You, Me and An Album

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Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, TV and film composer, radio show host and podcaster Ben Vaughn drops by to introduce Al to Alex Chilton’s 1979 debut solo album Like Flies on Sherbert. Ben talks about the negative impression he got the first time he was exposed to Chilton, when he appeared on a local 1960s television show in Philadelphia, and how he eventually became a fan, friend and collaborator of Chilton’s. He explains why he thinks Like Flies on Sherbert is Chilton’s best album, digging into several of the album’s tracks and discussing the circumstances under which the album was recorded. Ben also talks about his recently-launched podcast Straight From The Hat, as well as his upcoming album with Deer Tick.

Follow Ben on Instagram! He’s at @benvaughnmusic.
You can also learn more about Ben and his work on his website https://benvaughn.org/.
Ben also mentioned that Straight From The Hat has a website. Check out episodes and the extra goodies that Ben talked about at straightfromthehat.com.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
The first eight episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
1:48 Ben’s introduction
3:00 Ben revisits his earliest memories of Chilton
6:59 Ben shares the story of how he got introduced to Big Star
9:27 Ben explains how he first heard Like Flies on Sherbert
14:43 Ben talks about the circumstances under which Like Flies on Sherbert was made, as he learned from Chilton himself
18:09 Ben discusses the eclecticism of the album
21:06 Al talks about the album’s different versions
23:33 Al shares his reaction to the album
25:17 Ben talks about the musicians who played on Like Flies on Sherbert and the challenges they must have faced
27:48 Ben discusses the mysterious quality of the title track
30:10 Ben and Al talk about how the album feels unfinished
32:10 Ben explains why he thinks the album resonated with him
33:38 Ben talks about how he became friends with Chilton and how he and Chilton wound up working with Alan Vega
43:12 Chilton’s music used to be hard to find
49:53 Ben discusses the origins of his new podcast Straight From The Hat
57:21 Ben shares news of an upcoming release with Deer Tick

Outro music is from “Magdalena ’94 (live)” by Ben Vaughn.
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Vermont-based singer, composer, guitarist, dancer and poet Hannah Frances joins Al to introduce him to Fiona Apple’s 2012 album The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (aka The Idler Wheel…). Hannah talks about her earliest experiences with listening to The Idler Wheel… and why the album made such an impression on her. She and Al delve into several of the album’s tracks, and they highlight what they enjoy about Apple’s lyrics, vocal delivery and instrumentation in general. Hannah also discusses her most recent album Nested in Tangles as well as her recent and upcoming shows and projects, including her Landscapes of Song workshop.
Correction: Al made an incorrect reference to Hannah's album Nested in Tangles as Nestled in Tangles.
To find Hannah’s music, videos, merch and more, visit her website https://hannahfrancesmusic.com/. As mentioned on this episode, you will also be able to purchase the on-demand version of Hannah’s Landscapes of Song songwriting workshop via her website soon.
You can follow Hannah on Instagram and Substack at @hannahfracesmusic.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
The first eight episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
2:02 Hannah’s introduction
2:38 Does Vermont need a new state seal?
3:17 Hannah talks about how she got introduced to The Idler Wheel…
5:53 Hannah explains why she chose to discuss The Idler Wheel…
8:27 Hannah discusses the personal loss that changed her music listening
13:27 Hannah revisits one of the first times she had listened to the album
17:01 Hannah explains why she thinks Apple’s anger is part of what makes The Idler Wheel… an important album
20:33 Hannah and Al find Apple’s lyrical directness appealing
23:10 Hannah explains why she needs to hear the album in full

Discussion of specific tracks:
23:59 Daredevil/Valentine
27:09 Werewolf
30:20 Periphery
31:58 Regret

34:05 Hannah contrasts Apple’s approach on The Idler Wheel… to Fetch the Bolt Cutters and Extraordinary Machine
37:06 Al and Hannah comment on the variety in the use of percussion across the tracks on The Idler Wheel…
42:07 Hannah sums up what she loves about The Idler Wheel…
42:57 Hannah talks about the sonic and lyrical landscapes of Nested in Tangles
46:08 Hannah explains how she consciously wanted to defy genre labels
51:10 Hannah talks about how Joni Mitchell is an inspiration for her
54:38 Hannah discusses how her love of progressive rock impacts her own music
56:47 Hannah shares her upcoming plans for live and recorded music
1:00:43 Hannah talks about her recent songwriting workshop

Outro music is from “Falling From and Further” by Hannah Frances.
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On this episode, Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir introduces Al to the 2013 album Amok by the supergroup/Radiohead spinoff Atoms for Peace. Ásgeir talks about how he got acquainted with the album and why he and his bandmates had it on repeat during their 2013 tour. While Ásgeir highlights particular tracks that are his favorites, he explains how he experiences the album as a cohesive whole. Ásgeir also talks about his new album Julia, his upcoming Icelandic-language album and his tour plans.

Keep up with Ásgeir on Instagram at @asgeirmusic! You can also find Ásgeir’s tour dates, music and more on his website, https://www.asgeirmusic.com/.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
The first eight episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
1:25 Ásgeir’s introduction
2;01 Al knew very little about Atoms for Peace before researching the album
3:16 Ásgeir explains why he chose to discuss Amok
4:03 Ásgeir cites some other artists he considered talking about on this episode
5:21 Ásgeir explains how he discovered Amok
8:16 Ásgeir talks about how the album is both immediate and nuanced
12:04 Ásgeir and Al both experience the album as more of a “vibe” than a collection of distinctive songs
16:37 Listening to Amok helped Ásgeir to take his own music into a more electronic direction
17:46 Ásgeir and his bandmates had a special motivation for having Amok on repeat
22:05 Al and Ásgeir enjoy what the rhythm section brings to the band’s sound
24:02 Ásgeir and Al both view “Ingenue” as a highlight
26:00 Ásgeir doesn’t listen to Amok nearly as often lately
29:08 Ásgeir acknowledges the Radiohead/Atoms for Peace influence on “Sugar Clouds”
31;34 Ásgeir talks about writing all of the lyrics for the songs on Julia
32:30 Ásgeir discusses the challenges of writing songs in two languages
34:28 Does Ásgeir have any upcoming collaborations?
35:34 Ásgeir talks about the success he has had in Australia
36:46 Ásgeir discusses his upcoming tour

Outro music is from “Ferris Wheel” by Ásgeir.
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On this episode, Nashville-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Olivia Barton introduces Al to Mount Eerie’s 2017 album A Crow Looked at Me. Olivia talks about why she chose this album to discuss, even though she hasn’t listened to it very often, and she explains why she considers this a life-changing album. She also highlights some of the most impactful lyrics and musical elements from the album. Olivia  discusses her latest album For Myself and For You, as well as the .m4a version of the album she released in January.
Correction: Al referred to Olivia’s song “The Hardest Thing” as “The Hardest Part.”

To keep up with Olivia’s tour plans and much, much more, be sure to give her a follow on Instagram at @oliviabartonhaha. She has the same handle on TikTok and YouTube.

You can also find tour information and merch on Olivia’s website, https://oliviabartonhaha.com/. Also, you can explore and buy Olivia’s music on Bandcamp at https://oliviabarton.bandcamp.com/.

Olivia mentioned her collaboration with Lizzie McAlpine, “Learn Something,” which is now available on Bandcamp. All proceeds go to the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund in Minnesota. Check it out here: https://lizzymcalpine.bandcamp.com/track/learn-something.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
The first eight episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum

1:19 Olivia’s introduction
2:42 A Crow Looked at Me was an obvious choice for Olivia, even though she had listened to it only three times
5:30 Olivia recalls the part of the album that first made a big impression on her
10:22 Olivia and Al talk about some of the mundane details Phil Elverum sings about and the emotional impact they felt
14:24 Al and Olivia interpret some of the lyrics from “Emptiness Pt. 2”
17:40 Olivia explains how Elverum’s vocal style adds to the album’s emotional impact
18:50 Al and Olivia discuss Elverum’s unconventional use of noises in the recording
21:13 Olivia talks about the directness of Elverum’s lyrics
26:43 Olivia notes the album’s lack of hooks
28:16 Al and Olivia talk about the slight change in tone in the album’s last two tracks
36:51 Olivia discusses Elverum’s symbolic use of the crow
40:47 Listening to A Crow Looked at Me made Olivia think about stream counts
42:59 Olivia talks about her own emotionally difficult songs
45:27 Olivia mentions the other album she could have chosen for this episode
47:26 Olivia discusses the .m4a version of For Myself and For You
50:30 Olivia shares her upcoming tour plans

Outro music is from “Kissing in Public” by Olivia Barton.
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Musician, songwriter, producer, engineer and ethnomusicologist Alan Williams (solo, Birdsong at Morning, Knots and Crosses) joins Al to talk about Carla Bley and Paul Haines’ 1971 album Escalator over the Hill. Alan discusses why he decided to explore EOTH during his high school years, what his favorite parts of the album are, why it has stuck with him over the years and how much he actually likes the album. Alan explores the challenges the album presents to the genrefication of music and talks about several of the artists involved, including Linda Ronstadt, Jack Bruce and Charlie Haden. He also shares details about the making of his soon-to-be-released solo album Floating on the Dreamline (out on March 6) and his experiences with directing the Album Ensembles at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, where he is a Professor of Music.

You can watch videos of the Album Ensembles’ live performances from Alan’s website:
https://www.alanwilliamsevidence.com/musings/an-incredible-simulation-the-umass-lowell-album-ensemble-projects

You can follow Alan on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at @alanwilliamsevidence.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
The first seven episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum

1:16 Alan’s introduction
2:27 Alan explains why he got interested in Escalator over the Hill
3:55 Alan describes his initial experience with listening to the album
7:17 Alan and Al talk about the album’s lack of a story
11:01 Alan talks about the blending of the jazz and rock worlds on EOTH
16:29 Alan explains why EOTH made a big impact on him
19:47 Is it best to listen to all six sides of the album all the way through?
22:24 Alan picks out some of his favorite parts of the album
27:27 Linda Ronstadt’s involvement with this album puts the rest of her career in perspective
30:53 Alan is impressed that Bley got the project completed in spite of the obstacles
32:50 Bley continued to collaborate with rock musicians after EOTH
34:38 Does Alan actually like EOTH?
39:45 Alan explains why he finds EOTH inspirational
42:45 Alan recounts a personal encounter he had related to EOTH
44:20 Alan talks about artists who influenced the sound of Floating on the Dreamline
47:49 Alan discusses how “Feel No Pain” came together
51:16 Al hears FOTD as sonically cohesive
53:06 Alan talks about his students’ eclectic musical tastes
53:56 Alan discusses the Album Ensembles at University of Massachusetts-Lowell
1:06:37 Alan talks about his imminent retirement and upcoming events

Outro music is from “Before My Eyes” by Alan Williams.
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