Strung Out
Welcome to STRUNG OUT. The show is an eclectic mix of topics ranging from music, to art, to themes of the day to the supernatural to how to better this world we live in. If you like interesting conversation, along with some original music, we got your back. Martin McCormack resides in Chicago. He is known not only for his music, but for his writing and artwork. McCormack's entire catalogue of works can be viewed at www.MartinMcCormack.com. You can also see McCormack's involvement in the duo Switchback by visiting the website www.waygoodmusic.com.
Episodes
Strung Out Episode 258 interviews Charlie Otto, a Chicago singer-songwriter, who has been part of a myriad of bands such as This Must be the Band and DJ no DJ. A seasoned performer, Otto has played alongside many amazingly talented people including some of his musical idols, like Umphrey’s McGee and members of King Crimson and Smashing Pumpkins. What's intriguing about Otto is that he currently has set that as...
Jim Tashjian started out studying jazz guitar in university, which brought him into many different musical projects. He drifted toward, pop and rock, drawn by the interest of songwriting. Bands like District 97, Miss Remember, Storm Jameson are but a few of the music groups that Tashjian has had a commanding hand in. Our second interview focuses on Tashjian's songwriting process. We also get a chance to hear h...
In our media-saturated world, it is easy to overlook the many artists that thrive without labels, without big tours, without all the hoopla and soap opera intrigue that accompanies "success" these days. These individuals thrive on their own terms, and such is the multi-talented songwriter, guitarist and band mate of several successful independent groups, Jim Tashjian. Tashjian started out studying jazz gui...
Leslie Beukelman is an artist that draws on his rural upbringing, her college education into jazz and performance and her first-hand entrepreneurial experience as a full-time working musician to be an expert on how to make a living at music. Her songs are honest, rooted in her experiences with growing up, facing life challenges and being joyful in her art. A great source of wisdom on how to take control of one'...
Leslie Beukelman grew up in Sandwich, Illinois. Her parents were musicians and perhaps her drummer mother (who was performing while 8 months pregnant with Lelsie) that instilled the desire to write and make music.
After a degree in jazz performance/jazz studies from Roosevelt University, Beukelman had a choice of a myriad places to bring her many talents. She chose to stay in Chicago and tap into the diverse musica...
Kelli Owens Hutton has had it all--and has had it as well. A musician, once signed to Atlantic Records, Owens Hutton found herself: midlife, middle class, midwestern and in crisis. Raising a family and wondering what to do with her rock n' roll, she founded MomCore--an exploration of the famous saying "all men lead lives of quiet desperation" but from the perspective of the 21st century, holding-it-al...
Kelli Owens Hutton walks the walk. A Berklee College of Music graduate, she was signed with Atlantic Records for a while, pursuing the rock and roll dream. Then life stepped in, (as life has a way of doing) and Kelli found herself married, middle-aged, middle class and a mother. What's a rocker to do? Find a genre, that's what. From her experience as both an artist, a woman and yes, mom she launched M...
Five-time grammy nominee Liam Davis has not only spent his life with some pretty amazing bands, but he has also produced some pretty amazing bands and artists. Furthermore, he has also started teaching on unique techniques
for song crafting. This podcast is a must view/listen for anyone who wants to either learn how to write a song or pick up a few tips on how to make a good song even better. You can contact Dav...
Liam Davis is a multi-faceted musician, songwriter, and producer. The Grammy-nominated musician not only is part of the Chicago band Frisbee, he has his own solo career. songwriting workshops and has been part of such projects as Justin Davis, The Diff, Part-time lovers and Soft Opening. His website is www.liamdavis.com.
We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some importan...
There are singer-songwriters out there who are so good at making other singer-songwriters look so good that we forget how good they are. Nora O'Connor is one such singer-songwriter. The folks she has toured and recorded with are a who's-who of Americana music: The Decemberists, Neko Case, and The New Pornographers. But make no mistake, O'Connor is a singer-songwriter first and foremost. Her latest al...
Nora O'Connor has been a mainstay of the Americana music scene in Chicago, having toured and recorded with The Decemberists, Neko Case, and The New Pornographers, to mention a few. She is also a prolific songwriter and musician. Her latest album, "My Heart" goes for the heart with an amazing array of finely crafted tunes. Nora's voice is honest and moving, her ability to deliver a song puts her ...
Ted Russell Kamp is a sing-songwriter, based in Los Angeles. He also produces many acts and is a one-man powerhouse in the Americana music scene. In this second interview, Martin talks to Ted about his song crafting, advice for those new to the independent music business and some sage advice about how to keep afloat and your wits about you in one of the most challenging, but rewarding gigs out there. His website www...
You can tell a lot about Ted Russell Kamp from his grin. When he is playing a song or talking about touring, he lights up with a deep joy. Being an independent artist is not easy calling. You wear many hats, slog many miles, and suffer setbacks from missing strings to club cancellations. But those who can show they can take licks and deliver some guitar licks all the same with a sense of fun are the ones who make ...
When Nikki O'Neill and Rich Lackowski moved to Chicago, it was so they could live a life as independent musicians in an environment that could literally afford them the creativity. The creative process is something that depends not only on finances, but having a dedicated work ethic. It also means having a good band. Their Chicago band has helped with "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" O'Neill&apo...
Nikki O'Neill is calling Chicago her sweet home. Her bandmate and husband, Rich Lackowski grew up in Chicago but moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. There he met O'Neill, who despite her Irish last name, spent a good part of her life in Sweden. Nikki ended up in Los Angeles, pursuing a goal of being a full-time musician. Together, O'Neill (lead singer, songwriter) and Lackowski (percus...
Martin continues his interview with Steve Dawson, a singer-songwriter who formed several bands, most notably the alternative country band, Dolly Varden. Having written scores of songs, Dawson is a wonderful source to ask about songwriting skills he has developed, his work with record labels, on being a success in the working musician world and advice for aspiring musicians on setting goals and expectations in this ro...
Well-known for the alternative country band Dolly Varden, as well as Stump the Host, Steve Dawson is a lifer when it comes to music. His family roots in Saskatchewan, Dawson has lived for a time in California and Idaho before heading to Chicago in the late 1980's dragging all that western with him. There, he found a music scene that embraced his style of writing and performing.
Chicago being cross-roa...
Ernie Hendrickson is a true hard worker, plying his craft with great intensity and attention to detail in both lyrics and guitar playing. The results are spectacular songs that relate to people on a hopeful, positive level without any indication of insincerity. Living in the Chicago area, this Rockford native represents some of the amazing songwriting wealth that abounds in the Windy City. Ernie explains how he wri...
For every big name in the business of music, there are thousands of names in the calling of music. These names are not as well known, but they are the ones that pursue their craft with no illusions about fame or fortune. They are drawn to it because they know they need to do it. Their reward is touching souls, channeling the energy in a room and bringing light into a sometimes-dreary world. Ernie Hendrickson is on...
Part of an ongoing series about the cultural need for respect. Marcus Gentry, an expert in the field and known as "Dr. Respect" unfolds why these difficult times are due to the erosion of respect. Join us as we delve into this complex and very urgent topic.
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