My First Car

Hey, I’m Elija Kirby. After spending years playing in garage bands and podcasting, I decided to start a new show where I talk with people about their first car. A podcast all about the vehicle that started it all: the first ride that got us on the road and set the course for the adventures that followed. Each episode, I sit down with friends, fellow musicians, and guests from all walks of life to talk about their first car. From a beat-up hand-me-down to a shiny new dream car, I want to hear the stories, the memories, and the lessons that came with that first set of wheels. That first car is never just a car.... it’s a rite of passage, a symbol of freedom, and usually, a little bit of chaos.

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Episodes

W8N4S8N

Wednesday Aug 20, 2025

Wednesday Aug 20, 2025

Producer/DJ Ryan Netterville aka New Reign comes into the studio to talk about his first ride a 1991 Geo Prizm. Long before he hit the stage, Ryan was behind the wheel learning to drive at just nine years old by washing cars and watching Fast & Furious. Growing up immersed in hip hop and car culture, he was rewiring sound systems and shaking up his neighborhood with booming bass and a roaring muffler. Ryan opens up about his journey from quiet kid to confident performer hosting concerts, sharing the stage with national acts, and staying grounded through it all. We talk about finding his voice through music, the story behind his moniker New Reign, and why gratitude and authenticity remain at the heart of everything he does.
 
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

Pedal To The Steel

Wednesday Aug 13, 2025

Wednesday Aug 13, 2025

Legendary musician Mike Endrud joins me in studio this week. His first car was a 57 Chevy that got him through college until the day it finally gave out. With a soul that reflects his Western North Dakota upbringing Mike shares how he started on a ukulele at the age of 9 and eventually graduated to a 59 Fender Duo-Sonic. Mike talks about his early musical inspirations and his passion for traveling and cruises. We share thoughts on golf, songs that should never be covered, and misheard lyrics. 
 
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

Donkey Kong Cuntry

Wednesday Aug 06, 2025

Wednesday Aug 06, 2025

In this episode I sit with musician Steve Wolff who shares his story into music. Beginning with his first car, an 89 Mercury Tracer that lasted a mere two weeks before his brother rolled it and totaled it. Steve always sought out music and began playing when a piano too big to move was left behind in his new home. Eventually picking up the guitar and forming the crust punk group Systems Victims. We chat about recording, tipping canoes, and his current bands Ling and The Artificial AI's. Steve also talks about the rough life of touring but still has passion for the road and the stage hasn’t waned. 
 
Fight Club | the Artificial A.I.s
 
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

Pismo Money

Wednesday Jul 30, 2025

Wednesday Jul 30, 2025

Overlord of Unconventional Cookies, Witney Nielsen joins me in studio to share her unconventional path of packing up her first car a 2001 Toyota Echo and heads to California. Upon returning home to North Dakota she narrowly avoids flying off a bridge. Witney opens up about the origins of the Cookie Haus a creative space filled with vintage Pyrex, clowns, and My First Car cookies. We discuss the return of the beloved Lil Cannoli mascot, hosting a quinceañera for a Lady named Mo, and the exciting announcement of Unconventional Cookies’ nationwide shipping launch.
and starting fires.
Order some kickass cookies herehttps://www.unconventionalcookies.com/
hey@unconventionalcookies.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

Ice Braker

Wednesday Jul 23, 2025

Wednesday Jul 23, 2025

While in Minneapolis I sit down with bassist extraordinaire Noah Schafer a seasoned player with credits in bands like Toxic Shock Syndrome, Bonesaw, War On God, The Funeral And The Twilight, and many more. Noah and I trade chairs and reflect on our time playing music and touring together.  He shares memories of his first car, a 1990 Mazda MPV, and we exchange stories about life on the road including bike wrecks, icy 360s on the interstate, and navigating the punk scene as a vegetarian. Equal parts nostalgia, noise, and near-death experiences. 

Parapostal Activity

Wednesday Jul 16, 2025

Wednesday Jul 16, 2025

This week on the show I'm joined by Justin Cancilliere, the radio host of ParaTruth: Reborn. Justin kicks things off by reminiscing about his first car a 1989 Toyota Corolla that met an untimely end in New Jersey. From there we discuss his journey into the world of podcasting including some of his personal paranormal experiences.  We also get into some intriguing discussions about cryptids, conspiracy theories, and the pros and cons A.I. Justin opens up about his time joining Dakota Media Access and bringing his expertise to the table. 
ParaTruth: Reborn
 
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

Fat Gramps

Wednesday Jul 09, 2025

Wednesday Jul 09, 2025

Musician and educator James McMahon finally comes by the studio to share some stories of his beloved 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Station Wagon, complete with classic wood paneling. James reflects on the formative years that shaped his musical journey with family road trips from Idaho to North Dakota and early days of his first band Speak Easy. He opens up about how music theory unlocked a whole new world of creativity and how growing up alongside three equally musical brothers didn’t breed competition but mutual inspiration. After making the move to Bismarck he found his calling in teaching and 22 years later he’s still at it bringing a heartfelt approach to music education. We also get a glimpse into his time with local BisMan favorite Fat Dad, collaborating with his brother in The McMahon Bros, and his new project The Peace Garden Collective. Whether he's coaching tennis, performing on stage, teaching the next gen, or being a proud grandpa, James continues to create and carve out a little time for clarity and self-reflection.
 
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

Clapping With Your Arms Crossed

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025

Singer songwriter Mike Swenson has a gift for music and a curse for vehicles. His first car begins with a 79 Chevy pickup careening downhill after failed brakes. Then his vehicle's luck gets worse from there with blown engines, spontaneous fires, and rabbits turning his car into a snack. We vent about the agony of backing up trailers, the unpredictable highs and lows of gig life, and trace Mike’s musical roots back to a home filled with music growing up. Mike just keeps rolling with a smile, grateful for every chance he gets to share his music no matter how many vehicles he has to bury along the way.
 
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

A bit of a Time Traveler

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025

David Martel is a longtime friend and legendary musician who joins me in the studio for a ride through his life and career. We kick things off with a tale about his cool dorky '81 Chevy Chevette and dive deep into his roots of growing up as a farm kid in a small town where boredom was beat by pulling sleds with his car, blowing up G.I. Joes, and smashing guitars. A born entertainer, David always knew he wanted to make people laugh, think, and feel, and even got his start by making quirky home videos. David takes us through his musical evolution by sharing stories from his time with bands like Little Devious Me, Gypsy Foot, Anonymous Phenomenon, and Artificial AI's. Above all, David is driven by the desire to create something entirely his own, hoping his work will inspire others to break free and do the same.

Pod Save the King

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025

Darren King's '85 (½) Mercury Lynx was a perfect first car for his upright bass to ride shotgun.  That Lynx caught air, caught fire, and even caused a bit of a stir at a retirement home. From a young age his dad immersed him in sports, literature, music, and culture, setting the stage for a lifelong artistic journey. After watching a documentary on R&B, funk, and soul, became enamored with the groove of the bass guitar. Darren shares stories of joining the Air Force, playing gigs across the globe, and inspiring the next gen as a music teacher.

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