Making Ways: The Art of Music

In this bonus episode, you'll hear film / TV composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think with director, writer, and actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame as they discuss finding inspiration and tricking yourself into a beginner's mindset.

And if you missed our full episode with David and Craig, get it here:

https://www.makingways.co/episodes/episode/9e516618/david-wain-and-craig-wedren-the-art-of-music-for-film-tv-and-wet-hot-american-summer

In this episode, we’re joined by two of Seattle’s finest –– Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone and artist Zack Bolotin. Sera played drums with the adored indie rock group, Carissa’s Wierd, and later with Band of Horses. She went on to release four solo records, two on Sub Pop, and in 2019 received a Gold Record for her work with Band of Horses. She’s toured with Indigo Girls and Dave Matthews. You might have heard Sera on KEXP or NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series or featured in the pages of Elle Magazine too. Her music is stunningly bittersweet, grounded in folk tradition with beautiful musicianship and soaring lovelorn lyrics. Hit play on Sera and you’ll be so happy you did. Zack Bolotin is an illustrator, photographer, and coffee & record shop owner at Porchlight. You’ll hear the origin story of how his retail endeavor accidentally led him to a career as a poster artist and illustrator. And he hasn’t looked back since, working with the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, New Pornographers, Olivia Rodrigo, Jawbreaker, The Head and the Heart, and of course today’s guest Sera Cahoone. 

We’re talking about the art of music for film and TV with composer, songwriter, and singer Craig Wedren of the band Shudder to Think and director, writer, actor David Wain of The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer fame. In this conversion, we dive into David and Craig’s lifelong friendship, the creative kindling of their days as roommates at NYU, working together on The State and films Role Models, Wanderlust, and They Came Together, and we talk all about the world of Wet Hot American Summer. We discuss Craig’s songwriting process, David’s screenwriting approach, Craig’s work scoring Yellowjackets with Anna Waronker of That Dog, and what it takes to make a successful creative collaboration. 

Shoutout of thanks to Ben Lee for introducing us.

This episode is dedicated in memory of Eric Livingston.

We’re talking about the art of the music of Dead Cross, a thrash metal supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantômas, drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame, guitarist Michael Crain from Retox, and today’s guest –– bassist Justin Pearson also from the Locust, Head Wound City, and Deaf Club. 

Justin is joined by artist Eric Livingston who did all the artwork for Dead Cross, the new album “II,” and the band’s now highly recognizable multi-limbed skeleton featured on their first album, as well as music videos like the group’s frenetic “Seizure and Desist.” And Justin’s longtime creative partner –– designer Bran Black Moon is here too, Bran is a creative force who has been working with Justin and his acclaimed record label Three One G for years.

In this conversation, we talk all about the art of the band Dead Cross, the new record and how all the band’s artwork came together, early days and origin stories, deep dive into the creative and collaboration process, the freedom and unexpected rigidness of creating artwork for metal music, more of Bran’s background and Eric’s approach to making artwork and creative direction, and how Justin collaborates for Dead Cross, his record label Three One G, and his projects like Planet B, The Locust, Deaf Club, and more.

Big thanks to Monica at Speakeasy and Justin for making it all happen.