Bonus: Get To Know Zac Clark (better)!

Marci and Andy joined me for the recap in Chicago. I was able to spend time with each of them before and after the shows, so it felt fitting to review each show with each of them. We talk setlist, vibes, and the overall experience of these two very different shows in Chicago! I found the best way to celebrate a birthday is at an Andrew McMahon show with a bunch of fellow fans singing songs and celebrating together. Also, I had my very first VIP experience! Then, onto my second and final 3P experience! Catch it all and more on this episode. Chicago (Garcia's) solo show setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/andrew-mcmahon/2026/garcias-chicago-chicago-il-43488ba7.html

Author Lindsay Bennett returns to the podcast to discuss her new novel and a song that we felt fit some of the themes of her novel. Join us as we discuss her story, her characters, and the world she's built. We also talk lyrics, themes, and Andrew's songwriting in general. It's Lindsay's 5th song episode on the podcast! Song Audio: https://youtu.be/zhRXldOsMXY?si=OCaSNrcC4kSdT_ug Author Lindsay Bennett's links: https://linktr.ee/authorlindsayjbennett Order Lindsay's new book: https://tr.ee/a2OaKRH6_m Live full band, 2014 (first time performed live): https://youtu.be/dhuCmVFmIvE?si=BJJW4mESPVF97UWa Live solo, 2017: https://youtu.be/Pqzrmudohpg?si=w5hbcF8PF6fSYVDQ HuffPost interview, 2014: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/clara-cullen/andrew-mcmahon_b_6020030.html

We're celebrating 6 years of the podcast this week! And what better what to kick off a celebration than two passionate guests, a recap of two Andrew McMahon shows, and a whole lot of great conversation! This is Part 1 of the Three Pianos experience this past month.

Jason Singer of Michigander joins the podcast to talk about the band's upcoming album "Over Before You Know It", their fall tour, and the journey of building a music career over more than a decade of writing, recording, and touring. We had a great conversation about his new music (and his last album), life on the road, the great state of Michigan, and more! Michigander on Instagram: http://instagram.com/michiganderband Order Michigander merch: https://shop.michiganderband.com/ Michigander 2026 tour: https://www.michiganderband.com/#shows Reach out directly if you want to join the Gander Discord server!

You may know Zac Clark as the man behind the keys on stage with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and Something Corporate… take this opportunity to get to know Zac better as an artist and performer. In this episode, Zac reflects on his journey from fan to bandmate and solo artist, his approach to songwriting, the unique experience of performing intimate house shows, and the new music he's been working on. Whether you've followed Zac for years or have just discovered his music, this conversation offers a deeper dive into his career. Zac's official site: https://inthewolfsmouth.com/ Follow Zac on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamzacclark/ Stream Zac's music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7IdCnVHtgDZJIJG5zOmDAE?si=RBdiqRHcQ7ekHxCqfjE4Yg

Returning guest, Morgan, and I discuss a song that we don't think gets enough love and attention. Join us as we go back to the summer of 2020 and find out what Andrew released into the world at such a strange time in history. We compare the song to others from the era, talk about how it fit into the catalog and in the live show, what the future may hold for this song, and our relationship with it! Official Song Visualizer: https://youtu.be/Eh1_5vHRQh8?si=V_Etpww4fBMf6vXO Live at the Troubadour with Strings, Nov 2021: https://youtu.be/A1jqX_5lwXw?si=aGuG20rCoTxyr53d 2020 Buzzbands Article: https://buzzbands.la/2020/07/31/stream-andrew-mcmahon-in-the-wilderness-get-on-my-wave/

A returning guest joins the podcast to talk about what we believe is a fan favorite live show song. We dig into the songwriting and lyrical content of this song, our personal histories and experiences with this song, and the Zombies on Broadway album as a whole. Official Song Audio: https://youtu.be/2pL4GgXdJO8?si=d8wAqEA-57gqPIQR Live, 2017: https://youtu.be/B6poeMWS2GE Live in 2019, Upside Down flowers tour: https://youtu.be/68WlfmcVRus Live on Holiday From Real, 2024: https://youtu.be/iSpsRGA69tk?si=tGEvO87s4Qr9vUBi Concord.com interview: https://concord.com/artist/andrew-mcmahon-in-the-wilderness/#:~:text=Consciously%20or%20unconsciously%20I%20began,work%20and%20done%20it%20well. TimeOut Interview: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/musician-andrew-mcmahon-takes-us-on-a-tour-of-his-favorite-new-york-spots-020117

Returning guest Cindy @cindycarrierviolin comes back to talk about a beloved collaboration between Lindsey Stirling and Andrew McMahon that will forever hold a special place in her heart. We talk about how this song came to fruition, our own personal history with the song, and recent events that made this song unforgettable for so many of us, especially Cindy herself. Official Music Video: https://youtu.be/I2lVEiwKVFM?si=qqsQzvltpDJHeKRr Live on Holiday From Real '26 feat. Cindy Carrier: https://youtu.be/la8n8buFXF4?si=ka0mFyaVnq_e4pAV Cindy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cindycarrierviolin Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindycarrierviolin Instrumental version by Lindsey Stirling: https://youtu.be/NQePDA2EisI?si=FgXYqNV-GuGChEj- Live Acoustic Instrumental by Lindsey Stirling: https://youtu.be/l-d3KbLlrMo?si=iJRfU6ucF_o5yNJP Live on the Today Show (both Lindsey and Andrew): https://youtu.be/9zJUhmkpEz8?si=m_Md13uchrzBrDfZ

Jessica joins the podcast this week for two reasons: First, we dive into a B-side that's newer to me but, deeply meaningful to her. Second, we compare stories from our recent Holiday From Real cruise! This episode explores how a song and shared moments among fans at sea intertwine in a powerful way. Song Audio: https://youtu.be/_iSy8dTMGPU?si=JQ_ofn9WDG9xTuPv Live in Poughkeepsie, January 2013: https://youtu.be/Nn4cHtih114?si=vy0eKgmW0UIGsp2- Live at Dear Jack VIP Night (Chicago), November 2022: https://youtu.be/j933VmYe4Ws?si=Hx6Wg6EwCn5XGoE6 Live on Holiday From Real '26 (clip): https://youtu.be/06eF7ESxjkY?si=PmM-DSlzDc5iw2PY Watch HFR '26 shared youtube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX_KsnmAMJnh3IwDZOwwXng8zi2XYLJ-H&si=x1oGPe1J_OEBG3V3 Add your videos to the HFR '26 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX_KsnmAMJnh3IwDZOwwXng8zi2XYLJ-H&jct=5yi5V8yeW9Nl-4bI0oKf8A Andrew McMahon Fan Art Collective: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amfanartcollective Keep Rising Therapy: Jessica's private practice: https://keeprisingtherapy.com

If you were on the recent Holiday From Real cruise, you may have noticed a fan wearing a yellow arrow above her head. What did it mean and why is it important? Coral and Hayley join the show to tell us about their cruise festival experience and share a special message to the fandom. We had a lot of fun sharing our memories and talking about unique moments! Collaborative HFR video playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX_KsnmAMJnh3IwDZOwwXng8zi2XYLJ-H&jct=Mk3NsIeaCCTKI9BBm7b2uw (click the link, become a collaborator, upload your videos to your own account, then add them to this collaborative playlist!)