On this episode of the podcast, I was joined in the studio by the Minneapolis-based musician and visual artist Jim Blaha. Jim was a member of one of my all-time favorite Twin Cities bands, The Blind Shake, and he later formed Green/Blue, a band I equally admired. In the years since Green/Blue came to an end, Blaha has continued to write and record numerous songs on his own in his basement. Through his regular recording practice, a new solo project began to take shape, drawing inspiration from moody late ‘70s post-punk and homespun ‘80s and ‘90s-era DIY pop. We are now fortunate to get a chance to hear I Will Die In This Jean Jacket, Blaha’s new basement bummer pop project, whose terrific debut album, Hang From A Cloud, is coming out on August 21st on John Reis’ Swami Records.

During this episode, you’ll hear Jim and me discuss his songwriting approach that formed the basis of I Will Die In This Jean Jacket, his years of performing in The Blind Shake, his time collaborating with the late Michael Yonkers, his deepening appreciation for music and music-making, and other topics throughout. Except for the I Will Die In This Jean Jacket tracks, Jim selected all the other music you’ll hear played and discussed throughout the show. Hope you enjoy this episode. Feel free to get in touch if you have any comments or questions. As always, thanks for looking and listening.

• I Will Die In This Jean Jacket “Too Bright” Hang From A Cloud (Swami Records)
• ~Interview segment with Jim Blaha~
• I Will Die In This Jean Jacket “DOA” Hang From A Cloud (Swami Records)
• I Will Die In This Jean Jacket “So Nice” Hang From A Cloud (Swami Records)
• I Will Die In This Jean Jacket “We Were Wild” Hang From A Cloud (Swami Records)
• ~Interview segment with Jim Blaha~
• The Blind Shake “Broad Daylight” split w/ The Hipshakes (God Unknown)
• Green/Blue “In Lies” Paper Thin (Feel It)
• Jim and the French Vanilla “When You’re Down” Afraid of the House (Dirtnap)
• Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake “Sea Saw” Modern Surf Classics (Swami)
• Michael Yonkers with The Blind Shake “What’s A Comin’” Carbohydrates Hydrocarbons (Nero’s Neptune)
• ~Interview segment with Jim Blaha~
• The Go-Betweens “I Need Two Heads” b/w “Stop Before You Say It” (Postcard)
• The Field Mice “You’re Kidding Aren’t You” Snowball (Sarah)
• The Scrotum Poles “Helicopter Honeymoon” Revelation (One Tone)
• Guided by Voices “Dusty Bushworms” Get Out Of My Stations (Siltbreeze)
• ~Interview segment with Jim Blaha~
• True Green “Italian Lightning” Hail Disaster (Snapcase)
• Yuasa Exide “Slacker Continuum” Go To Hell Encyclopaedia Britannica (Round Bale Recordings)
• Honey Radar “English Costume (Melting Cricket)” English Costume (Self-released)
• The Gabys “Gardens” S/T (All Gone)
• Cindy Lee “All I Want Is You” Diamond Jubilee (W.25th)
• ~Interview segment with Jim Blaha~
• Oh Sees “Nite Expo” Orc (Castle Face)
• The Mantles “Don’t Lie” S/T (Siltbreeze)
• Urinals “Black Hole” Negative Capability…Check It Out! (Amphetamine Reptile)
• Michael Yonkers “Goodbye Sunball” Goodbye Sunball (Self-released|Secret Seven)

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