"A New York comic now doing it in L.A." That's how Evan Kessler was first described to Art.
In this interview, Evan sets the record straight that he actually began doing standup in California. Kessler talks about what it's like to begin a career in standup in the show business mecca of Los Angeles, and his brushes with star comics like Maria Bamford and Emo Philips. He also gives insight into his day job, working as a writer and production assistant on various reality shows. Along the way he also talks about the very beginnings of his career back in New York, writing for the National Lampoon Web site and working on various VH-1 "I Love..." shows. 69 minutes.
Art's comments: "I think it's a lot of people's dream to step onto a stage in Hollywood and try to make it as a comedian. Evan Kessler is actually living it. While the rest of us are creeping down the interstate to our cubicle farms, this guy is hitting the clubs and making his dream come true. For that alone he deserves for you to listen to his story.
"Not to mention that he later tweeted he was holding back vomit throughout this interview. That's another reason to listen."
Well, shit! A month has gone by and I haven't posted a new episode! So enjoy this classic (read: old) episode from the summer of 2012 where I interviewed famed ATL music critic and DJ, Jeff Clark. He publishes Stomp and Stammer, an irreverent and hysterical music `zine that basically invented Simon Cowell's shtick 20 years before Cowell did. Jeff Clark is a great writer, rock n' roll entrepreneur, and living library of alternative/indie rock music history.
This episode also has excellent ambiance because it was recorded at The Majestic, one of Atlanta's finest eateries. Check it out!
I've got irons in the fire for more shows. Stay tuned to this space.
Songs performed are "You Built a Wall," "Somewhere in Between," "Why I Sing About the Rain," "Carry Me Home" and "Fart Proudly" (seriously). 41 minutes.
Art's comments: "Oh, my poor face! Don totally melted us all! But really, if you listen closely to Don's music, you'll hear impressively precise fingerpicking with the most well-thought-out rhymes this side of Jay-Z. Turn off the screamo for a change and take a listen to Don."
Next, wild animals are on the loose in Art's house! How does he manage to not only survive, but live in harmony with Mother Nature?
In his quest to always bring you the best guests, Art talks about his attempt to get an interview with the one-and-only David Lee Roth!
Also enjoy a listener message from the SpeakPipe feature (upper right hand corner of this page).
Last, discover a great band called the Emma Gibbs Band as Art shares their classic track, "Worn Out Shoes." 35 minutes.
Art's comments: "I've got more irons in the fire for great guests in the future, but every now and then it's nice to just talk straight across to the listener like this. Hope you like it."
Stop keeping Art to yourself! Share this episode on Facebook, Twitter, etc., using the tools below. Thank you!
Brett Baker (self-portrait at right) is the creative mind behind some of TV and radio's most entertaining commercials of late. He joins Art for a discussion of the ad industry and how he got into it. He explains how he went from being a directionless college freshman in Kentucky to writing national commercials featuring stars like Michael Jordan and Charlie Sheen.
But first, Art talks about seeing Dave Grohl's documentary "Sound City," and accuses the alternative rock star of becoming an elitist, classic rock old geezer! 70 minutes.
Art's comments: "Hey, look! I got someone to endure an hour of my questions again! Brett Baker is one of the wittier people on Twitter with a great career in the ad world going for him, so it was nice of him to take the time to talk to us. Make it worth his while by listening."
Podcast Place in Atlanta teams up with Studio 67 in Hollywood for a living stereo SUPER PODCAST!
For nearly six years, The Big W has hosted the An Evening with the Buddies Lounge podcast. Now, the show has been picked up by Metromedia's N.E.W.!
The Big W explains what "Space Age Pop" is, how his show was picked up by WNEW/Metromedia, and how he came to own the record collection of former KNX/Los Angeles DJ and Hogan's Heroes star, Bob Crane. Sambo's and the Pan Am Worldport also enter the conversation as W and Art discuss the fate of these marvels of Googie architecture. 70 minutes.
Art's comments: "An Evening with the Buddies Lounge was one of the first podcasts I ever heard, and one I return to regularly. If you have the slightest interest in music, recorded sound, or pop culture of the `50's-`60's, this will be the most enjoyable hour you've ever spent in school."
The Canadian-born, Hollywood-bound actress talks about her beginnings in Toronto improv theater (including studying with the legendary Second City), to producing her own stage play in Los Angeles, L.A.: Post Apocalyptica. Plus, what does she think of the current controversy around infamous Toronto mayor Rob Ford? Does her good friend and co-playwright, former Penthouse Pet Sam Phillips, still look good naked? It's all inside!
Then, lose yourself in a great track by Kansas/San Francisco trance-jazz trio Life On Earth called "Woes of the Uninsured."
Art's comments: "The conversation that made it to tape is great, but there's even more to this L.A. story that listeners will see unfold in the near future. Learn about Jaclyn Fleming here and now, rather than later on IMDB. Also thanks to TChad Quarterly for the photo."
If you like this episode and love your family, please share it with the tools below.
David "The Nuzzy" Nussbaum joins Art by Skype. The Nuzzy is well-known as a member of "The Stern Super Fan Roundtable" show on Howard Stern's Sirius/XM satellite radio channel. He's also a Twitter celebrity with over 17,000 followers, has produced podcasts for such stars as actor Andy Dick and comedian Fred Stoller, and has also hosted his own podcast, "Decently Funny with Nuzzy and the Guy," since 2009.
Nuzzy tells the story of how he catapulted himself from selling ads for an AM Spanish radio station to becoming a national sales manager with ESPN Radio, working in promotions with the Yankees, to being at the forefront of "new media." 68 minutes.
Art's comments: "If you're interested in Internet media and its future, David Nussbaum is one of the key people you want to hear speak. As for my own performance on this one...so anyway, it was great to have Nuzzy give us some of his time."
If you enjoy this episode (and let's face it, you will), please do share it on Twitter, Facebook, etc., using the tools below. Thanks!
Conan O'Brien, that other talk show host, brought his show to Atlanta recently. Art talks about attending a special standup performance by the show's writers, and meeting legendary comedic actor David Koechner, a.k.a. Todd Packer from "The Office" and Champ Kind from "Anchorman."
Then, Hard Rock Chick returns to discuss her trip on the "Barge from Hell," another trip to the Grammys, and a special segment, "In the Listening Room." She opines on a series of rock and metal cuts, even though she's really too nice to do so, but is goaded by Art.
Stay tuned until the end for a special rememberance of the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the second Iraq war. 1 hr. 25 mins.
Art's comments: "This is the longest one yet, but I think it's all good. THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID! (Office reference.) And 'Landslide' is on AC/DC's 'Flick of the Switch' album, not 'High Voltage' like I say in the Listening Room."
Just when you thought it was over, Art stages a triumphant return!
First, Art details where the show has been, and more importantly, why he's back to do it again.
Then, Vinny Bucci of Rock 100.5's The Regular Guys Show joins Art in the studio. "The Booch" has had a lot of adventures in the year since he last appeared. The Booch and Art discuss "sharts," the day Larry Wachs stripped naked in the studio, whether the show has ever gotten him laid, and how Booch gets along with fellow show member Sebas. 1 hr. 17 minutes.
If you like this episode, please use the tools located at the very bottom of this post to share it on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Art's comments: "This is my class project for Shock Jock 101. I don't know what it is, but a visit from the Booch brings the vulgar comments out of me. Was this a good idea? Only time, and your ears, will tell."
