What Am I Making Podcast

What Am I Making
  • 5.0 (15)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 whatamimaking.substack.com

  1. 20H AGO

    WAIM #135: Pete Ganbarg

    By the time he was in middle school, Pete Ganbarg could spot a hit song. While the rest of his peers were dancing and hanging out with girls while the music played, Ganbarg wondered if what he was listening to was “a hit. Perhaps even more peculiarly, Pete was obsessed with why something was a hit or not. Since that moment, Pete Ganbarg has been fixated on what really makes up a hit song. As he points out in our talk, just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it’s great. And, in much the same way, just because something is great, doesn’t mean that it will become popular. Ganbarg has spent his adult life and his whole career trying to thread the needle, seeking out acts that are both great, and that have the potential to be a smash success. Ganbarg fell into an A & R job almost by accident. His taste and his confidence in what he liked and why impressed a record executive enough to offer him a job. That coincidental hire led to a sixteen year career at Atlantic Records, where Ganbarg oversaw some of the most commercially successful albums of the CD era. With his vast experience and impressive rolodex, Ganbarg began working on Rock & Roll High School, his terrific podcast that features interviews with folks from across the musical spectrum about both their work and their lives. The show, now in its fifth season, delicately balances the hidden stories of artists, and their work, while also offering a window into the mind and life of a wide range of great musicians. During our conversation, Ganbarg and I cover one of the great regrets of his A & R career, and we hit upon why knowing the history of rock and roll is still crucial for young people entering the music business. Pete also explains why curation and taste are even more important in the age of the algorithm. A quick production; I had some Zoom connection issues during my chat with Pete. There will be a choppy edit or two, but it’s nothing that will distract from the conversation. So, here now are me and the A& R legend that is Pete Ganbarg. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C -------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Pete for joining me. You can find his terrific podcast, Rock & Roll High School wherever you get your pods, or at https://www.rockschoolpodcast.com/ The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min

  2. 4D AGO

    WAIM #134: Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver

    Jessica Dobson began showing off her musical acumen before she could read chapter books. On a car ride as a very young child, Jessica sang along with the radio, as many kids do. However, instead of singing along with the lead melody, Jessica sang her own harmony part with the recording. Her mother was understandably stunned. With encouragement from her family, especially a “rock and roll” aunt, Dobson learned to play guitar, largely eschewing traditional lessons for a more didactic path. As her abilities and talents grew, Jessica began dabbling with the act of songwriting and slowly started building her own unique voice. Dobson began to blossom as a guitar player, approaching the fretboard with a fierce combination of raw talent and deep focus. Eventually, Dobson formed Deep Sea Diver with drummer Peter Mansen. The project was built around Jessica’s songs, her powerful voice, and her brilliant guitar playing. Around the same time that Deep Sea Diver formed, Jessica landed a gig playing in Beck’s live band on the massive Modern Guilt tour. On the heels of the formation of her new band and touring with Beck, Dobson found a new home as a member of The Shins, touring with the band for close to three years. In 2013, Jessica left the Shins to pursue Deep Sea Diver full time. Since the band’s inception, Deep Sea Diver have released four albums and a trio of EPs. Over the course of the band’s history it is easy to see the evolution of Dobson and her songwriting. With each successive record, Deep Sea Diver have become more confident and more self-assured. During our chat, Jessica and I take a long look at the path to today, both musically and personally. We cover the depths of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Dobson shares the personal story of the difficult false starts involved in making the most recent Deep Sea Diver album, Billboard Heart. Jessica shares how a Wim Wenders film inspired her in the process of making the newest album, and she teaches us how to live with our antennas up. This is a fascinating conversation about self-discovery, intuition, artistic faith, and the path to finding your own voice. Let’s get into it. Cheers, Matty C ----------------- Thanks so much to Jessica for joining me. You can find her work in Deep Sea Diver wherever you get your music. Please remember to buy local or direct from the artist whenever possible. The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 6m

  3. MAR 27

    WAIM #133: Dan Nordheim from 'Life Of The Record'

    Dan Nordheim’s amazing podcast Life Of The Record is a treasure trove for record nerds like me. On each episode, Dan focuses on one important album in the annals of rock history. But these episodes are far more than a simple academic rehash of famous records and rock star exploits. Nordheim conducts in depth interviews with the people that made these records to get the truth of where these artists were in their personal and professional lives when they made these groundbreaking albums. The stories told on Life Of The Record come directly from the mouths of the folks who lived it. There are no talking heads or historical perspectives, just first person accounts of what really happened. Nordheim deftly weaves his excellent interview footage with song snippets to create a gorgeous aural history. For his part, Nordheim takes a behind the scenes approach. His voice only appears on the pod during the intro, allowing him to remove even his own persona from the finished product, letting the record and the artist stand on their own terms. Life Of The Record’s impressive catalog now features more than 60 episodes that play like full length audio documentaries. During that run, Nordheim has helped to share the fascinating stories behind records from beloved acts like Tom Petty, A Tribe Called Quest, Bonnie Prince Billy, Richard & Linda Thompson, My Morning Jacket, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and many more. In cataloging these stories, Nordheim is preserving a wide swath of rock history in audio form. Every episode and interview offers a wealth of information, insight, and enlightenment about some of your favorite albums of all time. So, come join me and Dan Nordheim for a dive into how some of the greatest LPs of all time were constructed, and some of the lessons that have been learned along the way. Let’s get into it. Cheers, Matty C ----------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Dan for joining me. You can find his podcast, Life Of The Record at https://lifeoftherecord.com/ or wherever you get your pods. The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  4. MAR 23

    WAIM #132: Matt Caughthran

    Matt Caughthran is a true child of Los Angeles. Growing up on the city’s east side, Caughthran was immersed in the Latino culture that permeated his neighborhood. Within his working class confines, Matt learned to skate at an early age and quickly became fascinated with the world of hardcore and the power of rock and roll. By the time, Caughthran was in his early 20’s, he was already fronting the boisterous punk outfit, El Bronx. After several years together, El Bronx hit a bit of a creative wall. During our chat, Matt shares the story of the how the music blaring from a nearby car wash gave Matt and his bandmates the courage to recontextualize their songwriting. Through that moment of sonic intervention, El Bronx began to shift, at least in part, into Maricahi El Bronx, a makeshift mariachi band with hardcore undertones. Mariachi is a musical style steeped in history and tradition, so much so that very few new songs are added to the Mariachi canon. Caughthran and his bandmates had no idea that they were breaking long established rules. They wrote new songs, with English lyrics that still deeply evoke the themes and sounds of the style. Matt describes how the band became students of the artform, while remaining unafraid to play the music in their own way. Caughthran and I dive deeply into the cultural heritage and longstanding traditions of Mariachi. Furthermore, we explore the place for a a gaggle of gringos to insert their ideas and opinions into the style. The Mariachi community has welcomed Mariachi El Bronx with open arms. The band have developed a close relationship with Jorge Tello, a master tailor famous for his bespoke Mariachi suits. Matt and I talk about the way the band have been welcomed into ths world, and how their journey has given the band the opportunity to help shepherd the history and culture of this historic music, and the wonderful people who make it. Matt and I talk about making the new album from Mariachi El Bronx, 4, which is another gorgeous tile in the mosaic of mariachi. The record was made in the shadow of loss and grief as several tragedies befell the band while they were in the recording process, including the traumatic fires that raged across Los Angeles in January of 2025. There is also talk about the power and protest involved in playing a Mexican style of music during our current administration, and the ongoing war on people of Latino origin. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------ End Credits Thanks so much to Matt for joining me. You can find his work in Mariachi El Bronx and El Bronx wherever you get your music. Remember to buy local or direct from the artist whenever possible. The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 4m

  5. MAR 20

    WAIM #131: Shana Cleveland

    It almost seems that Shana Cleveland was destined to be a singer and a songwriter. Her parents first met when her Dad was playing in a western swing band. Even after their marriage and Shana’s birth, her parents both continued to play in a variety of bar bands and cover outfits. Growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Cleveland had always dreamed of getting out. Her childhood had been happy and filled with music, but for some reason, another place was calling. After high school, Shana settled in Chicago to study at Columbia College. Following two years in Columbia’s photography department, Shana changed her major, at least in part because of rising camera and darkroom costs. Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree, Shana moved to the Valley near Los Angeles with an aunt and uncle. While her initial view of LA was not too rosy, the spot served as a stepping stone for her next move to Seattle where Cleveland started her first band, The Curious Mystery. During our chat, Shana describes the shift from The Curious Mystery to her current outfit La Luz, a sunny, surfy quartet channeling some of the very best sounds in 21st century rock music. Shana describes how she wanted La Luz to be joyful and even accessible for everyone; a goal she has fulfilled in spades. Openly discussing the myriad barriers that still exist within the music industry for women and artists of color, Cleveland wonders what sort of opportunities might be available were she not a woman of color. Come join me for a conversation that covers the glories of nature, the realities of indie rock touring, creating the perfect recording environment, and writing songs in the sun. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C--------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Shana for joining me. You can find her work in La Luz and as a solo artist wherever you get your music. Remember to buy local or direct from the artist whenever possible. The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  6. MAR 16

    WAIM #130: Jay Buchanan

    You most likely know Jay Buchanan as the showstopping frontman for the boisterous rock outfit, Rival Sons, He has held that title for the better part of two decades. During that time, Buchanan and his band have built a huge worldwide following, and collaborated with some of the true luminaries within the spheres of Americana and rock music. In recent years, Jay has even dipped his toe into the acting world with a role in the 2025 biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Still, after all of that, something seemed to be missing.  So, without a plan, Jay Buchanan went to the desert to create deliberately. Unsure exactly what he was chasing creatively, Buchanan connected with an old friend to borrow a windowless bunker in the expanse of the Mojave Desert. It was in this isolated environment that Jay set to work writing a series of songs that would become his first solo album, Weapons Of Beauty. That record, which often presents a different musical and lyrical side to Buchanan’s work in Rival Sons, is an unfiltered ten song collection that beautifully captures Buchanan’s raw vocals and lived-in storytelling. During our chat, Jay discusses his time in the desert, as well as the experimentation and faith that were required to complete Weapons Of Beauty. He even admits that as he boarded a plane to record the album, he had no idea whether or not his ideas and his songs would be good enough to pull him through. Day by day, and song by song, he built the record with producer and longtime collaborator, Dave Cobb, still never sure how successful the end results might be.  This conversation also includes a fair amount of heady discussion and introspection. Jay shares his love of Transcendental Meditation and also declares that joy is a choice to be defended. We cover the limitations of living in the middle of what we’ve begun calling “The Technological Choke”, and we talk about running through life with a child's wonder. There is discussion of the joys and lessons of parenting, and the pursuit to maintain something of a tumbleweed lifestyle.  This conversation actually happened in two parts. Jay and I had a chat for about thirty minutes when we were cut short by a family emergency. Thankfully, everything at home was all good, and Jay and I were able to reconnect a week or so later. As such, this chat is a bit longer than normal, but I assure you that it’s worth every second. Join me now for a broad and absorbing conversation about finding the magic that is there to be seen out there.  Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C --------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Jay for joining me. Be sure to grab his new solo record, Weapons Of Beauty now wherever you get your music.  The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 29m

  7. MAR 9

    WAIM #129: Music Writer Will Hermes

    Will Hermes grew up at the epicenter of cool. Coming of age in Queens during the mid-to-late 1970’s, Will was faced with a binary choice; head east and go out further out on Long Island to find a life of quiet, comfort and suburban tranquility, or head west and venture into the intimidating wild of Manhattan. Without a second thought, Hermes opted for the gritty, mean streets of the city and found himself witness to the burgeoning scenes happening all throughout Manhattan and the other boroughs in the late 1970s and early 80s. Will saw Television at the famed club, CBGB’s shortly after the band released their infamous debut album, Marquee Moon. Hermes also attended a ton of other shows within the vaunted NY punk and no-wave scenes as well as making forays into the city’s Latin music scene, early hip hop, jazz, and more. Almost since he first fell in love with the New York music scene Will became entranced by writing about what he was hearing and seeing. His terrific tastes and his way with words have led to his work with vaunted outlets such as The New York Times, National Public Radio, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Pitchfork, Uncut Magazine, and more. He has also published a pair of terrific books, Lou Reed: King of New York, and Love Goes To Buildings On Fire, a story of five years in the New York music scene of the 1970s. During our roving discussion, Will and I explore his old New York haunts a bit while also focusing on the here and now of the musical world. Will shares his recent affection for Latin Pop which is having a real moment right now behind the momentum of Bad Bunny Super Bowl appearance, and singer Rosalia, who just sold out a series of shows at Madison Square Garden. Will and I also delve into the place where we sit in our current cultural and musical ecosystem. We explore the value and role of the critic in an era when fans can hear anything they want to for no additional cost than a Spotify membership. There is talk of the influence of the algorithm and how it affects our relationships with criticism and with curation. And, we discuss the ways in which our criticism and conversations about music have changed, simply by shifting the way we listen to music. There is also talk of focusing on the culture at the fringe and what that can tell us about what might be the next zeitgeist. Will and I discuss the oppressive nature of mass culture, and even explore the value and excitement of cultural curation in an age of endless information. Here are a pair of music nerds talking about how much great music is still being made, how tough it can still be to find it, and why it all matters now more than ever. Cheers, Matty C ------------------------ End Credits Thanks so much to Will for joining me. Be sure to subscribe to his great Substack, New Music Is Old Music at https://newmusicoldmusic.substack.com/ The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.  You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 11m

  8. MAR 2

    WAIM #128: Paul Kean of The Bats

    The legendary band, The Bats, and its bass player, Paul Kean could only have come from New Zealand. Paul Kean grew up in a seemingly out of the way place, and was raised by truly extraordinary parents. Paul’s father was a born performer, and he could often be found at the piano leading the family and guests in song after dinner had finished. He was also an adept ventriloquist, often showing off a different side of his personality through the veil of the dummy. Paul’s mother had been an emigre from England who bravely came to New Zealand to begin anew after life in the UK had failed to fulfill its promise. Paul shares his early remembrances of a childhood in New Zealand that feels both idyllic and palpably real. There are glimpses of his earliest memories of film and music, including a visit to the cinema to witness rock and roll come to life in the form of Bill Hailey and The Comets. With a mother that Paul claims was always trying to climb the social ladder, the family moved from house to house with regularity. Paul believes this itinerant lifestyle helped to build his resilience and prepare him for life as a touring musician, even though the family’s fortunes did not always match with his mother’s ambitions. The influence of the port in the Christchurch area where Paul grew up, had an enormous impact on the music, movies and even musical instruments that the locals could get their hands on. Taxes on instrument imports at the time were quite high and foreign sailors would often sell guitars, basses, and other gear to locals off the books to avoid the import tariffs. During our chat, Paul shares his impressions of being in the same band for 40 years, and how he feels that The Bats have evolved both in their sound and in their approach to life as musicians. On March 6, the band will resume their biggest tour of New Zealand in decades. This is a charming, and heartfelt conversation with a gentle soul who also happened to help shape one of the most important scenes in the history of indie rock. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C----------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Paul for joining me. You can find out all about his work in The Bats at https://thebats.co.nz/  The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.  Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.  Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show. You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
See All (148)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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 whatamimaking.substack.com

Information

More From What Am I Making

You Might Also Like