60 acast.com Close Enough for Jazz https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz en Birch Grove jazz,avant garde,modern music,interview,new york music,659404 Birch Grove Close Enough for Jazz because "Modern-Avant-Garde-Polyrhythmic-Sound-Art" was too long for the RSS feed. Join Lindsay and Alan Bjorklund (Birch Grove Media) for unfiltered dialogues with the composers and improvisers pushing the boundaries of the modern and avant-garde jazz scene.

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]]> Close Enough for Jazz because "Modern-Avant-Garde-Polyrhythmic-Sound-Art" was too long for the RSS feed. Join Lindsay and Alan Bjorklund (Birch Grove Media) for unfiltered dialogues with the composers and improvisers pushing the boundaries of the modern and avant-garde jazz scene.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Birch Grove info+69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0@mg-eu.acast.com 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 close-enough-for-jazz episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1772598836323-a8561f62-a4cf-49a5-9010-4c491fee5bb9.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz Close Enough for Jazz 28863ad0-19d5-11f1-9a37-21ed65daae74 Josh Lopes: Dither, John Zorn, and the Art of Blasting White Noise Josh Lopes: Dither, John Zorn, and the Art of Blasting White Noise Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT 56:13 6a0e7d1e3bbd73b46e242481 false https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/josh-lopes-dither-john-zorn-and-the-art-of-blasting-white-no 6a0e7d1e3bbd73b46e242481 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 josh-lopes-dither-john-zorn-and-the-art-of-blasting-white-no full 1 12 Guitarist and composer Josh Lopes opens up about the intersection of classical chamber music discipline and underground experimentation. He walks through the collaborative history of Dither, the psychology of working directly under John Zorn, translating Laurie Spiegel’s planetary orbit tracking data to fretted instruments, and how an iPad mechanical failure turned a performance at the Stone into a living nightmare.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - From Rhode Island to the Avant-Garde Scene

01:46 - Euphoniums, Marching Band, and Transferring Schools

03:44 - William Paterson University and the "Bossa Nova" Trap

05:44 - Unlearning Jazz Robot Habits and Developing Soft Skills

06:39 - Getting Academic Probation for Breaking Into Shea

09:25 - The Difference Between Chamber Musicians and Jazz Players

11:47 - Forming the Electric Guitar Quartet

14:22 - The Intensity of Performing John Zorn's Game Pieces

18:39 - A Shattered iPad During a Solo Bagatelle

20:09 - A Weird Mother's Day Encounter with John Zorn

22:23 - Playing "Rugby" at The Kitchen

23:22 - Translating Laurie Spiegel's Electronic Scores

26:50 - The Pretentious Venice Biennale Concert

28:37 - Blasting White Noise for Sensory Deprivation Music

33:03 - The $100 Vintage Japanese Guitar Project

35:15 - Learning Tuvan Throat Singing in a Trader Joe's Milk Cooler

37:37 - Discovering "Genghis Blues" and Ham Radio Harmonics

41:56 - Teaching Music in Newark to Kids Who Don't Listen to Music

44:29 - Replacing Standard Notation with YouTube QR Codes

49:49 - Why Good Guitarists Secretly Have Mental Disorders

51:13 - Missing the Grit of the Old Stone


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Guitarist and composer Josh Lopes opens up about the intersection of classical chamber music discipline and underground experimentation. He walks through the collaborative history of Dither, the psychology of working directly under John Zorn, translating Laurie Spiegel’s planetary orbit tracking data to fretted instruments, and how an iPad mechanical failure turned a performance at the Stone into a living nightmare.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - From Rhode Island to the Avant-Garde Scene

01:46 - Euphoniums, Marching Band, and Transferring Schools

03:44 - William Paterson University and the "Bossa Nova" Trap

05:44 - Unlearning Jazz Robot Habits and Developing Soft Skills

06:39 - Getting Academic Probation for Breaking Into Shea

09:25 - The Difference Between Chamber Musicians and Jazz Players

11:47 - Forming the Electric Guitar Quartet

14:22 - The Intensity of Performing John Zorn's Game Pieces

18:39 - A Shattered iPad During a Solo Bagatelle

20:09 - A Weird Mother's Day Encounter with John Zorn

22:23 - Playing "Rugby" at The Kitchen

23:22 - Translating Laurie Spiegel's Electronic Scores

26:50 - The Pretentious Venice Biennale Concert

28:37 - Blasting White Noise for Sensory Deprivation Music

33:03 - The $100 Vintage Japanese Guitar Project

35:15 - Learning Tuvan Throat Singing in a Trader Joe's Milk Cooler

37:37 - Discovering "Genghis Blues" and Ham Radio Harmonics

41:56 - Teaching Music in Newark to Kids Who Don't Listen to Music

44:29 - Replacing Standard Notation with YouTube QR Codes

49:49 - Why Good Guitarists Secretly Have Mental Disorders

51:13 - Missing the Grit of the Old Stone


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sam Ospovat: From Cecil Taylor to Blight Music Sam Ospovat: From Cecil Taylor to Blight Music Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT 1:05:28 6a04c1b0d58f9c365b2cde6b true https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/cefj-11-temporary-title 6a04c1b0d58f9c365b2cde6b 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 cefj-11-temporary-title full Drummer Sam Ospovat discusses his technical evolution and the historical weight of performing with masters like Cecil Taylor. He breaks down the differences between the New York and Nordic music communities, the creation of his project Blight Music in a Brooklyn warehouse, and the discipline required to maintain a creative voice across different continents.


Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Intro: The difficulty of moving to New York
  • 01:13 - Formative years at UC Santa Cruz
  • 04:16 - Mills College: An incubator for the avant-garde
  • 05:32 - Two weeks with Cecil Taylor: Focus and improvisation
  • 08:12 - Moving to NYC and the influence of mentors
  • 11:46 - Relocating to Finland and the Nordic scene
  • 19:07 - Classical music as a Finnish national identity
  • 26:19 - Rhythmic ratios: Composing with prime numbers
  • 29:39 - Virtuosity and the feeling of total abandon
  • 32:11 - The "Blight Music" concept and the warehouse scene
  • 39:51 - Writing for non-specialists in complex structures
  • 44:19 - Timbre and the intellectual component of music
  • 50:13 - The Brooklyn warehouse and the Blight Music festival
  • 56:10 - Identifying the true originals in the current era
  • 1:03:59 - How to find Sam Ospovat’s music


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


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]]> Drummer Sam Ospovat discusses his technical evolution and the historical weight of performing with masters like Cecil Taylor. He breaks down the differences between the New York and Nordic music communities, the creation of his project Blight Music in a Brooklyn warehouse, and the discipline required to maintain a creative voice across different continents.


Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Intro: The difficulty of moving to New York
  • 01:13 - Formative years at UC Santa Cruz
  • 04:16 - Mills College: An incubator for the avant-garde
  • 05:32 - Two weeks with Cecil Taylor: Focus and improvisation
  • 08:12 - Moving to NYC and the influence of mentors
  • 11:46 - Relocating to Finland and the Nordic scene
  • 19:07 - Classical music as a Finnish national identity
  • 26:19 - Rhythmic ratios: Composing with prime numbers
  • 29:39 - Virtuosity and the feeling of total abandon
  • 32:11 - The "Blight Music" concept and the warehouse scene
  • 39:51 - Writing for non-specialists in complex structures
  • 44:19 - Timbre and the intellectual component of music
  • 50:13 - The Brooklyn warehouse and the Blight Music festival
  • 56:10 - Identifying the true originals in the current era
  • 1:03:59 - How to find Sam Ospovat’s music


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Smirk: Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz and the Birth of a Label Smirk: Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz and the Birth of a Label Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT 36:02 69fbf4837272023359e4ebf7 true https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/smirk-not-your-grandfathers-jazz-and-the-birth-of-a-label 69fbf4837272023359e4ebf7 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 smirk-not-your-grandfathers-jazz-and-the-birth-of-a-label full 1 10 Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund explore the decade-long journey of the album Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz featuring Tyshawn Sorey, Matt Mitchell, Jeremy Viner, Travis Reuter, and Kim Cass. They break down the band history of Smirk, the process of recording world-class improvisers at GSI Studios, and why they chose to build an independent platform for creative music.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Reflecting on the label’s first release

01:00 - The origins of Smirk (2011 at Ibeam)

02:00 - Smirk vs. Face: Electric and Acoustic quintets

04:14 - Expanding to a sextet with Matt Mitchell

09:29 - Personnel rotations and sub-players

11:44 - Writing specifically for the 5-string electric bass

12:04 - Bass chemistry with Tyshawn Sorey

15:28 - Meeting Tyshawn Sorey and early collaborations

19:51 - Inside the 2017 GSI recording session

22:38 - The decision to fund a project and start a label

25:58 - Interconnectedness: The Merry Poppins session

30:05 - The Nublu release gig and the live energy

31:14 - Tyshawn’s perfectly timed stick drop

32:39 - Nostalgia for the 55 Bar and intimate spaces


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund explore the decade-long journey of the album Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz featuring Tyshawn Sorey, Matt Mitchell, Jeremy Viner, Travis Reuter, and Kim Cass. They break down the band history of Smirk, the process of recording world-class improvisers at GSI Studios, and why they chose to build an independent platform for creative music.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Reflecting on the label’s first release

01:00 - The origins of Smirk (2011 at Ibeam)

02:00 - Smirk vs. Face: Electric and Acoustic quintets

04:14 - Expanding to a sextet with Matt Mitchell

09:29 - Personnel rotations and sub-players

11:44 - Writing specifically for the 5-string electric bass

12:04 - Bass chemistry with Tyshawn Sorey

15:28 - Meeting Tyshawn Sorey and early collaborations

19:51 - Inside the 2017 GSI recording session

22:38 - The decision to fund a project and start a label

25:58 - Interconnectedness: The Merry Poppins session

30:05 - The Nublu release gig and the live energy

31:14 - Tyshawn’s perfectly timed stick drop

32:39 - Nostalgia for the 55 Bar and intimate spaces


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Kevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle Kevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT 1:11:09 69f29a2ac2d898b28bdeb84e false https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/kevin-scott-scene-building-and-the-dancing-poodle 69f29a2ac2d898b28bdeb84e 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 kevin-scott-scene-building-and-the-dancing-poodle full 1 9 Bassist Kevin Scott shares lessons from the road and the technical secrets of playing "out" while keeping the pocket. From touring with Gov't Mule to the manifestation stories that led to playing with his idols, Kevin discusses the necessity of artistic sacrifice and the "Dancing Poodle" analogy that defines the industry landscape.


Timestamps:

00:00 - The reality of the professional music environment

00:26 - Touring with a "Raccoon Ambassador"

03:49 - Tour Hacks: Bus etiquette and sideman logistics

08:34 - Maintaining health and gym routines on the road

09:53 - Resonant Paths: Hiring Greg Osby and Ryan Clackner

13:42 - Manifestation: Joining Warren Haynes’ solo band

20:46 - Handling nerves when playing when being a “fanboy”

28:09 - The 55 Bar legacy and the 2026 NYC scene

35:36 - Building collaborative communities through sacrifice

44:19 - Playing "out" while maintaining the pocket

49:31 - The "Abusive Partner" analogy: Double Bass vs. Electric

53:14 - Electric Bass: The history of the "Ultimate Bastard" instrument

56:26 - The Mythic Pursuit: Col. Bruce Hampton and moving to Atlanta

01:06:16 - The Dancing Poodle Analogy: Why it always wins

01:10:19 - Upcoming records with Matt Chamberlain and Ryan Clackner


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Bassist Kevin Scott shares lessons from the road and the technical secrets of playing "out" while keeping the pocket. From touring with Gov't Mule to the manifestation stories that led to playing with his idols, Kevin discusses the necessity of artistic sacrifice and the "Dancing Poodle" analogy that defines the industry landscape.


Timestamps:

00:00 - The reality of the professional music environment

00:26 - Touring with a "Raccoon Ambassador"

03:49 - Tour Hacks: Bus etiquette and sideman logistics

08:34 - Maintaining health and gym routines on the road

09:53 - Resonant Paths: Hiring Greg Osby and Ryan Clackner

13:42 - Manifestation: Joining Warren Haynes’ solo band

20:46 - Handling nerves when playing when being a “fanboy”

28:09 - The 55 Bar legacy and the 2026 NYC scene

35:36 - Building collaborative communities through sacrifice

44:19 - Playing "out" while maintaining the pocket

49:31 - The "Abusive Partner" analogy: Double Bass vs. Electric

53:14 - Electric Bass: The history of the "Ultimate Bastard" instrument

56:26 - The Mythic Pursuit: Col. Bruce Hampton and moving to Atlanta

01:06:16 - The Dancing Poodle Analogy: Why it always wins

01:10:19 - Upcoming records with Matt Chamberlain and Ryan Clackner


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Recording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session Recording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT 51:22 69e994a2d2febdbec9128e32 true https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/recording-unobtainium-the-bear-skinner-session 69e994a2d2febdbec9128e32 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 recording-unobtainium-the-bear-skinner-session full 1 8 Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund join Matt Scollante to explore the intensive process of recording the new Bear Skinner album, Unobtainium. They discuss the technical challenge of live tracking during a snowstorm, the discipline of creating original audio patches, and the infrastructure required to document high-level creative music.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund join Matt Scollante to explore the intensive process of recording the new Bear Skinner album, Unobtainium. They discuss the technical challenge of live tracking during a snowstorm, the discipline of creating original audio patches, and the infrastructure required to document high-level creative music.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance Trevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT 31:54 69dfa651b918c20d8184204c true https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/trevor-lagrange-on-the-philosophy-of-performance 69dfa651b918c20d8184204c 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 trevor-lagrange-on-the-philosophy-of-performance full 1 7 Keyboardist Trevor Lagrange joins the show to discuss the evolution of his creative voice and the necessity of visual entertainment in live music. He breaks down the history of the Brooklyn loft scene, the influence of his classical training, and the mental tools he uses to master the advanced rhythms of the Bear Skinner project.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Keyboardist Trevor Lagrange joins the show to discuss the evolution of his creative voice and the necessity of visual entertainment in live music. He breaks down the history of the Brooklyn loft scene, the influence of his classical training, and the mental tools he uses to master the advanced rhythms of the Bear Skinner project.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante The Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT 54:49 69cf0d4c3a785fb94bafe412 true https://shows.acast.com/close-enough-for-jazz/episodes/the-producers-craft-alan-bjorklund-interviewed-by-matt-scoll 69cf0d4c3a785fb94bafe412 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 the-producers-craft-alan-bjorklund-interviewed-by-matt-scoll full 1 6 Matt Scollante interviews Alan Bjorklund on the technical and philosophical evolution of the producer's role in creative music. Alan breaks down the high-level vision for Birch Grove Media, his specific audio choices for the band Smirk, and the expansive influences that shape the label's identity.


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]]> Matt Scollante interviews Alan Bjorklund on the technical and philosophical evolution of the producer's role in creative music. Alan breaks down the high-level vision for Birch Grove Media, his specific audio choices for the band Smirk, and the expansive influences that shape the label's identity.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Big Ears 2026: The Festival Experience Big Ears 2026: The Festival Experience Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT 34:26 69cdf94eb601292a8000aaa0 true https://birchgrove.io/home/podcast/cefj-05/ 69cdf94eb601292a8000aaa0 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 big-ears-2026-the-festival-experience full 1 5 Alan & Lindsay Bjorklund and Ryan Clackner gather in Knoxville to review a weekend of live performance. They discuss the importance of "play" in improvised sets, the local venues that support the scene, and the long-awaited reunion duo of Ryan Clackner and Tyshawn Sorey.



BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alan & Lindsay Bjorklund and Ryan Clackner gather in Knoxville to review a weekend of live performance. They discuss the importance of "play" in improvised sets, the local venues that support the scene, and the long-awaited reunion duo of Ryan Clackner and Tyshawn Sorey.



BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Versatility and the "Soft Prune": Nick Jost ]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:01:00 GMT 36:44 69c36425938a3e0037117a13 true https://birchgrove.io/home/podcast/cefj-04/ 69c36425938a3e0037117a13 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 versatility-and-the-soft-prune-nick-jost full 1 4 Bassist Nick Jost joins Lindsay to discuss his "prepped-for-anything" mindset and the reality of the creative music scene. He breaks down his roots in St. Louis, his technical tools for learning odd meters, and why the best music comes from leaving your ego at the door.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Bassist Nick Jost joins Lindsay to discuss his "prepped-for-anything" mindset and the reality of the creative music scene. He breaks down his roots in St. Louis, his technical tools for learning odd meters, and why the best music comes from leaving your ego at the door.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Exit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos Exit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT 21:49 69ba00ae7df9481e685103e0 true https://birchgrove.io/home/podcast/cefj-03/ 69ba00ae7df9481e685103e0 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 exit-nyc-building-a-home-studio-near-the-poconos full 1 3 Alan and Lindsay break down the move from New York City to their new headquarters in Blairstown, NJ. They discuss the "obsessive" process of building a professional-grade home studio, the difficulty of booking bands in the city post-2022, and the local history of the Delaware Water Gap.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alan and Lindsay break down the move from New York City to their new headquarters in Blairstown, NJ. They discuss the "obsessive" process of building a professional-grade home studio, the difficulty of booking bands in the city post-2022, and the local history of the Delaware Water Gap.


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ryan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music Ryan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:16:37 GMT 52:10 69a7c0a3db942e85ccb4fb98 true https://birchgrove.io/home/podcast/cefj-02/ 69a7c0a3db942e85ccb4fb98 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 talking-with-ryan-clackner-inbred-guitarists-the-knoxville-j full 1 2 Guitarist Ryan Clackner joins the show to discuss why jazz guitar often fails to harness the true power of the electric instrument. From the "incestuous" habits of guitar players to the soul-crushing influence of academia, Ryan breaks down what’s wrong with the scene today—and why he had to move to the "Bermuda Triangle of Appalachia" to find his own voice.


Timestamps:


01:30 - The "Sound Riddle": From Holdsworth to Scofield

03:49 - The hurdle of "straight-ahead" proficiency

11:10 - How the "classical sickness" infected jazz

16:46 - From eighth-grade Metallica to jazz band

22:03 - The cultural importance of the Garwood Crossroads scene

28:31 - Why Nashville actually "hates musicians"

37:43 - Details on the upcoming Big Ears Festival duo performance 


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Support the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Guitarist Ryan Clackner joins the show to discuss why jazz guitar often fails to harness the true power of the electric instrument. From the "incestuous" habits of guitar players to the soul-crushing influence of academia, Ryan breaks down what’s wrong with the scene today—and why he had to move to the "Bermuda Triangle of Appalachia" to find his own voice.


Timestamps:


01:30 - The "Sound Riddle": From Holdsworth to Scofield

03:49 - The hurdle of "straight-ahead" proficiency

11:10 - How the "classical sickness" infected jazz

16:46 - From eighth-grade Metallica to jazz band

22:03 - The cultural importance of the Garwood Crossroads scene

28:31 - Why Nashville actually "hates musicians"

37:43 - Details on the upcoming Big Ears Festival duo performance 


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Support the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Introducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz Introducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:16:23 GMT 28:21 69a7bfd4db942e85ccb4da09 false https://birchgrove.io/home/podcast/cefj-01/ 69a7bfd4db942e85ccb4da09 69a7b8282fb50a2e17913fc0 introducing-birch-grove-media full 1 1 In the debut episode, founders Alan and Lindsay discuss why they decided to "choose themselves" and launch Birch Grove Media. They break down the importance of physical media, the roles of a creative director versus a label manager, and why their podcast won't sound like your typical "soothing" NPR jazz show.


Timestamps:

  • 01:15 - Looking back at the first release: Smirk
  • 02:37 - What makes a Birch Grove Media project?
  • 09:00 - The philosophy of independent publishing
  • 10:47 - Why we insist on 180g vinyl and gatefold packaging
  • 14:45 - Building a label from scratch (literally, including the fonts)
  • 20:54 - Introducing the quartet: Bear Skinner


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Support the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In the debut episode, founders Alan and Lindsay discuss why they decided to "choose themselves" and launch Birch Grove Media. They break down the importance of physical media, the roles of a creative director versus a label manager, and why their podcast won't sound like your typical "soothing" NPR jazz show.


Timestamps:

  • 01:15 - Looking back at the first release: Smirk
  • 02:37 - What makes a Birch Grove Media project?
  • 09:00 - The philosophy of independent publishing
  • 10:47 - Why we insist on 180g vinyl and gatefold packaging
  • 14:45 - Building a label from scratch (literally, including the fonts)
  • 20:54 - Introducing the quartet: Bear Skinner


BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

  • Web: birchgrove.io
  • Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
  • Watch the episodes: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
  • Support the music: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit our site to shop our latest physical media and vinyl releases.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>