in America,' in celebration of its 20th anniversary. , due out in November, from your favorite indie record store and get tickets for the band's annual Massive Nights celebration at . SPONSORS: | | Follow on Instagram.
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Glen Hansard, Remembered (2025 Interview)
Vinyl Emergency
Following the sudden passing of Glen Hansard, we are revisiting his appearance on Vinyl Emergency, with longtime Swell Season creative partner Markéta Irglová, to celebrate Glen’s songwriting and lasting musical impact. This special ad-free encore presentation begins with new reflections on his career and essential albums before transitioning into the original interview, released in July 2025. Follow on Instagram.
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Episode 240: The Menzingers' Greg Barnett
Vinyl Emergency
Gearing up this week to release their latest album Everything I Ever Saw, Menzingers vocalist/guitarist Greg Barnett discusses vinyl’s evolution since the band’s inception two decades ago, their friendship and collaborations with in-demand producer Will Yip, and why allowing the group to be a democracy in the first place has kept it alive. Visit for album info, tour dates, socials and more, including listening party and in-store performance details to celebrate the record's release. SPONSORS: | |
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Episode 239: Anthony Mason (Returns!)
Vinyl Emergency
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone else with as much curiosity and vigor at 70 years old about the creation of art as longtime CBS News journalist Anthony Mason. Over his 40+ years with the network, he’s shaped an Emmy-winning career around making songwriters of all stripes (from Bruce Springsteen to Phoebe Bridgers) feel comfortable enough to get uncomfortable about their motives, fears and process. And though his CBS schedule hasn’t slowed down in the least, he’s now launched 'Alchemy with Anthony Mason' — a new long-form interview program on YouTube, featuring conversations...
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Episode 238: Nick Harmer of Death Cab for Cutie
Vinyl Emergency
Hot on the heels of I Built You A Tower — Death Cab for Cutie’s 11th album, released earlier this month — bassist and founding member Nick Harmer tells us why this LP is the band's loudest in a long time. Plus, a deep dive into his personal record-hunting habits, how the group culled through nearly 100 demos to shape this release, and pinpointing the connecting tissue between Tower’s themes of grief, apathy and change. Tour dates, socials and more are available at .
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Episode 237: Mike Reed (Small Brown Bike / 84 Tigers)
Vinyl Emergency
It seems that Mike Reed's musical journey has been supported and surrounded by family from the very beginning -- whether his dad was building a stage, his uncle was installing a lighting rig, or having his brother Ben Reed at his side through Small Brown Bike, Able Baker Fox or their latest project, 84 Tigers. On this week's show, Mike details the DIY efforts -- usually involving similar DNA -- that it's taken over the years to steer his musical vision. Plus, ahead of a 25th anniversary performance of their landmark album Dead Reckoning at this year's Fest 24, why reuniting Small Brown Bike...
info_outlineWith a new solo album dropping later this month — In the Heart of the Mountain, his first in over 15 years — Lucero frontman Ben Nichols addresses why some of his recent songs feel like graphic novels, how he’s reconnected with the mythological Arkansas of his youth, and the parts of him that still wrestle with his southern heritage. Vinyl pre-orders, tour dates and more can be found at bennichols.net.