For our latest episode, we take a listen to one of my all time favorite musicians, the one and only Jim White. Jim’s a bit of an enigma. Categorized as Americana or alt country, Jim has a unique sound that defies an easy label. Once a professional model, for a time a New York City … More S2E15 Wrong-Eyed Jesus (The Mysterious Tale of How I Shouted)
While you’re waiting for our new episode to drop, check out Aaron’s new album The Little Things, available on Bandcamp! Aaron’s running a deal, today only. Purchase an Esoterica the Podcast tee shirt or the Yuck Foo album and get a free download of The Little Things! Click here
Called “The Beatles of Comedy” by The Library of Congress, the four-man Firesign Theatre wrote and performed together for over forty years, but their early studio work (1968-1975) for Columbia Records remains their best known and most influential. Innumerable phrases from their albums have entered the English lexicon: What’s all this brouhaha? More Sugar! What you … More S2E14 Dope Humor of the Seventies (w/ David Ossman)
And now for something truly esoteric. Musique pour Supermarché (English title: Music for Supermarkets) is the sixth studio album by electronic musician and composer Jean-Michel Jarre. Only a single copy was pressed and distributed, and its master plates were deliberately destroyed. In 1983, Jean-Michel Jarre was asked to compose the background music for the supermarket-themed art exhibition Orrimbe show. Jarre agreed, recording Musique pour Supermarché (English: Music for … More S2E13 Musique pour Supermarché
Our main focus here at Esoterica the Podcast is shining a light on the obscure, offbeat and unusual. That focus tends to be on music, whether it be a local indie band or an established, non mainstream act. Co-host Aaron Christian is a musician, and he has a new single out. So we’re taking a … More Aaron has a new single out!
We’re back with another album from LA based Dead Poet Society, and this time vocalist/guitarist Jack Underkofler joins us for the discussion! Release in July of 2015, Axiom is their first EP. Jack joins us to discuss the formation of the band and we break down all the tracks from Axiom. DPS was recently signed … More S2E12 Axiom (w/ Jack Underkofler)
“Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from” This week’s episode once again finds us exploring the Americana genre, this time with our first look at a female artist. Iris DeMent is a two time Grammy nominee signer-songwriter. Her musical stylings incorporate elements of folk, country and gospel. “Iris DeMent makes music that celebrates … More S2E11 Infamous Angel
Uncle Sinner is Winnipeg-based multi-instrumentalist and singer Michael Bodner, who adapts traditional American music to suit his purposes. The sound has variously been called gothic Americana, death country, dark folk blues or some combination thereof. The music embraces the overlap between country and blues, sacred and secular. Uncle Sinner’s music has spread largely by word of mouth, with … More S2E10 Trouble of This World ( w/ Michael Bodner)
For our latest episode, we revisit musician Frank Iero. This time around, we take a listen to his 2016 album Parachutes. On this album he is backed by The Patience. Iero is an American musician who is the rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist for My Chemical Romance and post hardcore band Leathermouth. He has released … More S2E9 Parachutes
For this episode, we take a listen to Dead Poet Society‘s 2016 EP Dempsey. Dead Poet Society (DPS) is an edgy groove rock band based out of Boston, MA. The band’s four members (Jack Underkofler, Jack Collins, Nick Taylor, Will Goodroad) met and formed DPS while attending the Berklee College of Music and Wentworth Institute of … More S2E8 Dempsey
“You are a bold and courageous person. Afraid of nothing.” With these words we begin our journey into the chilling, thrilling world of the haunted house! First released in 1964, Disneyland Records (now known as Walt Disney Records) album Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House offered up “stories in sound” meant to scare and … More S2E7 Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House
Let’s be honest here. There’s no chance we’re going to make this country great again. It’s debatable if it was ever great. Furthermore, what’s great for one person is often terrible for another. But with a little effort and cooperation from all of us, we can make this country OK again. Because it’s not OK … More #MakeAmericaOKAgain
“When the storm clouds gather ’round you And heavy rains descend Just remember that death is not the end” The month of October is upon us, and we get in to the spirit of the season with an album of dark, dreadful musings. In 1996, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their ninth studio … More S2E6 Murder Ballads
“The Information-Action Ratio is the place to go.” Alternatively described as lounge pop, glam pop and sometimes space pop, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is the sixth studio album from English band The Arctic Monkeys. The band hails from Sheffield, and singer Alex Turner’s distinct accent is a hallmark of the band. Tranquility Base marked … More S2E5 Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
If you’ve been listening to Esoterica the Podcast, you’re used to Aaron and I giving our thoughts on each track of the albums we discuss. For this episode, we had the unique pleasure of having the artist join us for those conversations. Garage rocker Stephen Clair hails from Beacon, NY. Stephen joins us to talk … More S2E4 The Small Hours (w/ Stephen Clair)
For our second outing this season in the Famous Folks series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Wingsoe. Renowned as one of the first leaders of the micro-endorsement platform, CEO Peter Wingsoe is an innovator turned serial entrepreneur and veteran of start-ups with over 20 years of experience in retail management, marketing, strategic advisory and … More S2FF3 Peter Wingsoe
We continue our album reviews with Frank Iero and the Future Violents’ album Barriers. Frank Iero first rose to fame as the rhythm guitarist for My Chemical Romance. In 2014, Iero released his first solo album. Since then, he has released several albums under an ever changing band moniker: frnkiero and the cellabration, Frank Iero … More S2E3 Barriers
Last of the full grown men, Webb Wilder joins us for our latest “Famous Folks” episode. Mississippi born, Webb is a rock & roll musician, singer and actor. He has released twelve studio albums, with his latest Night Without Love just recently released. We caught up with Webb to discuss his favorite album, and the … More S2FF2 Webb Wilder
Let there be no hesitationGet a rope and make it quickEach last breath come from his mouthI will beat it out with a stick We start off our second season discussing the mesmerizing sounds of 16 Horsepower’s 1996 debut, Sackcloth & Ashes. Formed in Los Angeles in 1992, 16 Horsepower was a band that defied … More S2E2 Sackcloth & Ashes
For our first episode of this season’s “Famous Folk” we have a very special guest: Nicole Hendizadeh! Nicole is a chef, culinary expert and part of the Mythical Kitchen crew. Mythical Kitchen is part of Rhett & Link‘s YouTube channels. The channel is a hub for all food featured videos, and it is run by … More S2FF1 Nicole Hendizadeh
I use multi-million dollar satellites to find Tupperware in the woods. What’s your hobby? Welcome to Season Two of Esoterica the Podcast! We’re pretty excited about all of our new content. So, let’s dive on in! For our first episode, we discuss one of our favorite pastimes, geocaching! If you’re not familiar with the sport, … More S2E1 Geocaching!
Welcome to Season Two of Esoterica the Podcast and our first Vlog! We’re pretty excited about all of our new content. So, let’s dive on in! For our first vlog, we demonstrate one of our favorite pastimes, geocaching! Join us as we first check in on one of my own caches placed in Ames Nowell … More S2V1 Geocaching/Provincetown
Twelve episodes into our Famous Folk talking about their favorite albums, and we finally get to talk to a musician! Singer-songwriter Freddy Johnston joins us to talk about his favorite album, Van Morrison‘s 1977 release A Period of Transition. Freedy originally hails from Kinsley, Kansas and has been recording since 1990 when he released his … More S1FF12 Freedy Johnston
You may remember him as Mr. Heckles. Or Tom Pepper. Perhaps as Officer Balzak. Or more recently as Old Joe. Or maybe as Charlie Butts. However you remember him, you surely remember him. Veteran actor Larry Hankin joins us for our latest episode. Larry is a writer, performer, producer, director, and Oscar nominee. He’s one … More S1FF11 Larry Hankin
For our tenth episode, we return to the world of Vince Gilligan. Joining us this time is actor Jeremiah Bitsui, best known for his role as Victor on both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Jeremiah talks with us about life during the pandemic as well as the amazing soundtrack curated for the Breaking Bad … More S1FF10 Jeremiah Bitsui
Fire up the replicator, and get yourself a hot cup of raktajino for this episode! For our ninth installment of Famous Folks, we have the honor of talking with the one and only Alexander Siddig (Deep Space Nine, Game of Thrones)! I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t geeking out over this interview. Sid … More S1FF9 Alexander Siddig
Modern Family may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean we’ve heard the last of Dylan Marshall! Actor Reid Ewing, best known for portraying Dylan, joins us for our eighth Famous Folks episode! Reid shares with us his passion for the strange, enigmatic world of iDOLM@STER: Million Live! The Idolmaster Million Live is … More S1FF8 Reid Ewing
For this episode we are joined by Broadway actress and podcaster Ellyn Marie Marsh to discuss her favorite album, Coldplay’s debut album, Parachutes. Ellyn, who has been called one of Broadway’s funniest people, has starred in shows like Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. most recently she has been … More S1FF7 Ellyn Marie Marsh
For our sixth entry in the Famous Folks series, actor Zach Avery joins us to talk about his favorite album, Eminem’s The Eminem Show. Gaining momentum over the last few years with his notable plot twisting roles, Zach Avery is taking his career to the next level with the recent release of Liongate’s Hitchcockian thriller … More S1FF6 Zach Avery
After knocking back a cold Sam Adams’ Porch Rocker to celebrate our last regular episode of the season, Aaron and I discuss local band Something Saturday’s album Trying. Vocalist Aaron Christian joins us to discuss the album track by track, as well as talk about the recording process. Something Saturday was created from the ashes … More S1E21 Trying
How do you follow up an interview with Greg Proops? You interview fellow Whose Line Is It? star, Canada’s own Colin Mochrie, of course! Best known for appearances on both the British and US versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Colin is also an actor, writer and producer. He has received multiple awards, including … More S1FF5 Colin Mochrie
“But until I hit the bottom, I won’t believe that it’s bottomless.” For our twentieth episode (!!), we take a listen to some gothic Americana from the alternative country band The Handsome Family. Comprising of husband and wife duo Brett and Rennie Sparks, The Handsome Family have been creating their unique sound since 1993. Aaron … More S1E20 Singing Bones
The Smartest Man in the World, Greg Proops, joins us for our third episode of Famous Folks. Greg is best known for his energetic appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? In addition, Greg is a prolific actor, stand up comedian, voice over artist, as well as a television and podcast host. We discuss with … More S1FF4 Greg Proops
Join us Sunday night, June 14th at 8pm EDT as we take a look at current events through the lens of history with the amazing, articulate Bitchy Historian! If you enjoy being schooled and want to help support continued content from Mrs. Bitchy, please consider contributing to her Patreon. Being this smart comes at a … More Livestream w/ The Bitchy Historian!
Everybody is either doing it, thinking about it, or wishing they were doing it. But nobody wants to talk about it! Mental and sexual health therapist and podcaster Erik Miley MEd, LMHL joins us for a fascinating, entertaining, and above all educational discussion about a wide range of sexual subjects. You can check out the … More Sex Talk w/ Erika Miley!
Riffing on a theme, Aaron and I start this episode off musing about our first cars. Like your first love, no matter how bad it ends, it always sticks with you. The subject of this episode is Hobo Johnson’s album Hobo Johnson’s 94 Corolla. Hobo Johnson is the stage name of American vocalist Frank Lopes … More S1E19 Hobo Johnsons 94 Corolla
Continuing our Breaking Bad theme, for this epsiode we are joined by David Ury, best known for his role as Spooge, the meth head crushed by an ATM. In addition to his memorable turn on Breaking Bad, David is a talented actor, stand up comedian, YouTuber, and Japanese language translation specialist. David shares with us … More S1FF3 David Ury
So, our first season is winding down. We thought it only fitting to mark the occasion by creating the 2020 version of a mixed tape for our listeners: A Spotify Playlist! Check out highlights from all the albums we reviewed (with the exception of ones not available on Spotify). Enjoy!
Before we discuss this album, let’s get one thing straight. Don Henley’s song “Boys of Summer” is a seasonal song, intended only to be played after Labor Day and before Spring starts. For our 18th episode, we take a listen to Neutral Milk Hotel’s 1998 release, The Aeroplane Over the Sea. This was their second … More S1E18 In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Although our focus has been on music for our first season, it is our mission here at Esoterica the Podcast to shine a light on the esoteric in general. Music, movies, books, subculture, whatever tickles our fancy. To that end, we have a treat for you! Esoteric in his own right, San Francisco based stand … More S1Bonus: Bob “The Rube” Rubin
