Abandoned Albums

Episode 901 - Rock Royalty: David Diamond of THE KINGS - Exclusive Interview

Join Keith for an exclusive interview with Dave Diamond of the iconic Canadian rock band The Kings. Discover the stories behind their classic hits, insights into their musical journey, and what the future holds. 
This episode is perfect for fans of Canadian rock and music history as a whole. It offers a deep dive into The Kings' legacy.
Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation with one of rock's enduring talents.
LINKS
The Kings on the web
The Kings on Spotify
The Kings on IG
The Kings on YouTube
The Kings on FB
The Kings Documentary (on YouTube)
#TheKings #DaveDiamond #RockMusic #CanadianRock #ClassicRock #ThisBeatGoesOn #SwitchinToGlide #MusicInterviews #RockLegends #BandStories

Episode 900 - BONUS Prof. TERRY BARR stops by to chat about JEFF TWEEDY & PAUL WESTERBERG

Professor Terry Barr and Keith got together a few weeks back to chat about how some singer/songwriters get academic treatment, like Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift (that’s real) and why some don’t… and probably won’t.
For the purpose of our discussion we looked at Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Paul Westerberg of The Replacements. Of the two, we both came to the same conclusion - Jeff will probably see an academic assessment (if he hasn’t already). 
Paul will be out back cleaning the erasers.
Linkage
Terry Barr on Medium
Dig It! - Terry’s Substack
Keith R. Higgons on Medium
Abandoned Albums - Keith’s Substack (you’re actually on it now, so where does this link go…)
The NYTimes Article - apologies, you gotta create an account if you don’t have one.
Some of the writers mentioned in episode:
Claire Dederer
Michael Chabon
Paul Auster
Susan Rogers
Phillip Roth
Jennifer Egan

Episode 812 - Exclusive Interview with DAVID BAERWALD: Insights on 'Boomtown', his solo career, writing, and family history.

David and David's album Boomtown was one of the records that made me want to start this podcast. The first time I heard "Welcome to the Boomtown," I knew I was hearing something unique. And truthfully, that album shaped my picture of Los Angeles for years. 
Connecting with David Baerwald and having him on the show to talk about his career is a highlight. He was very generous with his time and stories, and I'm very thankful we could capture some of his story.
In addition to being an acclaimed songwriter and performer, he will soon be adding author to his list when his debut novel, The Fire Agent, is released later this year. 
We discussed the music, the book, family history, and how it shapes us. 
A great way to wrap-up another season.
LINKS
David and David on FB
David B. on IG
David B. on Spotify
The Fire Agent

Episode 811 - We welcome back SONS OF SILVER as Brina and Peter stop by to talk about their upcoming new album.

It's a special treat to have Brina and Peter from Sons of Silver back for a chat, especially when they're making the rounds discussing their exceptional album, 'Runaway Emotions '.
As usual, it was fun and wide-ranging. Kick back and relax; this is a good 'un. 
And the new album is incredible, so you'll wanna listen.
LINKS
Sons of Silver online
Sons of Silver on Spotify
Sons of Silver on FB
Sons of Silver on IG

Episode 810 - The password is eclectic. This week we welcome Wisconsin's THE FLAVOR THAT KILLS.

On this episode, we welcome Eric and Christian from Wisconsin's own The Flavor That Kills. Imagine if you took The Talking Heads, mixed in a little of The Tragically Hip, mixed in some Midwestern soul and punk rock, and blended it all together.
Of course, that's an oversimplification, but that's a rough idea of what The Flavor That Kills sound like to me. The word that springs immediately to mind is eclectic.
The three of us got the chance to talk about a whole bunch of things, including their spectacular new album Secrits. 
LINKS
The Flavor That Kills on Bandcamp
The Flavor That Kills on FB
The Flavor That Kills on Spotify

Episode 809 - With the album Mine Would Be the Sun, ROB NESBITT, aka THE SUITESIXTEEN, performs an "autopsy" on a love story about teens... NOT a teen love story.

Twenty-five years in the making, with "Mine Would Be the Sun," Rob Nesbitt, aka The SuiteSixteen, has created one of the most comprehensive love stories. It is a love story about teenagers, not a teen love story—a subtle difference, but still a difference. 
LINKS
Rob Nesbitt, aka The SuiteSixteen, on Bandcamp
The SuiteSixteen on IG
The SuiteSixteen on FB

Episode 808 - Do not go gentle into that good night - the story of X-RAIDED.

There are prisoners and then there are people who find themselves in prison.
X-Raided is an artist who falls into the latter category.
X-Raided was released after serving 26 years. And in the ultimate irony, he completed his sentence months before the world went into its own kind of prison - the COVID lockdown. Undeterred, he remained laser-focused on his career as an artist, using his platform to advocate for criminal justice reform, and his continued evolution as a man, mentoring younger people. His resilience and continued relevance in the rap industry make X-Raided an intriguing and influential figure in hip-hop history.
To listen to his catalog is to bear witness to growth. The line from a song like “Who’s the Ho” to “The Sunken Place,” much like life itself - in the joint or not - is not a straight one.
X-Raided’s artistic catalog is a document to the growth of the man and the artist.
LINKS
X-Raided
X-Raided on IG
X-Raided on Spotify
Strange Music
 

Episode 807 - With his debut solo album, Rock & Roll Diary, BILLY ALEXANDER steps into the spotlight.

As our favorite Rock and Roll Ambassador, bass player Jimmy Ashhurst, said in the very first episode, “How do you market classic rock when it’s not yet classic?”
Billy Alexander, the multi-talented guitarist and a cornerstone of the prog-rock outfit YYNOT, has done time as a sideman to John Waite and Anna Nalick, has produced, written, and recorded numerous artists, and with his nine-song debut solo album, Rock & Roll Diary, steps into the spotlight.
In essence, Billy Alexander's work is a masterclass in balancing complexity with accessibility. While we may not have answered the question of how to market classic rock that is not yet classic, it’s nice to know there are still acolytes out there writing the tunes and stomping the stages.
LINKS
Billy on the web
Billy on Bandcamp
Billy on Spotify