Life of the Record

14/02/2025

30/01/2025

In our latest episode, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes describe the shot in the dark of asking Emmylou Harris to sing on I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING.
Full album deep dive: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/bright-eyes/

27/01/2025

For the 20th anniversary of I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING by Bright Eyes, we spoke to Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis about how it was made. Leaving Omaha, a political awakening, a minimal 70s folk sound and a midwestern kid taking in New York City.
Listen: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/bright-eyes/

10/01/2025

Big thanks to Mt. Oriander for the intro music in our Manchester Orchestra episode. I’ve been a fan of Keith’s work for a long time. Check it out: mtoriander.bandcamp.com
empireempire.bandcamp.com

For the 15th anniversary of Manchester Orchestra's MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING, we spoke with Andy Hull about how it was made. Getting signed at a young age, wrestling with a new marriage and questions of faith and developing their open wound sound.

07/01/2025

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING, Andy got together with Life of the Record to share how the album was made as well as other life events that eventually contributed to the development of the sound of the project. Listen to the episode now with the link in bio.

07/01/2025

For the 15th anniversary of Manchester Orchestra’s MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING, we spoke with Andy Hull about how it was made. Getting signed at a young age, wrestling with a new marriage and questions of faith and developing their open wound sound.
Listen: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/manchester-orchestra/

19/12/2024

A thread of our 2024 episodes. One big highlight was a conversation with Ian MacKaye about the Minor Threat record, OUT OF STEP. Ian is a national treasure and we loved hearing him revisit this pivotal moment for Minor Threat and the DC punk scene. (1/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/minor-threat/

It was a joy talking with Will Oldham about the development of his Bonnie "Prince" Billy persona and the I SEE A DARKNESS album. Oldham offered a generous account of his creative process that only added to the mystery and beauty of that record. (2/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/bonnie-prince-billy/

One high point this year was a deep dive of the underrated Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers record, LONG AFTER DARK. Hearing from Mike Campbell, Stan Lynch, Adria Petty and Ryan Ulyate about this transitional time for the band was such a thrill. (3/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/tom-petty-the-heartbreakers/

We had so much fun chatting with Britt Daniel, Jim Eno and Alex Fischel of Spoon about THEY WANT MY SOUL. Spoon's run of great albums is unparalleled and it was interesting to hear how this record has become a favorite for the band and their fans. (4/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/spoon/

The Cranberries' second album NO NEED TO ARGUE was such a monumental moment for the band. Hearing Fergal Lawler and producer Stephen Street recall the events around the record gave us an even deeper appreciation of the music they made together. (5/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/the-cranberries/

Deerhoof's THE RUNNERS FOUR is an ambitious double album made in an Oakland practice space over many months. We loved being a part of the band's debriefing process many years later with Greg Saunier, Satomi Matsuzaki, Chris Cohen and John Dieterich. (6/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/deerhoof/

Sunny Day Real Estate's DIARY is one of the most fully formed debut albums in recent memory. We had so much fun chatting with Jeremy Enigk, Dan Hoerner and William Goldsmith about the unique sound they found together and how the album came together. (7/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/sunny-day-real-estate/

Few records sound as timeless 50 years later as Richard and Linda Thompson's I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT. What a thrill it was to hear Richard and Linda reflect on their first record as a duo and how everything they tried seemed to work. (8/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/richard-linda-thompson/

José González's VENEER was a humble record made with cheap gear and pirated software, yet somehow went on to reach millions of people. It was fascinating to hear González's story of studying biochemistry but deciding to take a shot at making music. (9/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/jose-gonzalez/

We loved chatting with Superchunk's Mac McCaughan, Laura Ballance and Jim Wilbur about their memories of making FOOLISH. Despite a tense time and a breakup in the band, it's amazing they were still able to make a great record in only 3 days. (10/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/superchunk/

Lastly, we had so much fun talking to Mike Kinsella, Steve Holmes and Steve Lamos about the first American Football album. This record has one of the most unlikely stories we've ever heard and it was a joy to hear the details of how it came to be. (11/11)
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/american/football/

06/12/2024

In our latest episode, Steve Holmes and Mike Kinsella discuss the origins of American Football, from high school to the dorm room they shared.
Full LP1 deep dive: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/american-football/

04/12/2024

For the 25th anniversary of American Football’s LP1, we spoke to Mike Kinsella, Steve Holmes and Steve Lamos about how it was made. College roommates, borrowed gear, alternate tunings, and a document of a band ending that people kept listening to.
Listen: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/american-football/
Polyvinyl Record Co.

30/10/2024

In celebration of ‘Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition)’, Life of the Record podcast takes a deep dive into the making of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' fifth studio album. Drummer Stan Lynch reflects on the band’s mindset amid newfound success, lead guitarist Mike Campbell & The Dirty K***s shares insights on his creative process with Tom, Adria Petty recalls her father’s darker writing phase, and producer Ryan Ulyate dives into outtakes that hinted at Tom’s later sound. This episode revisits the stories that shaped ‘Long After Dark.’ Listen to the full episode at https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/tom-petty-the-heartbreakers/

08/10/2024

In our latest episode, Fergal Lawler of The Cranberries and producer Stephen Street describe the origins of "Zombie" and how an experiment resulted in the biggest hit single they ever released.
Full track-by-track look at NO NEED TO ARGUE:
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/the-cranberries/

03/10/2024

For the 30th anniversary of The Cranberries’ NO NEED TO ARGUE, we spoke to Fergal Lawler and Stephen Street about how it was made. Unexpected success, getting tighter as a unit, embracing grunge and Dolores coming into her own as the frontwoman.
Listen: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/the-cranberries/

24/09/2024

"Driveway to Driveway" has become one of the most enduring Superchunk songs. In our latest episode, Mac McCaughan, Laura Ballance and Jim Wilbur discuss how the song has taken on a life of its own. Full FOOLISH deep dive: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/superchunk/

19/09/2024

For the 30th anniversary of Superchunk’s FOOLISH, we spoke to Mac McCaughan, Laura Ballance and Jim Wilbur about how it was made. Slowing down and letting the songs breathe, a pivotal moment for Merge Records and a breakup within the band and its impact.
Listen: https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/superchunk/

22/08/2024

In our latest episode, Britt Daniel and Alex Fischel of Spoon, describe how "Inside Out" started as a basic piano ballad but was transformed when they gave it a Dr. Dre-inspired beat.
Full THEY WANT MY SOUL deep dive:
https://lifeoftherecord.com/ #/spoon/

19/08/2024