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by The Fretboard Journal
The Fretboard Journal magazine's weekly podcast, where we interview legendary guitarists, luthiers, and much more.
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This week, we're talking to Noah C. Lekas, one of the Fretboard Journal's longstanding contributors. Over the years, Noah has profiled a variety of subjects for our magazine's pages, from blues legend Hubert Sumlin to luthier Matt Eich of Mule Resophonics. Today, we're sharing this Colorado-based writer/musician's own journey, his near-fatal illness, the psychedelic therapy that helped save him, and the album that he just released to document the ordeal, 'Flowers of Perennial Dissent.' The spoken word and guitar project features guests such as Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) and folk artist Charlie Parr. All told, it's a deep chat about the human condition, finding your why, gratitude, and so much more. We hope you like it. Get the record here: https://www.blindowlrecords.com/products/noah-c-lekas-flowers-of-perennial-dissent Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 61 is about to be mailed to all subscribers: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we meet Charlotte Cornfield, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who recently released her sixth album, 'Hurts Like Hell.' The album was recorded live off the floor at Phil Weinrobe's studio in Brooklyn and features guitarists Adam Brisbin and El Kempner, guest vocals from Feist and Buck Meek, and lots more. We discussed Charlotte's writing process, how the different players left their stamp on this beautiful record, got the rundown on her one-pedal pedalboard, and more. https://charlottecornfield.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 61 is about to be mailed to all subscribers: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we are talking to Jim and Frank from Wood & Wire Fine Fretted Instruments, a recently opened Chicago-area guitar store celebrating high-end and boutique instruments. This may just be the most Fretboard Journal-ish guitar retailer on earth. https://woodandwire.net Jim Newcomb served as CEO of the Old Town School of Folk Music and is responsible for bringing the Fretboard Summit to Chicago. Frank Hamilton is a former student at the Galloup School and headed the repair shop at the recently closed Guitar Works from 1999-2004. Wood & Wire distinguishes itself with an inventory featuring bigger boutique brands like Collings, Huss & Dalton and Boucher alongside hand-picked luthier-built instruments from legends such as Jason Kostal, Tyler Wells, Paul Woolson and others. They are also carrying both high-end acoustics and electrics, vintage instruments, and select amps. During our chat, we talk about the origin of the store, their desire to make it a community hub, guitar design, and so much more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
The great John Leventhal joins us once again to talk about the making of his new solo album, 'National Drift.' https://www.instagram.com/johnleventhal/ We talk about his recording process for the album, how the songs came to be, the guitars he's currently loving, the perils of compression and so much more. Watch John perform "The Old Improv" on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/M-1JbpOEwVY Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
Frank Gross, founder of West Seattle's Thunder Road Guitars, joins us this week. Thunder Road is a unique brick-and-mortar success story. Thanks to some smart business moves (online and off), Thunder Road has thrived. In fact, Frank recently purchased and renovated a commercial space for the store! During our chat, we talk about Seattle's thriving independent guitar stores; Thunder Road's offerings (they carry big brands like Fender and Gibson alongside consignment instruments); and so much more. https://www.thunderroadguitars.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
On today's episode, guest host Ryan Richter sits down with multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Nate Mercereau. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of stringed instruments, Nate continues to redefine what it means to play and compose with the guitar as the centerpiece. In this conversation, Ryan and Nate dive into the making of Mercereau's compelling new album, Fantastic Thoughts. They discuss the creative philosophy, gear setups, and spontaneous moments of inspiration that shaped the record, giving listeners an insider's look into Nate's unique artistic process. https://www.natemercereau.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.
Molly Tuttle joins us this week to talk about guitars (of course), her touring rig, life on the road and so much more. We chat about vintage Martins, the new Martin double-neck guitar she's using (the Martin Grand J-28E DN), why she hasn't gone electric yet, and so much more. It's a fun chat with one of the bluegrass world's most inspiring artists. https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). and Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington!
New Truth About Vintage Amps discount from Amplified Parts on all Apex matched-tube products: TAVAAPEX10 gets you a one-time discount of 10% off Apex products now through October 31. So stock up! https://www.apexmatching.com It's the 170th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your guitar amplification questions (or at least the ones involving tubes). Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. Some of the topics discussed this week: :32 What's on Skip's Bench: A Voice of Music 8810 2:40 Jason's Fretboard Summit 2026 report 10:13 Recommended reading: Willie Dixon's 'I Am the Blues,' 'Bo Diddley: Living Legend,' and 'Buzz Busby: Father of Washington DC Bluegrass' 12:35 Is this Fender Super Champ safe to use? 20:06 Aotearoa New Zealand Amplifier History Project (support it here); New Zealand pop and punk; building guitars in the Congo (Fretboard Journal #56) 25:19 MusicMan HD130; Sun O))); a typewriter at the 2027 Summit? 33:34 Who made Rickenbacker amps? Talk to me about my Rickenbacker M11 41:14 Bix Beiderbecke's birthday (August 6); conversing with your amp heroes; frozen udon noodles and mushroom stock powder; Red Norvo's "In a Mist"; Donald Brosnac's 'Guitar Electronics for Musicians' 50:06 Warming up a two-pronged amp through a Variac; if a Jenson speaker has been reconed, can I stop worrying about its value? 55:35 Listener recommendation: A cheap Amazon wall outlet meter (link) 57:36 Mark Bartel's prototype line-out interface (see Instagram pic!) 58:24 The magic of purslane 1:00:29 Why a vibrator? (on old DC amps/PAs) 1:04:19 The Savage Croaker amp; Bloodstone's "Natural High;" Mesa Boogie Mark I repairs and Jim Washburn Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
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The Fretboard Journal magazine's weekly podcast, where we interview legendary guitarists, luthiers, and much more.
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