WAIM #066 - The Greatest Show Of My Life w/ Jennifer Toms, Ryan Allen & Kevin Alexander

What Am I Making Podcast

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WAIM #066 - The Greatest Show Of My Life w/ Jennifer Toms, Ryan Allen & Kevin Alexander

A special, three act episode of the podcast featuring a trio of stories on life changing nights of live music.

Matty C

and

Kevin Alexander

Jun 03, 2024

Transcript

For a certain sect of folks, live music is a religion. Most of the best nights of my life involved seeing a show. I have never had the high that I hear runners talk about, or the connection with God that some parishioners feel on Sundays, but I have felt the spirit move through me in a darkened room as music pumped through my veins.

There is something truly magical about sharing a room with a bunch of strangers all there for a common purpose. Live shows were where I found most of my very best friends, and it was where I began to find myself a bit as well.

This week on the show, we have three different stories of magical nights of live music. It’s a sort of This American Life style show in three acts, as a trio of returning guests offer up the best live music night of their lives.

Jennifer Toms from A Rueful Noise kicks things off with a tale of Sleater Kinney, a thunderstorm, a tornado warning, and dancing alone in a baseball field.

Next up, Kevin Alexander of On Repeat is up to share his story of seeing Jawbreaker in the next state over at the height of his fandom. Two friends, five hours of driving, rest stop coffee, the glory of a road trip, and more.

We finish things up on this special episode with a tale of Ryan Allen of Extra Arms with a harrowing tale of being on tour down under. The story involves a death defying feat, high theater at a rock show, and ponders just how remote the Australian Outback might be.

I really hope you dig this.

Cheers,
Matty C

What was your most amazing night of live music? Be sure to let us know what you thought of this special episode.

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4 Comments

What Am I Making Podcast

Hey there. I’m Matty C. For the formally inclined folks in the crowd, the official designation is Matt Carlson.

I am a 50 year old musician, songwriter, and graphic designer that's spent the Covid era pondering deep and meaningful questions about music, film, literature and art in the 21st century.

It seems as though we’re living in age where musicians have to give their music away, content is around every corner and we don’t seem to really value much of any of it the way we used to.

What is it really like to make a living pursuing a life in the arts these days? Why are we seeing a lower percentage of artists in the workforce than at anytime in 100 years?

Now, I’ve reached a point of massive change in my life and I am preparing to spend more of my time, and hopefully, generating a portion of my income from my creative endeavors. That’s a terrifying endeavor, but it’s also incredibly exciting.

I’ll be discussing these ideas and a whole lot more of my own curiosity and creative endeavors on this platform using the written word, videos, podcasts, music and probably some other assets I learn along the way. I’ll be seeking out smart, and fascinating creatives as they build their own lives while fighting an ever-growing series of new challenges and opportunities.

All of these journeys and detours are an effort to share my exploration of culture in the modern world, and to help shine a brighter light on the work I have been doing for years as a musician, designer and podcaster.

This discussion is at the very center of our civilization, what it means to be human andhow to find a meaningful way to connect through that shared humanity in the form of artistic expression. Art is at the core of the relationship. Let’s explore it with that context, and that incalculable value, in mind.

If you enjoy what you hear on the show, please subscribe to my Substack where I also I post this podcast as well as a variety of essays, video and recordings regularly in my search to find out what art really matters to people right here and right now, and they are willing to do to invest in our culture.

Thank you so much for being here. It’s wonderful to have your support.

https://whatamimaking.substack.com

Hey there. I’m Matty C. For the formally inclined folks in the crowd, the official designation is Matt Carlson. I am a 50 year old musician, songwriter, and graphic designer that's spent the Covid era pondering deep and meaningful questions about music, film, literature and art in the 21st century. It seems as though we’re living in age where musicians have to give their music away, content is around every corner and we don’t seem to really value much of any of it the way we used to. What is it really like to make a living pursuing a life in the arts these days? Why are we seeing a lower percentage of artists in the workforce than at anytime in 100 years? Now, I’ve reached a point of massive change in my life and I am preparing to spend more of my time, and hopefully, generating a portion of my income from my creative endeavors. That’s a terrifying endeavor, but it’s also incredibly exciting. I’ll be discussing these ideas and a whole lot more of my own curiosity and creative endeavors on this platform using the written word, videos, podcasts, music and probably some other assets I learn along the way. I’ll be seeking out smart, and fascinating creatives as they build their own lives while fighting an ever-growing series of new challenges and opportunities. All of these journeys and detours are an effort to share my exploration of culture in the modern world, and to help shine a brighter light on the work I have been doing for years as a musician, designer and podcaster. This discussion is at the very center of our civilization, what it means to be human andhow to find a meaningful way to connect through that shared humanity in the form of artistic expression. Art is at the core of the relationship. Let’s explore it with that context, and that incalculable value, in mind. If you enjoy what you hear on the show, please subscribe to my Substack where I also I post this podcast as well as a variety of essays, video and recordings regularly in my search to find out what art really matters to people right here and right now, and they are willing to do to invest in our culture. Thank you so much for being here. It’s wonderful to have your support. https://whatamimaking.substack.com

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