Sending Signals

Matt Royal

A show about music and creativity.

  1. 6D AGO

    Jason Narducy on R.E.M, Grohl, Bob Mould & more!

    In February 2025 at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia, something incredible happened. Jason Narducy, alongside actor Michael Shannon, were out touring their R.E.M. tribute project, where they perform early albums in full, alongside deep cuts from the back catalogue, when all 4 original members of R.E.M joined them to perform a version of “Pretty Persuasion”. Over the past couple of years various configurations of band members had performed with them, but having all 4 at once was clearly a historic moment.   Jason’s life in music has been quite something. Jason had a musical epiphany when, aged 8, his dad took him to see The Who movie “The Kids Are Alright”. He got an electric guitar aged 9, and by aged 10 he was playing in a punk band named Verboten. Tracey, was the oldest member of the band, aged 13, and just happened to be cousin of future Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Dave would later cite Verboten as a major inspiration for him in pursuing music, and Jason appeared in Dave’s “Sonic Highways” series.   Jason has gone on to perform with so many artists, but he’s been a mainstay of Bob Mould’s band since 2005, playing bass on 6 albums and touring with him. Jason also plays with bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate and Superchunk. He has his own musical project entitled Split Single, and plays intimate living room shows for fans. A few years ago he had the surreal experience of writing songs for a musical about his childhood band Verboten.   As well as upcoming gigs with Bob Mould, Jason is heading back out on tour with Michael Shannon to perform R.E.M’s brilliant 4th album, “Life’s Rich Pageant”.   It’s no surprise we had a lot to talk about.   Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

    48 min
  2. JUN 17

    Ben Kweller

    On February 27th 2023 Ben Kweller received the worst phone call imaginable. His 16 year old son Dorian had died in a car accident. An oncoming truck had veered into Dorian’s lane and a downed tree had gone through his windscreen as he swerved over.   Dorian himself was a budding musician, releasing music under the name Zev, and had been due to tour with his father later that year.   Ben has been incredibly open about the tragedy, and turned the tour into somewhat of a tribute to his son.   Out of the devastation of the past two years has come a new album from Ben entitled “Cover The Mirrors”. It features guests appearances from the likes of Waxahatchee, The Flaming Lips, and MJ Lenderman. You’ll hear some clips from it during our conversation.   Ben’s debut album 2002’s “Sha Sha” meant a lot to me, and I was keen to ask about the song “Falling” which I love dearly. That album also features the song “Lizzy”, a song about his girlfriend at the time. Lizzy married Ben in 2003, and it really made me smile that she was handling his PR when we set this up.   I’m really grateful to Ben for talking to me at such a sensitive time, and for trusting me with this episode. He joins me from his home in Texas.   He was such lovely company and I hope you find this conversation inspiring in some way.   Please come and find me on Instagram at Sending Signals podcast and check out ever growing back catalogue of episodes where you can find my conversations with members of REM, The National, E Street Band, Genesis, The Police, Beach Boys and loads more. Finally, if you can leave a good star rating with your podcast provider I would really appreciate it.   Thanks so much to Ben and Lizzy.   Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast   Ben Kweller on Spotify:   https://open.spotify.com/artist/7bhMBjjQhgPX0q9S4Ajncn?si=iK7SVY8uSPCK-9sL19sHng   Zev on Spotify:   https://open.spotify.com/artist/66Nj7lUkbFw7ICIamxWvTY?si=KzM5jWW6RNKQdHBZa_of-g

    46 min
4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

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A show about music and creativity.

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