Episode 20: Local Music Round-Up 2006
The Stage Banter boys are too busy working on their Top Ten Albums of 2006 lists to show up for this week's taping (please send us your Top Ten list here, by the way). And so, we're treated to host DJ Owen Finbar, spinning the best the Summit City had to offer this year — excellent tracks by the likes of Moser Woods, Left Lane Cruiser, Sub-Surface and more. Special treat: Finbar previews tracks from two of the most highly anticipated releases this year, Kevin Hambrick's 'Football Weather' and the Possum Trot Orchestra's 'Harbor Road.' Finally, please hop on over to the message boards and RSVP for the first annual Stage Banter Holiday Party, December 16 at the OLG World Headquarters.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #20 (65.3 MB)
Running time 55:30

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Episode 19: Story Hour with the Stage Banter Boys
The Stage Banter team returns with 'Story Hour' -- three tales about music, love and mystery. We also review recent releases by The Hold Steady, Damien Jurado and Paul Westerberg.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #19 (74.4 MB)
Running time 1:05:00

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Episode 18: 90s Britpop!
We welcome the Fort Wayne Reader's Michael Summers and musician Matthew Sturm for a discussion of the Britpop movement of the mid-90s, spinning rare tracks from Oasis, Blur, Pulp and some also-rans. Also, we catch up on news and run a stop-motion camera of the whole thing. Curious what Stage Banter really looks like (especially Sean)? Check out this Quicktime movie – requires QuickTime.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #18 (71.6 MB)
Running time 1:02:30

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Episode 17: A Cornucopia of Reviews
The Stage Banter boys return to WOLG to chime in on nine (NINE!) new fall releases, including records by Dan Reeder, Cursive, The Decemberists, Yo La Tengo, TV on the Radio, The Killers, Pernice Brothers, The Swell Season and, almost, The Hold Steady. Also, music news and possible bleed-through of our studio neighbor and her Josh Groban CD.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #17 (76.2 MB)
Running time 1:06:36

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Episode 16: The Life & Times of mewithoutYou, news,
reader mail
We move this little song & dance routine to downtown Fort Wayne and broadcast from the One Lucky Guitar office. We only sound drunk, really. It's giddiness, 100 proof no less. Anyway, we catch up on our travels around the Midwest chasing incredible music, and then get into the details and journey of Sean's favorite band, mewithoutYou, who released their long-awaited and critically adored new album Brother, Sister on September 26.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #16 (74.8 MB)
Running time 1:05:21

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Episode 15: You GOTTA Hear This Record, Volume 3
This week, we're joined by Fort Wayne luminary Zach Smith (member of Battle of the Bands champions, Definitely Gary, and long-time employee of the Wooden Nickel record shop) for the latest in our ongoing series of incredible albums that you may not have previously heard. What's more, Mr. Smith treats us to the world premiere of a brand-new song, performed solo on acoustic guitar, that will surprise and move you.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #15 (73.2 MB)
Running time 1:19:56

Click here to view the Frank Zappa shopping-list.

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Episode 14 & a Half: Stage Banter Radio
The Stage Banter boys all found themselves deeply saddened that personal affairs (i.e. the new Elton John record - Rakim live on stage - making a sandwich) would prohibit them from creating the next episode of 'the Banter'. So they called upon an old friend, DJ Tanner, to spin some tunes and entertain ya in their absence. There's everything from Ska to Folk to Hip Hop to Rock n Roll and so much more in this first edition of Stage Banter Radio. Enjoy!

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #14 and a half (84.4MB)
Running time 1:13:44

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Episode 14: Double Albums; Dylan Redux, music news
and reviews
The Stage Banter team argues the merits of the dreaded & lauded, loved & hated, sinful savior known as the double album. We'll play tracks to make our points. We also review the recent concert by Bob Dylan in Fort Wayne, IN, amend our 'Modern Times' reviews, share recent music news, and belatedly review moderately recent releases by Swearing at Motorists and Golden Smog.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #14 (73.2MB)
Running time 1:19:48

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Episode 13: Fall Music Preview; reviews of Modern Times,
TnT, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest
The Stage Banter team gives a concise rundown of highly anticipated albums set to be released during our favorite months, September and October. What's more, we each handpick two records and play exclusive preview cuts — in some cases rare demos or live bootlegs — to really stoke your fire. We also review Bob Dylan's buzz-worthy new release Modern Times, in stores August 29, the TnT concert we sponsored, and the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest. All that, and music news! It's 79.9 minutes of goodness, folks.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #13 (73.2MB)
Running time 1:19:55

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Episode 12: The Life & Times of Tim Rogers and You Am I; reviews of Todd Snider and Guster
The Stage Banter team previews a show we're sponsoring at Columbia Street West in downtown Fort Wayne, IN on Wednesday, August 23 — it's Melbourne, Australia's TnT, Tex Perkins (Beasts of Bourbon, Cruel Sea) and Tim Rogers (You Am I). Meet us there. Tim's a hero of Banterer Matt Kelley and we dedicate the bulk of this show to giving an all-too-brief overview of Tim's career (trust us, Matt wanted this episode to be a box set). We also review the new releases from Todd Snider (The Devil You Know) and Guster (Ganging Up on the Sun).

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #12 (73.2MB)
Running time 1:19:56

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Episode 11: Elephant Six vol. 2; The Long Winters review; Ryan Adams review
The Stage Banter team happily welcomes back fine artist David Birkey, for part two of his Elephant Six overview. (Part one was, of course, Episode Five.) This time, David takes us deeper into the off-shoots, farther out on the tertiary, and closer to the heart of Elephant Six. From early four-tracks to not-even-a-month-old new material, you'll hear it all. We also review Ryan Adams' recent show at The Vogue, and catch up with the latest release from Barsuk recording artist, The Long Winters.

Click to view the Elephant 6 flowchart.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #11 (62.2MB)
Running time 1:07:54

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Episode Ten: You GOTTA Hear This 2
The guys continue with their You GOTTA Hear This Record!! series with three new picks — each almost guaranteed to surprise, startle and inebriate you. Also: music news, letters (with more Wilco talk, of course), and reviews of new records by David Bazan (formerly of Pedro the Lion) and Cracker (formerly of Camper Van Beethoven).

Click to view Matt's Cracker Playlist.
Click to listen to the Nick Hornby/Marah MP3.

Win Greg's Spoon 'Telephono' CD! Send us a paragraph or two about WHO is the greatest rock n roll band right now, and WHY.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #10 (72.7MB)
Running time 1:14:57

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Episode Nine: The Life & Times of Jeff Tweedy
The Stage Banter team is joined by Wilco über-fan Jen Reinking as they take listeners on a tour of Jeff Tweedy's musical landscape. Like all July episodes of Stage Banter, this episode is supersized — here, 76 minutes. We play tracks from all of Wilco's various permutations, and DJ Danger Locke offers up a special remix of two songs, where we hear them performed solo acoustic, in the studio, and by the live band, all in one breath. Best of all, stick around to the end of the show for a special treat from a Wilco show earlier this year.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #9 (71.9MB)
Running time 1:14:57

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Episode Eight: More Mid-Year Top Tens; The Fine Art of
Record Buying; New Reviews
The Stage Banter team reads listener mid-year top tens and follows up with a few more cuts from their own lists (see Episode Six for full coverage). We discuss the fine, lost art of record buying and detour into Greg's shady past as an illegal downloader. He escaped the RIAA and now tells his crime-ridden tale to high school students nationwide. Finally, we review new releases by Sonic Youth and Tim Easton, as well as a great record by Arizona Amp and Alternator that came out late last year. This episode of Stage Banter is super-sized for your listening enjoyment.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #8 (70.1MB)
Running time 1:16:33

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Episode Seven: Matthew Sturm in-studio interview and performance; Stage Banter's favorite cover songs
This week we welcome Matthew Sturm to the Monastic Chambers studios for an interview and live performance — one old song, one new song, and one Josh Rouse song (featuring drunken backup vocals by the Stage Banter team). We then launch into a selection of our favorite cover versions — live, rare, unreleased, hard-to-find and more. Everyone's got favorites, and everyone's got opinions, natch. This special Fourth of July episode is super-sized and almost 80 minutes long! Lots of music and lots of highlights.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #7 (73.2MB)
Running time 1:19:15

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Episode Six: Bonnaroo, Reunion Music and
the Best of '06 (so far)
The Stage Banter team hears about Greg's trip to Bonnaroo, talk about the reunion craze in music, and discuss our Best of 06 mid-year lists. We spin a ton of new songs and outline what we expect greatness from in the next six months (anyone else excited about that new Dylan record coming out in 59 days?). Hit the discussion board and let us know your own mid-year top ten — we're dying to know all about it.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #6 (61.5MB)
Running time 1:07:13

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Episode Five: Elephant 6 and Paste's 100 Best
Living Songwriters
The Stage Banter team welcomes local visual artist and Borders music specialist David Birkey as Sean leads a special Elephant 6 primer — complete with flowchart, rare tracks, and more…indie fans, unite!; then, the guys discuss Paste magazine's recent '100 Best Living Songwriters' issue and who we think is missing from their list. Finally, we spin one of the two new songs from the new Replacements "best of", Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #5 (60MB)
Running time 1:00:02

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Episode Four: Summer Festival, Concert and Album Round-Up
The Stage Banter team previews the best summer festivals, reviews the recent Springsteen concert at Deer Creek, and catch up on a lot of buzzed about new releases.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #4 (58MB)
Running time 1:00:02

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Episode Three: John Minton in-studio, Bob Dylan 'Desire'
Live in-studio performance and interview with The Possum Trot Orchestra's John Minton. Discussion of Bob Dylan's 'DESIRE' album, and review the new Raconteurs album.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #3 (59MB)
Running time 1:01:26

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Episode Two: Snowglobe, Ike Reilly Assassination,
American Music Club
Volume One of our ongoing series "You GOTTA Hear This Album!" featuring the Ike Reilly Assassination, Snowglobe and American Music Club.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #2 (60MB)
Running time 1:00:00

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Episode One: Drive-By Truckers, Avett Brothers, Neil Young, Go-Betweens
The Stage Banter team discusses Neil Young's new album (LIVING WITH WAR), assesses the career of Drive-By Truckers, previews the upcoming Avett Brothers concert, and pay tribute to The Go-Betweens' Grant McLennan.

Direct link to the MP3 of Episode #1 (60MB)
Running time 1:02:10

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