A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan Evison

Today I talk with a musician I have mad respect for--Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch. I’ve seen Built to Spill a bunch of times, along with another one of his bands, Treepeople. Doug and I rap about the origins of BTS and Treepeople, along with the two Bretts—Netson and Nelson. We discuss the musical influences that helped shape his signature sound, while I profess a love of Boise’s annual Treefort festival, which I liken to SXSW thirty-five years ago. We talk about the scene of artists that came from Idaho, including Caustic Resin, The French Tips, Dirt Fisherman, and Braided Waves. Doug is such a humble, soft-spoken, down-to-earth dude, it’s hard to believe he’s a rock star.
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Noah Giansiracusa is a professional mathematician who has figured out how to use his super powers to hack into the algorithms that rule our lives. From social media to credit scores to online shopping, Noah encourages his devotees to understand how math is used to manipulate you at every point of decision-making in modern life. Remember saying in school, "When am I ever going to use this?" Well, it turns out that math is using you!! Wake up, sheep — it's time to take control of the algorithms. Read all about it in Noah's book, "Robin Hood Math".

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744578/robin-hood-math-by-noah-giansiracusa/

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Marco Collins is a seminal figure in both the San Diego and Seattle alt-rock music scenes of the '80s and '90s. As a radio DJ, Marco was instrumental in introducing new artists to eager listeners at 91X (San Diego) and later at KNDD, The End (Seattle). Many bands, like NIN, The Pixies, and the Cocteau Twins, only got airplay because Marco fought with his stations to play them. He leaked demos and hid singles from test groups so he could get music heard. A tireless advocate for his audience and a consummate rebel, Marco's star has burned bright across our culture, so much so that he has a display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison

If you like hearing stories from Gen X postal workers, you have come to the right podcast. Today I talk with my second mail carrier, Stephen Grant. At the beginning of the pandemic Stephen lost his job as a strategist for a Manhattan ad agency. He decided to return to his family home in West Virginia where he took a job as a mail carrier. Stephen wrote a book about his experiences called "Mailman - My Wild Ride Delivering Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding a Home."  We talk about rediscovering purpose and connecting with his family and neighbors. I learned a lot about the region including how to correctly pronounce Appalachia.  
Mailman: https://www.stevegrantworks.com/
linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison

When I get called a boomer, it’s usually because I’m trying to explain to someone much younger why collecting vinyl records and making mixtapes is so satisfying. A Spotify playlist may be more efficient and time-saving, but what do you lose in the digital process? Organic discovery that’s not based on an algorithm. Record store curation (High Fidelity, anyone?). Listening to a whole album while reading the liner notes, etc. According to today’s guest, author David Sax, it turns out these younger generations are starting to discover the joys of an analog experience on their own. Now, five years out from the start of the pandemic, we’re seeing signs of digital exhaustion and a craving for something more tactile. It’s an encouraging conversation for this Gen Xer. Check out David Sax's book, "The Future is Analog", and please, read it on paper.
The Future is Analog
https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/FUkcZsH8Mlh_1LNJ2Ucg9A
linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison