My First Car

The Word Nerd

Singer songwriter and word nerd Sonda Sauers joins me for some laidback conversation. How very trusting of her to leave the keys to her '92 Pontiac Grand Am on a soda machine for friends to borrow. So it's easy to see how she was so warmly welcomed into the music scene after moving back to Bismarck,ND. Sonda shares some of her story of journaling since a kid, being a community organizer,  and running a half-marathon. We chat about her creative alter ego, Mz Mondegreen, showing off her passion for words. Plus, we bond over our mutual love of camping and escaping humanity. 

The Spudfather

Make them a bassline they can't refuse.Timothy 'Timo' Reed stops by the studio to catch up with me this week.  A fan of history and music Timo is a  bassist currently playing with Green Boots, The Swentones, and Johnny Spud. Back in Davenport Iowa Timo used his first car, a 82 Pontiac Grand LeMans to speed deliver Godfathers Pizza to Happy Joe Whitty. After relocating to North Dakota he dove headfirst into the local music scene, connecting with a vibrant community of artists who became lifelong collaborators and friends. Timo also opens up about witnessing a tragic accident in his youth and how it shaped his perspective.  And we talk about his love for Devo, hosting a radio show, taking roadtrips, and how travel is the best form of education.  Overall Timo is a good soul who's about lifting others up and making sure we all thrive along the way.
 
GreenBoots at Laughing Sun Brewing with Harsh Light Saturday June 7th. Www.facebook.com/GreenBootsInc/
The SwenTones www.Facebook.com/theswentones/
 
Have a memorable first car story or just want to reach out for more info? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at saveourscene@live.com
 

The Cowboy Poet

In this episode, I sit down for a cup of joe and a deep conversation with my uncle D.W. Groethe a true cowboy of the arts. A ranch hand by trade and a poet singer-songwriter by calling, D.W. shares stories from a life lived off the beaten path. He may have never technically owned a car, but his first ride was a 66 Dodge van fully outfitted with a fridge, cabinets, and a bed. As lifelong musician he eventually traded in the band life for the simplicity of a single acoustic guitar going solo with his songs and stories. He opens up about the joy and grit of being a traveling musician while never chasing fame but doing what he does best. From performing at the prestigious Kennedy Center to playing small town festivals and cozy small room shows, D.W.'s journey is a testament to the power of music and poetry of a well worn road.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2021687784/
https://www.westernfolklife.org/blog/2024/2/29/leap-year-cowboy-poetry
 
Have a memorable first car story or just want to reach out for more info? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at saveourscene@live.com

The Flash

This week I’m joined by Gus Lindgren the owner of Rhythm Records and we share our love for comic book fandom and music. Gus shares stories of his first car a 2005 Chevy Aveo nicknamed "The Flash" and how this lil car became the backdrop for some of his most pivotal moments. A road trip to San Diego Comic Con where he met his future wife and the inevitable wreck that led to a second Aveo "The Flash 2." We also dive into his unexpected career trajectory from a weekend news director where Will Ferrell, in full Ron Burgundy character, took over the news desk, to his musical journey playing keyboard for Boreal Gardens and Avantide, and hosting his radio show, A Musical Journey. Gus never intended to become a businessman, yet here he is running a beloved record store in town. 
Avantidehttps://avantideband.com/avantide-home
A Musical Journeyhttps://radioaccess.org/a-musical-journey/
 
Have a memorable first car story or just want to reach out for more info? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at saveourscene@live.com

Wild Child

Singer-songwriter Kit Pines joins me in the studio with stories of reinvention, traveling, and rock 'n' roll. After a few too many close calls she was forced to sell her beloved New Yorker and make some major life changes. Moving in with her guitarist uncle sparked a new chapter by trading bad influences for garage band jam sessions and diving headfirst into the Bismarck music scene. We talk about her creative evolution, thrifting adventures, and the importance of trusting your gut. 

Bananarama Core

Bass player and rocker for life Dustin Geiger drove the piss out of his first car a 1991 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat. Geiger and I reminisce about years of playing gigs, recording sessions, and the raw energy of the music scene. He takes us on a trip down memory lane sharing the evolution of his early days with Perosity and the band's transformation into the powerhouse that was Omnipotent Belligerence. We also touch on his latest project, Penumbra, and their upcoming shows: Minot on Saturday May 17th w/ Avantide and June 20th. Sweat, passion, and a whole lot of stories from one of the coolest, most laid back dudes you’ll ever meet. 
 
PENUMBRAhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Penumbra-music/100092526987529/
 
Omnipotent Belligerence - The Power To Overcome
https://youtu.be/BLn7sbleswk?si=7bFudt_UOHLG1fWF
 
Have a memorable first car story or just want to reach out for more info? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at saveourscene@live.com

The Tinkerer

Before he could even drive musician Lucas Conlon had already claimed his first ride, a 93 Chevy Blazer. It didn’t last long before he totaled it but the stories live on. In this episode we talk about ordering CDs by the cover art, growing up in a home buzzing with music, and his early obsession with instruments which carries over to his ever growing collection. Call it musical hoarding or an arsenal of gear, Lucas is all in.  After a brief hiatus from drumming he's back behind the kit with the punk rock group Wasting Tape. Lucas rediscovers what he calls his true love... freedom behind the wheel.  

Curse Your Enthusiasm

Musician Andrew Larivee hits the road in his 2006 Subaru Impreza to cross the country. Born cursed but blessed with serious musical chops, Andrew opens up about his life, his love for the trombone and the local music scene. Things go from hot and steamy to a run-in with Johnny Law as we talk sackbuts (not sack butts), scabs, and deep dive into Andrew’s world. 

La Petite Mort

In this episode we ride shotgun with Stacy Sturm, the creative force behind URL Radio. She kicks things off with hilarious tales of her very first cars from a Mercury Lynx barely held together with bubble gum and shoelaces, to a 91 Toyota Tercel that tore up the desert with its killer sound system. Spoiler alert: she’s managed to wreck every car she's owned and a few belonging to friends and family too. But Stacy’s not just a demolition queen, she's an ambitious entrepreneur owning two bars, Oscar’s in Bismarck and Thomas & Moriarty’s in Mandan. She talks about the craft of mixology, sharing what makes bartending an art form. We also rewind to her earliest love of radio. Stacy's passion sparked at just four years old, spinning vinyl on a kid’s record player and pretending to host her own show. Since then she's done it all... newspaper, television, marketing/public relations, anti human trafficking work, and even a stint as Anthony Michael Hall’s assistant.
https://theurlradio.com/
 
 
Have a memorable first car story or just want to reach out for more info? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at saveourscene@live.com

The Hippie of the Bakken

Singer songwriter Ben Suchy looks back on his early days with deep rooted reverence. From shredding skateboards and snowboards to cruising in his ’93 Dodge Shadow and obsessing over vintage Volkswagen buses, Ben isn't a car guy per se but is quite the YouTube mechanic guy. Ben shares stories of buying and selling vehicles, getting into skirmishes, and breaking his tibia. NGL, I squirmed a little when he talks about that. Ben’s musical background began in the thick of a touring family band, but things took a turn when he got into mischief as a teen and struck a deal that led to him taking guitar lessons. Which takes him down the road in punkrock and performing in an array of eclectic bands before evolving to a one-man band.  Ben Suchy hasn't slowed down and his mind is always buzzing with new songs, arriving at all hours of the night. Lastly, he shares the behind the scenes of his latest recording and release of his upcoming new album.