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October 22, 2025 87 mins

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Welcome to Season 5, Episode 12, of "Secondhand Talent: The Podcast"!!! We're so happy we're here and so, so incredibly grateful for all of your love and support along the way. On behalf of all of us here at Secondhand Talent, Steiner & Steener - WE LOVE YOU, FRANDS!!!

This week we have the pleasure of releasing to you our interview with co-founding member and front-man of THE DWARVES - the one, the only, Blag Dahlia!!! Blag has been making music for over 40 years and there ain't nothing slowing him down!!!

In this episode, Blag Dahlia shares his journey through the music industry over the past 40 years. He discusses the challenges of owning music, the evolution of sound, and the importance of collaboration with producers. Blag reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned, and the significance of live performances in shaping a musician's career.

Steiner and Blag discuss the raw essence of music, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of owning one's music in the industry. Blag shares insights on navigating independence, the reality of record deals, and the struggles artists face. The discussion also highlights the Dwarves' journey, the impact of labels, and the fight for artistic ownership.

Links:

Website: thedwarves.com

IG: @thedwarves

YouTube:  @thedwarves  
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:19 The Evolution of Dwarves and Suburban Nightmare
06:28 Influences and Early Musical Experiences
09:16 The Importance of Longevity in Music
12:31 The Struggles and Tenacity of Being a Musician
15:22 Owning Your Music and Navigating the Industry
27:32 The Dark Side of Record Deals
30:43 Advice for Aspiring Artists
32:02 The Dwarves: A Punk Rock Legacy
36:32 Leaving the Midwest: A Strategic Move
39:21 The San Francisco vs. LA Rivalry
43:45 The Unpredictable Path to Success
44:41 The Struggles with Record Labels
48:44 The Realization of Ownership
52:52 The Cost of Passing the Buck
56:09 Introduction and Wardrobe Change
56:19 The Journey of Producing 'Dwarves Are Young and Good Looking'
01:01:13 Songwriting and Production Insights
01:05:02 The Importance of Mentorship in Music
01:08:33 The Role of Producers in Music Creation
01:15:40 Touring and the Reality of Live Music
01:20:09 The Evolution of Musical Identity and Pseudonyms
01:22:08 The Legacy of Dwarves and Vinyl Resurgence
01:26:09 Creating Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows
01:26:52 Parting Thoughts and Future Plans
01:27:16 End Credits

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With "Secondhand Talent", we want to devote a platform to taking moments to shine the spotlight on those that manage the spotlights. We want to use this platform to highlight some of our incredible colleagues in the industry whose names you might otherwise never hear. Thank you for joining us - come along, stay a while!

Like, Subscribe, and TELL YO FRANDS!!! New Episodes Every Wednesday!!!

Feel free to reach out to us at secondhandtalent@gmail.com to be on the show!!!

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Steiner & Steener

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