The Self Portrait Gospel :: Podcast

After relocating to the Bay Area in 1970, multi-instrumentalist, author, and sound artist Jim Nollman began his melodic practice in the avant-garde under the intense influence and surrealist spell of the late great John Cage. Eventually branching into the natural world of the animal kingdom after gaining wide attention and high praise for his 1982 debut on Folkways Records, "Playing Music With Animals: The Interspecies Communication of Jim Nollman with 300 Turkeys, 12 Wolves, 20 Orca Whales," the multi-disciplinary artist soon found himself occupying the unique universe where ancient creatures have roamed for millions of years across the salted soundscapes.
Still, one in particular stands out: the Orca Whale (Orcinus Orca). Between 1985 and 2002, Nollman carefully collected over 60 hours of various revolutionary recordings that capture the aquatic alphabet of one of the ocean's most beloved animals. Nollman's story is fascinating, and one for the ages as we unpack the melodic mysteries and barnacled backdrops of this aquatic adventure.

Multi-instrumentalist and melodic mind behind the crimson curtains of UK-based label Bella Union, SImon Raymonde is a household name in creative culture and poetic production. The veteran musician joined the unparalleled universe of Cocteau Twins in 1984 for the band's third album "Treasure," helping secure the iconic lineup we've come to love and wildly worship today. With the recent success of his meditative memoir "In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor, and Me," and his beloved imprint Bella Union nearing its 30th anniversary, Raymonde's legacy has become something purely poetic over the decades, with new generations dropping in at all hours of the night. 
John Burroughs once said, "For anything worth having one must pay the price, and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice. No paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service." It's difficult, oftentimes delusional, being an artist, head of a label, or band, but someone has to do it, right? We'll answere that for you, yes, and Raymonde has given us all hope to keep pushing through the annoying algorithms and endless exhaustion of our creative climate.

Cincinnati, OH-based animator, illustrator, journalist, and longtime Aquarium Drunkard collaborator Mark Neeley has blessed viewers with iconic illustrations and awesome animations for several years. Having released his debut animated short "Fragments" (2020) and the minute-long masterpiece "Pure Animation For Now People" (2024), which featured sounds from the great Mark Mothersbaugh, Neeley returns to the drawing board with an aquatic adaptation of the 1964 underground classic "The Clambake Mutiny." Based on the children's book by Jerome Beatty Jr. and Tomi Ungerer, the salty scene takes place on Monhegan Island in Maine, where locals celebrate a car-free living lifestyle against the barnacled backdrop of 1604 as a designated lobster conservation area. 
With music by Jim Putnam (Radar Brothers, Maids of Gravity), field recordings of the Atlantic by Nick Keeling, and a splendid narration by our mutual friend Spencer Cullum Jr., "The Clambake Mutiny" is Neeley's most ambitious work thus far in his career, but a peaceful picture that'll surely connect you with your innermost child charisma and fundamental fascination with the natural world. Set for release in mid-Novemeber.

I first became of aware of longtime Nashville artist Kevin Guthrie's work when Pavement played two sold-out shows at the Ryman in late July, and later realized how important his relationship not just with Berman, but with both bands and their close communtiy family and friends truly is. Guthrie relocated to NYC in 1990 with Steve West, where he soon met Berman, Nastanovich, and the rest of the gang before eventually planting roots in Nashville. Over the decades, Guthrie has toured with the Silver Jews, accompanying them on their legendary shows as a familiar face and helping hand, slinging merch. Guthrie stops by the podcast to talk about his unique relationship with this unparalleled universe of music, expression, and historical harmony that continues to ring out for other generations to hear.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, American film director, writer, producer and son of Bill Pellington, an All-Pro linebaker who played for the Baltimore Colts, Mark Pellington crash-landed in the music industry as an MTV intern only a couple of years into its dynamic development in the early 1980s. The industrious artist began blending unused clips, bits, and lyrical leftovers from music videos for his experimental music series "BUZZ" in the spring of 1990, and would eventually venture into the weird and wonderful world of grunge and the alternative afterlife.
Throughout his career, Pellington has directed music videos for Pearl Jam (including their groundbreaking single "Jeremy"). R.E.M., Jungle Brothers, U2, De La Soul, Foo Fighters, and Public Enemy, among several others. Eventually stepping into the directorial spotlight with films such as the 1997 cult classic "Going All The Way," "Arlington Road," and 2002's "The Mothman Prophecies," Pellington's career is as legendary as some of the folks he's worked with over the years.