Close Enough for Jazz

Birch Grove
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Tired of the old jazz paradigm? We call this Close Enough for Jazz because "Modern-Avant-Garde-Polyrhythmic-Sound-Art" was too long for the RSS feed. Join Lindsay and Alan Bjorklund (Birch Grove Media) for unfiltered dialogues with the composers and improvisers pushing the boundaries of the modern and avant-garde jazz scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Smirk: Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz and the Birth of a Label

    3D AGO

    Smirk: Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz and the Birth of a Label

    Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund explore the decade-long journey of the album Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz featuring Tyshawn Sorey, Matt Mitchell, Jeremy Viner, Travis Reuter, and Kim Cass. They break down the band history of Smirk, the process of recording world-class improvisers at GSI Studios, and why they chose to build an independent platform for creative music. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Reflecting on the label’s first release 01:00 - The origins of Smirk (2011 at Ibeam) 02:00 - Smirk vs. Face: Electric and Acoustic quintets 04:14 - Expanding to a sextet with Matt Mitchell 09:29 - Personnel rotations and sub-players 11:44 - Writing specifically for the 5-string electric bass 12:04 - Bass chemistry with Tyshawn Sorey 15:28 - Meeting Tyshawn Sorey and early collaborations 19:51 - Inside the 2017 GSI recording session 22:38 - The decision to fund a project and start a label 25:58 - Interconnectedness: The Merry Poppins session 30:05 - The Nublu release gig and the live energy 31:14 - Tyshawn’s perfectly timed stick drop 32:39 - Nostalgia for the 55 Bar and intimate spaces BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  2. Kevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle

    APR 30

    Kevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle

    Bassist Kevin Scott shares lessons from the road and the technical secrets of playing "out" while keeping the pocket. From touring with Gov't Mule to the manifestation stories that led to playing with his idols, Kevin discusses the necessity of artistic sacrifice and the "Dancing Poodle" analogy that defines the industry landscape. Timestamps: 00:00 - The reality of the professional music environment 00:26 - Touring with a "Raccoon Ambassador" 03:49 - Tour Hacks: Bus etiquette and sideman logistics 08:34 - Maintaining health and gym routines on the road 09:53 - Resonant Paths: Hiring Greg Osby and Ryan Clackner 13:42 - Manifestation: Joining Warren Haynes’ solo band 20:46 - Handling nerves when playing when being a “fanboy” 28:09 - The 55 Bar legacy and the 2026 NYC scene 35:36 - Building collaborative communities through sacrifice 44:19 - Playing "out" while maintaining the pocket 49:31 - The "Abusive Partner" analogy: Double Bass vs. Electric 53:14 - Electric Bass: The history of the "Ultimate Bastard" instrument 56:26 - The Mythic Pursuit: Col. Bruce Hampton and moving to Atlanta 01:06:16 - The Dancing Poodle Analogy: Why it always wins 01:10:19 - Upcoming records with Matt Chamberlain and Ryan Clackner BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m
  3. Recording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session

    APR 23

    Recording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session

    Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund join Matt Scollante to explore the intensive process of recording the new Bear Skinner album, Unobtainium. They discuss the technical challenge of live tracking during a snowstorm, the discipline of creating original audio patches, and the infrastructure required to document high-level creative music. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  4. Trevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance

    APR 16

    Trevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance

    Keyboardist Trevor Lagrange joins the show to discuss the evolution of his creative voice and the necessity of visual entertainment in live music. He breaks down the history of the Brooklyn loft scene, the influence of his classical training, and the mental tools he uses to master the advanced rhythms of the Bear Skinner project. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website at birchgrove.io Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  5. The Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante

    APR 9

    The Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante

    Matt Scollante interviews Alan Bjorklund on the technical and philosophical evolution of the producer's role in creative music. Alan breaks down the high-level vision for Birch Grove Media, his specific audio choices for the band Smirk, and the expansive influences that shape the label's identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  6. Big Ears 2026: The Festival Experience

    APR 2

    Big Ears 2026: The Festival Experience

    Alan & Lindsay Bjorklund and Ryan Clackner gather in Knoxville to review a weekend of live performance. They discuss the importance of "play" in improvised sets, the local venues that support the scene, and the long-awaited reunion duo of Ryan Clackner and Tyshawn Sorey. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  7. Versatility and the "Soft Prune": Nick Jost

    MAR 25

    Versatility and the "Soft Prune": Nick Jost

    Bassist Nick Jost joins Lindsay to discuss his "prepped-for-anything" mindset and the reality of the creative music scene. He breaks down his roots in St. Louis, his technical tools for learning odd meters, and why the best music comes from leaving your ego at the door. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  8. Exit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos

    MAR 18

    Exit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos

    Alan and Lindsay break down the move from New York City to their new headquarters in Blairstown, NJ. They discuss the "obsessive" process of building a professional-grade home studio, the difficulty of booking bands in the city post-2022, and the local history of the Delaware Water Gap. BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaGet the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  9. Ryan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music

    MAR 6

    Ryan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music

    Guitarist Ryan Clackner joins the show to discuss why jazz guitar often fails to harness the true power of the electric instrument. From the "incestuous" habits of guitar players to the soul-crushing influence of academia, Ryan breaks down what’s wrong with the scene today—and why he had to move to the "Bermuda Triangle of Appalachia" to find his own voice. Timestamps: 01:30 - The "Sound Riddle": From Holdsworth to Scofield 03:49 - The hurdle of "straight-ahead" proficiency 11:10 - How the "classical sickness" infected jazz 16:46 - From eighth-grade Metallica to jazz band 22:03 - The cultural importance of the Garwood Crossroads scene 28:31 - Why Nashville actually "hates musicians" 37:43 - Details on the upcoming Big Ears Festival duo performance  BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaSupport the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  10. Introducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz

    MAR 6

    Introducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz

    In the debut episode, founders Alan and Lindsay discuss why they decided to "choose themselves" and launch Birch Grove Media. They break down the importance of physical media, the roles of a creative director versus a label manager, and why their podcast won't sound like your typical "soothing" NPR jazz show. Timestamps: 01:15 - Looking back at the first release: Smirk 02:37 - What makes a Birch Grove Media project? 09:00 - The philosophy of independent publishing 10:47 - Why we insist on 180g vinyl and gatefold packaging 14:45 - Building a label from scratch (literally, including the fonts) 20:54 - Introducing the quartet: Bear Skinner BIRCH GROVE MEDIA Web: birchgrove.ioFollow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMediaSupport the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Tired of the old jazz paradigm? We call this Close Enough for Jazz because "Modern-Avant-Garde-Polyrhythmic-Sound-Art" was too long for the RSS feed. Join Lindsay and Alan Bjorklund (Birch Grove Media) for unfiltered dialogues with the composers and improvisers pushing the boundaries of the modern and avant-garde jazz scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Birch Grove
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Birch Grove
  • Show Website
    Close Enough for Jazz