Brian Oake Show

Nick Leet (High On Stress) returns! It's been 6 years since the last High On Stress release, so Nick brings us up to speed on the hiatus and the new album, Still Here. He also features a couple of killer bands that he's been working with recently. A veteran stalwart of the Twin Cities music scene and just a decent human, Nick is always great to talk to. Enjoy!

Corrine and Pamela from Black Widows join to talk not only about the new full-length Creatures Of The Night, but also what life is like in one of the most badass femme/surf/psych/punk bands on the planet. This kind of band is why Sean and I do this podcast. Enjoy!

Chrisy Hughes is a championship-winning sailor. I swear, you can see the determination in her eyes! She is also heavily involved with the Minnetonka Yacht Club. Both Sean and I are working with MYC for this year's Stars, Stripes and Sails on the 4th of July - a glorious evening on Lighthouse Island (Lake Mtka) featuring live music and a truly spectacular fireworks display at dusk. There were only 20 tickets left as of this posting, so get a move on! Enjoy.

Kaatwalk makes her first-ever visit to the SmartStartMN Studio! She's a delightful singer-songwriter with a show tonight at the Aster Cafe to celebrate her forthcoming EP, A Week In June. Get in on the ground floor with a very promising young talent. Enjoy!

Ryan Otte (aka Cole Diamond) makes his inaugural visit to the 'cast! We talk all about the new record, the big release/birthday show coming up July 3rd at the Turf club (only $15!!), and the enduring popularity of honky tonk music. Great energy and even better music. Enjoy!

Mother Banjo (Ellen Stanley) and her husband Ben Cook-Feltz have a relatively rare joint show tomorrow evening at The Aster Cafe! Ellen stops by to talk about the gig, the rigors of parenting as a working musician, and the fact that her Womenfolk Radio Show is almost 25 years old! Wow!! Ellen is such a delight, we love her visits. Enjoy!

Hopefully, you've already heard that we're MCing the big Minnetonka Yacht Club Stars, Stripes and Sails 4th of July Celebration this year, and you're invited! Craig Laing, Commodore for the MYC joins us to talk about the event, and the Minntonka Sailing School, the biggest in the country! He also picks some fantastic music. Enjoy! 

Peter 'Spike' VanDusartz stops by to talk all about his debut full-length release 'What You Gonna Be?'. It features loads of local musical luminaries and was produced by none other than John Munson (Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic). The big release party is happening this Saturday at The Aster Cafe. Enjoy!

Josh Cleveland (along with his band Wonders) has a brand new album on the way!  Prove The Sound will arrive July 10th, and to celebrate, they have a big show at The Granada Theater this Thursday! Josh has great stories and a huge heart. Enjoy!

Billy's Back!! It may have taken nearly 500 episodes, but here we have Billy Morrisette (Dillinger Four, Butcher's Union) back in the studio! Billy rocks the bass in an excellent Cars tribute band, Kars 4 Skids, and they'll be playing live at the 4th of July celebration on Lake Minnetonka, an event put on by the Mtka Yacht Club and hosted by The Brian Oake Show! Summer awaits. Enjoy!

Hugo Klaers and Steve Price of  legendary Minnesota musical mainstays The Suburbs stop by to talk about the good ol' days, the good new days and! the brand new record A Pagan Ritual: Live At The Cabooze 1983. The new record is rad and the boys do not disappoint. Love Is The Law!!

This episode we're joined by Sir Chadwick, bass player for Minnesota's premier Action Rock band, Fret Rattles!! They've got a brilliant, bombastic new full-length record out 'As The World Falls Apart. To celebrate, there's a massive rock n roll circus happening under the canopy at The Hook & Ladder. Are you ready? Wake Up Now!!! 

Annie and Kari, both of Minnesota favorites Annie and The Bang Bang, are back to talk about their latest project, Glass. The sound of the project is described as 'minimalist avant pop'. Color me intrigued! Glass has a show coming up and a full-length album on the way. Also, we laugh way too hard on this episode! Enjoy. 

 Sam and Des came by to tell us all about the folk rock stylings of their band, Harlow. We talk about the debut album, upcoming shows/releases, and get a little insight into what it's like being in an up-and-coming band in the modern era. They also bring along some genuinely beautiful tunes. Enjoy!

Monet and Vanessa from Spit Takes stop by to talk about their debut eponymous LP! The big release show is this Saturday at Cloudland. We also talk about some other upcoming gigs AND! we dive into Monet's new record label Whiplass, dedicated to amplifying the music and voices of femme, trans, and queer punks. This was a fun one. Enjoy!

Adam and Eric from The Long Honeymoon joined us for a great conversation!  We chatted about the history of the band and how they were formed.  They have released an EP and an album, but have already written two more albums and partially produced the second album.  We felt like total underachievers!  

What if there were a way to support the ALCU of Minnesota during these trying times AND rock the hell out with some of the coolest names in MN Music? There is!! Megan and Dan from Minnesota Music Resistance stop by to talk about Mayday! Mayday! A Benefit for the ACLU-MN. It's this Friday at the Hook & Ladder as they kick off their Under The Canopy music series. Venus De Mars, Cindy Lawson, and others perform live to celebrate the release of Bih Hopes Of Mid-America Vol 1. So much music, so much resistance! Enjoy.

Jake Rudh brought the heat today. Three great song pulls, we're not surprised.  This Saturday at the 1st Ave Mainroom, he'll be celebrating 25 years of Transmission.  We had a great discussion about music, his process and his passion.  We love Jake and can't wait to celebrate with him on Saturday.

Michael Anschel , principal of show sponsor OA Design Build Architecture, joins us to talk remodeling, community and the importance of exploring and recognizing our place in a wider world.  Always a great conversation. Enjoy! 

Mother Banjo is back! Ellen Stanley stops by to talk about her gig with Beth Bombora at the Hook this Sunday AND a huge fundraising livestream next week featuring the likes of Chris Koza and Dar Williams! Enjoy!

One of our 'favourite girls', Katy Vernon, returns to talk about her latest band's debut release, the big release party this Friday at The Parkway, and the importance of resiliency and staying positive in the face of all the darkness. Pro-Women, Pro-music and Pro-making the most of being alive, Katy is always a wonderful guest. Enjoy!!

Finally! After years of trying, we actually got jeremy messersmith into the cozy confines of the SmartStartMN studio. He has a brand new full-length album, Fox/Coyote, coming out tomorrow, April 1st. We talk all about the new album, his love of house concerts, and his somewhat dubious tenure as a temp at a nuclear waste storage facility. No joke. He also brought along his guitar to serenade us LIVE with the world premiere of a brand new song! This one was worth the wait. Enjoy!

We could talk to Peter Jesperson for hours!  We covered a ton in sixty-two short minutes: Today we talked about the epic Suicide Commando's final show, the Slim Dunlap 44 song new release "Every Little Word", the Let It Be double album, we heard three great song picks, and so much more.  Enjoy this show!  

You got that right! It's the return of the Best Lookin' Man in Comedy, Fancy Ray! The mayors of both Twin Cities have declared this Saturday, March 28th Fancy Ray Day! Come celebrate with a huge comedy showcase at the Spring Street Tavern this weekend! If you need a little love, light, and life right about now, this episode has got exactly what you need! Enjoy!!

This time, we are joined by Cambria and Ben of Duluth band Flutes & Low. They have a lush new album called 'Lay Fallow', and a big album release celebration in NE on April 1st. Here we get to meet the young duo and find out just where this dreamy, evocative music comes from. Enjoy!

The legendary Sue Scott (A Prairie Home Companion, etc.) joins us to share the details on her incredible live show/podcast, The Island Of Discarded Women. It's all about the music, stories, and voices of women doing amazing things for our community. The upcoming show on April 1st at Crooner's promises to be full of song, laughter, and hope. Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Once again, we are joined by our favorite Irishman, John Cosgrove. Affable, knowledgeable, and he always picks out the best Irish music to play. Join us for our annual look at what it means to be Irish in the modern era. Slainte!

This Friday, The Parkway Theater will feature three incredible bands (Magic Castles, Chatham Rise, and Lana Leone) for the Stand With Immigrants Benefit. If you love shoegaze and psychpop, you will LOVE this entire evening dedicated to raising money for, and awareness of, Immigrant Defense Network and Community Aid Network. Collin and Mike of Chatham Rise stop by with the details. Enjoy!

Jordan Roll and Jeff Gavin of Six Appeal join us to talk about their history, and the way they do the things they do - which is deliver jaw-dropping a cappella vocal performance! We hear atheir songs and share the details on the their next upcoming performance here in town. Enjoy!

This week, it's just me and John Cosgrove. Sure, we talk a little about his native Ireland, but we do our best to avoid any blatant shamrockery. This epi8sode is mainly  about the music. May the road rise to meet ye! 

This time, we are joined by 2/3 of Heartland Souvenirs, an incredible MN music collaboration featuring nuanced playing and gorgeous vocal harmonies. They have an intimate gig coming up this Saturday at the 318 in Excelsior. Listen, learn and enjoy! Cheers!

Christy Costello is back for her 5th visit on Episode 555! Dude, cosmic. She's got such great energy for this city and the music she plays. Speaking of, she's headlining the 7th St Entry this friday with a killer lineup of supporting acts. I'm already looking forward to having her back again soon. Enjoy!

Ross Willits is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Association. He swings by to talk about the modern state of Bluegrass in the Upper Midwest and to share all the details of the upcoming 46th Minnesota Bluegrass Winter Weekend. Enjoy!

Jillian Rae has always been one of our favorites. She's out now with a very timely and jaunty protest song 'Fuck ICE'. We talk about her music, day-to-day life in a city under siege and her long-gestating new album. This one felt good. Enjoy!

For the last several weeks, I've been reading these posts on FB that were so informative, so concise and so hopeful that I had to get the author on the 'cast. Sean Snow is an ameteur curator journalist who believes in information, honesty and decency. He also brought along a few great songs. Enjoy!

MN singer/songwriter Obadiah Gamble may still be in high school, but his voice and his critically-acclaimed new album 'Notice' speak to a voice and heart that were always meant to make music. A great conversation with one of the youngest voices we've ever had on the show. Enjoy!

the 11th Annual drone not drones event is happening this Friday at The Cedar. drone not drones is an annual 28-hour continous sound collage featuring more than 70 artists/bands. Sound interesting? Mind-bending? Imortant? It is. Alex Bissen (IOSIS) and Zak Sally (Low) stop by to bring us the details, and some excellent music. Enjoy!

Ed Cohen, owner of SmartStartMN, and our dear friend, was on the Brian Oake Show.  Ed has been to more shows than Brian or Sean combined.  He's passionate about music and tells great stories about the gift his kids gave him and his wife, Joan and the band that changed his life.  Listen and subscribe.  

Just another excellent conversation with a terrific artist, Sarah Larrson!  She's a big part of Red Thread!  Listen for the release of her remix of Wild Mountain Thyme with LazerBeak at the end of the show.  It's released on BandCamp today.  Look up Red Thread (Artist) to purchase. 

Kathleen Johnson has done it all. From being a long time member of Soul Tight Committee to performing/recording with the likes of Alexander O' Neal, Keri Noble, Billy McLaughlin and Prince, Kathleen has a genuinely incredible voice. She's also the co-producer of 'The Greats Gone 2 Soon' who have an evening of 'The Spirit Of Whitney' coming up this Sunday. Listen and enjoy! 

MN-based filmaker Eric Tretbar makes his first visit ti the SmartStartMN studio to talk about his 30+ year career as a filmmaker AND the 25th anniversary showing of his critically-acclaimed film SNOW at the Parkway Theater in mid-february. Pers usual, we ran out of time long before we ran out of stories and insight. We will definitely have him back. Enjoy!

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce KickStart! A seven piece band of Minneapolis teenagers that are making a difference. Eddie (13, bass) and Sebastian (14, guitar) stop by to tell us all about the band's School Of Rock origins, their commitment to the Rock Code and the big benefit gig they have coming up this Saturday. Rock and Roll is alive and well, friends. The kids are alright. Cheers!

Adam Levy and Barb Brybstad (we miss you Savannah Smith!) of Turn Turn Turn stop by to talk about their new album! They have a kickstarter going right now. So listen to this then go hlp them out! Peace to you all. Be Safe. 

Emmy Woods is a MN singer/songwriter with an innate ability to articulate the complexities of emotion through her songcraft. Gentle, articulate and honest, she was a wonderful guest. She's got a show coming up this weekend at The Cedar. Thanks for listening. Cheers!

Wow! Our final guest of 2025 is world-class cellist Rebecca Arons. She's a 25+ year member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, and has played with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Arons has played with an incredible array of artists from Stevie Wonder to Ed Sheeran to Prince! She is also co-founder of STRINGenius, who provided that incredible orchestral backing for the Snoop Dogg NFL Halfrime spectacular at US Bank Stadium on Christmas Day! A perfect way to round out a truly incredible calendar year. Cheers!

It's our annual Christmas music special!  We play many secular and non-secular songs old and new.  There are stories shared of Christmases past and just enough gratitude to get you in the holiday spirit.  Thank you to all of you for another great year!

We are so lucky to be joined by my dear friend and the biggest DJ in the Twin Cities, Jake Rudh. For 25 years, Jake has been filling dancefloors and sharing his deep, passionate love of musc with the faithful. From his weekly Transmission event at the Uptown VFW to some major events he has on the way (A Stranger Things-themed NYE celebration? Yes, please!!), we cover a lot of ground, and, of course, his musical selctions for this episode are exquisite. Enjoy!

The incomparable Lizz Winstead returns! Here annual year end wrap-up is coming up at the Parkway theater New Year's Eve. She remains fierce, funny and a genuinely compassionate human being. One of our very favorites. Enjoy!

Rock and Roll, baby! MN punk legend Cindy Lawson returns to the 'cast to talk holiday music, the big Lennon Tribute at The Fitz, a couple of cool upcoming shows AND a new record in the new year! She is always so delightful, and this coversation is no exception. Enjoy!

Andra Suchy is back with  a new album! Battle Cat is a 9 song missive that feature's her signature vocal prowess and songwriting chops. She's also surrounded herself with a band comprised of amazing Minnesota Music A-Listers. Check out the big release show on the 17th at The Amsterdam! Enjoy!