You, Me and An Album Al Melchior

Julia Massey—the vocalist and keyboardist for the Seattle-based band Warren Dunes—comes to YMAAA to discuss The Black Tones’ 2019 album Cobain & Cornbread. Julia talks about how Cobain & Cornbread is one of a small number of albums that are a part of her “musical DNA,” and why the album resonates with her so strongly. She also discusses her friendship with The Black Tones’ Eva Walker and how Eva has influenced her own music. Julia and Al try to categorize Warren Dunes’ sound and delve into their new album Aquamarine.


To keep up with Julia and Warren Dunes, be sure to follow them on Instagram at @warrendunesband. They are also on Facebook (@welcometowarrendunes) and X (@warrendunesband).
To keep up with Julia’s parrot, follow Bacon the Bird on TikTok.
Warren Dunes has a website, too! warrendunesband.com
For more information on Warren Dunes’ Pool Party Patreon, as discussed on this episode, go to patreon.com/warrendunes.


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


1:05 Julia joins the show
1:27 There are just a few albums that Julia goes back to again and again
4:18 Julia talks about her reaction after hearing Cobain & Cornbread for the first time
5:48 The album is a reflection of Eva’s personality
7:56 The songs on Cobain & Cornbread are deceptively long
10:31“Rivers of Jordan” and “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” really grabbed Julia’s attention
14:46 Al and Julia were also impressed by “Striped Walls”
16:18 Julia explains how Cedric Walker became the Black Tones’ drummer
18:43 Julia points out the part of “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” that hits her the hardest
21:05 Julia says Eva and Cedric capture the live sound of “Welcome Mr. Pink”
23:26 “Mama! There’s a Spider in my Room” has a quality that is also present in Julia’s music
26:24 Julia’s favorite part of “Plaid Pants” doesn’t have to do with the lyrics
28:17 Julia talks about how Eva has influenced her music
32:10 Julia is impressed by how The Black Tones combine whimsy with power
33:21 Al talks about his reaction to hearing Aquamarine for the first time
35:34 Does Warren Dunes play beach music or “PBS metal”?
41:27 Julia explains why she won’t listen to Aquamarine again for a while
42:18 Julia discusses the Aquamarine launch party and the Warren Dunes “Pool Party”
45:50 Julia talks about upcoming projects for her and for Warren Dunes


Outro music is from “Take the Train” by Warren Dunes.
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(TW: brief mention of lyrics referencing suicide) 

Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrian Sutherland joins Al to introduce him to The Killers’ 2021 album Pressure Machine. Adrian talks about how The Killers have influenced his own music and what he loves about this specific album by the Las Vegas-based band. He focuses on how his upbringing in Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario helps him to personally relate to several of the album’s themes. Adrian also talks about his recently-released solo album Precious Diamonds and about his work away from the band Midnight Shine in general. He discusses his upcoming book as well as other recent and ongoing projects.


There’s a lot to keep up with in terms of Adrian’s work, but visiting his website is a good place to get started! https://adriansutherlandmusic.com/


Also, It’s easy to find Adrain on social media…just look for him at @attaboyadrian on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube and TikTok.


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


1:26 Adrian joins the show
3:14 Pressure Machine is not a typical Killers album
7:40 Adrian explains why he wanted to discuss Pressure Machine—and Nevermind
13:19 The interviews included between songs help paint the picture of Nephi
16:31 Adrian related to the aspects of religious life depicted in Pressure Machine
18:34 Adrian talks about the musical elements of the album he likes
24:41 Al was impressed by Brandon Flowers’ vocal versatility
26:20 Adrian notes a couple of his favorite tracks from the album
29:09 Adrian and Al discuss their responses to songs that cover difficult topics
35:12 Adrian relates to the process The Killers went through making an album during the early part of the pandemic
40:00 Adrian compares the processes in making each of his first two solo albums
46:21 Adrian talks about working with Colin Linden as a producer
50:15 Adrian discusses the making of his video for “Precious”
52:29 Adrian explains why he is writing a book about growing up in Attawapiskat
55:53 Adrian talks about some other current and upcoming projects


Outro music is from “Precious” by Adrian Sutherland.
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Jazz bassist Mark Egan (Pat Metheny Group, Gil Evans Orchestra, Elements) introduces Al to John Coltrane’s 1965 classic A Love Supreme. Mark talks about how he first got acquainted with the album and why it’s a significant album for him personally. He discusses playing with devotional musician Krishna Das and how that connects with his affinity for A Love Supreme. Mark also talks about his experience of playing on Arcadia’s So Red the Rose, as well as the process of writing and recording his new album Cross Currents.


Keep up with Mark’s music releases and tours at markegan.com...
…Or check out Mark’s music on Bandcamp: https://markegan.bandcamp.com/.


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


1:35 Mark joins the show
2:02 Mark talks about the music he listened to in his teen years
5:31 Mark discusses the period where he first immersed himself in jazz
7:25 Mark explains how A Love Supreme changed his life
11:14 Mark highlights some unique aspects of the album
17:47 Mark explains how A Love Supreme influenced his musical development
24:01 Mark recommends Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a prerequisite to listening to A Love Supreme
27:06 Mark explains why he revisits jazz records over and over
30:55 How does Mark hear A Love Supreme when he listens to ti now?
33:14 Mark talks about the process of writing songs for Cross Currents with Shawn Pelton and Shane Theriot
40:51 Once the songs were written, Cross Currents came together quickly
43:29 Cross Currents also benefits from multiple listens
45:51 Mark talks about working on Arcadia’s So Red the Rose
58:04 Mark talks about his work with Krishna Das, and how it connects with A Love Supreme
1:05:17 An eclectic Boston radio station laid the foundation for Mark’s love of A Love Supreme


Outro music is from “Cross Currents” by Mark Egan.
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Superchunk guitarist Jim Wilbur joins Al and introduces him to The Triffids’ 1986 album Born Sandy Devotional. Jim talks about how he first heard the album when he was a college DJ, which tracks he gravitated towards and why he still listens to the album now. He and Al compare their impressions regarding both the album’s music and lyrics. Jim also discusses what’s in store for Superchunk in the coming months, including the Merge 35 Festival.


Keep up with Superchunk on Merge Records' website! https://www.mergerecords.com/artist/superchunk
Also be sure to check out their music on Bandcamp: https://superchunk.bandcamp.com/


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


1:16 Jim joins the show
2:01 Jim talks about discovering Born Sandy Devotional as a college DJ
4:31 The album almost defies description
7:40 Jim hears all of the album’s songs as relating to a single character
10:00 Jim talks about the connection between the Triffids and Nick Cave
11:49 Jim and Al make note of the lighter and darker sides of Born Sandy Devotional
14:57 Jim explains how the album reminds of him where he grew up
16:58 Jim talks about what it was like to DJ at a small college radio station
19:54 Jim recalls some other bands he played as a DJ
21:26 Jim extols the merits of listening to the album straight through


Discussion of specific tracks
23:19 The Seabirds
27:14 Tarrilup Bridge
30:00 Lonely Stretch
33:44 Life of Crime
35:10 Stolen Property


37:27 Jim shares his perspective on the role of David McComb’s lyrics
39:32 Jim talks about what gives Born Sandy Devotional a timeless quality
41:57 Jim’s relationship with rock music has changed over time
43:47 Jim explains why he likes to listen to classical music
45:36 Jim talks about David McComb’s difficult life
48:19 Jim recommends some other Triffids albums to check out
50:14 Al was surprised to see that Born Sandy Devotional was produced by Gil Norton
51:43 Jim provides an update on Superchunk’s upcoming recording and tour plans


Outro music is from “Everybody Dies” by Superchunk.
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This is the second of a two-part conversation with Washington, DC-based singer, guitarist and songwriter Mary Timony (Autoclave, Helium, Wild Flag, Ex Hex, solo). Mary talks about the difficult circumstances under which she made her new album, Untame the Tiger, and how her parents’ illnesses and deaths gave her a new perspective. She also discusses the experience of recording parts of the album on the legendary Sound City mixing board and working with drummer Dave Mattacks. Mary explains how writing songs as a member of Wild Flag has played a critical role in Ex Hex’s sound. (Her discussion of Ex Hex first appeared on Ep. 131.)


Give Mary a follow on Instagram (if you don’t already)! @marytimony
Also be sure to visit Mary’s website: marytimonymusic.com


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


0:52 Al’s introduction to Part 2 of the conversation with Mary
2:08 Mary explains how difficult circumstances led her to make Untame the Tiger
7:11 Mary talks about the people she worked with on the new album
12:35 Mary discusses making the album while dealing with her parents’ illnesses and deaths
16:54 Mary explains how that period helped her to put life into a different perspective
18:05 Mary talks about writing and playing with Ex Hex
20:40 The experience of writing songs for Wild Flag changed her songwriting process
24:58 Mary compares the two Ex Hex albums


Outro music is from “Dominoes” by Mary Timony.
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This is the first of a two-part conversation with indie rock singer, guitarist and songwriter Mary Timony (Autoclave, Helium, Wild Flag, Ex Hex, solo). In this episode, Mary introduces Al to Andy Pratt’s self-titled 1973 album. (In Part 2, Mary will discuss her soon-to-be-released solo album Untame the Tiger.) Mary discusses how she came to learn about Andy Pratt, which songs on the album are her favorites and why she thinks more people need to know about his music.


Give Mary a follow on Instagram (if you don’t already)! @marytimony
Also be sure to visit Mary’s website: marytimonymusic.com


Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/


1:13 Mary joins the show
1:44 Mary became fascinated with Andy Pratt’s story
5:39 The first seconds of Andy Pratt grabbed Mary and Al’s attention
7:45 Even before starting the conversation, Mary and Al knew they had some shared musical tastes
9:54 Mary has clear favorite tracks from the album
11:55 Mary doesn’t understand why Pratt’s music didn’t become more popular
13:44 Mary explains why she loves “Sittin’ Down in the Twilight”
15:12 Mary was impressed by the musicianship on the album
20:29 Mary and Al were both mesmerized by “Inside Me Wants Out”
23:16 Mary provides some background on Pratt’s career


Discussion of the album’s tracks
26:23 Avenging Annie
30:54 It’s All Behind You
37:26 Call Up That Old Friend
40:13 Give It All to Music
47:08 Who Am I Talking To


48:08 Is there such a thing as a perfect album?


51:46 All the King’s Weight
57:34 So Fine
59:09 Deer Song


1:00:31 It’s hard to pick the last song that goes on an album


Outro music is from “The Guest” by Mary Timony.
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