Figure Eights: A Music Podcast

Join me as I talk with my first-ever band, Standard Thompson. Mike Hjelden, Loren Files, and I look back on forming the band 30 years ago, moving to the Twin Cities, smashing instruments, hanging out with Keanu Reeves, and even having a gun pulled on us. And, of course, there were the petty arguments, a nine-year friendship abyss, revolving drummers and eventually finding our way back to each other to record a three-song EP for our 30th anniversary. It’s been quite a ride. The EP is available now on Bandcamp!

Join me as I talk with Tyler, lead vocalist and songwriter of the great new Chicago band Trash Kickers. They’ve put out one of my favorite albums of 2026, Way Out, Somehow. Catch them this Thursday at Pilllar Forum, making their Minneapolis debut as they open for my band, High on Stress. Do yourself a favor and check out their record—and come see them Thursday!

Join me as I talk to producer, Sean O' Keefe about his music career, freak gardening accidents and more. Fun talk!Sean O'Keefe is an American record producer, mixer, and engineer based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. O'Keefe is best known for his work with Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, Til Morning and Plain White T's, and has also worked with artists such as Motion City Soundtrack,[ The Hush Sound,[Less Than Jake, Company of Thieves, Punchline, Spitalfield, and You vs Yesterday.O'Keefe's work has earned him three RIAA Gold Records (awarded for the shipment of 500,000 units): Fall Out Boy's Take This to Your Grave (producer and mixer), Hawthorne Heights' The Silence in Black and White (producer and mixer), and the Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" (co-producer and mixer).[Hey There Delilah" reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Join me as I have an in depth, deep conversation with Kellii Scott from the band, Failure. Kellii Scott is the drummer for American alternative rock band from Los Angeles Failure.  During the 90’s they  played countless live shows around the world and were revered as one the preeminent bands on planet earth. Sadly we would see the band break up in 1997.After Failures break up Kellii Scott became a drummer for hire and soon after  joined Blinker the Star for two albums, August Everywhere and Still in Rome, then joined Campfire Girls for their 2003 album, Tell Them Hi. Scott also played on a track titled ‘Best Friend’ by Size 14 bassist Robt Ptak on his solo project Artificial Joy, Ptak put this on his own personal reverbnation page in 2013. As of 2005, he was playing drums for both Veruca Salt and Enemy. In 2008, his most recent band The Brontosaur released their self-titled album. From 2008-2012 Kellii could be heard playing on all Linda Perry’s recording sessions, most notably Christina Aguilera’s song “You Lift Me Up” and Courtney Love’s “Letter To God”. And in 2013 he worked with the Dr Dre and a 72 piece orchestra at Capitol studios for a song on his upcoming album. In 2014 the world would see Failure return with all it’s original members, tour the world and create what would be called by fans and critics far and wide one of the best records of 2015, The Heart Is A Monster. Currently, while awaiting Failure’s return into the studio for their follow up record, he is lending his talents to teaching drums.

Join me as I talk to Caitlin Cary about her life, Whiskeytown, solo career, visual art and so much more. Really enjoyable chat.https://www.caitlincary.com

I’m joined by Ira Elliot, the incredibly entertaining drummer for indie rock heroes Nada Surf. We talk about "Popular," working with Ric Ocasek, what it's like living in different countries than your bandmates, and much more.Great guy. Great drummer. Great conversation.

David Markey is a resilient and resourceful filmmaker who has sustained a truly independent career in the shadow of Hollywood and against the backdrop of corporate America for over four decades. As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey brings together underground music, experimental cinema and contemporary culture in a direct and insightful way. His unique take on pop culture and sometimes dark wit are also present throughout his work, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed.His films include the acclaimed documentary "1991: The Year Punk Broke" (1992) and the Los Angeles Punk Super-8 cult classics "The Slog Movie" (1982), "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls" (1984), and the sequel "Lovedolls Superstar" (1986) which were all produced before he was of legal age. His international Film Festival favorite "The Reinactors" (2008) had him traveling the world exhibiting his film, inclusion in film festivals in Argentina, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Australia, and China. 2012 saw the release of his feature length documentary on Los Angeles' long running punk band, Circle Jerks entitled "My Career As A Jerk" and his first published book "We Got Power: (Hardcore Punk Scenes From 1980's Southern California)."Markey's body of work is also historically significant, representing a unique record of the punk scene in Southern California. Markey has worked with Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Redd Kross, The Ramones, Black Flag, Meat Puppets and artist Raymond Pettibon to name a few. Markey's indefatigable DIY aesthetic continues to drive him, as well as inspire a whole new generation of filmmakers, musicians and artists. His latest documentary is "The Secret Lives Of Bill Bartell" (2025), which tells the tale of a shadowy figure from the punk world, who would go on to have a lasting influence on pop culture of the 20th and 21st Century.

I'm back! Check out this mini episode filling you in on what's been happening over the last year. New interviews coming soon!

Join me as I talk about the making of the song "Tethered". It was written by Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum / Golden Smog / the Scarlet Goodbye) and I.Nick Leet - Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitarDan Murphy - Vocals, electric guitar, bass, keysChad Wheeling - Electric guitar and backing vocalsMark Devaraj - DrumsKayla Wheeling - Backing vocals

Get a first listen of my new solo album "Detours" along with some stories behind the songs.Album is available on the High on Stress Bandcamp page this Friday, May 2nd.