Major Label Debut

Graham is joined Greg Norton, founding member of Hüsker Dü, to discuss the band’s album Candy Apple Grey, released in 1986 on Warner Brothers. They talk about the major label forces that pulled the band apart as well as what brought Greg back to playing music. Also, noodles, banh mi, and lots of coffee.📻🎚️Hüsker Dü “Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely” (1:17)The Suicide Commandos “Attacking The Beat” (14:54)The Bad Plus “Smells Like Teen Spirit (36:13)The Gang Font “You Haven’t Lived Until You Have Had To Have Read Beowulf” (37:41)UltraBomb “Time To Burn” (41:27)“No Cap” (48:11)Hüsker Dü “Divide and Conquer” (50:39)*times probably inaccurate because of adsWanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by Bill Baird to discuss what he calls the "major label cautionary tale" that is Sound Team's "Movie Monster". Released on Capitol Records in 2006, the expectations for Sound Team's major label debut were big, but creative issues with the album, questionable spending by the label, and critical reception from one particular outlet doomed not only the album, but the entire band. Also, weird theories about eggs.📻🎚️Sound Team “Your Eyes Are Liars” (1:13)Spoon “The Agony of Lafitte” (7:02)Sound Team “Born To Please” (26:30)The Walkmen “We’ve Been Had” (30:05)Mazarin “For Energy Infinite” (30:31){{{ SUNSET }}} “Man’s Heart Complaint” (36:45)Heavy Meddo “Hairpiece Horseman (feat. Britt Daniel) (60:07)* times inaccurate because of adsCheck out Bill's truly awesome website!Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

In a Major Label Debut first, Graham is joined by returning guests Colin Newman and Malka Spigel. They talk shady labels, artist advocacy and the importance of maintaining (or fighting to regain) artistic control of work, as well as their love of cats. Also, don't eat in the studio.Buy Immersion’s new record WTF?? as well as Colin and Malka’s weekly radio show swimming in sound📻🎚️Immersion “Use It Don’t Lose It” (1:02)Modern Nature “Pharaoh” (90:55)AK/DK “Nobody Shouts (feat. Thick Richard)” (91:56)Anna Erhard “Hot Family” (92:39)Holiday Ghosts “Sublime Disconnect” (93:18)Cubzoa “In 2 Worlds” (93:57)My Precious Bunny “I Go Up You Go Down” (94:32)* times probably inaccurate because of adsWanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Joining Graham this week is Ramesh Srivastava to discuss Voxtrot's self-titled 2007 debut - the only full length the band would make before breaking up in 2010. They discuss the challenges of album leaks, the significance of reviews, the journey of self-discovery in the music industry, and the impact of audience perception on artistic growth. Ramesh also shares his insights on finding purpose in creative work and the importance of showing up for the craft, regardless of inspiration. Also, breakfast tacos. 📻🎚️Foxtrot “Kid Gloves” (2:14)“The Start of Something” (13:30)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by YK Records founder, fellow podcast host, and pioneer of the intersection of music and the early internet, Michael Eades. Michael shares his passion for building and fostering creative communities outside of the mainstream music industry silo. They discuss how the dial-up modem days compare with the current internet landscape, the need for conscious engagement in discovering new music and about starting probably the first internet beard growing contest. Also, cheap cigarettes, hamburgers, and tofu banh mi.📻🎚️Bleary "Sugar Splint" (2:35)Detachment Kit “Ted The Electric” (17:05)sElf “Cannon” (17:30)Call Florence Pow “Periodic Table” (47:38)Kindercastle “New Way of Life” (61:16)Uncle Skeleton “The Ballad of Uncle Skeleton” (64:04)The Prudish Few “Aliver than Ever” (68:04)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Joining Graham this week is Steve Bays of Hot Hot Heat to discuss the band's 2005 album, Elevator.Graham and Steve talk about the realities of touring, the impact of mental health on musicians, and the value of passion projects. Also, pad thai and California gas station wine.📻🎚️Hot Hot Heat “Goodnight Goodnight” (1:32)Liars “Mr You’re On Fire Mr” (7:02)Hot Hot Heat “Bandages” (12:42)“Middle Of Nowhere” (16:20)The Walkmen “The Rat” (49:19)“You Owe Me An IOU” (54:42)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by Greta Morgan to discuss her memoir, The Lost Voice. Greta shares the evolution of her musical identity after being diagnosed with a disorder that robbed her of her voice. They also talk about the complexities of band dynamics, the impact of COVID-19 on creativity, and the transformative journey of writing a memoir. Also, homemade cinnabons and superfood lattes, or celery and burnt nachos. 📻🎚️Hush Sound “Wine Red” (2:30)Gold Motel “Don’t Send The Searchlights” (8:35)Greta Morgan “White Sands” (27:15)Check out Greta's website!Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Picture this: you are standing at the intersection of Art and Commerce. It is a hectic crossing; a convoluted tangle with countless voices offering advice anywhere on the scale from utterly awful to actually useful but no easy way to discern which is which. Here to clear a path is Randy Ojeda, manager and music lawyer but for purpose of continuing the mind illustration, a crossing guard the traffic actually stops for. Not only do Graham and Randy talk about bad deals and shady accounting, but also about Randy's unique approach to helping new and indie artists navigate the intersection by making legal services more accessible. Also, club sandwiches and Arnold Palmers.📻🎚️Ganser “Black Sand” (2:14)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

In this spirit of the season we reflect on the support of our dearest friends with this rebroadcast. From all of us at MLD, take care and Happy Holidays!Graham is joined by drummer, composer, songwriter, long-time friend and grilled cheese wizard, Greg Alsop to discuss the industry through the lens of their band, Tokyo Police Club. A candid conversation between two friends about creativity, musicianship, and the end of a nearly twenty year old band.Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by Dan Mangan, singer/songwriting icon of the Canadian music scene, to discuss his 2015 album Club Meds. Dan candidly shares what happened when the record he took a big swing on didn't quite connect, and how hard lessons learned during that experience led him down a new path. They also talk about hanging with Paul McCartney, turning down a drum feature from Dave Grohl, and the mid 00's fascination with robots. Also, sausage breakfast wraps.📻🎚️Dan Mangan + Blacksmith “Vessel” (2:47)“Offred” (8:30)Dan Mangan “So Much For Everyone” (19:09)“Robots” (28:30)Bon Iver “Skinny Love” (34:27)Dan Mangan + Blacksmith “New Skies” (50:35)“Mouthpiece” (56:44)“Club Meds” (1:00:29)“Forgetery” (1:06:05)Dan Mangan “Race To The Bottom” (1:19:44)“Cold In The Summer” (1:24:30) Lay Low” (1:44:19)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by Keith Murray of We Are Scientists to discuss the band's 2005 major label debut, With Love And Squalor. They also talk about the journey from major label to self-releasing records, as well as autobahn toilets and country pubs. Also, burritos and margaritas.📻🎚️We Are Scientists “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” (2:20)Art Brut “Formed A Band” (20:15)We Are Scientists “The Great Escape” (24:55 )Ambulance Ltd. “Primitive (The Way I Treat You)” (51:45)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!

Graham is joined by musician and producer Chris Stamey to discuss his 1987 record It's Alright and the experience with A&M Records. But as you know by now the conversation also wanders into his formative years in the New York City scene, the process behind his latest release Anything Is Possible, and how even with extensive sonic knowledge Chris is still surprised by the magic of music.📻🎚️Chris Stamey “Of Time and All She Brings To Mind” (1:24 )DNA “Egomaniac’s Kiss” (23:07)Lydia Lunch “Ran Away Dark” (23:36)Chris Stamey “Cara Lee” (29:19)Chris Bell “I Am The Cosmos” (34:35)Chris Stamey “I’d Be Lost Without You (feat. The Lemon Twigs)” (43:00)“Meet Me In Midtown (feat Marshall Crenshaw)” (45:26)“Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (feat. The Lemon Twigs)” (52:45)Wanna watch MLD on YouTube?Need an MLD t-shirt or mug?And everything else from Major Label Debut!