#1356 - Sturgill Simpson & His Band
NaN minutesEpisode #1356
Sturgill Simpson is a Grammy Award-winning country music and roots rock singer-songwriter. His new album "Sound & Fury" is available now on Spotify, and the anime visual album "Sturgill Simpson presents Sound & Fury" is now streaming on Netflix. He is joined by his band members Miles Miller, Chuck Bartels, Bobby Emmett and by Green Beret Medic Justin Laseck.
Watch the full episode of #1356 - Sturgill Simpson & His Band.
Episode Timestamps
Introducing Sturgill Simpson and His Band
- Introduction of the band members: Miles, Chuck, Bob, and Justin
- Performance at Troubadour venue praised for its intimacy and history
- Discussion on the impact of venue size on the concert experience
Preference for Intimate Venues over Amphitheaters
- Dislike towards outdoor amphitheaters for lack of connection with the audience
- Experience at Troubadour mentioned as a preferred intimate setting
- Concerns over overcrowding at venues like Troubadour
Musicians' Early Days Struggles and Dedication
- Artists like Miles and Roy Wood Jr. faced financial struggles in their early days, with Roy Wood Jr. taking day jobs to support his comedy gigs.
- The journey of musicians involves countless live shows and long drives to perform, often with a small audience.
- The importance of perseverance and dedication in the music industry, where success requires hard work and a bit of delusional faith.
Evolution of Musical Style and Collaborative Creativity
- Reflecting on the transformative journey from their first album to the latest, highlighting the evolution of musical expression.
- Embracing experimentation and uniqueness in music, shifting genres and styles to keep the creativity flowing.
- The collaborative process in music creation, where all contributors' energies shape the final product, leading to diverse and constantly changing sounds.
Railway Operations and Career Struggles
- Worked as operations manager at a rail yard in Utah overseeing switching crews
- Worked long hours, dealing with train wrecks and derailments
- Role was crucial for the country's shipping commerce
Astrology and Numerology Discussions
- Discussion on astrology, horoscopes, and their skepticism
- Interesting facts about Nancy Reagan's involvement in astrology
- Debate on patterns, perceptions, and empathetic abilities
Meeting Sturgill Simpson and Starting a Foundation
- Justin, a green beret, shares his experience of meeting Sturgill Simpson after being injured in combat
- Sturgill Simpson donates to the Special Forces Foundation, benefiting families of fallen soldiers
- The tour and album release event are dedicated to raising funds for the foundation
Post War Reflections and Ketamine Use
- Justin reflects on his combat experiences and the physical and emotional challenges of war
- Discusses the use of ketamine for pain relief and the dissociative effects on perception
- Shares a story of a friend's tragic death related to ketamine addiction
Struggles with Methadone and Nerve Pain
- The speaker discusses his challenges with methadone and compares it to heroin addiction
- Describes the intense physical and psychological effects of decreasing methadone dosage
- Reflects on the impact of methadone on sleep and physiological functions, highlighting the difficulty of withdrawal
Moving Forward and Inspiring Change
- Conversation shifts towards finding better solutions for addiction recovery, mentioning Ibogaine as a potential option
- Exploring the journey of recovery and supporting others through difficult times
- Emphasis on raising awareness and motivating positive actions in helping individuals affected by war and its aftermath
Home Invasions and Armed Encounter
- Experienced two home invasions within 36 hours after the war
- Managed to scare off the intruder with a gun without shooting
- Reflects on the decision not to shoot and the aftermath with police and legal procedures
Court Case and Systemic Issues
- Attended the court case of the intruder, realizing the flaws in the legal system
- Witnessed young, underprivileged individuals being pushed into the system
- Contemplates societal issues, rehabilitation, and lack of opportunities for troubled youth
Life of Musicians in Detroit and Tennessee
- Musicians like Chuck, Bob, Miles and others from Detroit and Tennessee rarely get together before shows
- Freelancer musicians like Toran and others stay active by playing with various bands and friends
- The dynamics of staying busy and networking in Detroit's music scene are discussed
The Unique Artistry of Gary Clark Jr.
- Gary Clark Jr.'s distinctive guitar sound and talent are highlighted
- Anecdotes of live performances showcasing his musical prowess are shared
- Appreciation for the depth and impact of Gary Clark Jr.'s music on audiences
Violence and Tragedy Unfold
- A man reacts violently, demonstrating potential for lethal force.
- Discussion about accidental fatalities caused by actions like sucker punches.
- Unexpected violent incidents highlighted, such as a tragic event at a hockey game.
Musical Performance Turns Memorable
- Detailed descriptions of musical equipment and performance setup.
- Insight into musician's passion for retro audio gear and improvisation.
- Engagement in an intense musical performance on Saturday Night Live.
Cocaine Bear and Railroad Tragedy
- Discussion about a company in Kentucky and the infamous 'cocaine bear'.
- Recounting a tragic event involving two kids, cocaine, and a train track.
- Insight into the aftermath of the incident and the gruesome nature of train accidents.
Train Hazards and Safety Measures
- Description of train operations and potential risks for accidents.
- Explanation of train safety features like steel plows and brake systems.
- Discussion on the critical role of maintenance crews and the psychological impact of train accidents.
Miyamoto Masashi and the Samurai Ethic
- Discussion on the warrior ethic of the samurai exemplified by Miyamoto Masashi in 'The Book of Five Rings'
- Emphasis on excellence, pursuit, and balance in life as described in the book
- Exploration of Masashi's multifaceted skills beyond combat, including calligraphy, art, and poetry
Collaboration with Japanese Animators for Music Album
- Involvement of Shun, a Japanese friend with a background in radio and voice narration for Marvel, in creating animated videos for an album
- Meeting with producer Heroki and his network of talented animators who embraced the project
- Production process involving breaking songs into chapters with multiple directors, resulting in a cohesive visual narrative
Musician's Creative Process
- Emphasis on taking breaks to recharge and explore new interests
- Focus on creating diverse music without being confined to a specific genre
- Utilization of various influences and broad abilities within the band to create unique sounds
Poetic Songwriting and Recording Process
- Preference for writing poetry first before crafting music in the studio
- Process of writing and piecing together songs collaboratively in the studio
- Exploration of deconstructed recording methods and live improvisation for creativity
Bobby's Wild Night: A Meeting Turned Adventure
- Met Bobby, an organ player, before Miles
- Bobby and narrator had a wild night out in Nashville
- Confrontation with Vandy football players led by Bobby
Life on the Bus: Quality of Life Issues on Tour
- Living on the tour bus provides a cocoon-like environment
- Discussion about the challenges of touring 300 nights a year
- Transition to a healthier touring lifestyle due to exhaustion and burnout
Discussion on The Monkees and Their Music
- The Monkees studio records were discussed, with attention on the quality of musicians who played on their tracks.
- Names like Harry Nilsson, Neil Diamond, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork were mentioned as key contributors to The Monkees' music.
- Different vocal abilities of the band members were analyzed, with a debate over who was the best singer.
Exploration of 'Head' - A Psychedelic Movie Involving The Monkees
- Discussion on 'Head,' a psychedelic movie featuring The Monkees with guest musicians like Jack Nicholson, Brian Auger, and Julie Driscoll.
- The movie was described as visually stunning and surreal.
- Various references to the content and notable actors in the movie were made, including a mention of Jack Nicholson's role in writing the screenplay.
Stunt Incidents and Injuries
- Discussion about falling and injuries while performing stunts in movies
- Experience of severe concussion by a friend during stunt work
- Personal experience of getting injured while rehearsing a scene, leading to health issues
Impact on Health and Sustainability
- Reflection on sustained impact and stress injuries in professions similar to stunt work
- Importance of maintaining physical fitness to prevent injuries
- Comparison of physical strain in different occupations and impact on long-term health
Bear Eats Mushroom: Nature Documentary and Ancient Christianity
- Discusses a movie from 1988 where a bear eats mushrooms and has psychedelic experiences
- Touches on the connection between mushrooms and ancient Christianity
- Describes scenes with a bear and a jaguar tripping on ayahuasca leaves
Worst Doctor Ever: Butcher Brown's Unlicensed Sex Change Surgeries
- Details the story of Butcher Brown, an unlicensed doctor who performed sex change operations
- Describes the bizarre and dangerous practices of Brown, like injecting silicone and using crazy glue
- Narrates the negative outcomes and lack of care provided to his patients by Brown
The Room: A Disasterpiece by Tommy
- Tommy's movie 'The Room' is so bad it's hard to watch, may cause distortion of reality.
- Tommy bought billboards around town to promote 'The Room'.
- Discussion of the confusing plot of 'The Room' and the financial mystery behind it.
Chuck and Buck: Odd Reconnection Story
- 'Chuck and Buck' involves an oddly naive man-child who stalks his childhood best friend.
- The recommendation to watch 'Chuck and Buck' after an anime film.
- Brief discussion about the album 'Sound and Fury' and how to acquire it.