Self Immolation with Joshua Wentz
by Joshua Wentz
Part production diary, part personal music history, all naval-gazing. Exploring over 25 years of recording music as a solo artist, in bands, for movies and theatre productions, books, and more. Sharing thoughts on productivity, experimentation, success, and failure in music.
Episodes
-
12DOMO Volume Seven Wrap-Up
Here's all twelve of this year's Mike Oldfield covers. Happy New Year!
-
And Now For Something Slightly Different
Four different versions of the same piece of music, across 50 years. Recorded live on Blast Radio 12.12.22.
-
A Bad Time In General
Me being in a bad mood because it's December. Rambling on Blast Radio. And piano improv.
-
New Phone Who Dis?
What's up? Here's a demo, a song, and an improv. That's what I got.
-
Fax Burn
In this episode, I destroy something that I kept only to cause myself pain.
-
Half Hour/Long Day Rebuild
Bam! A new episode. Maybe I'm drunk. I haven't had a lot, but it's STRONG. Today I go through a few of the tracks I'm working on, which are rebuilds of things I recorded 20 years ago. Trying to figure out if the bones are good. I think they're good. I hope they're good! Enjoy the day.
-
The Weight of Impossible Trust
Can you rely on yourself to "get it right" and be spontaneous at the same time? What is improvisation? What is learning a song? How do you thread that needle? We talk about "Forced Perspective", a new single from a band I'm in called Parc Department, and how being free-wheeling in composition for...
-
Four Point Five Hours Worth
Hello! This episode is about waiting around a long time to get a record. The podcast is about burning down the ego, and in light of the tragic protest of Wynn Bruce this past week, I wanted to make sure it's clear that though the podcast is light, a man's death isn't taken lightly. I hope that he...
-
Rain Never Fell Again
Two versions of the same song! Songwriting! Cynar! Everything you've come to expect from this podcast.
-
Unreleased Roulette Two
It's time again to dig into the dreaded "Unreleased" folder and randomly choose some old old old music I created back in the days when I knew even less about what I was doing than I do now. What will we hear this time? Only the Web Number Picker knows for sure!
-
The Fringes of The City
It's time for another round of "Two Versions of the Same Song!" This time it's about a track from the newly released Subdivisions EP. If you're in Chicago, come see me play live on 2/13, 3pm Central at Tone Deaf Records, and if you're not in town, you can stream the show live on my Blast Radio...
-
Notre Dame du Haut
This week's episode is the first time we've done what we intended with this show - to share work in progress elements on a current work in progress! My upcoming album Ronchamp is an attempt at capturing a specific memory in music, and improvisation is an important part of bringing that memory…
more -
Anneli and the Ariels
Today we're drinking the podcast favorite: a Bitter Giuseppe! We're also listening to two collaborations with Jienan Yuan, a frequent music partner who recently uploaded two EPs to Spotify that feature work we've done together. Here are the Bandcamp links to these EPs: Interlink:...
-
How's Your Brain?
Just some meditative something-or-other. If you like the track and don't want my intro/outtro talking, head over to joshuawentz.com/podcast and you can download it there, for free. Take care of yourself.
-
Just A Few Records
Ending the year without any fanfare! That's how we're saying goodbye to 2021. No countdowns or best-ofs, just a few tracks that I recorded from some vinyl records a million years ago. There is a really fun one in the mix, though, so it's all worth it. See you in 2022!
-
Holiday Compilation 2021
Today we'll listen to a selection of tracks from the Chicago Songwriting Club Holiday Compilation. Please go pick up this selection of 21 songs, as the proceeds go to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Have a great week, we'll see you on the other side of Xmas. 12 Days of Mike Oldfield...
-
Unreleased Roulette One
We take a spin with the random number picker and listen to tracks from my mysterious "Unreleased" folder. That about covers it!
-
Several Trips To The Same Fair
Hello! This week we listen to a few versions of my favorite traditional song, including a cover (of a cover) by yours truly. Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more, right? Here's some work form John Keating, Mike Oldfield, and Sinead O'Conner.
-
Where Have All The Small Spoons Gone
This week we look at a song evolution, originating as a listless instrumental and ending in a fantastic collaboration. Check out Steve O'Connell's music here: silvergirl.bandcamp.com Check out Chien's label here: 1473.bandcamp.com And his latest release (as Jienan Yuan) is here:...
-
Even Sharks Need Water
This is the first time I've recorded the podcast while simultaneously streaming on Blast Radio and it was... well, a blast! If you haven't checked out the Blast Radio app, I highly recommend it (go here) and check out all the musicians streaming live stuff, DJ sets, and more. Really fun! In this...
-
An Imperfect Sunset
Today we'll A/B two versions of the same song, drink an easy drink, and give expert advice to top-selling recording artists who desperately need to hear what someone else has to say. The new home of the show: joshuawentz.com/podcast
-
Look Back, Look Way Back
Today we listen to a piece of music I don't even remember recording, but then we figure out why I recorded it and listen to THAT piece of music. We also talk about potato salad, and how we choose to support artists. My bandcamp subscription page: https://joshuawentz.bandcamp.com/community…
more -
Lost Souls Finding No Purchase
At last, the story of a cosmic murder crow can be told! We round out the Spooky Times with a piece from the BoHo production of "Scotland Road", as well as Parts 2 and 3 of CORVUS III. Some links for you: Scotland Road Soundtrack: https://joshuawentz.bandcamp.com/album/scotland-road CORVUS Full...
-
Apologies to the Late Helmut Jahn
Talk about making soundtrack music. Trying to recall a symphonic fairy tale. Mistaking architects for chancellors. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: https://manyplaces.bandcamp.com https://estermusic.bandcamp.com https://willorchard.bandcamp.com https://jessicarisker.bandcamp.com The...
-
That Old Graveyard Up There?
It's been haunting us for centuries! Hey, what up? Today we're talking about being forced to do nothing, drunken masters, going back through the digital graveyard/landfill, and writing music for a murder mystery. Albums mentioned: Introspection by Tony Romera Life in Volcanoes by Povi Tubular…
more -
The Spookiest of Months
Do you like spooky things? I don't, really. But sometimes I do them, to varying degrees. This episode is a solid 2 on the Spooky Scale, even if we do talk about grim reapers. We also talk about Cloudlifters, cold brew, and disturbing YouTube commercials.
-
A Solid Foundation
In this episode I mention a science fiction TV show, a beer cocktail, and more songs about birds. Artemis the kitty visits us, and I go on about a Mike Oldfield project, and musical collaboration. I will play you two versions of the same song, and Kanye fans might be mildly interested in this....
-
Songs About Specific Birds
In this episode I talk about the path to creating a new song, drink tequila, and admit I don't know specific dance moves. To get a free download of the song in today's episode, visit joshuawentz.bandcamp.com
-
Liminal Spaces In A Luminal World
Taking a spur of the moment idea and turning it into something more finished. Drinking a Suze & Tonic. Artemis joins us again - at this point she may end up having co-host status.
-
Cynar, Or Closer, Chee-nar
Drinking a drink, playing an ambient thing, talking about home repair.
-
Thrice Upon a Twice
Episode 1. After some false starts, a new podcast. I talk vaguely about the few-too-many things I have going on, play a cover, play some piano so that my cat will chill out, and that's the long and short of it.
About this show
Part production diary, part personal music history, all naval-gazing. Exploring over 25 years of recording music as a solo artist, in bands, for movies and theatre productions, books, and more. Sharing thoughts on productivity, experimentation, success, and failure in music.
Hosted by
Joshua Wentz
Categories