Inside Out w/ Turner and Seth

Seth and Rob were allowed into Jeff Sipe's rehearsal space to talk about how Sipe's drumming/producing career unfolded, and the many roles Col. Bruce Hampton played in Jeff reaching his musical self-actualization.The hosts first learn how the young, aspiring Virginia drummer found his way to the Berklee College of Music, and about how he became buddies with Steve Vai right around the same time Vai was working toward being a full-time member of Frank Zappa's touring band.  Sipe talks about why he ultimately chose to leave Boston and move to Atlanta, and how he met and began playing with Col. Bruce Hampton.  Bruce initially shocked Sipe quite a bit - but they soon found their space together.Jeff discusses how this led to him being a major part of the "Monday Night Jams" - which started in Little Five Points in Atlanta - and how Aquarium Rescue Unit sprouted out of these legendary nights (Sipe brought Oteil Burbridge and Jimmy Herring into the fold).Jeff discussed the ARU years with such effusiveness that the powerful meaning that era of his career has to him is undeniably palpable.  The band was wildly spontaneous and had many crazy nights, countless moments of spontaneity and a slew of interesting fans. We hear about some humorous interactions with these show attendees during, and between performances. Jeff also offers insight into why ARU came to an end.Sipe also explains Colonel Bruce's clairvoyance, and the extremely positive influence it had on some.  He also talks about the one time he had an out of body experience - and it happened while playing with Col. Bruce.We also hear about the recording, teaching, producing and playing he is doing these days - much of close to his current home with musicians like Travis Book, but also all over the southeast with New Dawn Starkestra and others.We discuss Hampton 70!, and how The Colonel's initial greeting when they saw each other at rehearsal surprised him. Jeff shares some very personal insight about his view of that at-once-both-tragic-and-poetic, legitimately historic 2017 show at The Fox Theater in Atlanta.We learn about the comedic genesis of the Zambiland Orchestra and why Jon Fishman requested a certain specific Hoover vacuum cleaner to play while performing one of the years he joined in the fun.Jeff talks about touring with The Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh, and the cryptic way Lesh gave Jeff feedback on his drumming.....Jeff shares his memory of when he finally heard, "the brown note!"He even reveals that while his mentors are slowly going away, he still has a few left........including Grant Green Jr. - and Grant will be the focus of the next episode of this podcast. 

In this episode Nick shares some more of the intangible lessons he learned from Col. Bruce, and that he chased down a strat for his initial rehearsals with Randall Bramblett Band.  We find out how Nick learned what a diamond was, and when he first got the call about Widespread Panic needed a temporary guitarist.  Nick explains his approach to rig selection and learning the material.  Johnson offers little windows into his interactions with the band during preparation, and some of the things that helped him to not only get a firm grasp on the material but also how to maintain the spirit of the music as he brings forth his own musical slant.

In this debut episode of The Zambi Files, we learn how Nick Johnson went from being an aspiring musician in high school to being asked to join Widespread Panic while their regular lead guitarist Jimmy Herring was on leave for health reasons. We learn about how Nick first had the opportunity to meet Col. Bruce, and how he was inspired to move to Atlanta.  Nick talks about his first days in Atlanta, and how his career would unfold to the point where he first played with Col. Bruce Hampton, and later was recommended to Randall Bramblett by The Colonel.  We hear some great stories from the Colonel days, about the Col. Bruce ethos and the unique ways Colonel Bruce conveyed subtle, but vital lessons.

Seth and Rob return to podcasting after a multi-year absence and discuss their thoughts on resuming Inside Out with Turner and Seth (wTnS).   They throw around a few ideas and give a strong notion of what the central theme would be, and how the show would unfold. They also discuss Rob’s trip to see Billy Strings in Europe, Seth’s ever-burgeoning “Rocktioneer” career and the passing of Bob Weir (who was one of Rob’s two favorite living musicians).

Rob and Seth get some time with Jason Carter - a man who has played fiddle with the Del McCoury Band yet with the 2022 release "Lowdown Hoedown" he is in the forefront. This podcast episode includes much conversation about "Lowdown Hoedown" whether about the many guests (Dierks Bentley, Marty Stuart, Jon Fishman, Sarah Jarosz, Sam Bush, Billy Strings and Jason's McCoury Band/Travelin' McCoury's band mates. We also hear how Jason selected the songs and about the featured songwriters like Danny Barnes, John Hartford, Bruce Hornsby, Vassar Clements, David Grier, Shawn Camp and Dave Evans. We also hear some stories from Jason's many years of touring and recording.....including the time Del McCoury Band played a Phish festival, riding shotgun with Del McCoury, creating with Charlie Daniels and gigging with Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs and others.

Grant Green Jr. sits down with Seth and Rob and walks them through aspects of his new release "Thank You Mr. Bacharach."  Grant talks about admiring Bert Bacharach since his childhood days, and Grant offers thoughts about specific tracks on this brand new tribute to the legendary songwriter/pianist/producer/performer. Grant also reveals why (and on which song) he was first motivated to sing, that he doesn't use Spotify and one specific example of how Johnny Cash inspired him. He also admits that his father first didn't want him to play guitar, then was very critical of his guitar playing at first, but ultimately things changed. Grant also reflects on living next door to Stevie Wonder, his years in Atlanta, and brings forth insight about Charlie "Bird" Parker, Max Roach, Col. Bruce Hampton, Eddie Roberts and others. He even tells a story about how he and Stevie Wonder ended up wrestling by a champagne fountain at a fancy after-show party.

This episode focuses on The Infamous Stringdusters. Rob sat down with multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/vocalist Jeremy Garrett for an interview/performance session (he plays a bunch of songs!), and then shortly after the interview his band The Infamous Stringdusters announced the forthcoming release of “Toward The Fray.” Andy Falco kindly joined Seth and Rob for the intro, and talked about the record (set for early 2022 release) and offered some other current Stringdusters tidbits. Rob’s chat with Jeremy begins with a discussion of “Wanderer’s Compass,” Jeremy’s solo record for which Rob has a particular fondness, and about working as a solo artist in general. We learn the intriguing story of Jeremy’s fiddle and about how his father went from being a street musician to a touring professional. This interview was conducted on September 11, 2021, which leads to Jeremy remembering his September 11, 2001 experience when he was in the Grasshoppers with his father. He relates the time he felt the most pressure as a musician, speaks of the many great Nashville musicians with whom he has performed, talks of his “spiritual connection to Atlanta” and his approach to songwriting. The ever-effusive Garrett elaborates on plenty of other topics as well.

Aron Magner sat down with Rob and Seth in a suite at CoolRay Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The resulting conversation, and some recent Aron Magner music combine to make up the bulk of this episode. Aron talks about his experiences during lockdown, and how his wife convinced him to bring his captivating and soothing ambient music to the world. He also talks about what inspired him to put together a jazz'y band, how said band came together, why he named it after a Disco Biscuits song and how that classic Biscuits song (SPAGA) got its name in the first place. Mags also shares many Biscuits stories. We learn why he chose to go to UPenn, how he initially met the band, how he knew a certain synthesizer would change his life, and about his involvement in some of the most recent Biscuits originals. Aron also talks about the ebb and flow of the band's career, about his input in the most recent batch of tDB material, about how the band decides where to improvise and about playing in bands with founding members of The Grateful Dead.