Best Nels Cline Podcasts (2024)

1
Steve Lukather: The Definitive Yacht Rock Guitarist 36:00

4h ago36:00

36:00

Steve Lukather is one of the most documented guitarists in the hit-making biz. He grew up as an L.A. teen with a crew of fellow musicians who would go on to make their livings at the top of the session scene. By the time Lukather and his pals formed Toto, they were already experienced chart-toppers. The band went on to success with hits including t…

1
Chad Peck (Kestrels) 19:49

1h ago19:49

19:49

Kestrels' LinkTree will lead you to all of their various websites and social media accounts Kestrels' album Better Wonder comes out on Darla Records on February 14, 2025 (Aww!) And here's the music video for the song "Lilys" from that very album Don't forget! Chad's partner Norma was a guest on the podcast before he was the year she released the st…

1
Wilco on America 45:10

1h ago45:10

45:10

Matt and Lance settle in for an honest conversation about America in light of the upcoming 2024 election.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
My Bloody Valentine Is F***ing Loud! 43:39

7d ago43:39

43:39

Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine is one of the loudest guitarists around. And he puts his volume to work creating mythical tones that have captured so many of our imaginations, including our special shoegaze correspondent, guitarist and pedal-maestro Andy Pitcher, who is our guest today. My Bloody Valentine has a short discography made up of ju…

1
Have You Ever Seen SRV Live? 44:03

14d ago44:03

44:03

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a force of nature. With his “Number One” Strat, he drove a veritable trove of amps—including vintage Fenders, a rotating Vibratone cab, and a Dumble—to create one of the most compelling tones of all, capable of buttery warmth, percussive pick articulation, and cathartic, screaming excess. As he drew upon an endless well of de…

1
Mikael Jorgensen & Cassandra Jones 52:27

12d ago52:27

52:27

Cassandra's art is phenomenal, and you can see it in online form here. As she mentions, Mikael often takes photos that end up used in her work. You can also see how unbelievably cool Mikael and Cassandra's Pink Moment events are by checking out the info from "The Pink of the Moment," which took place in September of 2024. Here's a little more info …

1
Marcus Nuccio (Ratboys, Pet Symmetry, What Gives) 42:58

12d ago42:58

42:58

Pull up a seat at the bonfire and lend an ear! We've got Marcus Nuccio on the pod today, "live" from the Chicago 'burbs. If you were at Solid Sound 2024, you likely saw Marcus drumming with Ratboys. Marcus also lends his talents to Chicago-based bands Pet Symmetry and What Gives.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Talking Jeff Beck with Jennifer Batten 50:50

21d ago50:50

50:50

There has never been a list of greatest guitar players without the mighty Jeff Beck. From his work with the Yardbirds in the ’60s to his solo work starting with 1968’s Truth, Beck changed the game, constantly redefining the vocabulary and sound of guitar music. On this episode, we’ve brought in Jennifer Batten, who grew up as a massive Beck fan, me…

1
Lynn Gentry 30:49

13d ago30:49

30:49

Here is Lynn's website. Lots to explore here. WanderWord brought our friend Lynn to Solid Sound. He's even on the website, in the top left quadrant of their photo gallery! Lynn's band The Disposition released their album Requiem for the Living in 2012 and you can download it on their Bandcamp page. You can follow Lynn on Instagram, too.…

1
Our First Judas Priest Deep Dive 34:32

28d ago34:32

34:32

In this episode, we’re celebrating the thrill of guitarmony, sick riffs, and driving 8th-note rhythms by talking about Judas Priest. Before getting ready for this episode, neither of your esteemed hosts had ever delved into the Priest discography beyond the rock-radio hits and Beavis and Butthead—though we’d both spent our time with Heavy Metal Par…

1
LeRoy Bach 39:43

1M ago39:43

39:43

Let's just say https://www.leroybach.com/ provides some excellent information on the man, including how to contact him for music lessons, which he is currently offering. (The lessons page, specifically, is here.) The Mares (plus other guests and listeners) are very big fans of his work on A Ghost is Born, this track being a highlight. LeRoy has rec…

1
Nels Cline’s Lost Album (and Other Favorites!) 39:24

1M ago39:24

39:24

Best known as the lead guitarist in Wilco, Nels Cline has an exceedingly wide range. The intrepid Jazzmaster-master has tackled everything from the deepest out-jazz and extreme noise to sensitive balladry and all brands of rock. Fittingly, any one person’s list of favorite Nels Cline records are like fingerprints: no two are the same. You’ll be lea…

1
Eric Johnson 101 with Andy Wood 41:33

1M ago41:33

41:33

Shred-meister and Eric Johnson expert Andy Wood joins us to talk about EJ’s best tracks, albums, and more. Whether you’re a fellow expert or don’t know where to start, Andy’s got you covered, from studio albums to live tracks. Come with questions, leave with homework! This episode brought to you by Two-Rock Amplifiers: https://www.two-rock.com/ Fol…

1
Spencer and Sammy Tweedy (Season 3 Premiere) 57:45

2M ago57:45

57:45

Welcome to Season 3! We're back with a very special episode featuring Spencer and Sammy Tweedy, sons of Jeff Tweedy and accomplished musicians in their own right. We cover everything from Wilco memories and influences to personal music projects. Follow Spencer at: https://spencertweedy.com/ IG: @spencertweedy Follow Sammy at: Bandcamp: sammytweedy.…

1
Sadler Vaden Can’t Stop Watching Oasis Videos 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

Once the news of the Oasis reunion got out, Sadler Vaden hit YouTube hard on the tour bus, driving his bandmates crazy. The Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit guitarist has been a Noel Gallagher mega-fan since he was a teenager, so he joined us to wax poetic about Oasis’ hooks, Noel’s guitar sound, and the band’s symphonic melodies. What are Sadler’s fa…

1
Do You Like Drum Machines in Your ZZ Top? 38:57

2M ago38:57

38:57

Billy Gibbons is an undisputable guitar force whose feel, tone, and all-around vibe make him the highest level of hero. But that’s not to say he hasn’t made some odd choices in his career, like when ZZ Top re-recorded parts of their classic albums for CD release. And fans will argue which era of the band’s career is best. Some of us love drum machi…

1
Angus and Malcolm, We Salute You 43:07

2M ago43:07

43:07

There is no more solid, more rockin’ guitar duo than AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young. Whether they make you want to brawl or crank up your amp, if you’re listening to this podcast, you know what we’re talking about. The band’s catalog is so famously consistent, do they have a best song? A worst song? (No.) And what’s the real secret to the brothers…

1
Let's Argue About the Grateful Dead 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

We can agree that Jerry Garcia’s playing pulled from all directions of the American musical experience to create an unparalleled playing vocabulary that persisted not only at the forefront of the Grateful Dead’s music, where he was most prominent, but also in his solo work with Jerry Garcia Band and in his bluegrass collaborations. Throughout the D…

1
Mike Campbell Is the King of Cool 38:42

3M ago38:42

38:42

Tom Petty’s righthand man proved time and again that he could get to the heart of the matter and find the perfect guitar part for a song. But he’s also cooked up plenty of hits as a player and writer for artists such as Don Henley—with whom he co-wrote two of his biggest hits—Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Matthew Sweet, Brian Setzer, and so many other…

1
We Listened to Every Metallica Studio Album 49:32

3M ago49:32

49:32

It’s a long journey from Kill ’Em All to 72 Seasons, but we made the trip and there’s a lot to talk about. We cover our favorite tracks on every studio album, with the band’s best riffs and solos along the way. There’s plenty we can all agree on—Master of Puppets sits high on the hard-rock altar—and just us much that’s up to debate—is it time for a…

1
Talkin’ About Grant Green with Dan Wilson 46:36

3M ago46:36

46:36

Dan Wilson is a bandleader, teacher, and a Grammy-nominated guitarist who’s played alongside organ-jazz master Joey DeFrancesco and bassist Christian McBride. He’s on the short list of players who are experts of Grant Green’s singular swinging sound. We called Dan to talk about our favorite entries in the Green’s long discography. From trio dates t…

1
Hot Sun Cool Shroud Review with Tim Grierson 1:36:59

3M ago1:36:59

1:36:59

Lance and Matt welcome back friend of the pod Tim Grierson to discuss all things Hot Sun Cool Shroud, the latest offering from Wilco. Episode artwork was created by Dara Weyna.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
A Zakk Wylde Primer 45:13

3M ago45:13

45:13

Zakk Wylde is best known for his work at Ozzy’s side. It’s with good reason: He’s blazed that gig with his strong musical personality firmly intact for decades. But on this episode we’re not only talking about his work with the Ozzman, but his solo albums, Black Label Society, Zakk Sabbath, and a few very key guest spots. Supported by EMG Pickups: …

1
The Always Evolving Alex Lifeson 36:03

4M ago36:03

36:03

Over the course of his long career, the Rush guitarist has shape-shifted through the classic rock universe. From mid-’70s hard rock through the band’s more progressive tendencies, into the beating heart of the ’80s, and finding a (relatively) leaner approach by the turn of the century, Lifeson—aka Lerxst—always found a new way to add space and dime…

1
Vernon Reid: Rock God, Noise Master, Pedal Nerd 35:52

4M ago35:52

35:52

We love “Cult of Personality” because it’s one of the hardest hitting riffs in the classic rock canon. Catch it on drivetime radio and it’ll get your heart pumping faster than an extra double-shot of espresso. But we also love it because it launched Vernon Reid’s guitar into the mainstream. We’re unpacking Reid’s playing—from his early days in the …

1
Solid Sound 2024 Recap 47:41

4M ago47:41

47:41

Join Lance and Matt as they recap their highlights of Solid Sound 2024!By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Let’s Convene the Bill Frisell Fan Club 42:57

4M ago42:57

42:57

How do you capture what is so special about Bill Frisell’s guitar playing in one episode? Is it his melodies, his unique chord voicings, his rhythmic concept, his revolutionary approach to pedals and sounds…? It’s all of that and much more. Jason and Nick talk about each of their five favorite Frisell recordings, talk about some other far-out Frise…

1
Brian May Is the Most Interesting Guitarist in the World 41:00

4M ago41:00

41:00

Whether you’ve been listening to Queen since they released their self-titled debut in 1973 or you first heard them in Wayne’s World, we can all surely agree that Brian May is a guitarist you should know about. His leads are melodic and singable, and his overdubbed guitar choirs are unparalleled. Is he also one of the smartest guitarists around? (He…

1
Nancy Wilson Is Heart's (Not-So) Secret Weapon 31:57

4M ago31:57

31:57

Nancy Wilson’s rhythm-guitar playing is under-sung hero of Heart’s sound. After auditioning for her sister Ann’s band with a performance of Yes’ “The Clap,” she transformed their sound—just check out the intro to “Crazy On You” to instantly hear the influence of her acoustic playing. And together, they transformed classic rock. On this episode, we …

1
The 10 Best Rolling Stones Guitar Jams 41:47

5M ago41:47

41:47

Keith Richards is the undisputed master of rock ‘n’ roll rhythm guitar. But who’s his best partner in the “ancient art of weaving”: Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, Ron Wood … Ry Cooder? We’re going through our favorite Stones guitar songs culled from studio albums and bootleg live recordings. Episode sponsored by Divided by 13: https://dividedby13.com/ G…

1
Can You Smell What George Benson is Cookin'? 40:33

5M ago40:33

40:33

Maybe you know George Benson from “Give Me the Night” and “On Broadway,” or maybe you’re a deep-cut head who loves The Cookbook and “Valdez in the Country.” In this episode, we’re covering our favorites, with help from guitarists Molly Miller and Dan Wilson, and some words from the maestro himself. Is Benson the most responsible user of smooth groo…

1
Michael Hedges’ Aggressively Beautiful New-Age Guitar 45:10

5M ago45:10

45:10

Guitarist Michael Hedges transcended genre with his incendiary two-hand technique, oddball instruments, and plethora of unique tunings. And his creative cover arrangements, from Sheila E. to Zappa, are in a world of their own. On this episode, we hear from his family, friends, and scholars who share what Hedges’ music means to them, and what’s in s…

1
Wilco's Best Guitar Moments (Season 2 Finale) 42:53

5M ago42:53

42:53

Welcome to the season 2 finale! Join Lance and Matt as they dissect their favorite guitar moments throughout Wilco's catalogue. Jeff, Nels and Pat's contributions are celebrated.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
David Gilmour and the ’80s Armani and Strat Mafia 39:56

5M ago39:56

39:56

A few weeks ago, David Gilmour announced Luck and Strange, his first release since 2015, as well as a select set of tour dates and dropped a new video. On the second episode of the 100 Guitarists podcast, hosts Jason Shadrick and Nick Millevoi break down the video, from Gilmour’s collaborators and gear to his climactic solo. Friends and listeners c…

1
Exploring Andy Summers' Musical Legacy 44:01

6M ago44:01

44:01

Premier Guitar editors Jason Shadrick and Nick Millevoi are arguing over which 100 guitarists you should know. Together, they dig deep into each player’s catalog to uncover what makes them unique, influential, and important. First up: Andy Summers. For the debut episode we’re covering Police guitarist and all-around maestro Andy Summers. From the i…

1
Wilco's Deep Cuts: Our Solid Sound Wish List 46:17

6M ago46:17

46:17

Join Lance and Matt as they discuss some of their favorite Wilco deep cuts in preparation for Solid Sound 2024.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Mikael Jorgensen 53:53

6M ago53:53

53:53

Matt and Lance are thrilled to welcome their second guest from Wilco to the show. Mikael talks about his specific contributions to Wilco's catalog, his fascination with music theory, as well as his interesting side projects. Mikael’s unique additions to the Wilco sound are also noted and celebrated. (Photo Credit: Harper Point)…

1
Nels Cline 57:55

7M ago57:55

57:55

This guest needs no introduction! Lance and Matt had a fantastic time talking with their first guest from the band. Nels graciously went into depth about his work as Wilco's lead guitarist as well as some of his unique contributions to specific songs from Wilco's catalogue. Photo by Mikael JorgensenBy Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Wilco's Cover Art 48:15

7M ago48:15

48:15

In this episode Lance and Matt switch up the normal format of discussing Wilco and instead focus on an aspect of albums that often gets overlooked when an album is released and assessed: its cover! Join in as they discuss how a cover influences the way an album is absorbed.

1
Ashwin Deepankar: Working For Your Favorite Band 1:02:58

8M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

An episode one year in the making is finally yours to hear! Lance and Matt connect with Ashwin Deepankar, Wilco's drum tech and stage manager, and connect over a shared fandom of Wilco. Ashwin presents a candid look at what it's like to go from being a fan of your favorite band to being hired to work with them. Ashwin Deepankar is a backline techni…

1
Let's Talk About the Loft: An Interview with Mark Greenberg 51:08

9M ago51:08

51:08

In this exciting episode featuring guest Mark Greenberg, the manager of the legendary Loft, Lance and Matt geek out and ask questions about Wilco's creative processes. Some of the topics discussed were Wilco's collaborative approach as a band of six individuals, what it's like to work with Jeff Tweedy, and some of the best things about working at a…

1
Wilco's Beauty 48:08

9M ago48:08

48:08

In this episode Matt and Lance select songs that uniquely capture the prettier side of Wilco. We all know that Wilco can rock out, but this is a chance to examine some of their most elegant melodies. Also, a unique rule is proposed: no outside research was allowed in the lead-up to the episode.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Wilco on Resolutions 35:15

10M ago35:15

35:15

Even though it might be mid-January, it's still that time of year when many of us identify our goals and aspirations for the rest of the year. Matt and Lance have selected some songs from the Wilco catalog that will hopefully help to make it an interesting endeavor for you. Whatever your relationship is with resolutions, we hope that you have fun j…

1
Denison Witmer: A Mid-Season Bonus Episode 49:30

10M ago49:30

49:30

On this very special mid-season bonus episode of Wilco the Podcast, Lance and Matt sit down with singer-songwriter Denison Witmer, covering everything from Denison's new album, his carpentry business, and his collaborations with musicians Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens. This episode also features a first listen of Denison's new song "Focus Ring" f…

1
Wilco the Podcast Holiday Party: Our Standout Albums of 2023 54:33

11M ago54:33

54:33

Welcome to a special episode of the podcast! It's the end of 2023 which means it's that time of year when everyone drops their curated lists of favorite albums and songs from the year. Matt and Lance raise a glass and discuss their favorites from the year.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Wilco On Family 58:07

11M ago58:07

58:07

'Tis the season to get together with friends and... family! What better way to celebrate and reflect on the holiday season than to have a reflection on the complex thing that is "family." Matt and Lance reflect on the topic by examining Wilco as a type of family as well as exploring their own relationships with family members. Matt references an NP…

1
Jeff Knurek 36:01

12M ago36:01

36:01

If you don't know the Jumble, now you know. Here's a nice article properly crediting Jeff for the invention of Spikeball. And here's a Wikipedia entry for Roundnet (basically Spikeball, but an entry that credits Jeff) Jeff was also a guest on this podcast (talking about Spikeball, of course). He helped found The Tweedy Show Client Union as well And…

1
Wilco On Gratitude (Plus a Review of World Within a Song) 56:07

12M ago56:07

56:07

Lance and Matt explore the theme of gratefulness within Wilco's music for a special Thanksgiving-themed episode. Also included is a discussion of Jeff Tweedy's 3rd book.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Wilco On Covers 58:04

12M ago58:04

58:04

Over the decades Wilco has covered their fair share of other artists' songs. Thanks to a suggestion from a listener's comment on Instagram, Matt and Lance delve into some of their favorites from the Wilco cover catalog.By Lance Hill & Matt Morgan

1
Jacob Ewald (Slaughter Beach, Dog) 28:22

12M ago28:22

28:22

Here's the Slaughter Beach, Dog website And here's Jacob's previous band Modern Baseball, for a little context Jacob mentioned touring with Bonny Doon As well as Sun June And we chatted about that awesome Pops Staples record Plus talked a lot about SchmilcoBy Jacob Ewald, Mary MacLane Mellas, Meredith Hobbs Coons, Adam Nash

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