2. Favorite concept album, and why is it Operation Mind Crime by Queensryche?
3. Would love to hear your thoughts on Muscle Shoals recording studio and why it is, or is not possibly the most important recording studio in the US.
4. And quite possibly the most important question of the bunch, pancakes or waffles?
The frequency of your writing is perfect, even though it's that time of year where I seem to struggle between life and everything too get a chance to read. I look forward to your " what have you been listening to" article every Monday, as it's pushed me to dig deep into my vinyl just so I don't have to tell you that I listen to the same stuff... over... over.. and over.
1. I often say Baby's All Right in Brooklyn - it just has the best vibes. I also like Mercury Lounge and Music Hall Of Williamsburg...and Union Pool is pretty nice...we have a lot of great venues in NYC!
2. Never cottoned to Queensryche, sorry. I'd probably go with Animals, which is often my favorite Pink Floyd album. I get energy from the bitterness...
3. Muscle Shoals is hugely important of course, it's just got that grease that makes everything sound good. But FAME was also the site of many killer sessions (both are combined here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bmFxxTo0pmNHoB4AhF1ko?si=f867ad00f6254d65), not to mention Ardent Studios (Stax, Big Star, etc.), Sun Records, Motown, Electric Lady, Criteria...let's just agree that Muscle Shoals is in the top ten!
4. Waffles for sure - my go-to is the Joy Of Cooking Buttermilk Waffles recipe...mmm.
1. I hope to get to New York someday to see some concerts. It seems like I only get there for work and that leaves little time for play. My favorite is either the Starry Night in Portland or the The Moore in Seattle.
2. I grew up in the PNW and therefore Queensryche was in my back yard. But, I strongly suggest to give it a listen. And much like Pink Floyd, it is dark and bitter. By the way, I agree that Animals is the best of Floyd.
3. Sound City, Motown, are definitely pushing for number one, but I had to start someplace. Starting with a possible underdog seems the best place to start the conversation.
4. I looked up the Joy of Cooking Buttermilk Waffles recipe and think I will be trying it soon.
Joey Ortiz is the real deal for your Brew Crew! I wrote a feature about him recently for Yardbarker and was so impressed with his play. Such a good return for the Burnes trade. Not a question, just giving you lots of hope! 😂
Do you think The Byrds are a properly appreciated band? The more I peel back the onion by reading rock n roll biographies, The Byrds are frequently mentioned as inspiration for bands who came after them. Obviously you can guess how I feel but what do you think?
Profile and demystify what a record mastering engineer does? A Bernie Grundman, Heba Kadry, Bob Ludwig, Emily Lazar, Greg Calbi, etc... I would love your take on this fascinating aspect of recording/production.
Question for you: I have a category of records I think of as musical comfort food. They're all purpose, comforting me when I'm said, providing a soundtrack when I'm content. Like tomato soup and a grilled cheese on a cold winter's day. What is/are yours?
Re: your questions, I dig the the balance and frequency of what you write about. My only suggestion is that it would be nice to see a post with a few capsule summaries of new/lesser known bands every so often. There are so many good records out there and I don't have the time to listen to every playlist and track down every band. It doesn't have to be a deep dive that takes more work -- just a brief paragraph and a link for a few new bands every month would be awesome. But you also have a ton of good ideas, so no worries if you don't get to it!
Hi I am a local dancer, poet, and peace activist. I'd like to publish my writing in the reader as I feel it has delivered a fairly honest and objective account of Chicago events and issues over the years. I hope to one day become a Chicago Poet Laureate, and an official Peace Ambassador at local music events wherein I can share my work and advance my mission. Two of my big concerns besides public safety in general are the status of affordable safe housing and the laughingstock that the CTA has become. Between the usage of any and every car or platform for drug, alcohol and cigarette use and the overabundance of crime and undependable service it puts the law abiding public at great risk. How can we change things and ensure that things. Fire the Ceo to start
I'm not sure where you live, but in NYC we have resources like Oh My Rockness and Gunk that do a great job of providing show listings. There are also national resources like BandsInTown, SongKick, and (shudder) Ticketmaster that make it easy to follow your favorite artists.
Throwing Muses. Fascinating not to mention charming,witty,and unique. Any further observations on their work (both recents and in particular the first few albums)would I am sure be as interesting to others as it would be to me. Have not taken them off my Playlist for a few days however having said that BIRD 🐦 will ALWAYS be my irreplaceable one.
My question: how do you manage to get so many good interviews? Do you contact the band directly (i.e. email/social media channels) and do some sort of pitch? I'm terrible at networking, so really curious to hear about your process.
Answers to your questions: I love this place, as you know. I love it when you intertwine life lessons/reflections on life in general with whatever you are writing about (a specific record, song or event). Airport life is always a favourite, and I love how you've incorporated more stuff about parenting (even if I can't relate, it's always interesting to read), or childhood memories of yours, people who were/are special in your life, or generally things that have moved you or taught you something.
Variety and frequency are just about right, as there's a little bit of everything for everyone, often enough to keep the connection going but nicely spread throughout the week so people can catch up. Keep up the good work!
How do you request submissions for guest posts on Substack? Do you have to make a post on Notes or do you contact people directly?
I have had "guest posts" in the form of monologues by my fictional characters, but that doesn't count.
Good day Kevin.
1. Favorite concert venue and why?
2. Favorite concept album, and why is it Operation Mind Crime by Queensryche?
3. Would love to hear your thoughts on Muscle Shoals recording studio and why it is, or is not possibly the most important recording studio in the US.
4. And quite possibly the most important question of the bunch, pancakes or waffles?
The frequency of your writing is perfect, even though it's that time of year where I seem to struggle between life and everything too get a chance to read. I look forward to your " what have you been listening to" article every Monday, as it's pushed me to dig deep into my vinyl just so I don't have to tell you that I listen to the same stuff... over... over.. and over.
I'll give my answers to these fine questions!
1. I often say Baby's All Right in Brooklyn - it just has the best vibes. I also like Mercury Lounge and Music Hall Of Williamsburg...and Union Pool is pretty nice...we have a lot of great venues in NYC!
2. Never cottoned to Queensryche, sorry. I'd probably go with Animals, which is often my favorite Pink Floyd album. I get energy from the bitterness...
3. Muscle Shoals is hugely important of course, it's just got that grease that makes everything sound good. But FAME was also the site of many killer sessions (both are combined here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bmFxxTo0pmNHoB4AhF1ko?si=f867ad00f6254d65), not to mention Ardent Studios (Stax, Big Star, etc.), Sun Records, Motown, Electric Lady, Criteria...let's just agree that Muscle Shoals is in the top ten!
4. Waffles for sure - my go-to is the Joy Of Cooking Buttermilk Waffles recipe...mmm.
Hello Jeremy.
Awesome response.
1. I hope to get to New York someday to see some concerts. It seems like I only get there for work and that leaves little time for play. My favorite is either the Starry Night in Portland or the The Moore in Seattle.
2. I grew up in the PNW and therefore Queensryche was in my back yard. But, I strongly suggest to give it a listen. And much like Pink Floyd, it is dark and bitter. By the way, I agree that Animals is the best of Floyd.
3. Sound City, Motown, are definitely pushing for number one, but I had to start someplace. Starting with a possible underdog seems the best place to start the conversation.
4. I looked up the Joy of Cooking Buttermilk Waffles recipe and think I will be trying it soon.
Thanks
Joey Ortiz is the real deal for your Brew Crew! I wrote a feature about him recently for Yardbarker and was so impressed with his play. Such a good return for the Burnes trade. Not a question, just giving you lots of hope! 😂
I’m trying to build my fifth-graders’ musical knowledge and appreciation. What albums/artists do you think all 10-year-olds should know?
I'm not Kevin, but I think most youngsters can find something to love about They Might Be Giants.
Do you think The Byrds are a properly appreciated band? The more I peel back the onion by reading rock n roll biographies, The Byrds are frequently mentioned as inspiration for bands who came after them. Obviously you can guess how I feel but what do you think?
Who are you when you're not writing your substack?
Isn't this like pulling the curtain back on the Wizard?
I am an inveterate puller back of curtains.
What were your first five punk shows?
Hi Kevin :) I do wonder how you find the time for On Repeat. How do you do it?
Profile and demystify what a record mastering engineer does? A Bernie Grundman, Heba Kadry, Bob Ludwig, Emily Lazar, Greg Calbi, etc... I would love your take on this fascinating aspect of recording/production.
Question for you: I have a category of records I think of as musical comfort food. They're all purpose, comforting me when I'm said, providing a soundtrack when I'm content. Like tomato soup and a grilled cheese on a cold winter's day. What is/are yours?
Re: your questions, I dig the the balance and frequency of what you write about. My only suggestion is that it would be nice to see a post with a few capsule summaries of new/lesser known bands every so often. There are so many good records out there and I don't have the time to listen to every playlist and track down every band. It doesn't have to be a deep dive that takes more work -- just a brief paragraph and a link for a few new bands every month would be awesome. But you also have a ton of good ideas, so no worries if you don't get to it!
Is it actually pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" like Alice Cooper says it is?
Hi I am a local dancer, poet, and peace activist. I'd like to publish my writing in the reader as I feel it has delivered a fairly honest and objective account of Chicago events and issues over the years. I hope to one day become a Chicago Poet Laureate, and an official Peace Ambassador at local music events wherein I can share my work and advance my mission. Two of my big concerns besides public safety in general are the status of affordable safe housing and the laughingstock that the CTA has become. Between the usage of any and every car or platform for drug, alcohol and cigarette use and the overabundance of crime and undependable service it puts the law abiding public at great risk. How can we change things and ensure that things. Fire the Ceo to start
I love that you try to highlight who's touring. I miss a lot of good concerts because I didn't know they were happening.
I'm not sure where you live, but in NYC we have resources like Oh My Rockness and Gunk that do a great job of providing show listings. There are also national resources like BandsInTown, SongKick, and (shudder) Ticketmaster that make it easy to follow your favorite artists.
How does Madison rate as a music town? Both in terms of a local scene and the level of touring acts it can draw?
Throwing Muses. Fascinating not to mention charming,witty,and unique. Any further observations on their work (both recents and in particular the first few albums)would I am sure be as interesting to others as it would be to me. Have not taken them off my Playlist for a few days however having said that BIRD 🐦 will ALWAYS be my irreplaceable one.
Hi Kev and fellow readers!
My question: how do you manage to get so many good interviews? Do you contact the band directly (i.e. email/social media channels) and do some sort of pitch? I'm terrible at networking, so really curious to hear about your process.
Answers to your questions: I love this place, as you know. I love it when you intertwine life lessons/reflections on life in general with whatever you are writing about (a specific record, song or event). Airport life is always a favourite, and I love how you've incorporated more stuff about parenting (even if I can't relate, it's always interesting to read), or childhood memories of yours, people who were/are special in your life, or generally things that have moved you or taught you something.
Variety and frequency are just about right, as there's a little bit of everything for everyone, often enough to keep the connection going but nicely spread throughout the week so people can catch up. Keep up the good work!