I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats

Night Vale Presents

4.9 (1.1K)
MUSIC COMMENTARY
SERIES

Welcome to Night Vale creator Joseph Fink and the Mountain Goats singer/songwriter John Darnielle discuss what it means to be an artist, a fan, and, as many people are, both at once. Season Two explores the process of writing, recording, and releasing the Mountain Goats’ latest album, In League With Dragons, giving you an unprecedented look at the creative process as it is happening.

EPISODE 1

Introduction

A collaboration between Night Vale Presents, the Mountain Goats, and Merge Records, I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats is a podcast about what it means to be an artist, what it means to be a fan, and what it means to be, as many people are, both at once. Hosted by Joseph Fink, creator of Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn’t Dead, and one of his artistic heroes, John Darnielle, lead singer of the Mountain Goats, Season Two of the podcast explores the process of writing, recording, and releasing the Mountain Goats’ latest album, In League With Dragons, out April 26 on Merge Records. Recorded over several months while the album was in progress, this season gives us an unprecedented look at the creative process as it is happening, including the original demos for every single track on the album.Season Two of I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats premieres on April 4, 2019, with weekly episodes through April 25 and biweekly episodes thereafter.For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com.From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

11 min
EPISODE 2

Sicilian Crest

For the first time ever, a single is being released simultaneously with an hour-long discussion of the making of the song. In our first full episode of the season, John and Joseph discuss Sicilian Crest, the last song — and first single — from the Mountain Goats’ upcoming album, In League With Dragons, out April 26 on Merge Records. We will be sharing weekly episodes through April 25 and biweekly episodes thereafter. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com, and to pre-order the album, go to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons. From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

53 min
EPISODE 3

Done Bleeding

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains mentions of addiction and self-harm. On today’s episode, Joseph Fink and John Darnielle talk leaving, learning how to live, and Done Bleeding, from the Mountain Goats’ upcoming album, In League With Dragons, out April 26 on Merge Records. Featuring an exclusive demo version of Done Bleeding. We will be sharing weekly episodes through April 25 and biweekly episodes thereafter. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com, and to pre-order the album, go to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons. From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

50 min
EPISODE 4

Going Invisible 2

John Darnielle and Joseph Fink discuss growth through destruction, the value of creative constraints, and Going Invisible 2 from the Mountain Goats’ upcoming album, In League With Dragons, out April 26 on Merge Records. Featuring an exclusive demo version of Going Invisible 2. Episodes will be released biweekly from this episode on. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com, and to order the album, go to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons . From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

50 min
EPISODE 5

Cadaver Sniffing Dog

This week, John Darnielle and Joseph Fink talk tea shops, guitar solos, and Cadaver Sniffing Dog from the Mountain Goats’ new album, In League With Dragons, out now on Merge Records. Featuring an exclusive demo version of Cadaver Sniffing Dog. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com , and to order the album, go to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons. From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

55 min
EPISODE 6

PJ Vogt

On today’s episode, PJ Vogt of Reply All stops by the studio to talk with Joseph and John about story building and sword buying. We’ll be back with more song discussion and exclusive demos on our next episode. In the meantime, get the Mountain Goats’ new album, In League With Dragons , out now on Merge Records (mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons ). For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com . From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

48 min
EPISODE 7

An Antidote for Strychnine

This week, John and Joseph talk about their relationships to work, art, and family, our attraction to dark imagery, and what An Antidote for Strychnine is really about. Featuring an exclusive demo of the song. The Mountain Goats’ new album, In League With Dragons, is out now on Merge Records. Get it at to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com. From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

56 min
EPISODE 8

Younger

In this episode, John and Joseph — with the help of a guitar, engineer Vincent Cacchione, and some prune hamentashen — walk through the evolution and production of Younger, from The Mountain Goats’ new album, In League With Dragons. Featuring an exclusive demo of the song. In League With Dragons is out now on Merge Records. Get it at to mergerecords.com/in-league-with-dragons. For more information, go to ionlylistentothemountaingoats.com . From Night Vale Presents. Produced by Christy Gressman.

54 min

See All Season 2 (20)

4.9

out of 5

1,081 Ratings

More

05/23/2022

Moltak

More please! I bet of you!
I need this

01/20/2022

MoabFlapjack

Or I really want this to come back! Reunion episode! The greatest hits! Something! Love it.
Superb

03/11/2020

Lucha Kaiju

The Mountain Goats songs contain some literary masterpieces, this podcast is a deep dive into the MGs with John Darnielle and Night Vale’s Joseph Fink. This show is awesome and I can’t wait to hear the backstory of some of my favorite songs, fingers crossed that season 3 will be dedicated to “Best the Champ”. Darneille is a genius songwriter and author and he has done great work on women’s rights, and progressive causes, while this show is all about art his progressive work is an important part of my love for the band. I’m so glad I discovered this show and am digging into the archives now - great stuff!
Not biased at all.

01/31/2020

HanaKyle

I love The Mountain Goats. I loved season 1, that album is significant to my growth into adulthood and I loved a deeper understanding and the covers. Oh, the covers! I was wary of Season 2 but I was getting bored with my usual podcasts of entrepreneurial tips and tools and Waylon Jennings caught my eye, so I listened to the episode. Again, I’m floored! Finally hearing the song at the end was sweet bliss. Thank you for doing this. I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the season. Looking forward to knowing the newest songs in a special way, and can’t wait till TMG tours to Brooklyn! Thank you!

Welcome to Night Vale creator Joseph Fink and the Mountain Goats singer/songwriter John Darnielle discuss what it means to be an artist, a fan, and, as many people are, both at once. Season Two explores the process of writing, recording, and releasing the Mountain Goats’ latest album, In League With Dragons, giving you an unprecedented look at the creative process as it is happening.