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
Feb 19, 2025
Feb 19, 2025
41 min
Kameran Ali of The Funky Arabs takes us back to the early days of forming bands with friends. Kam takes an epic road trip to Denver for Lollapalooza 96 and we end up just BSing about our shared love for concerts despite the skyrocketing ticket prices. Stories of unexpected run ins with musicians, grabbing KFC with Vanilla Ice, and launching 40s at a group of rowdy rednecks. Kameran also opens up about his fascinating journey, born in a refugee camp in Iran, and how that shaped his path.
Feb 12, 2025
Feb 12, 2025
55 min
Ben Weisinger takes us back to when he got his license at 14 and drove off in his grandmother’s 84 Honda Accord, complete with a rusted out floorboard where you could see the road beneath him. A snake decides to hitch a ride ending up in his underwear while he's barreling down the highway. We also dive into the golden days of our roommate shenanigans and Ben explains how cruising Main was the Facebook of the 90s.
Feb 5, 2025
Feb 5, 2025
1 hr 16 min
Join Tom Hill as he shares the brief but unforgettable story of his 1984 Honda Civic. This 5-speed hatchback was totaled in a head on collision just three months after he got it leaving him with a broken neck. We dive into working as food delivery drivers and the risks of joy riding motorcycles. Along the way we veer off into nostalgic memories of high school, playing in bands, and the friendships that shaped his journey.
Jan 29, 2025
Jan 29, 2025
47 min
Meet Tayler Billings. Former bassist of The Vexed and the current lead guitarist and vocalist for Wasting Tape. When Tayler's parents gift him a 1989 Buick Riviera to share with his sister, he does what any older brother would do and claims it for himself. With a trash filled interior and a hood featuring custom painted boobs, he is geared up to tackle every icy bridge in his path.
Jan 22, 2025
Jan 22, 2025
45 min
Nolyn Falcon’s 1990 Ford Escort GT endures a few wild trips to California. Decked out with a Shoop decal, a trusty tape deck, and the funk of a cooler gone rancid after a brutal summer explosion, this car has seen it all. Nolyn ushers us through the experience of recording his debut album on a 4-track, powering through sleep-deprived nights in a snowstorm, and sharing the stage with none other than Vanilla Ice.
Pairs well with a complimentary soundtrack of Led Zeppelin, Pantera, Nirvana, The Beatles, Sound Garden, Mozart
Jan 15, 2025
Jan 15, 2025
54 min
After countless performances and extensive tours across the nation, musician Danny Savage of Mooncats takes us through his journey from the gritty days of breaking down in his beat-up '90s Chevy Suburban to cruising cross country in his trusty 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. A master of rock, grunge, and bluegrass, Danny has not only captured hearts with his eclectic sound but also stunned audiences with his music videos, paddle fishing adventures, and even ventriloquism. With a talent that knows no bounds, Danny proves time and again that he's a true renaissance man of the music world.
Jan 8, 2025
Jan 8, 2025
41 min
Jon Quijano recalls his 1989 Chevy Cavalier wagon as having no floor heat, windows that won’t stay up, and a cassette player that devours tapes. He shares that his passion for drumming began after hearing a Jimi Hendrix song in a car commercial during a Channel 1 news broadcast. During a road trip, a wrong turn left Jon and his brother lost in Nebraska.
Pairs well with a complimentary soundtrack of Nirvana, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Sound Garden
Jan 1, 2025
Jan 1, 2025
58 min
In this episode, my buddy Kyle Haman reflects on the ultimate taste of freedom by hitting the open road and cruising through neighboring small towns. With a trunk full of beer, the music cranked up, and nothing but blue skies ahead, Kyle takes us along for the ride. It’s country cruising at its finest, with stories of spontaneous adventures, wild nights, and the kind of carefree spirit that comes with small town roaming. Grab a cold one and join us for a journey that’s all about living for the moment.
Dec 25, 2024
Dec 25, 2024
36 min
In this episode, my friend Pedro Pizarro dives into the wild, reckless days of his first car. From spray-painting a cop car (yep, you read that right) to almost getting shot at, Pedro’s Tallahassee adventures were filled with mischief, close calls, and unforgettable moments. Time well spent making mixtapes, making windshield washer squirt guns and making out with girls, all while keeping an eye out for the lurking alligators.
Dec 18, 2024
Dec 18, 2024
45 min
In this no-holds-barred episode, my friend and fellow podcaster Cole Weisz pulls up to share his unfiltered wisdom and stories from the driver's seat of a 78 Plymouth Volare station wagon. From no second dates to not even glancing while reversing, Cole’s experiences in this classic ride are as legendary as his “no F’s given” approach to life.







