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Post-punk Heartstrings

Post-punk Heartstrings

By: JimmyJames S Butler
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A discussion of the post-punk music that moves us and how it affects our lives and causes us to self-reflect and dig deeper. This podcast marries the raw, honest, and artistic style of post-punk and indie music with insights and life experiences of listeners and creators. The goal is to share from a place of vulnerability that leads to relation of trust and encouragement.JimmyJames S Butler Music
Episodes
  • E057 - Joseph "Ojo" Taylor of Undercover - A Life in Music

    E057 - Joseph "Ojo" Taylor of Undercover - A Life in Music
    Oct 16 2026

    Episode Overview:

    In this episode, JimmyJames and Just Jim sit down with Joseph “Ojo” Taylor for a deeply personal, wide-ranging conversation tracing his musical and spiritual journey. From childhood memories of Captain Kangaroo and discovering the Beatles to the life-changing shock of hearing Jimi Hendrix, Ojo shares how music captured his imagination and never let go.

    We explore his classical training, songwriting, early bands, and the journey from Undercover and Brainstorm Artists International to academia and his latest album, B̶E̶H̶O̶L̶D̶. Along the way, Ojo reflects on creativity, faith, doubt, fundamentalism, and the complicated search for meaning. With honesty, humor, and hard-won perspective, he considers how our beliefs evolve, how the past changes when viewed through a new lens, and how music can hold both transcendence and humanity.

    In this conversation:

    • Discovering the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and the music of the ’60s

    • Classical piano, Bach, counterpoint, and the foundations of his songwriting

    • Starting bands, the evolution of Undercover, and the founding of Brainstorm Artists International

    • The hidden musical references and classical influences woven into his work

    • Teaching composition and theory at James Madison University

    • Faith, religious fundamentalism, doubt, and the danger of certainty

    • The long musical and philosophical journey from Relative to B̶E̶H̶O̶L̶D̶

    • The meaning behind the album’s strike-through title and its use of religious imagery

    • The emotional heart of “Behold Nothing,” “In a Dark Room,” and “Interlude II”

    • The musicians who helped bring the album to life

    • Creativity, humanity, legacy, and the threads that connect a lifetime of music

    Follow Ojo Taylor
    Website: https://ojotaylor.com/
    B̶E̶H̶O̶L̶D̶ on Bandcamp: https://ojotaylor.bandcamp.com/album/b-e-h-o-l-d
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3f7dEdFFjVqvexVg9b15jI
    YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCOB6fe3h_2cTstQKqefSF-A
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ojo_taylor/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojotaylor/
    Blog: https://ojotaylor.com/blog/

    Follow Undercover
    Bandcamp: https://undercover.bandcamp.com/music
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ic5o2PpXcrWpWtnHTj8wZ
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Undercover-100042114675707/

    About Post-punk Heartstrings
    Exploring emotion in post-punk and beyond, Post-punk Heartstrings celebrates artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/
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    2 hrs and 47 mins
  • E056 - The Flashing Astonishers – Basement Noise on Trucker Speed!

    E056 - The Flashing Astonishers – Basement Noise on Trucker Speed!
    Sep 15 2026
    Episode Overview In this episode, JimmyJames & Just Jim sit down with The Flashing Astonishers, the long‑running Syracuse indie/post‑punk band whose history stretches from their 1995 formation, through an eight‑year hiatus, to a full reunion in 2010. Guitarists Dan Musclow and Gregg Yeti, bassist Chuck Gwynn, and drummer Tony Tornebene dive into their origins, influences, studio stories, and the strange lore that’s grown around their music.The conversation quickly turns into classic Astonishers chaos: overlapping stories, inside jokes, questionable memories, and unexpected detours into band mythology, songwriting oddities, and whatever the future might look like for them.Band Background Formation: 1995Location: Syracuse, NYHiatus: Eight‑year break in the early 2000sReunion: 2010Related Project: Gregg Yeti & the Best Lights (2007)Current Lineup • Gregg Yeti — Guitars• Dan Musclow — Guitars & Vocals• Chuck Gwynn — Bass• Tony Tornebene — DrumsTopics CoveredEarly Days & Influences • What it was like going to school with Jim Anderson.• How each member first fell in love with making music — the albums, instruments, and first records that set them on their path.• The band’s formation in 1995 and the early chemistry that shaped their sound.• Sonic touchpoints: Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Sugar, Pavement, Guided by Voices, and other bands that helped define their aesthetic.Songwriting & Creative Process • A look at how tracks like “The Back Nine” (Forever Unprepared) and “The Star Off Machine” take shape.• How their process has shifted or stayed the same across decades.Albums & Key Tracks • “Lip Balm” (Everything Is Going to Stop) — its unmistakable ’90s feel and the story behind the Morrissey nod.• “I’m Not One” — how its tight, punchy rhythm came together in the studio.• “Only Gone” — the reflective, melancholy‑bright moment on The Star Off Machine, and why a more fleshed‑out version appears on On Involuntary Bliss.• “Too Many Cigarettes” — whether it’s autobiographical or a character study, and how fans responded.• “Capsized” — why Allison Gates was brought in for vocals and what she added to the track.Gregg Yeti’s GBV Connection • Gregg’s contribution to the Guided by Voices tribute compilation Sing for Your Meat (2011), covering “Quality of Armor,” and what it meant to appear alongside The Flaming Lips, Superdrag, and others.Band Lore & Humor • Do cats really see ghosts?• Who is the King of Cans?• Who broke the stained glass — and why?• The mystery of the villainous Manchester Priests.Live Shows & Activity • Touring history: regional vs. national.• Whether the Porches EP sparked the desire to play live again.Genre Identity • If someone finds their record in a shop, should they look under indie rock, post‑punk, college rock, or “should have been huge”?What’s Ahead • Upcoming releases, future shows, and where The Flashing Astonishers are heading.Follow The Flashing Astonishers: • Website: https://bio.site/flashingastonishers • Bandcamp: https://theflashingastonishers.bandcamp.com/ • YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDxDXhiHelPdSWVLtUmUp_A • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflashingastonishers/Follow Gregg Yeti: • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greggyetiAbout Post‑punk Heartstrings Post‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality — following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings
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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • E055 – LANDROID: Rituals of Dreams, Death, and the High Desert

    E055 – LANDROID: Rituals of Dreams, Death, and the High Desert
    Aug 18 2026
    Episode OverviewIn this episode, JimmyJames and “Just” Jim sit down with Greg Gordon and Cooper Gillespie of LANDROID, the high‑desert art‑rock trio rounded out by Nigel Roman, who was unable to join the interview.Greg and Cooper explore the band’s origins, their creative chemistry, the philosophical threads running through their work, and the stories behind the songs that define their latest album.Topics CoveredMusical Beginnings – Greg and Cooper trace their earliestmusical memories and how their paths eventually converged.High Desert Influence – How the stark beauty and isolationof the high desert shaped their sonic identity.Early Albums & Pre‑LANDROID Bands – A look back at theprojects and bands they were in before forming LANDROID.Songwriting Process – From initial sparks to fully layeredproductions — including Greg’s desire to write a 30‑minute track.“The Beginning” – Why this track feels like stepping into analter‑ego for Cooper, and how Nigel’s contributions shaped the song.“Yellow Sea” – Cooper discusses her fascination withmortality and the group reflects on near‑death experiences.Gnosticism & Spiritual Curiosity – How learning aboutGnostic ideas influenced the album’s themes and a broader conversation aboutreligion.Songs as Self‑Confession – Cooper chooses “Sometimes.” Gregchooses “The Ending,” inspired by a vivid dream.Songs as Alter‑Ego – Cooper: “The Beginning.” Greg: “Say MyName.”Quiet/Loud Dynamics & Pauses – How LANDROID usessilence, restraint, and sudden bursts of sound to create emotional tension.Greg’s Love of Layering – Vocals, synths, textures — whystacking sounds is central to their identity.Reproducing Music Live – The challenges and surprises oftranslating studio complexity to the stage.Creative Conflict – Do they ever argue creatively? And whatthey do when a song simply isn’t working.“Closing Doors” – The mood, the lyrics, and the emotionalweight behind the track.“Autonomous” – Themes, textures, and how the song fits intothe album’s larger arc.“Stay” – The choppy metal‑style guitar, Phil Collins‑inspireddrums, and how the track came together.What’s Coming Up – Future plans, new music, and whatLANDROID is excited about next.Featured Songs (Clips Included)“So Say We All” – intro“Lost in Transmission” – transition from intro“The Beginning”“Yellow Sea”“Sometimes”“The Ending”“Say My Name”“Closing Doors”“Autonomous”“Stay”WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT LANDROID:Official Band Website: https://www.landroidmusic.com/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/landroid/1469591125Bandcamp: https://landroid.bandcamp.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landroidmusic/YouTube: https://youtube.com/landroidmusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/landroidmusicTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@landroidmusicSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DIJjtbZhJdqXSVSFfBWyP?si=xkPGQDZGTcaeThyWeeX2wA&nd=1&dlsi=125b811b6db84926 Connect with Post‑punk HeartstringsPost‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who leadwith emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstringsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kpSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings
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    2 hrs and 15 mins
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