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.
Episodes
Apr 22, 2026
Apr 22, 2026
1 hr 1 min
I'm joined this week for some fun conversation with Daniel (Clatter) Pretzer of Avantide to reminisce about his 99 Ford F150. Dan is perhaps the most famous musician to come out of Scranton, ND. We talk about his history in music, performing with musical theater, and his early bands. Daniel tells the story about the bus crash he was involved in while on his way to a basketball game. We chat about bad drivers, big turds, and Chris Gaines among other topics.
Check out Avantide https://avantideband.com/https://www.instagram.com/avantideband/https://open.spotify.com/artist/4bY78hcVAu0xQBxdTnTbXZ
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
Apr 15, 2026
Apr 15, 2026
40 min
Matt Foster returns to promote the 3rd annual You Name It Fest held on record store day Saturday April 18th. Tickets are 25 and featuring over 30 acts at Rhythm Records in Bismarck ND. And a quick chat about his 2nd car a 96 Pontiac Grand Prix. Matt will be performing with Greenboots and Penumbra. We talk deodorant, battle of the bands, and socks.
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
Apr 8, 2026
Apr 8, 2026
55 min
Braden Hendershot of It Came From The Sea and NDTMS comes in to discuss his story starting with his first car, a 1997 Buick LeSabre. In studio he reflects on his early exposure to music while growing up in a small town. We talk about the formation of his groups, touring with the band and what is yet to come. Braden opens up about navigating the weight of life and shares how creativity became his lifeline. He officially announces the date of his next Hardcore Homecoming fest for August 15 2026.
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
Apr 1, 2026
Apr 1, 2026
46 min
We're back! Season 2 kicks off with my wife Nancy Hanson joining me in studio. She shares some stories of her first car(s) starting with the Plymouth Reliant into a Plymouth Horizon. She looks back on family vacations, her father's mechanic skills, and hazardous winter driving. We share our love for road trips, small cars, and singing to our pets like they’re our biggest fans. Gilbert Gottfried makes a cameo.
Dec 3, 2025
Dec 3, 2025
1 hr 16 min
Tony Bjerke stops by the studio and kicks me out the host chair to interview me about my first car an 88 pos Chevy Beretta. Tony and I trade seats for this episode (not really, I didnt want him farting in my chair) and reflect on my history in the BisMan music scene. A few burps, suds, and chuckles. Look i didn't want to do this but it's out there now. Mostly it was just Tony and I BSing and getting nostalgic about our favorite shows, share stories, and tooting our own horns. Here's a rough edit. I'll be taking a short break and picking back up in early 2026. In the meantime, I'll be collecting more stories to share!
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
Nov 26, 2025
Nov 26, 2025
58 min
Writer,MC, and radio host Chaz Kangas reflects on his first car an 85 Chevy Celebrity and how his experiences with OCD influenced his driving. We share thoughts on pedicures, Uber and donating hair. Chaz talks about his time in New York where he became deeply involved in the East Coast freestyle rap battle scene, leading to a collaboration with Donald Glover Childish Gambino. After returning to Minneapolis to work in radio, Chaz remained an active force in the hip-hop community. He also discusses the creation and release of his latest album The Troma Project: 50 Years of Reel Fan-Toxic Hip-Hop. Chaz hosts at MPR: 89.3 The Current.
Insta and Facebook and all other socials @chazraps
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
Nov 19, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
37 min
I sit down with my good friend Brooke Svanes a model, actress, and former drummer for the Minneapolis rock band Sick of Sarah. We catch up on life since the old days, reminiscing about our time playing in North Dakota toghether with bands like Disrespectfully Yours, The Pink Slips, and Vertigo. Brooke shares her history of getting into music and transitioning to model/actress. We also touch on Brooke's story of her 'would be' first car, a 1989 Toyota Camry, and how driving was never her thing. Plus, we make a pact to stay BFFs for life.
Instagram & Facebook @brookesvanes
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
Nov 5, 2025
Nov 5, 2025
1 hr 32 min
Alex Thompson, frontman for the black metal powerhous Death Support, shares road stories from his first car a 99 Chevy Blazer. He talks about growing up in North Dakota, surviving brutal winters, police harassment, and a near death car crash that changed his outlook on life. Alex takes us through the formation of his early bands, his time as a booking agent, and the journey that led to his current project.
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
1 hr 16 min
Victor Stillday of Vendetta Spoken drops by to talk music, memories, and his first car a 91 Mitsubishi Eclipse. He opens up about the therapy of driving and his personal sanctuary on wheels. We rewind to the early days of Vendetta Spoken, their 10 year hiatus, and the creative fire that’s hopefylly fueling their long awaited new album. Victor shares how the local music scene lit his passion to form a band. And we explore the curse or maybe the gift of being a songwriter who never really stops writing.
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
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
1 hr 54 min
This week I am joined by Brian Palecek, a lifelong advocate for the arts and public humanities with stories as rich as his passions. Our conversation kick off behind the wheel of his first car a red and white 1958 Ford Fairlane. This beauty is more than just a stylish ride it was a vessel for nights at the movies and listening to opera on the radio fueling his early love of music. Brian is a founding member of the Cinema 100 Film Society which has been bringing thought provoking and diverse films to Bismarck for over 50 years. We share memories of road trips and crossing the country by car. We talk about Brian’s work as program director at One World Coffee House in the 90s. The coffee house was a nonprofit and community hub that hosted everything from peace lectures and activist presentations to live performances by local and touring bands.
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







