What Am I Making Podcast

What Am I Making
What Am I Making
  • 4.8 (20)
  • 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. 1d ago

    WAIM 182: Alt-Country Singer/Songwriter Lily Seabird

    “Sometimes life gets so dark, it starts to feel like a bad trip,” at least that’s how Lily Seabird reflects on the seasons that led to the making of her new record, Lightspheres on Their Way. Seabird’s third record in as many years deals in mortality and reverence for the innately human, piecing her troubadour-ish folk to a grungy rock sentimentality. Born from a period of reckoning and renewal, Seabird orients Lightspheres on Their Way around a holistic realism that buoys the spirit, with loose, earthy arrangements that meet intensity and depth with both twangy spaciousness and searing drive. As Seabird’s press release says, “Lightspheres on Their Way is a testament to the depths one can reach in their art when you stop trying to tell the story of what happened to you, and instead start talking about who you are.” Based in beautiful Burlington, VT, Seabird spends a wide swath of her time in motion, touring with her band across North America and Europe. Seabird and I discussed life on the road in 2026 as well as diving deeply into her hometown scene in Burlington, and discussing her new album. We also covered some of Seabird’s approach to songwriting, and the sonic evolution that she has been undergoing in recent years. So join me now for a conversation with one of the rising names in the alt-country movement, here are me and Lily Seabird. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Lily for joining me. You can find out all about her tour dates and recordings at https://lilyseabird.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

  2. 4d ago

    WAM 181: Hilary Saunders of ‘No Depression’ Magazine

    No Depression magazine was first launched by Grant Alden and Peter Blackstock in 1995 as a response to the burgeoning alt-country movement happening within American music. The magazine took its name from a Carter Family tune that had been covered by seminal alt-country act Uncle Tupelo on their first LP. For the last three decades, No Depression has been at the vanguard of American roots music, combining in-depth historical features that explore the fascinating history of Americana with regular reporting on the most exciting things happening in today’s world of alt-country. No Depression published gorgeous print editions from 1995 to 2008 when the recession and the rising print costs forced Alden, Blackstock and publisher, Kyla Fairchild to make the magazine an online only entity. For five years, the site was a community run entity with no paid editors or writers, all organized by Fairchild and community editor, Kim Ruehl. By 2015, the community run version of the site was so successful that the magazine launched a series of in-depth pieces by Ruehl, and a few other writers. This set the groundwork for the newest phase of the magazine, a non-profit membership based model now spearheaded by Managing Editor, Hilary Saunders. Hilary joined me in the Sheddio talk about the history of No Depression and its place within the halls of American roots music. We cover the crucial need for journalism and photography within a music scene, and hit upon the enduring power of the printed word, whether on paper or online. There is also talk of cultural gatekeeping, as Hilary and I break down the place that the music critic still has in a world where every record ever made is accessible at the push of a button. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to HIlary for joining me. You can find out all about the amazing work she is doing at https://nodepression.org/ 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

  3. Sep 7

    WAIM 180: Aaron Lee Tasjan

    Aaron Lee Tasjan was experiencing the worst bout of imposter syndrome of his career when he sat down and wrote Todd Snider a vulnerable email asking for advice. Tasjan, despite writing and recording some of the most astute Americana rock songs of the last decade and being nominated for a Grammy, just didn’t see a future for an independent singer, songwriter, and guitarist like himself. Snider read Tasjan’s email and immediately replied: “I think I have some ideas. I’ll write you back tomorrow.” The next morning, Tasjan awoke to a signature Todd Snider missive for how to move forward as an artist. It was a novel-length email that read like the battle plans for the Invasion of Normandy. The exact specifics don’t matter, but Tasjan devoured his mentor’s words and took them to heart. Within Snider’s email, he reminded Tasjan that, “Songs are like mantras — you’ve got to say them every night,” Tasjan recalls Snider challenging him. “So, what’s in there that you’re repeating every night?” In response to Snider’s query, Tasjan began writing feverishly, unbothered by expectations and immune to any pressure to match his acclaimed albums like In the Blazes, and Karma for Cheap. By the time he had finished, Tasjan had Get Over It, Underdog, his most inspiring LP to date. Produced by Tasjan and his longtime sound engineer Mark Miller, the album is a celebration of the power of songwriting, the unbreakable bond of friendship, and the determination of the dark horse. During our conversation, Aaron and I covered his family’s circuitous moves around the country before settling outside Columbus, OH. We hit upon the diverse music scene within Nashville that extends far beyond country music. Tasjan describes records as being something like a mirror for listeners, leading us to further conversation about the ways in which Aaron connects emotionally with his fanbase. There is also talk of writing bad songs to get to the good ones, as well finding a way to allow our creative selves to be driven by the soul and not the ego. It’s all of this and so much more with me and Aaron Lee Tasjan. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Aaron for joining me. You can find out all about his music, find tour dates and more at his website https://www.aaronleetasjan.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

  4. Sep 4

    WAIM 179: Country Singer/Songwriter Arlo McKinley

    Growing up just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, Arlo McKinley soaked up a hardcore midwestern outlook on the world; one filled with hard work, humble hopes, and good manners. The McKinley family instilled a deep love of country music in young Arlo. The church choir provided some early singing lessons, and eventually McKinley picked up a guitar and slowly learned to pen his own songs. As Arlo developed his own songwriting voice, he eventually found a legendary mentor in John Prine, who signed McKinley to Oh Boy! Records in 2014. Die Midwestern, McKinley’s second album was released in 2020 to critical acclaim. Fader magazine called the album, “... a raw but perfectly balanced album laced with existential crises, addictions, and world-weary resilience.” The songs on Die Midwestern are littered with raw, personal stories that come straight from the life of Arlo McKinley. During our conversation, Arlo and I talked about life on the road in 2026, focusing on his desire to tour in a slower, and calmer manner, which led to further discussion about the temptations of the road and the expectation from fans for the performer to party. We also unpacked some of Arlo’s songwriting practices, and we hit upon the way that grief creeps into a songwriter’s work. We have got all of that and more with the terrific Arlo McKinley. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Arlo for joining me. You can find out all about his music, find tour dates and more at his website https://www.arlomckinley.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

  5. Aug 31

    WAIM 178: Charlotte Cornfield

    Charlotte Cornfield was raised amidst culture, music, and art in Toronto. Born to a pair of artistically inclined parents, Charlotte was immersed with classical, jazz, and folk albums from birth. She fell in love early with Joni Mitchell, and the deeply involved stories that lay beneath Mitchell’s gorgeous voice. Eventually, Charlotte began playing and writing her own songs while also exploring the vast history of roots music and the legacy and influence of Canadian greats like Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. By high school, Cornfield was leading a band and performing her own songs. Over the intervening two decades, Charlotte has refined her songwriting and honed her sonic approach, culminating in her newest full length record, Hurts Like Hell. The album is Cornfield’s first release since the birth of her daughter in 2023. During our conversation, we chatted openly about the challenges that Charlotte faces as a mother trying to navigate the world of indie rock. She shares the story of the touring mothers support group chat that she is a part of, which has provided her with a huge network of resources and support since her daughter’s birth. Charlotte and I also talked at length about the ways that she approaches storytelling in her own songwriting, and we geek out over the gloriously awesome Canadian power pop band Sloan. We also talk about the rising tide of so many talented women right now in the world of alt-country and roots music, a phenomenon that Charlotte suggests is largely happening due to the influence and example of the great Lucinda Williams. There is a lot to unpack here. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Charlotte for joining me. You can find out all about her music, find tour dates and more at her website https://charlottecornfield.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

  6. Aug 28

    WAIM 177: Independent Filmmaker Tommy Nickoloff

    Tommy Nickoloff never set out to be a filmmaker. Growing up in the narrow world of Lorain, Ohio just outside of Cleveland, the arts were something other people did in other places. In Lorain, you worked, you took care of your family, and you did what was expected. Nickoloff’s childhood friend Jason Molina refused to accept that path for himself. From the get go, Nickoloff remembers Molina as something of a different breed, possessing a rare bravery that allowed him to chart his own path. In high school, both Nickoloff and Molina were encouraged by teachers and counselors to go away to college and get out of Lorain. Nickoloff set off across the country, while Molina commuted just a few miles down the road to Oberlin College, which might have been geographically close, but it was a cultural haven miles away to a boy from Lorain. Jason Molina would go on to lead the bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Company, which were both anchored by his titanic songwriting. For close to twenty years, Molina cranked out some of the most literate rock and roll of the last half century, until his untimely death at the age of 39. Despite such an early exit, Molina left behind a massive catalog that includes more than 15 studio albums as well as a slew of singles, EPs, and live recordings. Encouraged by a friend to tell Jason’s story, Nickoloff set out to recapture his youth with Jason Molina. The new documentary, You F*****s Figure It Out is an intimate look at the youths of Molina and Nickoloff. The film paints a vivid portrait of growing up in the post-industrial landscape of northern Ohio at the height of the Reagan era. Tommy and I began talking so quickly that we got ten minutes into the chat before I realized I had not yet hit record. Because of this production gaffe, we missed some of our initial conversation that sets up the relationship between Tommy and Jason. Additionally, we will talk about Jason’s first band, The Spineriders a few times, but the context for that was also lost in the un-taped segment. Regardless, this is an amazing conversation of how Tommy Nickoloff set out to honor the story of his friend and in the end wound up finding his own purpose and path as a filmmaker. Art breeds art, my friends. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Tommy for joining me. You can find out all about his new documentary at https://www.yffio.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

  7. Aug 24

    WAIM 176: Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ & Cryin’

    Kevin Kinney has been singing for himself for more than forty years now. You are welcome to sit and listen, but Kevin will still be singing songs, even if no one else is there to hear them. Kinney first formed Drivin’ & Cryin in the mid-1980s, on a foundation of jangle, grit, and honest storytelling. Kevin describes the band as a “quasi political self help garage rock band.” Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kinney fell hard for rock and roll at an early age. As a teenager he co-founded a local music zine called The Shepherd Express, and began playing in various bands around town. By the time high school had ended, Kinney was looking for options outside of the confines of Milwaukee, and made his way down to Atlanta where he would eventually start Drivin’ & Cryin’. After more than four decades as the head of Drivin’ & Cryin’, Kevin Kinney is just now learning to get better at being himself. He no longer feels the need to prove his worth to others in the industry, saying, “I am not f*****g auditioning anymore. I am presenting.” This newfound confidence has been borne out in the form of Drivin’ & Cryin’s terrific new record, Crushing Flowers. During our conversation, Kevin and I chat about his long career, including many of the big names with whom he has collaborated. We cover his Wisconsin childhood, the evolution of his songwriting, and Kevin even shares the beautiful story of the song on the new album about his mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s. In addition to a tremendously thoughtful and fulsome discussion, Kevin even shares a brand new song that he wrote for a veteran’s group to help prevent suicide amongst military vets. There is a whole bunch packed into this one. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Kevin for joining me. You can find out all about his work at https://www.drivinncryin.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

  8. Aug 21

    WAIM 175: Kerry Alexander of Bad Bad Hats

    Kerry Alexander takes full advantage of being out on the road as a touring musician. Despite nearly fifteen years touring in her band, Bad Bad Hats, Alexander is still always on the lookout for the next grand adventure, or seeking out a meal worth remembering. Alexander and her bandmates see touring not just as an opportunity to see America, but as a chance to genuinely experience this country and all that it has to offer. Although she was born in the Twin Cities, Kerry Alexander spent the bulk of her formative years in the south, splitting time between Alabama and Florida. By the age of 13, Alexander had begun teaching herself guitar, an endeavor which quickly led to writing her own songs. Kerry returned to the Minneapolis/St. Paul region to attend school at McAllister College. While at McAllister, Alexander began sharing her songs on MySpace, leading to her to meet Chris Hoge, a fellow sophomore also sharing his original songs. Almost immediately, the pair began collaborating musically, and struck up a romantic relationship. Alexander and Hoge, now married, still remain the creative center of Bad Bad Hats. During our conversation, Kerry and I covered her early forays into music and songwriting, including that first MySpace encounter with Chris. We discussed the ways to find joy and excitement while touring the roads of America, including how Bad Bad Hats make the most of their tour rider funds to sample the best cuisine that each city has to offer. We also discussed the intimate glory of house concerts, the wages of online self-promotion, and we even looked at how Alexander runs her band just like a business. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Kerry for joining me. You can find out all about Kerry and her work at https://www.badbadhats.com/ and you can snag her terrific records 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

See All (196)

4.8
out of 5
20 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