The Steer

We talk to writer Chris Harding Thornton about her debut novel, Pickard County Atlas, out this week on MCD Books. We discuss overrated bands, noir, life as an opera major, working at a record store i…

Some songs to accompany our talk with novelist Chris Harding Thornton and her new novel Pickard County Atlas. Tracks from PJ Harvey, Jesus Lizard, The Jam, Pulp, His Hero Is Gone, Louis Armstrong and…

We chat to Matthew Kallman of the band Real Estate about ordering records from paper catalogs in the '90s, adaptability, music biographies, the cultish earnestness of The Blue Nile, instrumental musi…

On our bonus Halloween episode, we ask: What is Halloween music? Is Halloween music actually spooky? And, if not, what makes music spooky? To figure out the answers to these questions, we discuss and…

A replay of our conversation with Portland-based writer, musician, and visual artist Dao Strom. We also get caught up with her about her evolution as an artist in the time since this interview and ta…

Superstar Oregon essayist Elena Passarello discusses what it’s like to write and think deeply about Elvis Presley in 2020. We chat about her short-lived attempt to be the world’s first prominent fema…

Songs to accompany our chat with essayist Elena Passarello and her writing project on Elvis Presley. Within: deep-cut songs by Elvis, songs about Elvis, songs written for (or almost performed by) Elv…

Songs from our conversation with novelist and short story author Chelsea Bieker. Nina Simone, Reba McEntire, Blink-182, Selena, and more.

Our conversation with Portland writer Chelsea Bieker about her new novel Godshot, and her upcoming short story collection Cowboys and Angels. Within: lost mothers, the power of Nina Simone, Blink-182…

Our chat with Portland journalist and music writer Santi Elijah Holley. We talk about his upcoming Bloomsbury 33 1/3 book, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' Murder Ballads, as well as his book-in-progress o…

Some songs to accompany our chat with journalist and music writer Santi Elijah Holley on his upcoming 33 1/3 book, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' Murder Ballads. Four essential versions of the folk balla…

Reintroducing The Steer and introducing our new co-host Karleigh Frisbie Brogan. Joshua and Karleigh discuss friendship, pandemic writing, upcoming guests, new music recommendations, and the importan…

Some tunes to accompany our reintroduction to The Steer, and the introduction of our new co-host Karleigh Frisbie Brogan. Songs from (in order) Brittany Howard, Aldous Harding, Babytooth, Greentea Pe…

Music from the Bill Carty episode of The Steer, as heard on www.Dublab.com and KZUT 99.1 FM Los Angeles. Artists include Gang Starr, Tierra Whack, Frank Ocean and Yo Yo Ma, among others.

Joshua and Jeff talk to Seattle-based poet Bill Carty. Topics discussed include: writing under the joy/ pressure of having two young children, the mastery of Gang Starr, growing up in Maine, and his …

Music from the Stephen Steinbrink episode of The Steer, as heard on www.Dublab.com and KZUT 99.1 FM Los Angeles. Artists include Dear Nora, Prefab Sprout, Lake and Stephen Steinbrink, among others.

Jeff and Joshua talk to Oakland-based indie-pop songwriter Stephen Steinbrink. Topics discussed include: Olympia, Washington; audio books; the kindness of LAKE; stained glass refurbishing; therapy; p…

Music from the Margaret Malone episode of The Steer, as heard on www.Dublab.com and KZUT 99.1 FM Los Angeles. Artists include Erik Satie, John Coltrane, The Notwist and Juana Molina, among others.

Jeff and Joshua talk to Portland short story writer Margaret Malone, author of the PEN Hemingway finalist book People Like You. Within: writing rituals, anti-comparison living, the magic of the live …

Music from the Andre Perry episode of The Steer, as heard on www.Dublab.com and KZUT 99.1 FM Los Angeles. Artists include Mobb Deep, The Grateful Dead, Sasami, Kendrick Lamar and Brittany Howard, amo…