Share

cover art for Episode 63: Mimi Naja of Fruition

Inside Out w/ Turner and Seth

Episode 63: Mimi Naja of Fruition

Ep. 78

Seth and Rob sit down with Mimi Naja of Fruition at the Electric Forest Festival in Michigan and initially talk about what it's like to be playing traditional instruments at a primarily electronic music festival. Mimi ends up explaining the thinking behind the band's decision to bring into the studio the rock feel of their live shows and their decision to go with producer Tucker Martine. Martine taught the band many things, helped them add layers to their sound and he is the chief reason that Mimi decided to play some baritone guitar on the record. The result is by far their greatest record to day, "Watching It All Fall Apart." The trio also discuss how the band's breakup songs contain elements of hope and accountability. We hear a bit about Mimi's days as a Georgia youth and explains her decision to leave Georgia and go to school in Portland. She would leave school and then clicking with a group of musicians while playing Marley and Sublime tunes. These folks would end up becoming Fruition. We learn about the band's the early days, and some of the antics that went on as the band grew (like "song-bombing" Vince Herman). She also talks about how she used to leave pronouns out of her songwriting because of all of the homophobia in the world, but that she has more recently eschewed this approach and been forthcoming with her sexuality. Mimi also explains specific reasons why Atlanta-based musician Janelle Monelle is an inspiration to her, and the fluid nature of sexuality in the music world. Speaking of inspirations, the discussion most certainly gets to stories about Greensky Bluegrass, Elephant Revival, The Infamous Stringdusters and other of Fruition's "Crazy Uncles and Aunts." She also expresses love for her own band's fans, which she calls the "Fruit'y Freaks." Seth and Rob then wrap up the show catching up the listeners on show news during one of the few times they were together last month. Speaking from a coffee shop in Black Mountain, NC they also discuss North Carolina in general, and specifically their day together there. The show ends with more Fruition music including Mimi and band mates Jay Cobb Anderson and Kellen Asebroek sitting in with Railroad Earth and performing Fruition's "Mountain Annie" at the idyllic Red Rocks.

wTnS is Produced by Rob Turner and Engineered by Josh Thane of Wonder Dog Sounds Studio. www.joshthaneproductions.com www.wonderdogsounds.com

All social media management, promotion and website maintenance/building done by Harris Sullivan.

wTnS is a proud partner of the Osiris Podcast Network. Osiris is a global community connecting passionate music fans with podcasts about music, artists, and culture; currently consisting of 15 link-minded podcasts and more can be found at www.osirispod.com

wTnS Sponsors: Polay + Clark 21st Century Accounting (Don't wait till April and get screwed, get Polayed) www.polayclark.com

Inside Out w/ Turner and Seth: insideoutwtns.com Twitter: @InsideoutWTNS Instagram: www.instagram.com/insideoutwtns Facebook: www.facebook.com/insideoutwTnS

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Episode 113: The Zambi Files ~ Nick Johnson (part 2)

    01:42:33|
    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.
  • Episode 112: The Zambi Files ~ Nick Johnson (part 1)

    01:11:17|
    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.
  • Checking in w/ Turner and Seth

    44:57|
    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).
  • Episode 111: Jason Carter

    01:36:38|
    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.
  • Episode 110: Grant Green Jr.

    01:14:50|
    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.
  • Episode 109: Jeremy Garrett (Infamous Stringdusters)

    01:56:56|
    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.
  • Checking In: Turner and Seth

    32:49|
    Seth and Rob sit down for the first time since Rob was on the road seeing Bob Dylan, The Slip, Steve Kimock, and more. This is their first time talking to each other since saw Goose in Atlanta just a few weeks ago. Seth questions rob about his trip and Rob questions Seth about his beard. Music in episode features the up and coming Fireside Collective.
  • Episode 108: Aron Magner (the Disco Biscuits/SPAGA)

    01:46:15|
    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.  
  • Episode 107: Nikki Glaspie

    01:44:23|
    Nikki Glaspie kindly went out of her way so that Rob and Seth could conduct their first-ever interview at Stanwood Studios in the Kirkwood section of Atlanta. Nikki talks about her highest profile bands - Kamani, Punkadelic and (of course) Nth Power. She describes some of her lockdown experiences, talks about her somewhat hidden singing talent, shares some of her experiences with Col. Bruce Hampton, explains her attachment to basketball and the relaxed conversation traverses many other topics. Glaspie also talks about how she met Bruno Speight from the iconic Atlanta electro-funk S.O.S Band, and about some of the lesser-known funk music who inspired her, particularly an early 80s release from Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. Nikki also happily leaps into the wayback machine and shares some of her earliest drumming memories, offers memories on touring with Beyonce and walks us through why her time with Dumpstaphunk was so pivotal. The episode also features some Nth Power music and concludes with an exclusive track from Nikki's band, Kamani.