162. Joe Adragna Discusses Sloan, Pretty Together

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Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Joe Adragna of The Junior League makes a return visit to YMAAA to talk about Sloan’s 2001 album Pretty Together. (Joe was also the guest on Ep 49, on which he discussed The Monkees’ Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.) Joe explains how he first got into Sloan and why the Canadian band is one of his favorites. He also talks about Sloan’s approach to songwriting and collaboration, and he breaks down what he enjoys about several of the album’s tracks. Joe explains why he released his recent Junior League EP Nattering Nabobs and new album Our Broadcast Day separately and discusses the vibe he was aiming for in these latest recordings.

Want to listen to or buy Joe’s music? Head on over to the Junior League Bandcamp page, https://thejuniorleague.bandcamp.com/, the Kool Kat Music website, koolkatmusik.com, or any of the usual streaming places.

Also, be sure to follow Joe on social media!

Instagram and Threads: @thejuniorleague

Facebook: @thejrleague

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/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.

1:15 Joe joins the show

2:04 Joe talks about the Sloan song that was his entry point into the band's music

4:28 Joe has helped a lot of people become fans of Sloan

5:48 Joe talks about the division of songwriting among Sloan’s four members

10:53 It’s not easy to pick a favorite song or album from your favorite band

12:36 The members of Sloan will sometimes contribute to songs in unexpected ways

15:54 Joe talks about the experience of seeing Sloan live

Discussion of individual tracks:

19:24 The Other Man

24:16 I Love a Long Goodbye

25:11 Life of a Working Girl

28:42 Are You Giving Me Back My Love?

32:12 Your Dreams Have Come True

35:36 It’s In Your Eyes

36:54 If It Feels Good Do It

39:07 Who You Talkin’ To?

40:35 Joe talks about the process of writing melodic, accessible songs

48:59 “In the Movies” is an example of how Sloan successfully integrates different musical elements

54:40 Joe’s concluding thoughts about Pretty Together

56:16 Why is Joe releasing Nattering Nabobs and Our Broadcast Day separately?

58:57 Which came first: the Our Broadcast Day cover art or the title track?

1:00:45 Our Broadcast Day reminds Al of a specific year

1:03:36 Joe talks about the collaborators who worked with him on Our Broadcast Day

1:06:01 Joe mentions some upcoming live dates

Outro music is from “This Concludes Our Broadcast Day” by the Junior League.

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