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| Wasted Years host Aaron A. Semer with Ben Verellen of Helms Alee |
I'm always interested in recording new people and hearing feedback about the podcast or website.
Click here to email me.
Here is what I'm looking for as far as interviews go:
The Wasted Years podcast is, simply, bands and musicians
telling stories about touring. I am seeking stories that are unique, hilarious,
life-changing, downtrodden, happy, sad, pathetic, and everything in between.
This is real life viewed through the lens of the touring musician.
Personally, I've only toured in a very small capacity, for
very short times, and even I have stories for days. Touring seems to be an
endless mine of amazing tales, and I believe that many artists and musicians
are excellent story tellers by nature. Thus, my creation of The Wasted Years.
My initial plan is to interview several touring musicians
that I or my friends know, and just create some initial podcasts to post. The
ideal situation is to get a couple people in the room together who know each
other well – such as two band mates or old musician buddies – so the stories
are natural and relaxed. My role is as a passive interviewer: to help clarify,
ask questions, move things along, and react to the stories. The interviewees
are the main show, this is not about me. Keeping everything loose and
conversational is the goal. Really, it's just sitting and chatting, except it's
being recorded.
If you think you have stories from life on the road that
would move or affect people in some way, then I would love to schedule a time
to sit down with you and record a session of The Wasted Years. I’m very excited
about this little project, and I think it could become something true and
great.
Aaron A. Semer
Host of The Wasted Years Podcast
Struggling musician, songwriter, and engineer for over 20
years
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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IF YOU DECIDE TO RECORD A WASTED YEARS
PODCAST WITH AARON
- Be sure to come with several story ideas, and flesh them out somewhat in your head in advance. At least having vague beginnings and endings to your stories is helpful.
- I'm open to stories from any era of your illustrious career. It doesn’t have to be the band you are currently in.
- This is a podcast. You do not need to censor yourself. You are the only one deciding what you’re comfortable with sharing.
- I'm reluctant to direct you too much, because I don't want the podcast stories to all fall into similar categories. But here are some things to get your ideas flowing:
- Fights are always good. Inter-band, or with promoters or other bands, or audience members.
- Awkward situations, like booked with bands that have nothing to do with you, or cross-fan problems.
- Disastrous chains of events. Breakdowns, strandings, accidents, theft
- Anytime you've stayed somewhere insane, or with insane people, or met insane people.
- Or anytime you’ve met amazing people, for that matter. Amazing tales of kindness are also awesome.
- Problems with racism, homophobia, or sexism.
- Drug or alcohol freak-outs. Deaths (I realize people may not want to touch this one).
- Shady bookers or people trying to screw you over.
- You can use bands' and people's names whenever you're comfortable doing so. You can choose not to use them, or use aliases, when you're not.
- I'll be editing this down after we record, so memory lapses, fuck-ups, etc. should not be a concern.
- We can choose to record anywhere indoors that is fairly quiet and not a public space. Apartments are fine, and we can always record at my place. Your place is also fine, and I’m happy to come to you. I really just need a table and chairs and relative quiet. I’ll bring the drinks.
