Wheels Off With Rhett Miller

Duquette Johnston, a founding member of the breakout 90s indie band Verbena and now an acclaimed solo artist, joins Rhett from Birmingham, AL. to talk about his new album, Social Animals, and the road to his creative life. Duq explains the evolution of his creative process, why he’s never had a Plan B, and how he eventually worked through the fear of success that was holding him back. By his own admission Duquette Johnston has lived a "wild, incredible life," but even that might be underselling the three-act 25-year journey that's led to the Alabama musician's new album The Social Animals. In bringing the new album to life, Johnston drew from his indie rock past to unite a remarkable group of collaborators. This team included producer John Agnello - known for his work with Dinosaur Jr as well as recent albums from Hop Along, Waxahatchee, Twin Peaks and Kurt Vile - and a band anchored by longtime Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley. Through their spiraling guitars and cavernous beats, Johnston shares deeply-lear

Guitarist Scott Metzger joins Rhett from his home in Brooklyn to talk about his forthcoming album Too Close To Reason, which is his first solo effort. Scott tells Rhett about his early days as a sideman and shares the story of meeting James Brown, which was a pivotal moment in his career. The two discuss The Alexander Technique and why being aware of your body can help you navigate through stress, and Scott tells Rhett why it’s cool to be uncool.  Scott Metzger has performed, recorded, and toured with artists including: John Mayer, John Scofield, Warren Haynes, Nels Cline, Anders Osborne, Phil Lesh & many others from a variety of genres. He is a full time member of the critically acclaimed, increasingly popular Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. His various part time projects include the Gypsy Jazz influenced The Showdown Kids, and WOLF! (Royal Potato Family Records), an instrumental guitar trio whose music has been featured on the hit television series Z-Nation. In addition, Scott has made various appearances on natio

Musician Suz Slezak joins Rhett from her home in Charlottesville, VA to talk about her new solo album, the moment when she realized that she could make a living as a musician, and talks about her struggle with bipolar disorder. The two discuss managing one’s self critic and why it’s important to remember that your fantasies might come true.   Suz Slezak is a fiddle player and one half of the pioneering folk duo David Wax Museum. Our Wings May Be Featherless is the debut solo album from Suz Slezak, co-founder of the pioneering indie folk band David Wax Museum. The nine-track album was produced by Anthony da Costa (Joy Williams, Yola, Sarah Jarosz) and recorded throughout 2020 in Nashville and in Slezak’s homebase of Charlottesville, VA. It is a stunning and poignant collection of songs, an emotional tour de force, displaying the artist’s breathtaking lyricism, multi-instrumental breadth, and her ability to weave some of life's most difficult moments – traumatic childbirth, a best friend's suicide, and her own

Comedian John Poveromo joins Rhett from the Jersey Shore to talk about the road that led to his stand-up career and why his podcast, Dystopia Tonight, was a saving grace during the pandemic. Poveromo discusses opening for Jimmy Fallon, why comedy can help in the midst of disaster, and the innate curiosity that helped him navigate through depression.   John Poveromo is a nationally touring comedian, cartoonist, writer, actor, and the host of Dystopia Tonight with John Poveromo on TwitchTV, ApplePodcasts, Spotify and YouTube. John has been seen on FXX’s Gotham Live, FoxTv’s The Q, VH1, MTV, and has a short film on Amazon Prime that he both co-wrote and starred in titled, Duppet. He has been critically acclaimed by numerous major publications.   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 Kather

Singer-songwriter Margo Price joins Rhett from her home in Tennessee to talk about finishing up the memoir that she’s been writing, the challenges of the process, and what she learned from the experience. The two discuss her uniquely heartfelt musical style, benefitting from a healthy lifestyle, and what it will take for the music industry to turn things around.   Margo Price is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and producer who is originally from Illinois. Her debut solo album, Midwest Farmer's Daughter, was released on Third Man Records in 2016 and was considered to be one of the best records of the year by many music critics. She has gained recognition for her work by winning several prestigious music awards, including a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist 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 Justin Thomas. Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by OLD

Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz joins Rhett from Portland, ME (in the middle of his tour with the Wood Brothers) to tell wild stories from the early days of his career, growing from failed performances, and his morning routine. You’ll hear Steve tell Rhett about a practical lesson that helps him eliminate internally-generated negativity, making less money from performances after destroying venues, and much more.   Steve Poltz is a musician from Nova Scotia who grew up in San Diego, CA. He gained initial recognition for co-founding the Rugburns, who released 6 exciting albums in the late 80s and early 90s, and toured nationally. Steve co-wrote the multi-platinum “You Were Meant For Me” with Jewel, and has also written songs with other legendary artists including Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, Nicki Bluhm, Oliver Wood and even Mojo Nixon. In this episode you’ll hear all about his wild ride on the rock n’ roll rollercoaster, and you won’t want to miss what he has to say!   Steve’s new record, Stardust and Satellites,

An encore episode: Liz Phair. In this episode, singer-songwriter Liz Phair joins Rhett from her home in LA to talk about her creative journey as a musician. The two discuss how being home during the pandemic has changed their lives, why social interaction is crucial for creative inspiration, and dig into her memoir Horror Stories. Liz explains why you “just have to go for the ride” in order to conquer feelings of self-doubt and shares a few other savvy insights gleaned from her extraordinary career.   Liz Phair is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Chicago who came to prominence in the early 90’s, thanks to the emotional authenticity of her lyrics and the lo-fi instrumentation in her music. She has been a recording artist and touring performer for over twenty-five years, paving the way for countless music artists, particularly women, who cite her among their major influences. Her 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, is ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Tim

Television and film director Noah Hawley joins Rhett from his home in Austin, TX to discuss his circuitous journey of writing three novels before his first novel sold, Kurt Vonnegut’s impactful influence on his creativity, and growing up in a household of artists. Noah and Rhett discuss the making of the final season of Fargo, and Noah walks us through a conceptual trick that he used in the first season of the show. Noah Hawley is a television director, producer, and author from New York City. He created and wrote the FX television series Fargo and Legion, and has also written five novels. Noah previously worked on the television shows Bones, The Unusuals, and My Generation. He is set to create a new television series based on the Alien film franchise, which he discusses with Rhett in this episode. Noah’s new book Anthem is out now, check it out 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

An encore episode of one of the most popular episodes of 2021. Grammy-winning musician Jeff Tweedy joins Rhett to talk about his new book and what the process of writing music has been like during the pandemic. The two discuss songwriting as a reaction to stress, how he discerns between imposter syndrome and anxiety, and why the power of observation is a useful writing trick. Jeff explains his above-average music consumption habit and the sense of awe he experiences when discovering a new album. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An encore presentation of one of the top episodes of 2021. Bestselling author Julia Cameron joins Rhett from her home in Santa Fe to talk about channeling creativity during the pandemic, what it means to ‘step past your inner censor' and why her book, The Artist’s Way, caught on. Julia tells Rhett about the critic that’s been with her since she was 18, and what she learned when she decided to become a teacher. 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.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An encore presentation of one of the top episodes of 2021. Rhett welcomes actress Paget Brewster to talk about her career as an actor, and the immense gratitude she holds for the artistic journey she’s on. Paget and Rhett talk about why voice excites her, how pre-performance nerves are a blessing in disguise, why it’s fun to die in a movie as an actor, and much more. Paget is incredibly thoughtful in the way she analyzes her work, and her exuberance about her art is refreshing and inspiring.   Paget Brewster is an actor, voice actor, and singer from Concord, Massachusetts. She gained initial recognition for her recurring role as Kathy on the fourth season of Friends, and broke through to widespread acclaim when she played Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds. Paget currently voices Birdgirl on the Adult Swim comedy series Birdgirl, 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 Ru

Musician, actor, and record producer Jesse Dayton joins Rhett fresh off of the road to talk about his recent acoustic tour, revisiting his life through writing a memoir, and playing music with his heroes. You’ll also hear the two friends discuss Chuck Berry’s lyricism, lifestyle changes that Jesse made in order to improve his health, and the importance of loving yourself.   Jesse Dayton is best known for his guitar contributions to albums by country musicians including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. He is also notable for his collaborations with horror film director Rob Zombie, who has commissioned Dayton to record music for his films. Jesse just released his memoir, Beaumonster, and you can check it out 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 Justin Thomas. Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by OLD97’s. Episode artwork by Katherine Boils. Sho

Singer-songwriter Laura Stevenson joins Rhett to talk about releasing an album during the pandemic, finding value in not having a plan, and the darker moments that occur during the creative process. They discuss Laura’s new album and why she can’t wait to start writing new music. Laura Stevenson is a singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY. She made her recording debut in 2009 and was a keyboard player for the musical collective Bomb the Music Industry! In 2016, Stevenson released her first live album, recorded at Vera Club, and donated all of the proceeds to Planned Parenthood. Her sixth solo album, simply titled Laura Stevenson, was released in  August 2021.   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 OLD97’s. Episode artwork by Katherine Boils. Show logo by Tim Skirven.    This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts,

Nicole Atkins joins Rhett from her home in Nashville to talk about the new album that she’s working on, accidentally getting a record deal, and writing songs about Twitter. You’ll hear the two old friends (and songwriting partners) discuss her most recent record, Memphis Ice, why shyness is a waste of time when you’re a musician, and how “doing the work” is the only thing that you can control.   Nicole Atkins is a singer-songwriter from Neptune, NJ. Her style combines 50s-style crooning with psychedelia, soul, and 80’s punk, rendering a stunningly unique and infectious sound. She has released 6 stellar studio albums, and has collaborated with extraordinary artists including Scott Walker, The Avett Brothers, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. In this episode she shares fascinating insights about her flourishing musical life with listeners, and you won’t want to miss what she has to say!   Check out Nicole’s new album, Memphis Ice, on Apple Music or Spotify.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and

Chris Shiflett joins Rhett from his home in LA to talk about his quarantine recording project, the conceptual differences between albums and singles in today’s music world, and holding grudges against your own songs. The two longtime friends also discuss the pros and cons of social media relevance, and what an audience truly wants in a live performance.   Chris Shiflett is a musician from Santa Barbara, California, best known for his role as the lead guitarist in the Foo Fighters. He was also a member of the punk rock bands No Use for a Name, and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Chris has released two solo albums, and hosts a podcast called Walking the Floor. In this episode he sits down with his good friend to talk about what he’s learned throughout his career that spans almost four decades.   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 B

Legendary rock guitarist Robby Krieger of the Doors joins Rhett from his home in Los Angeles for a fascinating conversation about writing music with Jim Morrison, Robby’s upcoming instrumental reggae album, and why he’s glad that he never learned to read music. You’ll also hear the two discuss Robby’s new book, Set the Night on Fire, the power of meditation, and writing “Light My Fire” when Robby was only 19 years old.   Robby Krieger is a guitarist and songwriter from Los Angeles best known for his work with the Doors. Robby co-wrote many of the Doors' most famous songs, including hits like "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly." He is listed as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone, and he has continued his productive musical career long after the group went their separate ways.   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 b

Singer-songwriter Neal Francis joins Rhett from Chicago to talk about his album, In Plain Sight, and why he had to step away from the album once it was finished in order to actualize the music he’d created. Neal tells Rhett about starting out as a sideman and how he learned to accept that a career in music could be possible. The two discuss the powerful combination of mindfulness, meditation, and sobriety; and why songwriting is like architecture.   Neal Francis is a singer and songwriter from Oak Park, IL. “From a very early age, I was playing late into the night in a very stream-of-consciousness kind of way,” Neal has said, while citing influences ranging from ragtime to gospel soul to The Who. With a prodigy-like gift for piano, he sat in with a dozen different blues acts in Chicago clubs as a teenager, and formed a widely beloved funk band called The Heard before going solo. His new album, In Plain Sight, is a portrait of profound upheaval and weary resilience, presented in a kaleidoscopic sound that’s en

Jung Yun joins Rhett from Baltimore, MD to talk about the making of her recently-released second novel, O Beautiful, and actualizing her vision to live a creative life. Jung and Rhett also discuss the journey that led to her publishing her first book at age 43, growing up without the understanding that she could make art for a living, and why everything happens in due time.    Jung Yun is a writer from Seoul, South Korea who grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. She studied at Vassar College, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Her work has appeared in Tin House, The Massachusetts Review, The Indiana Review, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Review of Books, among others. She currently lives in Baltimore with her husband and is an assistant professor of English at George Washington University.    Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Clut

The Kernal, also known as Joe Garner, joins Rhett from his home in Jackson, TN to talk about the making of his new record Listen To The Blood, why he enjoys writing short stories, and the importance of having fun while playing music. Joe tells Rhett the story behind the red suit that started The Kernal, and the songwriting process that brings his soulful, classic sound to life.   Joe Garner is a singer-songwriter from Jackson, Tennessee who performs under the moniker The Kernal. With a storyteller's eye and sly sense of humor, The Kernal's unique country flavor delves deep into everything from family dysfunction, to road trips, to matters of the heart. He has released three studio albums and one live album. His latest release, Listen To The Blood, will be released in January 2022. 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

Husband and wife creative duo Dan + Claudia Zanes join Rhett to talk about the making of their new record, Let Love Be Your Guide, which was created during the pandemic. They tell Rhett about the tension of working in a competitive society while sticking to their values, music as a unifying force, and what they would tell their 21-year old selves. Dan and Claudia Zanes have been making music together since the day they met in 2016. Dan Zane was a member of the 1980s band The Del Fuegos and is now the front man of the Grammy-winning group Dan Zanes and Friends. Claudia Zanes is a Haitian-American Vocalist and Music Therapist, and a graduate from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Together, they created Night Train 57: A Sensory Friendly Comic Folk Opera, a theater piece which premiered in October 2017, as well as an award-winning songbook titled Dan Zanes’ House Party: A Family Roots Music Treasury. Claudia also runs her own skin care business called CLEO Soaps, and Dan works with Constructive White Conversat