Wheels Off With Rhett Miller

This week, Kelly McCartney joins Rhett from Upstate New York to talk about her multifaceted career as a journalist and broadcaster, her show Record Bin Radio and why it’s “the dreamiest gig ever,” and why she thinks it’s important to trust your gut, while still trusting in the universe. You’ll also hear Kelly discuss her time as a personal assistant to Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles, and the various grant funds that she’s started including Rainey Day Fund, which provides grants to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled roots music artists.   Kelly McCartney is a music journalist, broadcaster, playwright, and activist born in Louisiana. She’s worked a variety of jobs in the music industry ranging from processing copyrights, to booking live shows, to writing album reviews, to serving as an assistant for artists. She has hosted several podcasts, and currently hosts Record Bin Radio on Apple Music. On top of her work in music, she also devotes her time to organizations that help support marginalized artists, including Rainey

One of the most renowned songwriters and producers in the music industry, Sam Hollander joins Rhett to talk about “failing his way up the charts” and the intense creative process that’s led to his success. Sam tells Rhett why a conversation between his parents and Nile Rogers led to his career path, and shares a life lesson from basketball’s Steve Nash that changed how he approaches his work. Sam has had multi-platinum success writing and producing for the likes of Panic! At The Disco, One Direction, Fitz and the Tantrums, Weezer, Katy Perry, Train, blink-182, Banners and Gym Class Heroes amongst many others. To date, he’s achieved 22 US Top 40 Hits, as well as 10 Number 1's, 10 top fives, and 87 Top 10 chart positions globally. His songs have been streamed over 5 billion times, and in 2019, he held the #1 position on the Billboard Rock Songwriters Chart for nine weeks, a year-end record. Sam has also been chosen to be on Variety's Hitmakers list, as well as being named Rolling Stone's Hot List Producer of th

Erika Wennerstrom joins Rhett from Mount Hood, Oregon to talk about the latest Heartless Bastards record, the intricacies of her creative process, and the concept of “music as medicine”. They discuss the importance of self-awareness and challenging oneself, and Erika shares the details of writing the epic, powerfully soulful song “Revolution”.    Erika Wennerstrom is a singer-songwriter from Dayton, Ohio. She is the leader of the Ohio-based band Heartless Bastards, and she also has a career as a solo artist. Heartless Bastards have released six studio albums since they formed in 2003, and Erika released her debut album Sweet Unknown in 2018.  She’s currently working on a follow-up. The upcoming Heartless Bastards album, A Beautiful Life, comes out on September 10th and you can pre-save it here.  Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Justin Thomas. Production Assistance by Mat

Author Sarah Hepola joins Rhett from her home in Dallas, Texas to talk about her writing career, which began unofficially when she wrote a Shawshank Redemption-inspired story in 7th grade and sold a copy to a fellow classmate. Sarah tells Rhett about the importance of freeing her mind in order to be creative, and what she does to achieve the meditative state that allows her to write. The two discuss struggling with one’s inner monologue and whether self-doubt can be a useful tool, and Sarah’s got some wardrobe advice for her 21-year old self.   Sarah Hepola is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Blackout, an unblinkingly honest memoir about her past history with alcohol. She has written articles and essays for the New York Times Magazine, Elle, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Guardian, Salon, and Texas Monthly. She also contributes short personal essays to NPR’s Fresh Air. Sarah is currently working on a podcast for Texas Monthly about the cultural impact of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which will be

In this episode of Wheels Off, illustrator and author Nidhi Chanani joins Rhett from her home in San Francisco to talk about the creative projects that she’s currently working on, and her career as an artist. You’ll hear Nidhi talk about the inspiration behind her new graphic novel Jukebox, why freelance work suits her artistic style and allows her to balance multiple projects at once, the connection between art and nature, and much more. Nidhi shares the story of how she untethered herself from her academically regimented adolescence, and when she realized that being an artist was a viable career path.    Nidhi Chanani is a freelance artist, author, and illustrator from Kolkata, India. She moved to Southern California when she was 4 months old, and received her degree in literature from the UC Santa Cruz. After that she attended art school for a year and a half, but dropped out after feeling artistically limited by instruction methods. She’s gone on to illustrate and author a multitude of children's books, m

This week, musicians Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean of the Delta-blues inspired duo Ida Mae join Rhett to talk about their upcoming album, Click Click Domino. Phoning in from the English countryside, you’ll hear them talk about touring in America, the duality behind their songwriting process, and why Chris thinks that their latest album contains some of the best songs that they’ve ever written. They also discuss meeting when they were college students, how their agreeable musical tastes translate into their songwriting, and when they knew that their voices “clicked” when they started singing together.     Ida Mae is an acoustic alt-folk duo consisting of husband and wife Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean. Hailing from Norfolk, U.K., the group creates Americana and blues-influenced music saturated with deep textures, and overlaid with gorgeous vocal harmonies. After extensively touring in support of their 2019 debut LP, Chasing Lights, the group finished up Click Click Domino during lockdown. In this conversati

In this week’s episode of Wheels Off, legendary songwriter and record producer Jeff Barry joins Rhett from his home in Laurel Canyon for a captivating conversation filled with wonderful nuggets of songwriting advice. Jeff and Rhett discuss Jeff’s simplified songwriting formula, the early days of his career as a songwriter, how he learned to write great material, the sky-high success of Red Bird Records, and much more. Jeff shares the riveting story of providing the music for Sam Cooke’s first single with RCA, and reveals fantastic tips for songwriters that only a master could articulate.     Jeff Barry is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from Brooklyn, best known for his songwriting and production work with all-time great acts including The Monkees, The Shangri-Las, and Neil Diamond. He has written timeless classics with his former wife Ellie Greenwich and fellow songwriting partner Phil Spector, and together the three helped define the “Girl Group” sound. They produced hits like “Be My Baby,” “Da Do

This week on Wheels Off, talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Allison Russell joins Rhett from her new home in Nashville to talk about her debut solo album Outside Child, which was released in May. Allison reflects on taking the leap to release a solo album, and why she felt compelled to tell her own story. She discusses the transformative experience of raising her daughter, Ida, and recalls one of her “clearest and first memories” - a deep expression of love through her mother’s piano playing.   Allison Russell is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter from Montreal. She is a founding member of the acclaimed groups Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters, the latter of which she discusses in-depth with Rhett. Allison's first ever solo album, Outside Child, is a musical and thematic wonder that explores beautifully genuine sonic textures, and heartfelt subject matter that points towards healing, compassion, and empowerment.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted

Actress Paget Brewster joins Rhett from her home in Los Angeles to talk about her career as an actor, and the immense gratitude she holds for the artistic journey she’s on. Paget and Rhett talk about why voice excites her, how pre-performance nerves are a blessing in disguise, why it’s fun to die in a movie as an actor, and much more. Paget is incredibly thoughtful in the way she analyzes her work, and her exuberance about her art is refreshing and inspiring.   Paget Brewster is an actor, voice actor, and singer from Concord, Massachusetts. She gained initial recognition for her recurring role as Kathy on the fourth season of Friends, and broke through to widespread acclaim when she played Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds. Paget currently voices Birdgirl on the Adult Swim comedy series Birdgirl, which she and Rhett discuss in the episode. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by

This week on Wheels Off, author Lily Brooks-Dalton joins Rhett from her home in Los Angeles to talk about her creative endeavors as a writer. Lily and Rhett discuss adapting her books into film, the experience of releasing a memoir when she was just 25 years old, and memorizing her favorite books before she even knew how to read. Lily tells Rhett about the unique method she uses to get inside the minds of her favorite authors, and shares some advice for aspiring writers.   Lily Brooks Dalton's novel, Good Morning, Midnight (Random House, 2016), has been translated into 17 languages and is the inspiration for the film adaptation, The Midnight Sky. Her memoir, Motorcycles I’ve Loved (Riverhead, 2014), was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award.  Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing by Justin Thomas. Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by OLD 97’s. Episode artwork by Katheri

This week, legendary drummer John Densmore joins Rhett to talk about his life with The Doors - “we had a kamikaze maniac as a lead singer” - and the other characters he’s written about in his new book The Seekers: Meetings With Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists). Rhett and John discuss the importance of silence, the wonders of transcendental meditation, and talk about the house that Rhett lived in that may have had some Doors magic in the air.   John Densmore is a musician, songwriter, author and actor from Los Angeles, California, best known as the rhythmic engine of The Doors. Responsible for some of the most famous beats in rock history, Densmore founded the rock band and was the drummer from 1965 to 1973. In fact, he was the only drummer in the Doors’ history and appeared on every recording made by the band. Densmore is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has also written three books, and explored avenues of creativity in filmmaking and acting. Densmore’s latest book, The Seekers, is

In this episode of Wheels Off with Rhett Miller, singer-songwriter Liz Phair joins Rhett from her home in LA to talk about her creative journey as a musician. The two discuss how being home during the pandemic has changed their lives, why social interaction is crucial for creative inspiration, and dig into her memoir Horror Stories. Liz explains why you “just have to go for the ride” in order to conquer feelings of self-doubt and shares a few other savvy insights gleaned from her extraordinary career.   Liz Phair is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Chicago who came to prominence in the early 90’s, thanks to the emotional authenticity of her lyrics and the lo-fi instrumentation in her music. She has been a recording artist and touring performer for over twenty-five years, paving the way for countless music artists, particularly women, who cite her among their major influences. Her 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, is ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All T

In this episode, Ben Schneider, guitarist and singer for the critically acclaimed indie band Lord Huron, joins Rhett from his studio in Los Angeles. Ben tells Rhett about the early days of his career and the moment he realized that he wanted to play in a band. He explains why living in Los Angeles helps him push through creative obstacles, the impact that nature has on his writing, and the importance of collaboration in his creative endeavors.   Lord Huron broke out in 2015 with their hit song “The Night We Met,” which has been streamed over 700 million times. Their intimate take on indie-folk borrows influences from lap steel-laced desert-country, while retaining a modern sound that’s well ahead of the curve. Ben Schneider is at the helm of their efforts, providing authentic and rich textures in his singing and guitar playing. Their latest album “Long Lost”, is available now.   Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted by Rhett Miller. Produced by Rhett Miller.  Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in pa

In this episode, singer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Yorn joins Rhett to talk about his lifelong journey as an artist. The two discuss the harsh realities behind signing a record deal, grappling with the demons that present creative obstacles, and they reminisce over the excitement of hearing their songs mixed for the first time. Pete tells Rhett about the wisdom of his grandfather and the lessons he’s learned that carry him forward.  Pete Yorn has released over a dozen albums as a solo act. Yorn gained recognition around the world after releasing his debut album Musicforthemorningafter in 2001, which has gone on to sell over half a million copies. His latest release, New Rooftop EP (20 years of musicforthemorningafter) was released earlier this month in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his seminal debut LP. It includes four tracks: “Rooftop,” an unreleased outtake from the musicforthemorningafter sessions and three live versions of tracks from the album including Smiths cover “Panic”, “Life On A Chai

Writer Tony Weaver Jr. joins Rhett from his home in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the creative projects that he’s working on, including a new graphic novel series called “Weirdo.” Tony tells Rhett about his intent to provide hope and guidance for young people through his storytelling, and how stumbling into poetry convinced him to become a writer. The two discuss navigating times of uncertainty, optimizing for mental health, and the importance of self-acceptance.  Tony Weaver, Jr. is an award winning writer and educator creating diverse stories that make young people feel seen and valued. After recognizing the impact that media stereotypes had on students in his community, Tony embarked on a journey to create new media narratives that would challenge the status quo. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted by Rhett Miller. Produced by Rhett Miller. Co-produced by Kirsten Cluthe in partnership with Nick Ruffini (Revoice Media). Editing byJustin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by OLD 97’s. Episode artwo

Author and podcaster Zibby Owens joins Rhett from her home in New York City to talk about her uninhibited creative process, her detailed approach to research and the importance of trying new things. Libby explains the genesis of “Moms Don’t Have Time To…” and why you will probably have to invent your dream job.  Zibby Owens is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books. Zibby, named “NYC’s Most Powerful Book-fluencer” by New York Magazine’s Vulture, conducts warm, inquisitive conversations with authors, making her show a top literary podcast as selected by Oprah.com in 2019 and 2020. She also created the Moms Don’t Have Time to Lose Weight community and hosts the accompanying podcast. Zibby is the Editor-in-Chief of Moms Don’t Have Time to Write, a Medium.com publication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Masi Asare is a composer, lyricist, and a musical theatre professor at Northwestern University. She has provided music for theatre productions including The Family Resemblance, Rishvor, Monsoon Wedding, Mirror of Most Value, and many others. In this episode Asare and Rhett talk about finding your voice of expression in art, “collective imagining” amongst theatre audience members, staying creative when inspiration feels elusive, and much more. Rhett relates his musical experience to Asare’s despite the two being from completely different musical realms, and Asare provides experienced, battle-tested insights for young musicians.   Upcoming episodes of Wheels Off include author Zibby Owens, writer Tony Weaver Jr., The Doors’ John Densmore, author Lily Brooks-Dalton, Lord Huron’s Ben Schneider, Liz Phair, and more. Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted by Rhett Miller. Produced by Rhett Miller, Kirsten Cluthe, and Nick Ruffini. Editing by Justin Thomas. Music by OLD 97’s. Episode artwork by Katheri

David Wax is one half of the duo David Wax Museum, which he formed in 2008 with his wife Suz Slezak. He joins Rhett from his home in Charlottesville, VA. to talk about how the pandemic enabled him to build a studio and dig into the process of home recording, and the two discuss why music is more important than ever right now. David explains how he handles self doubt by finding opportunity in crisis, and tells Rhett about the time they blindfolded an audience during a live performance. The new David Wax Museum album Euphoric Ouroboric is out now. Upcoming episodes of Wheels Off include composer/playwright Masi Asare, writer Tony Weaver Jr., The Doors’ John Densmore, author Lily Brooks-Dalton, author Zibby Owens, and more. Revisit Season One of Wheels Off with Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Will Forte, Lydia Loveless, Allison Moorer, Ted Leo, Paul F. Tompkins, Jen Kirkman, and more.  Wheels Off is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted by Rhett Miller. Produced by Rhett Miller, Kirsten Cluthe, and Nick Ruffini. Edit

Pop artist Ashley Longshore joins Rhett in this episode to talk about growing up in Alabama, discovering her path and how she approaches the business side of being an artist. Ashley and Rhett talk about the things that inspire their work, and how to handle the fear and anxiety that comes with living a creative life. Ashley Longshore is a New Orleans-based, self taught artist. She has built an empire in the art world and challenges the traditional business model of art galleries. As a powerhouse artist and pioneer in social media marketing, she has exploded into a global brand and uses her platform to encourage positivity and authenticity. Longshore aspires to “Have a career like Andy Warhol and leave a legacy like Peggy Guggenheim.”  Upcoming episodes of Wheels Off include musician David Wax, composer/playwright Masi Asare, author Lily Brooks-Dalton, and more. Revisit Season One of Wheels Off with Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Will Forte, Lydia Loveless, Allison Moorer, Ted Leo, Paul F. Tompkins, Jen Kirkman, and

In this episode, singer-songwriter Parker Millsap joins Rhett from his home in Tennessee to talk about his new album Be Here Instead, what he’s been listening to for inspiration, and discusses his latest single, “Vulnerable”. The two geek out over how to play a major 2 chord, and Parker explains his process for writing through creative obstacles. Parker Millsap is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays a blend of blues, country, rock, Americana, and folk music. Named one of Americana Music Association's 2014 Emerging Artists of the Year after the release of his eponymous album, Millsap garnered attention with his song "Truck Stop Gospel". His musical style has drawn comparisons to early Elvis Presley. In addition to singing, he plays guitar, harmonica and banjo. His latest album Be Here Instead drops on April 9. Upcoming episodes of Wheels Off include artist Ashley Longshore, musician David Wax, composer/playwright Masi Asare, author Lily Brooks-Dalton, and more. Wheels Off is brought to you