What Am I Making
What Am I Making Podcast
WAIM #069 - Christian Finnegan
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WAIM #069 - Christian Finnegan

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Back in March, I attended Podjam in Las Vegas and got a chance to see Christian Finnegan live. I’ve long admired Christian as a comic with a terrific wit, a tremendous vocabulary, and a fascinating view on the world. His stand up is hilarious, insightful, and sharp. Getting to see him perform was a highlight of the Vegas trip and confirmed my theory that he is still one of the funniest and smartest comedians working today. 

I first became familiar with Christian when he appeared a few times on the Chappelle Show. He was also a featured guest on VH1’s Best Week Ever. In more recent years, Christian has become a regular guest over at the Stand Up with Pete Dominick podcast. His analysis of current events is shockingly deft, hilarious, and always incredibly informed. 

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While Christian is a terrific political commentator, I wanted to stay closer to home in our conversation. After a bit of time catching up and recounting our time in Vegas, Christian and I jump into his recent experience at a nostalgia-laden music festival. It brought out both his inner child and his inner cynic, and even led him to discover that nostalgia is a lot like cilantro; One loves a single sprig, but doesn’t want to eat a whole bunch of it in one sitting. We cover what makes our wince meter peak, but also admit that we need to not be too cool for shit. Sometimes it’s best to just give in to the moment and enjoy it.

Later in the discussion, we chat about the ways in which Christian’s terrific New Music For Olds newsletter has shaped and evolved his listening habits for both better and worse. Christian talks about the unending pool of content that is out there and how one can find a great album in almost any genre, if we’re willing to dig deep enough. 

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There is some advice that Christian offers on treating the algorithm like a step-parent to keep it on its toes. We learn why all comedians want to be musicians, and why most musicians are afraid to try their hands at comedy. There is even an encounter with Shia Lebouf that involves hiding in a CVS. It’s great stuff from start to finish. 

Cheers,
Matty C

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What Am I Making
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