Synopsis
Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for the Old 97s, hosts Wheels Off a show about the messy reality of the creative life. Conversations with musicians, writers, artists, actors, and comedians about the pivotal moments that shaped their work, what it means to create in a digital age and grapple with the challenges, and the joy, of living a creative life.
Episodes
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021 - Rachel Yamagata: Singer-Songwriter
01/10/2019 Duration: 52minIn this episode, Rhett joins Rachael on the front porch of her home in Woodstock, NY. Against the sonic backdrop of crickets, Rachael tells Rhett about planning her upcoming tour while also writing a new record, balancing life as an artist and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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020 - Norbert Leo Butz Singer and Actor
17/09/2019 Duration: 48minRhett finds actor, singer and two-time Tony Award winner, Norbert Leo Butz, in the midst of a home renovation following a nonstop year that included an Emmy-nominated television series, Broadway show, series of independent films, and a record release. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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019 - Ryan Miller: Musician (Guster)
02/09/2019 Duration: 34minRhett talks to the multitalented musician Ryan Miller, frontman of alternative band, Guster, and host of "Makin' Friends with Ryan Miller, a PBS series in which he travels around the state making friends with "high functioning weirdos”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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018 - Allison Moorer: Musician and Writer
20/08/2019 Duration: 40minIn this episode, Rhett sits down with Allison Moorer in her home library to discuss her new memoir and companion EP, authentic storytelling and making sense (and art) of one’s ‘mess.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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017 - Christopher Harris: Fantasy Football expert and novelist
06/08/2019 Duration: 42minRhett sits down with Fantasy Football expert and novelist Chris Harris to talk about his latest project, a novel about quitting the internet. Chris discusses balancing his writing life with his football podcast life, and why the connection with the commun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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016 - John Darnielle: Musician (Mountain Goats) and Novelist
23/07/2019 Duration: 55minJohn Darnielle is a musician and novelist best known as the primary member of the band the Mountain Goats. In this episode, Rhett sits down with John in Raleigh, NC. to talk about writing, the role-playing games that informed the new Mountain Goats album Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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015 - Greg Behrendt: Comedian, Musician and Writer
08/07/2019 Duration: 30minIn this episode of Wheels Off, Rhett sits down with comedian Greg Behrendt in Durham, NC. to talk about the difficulty of monetizing art, what he does at 4:30 every morning to spark creativity, and the fallacy of authenticity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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014 - Jen Kirkman: Stand-up Comedian, Writer, and Author
24/06/2019 Duration: 39minJen Kirkman is a stand-up comedian, writer, and author. In this episode, Rhett and Jen talk about playing Dungeons and Dragons as an adult, why it's important to keep track of what you wore on stage, and why you shouldn't brand yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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013 - Paul F. Tompkins: Writer and Comedian
11/06/2019 Duration: 41minRhett sits down with comedian Paul F. Tompkins while in L.A. to talk about writing, what he learned when he did improv with Jane Fonda, and why it’s important to try everything, even if it scares you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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012 - Michael Chabon: Pulitzer-prize winning author
27/05/2019 Duration: 38minRhett sits down with Pulitzer-prize winning author Michael Chabon at Chabon's home office in Berkeley, CA. to talk about writing, why imitation is key to finding your own voice, and the importance of working without the distraction of technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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011 - Trapper Schoepp: Singer-Songwriter
14/05/2019 Duration: 34minRhett sat down with singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp at Schoepp’s home in Milwaukee to talk about “Primetime Illusion”, his latest album. Schoepp explains the story behind “On Wisconsin”, the song he co-wrote with Bob Dylan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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010 - Kyle Kinane: Comedian and Actor
30/04/2019 Duration: 31minKyle Kinane, comedian and actor, joins Rhett in Pioneertown, CA to discuss his career as a stand up comic, dealing with writer’s block, staying humble, and zigzagging your way to success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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009 - Lydia Loveless: Singer | Songwriter
16/04/2019 Duration: 23minLydia Loveless ia a singer-songwriter from Ohio known for her “blast it to the back of the room” voice. She sat with Rhett while in Boston to talk about her early life as a musician, grappling with writer’s block and self-imposed obstacles, and that time she tried stand up comedy. She’s been writing and playing music since she was 14, and at the tender age of 28, is learning how to slow down and get comfortable with herself. Lydia has toured with artists such as the Old 97s, Supersuckers, Jason Isbell, Iron & Wine, and Drive-By-Truckers. Her music has been praised by Rolling Stone, NPR, Pitchfork, SPIN, Stereogum, Chicago Tribune, and more. She was the subject of the 2016 documentary Who Is Lydia Loveless?, directed by Gorman Bechard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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008 - John McCrea: Founder, Lead Singer, and Songwriter for the band Cake
02/04/2019 Duration: 24minJohn McCrea is the founder, lead singer, and songwriter for the band Cake. He’s also an activist and the Vice President of the Content Creators Coalition, an artist-run advocacy organization for musicians dedicated to working with songwriters, performers, and musicians for equity in the digital world. John sits down with Rhett to talk about the mathematics of mixing, new music from Cake, and how he keeps his creativity going after years of being an active musician. Rhett asks what advice he’d give his 21-year old self and John determines that he believes you’re supposed to have problems. The two talk about how that applies to parenting, and why it’s important to just figure things out for yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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007 - Brian Anderson: Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, NBA, NCAA and PGA Golf Sportscaster
19/03/2019 Duration: 34minBrian Anderson is a sportscaster, recognized for his work calling Milwaukee Brewers games as well as postseason MLB games, NBA and NCAA tournament games, and PGA Golf. In the middle of NCAA season, he sat down with Rhett to talk about calling sporting events for a living. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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006 - Eric Howk - Grammy Winning Guitarist: Portugal. The Man
05/03/2019 Duration: 37minRhett met up in Eric’s adopted hometown of Seattle to record this episode, and the two discuss writing accidental hits, how to combat insecurity, and the “secret sleeper towns” they find while on tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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005 - Aaron Draplin: Graphic Designer, Author, and Founder of Draplin Design Co.
19/02/2019 Duration: 41minFamed designer Aaron Drapler sits down with Rhett to discuss his hustle, intense work ethic, humility, and why hardship is great for us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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004 - Will Forte: Emmy-Nominated Actor, Comedian, Writer and Producer
05/02/2019 Duration: 35minComedian, actor, writer, and producer Will Forte joins Rhett in Los Angeles to talk about his life as a comedian, and the insanity that living a creative life can bring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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003 - Rob Thomas: (Matchbox 20) Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer and Multi-Instrumentalist,
23/01/2019 Duration: 23minMatchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas on that one time he didn’t get to meet Prince, being recognized in the supermarket, and what it means to release a record in the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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002 - Fred Armisen: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Producer and Musician
23/01/2019 Duration: 32minComedian Fred Armisen on being funny in Spanish, lucky breaks, and why failing when you’re young can serve you well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.