Making Ways: The Art of Music

We hope you all enjoyed this latest season of Making Ways: The Art of Music. Can’t believe the amount of talent we squeezed into these episodes. We thought it could be fun to look back on a handful of the episodes that made this season sing. So we're dropping a two-part recap of the season for those of you who might have missed an episode or want to hit rewind on some of the magic. In this first installment, hear Kevin Morby, Mike Krol, David Wain, Craig Wedren, Lambchop, and Melvin's Buzz Osborne and artist/designer Mackie Osborne talk about the art of their music, creative collaboration, and finding your people.

In this bonus episode, you'll hear film / TV composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think with director, writer, and actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame as they discuss finding inspiration and tricking yourself into a beginner's mindset.And if you missed our full episode with David and Craig, get it here:https://www.makingways.co/episodes/episode/9e516618/david-wain-and-craig-wedren-the-art-of-music-for-film-tv-and-wet-hot-american-summerHear more from Craig Wedren at http://www.craigwedren.com. See more from David Wain at https://davidwain.com. Original episode artwork by host Rob Goodman.Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive merchandise. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/making.ways.

In this episode, we’re joined by two of Seattle’s finest –– Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone and artist Zack Bolotin. Sera played drums with the adored indie rock group, Carissa’s Wierd, and later with Band of Horses. She went on to release four solo records, two on Sub Pop, and in 2019 received a Gold Record for her work with Band of Horses. She’s toured with Indigo Girls and Dave Matthews. You might have heard Sera on KEXP or NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series or featured in the pages of Elle Magazine too. Her music is stunningly bittersweet, grounded in folk tradition with beautiful musicianship and soaring lovelorn lyrics. Hit play on Sera and you’ll be so happy you did. Zack Bolotin is an illustrator, photographer, and coffee & record shop owner at Porchlight. You’ll hear the origin story of how his retail endeavor accidentally led him to a career as a poster artist and illustrator. And he hasn’t looked back since, working with the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, New Pornographers, Olivia Rodrigo, Jawbreaker, The Head and the Heart, and of course today’s guest Sera Cahoone. Hear more from Sera Cahoone at https://www.seracahoone.com. See Zack Bolotin’s work at https://www.zackbolotin.com. Original episode artwork by host Rob Goodman.Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive merchandise. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/making.ways.

We’re talking about the art of music for film and TV with composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think and director, writer, actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame. In this conversion, we dive into David and Craig’s lifelong friendship, the creative kindling of their days as roommates at NYU, working together on The State and films Role Models, Wanderlust, and They Came Together, and we talk all about the world of Wet Hot American Summer. We discuss Craig’s songwriting process, David’s screenwriting approach, Craig’s work scoring Yellowjackets with Anna Waronker of That Dog, and what it takes to make a successful creative collaboration. Shoutout of thanks to Ben Lee for introducing us.Hear more from Craig Wedren at http://www.craigwedren.com. See more from David Wain at https://davidwain.com. Original episode artwork by host Rob Goodman.Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive merchandise. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/making.ways.

This episode is dedicated in memory of Eric Livingston.We’re talking about the art of the music of Dead Cross, a thrash metal supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantômas, drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame, guitarist Michael Crain from Retox, and today’s guest –– bassist Justin Pearson also from the Locust, Head Wound City, and Deaf Club. Justin is joined by artist Eric Livingston who did all the artwork for Dead Cross, the new album “II,” and the band’s now highly recognizable multi-limbed skeleton featured on their first album, as well as music videos like the group’s frenetic “Seizure and Desist.” And Justin’s longtime creative partner –– designer Bran Black Moon is here too, Bran is a creative force who has been working with Justin and his acclaimed record label Three One G for years.In this conversation, we talk all about the art of the band Dead Cross, the new record and how all the band’s artwork came together, early days and origin stories, deep dive into the creative and collaboration process, the freedom and unexpected rigidness of creating artwork for metal music, more of Bran’s background and Eric’s approach to making artwork and creative direction, and how Justin collaborates for Dead Cross, his record label Three One G, and his projects like Planet B, The Locust, Deaf Club, and more.Big thanks to Monica at Speakeasy and Justin for making it all happen.

GQ calls them “The UK’s hottest band” and after spinning their records, you’ll call them a new favorite too. Lead singer, songwriter, and frontman Murray Matravers joins the show to talk about the art of the music of Easy Life. Alongside designer and award-winning creative director for the band Charlie Drinkwater and the brilliant claymation animator and director Will Child who created the artwork for the band’s album “Maybe In Another Life…” and the captivating animated music video for the song “Dear Miss Holloway.” In this episode, you’ll learn about Murray’s focus on the process in his songwriting and in the visual art for the band. You’ll hear about what makes for amazing creative collaborations from the perspective of a musician, animator, and creative director. Dive into the world of claymation with Will. And discover the thoughtful and unified approach that goes into the presentation of the band’s music and art –– from videos to stage shows to album and single artwork. Most of all you’ll hear from three people that are deeply committed to making beautiful things and putting them out into the world with intention and care. So hit play and enjoy.Hear more from Easy Life at https://www.easylifemusic.com.See more from Will Child at https://www.instagram.com/williamjchild.Get in touch with Charlie Drinkwater at https://charliedrinkwater.com.Original episode artwork by host Rob Goodman.Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive merchandise. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/making.ways.

We're hitting rewind on one of our favorite episodes! Laura Lee of Khruangbin and designer Nate Utesch discuss the stories behind the art of the band’s latest album "Mordechai." In this expansive conversation for the new Making Ways podcast, we dive into the origin story of the record and how the artwork came together as a collaboration between Laura and Nate. Laura shares her creative songwriting process and how mindfulness plays such an important part in her craft, and Nate walks us through the way he works with bands (including Smashing Pumpkins, Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer, and his own electronic music project called Metavari) to create incredible packages. Follow Making Ways for stories behind the art of music. Learn more at www.makingwayspodcast.com. Discover more from Khruangbin at www.khruangbin.com and explore the work of Nate Utesch at www.utesch.xyz. All music used by permission of the band, label, and publisher.Special thanks to Josh Roth for his ongoing support and for introducing us to Nate which made this episode possible.

Neil Frances, the LA-based electropop band comprised of Sydney-born Jordan Feller and Southern California native Marc Gilfry, join Making Ways: The Art of Music alongside their creative family to talk about how their visuals for albums, videos, and the group’s overall aesthetic come together. In this interview featuring the duo’s collaborators photographer Pia Riverola, painter John Reagan, and videographer Kyle Jetter, we talk all about the creative collaboration process, the importance of trust, and stories behind the band’s singles and debut album “There Is No Neil Frances.” We dive into the songwriting and recording process too, filming and editing music videos, and the creative glue that holds it all together.Special thanks to Elliott Watson at Honora Productions for introducing us to Jordan.Hear more from Neil Frances at https://neilfrances.bandcamp.com.See Pia Riverola’s photography at https://www.piariverola.com.Check out John Reagan’s artwork at https://www.instagram.com/_johnreagan.Watch Kyle Jetter’s work at http://kylejetter.com.    Original episode artwork by host Rob Goodman.Visit http://www.makingwayspodcast.com for art, episodes, show notes, blog posts, and exclusive merchandise. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/making.ways.