Jonathan Lethem on Solitude
Novelist Jonathan Lethem tells Kurt what Superman has in common with the young hero of his book, The Fortress of Solitude. He also explains how losing his mother when he was a teenager shaped his writing.
One-Man Band
Lots of us wonder if the distractions of the modern world compromise our creativity. Songwriter Andrew Bird put that theory to the test, holing up in a barn in western Illinois near the Mississippi River. In his isolation, Bird marveled at the innovation that flowed into his music. But even a one-man-band gets lonely, as he told producer Jonathan Menjivar.
- Andrew Bird's website
- Buy the album "Armchair Apocrypha"
- Listen to "Masterfade" from the album "Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs"
All by Myself
Bob Paul is a successful graphic designer and painter who’s been working up in his attic since he quit his very first job. He says he doesn’t need anybody else around because he doesn’t care what other people think. His son, producer Richard Paul, is a lot like his dad – he also works alone, but doesn’t like it. Richard asked Bob about the family habit.
Dean & Britta
When guitarist Dean Wareham needed a new bassist for his band Luna, he placed an ad in the “Village Voice” classifieds. Britta Phillips answered, and the two have been making rainy day indie-rock ever since. They perform songs from their new album “Back Numbers” live in our studio.
