Despite dubbing themselves a "baby band" when comparing their short history in the music business to those that have championed their work, Muscle Shoals, Alabama siblings Lydia and Laura Rogers have a strong connection to the history and romanticism of vinyl records. From putting on mini-concerts for each other on their parents' waterbed -- in sync with Highway 101 and Linda Ronstadt albums -- to Jack White recording and putting the duo to vinyl for the first time, the Secret Sisters' love for the medium matches their undeniable devotion to the art of songwriting. Since that first Third Man seven-inch, they've continued to work with producers who eye authenticity as an integral part of their aesthetic: the legendary T. Bone Burnett, current Nashville staple Dave Cobb and most recently Brandi Carlile, who helmed the Sisters' emotional new album You Don't Own Me Anymore, a title that speaks volumes to the trials and tribulations of heartache, bankruptcy and professional distress that nearly killed the Sisters' career since their last record. Today, Lydia and Laura sit down to discuss touring United Record Pressing and watching their first vinyl release being pressed, why vinyl continues to be the measurement by which the Sisters gauge how well their own albums sound, how You Don't Own Me Anymore's exemplary cover art is a familial response to their recent struggles, and some stellar stories involving Levon Helm, Fiona Apple, Elton John and human-sized catfish. Visit SecretSistersBand.com for tour dates, social media and more.
Pioneer of podcasting and stand-up comedy veteran Jimmy Pardo joins me this week to discuss his memories of vinyl growing up, working in Chicago record stores, his sales career with MCA Records in the mid-80's, warming up audiences for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and TBS' Conan, and possibly his shortest comedy gig ever, "opening" for Elton John! As host of the incredibly popular Never Not Funny podcast, Jimmy also talks about the fantastic work the show has done for cleft palate charity Smile Train during their yearly Pardcastathon, having raised almost $800,000 since 2009. Jimmy's 2005 album Pompous Clown is now available for the first time on vinyl from astrecords.bigcartel.com, and Pardcastathon 2017 takes place this coming March! Subscribe to Never Not Funny however you listen to podcasts, and follow @jimmypardo and @nevernotfunny on Twitter!