Ink & Echo

This week Andy and Josh are on their own for a discussion that sprung from a fascinating, challenging 3-hour podcast between comedians Bo Burnham and Pete Holmes. We explore the concept of refraining from substances or activities that we (or anyone) are potentially using too often, the trend in our culture of talented people making low-brow, pointless content in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator in hopes of going viral, how we as a culture are still in our infancy with social media and how we are all guilty of using online platforms for the wrong things and seeking intimacy or human interaction where it is not to be found. Basically, Andy and Josh want to be real people, live in the real world, and we want to look at our damn phones less, and we want you to as well. The podcast we reference a thousand times in this episode can be found here. Please listen to it; it will change you in good ways: http://nerdist.com/you-made-it-weird-334-bo-burnham-3/ For a pill that makes your mustache taste b

Lee Hardcastle makes claymations that are not for children. His career began with making 60-second stopmotion renditions of popular films and posting them to YouTube, humble beginnings that led to him becoming a YouTube sensation with over 300k subscribers and eventually winning him a slot as director on The ABC's of Death anthology horror film. He has since contributed animations to the likes of Adult Swim, Sufjan Stevens, 20th Century Fox, and a number of notable clients. Lee graciously agreed to come on the show to discuss his rough first year in film school, how and when he began animating, how his technique and camera expertise have grown over time, why he is drawn to horror and gore in particular, his recent venture into live action filmmaking, and his transition from working a dayjob to animating full time. He also tells stories of how John Carpenter contributed voiceover to one of his videos, and the accidental way in which he met Christoph Waltz. Lee's films (most of which are 18+) can be seen at htt

Levi the Poet // Levi Macallister joins us on the whole episode for a lengthy talk about being an independent artist, the difficulties of creativity when one's income comes from their art, separating one's personal life (or not) from their online persona and how self worth does not and should not be defined by one's productivity on any given day. We also get an update on Josh's movie, hear a child-related horror story from Andy's real life, find out just how many cats Levi really has, discuss a heartbreaking tweet from David Bazan, and Levi and Josh close with an Eminem rap-battle showdown. Levi's poetry, store, tour info and blog can be found at levithepoet.net For a free sample of the most effective feminine product ever invented, visit inkandecho.com/TruthSerum Thank you Black Map for letting us use "Gold" as our theme music! www.blackmapmusic.com

Our guest today won a Great American Beer Fest Gold medal in 2014 for Jean-Claude Van Blond, a Belgian-Style Blonde Ale that also took Bronze at the World Beer Cup the same year. To taste this delectable beer for yourself, visit Wit's End Brewery in Denver, Colorado, located at 2505 W 2nd Ave, Unit 13, 80219. In the episode, Josh extends a hearty thanks to our listeners while Andy gives them an auditory gift throughout the show. We discuss the challenges faced in Josh's movie "Cordial Kill," which will have nearly completed filming by this episode's release. Andy talks about his own challenges and agonizing over small details as he closes in on completing the new Lowercase Noises album. Doctor Gaines steps in and soothes him with some nice good boy words. During the interview, Scott explains a number of aspects as to how the Great American Beer Fest operates, what's it like to attend as a brewer, how the judging process works, and how he has seen it change over time. We discuss in depth the history

Josh gives Andy some crap for being too excited about Drew's episode and Andy verbally slaps Josh into his proper place. We then dig into how Andy tends to dislike art that is "happy" and gravitates more towards the darker, heavier side of life. We then move into our talk with Caleb, an artist who both Andy and Josh had recruited for images on albums and posters in the Albuquerque music scene. Caleb talks about his day to day as Lead Designer for Reach Records, how he collaborates with the label's artists, and how he made the transition from being an employee at Urban Outfitters doing art on the side to woodworking to finally getting the job he has always wanted with a record label. We close with one of the best stories ever told on the show regarding Caleb's truck being stolen for the second time. Caleb is @trash.flower on Instagram and @trash_flower_ on Twitter. More of his work can be seen at www.reachrecords.com. We're sponsored this week by " " Thank you Black Map for letting us use "Gold" in the intro/o

This week we had the privilege of speaking with one of our personal heroes, Drew Roulette, bassist of dredg and an accomplished painter out of San Jose. We discuss the progression and growth of his art, how it has changed and been refined over time, the mental recesses from which he draws inspiration, and even how psychedelics have played a factor in his work. We then dig deep into dredg's discography and get Drew's take on many facets of the band's history, including their approach to each album and how he views them today. Dredg fans in particular ought to find much to enjoy in this episode, as Drew answers just about every question we could have ever wanted to know about how they operate and build each conceptual album, as well as some news about the future of the band. Check out (and purchase, if you like) Drew's artwork at www.drewroulette.com Dredg's music can be found at www.dredg.com We're sponsored today by Semi Slammers, the only product that lets you safely careen out of control on the highway. www

Andrew is here to discuss his thoughts on ambient music, what it does and doesn't mean to him, what he wants people to take away from it and what he ultimately wants to get out of a creative career! Plus some tour traditions from when Hotel Neon and Lowercase Noises went up the west coast together. Josh is tired and has a stinky dog, and Andy discusses how he can no longer revert to the bachelor life. You can check out Hotel Neon at http://hotelneonmusic.com Thanks to our amazing sponsor, That Me, for one of the most useful products thus far. Learn more at http://inkandecho.com/thatme As always, thanks to Black Map for allowing us to use the song "Gold" for our intro and outro! http://blackmapmusic.com 

Our guest (and longtime friend) Stefan joins us for the whole show this week as Josh kicks off the episode with a politically incorrect comment, then Andy talks about water damage at his home and the temporary delay of his studio build. We discuss a few facets of language in 2016, specifically the overuse of the word "like," how our collective tongues have loosened on swear words, and how literally doesn't mean literally anymore. During the interview proper, Stefan recounts his history with music (and how both Andy and Josh are tied to that past), addresses the delay in his upcoming album, and we talk about Thirty Day Guy, an abandoned social experiment he conceived that ultimately resulted in the completion of his first solo record. We also hear the story of Josh's (failed) first novel that took two years to write and no one in his life wanted to read. Stefan's solo project Stemson: https://stemson.bandcamp.com/ Stefan is also in Archabald: http://www.archabald.com/ Stefan pronounces "scorpion" incorrectly s

Andy and Josh give a brief recap of their (incredible) experience seeing Prophets of Rage at Red Rocks before jumping into the interview with Matthew. We talk extensively about the origins and expansive world of Tincture: A Weird West Trilogy, Matthew's substantial work of bizarre western fiction which he has released in serialized podcast form for a number of years. We discuss one of Matthew's nonfiction essays regarding the proper smoking of pipes that continues to draw inconceivable amounts of web traffic, his all but nonexistent social media presence, and keeping depression at bay by continuing to create new things. Every chapter of the Tincture saga, read by the author and currently in its third volume, is available for free on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tincture-apocalyptic-proposition/id572386258 Books 1 and 2 are also available as eBooks for Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-D.-Jordan/e/B006IFB8R0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 The Gentlemen's Guide to Smoking a Pipe without Looking Like a

James is a friend of ours with a diverse and interesting history, having dabbled in writing prose, playing in bands, working in radio, and now co-owning an ethically responsible clothing company with his wife while also working for a church. He's an insightful person and a clear communicator, and he made for a great conversation. Prior to our interview with James, Josh wants to clarify Andy's willingness to share personal things in the context of the podcast, then Josh proceeds to talk about how he's being self-destructive in the midst of good things happening in his life. Andy expresses his appreciation of Fall, Halloween and all the good that comes along with the Autumn season. Lastly, James demonstrates his (mind-boggling) radio voice. James and his wife EA own and operate Arrowroot dress shop: www.shoparrowroot.com For more golden-voiced delight, find @jameslepine on Instagram and Twitter. We're sponsored this week by Hummer Hangers. Turn those pesky hummingbirds into classy patio art! www.inkandecho.com/

We cover a lot of ground in this episode: Andy has a bone to pick with Josh, Josh tells a funny story about spending the night at Andy's parent's house, and Alex jumps in as we discuss the implications of why people are drawn to horror movies. Then we come to the meat of our interview with Alex, an accomplished composer with whom both Josh and Andy have musical ties, to discuss music licensing, Alex's new podcast Open Air, navigating the highs and lows of the creative process, and how faith has affected Alex's approach to his work. Andy and Josh get a little heated and make asses of themselves trying to articulate where they're coming from in regards to faith and what Ink & Echo should be, then we close with Andy's Internet Comments of the week. Find Alex's music and a link to his new podcast Open Air at www.alexsugg.com We're sponsored this week by PondCast Express, the best and only resource for those who podcast from the center of a body of water. www.inkandecho.com/pondcast Thanks to Black Map for our

The CORDIAL KILL Kickstarter was a success! Josh and Andy briefly give details on what happens next with the movie. Andy talks about progress on the new studio building project and the mental and physical side-effects of having so much on his plate. Josh goes on a rant about the fact that Millennials seemingly have an inability to respond to things and how that must mean they hate his guts, and Andy provides some rationale and insight into the subject. More is revealed regarding Andy's record label deal and the various things it entails, and we end on a positive note with one of the more pleasant internet comments Andy has received. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review on iTunes! Drop us a message at inkandecho.com/contact For all of your Yosemite Sam mudflap needs, check out Semi Sam's, our sponsor this week, at inkandecho.com/semisams Thanks as always to the band Black Map for our use of their song "Gold" in the intro and outro music. www.blackmapmusic.com

In this episode, Josh gives a brief update on Cordial Kill as the final days of his Kickstarter come to a close. Andy then recounts his semi-regular experiences of misplaced guilt over not knowing how to do more things, and Josh ponders why creative projects are birthed from desire, but can morph into a pursuit of status and income. We then talk to Trevr Merchant, a talented filmmaker from Denver who also happens to be Josh's next door neighbor and will be the Director of Photography on Cordial Kill. Trevr tells a number of colorful and embarrassing stories from his background in production, describes his ideal career scenario, talks about his dreams and aspirations in making movies, and weed. The Kickstarter to fund Josh's film Cordial Kill ends Wednesday, August 17th! Visit here to contribute: http://kck.st/2aKfBBq Thanks to our sponsor this week, BankStand, "The only credit card shaped like a pyramid instead of a rectangle." http://inkandecho.com/bankstand Thanks as always to Black Map for the use of

This week, Josh briefly touches on how last episode wasn't as bad as he thought, then gives a more detailed explanation into the story and development of Cordial Kill, the movie he's directing, and talks about the array of emotions that came with launching a Kickstarter to fund the film. Andy goes into the perks of having a (newly acquired) manager, a recent lucrative opportunity to license his music in a commercial, hints at his new record label deal which is nearly complete, and talks about the building of his new studio space.  Josh's Kickstarter for Cordial Kill is currently live until Wednesday August 17th! Go help fund his film here: http://kck.st/2aKfBBq   To save up to 90% on fuel prices and make your semi truck more aerodynamic, check out our sponsor this week, Semi Savers, at http://inkandecho.com/semisavers   Thank you as always to Black Map for the use of their song "Code" in our intro and outro music. http://blackmapmusic.com

In this episode Andy talks about post podcast interview anxiety and how he kept the podcast from starting two years ago. Josh tries to figure out why he had a panic attack and mentally prepares for an upcoming Kickstarter campaign. Josh's anxiety also manifests itself within the episode because it doesn't go as well as he would have hoped, and in Internet Comments with Andy, we dissect a one-word YouTube comment! This episode was brought to you by Cacklewild! Learn more at http://inkandecho.com/cacklewild And as always thanks to Black Map for providing the intro and outro music. http://blackmapmusic.com