As a longtime character actor, John Ross Bowie (of CBS’ The Big Bang Theory and ABC’s Speechless) partly attributes his eclectic musical tastes — ranging from Patti LuPone to the Cro-Mags to the Grateful Dead — to his father, who exposed him to television, film and theatre early on. Yet, his new memoir No Job For A Man, originally conceived as a light read on the in's and out's of being a working actor, eventually turned into something deeper: a book about his father's disdain for John's chosen profession, and changing the definition of manhood. On this episode, John connects the dots between punk rock and Broadway, as well as takes listeners -- geographically, no less -- through his favorite record stores growing up in New York City. No Job For A Man is now available wherever you get books, plus you can visit tacocatrecords.bigcartel.com to pre-order the album Dumb Music for Smart People (from John’s 90's trio Egghead.), remastered and on vinyl for the first time. Watch the new Egghead. music video for "Neighborhood Palm Reader" here via YouTube, follow @johnrossbowie on Instagram and subscribe to John's podcast about acting, Household Faces, wherever you listen.

"People ask us, 'What's your favorite record?' Our answer is 'The one we're going to hear next week.'" That anecdote on today's show from Greg Kot is why he and his Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis have inspired legions of music journalists for decades: Between emotional reactions to pop music and intellectual analysis of art-rock, they consistently remain curious. As former critics at the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times respectively, they have seen weird fads, legendary careers and physical media come and go, documenting it all -- whether in print, via the web or on the air. On this episode, Greg and Jim dive into their own early obsessions with vinyl, whether or not we can truly judge someone by their record collection, and why music criticism shouldn't be a solo project. Find Sound Opinions wherever you hear podcasts, or at soundopinions.org.

Counting himself as part of the last pre-internet music generation, North Carolina native and singer/songwriter Caleb Caudle believes the things that matter take time -- whether sending handwritten postcards randomly to fans or making sure a vinyl release invites listeners fully into his world through artwork. And that kind of dedication ultimately creates hope in a post-pandemic music industry. On this week's episode, Caleb discusses renting his first turntable from his high school library, record shopping in nearby Winston-Salem, how being an avid history buff turned him into a pro wrestling fan, and recording his new album Forsythia -- which, in some ways, he originally projected as being his final release -- in a cabin built by Johnny Cash. Forsythia is available everywhere Friday, October 7th with unique vinyl variants available via indie record stores, Amazon and calebcaudle.com, where you can also find tour dates, social media and more.

From the first moment of S.G. Goodman's latest album Teeth Marks, one hears a voice and a lyrical wisdom that feel perfectly worn in -- like that of an artist who's been crafting decades worth of masterful, soul-baring material. What's all the more astounding is that Teeth Marks is only her second record. Amongst many accolades since that album's release, the publication Bitter Southerner defines it as "driven by love, sometimes by defiance, but always by a delight in singing out... like the declaration of an artist who knows exactly who she is, backed by a band that blows the roof off the studio." On today's show, S.G. shares her affection for Herb Alpert's "Ladyfingers," some candid struggles with diagnosed OCD, the unique way in which her Marantz receiver was acquired, and the underappreciated comforts of house slippers.

Sporting one of the most recognizable voices within 90's/00's indie-rock, Davey von Bohlen is known for his youthful exuberance and lyrical Easter eggs over twenty years with bands like Maritime, Cap'n Jazz, The Promise Ring, and the low-key side-project Vermont. On this episode, Davey shares an early obsession with The Guess Who, similarities between songwriting and his experiences coaching basketball, and something The Promise Ring used to call “Get Up Kids Math” while out on the road. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Vermont's second album Calling Albany is being released on vinyl for the first time, available for pre-order at castledangerrecords.com. Limited 25th anniversary colored vinyl pressings of The Promise Ring's seminal second album Nothing Feels Good are dropping soon as well, available for pre-order at tpr.ffm.to/nothingfeelsgood

While stepping outside of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service - inarguably two of the most influential names that indie rock has birthed in the last two decades - lead singer/songwriter Ben Gibbard has acquired a stunningly diverse range of collaborators, from The Monkees to Chance the Rapper. On today’s show — as DCFC approaches the fall release of their tenth album, Asphalt Meadows — Ben describes why the pandemic changed his vinyl listening habits, how he’s fallen randomly into some of the aforementioned collaborations, and the band’s explosive (literally) new video, directed by Lance Bangs. We also discuss Yoko Ono, AC/DC, Pharoah Sanders, and Ben’s soft spot for former Milwaukee Brewer Gorman Thomas. Pre-order Asphalt Meadows, via deathcabforcutie.com or wherever you get music, prior to its release September 16th.

Whether through monstrous riffs in Botch or innovative, live sound manipulation in Minus the Bear, David Knudson is regarded as one of indie-rock's most mind-blowing guitarists. Where many musicians would use effect pedals to just obscure or amplify, David's insane finger-tapping talents and masterful footwork -- often tweaking things on the fly, in front of a live audience -- brought a human heart to MTB's most locked-in rhythms. In support of his first solo album, The Only Thing You Have to Change is Everything (released earlier this month), David visits today to discuss his favorite Botch and MTB artwork over the years, obsessing over seven-inches in his youth from Seattle's Fallout Records, and how his creativity has flourished since becoming sober. Pre-order his new album on vinyl from davidknudson.bandcamp.com, and follow @davidknudson on Instagram.

Popular female country artists like Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris have scored major pop crossover hits, made huge splashes in the vinyl market and perform for sold-out crowds across the United States, yet barely have a blip on country radio. Though far from a new phenomenon, it’s one that has drawn battle lines over the last two decades between gatekeepers of a genre dominated by white males and a rightfully fervent opposition seeking accountability, diversity and equal representation. On this week’s episode, music journalist Marissa R. Moss (Rolling Stone, Billboard) explains how she tackles these issues and more in her new book, “Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be” (available today, May 10th). We also dive into why Sturgill Simpson’s latest record is best enjoyed on vinyl, the rise of Nashville’s Black Opry, and how life events influence how we hear and appreciate music.

Despite not setting out to make concept albums 100% of the time, Tim Kasher — leader of influential indie-rock mainstay Cursive — realizes that artwork, connecting songs in post-production, and other methods have made his LP’s feel like sweeping, thematic gestures to his fans for twenty-five years. This week, hot off the release of his new solo full-length Middling Age, Tim recalls the days of commercials for albums on television, the importance of beloved Omaha record store The Antiquarium, and his recent stint on the TV game show Chain Reaction. Plus, whether the community aspect of Saddle Creek’s heyday could survive today’s landscape, and why he’s attracted to songs about songwriting.

With his ninth solo record overall, released in February, Frank Turner has claimed his first-ever number one spot on his native UK albums chart. To put icing on that cake, FTHC is his most personal album yet, whether speaking directly about the passing of longtime friend and musician Scott Hutchison or his evolving relationship with his transgender father. On today's show, Frank discusses how FTHC's major themes touch on acceptance, how heavy metal became his first musical love, and which American restaurant chain he's dying to eat at during his upcoming 50 States In 50 Days tour, starting in June. Visit frank-turner.com for details, socials and more.