Jason Isbell & Opinions on Protomartyr
On the occasion of his new documentary and album with the 400 Unit, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk to guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Isbell. They discuss band dynamics, working with his wife, Amanda Shires, and filming the latest Scorsese film in Oklahoma in the midst of the global pandemic. The hosts also review the new album by Detroit post-punk band Protomartyr.
Formal Growth In The Desert Protomartyr
Protomartyr have long been a favorite of the Sound Opinions hosts, especially Greg. On their sixth album, Formal Growth In The Desert, however, Jim feels less enthusiastic.
Jason Isbell
Since joining The Drive-By Truckers right out of high school, Jason Isbell has been a formidable creative force. Since leaving the Truckers and getting sober, he's been on a hot streak with his group The 400 Unit. Their newest album, “Weathervanes” shows no signs of that streak cooling off. But the new album comes just after the Sam Jones documentary “Running With Our Eyes Closed” showed revealing struggles in the studio and at home during the making of Isbell's previous album, “Reunions.” In conversation with hosts Jim and Greg, Isbell is candid about where his head is at and what's next- including his acting debut in Martin Scorsese's “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Featured Songs:
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Miles," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Capitol, 1967
- Protomartyr, "Make Way," Formal Growth In The Desert, Domino, 2023
- Protomartyr, "For Tomorrow," Formal Growth In The Desert, Domino, 2023
- Protomartyr, "Let's Tip the Creator," Formal Growth In The Desert, Domino, 2023
- Protomartyr, "Polacrilex Kid," Formal Growth In The Desert, Domino, 2023
- Protomartyr, "Rain Garden," Formal Growth In The Desert, Domino, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Death Wish," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Middle of the Morning," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "King of Oklahoma," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "When We Were Close," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "If You Insist," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Save the World," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023
- Little Richard, "Tutti Frutti," Here's Little Richard, Specialty, 1957
Dear Listeners,
For more than 15 years, Sound Opinions was a production of WBEZ, Chicago's public radio station. Now that the show is independent, we're inviting you to join the band and lend a hand! We need your support more than ever because now we have to do all the behind-the-scenes work that WBEZ handled before (like buying insurance and paying for podcast hosting, ugh). Plus, we have some exciting ideas we'd like to try now that there's no one to tell us no!