Episodes
We hope you all enjoyed this latest season of Making Ways: The Art of Music. Can’t believe the amount of talent we squeezed into these episodes. We thought it could be fun to look back on a handful of the episodes that made this season sing. So we're dropping a two-part recap of the season for those of you who might have missed an episode or want to hit rewind on some of the magic. In this first installment, hear Kevin Morby, Mike Krol, David Wain, Craig Wedren, Lambchop, and Melvin's Buzz...
Published 07/23/23
In this bonus episode, you'll hear film / TV composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think with director, writer, and actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame as they discuss finding inspiration and tricking yourself into a beginner's mindset.
And if you missed our full episode with David and Craig, get it...
Published 05/07/23
In this episode, we’re joined by two of Seattle’s finest –– Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone and artist Zack Bolotin. Sera played drums with the adored indie rock group, Carissa’s Wierd, and later with Band of Horses. She went on to release four solo records, two on Sub Pop, and in 2019 received a Gold Record for her work with Band of Horses. She’s toured with Indigo Girls and Dave Matthews. You might have heard Sera on KEXP or NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series or featured in the pages...
Published 04/27/23
We’re talking about the art of music for film and TV with composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think and director, writer, actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame. In this conversion, we dive into David and Craig’s lifelong friendship, the creative kindling of their days as roommates at NYU, working together on The State and films Role Models, Wanderlust, and They Came Together, and we talk all about the world of Wet Hot American...
Published 04/18/23
This episode is dedicated in memory of Eric Livingston.
We’re talking about the art of the music of Dead Cross, a thrash metal supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantômas, drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame, guitarist Michael Crain from Retox, and today’s guest –– bassist Justin Pearson also from the Locust, Head Wound City, and Deaf Club.
Justin is joined by artist Eric Livingston who did all the artwork for Dead Cross, the new album “II,” and...
Published 04/11/23
GQ calls them “The UK’s hottest band” and after spinning their records, you’ll call them a new favorite too. Lead singer, songwriter, and frontman Murray Matravers joins the show to talk about the art of the music of Easy Life. Alongside designer and award-winning creative director for the band Charlie Drinkwater and the brilliant claymation animator and director Will Child who created the artwork for the band’s album “Maybe In Another Life…” and the captivating animated music video for the...
Published 04/04/23
We're hitting rewind on one of our favorite episodes! Laura Lee of Khruangbin and designer Nate Utesch discuss the stories behind the art of the band’s latest album "Mordechai." In this expansive conversation for the new Making Ways podcast, we dive into the origin story of the record and how the artwork came together as a collaboration between Laura and Nate. Laura shares her creative songwriting process and how mindfulness plays such an important part in her craft, and Nate walks us through...
Published 03/29/23
Neil Frances, the LA-based electropop band comprised of Sydney-born Jordan Feller and Southern California native Marc Gilfry, join Making Ways: The Art of Music alongside their creative family to talk about how their visuals for albums, videos, and the group’s overall aesthetic come together. In this interview featuring the duo’s collaborators photographer Pia Riverola, painter John Reagan, and videographer Kyle Jetter, we talk all about the creative collaboration process, the importance of...
Published 03/21/23
Today we’re joined by Kevin Morby, the Kansas City-based musician and songwriter, to discuss the art of the music for his latest album “This Is a photograph” and 2020’s “Sundowner” alongside the designer for those records, the multitalented Mike Krol. “This Is a photograph” is a brilliant career-standout record for Morby who has been releasing solo records since 2013 and started off in the bands The Babies and Woods. Krol, you might know better for his fantastic garage pop albums like...
Published 03/14/23
In this special twofold episode, we talk to musician and songwriter Scout Gillett, photographer and filmmaker Julie Orlick, and graphic designer and artist Ian Langehough about the visual world of Scout’s music. You’ll get a glimpse into the very old-school photography process that was used to create the cover image for “no roof no floor” –– Scout’s debut album on the Captured Tracks record label. The commitment it takes for creative collaboration to thrive. And how Ian and Scout’s friendship...
Published 03/07/23
If there’s one word that describes Lambchop, it’s reinvention. Kurt Wagner has been on an unpredictable musical journey since his first release under the moniker in the mid-90s. From “How I Quit Smoking” to “Aw Cmon,” “No You Cmon,” “Nixon,” and his latest release, the masterful “The Bible,” his albums veer from folk to gospel to electronic and all the sonic nooks and crannies in between. And the artwork that represents his music has evolved just as quickly, with each step forward, the...
Published 02/28/23
“Trust the vision.” So says Buzz Osborne of the legendary band Melvins who joins the show with his creative partner of 30+ years and wife, Mackie Osborne, whose incredible portfolio includes design for Tool, Bad Religion, and Mr. Bungle. We’re talking about the seriously dark sense of humor in the band’s art and music, hardcore work ethic, and what makes for a longstanding creative partnership.
Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive...
Published 02/21/23
In this first episode of the new season, we're joined by Doug Martsch of Built to Spill and music video director Jordan Minkoff chatting about Doug's hands-off approach to creative collaboration and the hysterical backstories behind some of the band's latest videos for their newest record When The Wind Forgets Your Name.
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Published 02/13/23
New bands! New artists! Making Ways: The Art of Music is returning with a brand new season! And we’re so excited to be joining the Weirder Together podcast network for it all. This season we’re bringing together even more bands and musicians with the visual artists they work with to talk all about the art of music and creative collaboration. Everything from band posters to album design, music videos, and stage shows –– and you’ll hear about the art of music for film, TV, and fashion too. Each...
Published 01/10/23
In this conversation, we go deep into the art of the music for “Marrow,” the latest single from Thao & the Get Down Stay Down off the deluxe edition of their album, Temple. Thao and filmmaker Linda Mai Green discuss their collaboration for the music video for “Marrow,” the meaning behind the song, and Thao shares the influence her work as host of the podcast Song Exploder had on her overcoming creative blocks in writing the album.
Published 03/31/22
What happens when the anthem for our times meets… elf yourself? It’s the story behind the music video and song, Born For This B******t, with acclaimed and beloved rocker Ben Lee and the brilliant director Byron Spencer. Buckle up for a wide-ranging conversation about the music video, Ben’s upcoming 20th (?!) LP “I’m Fun” and explore why embracing your own weirdness can lead to amazing new work.
Published 02/03/22
We're talking about building consensus in creative projects, how to give feedback, and the value of clearly defined roles... so much goodness in one lil' bonus episode. You'll hear from Laura Lee of Khruangbin and designer Nate Utesch, Anaïs Mitchell of Hadestown and Bonny Light Horseman with designer Aaron Denton, and Ra Ra Riot’s Mathieu Santos with designer Chris Everhart. Tune in for lessons in creative collaboration from this past season of Making Ways: The Art of Music. Hear the full...
Published 07/11/21
We implore you to watch the music videos for Cholla, My God, and Your Cocoon, they will most certainly blow your mind. Lucas Nathan aka Jerry Paper makes music that is chill, breezy, absurd, and as Lucas puts it: funny with a touch of sadness. Steve is one of the most talented 3D animators out there and he’s worked with Team Coco, Snapchat, and edited the TBS TV series The Dress Up Gang. Both Lucas and Steve have done various TV projects including work for Adult Swim. In this conversation, we...
Published 06/24/21
Speedy Ortiz started off as a solo project for musician, songwriter, and poet Sadie Dupuis that quickly grew into a full band experience. Over the past several years Sadie has been experimenting with a new solo project under her own moniker of Sad13. Her latest album Haunted Painting is a loud danceable indie-pop gem that is as personal as it is relatable. Michael DeForge is a celebrated comic book artist from Toronto, Ontario, with a treasure trove of original books to his name and artwork...
Published 06/10/21
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats and Bonny Light Horseman and his wife and creative collaborator, photographer Annie Beedy, all about their work together that pairs his music with her vivid documentary-style photography. And we’re joined later in the episode by Daniel Murphy, acclaimed album designer, now residing as Art Director at Merge Records. Daniel has designed albums for Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sharon Van Etten, The War On Drugs, Dinosaur Jr.,...
Published 06/03/21
In this episode, we’re joined by Mathieu Santos, bassist and founding member of the band Ra Ra Riot and Chris Everhart, the graphic designer who has worked on all their album packages, countless posters, and creative collaborations. We talk through the band’s creative approach to songwriting and what it’s like to manage so many creative voices and opinions (with 5 members of the group). We walk through all their creative adventures with Chris, his work in coming up with concepts, and the...
Published 05/20/21