B-Side Breakdown

Brett Johnson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it. Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium. I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond. Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!

  1. E48 - "Upside Down" by Battery Eyes with Johnny and Andrew

    FEB 2

    E48 - "Upside Down" by Battery Eyes with Johnny and Andrew

    In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with Johnny Laberda from Battery Eyes and Andrew Cahak of Unstable Shapes about “Upside Down,” a collaborative track that stretches beyond both bands’ usual comfort zones. Born from a casual conversation at Minneapolis mainstay Mortimer’s, the song evolved into one of the most anthemic and stylistically distinct moments on Battery Eyes’ upcoming album zero three. The discussion digs into the song’s “Frankenstein” creation process—written separately, then stitched together through trust rather than traditional co-writing—and how shared vocals were designed to blur identity and perspective. Johnny and Andrew unpack the song’s central idea of reframing situations, looking at problems from new angles, and embracing found interpretation over fixed meaning. The episode also highlights the importance of scene-level collaboration, thoughtful studio production, and why “Upside Down” feels just as much about creative process as it does about the lyrics themselves. Follow Battery Eyes: https://batteryeyes.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/batteryeyes Follow Unstable Shapes: https://unstableshapes.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/unstableshapes Follow Cloudland: https://www.instagram.com/cloudlandtheater https://www.cloudlandtheater.com/ Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story. Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #JohnnyLaberda #BatteryEyes #AndrewCahak #UnstableShapes #UpsideDown #ZeroThree #MinneapolisMusic #Collaboration #CreativeProcess #CloudlandTheater #BSideBreakdown #BrettJamesJohnson #MusicPodcast

    44 min
  2. E47 - "Through The Shadows" by Dead History with David Jarnstrom

    FEB 2

    E47 - "Through The Shadows" by Dead History with David Jarnstrom

    In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with David Jarnstrom of Minneapolis post-hardcore stalwarts Dead History to talk about “Through the Shadows,” a standout track from the band’s 2025 album Departures. Built around an initial guitar idea from Matt Rezac, the song took a long and winding path to completion—nearly left behind before emerging as one of the record’s most spacious, groove-driven moments. David walks through the tension between restraint and power in the song’s arrangement, the intentional use of space and feel, and why it occupies such a unique place on the album. The conversation also touches on the song’s impressionistic lyrics, personal interpretations shaped by life in post-George Floyd Minneapolis, and the sense of endurance and rebuilding that runs quietly beneath the surface. With Departures likely marking a closing chapter for Dead History, this episode reflects on creative maturity, community, and seeing something through—even when it’s hard. Follow Dead History: https://deadhistorymn.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/deadhistoryband Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story. Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #DavidJarnstrom #DeadHistory #ThroughTheShadows #Departures #MinneapolisMusic #PostHardcore #Shoegaze #CreativeProcess #BSideBreakdown #BrettJamesJohnson #MusicPodcast

    57 min
  3. E46 - "Teenager" by Killing Stares with Brad Gunnarson

    FEB 2

    E46 - "Teenager" by Killing Stares with Brad Gunnarson

    In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with Brad Gunnarson—better known around the Twin Cities as B-Gun—to unpack “Teenager,” a Deftones cover recorded under the project name Killing Stares. Originally appearing on White Pony, the song was reimagined for For the Song You Saved, a community-driven Deftones tribute benefiting Oasis for Youth. Brad talks through the long-held idea behind Killing Stares: assembling one-off lineups of musicians who don’t normally play together and letting instinct guide the process. With Zac Boyd (johnnyrook) on acoustic guitar, Nick Larsen (ExactlyNo) on drums, and Callie from Dadbod on vocals, the track came together quickly and intentionally—sparse, emotional, and respectful of the original while still feeling personal.  The conversation also traces Brad’s decades in the Minneapolis–St. Paul music scene, his philosophy of “put out records with your friends,” and how this project reflects the power of community, timing, and doing things the right way. Follow Killing Stares: https://forthesongyousaved.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/killingstares https://www.oasisforyouth.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cardinalsunrecords Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story. Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #KillingStares #Teenager #BradGunnarson #BGun #Deftones #WhitePony #ForTheSongYouSaved  #OasisForYouth #TwinCitiesMusic #CommunityOverCompetition #BenefitCompilation #BSideBreakdown #BrettJamesJohnson #MusicPodcast

    1h 11m
  4. E45 - "The Walk To Heartwood" by The Jukebox Romantics with James and Terry

    FEB 2

    E45 - "The Walk To Heartwood" by The Jukebox Romantics with James and Terry

    Brett Johnson sits down with James and Terry of The Jukebox Romantics (Downstate NY) to talk about “The Walk to Heartwood” — a heartfelt standout from their 2025 full-length, This One Looks Cool. Equal parts punk gratitude and FEST devotion, the song is a self-described “love letter to Heartwood Soundstage” and the Gainesville DIY scene. Built around themes of chosen family, emotional return, and saying yes to the chaos, the track blends urgency and joy without a hint of sarcasm. James and Terry open up about writing from the heart, embracing vulnerability, and chasing authenticity over polish. From late-night singalongs to post-pandemic reconnections, this one’s for the lifers. Follow The Jukebox Romantics: https://thejukeboxromantics.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxromantics https://www.selltheheartrecords.com https://www.instagram.com/selltheheartrecords https://www.instagram.com/thefestfl/ https://linktr.ee/thefest Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story. Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #TheWalkToHeartwood #ThisOneLooksCool #TheJukeboxRomantics #bsidebreakdown #threecrowsclub #brettjamesjohnson #musicpodcast #FEST #punkrockfamily #HeartwoodSoundstage

    1h 7m
  5. E44 - "Feedback City" by and with Too Late, But Still

    JAN 31

    E44 - "Feedback City" by and with Too Late, But Still

    In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with members of Too Late, But Still about “Feedback City,” a standout track from their 2025 EP Night Songs. The conversation traces how the song came together organically in the room, shaped less by traditional structure and more by evolving movements and shared instincts. Lyrically, “Feedback City” pulls directly from lived experience—tour memories, found objects, small personal details, and moments of humor and reflection that give the song its emotional weight. The band discusses their collaborative approach, their preference for short, focused releases over full-length albums, and why each song feels like a Polaroid of a specific moment in time. The episode also touches on creative freedom, resisting algorithm-driven expectations, and how trust between band members allows the music to unfold naturally without forcing it. Follow Too Late, But Still: https://toolatebutstill.bandcamp.com/ https://instagram.com/toolatebutstill Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story. Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #FeedbackCity #TooLateButStill #bsidebreakdown #threecrowsclub #brettjamesjohnson #NightSongs #minneapolismusic #posthardcore #musicpodcast

    52 min
  6. E43 - "Goodbye Before You Go" by Banquets with Travis Omilian

    JAN 3

    E43 - "Goodbye Before You Go" by Banquets with Travis Omilian

    Brett Johnson sits down with Travis Omilian of Banquets (Jersey City, NJ) to talk about “Goodbye Before You Go” — a stirring track from the band’s first album in over a decade, Petty Relics. What started in 2010 as a group of friends making melodic punk with a wink (a band named after a beer, a debut 7" titled This Is Our Concern, Dude) has grown into something far deeper. Across Top Button, Bottom Shelf and their self-titled follow-up, Banquets built a reputation for tight arrangements, anthemic energy, and lyrical introspection that lingered longer than the last chord. Now, after ten years of silence, Petty Relics marks not just a return, but a reckoning. “Goodbye Before You Go” is a standout — a meditation on love, loss, and letting go that captures the band’s matured voice. Travis opens up about writing from a place of deep personal meaning, about what it takes to reconnect with your sound after a decade, and why this particular goodbye needed a melody. With lines like “Say I am better to have known” and “We won’t catch lightning like you again,” the song delivers both a farewell and a benediction — a moment of gratitude wrapped in grit. There’s a quiet ache beneath the melodic lift, a layered balance of hope, hurt, and reflection that few bands in this genre ever touch. Be sure to show your support on Bancamp Friday and connect with them on IG to stay connected.  Keep up with Banquets at: https://banquetshq.com https://www.instagram.com/banquetshq https://banquets.bandcamp.com/ Thank you for your continued support! Brett Johnson Host, B-Side Breakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown #GoodbyeBeforeYouGo #Banquets #TravisOmilian #bsidebreakdown #threecrowsclub #brettjamesjohnson #musicpodcast

    41 min
  7. E42 - "Unrest" by Kind Skies wtih Chris Boss & Mitch Snyder

    11/14/2025

    E42 - "Unrest" by Kind Skies wtih Chris Boss & Mitch Snyder

    Kind Skies is a great band from Lexington, KY. They do things their way, authentically and organically, and allow things to unfold as they do. I caught up with Chris on the first segment of the episode then the rest of the band showed up for the second. It was great to chat with them and deep dive into their track "Unrest" that comes off their August 2025 release, "Echo". Be sure to show your support on Bancamp Friday and connect with them on IG to stay connected.  Keep up with Kind Skies at: https://kindskies.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kindskiesband #Unrest #KindSkies #ChrisBoss #MitchSnyder #bsidebreakdown #threecrowsclub #brettjamesjohnson #musicpodcast

    37 min
  8. E41 - "All I Need" by ExactlyNo with Nick and Ted

    10/15/2025

    E41 - "All I Need" by ExactlyNo with Nick and Ted

    Finally got a chance to talk with ExactlyNo, one of my favorite bands from Minneapolis, MN about their single, “All I Need”.  Known for their big, dynamic sound—explosive drums, guitars that double as riffs and atmosphere, and vocals that carry both raw edge and melodic intention—ExactlyNo push their sonic boundaries on this track. “All I Need” was produced by Jeremy Tappero and mastered by Bruce Templeton at MicroPhonic Mastering. In our conversation, we’ll explore how the song came together—from writing and arrangement choices to emotional themes. What drove the lyrics? How did the production serve the message? And where does “All I Need” sit in ExactlyNo’s evolving identity, especially as they edge toward their next full-length? Whether you’re into songwriting craft, rock production choices, or the stories behind new independent records, this one’s for you. Be sure to show your support on Bancamp Friday and connect with them on IG to stay connected.  Keep up with ExactlyNo at: https://exactlyno.bandcamp.com/ https://exactlyno.com/ https://www.instagram.com/exactlynoband Thank you for your continued support! Brett Johnson Host of B-Side Breakdown https://www.patreon.com/c/bsidebreakdown https://www.instagram.com/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown #AllINeed #ExactlyNo #NickLarsen #TedAnderson #CardinalSunRecords #bsidebreakdown #threecrowsclub #brettjamesjohnson #musicpodcast

    41 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it. Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium. I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond. Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Johnson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    B-Side Breakdown