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 589 Johnson & Drake 07/15/2026

Ep 589 Johnson & Drake Legendary MN songwriting/folk duo Johnson & Drake are back! They've toured with Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt and many others. They were the opening act for Jim Croce and were nearly on the plane that crashed and took his life. A fascinating story, and a slew of new releases on the way! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/42102870

Ep 588 Silverteens 07/10/2026

Ep 588 Silverteens Mark and Terry of The Silverteens are back! Buy it everywhere records are sold and on their bandcamp! Check out their show at the Parkway tonight! Also, watch Jay's Longhorn, a great doc on Amazon Prime created by Mark Engebretson. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/42036305

Ep 587 Nick Leet 07/07/2026

Ep 587 Nick Leet Nick Leet (High On Stress) returns! It's been 6 years since the last High On Stress release, so Nick brings us up to speed on the hiatus and the new album, Still Here. He also features a couple of killer bands that he's been working with recently. A veteran stalwart of the Twin Cities music scene and just a decent human, Nick is always great to talk to. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41995380

Ep 586 Black Widows 07/01/2026

Ep 586 Black Widows Corrine and Pamela from Black Widows join to talk not only about the new full-length Creatures Of The Night, but also what life is like in one of the most badass femme/surf/psych/punk bands on the planet. This kind of band is why Sean and I do this podcast. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41921515

Ep 585 Chrisy Hughes (Minnetonka Yacht Club) 06/30/2026

Ep 585 Chrisy Hughes (Minnetonka Yacht Club) Chrisy Hughes is a championship-winning sailor. I swear, you can see the determination in her eyes! She is also heavily involved with the Minnetonka Yacht Club. Both Sean and I are working with MYC for this year's Stars, Stripes and Sails on the 4th of July - a glorious evening on Lighthouse Island (Lake Mtka) featuring live music and a truly spectacular fireworks display at dusk. There were only 20 tickets left as of this posting, so get a move on! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41908380

Ep 584 KAATwalk 06/24/2026

Ep 584 KAATwalk Kaatwalk makes her first-ever visit to the SmartStartMN Studio! She's a delightful singer-songwriter with a show tonight at the Aster Cafe to celebrate her forthcoming EP, A Week In June. Get in on the ground floor with a very promising young talent. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41794330

Ep 583 Holy Hannah! 06/18/2026

Ep 583 Holy Hannah! Hannah Von Der Hoff, perhaps better known as HOLY HANNAH! is back! Our favorite global troubador stops by to talk about life in Mexico, her upcoming 'Ramblin' Woman' tour, and her hometown gigs at Anumales BBQ this Friday and a full-band night at the Aster on June 27th. There's a reason we keep having her back. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41683420

Ep 582 Cole Diamond 06/17/2026

Ep 582 Cole Diamond Ryan Otte (aka Cole Diamond) makes his inaugural visit to the 'cast! We talk all about the new record, the big release/birthday show coming up July 3rd at the Turf club (only $15!!), and the enduring popularity of honky tonk music. Great energy and even better music. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41679280

Ep 581 Ellen Stanley 06/10/2026

Ep 581 Ellen Stanley Mother Banjo (Ellen Stanley) and her husband Ben Cook-Feltz have a relatively rare joint show tomorrow evening at The Aster Cafe! Ellen stops by to talk about the gig, the rigors of parenting as a working musician, and the fact that her Womenfolk Radio Show is almost 25 years old! Wow!! Ellen is such a delight, we love her visits. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41600055

Ep 580 Craig Laing Minnetonka Yacht Club 06/09/2026

Ep 580 Craig Laing Minnetonka Yacht Club Hopefully, you've already heard that we're MCing the big Minnetonka Yacht Club Stars, Stripes and Sails 4th of July Celebration this year, and you're invited! Craig Laing, Commodore for the MYC joins us to talk about the event, and the Minntonka Sailing School, the biggest in the country! He also picks some fantastic music. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41586735

Ep 579 Spike and The Gandy Dancers 06/04/2026

Ep 579 Spike and The Gandy Dancers Peter 'Spike' VanDusartz stops by to talk all about his debut full-length release 'What You Gonna Be?'. It features loads of local musical luminaries and was produced by none other than John Munson (Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic). The big release party is happening this Saturday at The Aster Cafe. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41524600

Ep 578 Josh Cleveland 06/02/2026

Ep 578 Josh Cleveland Josh Cleveland (along with his band Wonders) has a brand new album on the way! Prove The Sound will arrive July 10th, and to celebrate, they have a big show at The Granada Theater this Thursday! Josh has great stories and a huge heart. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41510210

Ep 577 Billy from Dillinger 4 and Kars 4 Skids! 05/28/2026

Ep 577 Billy from Dillinger 4 and Kars 4 Skids! Billy's Back!! It may have taken nearly 500 episodes, but here we have Billy Morrisette (Dillinger Four, Butcher's Union) back in the studio! Billy rocks the bass in an excellent Cars tribute band, Kars 4 Skids, and they'll be playing live at the 4th of July celebration on Lake Minnetonka, an event put on by the Mtka Yacht Club and hosted by The Brian Oake Show! Summer awaits. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41433105

Ep 576 The Suburbs! 05/26/2026

Ep 576 The Suburbs! Hugo Klaers and Steve Price of legendary Minnesota musical mainstays The Suburbs stop by to talk about the good ol' days, the good new days and! the brand new record A Pagan Ritual: Live At The Cabooze 1983. The new record is rad and the boys do not disappoint. Love Is The Law!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41427510

Ep 575 Fret Rattles 05/14/2026

Ep 575 Fret Rattles This episode we're joined by Sir Chadwick, bass player for Minnesota's premier Action Rock band, Fret Rattles!! They've got a brilliant, bombastic new full-length record out 'As The World Falls Apart. To celebrate, there's a massive rock n roll circus happening under the canopy at The Hook & Ladder. Are you ready? Wake Up Now!!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41268870

Ep 574 Glass 05/12/2026

Ep 574 Glass Annie and Kari, both of Minnesota favorites Annie and The Bang Bang, are back to talk about their latest project, Glass. The sound of the project is described as 'minimalist avant pop'. Color me intrigued! Glass has a show coming up and a full-length album on the way. Also, we laugh way too hard on this episode! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41267340

Brian Oake Show Ep 573 Harlow 05/07/2026

Brian Oake Show Ep 573 Harlow Sam and Des came by to tell us all about the folk rock stylings of their band, Harlow. We talk about the debut album, upcoming shows/releases, and get a little insight into what it's like being in an up-and-coming band in the modern era. They also bring along some genuinely beautiful tunes. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41197445

Ep 572 Spit Takes 05/06/2026

Ep 572 Spit Takes Monet and Vanessa from Spit Takes stop by to talk about their debut eponymous LP! The big release show is this Saturday at Cloudland. We also talk about some other upcoming gigs AND! we dive into Monet's new record label Whiplass, dedicated to amplifying the music and voices of femme, trans, and queer punks. This was a fun one. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41191790

Ep 571 The Long Honeymoon 04/29/2026

Ep 571 The Long Honeymoon Adam and Eric from The Long Honeymoon joined us for a great conversation! We chatted about the history of the band and how they were formed. They have released an EP and an album, but have already written two more albums and partially produced the second album. We felt like total underachievers! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41064135

Ep 570 Dan and Megan from Minnesota Music Resistance 04/28/2026

Ep 570 Dan and Megan from Minnesota Music Resistance What if there were a way to support the ALCU of Minnesota during these trying times AND rock the hell out with some of the coolest names in MN Music? There is!! Megan and Dan from Minnesota Music Resistance stop by to talk about Mayday! Mayday! A Benefit for the ACLU-MN. It's this Friday at the Hook & Ladder as they kick off their Under The Canopy music series. Venus De Mars, Cindy Lawson, and others perform live to celebrate the release of Bih Hopes Of Mid-America Vol 1. So much music, so much resistance! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/41049455

Ep 569 Jake Rudh (25th Anniversary of Transmission) 04/23/2026

Ep 569 Jake Rudh (25th Anniversary of Transmission) Jake Rudh brought the heat today. Three great song pulls, we're not surprised. This Saturday at the 1st Ave Mainroom, he'll be celebrating 25 years of Transmission. We had a great discussion about music, his process and his passion. We love Jake and can't wait to celebrate with him on Saturday. /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40989650

Ep 568 Michael Anschel 04/21/2026

Ep 568 Michael Anschel Michael Anschel , principal of show sponsor OA Design Build Architecture, joins us to talk remodeling, community and the importance of exploring and recognizing our place in a wider world. Always a great conversation. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40955950

Ep 567 Mother Banjo (AKA Ellen Stanley) 04/14/2026

Ep 567 Mother Banjo (AKA Ellen Stanley) Mother Banjo is back! Ellen Stanley stops by to talk about her gig with Beth Bombora at the Hook this Sunday AND a huge fundraising livestream next week featuring the likes of Chris Koza and Dar Williams! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40871705

Ep 566 Katy Vernon (Favourite Girl Album Release) 04/07/2026

Ep 566 Katy Vernon (Favourite Girl Album Release) One of our 'favourite girls', Katy Vernon, returns to talk about her latest band's debut release, the big release party this Friday at The Parkway, and the importance of resiliency and staying positive in the face of all the darkness. Pro-Women, Pro-music and Pro-making the most of being alive, Katy is always a wonderful guest. Enjoy!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40761235

Ep 565 jeremy messersmith 03/31/2026

Ep 565 jeremy messersmith Finally! After years of trying, we actually got jeremy messersmith into the cozy confines of the SmartStartMN studio. He has a brand new full-length album, Fox/Coyote, coming out tomorrow, April 1st. We talk all about the new album, his love of house concerts, and his somewhat dubious tenure as a temp at a nuclear waste storage facility. No joke. He also brought along his guitar to serenade us LIVE with the world premiere of a brand new song! This one was worth the wait. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40683350

Ep 564 Peter Jesperson (2nd Visit) 03/31/2026

Ep 564 Peter Jesperson (2nd Visit) We could talk to Peter Jesperson for hours! We covered a ton in sixty-two short minutes: Today we talked about the epic Suicide Commando's final show, the Slim Dunlap 44 song new release "Every Little Word", the Let It Be double album, we heard three great song picks, and so much more. Enjoy this show! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40676630

Ep 563 Fancy Ray McCloney! 03/25/2026

Ep 563 Fancy Ray McCloney! You got that right! It's the return of the Best Lookin' Man in Comedy, Fancy Ray! The mayors of both Twin Cities have declared this Saturday, March 28th Fancy Ray Day! Come celebrate with a huge comedy showcase at the Spring Street Tavern this weekend! If you need a little love, light, and life right about now, this episode has got exactly what you need! Enjoy!! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40620495

Ep 562 Flutes & Low 03/24/2026

Ep 562 Flutes & Low This time, we are joined by Cambria and Ben of Duluth band Flutes & Low. They have a lush new album called 'Lay Fallow', and a big album release celebration in NE on April 1st. Here we get to meet the young duo and find out just where this dreamy, evocative music comes from. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40607165

Ep 561 Sue Scott -Island Of Discarded Women 03/18/2026

Ep 561 Sue Scott -Island Of Discarded Women The legendary Sue Scott (A Prairie Home Companion, etc.) joins us to share the details on her incredible live show/podcast, The Island Of Discarded Women. It's all about the music, stories, and voices of women doing amazing things for our community. The upcoming show on April 1st at Crooner's promises to be full of song, laughter, and hope. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40527305

Ep 560 John Cosgrove St. Patrick's Day edition 03/17/2026

Ep 560 John Cosgrove St. Patrick's Day edition Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Once again, we are joined by our favorite Irishman, John Cosgrove. Affable, knowledgeable, and he always picks out the best Irish music to play. Join us for our annual look at what it means to be Irish in the modern era. Slainte! /episode/index/show/2c3149eb-e075-4bf7-a90e-a1757bb1e030/id/40513675

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