Vinyl Emergency

Naturally and keenly shifting from soul to folk to stadium rock (sometimes in the same song) over the last 25+ years, Jim James -- and by extension My Morning Jacket, his Grammy-nominated powerhouse quintet -- points to an unlikely influence for such a kaleidoscope of sound: Jim Henson. Through The Muppet Show and Sesame Street's wide-eyed optimism and cast diversity — be they human actors or handmade ones — songs like "The Rainbow Connection" spoke deeply to him as a youngster, leading to an admiration for the rag-tag nature of Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem. Fast-forward to the present, and Jim's success as led to a few Muppet-related full-circle moments, like jamming with manic drummer Animal or crooning side-by-side with Kermin the Frog, both occurring at Newport Folk Festival appearances within the last few years. On the heels of a new solo LP titled Wowed Out, Jim chats about other early influences like AC/DC and Anita Baker, how he's collecting fonts these days more so than records, and why letting go is an integral part of the creative process. Tour dates and more can be found at jimjames.com and mymorningjacket.com.
For more My Morning Jacket talk, find bassist Tom Blankenship's visit from 2020, on Episode 134 further back in this same feed.
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Enjoy this special feed drop of The Great Albums Podcast, where Vinyl Emergency's Jim Hanke guests to discuss The Promise Ring's 1999 LP, Very Emergency, track-by-track. Find and subscribe to the Great Albums wherever you get podcasts!
Members of the Great Albums Patreon can listen to an additional interview regarding the album with Dan Didier, drummer and founding member of the band.

Describing himself as working within "the art of opportunity," Hutch Harris has been rummaging through charity bins and resale shops for years, pocketing vintage insurance ads or worn pages of childrens books, in order to create stunning, patchwork album covers for The Thermals. In today's conversation, Hutch describes what goes into those methods and how you at home can obtain personalized lyric sheets, unique LP/CD sleeves and more. Leading up to the September 4th release of Under Crushing Rain — the first new Thermals LP in a decade — we also cover when Broadway musicals fueled his interest in concept albums, and how a mastering engineer's snarky review of the band's debut full-length ended up in inscribed in that album's deadwax. A 20th anniversary repress of the Thermals' landmark album The Body The Blood The Machine is available now for pre-order via subpop.com, while Under Crushing Rain can be purchased at thethermals.bandcamp.com. Subscribe to the Thermals' Patreon for more one-of-a-kind goodness.
SPONSORS: Foregin Leisure Records | flipbin | Forge Again Records

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Salt Shed's Three Top Lounge in Chicago, all six members of The Hold Steady (along with album producer John Agnello) sit down to sum up the writing, recording and behind-the-scenes sagas of 'Boys and Girls in America,' in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Pre-order the new 2LP reissue, due out in November, from your favorite indie record store and get tickets for the band's annual Massive Nights celebration at theholdsteady.net.
SPONSORS: flipbin | StreamToWax | Forge Again Records
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Following the sudden passing of Glen Hansard, we are revisiting his appearance on Vinyl Emergency, with longtime Swell Season creative partner Markéta Irglová, to celebrate Glen's songwriting and lasting musical impact. This special ad-free encore presentation begins with new reflections on his career and essential albums before transitioning into the original interview, released in July 2025.
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