This week’s guest is Bob Mould, the full-on definition of “legend” as well as a genius. Bob joins Nick to talk about his latest record, Blue Hearts, as well as the creative process as it is shaped by your environment. This episode is also a discussion on what it meant to be gay men in the Rock and Roll game in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Tune in for this outstanding chat with one of Nick’s greatest music idols.
Key Takeaways
[:20] Nick welcomes Bob Mould and asks him to talk a bit about his latest record — Blue Hearts — his personal recording process and the shift from polished to a much more raw, guitar-oriented sound.
[9:45] Nick rarely delves into song or record analysis on this podcast, but he does make a point to talk about Heart on My Sleeve as the opening song as well as how the album speaks to a journey of growth for a gay man, bringing us full circle through the similarities and differences from the ’80s to today.
[20:25] The songs Password to My Soul and The Ocean felt very healing in the story-telling, Bob explains how the words came to him as he attempted to bring resolution to the record. He also touches on the powerful place music holds in times of doubt and turmoil.
[22:12] Bob tells the story of how he met both Jason and Jon and their long-lived collaboration. With such an extensive body of work, Bob talks about how they choose what makes it to a setlist — sometimes you do have to give the people what they want!
[27:04] Just as Bob curates a setlist, he has taken extensive care in putting together the Distortion 24-CD or vinyl box set. He speaks to the process they worked through with Demon.
[33:16] Bob talks about all of the places he’s lived and how each environment has had its influence on him and his art, from the six-month-long solitude of Adirondack winters to San Francisco.
[36:06] Some pandemic side effects have been to eat home-cooked meals and exercise more. As he gets older, Bob does find that the recovery time after touring gets longer and longer.
[38:00] When it comes to creativity, the output is always guided by input. Bob shares how moments of solitude generate more inward albums and times in his life characterized by bubbling social activity birth more vibrant characters.
[39:00] Bob talks about the influence of the songwriter Jimmy Webb as well as Pete Shelly’s mastery at creating gender-neutral love songs and Ian Curtis’ poetry. His influences are not limited to music and he does speak to the work of Roman Opalka.
[42:30] His strong suits in decreasing order end with lead guitar and singing, Bob shares the way he writes to his strong suits. He also talks about the percussive interest of consonants and sibilants.
[45:17] Bob’s current playlist involves Dua Lipa, METZ, Bowie, Best Coast, and Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi). He talks about his latest production with Titus Andronicus.
[53:40] Nick thanks Bob Mould for coming on the podcast and sharing so much of his story.
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Find out more about today’s guest, Bob Mould
Find out more about your host, Nick Terzo
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