Wheels Off With Rhett Miller

Pulitzer-prize winning author Jennifer Egan joins Rhett for an enlightening conversation about writing and making art. Jennifer shares useful insight on how she works, explains why reading aloud helps her understand a story better, and discusses the role that genre plays in her writing. She and Rhett talk about the importance of persistence and why trial and error is a great tool for creativity. Jennifer also gives us a preview of ideas she’s kicking around for future projects. Her new book, The Candy House, is available now. Jennifer Egan is the author of several novels and a short story collection. Her 2017 novel, Manhattan Beach, a New York Times bestseller, was awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and was chosen as New York City’s One Book One New York read. Her previous novel, A Visit From the Goon Squad, won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Los Angeles Times book prize, and was recently named one of the best books of the decade by Time Mag

Craig Finn is a Minnesota-bred singer/songwriter based in New York City, best known as the singer of The Hold Steady. He joins Rhett to talk about his podcast, That’s How I Remember It, which is about the connection between memory and creativity. Craig and Rhett discuss the inspiration behind the podcast as well as Craig’s songwriting process, the importance of a band’s first record, and why he feels that albums have ‘seasons’. Craig shares the tricks he uses every day to dispel anxiety, depression, and remove any self generated obstacles.    Finn spent the ’90's leading Minneapolis indie band Lifter Puller, which released 3 albums and an EP. After relocating to New York, he joined with Lifter Puller member Tad Kubler to form The Hold Steady in 2003. The Hold Steady quickly achieved critical acclaim and a worldwide fanbase with their unique pairing of dense lyrical narratives with big rock guitars. Pitchfork has described Finn as “a born storyteller, who has chosen rock as his medium.” When performing his sol

Taylor Goldsmith joins Rhett from his home in Pasadena, CA to discuss the making of Dawes’ new album and the challenges of pushing himself and the band artistically to create something new. Taylor explains why he doesn’t adhere to the ‘rules’ of the music business when it comes to songwriting, how he pushes through negativity, and shares the insight he would give to his 21-year old self.   Taylor Goldsmith is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He is the frontman for the band Dawes, which he formed with his younger brother in 2009. Taylor has also been involved in several side projects over the years, including Middle Brother (2010) and New Basement Tapes (2014), and performed as a session artist for singers including Jackson Browne, John Fogerty and more.   “Misadventures of Doomscroller”, the new album from Dawes, will be released this month. And, don't miss Rhett's new single "Follow You Home".   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Ki

Richard Edwards is a producer, mixologist, and musician who has been making music professionally for over 15 years. In this episode, Richard discusses the many projects he’s working on, including a new album and a book. Richard and Rhett talk about the challenges of being an independent artist, how the marketing and consumption of music has changed and Richard recalls his early ambition to be a director. He shares the story of the promoter in New York City who gave him the confidence to pursue his career, and why being a parent ‘resides comfortably’ next to his identity as a songwriter.   Much of Richard’s music was made under the stage name of Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, but in 2017 he released his first solo album, Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset. At the height of the pandemic, he released a new solo album, The Soft Ache and the Moon, a piano-driven collection of songs that he describes as the third in a trilogy (after 2017’s Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset and 2018’s Verdugo). His latest release, Richard Edward

Six-time Grammy award winning producer, engineer and mixer Vance Powell joins Rhett to talk about the world of making records, his approach to producing, and how he’s chosen his projects over a 40-year career. Vance shares a few war stories, explains what he means when he says “get your 10,000 hours in”, and why he would tell his 21-year old self to be more musical.   Vance studied electrical engineering in Missouri and started his career as a front-of-house engineer. In 2002, he moved to Nashville and became studio manager and chief engineer at the legendary Black Bird studios. In 2006, he co-founded Sputnik studios along with Grammy-winning engineer Mitch Dane. Powell has won 6 Grammy awards working with rock artists such as The Raconteurs, Kings of Leon, Jack White, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, The Dead Weather and more. He produced the OLD 97's Twelfth, released in 2020. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Ni

Singer-songwriter, actor, and poet John Doe joins Rhett from Austin, TX to talk about the concept record he just released about the pre-industrial U.S., why he enjoys writing high-stakes tales, and the importance of getting bad songs out of the way early in one’s songwriting career. John also discusses the importance of not sweating the “small stuff,” how gratitude helps him find balance, and the life lessons he learns from horses.   John Doe is a musician, actor, and poet from Illinois best known as the co-founder of the LA punk band X. He has also released 14 solo records and has acted in dozens of TV shows and several movies. His band X is considered to be one of the most influential bands of the 80’s and early 90’s, and in this episode you’ll hear all about John’s exciting and versatile career.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt Dwyer. Production Assistance by M

Singer-songwriter Jenny O joins Rhett from Los Angeles to talk about her upcoming record, her songwriting process, and the moment she realized her musical power. Jenny and Rhett talk about the importance of taking time when finalizing lyrics, the very real demand for more female musicians, and the complicated variables of social interaction.   Jenny O is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY best known for her captivating studio records and her honest and poignant songwriting. She’s toured with all-time great songwriters like Ben Harper, Leon Russell, and Father John Misty, and her music has appeared in commercials for world-renowned brands including Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Subaru. Jenny is in the process of completing her fourth full-length album, which she and Rhett discuss in the episode. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt Dwyer. Production

The godfather of Americana music, Delbert McClinton, joins Rhett from Nashville, TN to discuss his 27th studio album, why writing music still feels great after 60 years, and well-kept secrets about artistic longevity. Delbert shares some advice on songwriting and gives us an insightful look back on his fruitful career in music, while optimistically looking forward to all of the music he’s yet to play.   Delbert McClinton is a four-time Grammy Award winner best known for his extensive solo discography. Delbert is an Americana legend and a preacher of the blues, and the 25+ studio albums that he’s recorded over the course of his career cement him as a crucial member of the lineage of Americana musicians. His recent release, Outdated Emotion, which he and Rhett discuss in the episode, brings Delbert full circle to the songs that started it all.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editi

Singer-songwriter Lauren Calve joins Rhett this week to talk about the making of her debut album, the importance of finding “quiet” in music, and . Lauren tells Rhett about how religion affected her musical development, and shares a story about the moment Nina Simone changed her perception of singing. Lauren Calve is a singer and songwriter from Virginia. While she has found her ground in the sounds of blues and Americana, her true strength lies in her ability to defy tradition. Lauren daringly explores innovative melodies, structures, and arrangements that collectively define her originality. She released her debut EP, Between the Creek and the Tracks, in 2014, for which she earned a Washington Area Music Association nomination for Best Roots Rock Vocalist. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt Dwyer. Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by OLD 97’s. Episode artw

Raymond Pettibon is recognized for his early work created in the midst of the Southern California punk rock scene in the late 1970s-early 80s, most notably his hand drawn concert flyers and logo design for his brother’s band, Black Flag. On this week’s episode of Wheels Off, he joins Rhett to talk about his creating his own place in the art world and the DIY approach that he continues to maintain. Raymond and Rhett discuss the unique way he combines art with words in his work, and why it’s important to stay grounded in the work itself. Raymond Pettibon emerged from Southern California DIY culture and its punk-rock sensibility, and his work still embraces a youthful edginess and sense of political engagement. Drawing from disparate cultural sources—which range from Marcel Proust and William Blake to the Bible—the artist makes cartoon-inspired ink drawings on paper which evoke the aesthetics of fanzines and concert flyers. Baseball players, trains, crashing waves, political figures, and comic book characters ma

Writer Jillian Medoff joins Rhett to discuss her upcoming book release, balancing her career with the creative obstacles of being a writer, and persevering through adversity. Jillian shares the story behind becoming a writer, and explains why her work is a ‘life-sustaining force’.   Jillian Medoff is the author of four (soon to be 5) acclaimed novels including Hunger Point, which was made into an original movie in 2003. A former fellow at MacDowell, Blue Mountain Center, VCCA and Fundacion Valparaiso in Spain, Jillian has been taught by some of the best, and received her MFA from NYU. She studied with Mona Simpson and Jonathan Dee, and took master classes with Toni Morrison, Grace Paley, and Joyce Carol Oates. In addition to writing novels, Jillian has a long career in corporate consulting, advising clients on communication strategies for all aspects of the employee experience.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership wit

Keyboard wizard Marco Benevento joins Rhett from his newly-renovated studio in Woodstock, NY to talk about his upcoming record. Marco tells Rhett about learning to unlock the artist within, the importance of practicing without taking any shortcuts, and the musical relationship that deepened his understanding of simplicity.   Marco Benevento is a pianist, songwriter, and producer, best known for his solo work as well as his playing in the Benevento/Russo Duo and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Marco has been a fixture of the New York experimental music rock and jazz scene since 1999, and has collaborated with legendary musicians including Trey Anastasio, Andrew Barr, Phil Lesh, and Joe Russo. He has released 7 studio albums, and his eighth, titled Benevento, will be released on June 10th. You can pre-save Benevento here.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt Dwyer. Production

Singer-songwriter Michaela Anne joins Rhett from her home in Nashville, TN to talk about her new record, converting lyrics into children’s books, and why being a new mother doesn’t give her the time or energy to feed into negativity. Michaela explains how she found her lane,, and why you don’t need to fit into the country music mold to be a country musician.   Michaela Anne is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, NY who currently lives in Nashville, TN. Her music incorporates elements of country, pop, indie rock, and Honky Tonk, and she has released four albums since officially launching her career in 2014. Her fifth album, Oh to Be That Free, comes out on June 10, and will add another breathtaking installment to her discography of dazzlingly unique Americana sounds.   Pre-save her upcoming album, Oh To Be That Free, here. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt Dwyer. Produ

Eric Pulido, front man for indie rock pioneers Midlake, joins Rhett on this episode to talk about celebrating failure, finding balance while grappling with ambition, and recognizing the moment when you have to take a leap of faith. Eric tells Rhett about the inspiration behind their song Bethel Woods, and shares the advice he would give to his younger self. Indie Folk Rock pioneers Midlake formed in Denton, Texas, in 1999. Currently comprised of Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Eric Nichelson, Jesse Chandler, and Joey McClellan, the band’s 5th studio album For the Sake of Bethel Woods was released on March 18th, 2022. Produced to layered, loving perfection by John Congleton, For the Sake of Bethel Woods is an album of immersive warmth and mystery from a band of ardent seekers, one of our generation’s finest: a band once feared lost themselves by fans, perhaps, but here revivified with freshness and constancy of intent. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced

Walter Martin is a multi-award-winning songwriter first known for his work with New York rock 'n' roll bands The Walkmen and Jonathan Fire*Eater. In this episode, Walt joins Rhett to talk about his prolific and varied songwriting career, the importance of separating art and commerce, and the creative freedom he enjoys as an independent artist.   In 2014 Martin launched a solo career and has subsequently released five studio albums: two Parents’ Choice award winning family albums (2014's We're All Young Together and 2017's My Kinda Music) and three critically acclaimed albums for adults (2016's Arts & Leisure, 2018's Reminisce Bar & Grill and 2020’s The World at Night. In March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, Martin released two collections of unreleased songs (Common Prayers; Green Beans & Tangerines).    A much anticipated new album, The Bear, was released on March 25, 2022. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in

Songwriter, guitarist and singer, Kristin Hersh joins Rhett from her home in Rhode Island to talk about recording with 50FOOTWAVE, a musical collective she founded in 2004 under the theory that ‘music doesn’t belong in the music industry’. Kristin shares stories from her days as a young artist in the Boston music scene, grappling with the pressures of the industry, and what it means to lose yourself in the work. The two discuss the difference between creating art for art’s sake versus selling your art as a product, and being humbled by the complexity of humanity. Kristin Hersh’s prolific career has seen her heralded queen of the alternative release. Songwriter, guitarist and singer, Kristin Hersh has released over 20 records solo, with Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE. She released her tenth studio album, 'Possible Dust Clouds' in 2018. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Matt

This week Hillary Fretland joins Rhett to talk about her band, Fretland, and the making of their latest album, Could Have Loved You. You’ll hear Hillary and Rhett discuss being gentle with the lessons you learn along the way, breaking the rules in music, and Hillary does a deep dive on her fan-favorite song “Do You Think of Me” from Fretland’s last album. Hillary Fretland is the leader of the sensational Americana band, Fretland, whose sound mixes fragile alt-country with passionate gushes of indie rock. From Snohomish, WA, Hillary was inspired by her mother to play music when she was young, and 10+ years of playing and writing songs has led to two exceptional albums for Fretland in just two years. Fretland has racked up more than a million streams with their aching ballads, leaf-strewn sound, and gently spun secrets, and in this episode you’ll hear all about the creative process of their front woman. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Clu

Frontman and fiddler for Old Crow Medicine Show, Ketch Secor, joins Rhett from his longtime home of Nashville to talk about the upcoming Old Crow Medicine Show album, the difficulty of writing songs about social and political issues, and why there are so many things to sing about today that make the heart heavy. Ketch explains why moving around a lot as a kid helped to shape him as an artist, and discusses his incredible career in one of the top Americana acts of the last 20 years.   Ketch Secor is a founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show, a Grammy Award—winning group that has been inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2017 and 2018, Old Crow Medicine Show released three critically acclaimed albums: Best of Old Crow Medicine Show (Nettwerk), 50 Years of Blonde On Blonde (Columbia Nashville), a reimagined version of Bob Dylan's classic Blonde on Blonde album, and Volunteer (Sony Music Nashville).  Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirst

Jack Torrey, one half of the indie band The Cactus Blossoms, joins Rhett from his home in Minneapolis to talk about getting back on the road, writing and recording a new record during the pandemic, and why he was content to not have a plan other than playing music. Jack tells Rhett about the impact that Bob Dylan had on his writing, and explains what he means when he says he’s the “eye of the storm”.   “Hey baby, do you wanna take a trip with me? / I’ve got a feeling there might be a silver lining all around.” So begins One Day, the captivating new album from critically acclaimed Minneapolis duo The Cactus Blossoms. Written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the record explores the tension between optimism and despair that’s defined much of the past few years of American life, examining the power (or naïveté, depending on your perspective) of positive thinking in the face of chaos and uncertainty. The songs here are tender and timeless, with straightforward arrangements centered around brothers Jack T

Paz Lenchantin is an Argentinian-American musician who has played bass for The Pixies since 2014. She joins Rhett to talk about recording the latest Pixies album, writing music for film, and why she feels that there are more opportunities for female artists now that ever before. Paz explains why she likes to switch things up musically when she’s home by returning to the violin; and, why she thinks that social media is detrimental to the artistic process. Paz Lenchantin has been the bass guitarist, vocalist and violinist of the alternative rock band Pixies since 2014. She has also played bass and strings with various bands, including Entrance, A Perfect Circle, Silver Jews, and Zwan.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Justin Thomas. Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by OLD 97’s. Episode artwork by Katherine Boils. Show logo by Tim Skirven.    This podcast is ava