Brian Oake Show

Brian Oake is a Minneapolis radio icon. This is a show about music, popular culture, interesting characters, irreverence and laughter, not always in that order.

Ep 509 Sherwin & Pam Linton!! 08/19/2025

Ep 509 Sherwin & Pam Linton!! We were joined by country music royalty in Sherwin & Pam Linton today! Sherwin has played the Gand Old Opry and most likely in your town in the upper Midwest. He just celebrated his 86th birthday and they'll be playing in Silver Bay on Thursday and the South Dakota County Fair soon. Pam drops a new music video soon too. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37878865

Ep 508 Matt Levitt 08/15/2025

Ep 508 Matt Levitt Matt Levitt (Sycamore Gap, Ledfoot Larry) stops by to talk about Treylor, his Taylor Swift tribute band. We talk Taylor, the decades-long impact of The Cure, and get all medieval on the Renaissance Festival, pirate pants are NOT optional. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37837860

Ep 507 Jon Copeland 08/14/2025

Ep 507 Jon Copeland Our favorite punk-rock librarian visited us from Vermont. Jon Copeland has been through hell and back with medical issues and spent nearly a month and a half in the hospital. He's back! He's seeing tons of shows again. Listen to his story. So glad he's okay! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37818344

Ep 506 Brian Ziemniak and David Anania 08/07/2025

Ep 506 Brian Ziemniak and David Anania On this episode, a couple of pervious guests appear on the 'cast together for the first time. David Anania (Blue Man Group, Greazy Meal) and Brian Z (Dr. Mambo's Combo) are both members of Those Medley Kids, a prog rock tribute band. They have a gig coming up at Crooner's on the 15th. We talk about the event a take a serious Prog Rock deep dive. Let's get weird! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37719630

Ep 505 Ben Cook-Feltz 08/01/2025

Ep 505 Ben Cook-Feltz Ben Cook-Feltz is back! This time, he's got a brand new release. A song-for-song re-creation of Harry Nilsson's 'Son of Schmilsson' (out today!). He has a big release party/concert at The Parkway on 8/10, featuring a truly stellar line-up. Here, we talk about the process and the result. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37602365

Ep 504 DJ Tricky Miki & Dory Kahale 07/31/2025

Ep 504 DJ Tricky Miki & Dory Kahale Let's dance! This Saturday (8/2/25) there's a massive street dance in northeast call D.E.I.: Disco Energy Infusion. It runs from 2-9 at Dutch Bar (2512 Central Ave NE) and features a day full of building community and sweet, sweet grooves. Family-friendly, this event is free and open to the public. Event MC, producer and main brain, DJ Tricky Micki tells us where it all began and how it's going to shake out. Enjoy! And see you Saturday!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37624335

Ep 503 Hailey Bailey (ACLU) 07/28/2025

Ep 503 Hailey Bailey (ACLU) Fascinating! Hopeful! Today, we spoke with Hailey Bailey, Chief Advancement Officer of the ACLU Minnesota. She has lived and worked all over the world, almost always in the most war-ravaged, famine-stricken locations. These days, she is a crucial component of a group working tirelessly to protect the Constitutional rights of every single Minnesota. Great energy, and even better tatste in music. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37580225

Ep 502 Jason Schommer (Fringe Festival Show-Get tix!) 07/26/2025

Ep 502 Jason Schommer (Fringe Festival Show-Get tix!) One of our favorites is back! Local storyteller and stand-up comic Jason Schommer stops by to tell us all about his new Fringe Festival show 50: A Totally Rad Comedy About the Gnarly Reckoning of a GenXer. Jason is quick-witted and very funny. He made me laugh really hard and you will likely too. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37551435

Ep 501 Miss Georgia Peach from Beebe Gallini 07/25/2025

Ep 501 Miss Georgia Peach from Beebe Gallini Wow! Just had a rousing conversation with Miss Georgia Peach (Beebe Gallini, et al.). She's a guitar player, singer, fashionista and so much more. Opinionated, insighful, and absolutely hilarious! She's got some brilliant stories, great music and a couple of excellent upcoming gigs. I hope you enjoy this half as much as I did. I don't remember the last time I laughed this hard in the podcast. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37548295

Ep 500! Jeffrey Morris (Creator of The Eagle Obsession Film) 07/17/2025

Ep 500! Jeffrey Morris (Creator of The Eagle Obsession Film) Our favorite Future Dude ever, Jeffrey Morris stops by to talk all about his new feature length film, The Eagle Obsession. Jeffrey is a Director, Futurist and, most impotantly, a Humanist. So smart, so talented and genuinely thoughtful, we couldn't be happier to have had him as our featured guest on Episode 500! Listen and enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37443365

Ep 499 Dave Egemo Parkinson.org 07/16/2025

Ep 499 Dave Egemo Parkinson.org Dave Egemo returns for his 4th visit to the SmartStart MN studio to promote the 3rd Annual Parkinson's Foundation Fundraiser feat. Flamin' Oh's and Annie & The Bang Bang. A great lineup for an even better cause. Listen, learn and come out to The Hook & Ladder on the 16th. Cheers! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37429685

Ep 498 Mary Strand 07/09/2025

Ep 498 Mary Strand Mary Strand (Mary Strand and the Garage) makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStartMN studio! This lawyer-turned-novelist-turned-musician has a new album on the way. I Don't Need Your Permission will be released Aug 1, and the big release party at the Hook and Ladder is happening the night before, July 31st. We get to hear a lot about her wild ride thus far and three new tracks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37349200

Ep 497 Michael Anschel OA Design Build Architecture 07/08/2025

Ep 497 Michael Anschel OA Design Build Architecture Michael Anschel, the main brain behind OA Design Build Architecture (a sponsor of this fine podcast), stops by for another rousing discussion. This is far more than an hour long infomercial, it's a robust discussion of community, our relationship to the natural world and the ongoing battle against the erosion of human decency. He's also conjured up a fictional company, complete with a website and employee handbook, that is a truly terrifying piece of modern satire. Oh, and he always brings killer songs. This time was no exception. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37337220

Ep 496 Andra Suchy 07/06/2025

Ep 496 Andra Suchy Andra Suchy shares great stories about growing up in North Dakota, Daisy the cow, performing with amazing musicians and Poky here sweet pooch! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37275165

Ep 495 Jenny Case (Flamin' Oh's, She Rock She Rock and so much more!) 07/05/2025

Ep 495 Jenny Case (Flamin' Oh's, She Rock She Rock and so much more!) Jenny Case was on the show today! She's an amazing guitar and bass player in so many bands and she heads up SheRockSheRock.com to teach girls to rock! She had some great song picks and we talked about the Laurie Lindeen scholorship for her camp and her connection with Jill Sobule, who recently passed away in Woodbury. Enjoy the show! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37278770

Ep 494 Matthew Hope for Open Arms at The Hook July 12th 07/03/2025

Ep 494 Matthew Hope for Open Arms at The Hook July 12th Matthew Hope certainly lives up to his name! Matthew, a musician in his own right, has organized an incredible benefit for Open Arms MN coming up July 12. The musical line up is killer and it couldn't be for a more important cause. Learn all about the event and enjoy the music! Cheers! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37273860

Ep 493 Minnesota Music Resistance (Event at Hook & Ladder Sunday, 6/22) 06/19/2025

Ep 493 Minnesota Music Resistance (Event at Hook & Ladder Sunday, 6/22) Claire Luger and Mikkel Bee join us to talk all things Minnesota Music Resistance. It's a new organization that puts on events to raise money for great causes. Their first event is Sunday at Hook & Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis starting at 2pm and going until 7. A killer lineup of bands including Silent Treatment Buffalo Weaver, Turn Turn Turn, Dad Bod, Christy Costello and more. It all benefits the ACLU. Get tickets today. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37060205

Ep 492 Tina Schlieske 06/18/2025

Ep 492 Tina Schlieske She's a force in the Twin Cities music scene and a fierce advocate for people's rights, Tina Schlieske joins us on this show to talk about her show at Lowertown Sounds on Thursday and her show atop the Hewing Hotel on Sunday. We commemorate Sly of Sly and the family stone, Brian Wilson and hear a great Tina song! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37059175

Ep 491 Dave Rave & The Governors (at least one of the governors) 06/17/2025

Ep 491 Dave Rave & The Governors (at least one of the governors) Legendary Canadian rocker Dave Rave (Teenage Head, The Shakers) and MN musical everyman Craig Teiken (Edie Rae Band, Bleek & Grimm) join us to talk about the latest expolits of their mutual music endeavor, Dave Rave & The Governors. The band is finish up sessions for their 9th (!) album at Rich Mattson's Sparta Sound, and we caught them just before they hit the road up North. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37042010

490 Randy Casey and Nate Westgor (Willie DelMar) 06/14/2025

490 Randy Casey and Nate Westgor (Willie DelMar) This episode features MN music stalwart Randy Casey along with Nate Westgor (aka 'Willie' of Willies American Guitars). They both joined to talk about a great show coming up this weekend. Sunday night (6/15) at The Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis it's a special Father's Day celebration of the legendary Joey Molland of Badfinger. We hear some great stories about Joey and hear all about the wicked all-star lineup of featured musicians playing this event. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/37000215

Ep 489 The Federales 06/13/2025

Ep 489 The Federales More great local music! This time we are joined by Ben, Chris and James of Minneapolis-based band The Federales. Are they Country? Are they Rock? Are They Roots? YES! Listen and learn. Also check them out live Friday April 13 at Palmer's. Cheers! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36975110

Ep 488 Zippy Laske 06/12/2025

Ep 488 Zippy Laske What a treat! Zippy Laske makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStart MN Studio to talk about her new self-titled EP (out 6/13) and the big EP release celebration at the Green Room (also 6/13) with other luminaries like Chastity Brown and Leslie Vincent! Zippy is real, funny and definitely lives up to her nickname. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36973350

Ep 487 Annie Enneking 06/08/2025

Ep 487 Annie Enneking She's back! Annie Enneking (Annie and The Bang Bang, Glass) makes her 4th visit to the SmartStartMN Studio in scenic South Minneapolis. Annie is reliably insightful, funny and brings so much amazing enegy to everything she does. She's also a fight director, so she can help you kick someone's ass without actually kicking their ass. So great to have her back in. Enjoy!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36896125

Ep 486 - Doc (Sawtooth Witch, Theyself, "Desert Islands" on KFAI") 06/06/2025

Ep 486 - Doc (Sawtooth Witch, Theyself, "Desert Islands" on KFAI") Doc (Sawtooth Witch, Fairfax AK, Elle PF, Theyself) makes their inaugural visit to the SmartStartMN studio! Doc is sharp, eloquent and hilarious. Also, a great musician with an excellent ethos. Basically, Doc is just plain cool. Sawtooth Witch has a brand new single on the way and a ton of shows on the near horizon. Listen, learn and enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36894390

Ep 485 Nick Leet (High On Stress) 05/31/2025

Ep 485 Nick Leet (High On Stress) Nick Leet (High On Stress, Figure Eights podcast) makes a long-overdue return to the SmartStartMN Studio. We talk about his new solo record (Detours) and all that that entails. We also dig into the forthcoming new High On Stress record, his podcast (which is excellent, btw), and his partcipation in Front Row Paul Fest, happening all weekend at Palmers. Nick is the best. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36799870

Ep 484 Butch Roy Twin Cities Improv Festival 05/29/2025

Ep 484 Butch Roy Twin Cities Improv Festival He's been improvising for 30 years in the Twin Cities. His main group is "Five Man Job", but he also ran Huge Theater. He runs Improv-A-Go Go at Strike Theater the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month AND he helps to run Twin Cities Improv Festival which is happening June 5th through 9th at Phoenix Theater on 26th and Hennepin in Minneapolis. (Get tickets at the Twin Cities Improv Festival website). Great song picks by Butch. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36771495

Ep 483 - Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES) 05/23/2025

Ep 483 - Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES) Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES) makes her inaugural visit ti the podcast to talk a little bit of everything. Her roots in Iowa, the two great bands she sings with and being a single mom who knows how to Rock n Roll. She's delightful, insightful and very funny. She also brought along some great music. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36691065

Ep 482 Juice & Brian Z 05/20/2025

Ep 482 Juice & Brian Z The Combo is back in the house! Julius 'Juice' Collins and Brian Z (Dr. Mambo's Combo) return to talk about a very special tribute to Prince. 'Forever In My Life: A Birthday Tribute To Prince' will feature the Combo playing Prince songs from every era of his legendary career. The celebration is on Weds, June 4th at The Parkway Theater. Juice and Z are always a great conversation. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36644310

Ep 481 Billy Dankert (Gear Daddies, Institutional Green, Solo Work & Doug Collins & The Receptionists) 05/08/2025

Ep 481 Billy Dankert (Gear Daddies, Institutional Green, Solo Work & Doug Collins & The Receptionists) MN music stalwart James 'Billy' Dankert (Gear Daddies, Insitutional Green, etc) stops by to talk music and the world in which we live. We get lots of good stuff - Gear Daddies stories, tales of backstage debauchery and hear his latest solo effort. I wish we could have kept him longer! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36489855

Ep 480 Paul Irmiter (local filmmaker) 05/06/2025

Ep 480 Paul Irmiter (local filmmaker) MN filmaker Paul Irmiter (39 Seconds) joins us to talk process, story and many other fascinating facets of filmaking. Hit latest full-length documentary '39 Seconds' tell the very little-known story of a man who many considered the greatest baseball player of his generation. It's an incredible story, and the story about making this film is also very interesting. This film has won numerous awards and was even picked up by PBS. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/36456995

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