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lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Life of the Record
@lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
430 followers 290 following 46 posts
classic albums, told by the people who made them.
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lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 40th anniversary of @themarychain.bsky.social’s debut album, PSYCHOCANDY, we spoke with Jim Reid and William Reid about how it was made. Brothers changed by punk, discovering recording, a magical fuzz pedal and pop meets noise in the 1980s.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/the-jesus-a...
November 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Honored that Life of the Record makes an appearance in @chrisdeville.bsky.social’s fantastic book Such Great Heights. I've been a big fan of Chris's writing for a long time so it means a lot to be included in this essential indie rock history. Check it out: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Sharon Van Etten describes reading Patti Smith's 'Just Kids' and feeling inspired to finish writing songs for her album, TRAMP.
Full track-by-track deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/sharon-van-...
October 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In celebration of Sharon Van Etten's third album, TRAMP, we spoke to Sharon Van Etten and producer Aaron Dessner about how it was made. Living between sublets, recording in Aaron's garage, the Brooklyn music community and a turning point moment.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/sharon-van-...
October 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Peter Bjorn and John describe early reactions to "Young Folks," after playing it while DJing and putting it up on Myspace.
Full WRITER'S BLOCK deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/peter-bjorn...
September 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Peter Bjorn and John's WRITER'S BLOCK is one of the defining indie albums of the 2000s. We spoke to Peter Morén, Björn Yttling and John Eriksson about how it was made. Almost quitting, recording with no budget and the whistle heard round the world.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/peter-bjorn...
September 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Bill Callahan describes the decision to leave the Smog name behind and start fresh with A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE.
Full deep dive interview: lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/
August 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 20th anniversary of the Smog album, A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE, we spoke to Bill Callahan about how it was made. Leaving the Smog name, moving to Austin, learning fingerpicking, writing as a newcomer, and a clear sound like a river.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/
August 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
I'm absolutely thrilled that @heatmiserarchive.bsky.social’s MIC CITY SONS is available on vinyl again. Such an incredible record. Hear our deep dive oral history of the album that we did for the 25th anniversary: lifeoftherecord.com/heatmiser/
July 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the great Elliott Smith albums. 5 years back, we took a detailed look at the mystery and magic of the self-titled record:
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/elliott-smi...
July 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah describes the surprise success of the first album and their DIY process for mailing out all the CD orders they were getting.
Full album deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/clap-your-h...
July 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 20th anniversary of the debut Clap Your Hands Say Yeah album, we spoke to Alec Ounsworth about how it was made. A solo project morphing into a band, dealing with newfound attention, being labeled "blog rock," and remaining independent.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/clap-your-h...
June 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
R.I.P Brian Wilson, one of the all-time great musical geniuses. As a young child, I fell in love with music for the first time after hearing the Beach Boys. As I grew up, I only appreciated his ear for melody, harmony and arranging even more. Pop music wouldn't be the same without him.
June 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Bill Million and Glenn Mercer of The Feelies discuss the band’s look of dressing like old men and the need to stand out in the 70s punk scene.
Full CRAZY RHYTHMS deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/the-feelies/
June 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 45th anniversary of The Feelies' CRAZY RHYTHMS, we spoke to Glenn Mercer and Bill Million about how it was made. Suburban outsiders in the NYC punk scene, songs built on nervousness, their 50s-inspired look and all kinds of percussion. Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/the-feelies/
May 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
In our latest episode, Patrick Stickles of @titus-andronicus.bsky.social discusses "A More Perfect Union" and the Abraham Lincoln speech that opens the song.
Full deep dive on THE MONITOR: lifeoftherecord.com#/titus-andro...
April 18, 2025 at 1:55 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 15th anniversary of THE MONITOR by @titus-andronicus.bsky.social, we spoke to Patrick Stickles about how it was made. Leaving New Jersey, discovering pot and Ken Burns's Civil War documentary and taking a big swing at the rock album of the century.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/titus-andro...
April 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 20th anniversary of Stars' SET YOURSELF ON FIRE, we spoke to Torquil Campbell, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley and Chris Seligman about how it was made. The Montreal scene, shifting relationships in the band and the quest for the perfect pop song.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/stars/
March 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 20th anniversary of I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING by Bright Eyes, we spoke to Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis about how it was made. Leaving Omaha, a political awakening, a minimal 70s folk sound and a midwestern kid taking in New York City.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/bright-eyes/
January 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
For the 15th anniversary of Manchester Orchestra's MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING, we spoke with Andy Hull about how it was made. Getting signed at a young age, wrestling with a new marriage and questions of faith and developing their open wound sound.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/manchester-...
January 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Lastly, we had so much fun talking to Mike Kinsella, Steve Holmes and Steve Lamos about the first American Football album. This record has one of the most unlikely stories we've ever heard and it was a joy to hear the details of how it came to be. (11/11)
lifeoftherecord.com#/american/fo...
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
We loved chatting with Superchunk's Mac McCaughan, Laura Ballance and Jim Wilbur about their memories of making FOOLISH. Despite a tense time and a breakup in the band, it's amazing they were still able to make a great record in only 3 days. (10/11)
lifeoftherecord.com#/superchunk/
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
José González's VENEER was a humble record made with cheap gear and pirated software, yet somehow went on to reach millions of people. It was fascinating to hear González's story of studying biochemistry but deciding to take a shot at making music. (9/11)
lifeoftherecord.com#/jose-gonzal...
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Few records sound as timeless 50 years later as Richard and Linda Thompson's I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT. What a thrill it was to hear Richard and Linda reflect on their first record as a duo and how everything they tried seemed to work. (8/11)
lifeoftherecord.com#/richard-lin...
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM
lifeoftherecord.bsky.social
Sunny Day Real Estate's DIARY is one of the most fully formed debut albums in recent memory. We had so much fun chatting with Jeremy Enigk, Dan Hoerner and William Goldsmith about the unique sound they found together and how the album came together. (7/11)
lifeoftherecord.com#/sunny-day-r...
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM