A Dirtbag's Guide To Life On The Road
By A Dirtbag's Guide
A Dirtbag's Guide To Life On The RoadFeb 16, 2023
Clipper Arnold of Red Tank
Hell yes! I'm really stoked I'm getting this episode uploaded in time and even though it's kind of late at night, I really enjoyed editing this episode. Clipper and I had a real genuine conversation that covered a whole lot of ground and I'm just stoked we were able to make it happen.
At a certain point Clipper mentions some writing he did while on tour back in the day, and you can read that HERE!
Listen to RED TANK!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to PATREON.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Columbia Jones
Columbia and I go back quite a ways and it seems kind of absurd to me that it's taken this long to get him on the podcast, but as I say in this interview at a time that makes even less sense than now, no use crying over spilled milk. I've always appreciated Columbia's work ethic and his songwriting and performing chops. if you get a chance to catch him live either with the band or solo, I highly suggest doing that!
If you'd like to listen to Columbia's music you can do that here, or here.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
That Girl Tobi (Ashley Tobias of Gogol Bordello)
I don't know if I say this often enough, but I'm so lucky to be able to have these conversations with such interesting people! Tobi is no different. We immediately got along and started to build a rapport and from there it grew into a beautiful conversation about the ups and downs of a life pursuing your showbiz dreams. She's a force and I think you all will love this one!
Listen to her music on Spotify and give her a follow on instagram!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Christoph Jesus of Crazy & The Brains Returns
What a TREAT! The homie Christoph Jesus of Crazy & The Brains sat down with me to talk about everything new that's happened since we spoke last year, and it's really been a lot! They did a month long tour supporting Gogol Bordello, Recorded a new album, and are about to head out on a string of headlining shows to kick off 2023. Very exciting stuff and always an absolute pleasure to sit down and kick it with Chris.
Follow Crazy & The Brains on Instagram!
Get tickets to their upcoming headlining show in Brooklyn at St. Vitus!
Support the show directly at www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Juan M. Soria
I consider this conversation to be one of my favorites from the podcast. Not that I could choose a favorite, but Juan's story is exactly the sort you want to hear every so often to remember that fortune favors the bold, and whenever you say Yes to something you open yourself up to infinite possibilities, when you say no you are limiting your opportunities. Go say yes with abandon, just don't be dumb about it.
If you'd like to hear some of Juan's music you can check out his Spotify.
Be sure to follow Juan and his production company I Know We Should on Instagram.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
John Luther (Wonderhouse, The Haymarket Squares)
Happy New Year Dirtbags! Welcome to 2023, I hope that you're feeling good after the Holidays and you are feeling good going into a New Year. I'm doing my best not to spiral out and doing that by trying to keep busy, so getting the Podcast started back up seemed like a really good idea.
This week we've got a really special episode with my friend John Luther. He's a wonderful songwriter and musician from Ohio, based in Philadelphia and he spent a good amount of time in Arizona playing in circles that my circle sometimes overlapped. Our paths first crossed this last summer when our bands played together here in Brooklyn and we immediately became friends. I'm so glad he agreeed to do the podcast and I'm sure you all will really enjoy it!
Find out more about John Luther on his Instagram
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Brandon Decker (decker.)
What a lucky thing that we get to have Brandon Decker on the podcast this week. Brandon and I have been in similar circles and treading similar ground for a while now and I'm so glad our paths finally crossed. He's an old soul with a great track record of making phenomenal music and working with folks from the Southwest that I really dig.
If you'd like to learn more about Brandon's music you can check that out at https://www.deckermusic.org/
Be sure to follow him on Instragram.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Brook Pridemore
I wasn't sure what to expect from this interview with Brook. We've met a few times playing shows together but I wasn't sure at all how a long form conversation between us would go and I gotta say it was one of the best I've had yet. Really felt like Brook and I share a similar path and longevity in being a troubadour and traveling alone. It was really refreshing to speak with Brook and I hope you all enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
If you'd like to know more about Brook Pridemore you should go to their Bandcamp!
Also check Brook out on Spotify, or Apple Music!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Boris Pelekh (Hey Guy, Gogol Bordello)
I had to take a couple weeks off so I could focus on some other projects that were on deadline, so I apologize for that. It's for really good reasons and I explain in the intro to the show so don't skip it! I'm so glad to be back to A Dirtbag's Guide and speaking with folks about their path to the now. This week I've got a really dope episode. Boris Pelekh who's played guitar with all kind of bands, styles and gigs stops by (digitally) and we have a great chat. I don't want to give too much away but this dude is a road warrior. He's been touring pretty much since the day he graduated college and done so many really cool things so give it a listen and be sure to give Boris a follow on Instagram so you can catch him when he's on tour all over the world playing his original tunes or when he's playing guitar for Gogol Bordello. Thanks Boris for the time and the chat!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Carl M. Banks Returns
Carl's Back Baby! I was so stoked to have my friend Carl M. Banks back on the podcast. Carl is a treasure, and it was an absolute blast to sit down with him again. We pick up pretty much where we left off from the last podcast and take it all over the place, so buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life!
If you'd like to keep up with Carl, be sure to follow him on Instagram!
If you'd like to hear his music, you should do that on Spotify!
Don't forget to get your tickets to my upcoming shows!
Franz Nicolay Album Release At Bar Freda
Quarters DLC with Vincent Draper & The Culls
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Rob Mellinger
Had a chance to make a new friend in Rob Mellinger the other day. We had a solid conversation about a whole lot of shit and it got recorded and now it's on my podcast, YAY! Rob's on tour playing bass in Crazy & The Brains while they open a month long run with Gogo Bordello and based off the the photos I've seen on Instagram it looks like they're having the time of their lives. It was cool getting to know Rob and hearing about his journey and how he got here.
Check out Rob's band Awful Din on Spotify
Check out Crazy & The Brains on Spotify and on tour w/ Gogo Bordello
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Kit Regan
We've got ourselves a short one today Dirtbags. I was able to get Kit Regan on the line for a quick interview about what his life being a Tour Manager has been like. It was great to hear about life on the road from a different but adjacent experience to my own. I think any listener with interest in playing in or working with a touring band would enjoy this episode. Dig in!
If you'd like to check out some of Kit's music you can check that out on Spotify!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Chest Fever
Jeanette D. Moses
I'm up until 2 am finishing this episode the day it's due and I have to go to work in like 6 hours, but HUZZAH! I did it!
This week we've got the incredibly and diversely talented Jeanette D. Moses. She's a journalist, photographer, videographer, musician, songwriter, and just all around friendly and rad human. She was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss all of these things and even more!
If you'd like to learn more about Jeanette you can check out her Website or Instagram!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Mega Ran
Emily Hulslander
Emily Hulslander is the driving force behind the 90's rock inspired Social Drag as well as one half of the band Guyville, a Los Angeles based duo comprised of Emily as well as friend of the pod Kat Hamilton. Emily was born in Pennsylvania and after catching the lucky break of being asked to join The Temptations on stage to sing My Girl when she was a kid, she caught the performing and writing bug and has been writing ever since. Stints in Boston as well as NYC helped her hone her songwriting and grow her catalog that she eventually brought with her west to LA. Emily and I get into the nitty gritty of what it's like to be an artist and the often vulnerable state that it puts us in. Thanks Emily for sitting down with me, I'm sure everyone will really enjoy this episode.
Follow Emily on Instagram.
Keep Up With Social Drag. Listen To Social Drag.
Keep Up With Guyville. Listen To Guyville.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Christoph Jesus of Crazy & The Brains
Goddamn Dirtbags this was a really fun episode. It was my first time meeting Christoph but it felt like we had a little bit of a musical kinship. I can’t tell i we’ve got kind of similar stories or if the pursuit of punk is just really relatable whether you grew up in a small mountain town or practically in the city that never sleeps. Christoph grew up in the shadow of Manhattan just on the other side of the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City. As early as 12 he found himself making his way into New York City looking for “punk” or any sign of its faint and distant heartbeat. While many old-timers from the Glory Days of punk may have considered the movement long dead before Christoph’s inquisitive arrival, Christoph forged on. After years of searching and hard work it seems that the very heart of punk has found him. No other than Iggy Pop has personally asked Christoph’s group Crazy & The Brains to play Destination Chaos, Iggy's festival in the Dominica Republic this coming winter.
Whether he found it or it found him doesn’t matter. They’ve found each other and they’ll keep making noise and fucking shit up until they walk off into that far setting sun.
Listen to Crazy & The Brains on Bandcamp, Spotify, or Apple Music.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie by visiting my Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
YouTube
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Ian Dupeire
Welcome Dirtbags to this week's episode of A Dirtbag's Guide To Life On The Road. This one's a doozie. One of my dearest friends, Ian Dupeire, gave me a call so we could catch up and so he could update me on Phil The Band happenings, being a new dad, and forcing me to talk about myself probably more than your typical episode. Ian and I have known each other since the early days of high school and he was the drummer in my first two real bands that actually played shows. We spend a little time reliving the glory days but we mostly focus on the now. I'm excited for y'all to listen to it!
If you'd like to hear Phil The Band's music you can do that on
Spotify
YouTube
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie by visiting my Bandcamp!
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
YouTube
Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share A Dirtbag's Guide with your friends, family & fellow Dirtbags.
Elli Legerski
Hey Dirtbags! Thanks again for listening. This Episode is with the lovely Elli Legerski. We went to school together in Utah and now she's a big time Producer out in Hollywood. She's great and we had a really solid time catching up and getting to know each other better. I hope you all enjoy the listening as much as we enjoyed the talking.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Matthew Paul Butler
If you'd like to check out some of Matthew's music you can do that at Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube.
Find him on Facebook or Instagram.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to my Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you'd like to listen to my music you can go to Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
Drew Danburry
After a month or so of being on hiatus while I was on tour playing shows and hiking/fishing with Banjo we are back at it trying to get you a new episode every other week, possibly every week if I can manage to stay on top of it. Sorry for disappearing without any notice, but that's just how it goes sometimes. This week's episode is one for the books. I get to sit down and have a conversation with my friend Drew Danburry who I haven't seen or really spoken to since I was 20 or 21 years old. Drew is an important figure in the development of my punk rock/diy musician ethos and I couldn't be more honored to have him on the podcast. When I came up with the idea for this podcast, I had a number of people in mind that I'd really love to interview because they embodied the spirit of what I wanted to capture so perfectly, and Drew sits very high up on that list.
We end up having a really genuine podcast about growing up Mormon but also loving Punk Rock & Skateboarding. About love and heartbreak, and also the messiness of what it's like figuring out what's next after a chapter in your life seems to be coming to an end. I wanna thank Drew so much for coming on the podcast and I want to thank you all so much for listening, see you soon!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=KUvO_LnQQ-yBExvxD_w2NA
Se Kou
I'm so excited for this episode. My homie Se Kou is a goddamn Gem, and I'm so grateful we got the opportunity to sit down and talk for a few hours. We've been due for a long catch-up and this was just what the Doctor ordered.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of my music, you can do that here:
Jeff Schaer-Moses
Jeff and I met at a show in Brooklyn last Fall. The Space Force Deserters and I were playing and at some point I said "This next song is called 'Miami, AZ'" and Jeff yelled out "What the fuck do you know about Miami, AZ?!". After the set he and I started talking and it turned out we had a bunch of mutual friends in Arizona as well as here in Brooklyn. Since then Jeff's been the homie. He's really good at bringing people together, making events and things happen even when he isn't physically there, as well as just getting folks psyched about a project or a show. This probably has a lot to do with why Mega Ran asked Jeff to be his manager a few years ago. He's got a great demeanor and nothing but nice things to say about all the right people, and happy to talk shit to and about the other folks who deserve it. This is a really fun episode with more of those leftist politics that might make your Uncles skin crawl. Please enjoy!
Chris Reiter
When I first met Chris Reiter about 8 years ago I thought to myself, "Wow, this dude really loves Bicycles, New York City, and he smokes hella weed". Little did I know that I'd be living with him a few months after that and that we'd still be living together all these years later. I'd say we've both changed a lot since we met, but those three things I first noticed haven't really changed at all. It's been a wild journey being Chris' friend all these years, and it's been really cool to have a front seat view as his relationship with his Bike and NYC have evolved over the years and how he now uses his Bike to escape the city he loves, and live off the grid whenever he has the chance. Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed!
If you'd like to find out more about Chris you follow his instagram.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=KUvO_LnQQ-yBExvxD_w2NA
Apple Music
YouTube
Kat Hamilton
Shakespeare said something along the lines of "to thine own self be true" and according to my friend Kat Hamilton, that was pretty punk rock. While we mention musical theater (theatre?) a little bit in this episode, we don't really get to talking much about Old Shakey Bill. Sorry? What we do have here is a little over 2 hours of heartfelt and inspiring stories of dedication, triumph, and vision. It's a great overview of a lot of the pitfalls you may encounter as a DIY musician as well as a reminder that in order to be punk rock, you have to number one be true to yourself. What are ya waiting for? Go give it a listen!
If you'd like to find out more about Kat and her projects, follow them on instagram!
If you'd like to help make sure that Kat's tour this summer doesn't get in the red, send her a fiver on Venmo.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Joe Kaplow
Did anyone order a BONUS EPISODE?! No? Oh shit, sorry. I guess I should have double checked. My bad. Well, I recorded one anyway!
For this episode I interview the homie Joe Kaplow. He's a phenomenal songwriter who currently calls Santa Cruz, CA his home. Joe asked me to open a show for him here in Brooklyn at Skinny Dennis next Monday May 9th and so we decided to catch up and talk about the show, as well as Joe's career up until this point. It's a great episode that I believe anyone who is a Musician, Artist, or just a fan of hearing about another human's personal growth, will really enjoy this one.
You can check out more about Joe's Music and his tour on his Website.
Give him a follow on Instagram.
Check out his YouTube.
Listen to him on Spotify.
And if you live in NYC be sure to get your tickets to the show at Skinny Dennis on Monday!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://www.charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Season 3 Q & A - Charles Ellsworth
Josaleigh Pollett
If you've heard my song "Stuck Out In Texas" on the album Salt Lake City: A Love Story then you've hear the awe-inspiring vocal stylings of my friend Josaleigh Pollett accompanying me on the choruses of that song. If that's the only time you've heard her sing, you are missing the fuck out. She's a brilliant songwriter with the voice of an angelic bird and I'm so grateful to call her my friend. Josaleigh and I had a conversation over the phone a couple nights before I left on The Moon & Miami tour and I think this is a really fun and thoughtful conversation. It's quite a bit shorter than the usual episode, which some of you might really like. The sound quality isn't great because it was done over the phone, but the conversation was most excellent and I can't wait to hear what you all think about it.
Listen to and support Josaleigh On Bandcamp!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=KUvO_LnQQ-yBExvxD_w2NA
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/station/charles-ellsworth/ra.a-413970836
Youtube - www.youtube.com/charlesellsworth
Carl M. Banks
Damn Y'all, I'm cutting it close on this one. Its 11:45PM the night before this assignment was due, and I'm getting it turned in on time. RIGHTEOUS! Lucky for all of you that this empisode (empanada + episode...i'm hungry) has my homie Carl M. Banks in it. We talk about how he likes to run egregiously long distances for fun as well as the small town outside of St. Louis, MO that he hails from. Carl is a gem and I'm so thankful that he sat down with me to talk all things dirtbag. We hit a very wide array of subjects and we even have an ADG never been done in this episode! Carl brought a join and we smoked it and then I try to ask him more questions, it's pretty much Action Bronson watches Ancient Aliens levels of funny. Don't sleep on it.
Check out Carl's music on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6S3d1vplGEtVERVq59vDPo?si=cLxn74u4RPCxy8BWCbK1hQ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzrZMHCpujc&list=OLAK5uy_loEFnUiQ_M72qBJmvBgxgGSrWSgsC3n9Y
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://www.charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=KUvO_LnQQ-yBExvxD_w2NA
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/station/charles-ellsworth/ra.a-413970836
Youtube - www.youtube.com/charlesellsworth
David H. Holmes
Thisssss is just what I needed. I was kinda feeling a little blue about the old dirtbag/creative lifestyle and all of it's trials and tribulations the week that David and I spoke, and he said so many things that really hit right close to where I needed them to hit. It was a great conversation with a really interesting dude. I dig his approach to life and his craft a whole lot, and it was just great catching up with a friend I hadn't really been able to speak with since pre-covid. So sit back and enjoy this one!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
I'm headed out on tour! check out my upcoming tour dates here: https://www.songkick.com/artists/4459278-charles-ellsworth
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=KUvO_LnQQ-yBExvxD_w2NA
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/station/charles-ellsworth/ra.a-413970836
Youtube - www.youtube.com/charlesellsworth
Devin Burnam
Helloooooo Dirtbags! I'm really excited about this episode and YOU SHOULD BE TOO! That's because my buddy Devin Burnam is my guest and he's just the best. Seriously, I've never met anyone that has spent time with Devin who doesn't like him. You're gonna love him. We talk about being an artist, how we pursue art and in some ways how our obsession with our craft leads to it pursuing us. It's a 2 hour ode of what it's like to go after a dream because you really didn't have any other choice.
I tried a few things different with the format of this episode, and i'd be interested in getting feedback about it if you feel like doing that sort of thing. Feel free to email me at adirtbagsguide@gmail.com
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Kristin Flammio
Whoa baby! Babies?! Bbs! We've got a great one for you today. I sit down with Kristin Flammio of the very fun and talented Kristin Flammio & The Pretty Bitchin' and talk all sorts of things. She tells me about growing up in Massachusetts and listening to her rad dad's dad band practice in the house and how that prepared her for the time that Ghostface, yeah that Ghostface, gave her a baguette and I cry laughing hearing the story. This one gets deep but not too weird. A good amount of weird. Seriously, this one was great. Banjo was whining outside the door for a good chunk of it, I tried to get it out with filters and stuff (magic) so give it a listen and share it with your friends!
Listen to Kristin Flammio & The Pretty Bitchin's new record "If You Want To Leave" on Bandcamp, Spotify, or Apple Music.
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp.
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Olivia Heffernan
Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker, and all around smart and interesting person Olivia Heffernan and The Dirtbag King talk about her very non-typical childhood, the importance of language, and hope in a dystopian capitalist society. There's probably some leftist politics in there if you look hard enough, but probably not the "Socialists" your high school friend's Dad keeps warning you about on Facebook.
Learn more about Olivia's Work over at https://www.oliviaheffernan.com/
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to Patreon.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at Bandcamp
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Riley Pinkerton
The Dirtbag King and The Rat Queen live mere miles away from each other in NYC's Borough of Brooklyn and so naturally it was only a matter of time before they held court and discussed Heavy Metal, Sobriety, Dogs, and more. I had such a great time hanging with my new friend Riley Pinkerton and finding out about her journey to becoming The Rat Queen. It's inspiring, it's insightful, but mostly it's a lot of fun.
Check out Riley Pinkerton, her band Castle Rat, and her clothing line Rat Queen Headquarters on Instagram.
Support the show on Patreon
Check out my merchandise and music on Bandcamp
Or Just my music on Spotify or Apple Music
Season 3 Premiere - Mark Ricks
Hey Dirtbag's! We're Back! It's been a long time and I apologize for the delay, but life caught up with me and...well we talk about it a lot in this episode. This time around it's a little different, my good friend Mark Ricks (@mcbusstop) interviews me about my life on the road, why 2021 wasn't as bad as it seemed, and why 2022 is going to rule SO FUCKING HARD! It's a great way to start off the new season, and we hope you enjoy it!
If you’d like to support our show directly please head on over to www.patreon.com/charlesellsworth.
Buy a record, or a t-shirt, or a hoodie at http://charlesellsworth.bandcamp.com
If you’d like to listen to some of Charles’ music, you can do that here:
Mike Brenner
Joe Reinhart
I was lucky enough to have a couple days off tour in Salt Lake City and Hop Along was playing in town one of those nights. I got tickets to the show, rolled a couple of joints, and while standing in the sweet spot at Urban Lounge (right in front of the sound booth), watched them proceed to tear the house down. Joe and I briefly met that night and a number of months later, I asked him to produce my new record. I was in the middle of a few pretty dull weeks and really needing a win when the email from Joe agreeing to do it came through. It was just the win I needed to pull me out of it. Honeysuckle Summer wouldn’t be the album it is without his capable hands at the helm, so I’m pretty thrilled to have him here to talk about it on A Dirtbag’s Guide.
We cover a lot of ground in our conversation, from recording the new record, to Joe’s background and lifelong music career. It was real cool to sit down and catch up with my buddy Joe and I hope you enjoy it!
Kirk Dath
We talk about Kirk’s experiences moving around a lot in childhood and how growing up the child of music fans led him to mowing lawns to save up for his first guitar at age 13.
Kirk is an excellent musician and all around solid dude and I am so excited for Crook and the Bluff’s new album “Monoliths”, which comes out March 15th.
James Munoz
David Quinn
David talks about his journey from Chicago drummer to recording his own music with legendary musicians and his lifelong love of all things cowboy helping to shape his midwest cosmic country style. David released his first full-length album "Wanderin' Fool" in 2018, "Letting Go" in 2020, and a host of other singles.
We have a great conversation about finding your peace and productivity, especially during the pandemic, our different experiences and relationships with the road, and our similar paths to building our proficiency on guitar later in life. This is one of my favorite conversations with a fellow musician, and I think this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Carson Wolfe
Matt C. White
Matt pretty much always has his hands working on some form of musical escapade - the current short list including Grandpa Jack, Dead Seconds, Realizer and San Salvo - check them out. Trust me, it's worth it.
While I've known Matt a long time, this is the first face to face conversation/hang out in months and I think you can hear how much fun we both had just shooting the breeze. Tune in today to hear about Matt's childhood in NC, his musical beginnings, and how he wound up in New York. He also delves into his creative process - like starting bands whenever he gets into a new genre, and the fact that we don't yell enough as adults in today's society and why we probably should.
At the very least, tune in for a refresher on all your favorite childhood jingles. This one's a fun one and I hope you enjoy it.
Regan Ashton
Regan and I talk about everything from existentialism, to our creative processes and hangups, as well as the many ways we've tried (and sometimes failed) to keep busy and fill the touring void we've felt during this miserably long pandemic.
This one is one of the longer episodes but I think that's because we just couldn't stop having great conversation. I was also just stoked to catch up with one of my old pals. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Sarah McCormick
Sarah is a Doula, Midwife’s Assistant, Childbirth Educator, and licensed Massage Therapist. Our conversation covers her childhood in Troy, NY and how growing up the daughter of a union worker made her destined for a skilled trade. We talk about her path from body piercing to working in a midwifery and how the past year’s home birth boom has placed her in a position to be living life on the road. This episode might be a little different from our usual fare of musicians and artists, but I think you’ll really enjoy the change.
Jefferson White
jeff grew up the son of educators in rural Iowa - getting his first taste for acting by helping out with puppet shows at the library where his mom worked. I’m our conversation, he shares how he went from acting in community theater productions to making the choice to pursue acting professionally, and eventually, landing roles in hit television shows.
We discuss pretty much everything under the sun - like making priorities and good habits, how social media has changed the acting and performing landscape for good, and even capitalism.
Derek Humphrey
Derek not only does spectacular standup, but also cohosts the Bushwick Bears podcast (it’s great - you should check it out).
Tune in to hear our conversation about what it was like growing up in Ohio, his time in the Navy, and his thoughts on the makings of a “funny person” as well as the road that led him to where he is today.
Carson Oliver
Bryant Eugene Vazquez
Bryant is a painter and musician who after a stint in Philly, recently returned back to his home state of Arizona - which is where we first met. Outside of reminiscing about music scenes from Flagstaff to Philly, we talk about a lot of challenges that musicians face, like struggling with confidence and fending off the naysayers.
He talks about growing up with "the creative gene" as the child of a musician alongside his 5 brothers in Yuma. Like so many of us, he shares a few formative experiences that led to him taking music seriously and when things really started to "click".
Bryant is not only one of my favorite humans, but one of my favorite living artists, so I hope you enjoy learning more about him and his creative process, and also be sure to check out his work!
Jordan Jensen
A hefty portion of the episode is about doing mushrooms, which I think in itself makes it worth the listen, but really, Jordan is a fascinating and hilarious person who might’ve made it one of my favorite conversations yet.
Jordan is a stand-up comedian who grew up a “hickster” in Ithaca, NY. We talk about her transition from crunchy hippie child to trouble-making mall punk in her teens, and how her “non-traditional” upbringing and education paved the way to her doing comedy in NY.
While the conversation is peppered with hilarious moments as one would expect when you talk to a comedian, in true DBG fashion, we also unpack a lot of issues on both a personal and larger scale. We even get into some personal details about my life and childhood that I haven’t previously shared. I really hope you enjoy the episode.
Safe travels and be kind to each other.
Alex Barone
Currently, she’s living in New Mexico working as a trail worker for the National Parks Service. Before she landed there, she spent a number of years on the road after a cross-country road trip at 19 that gave her a taste for the traveling life.
We talk about her childhood, growing up as an anxious kid in Pittsburgh, and how being exposed to drugs at a very early age affected her life. We address the concept of “normal” - how even the darkest situations is someone’s normal and how facing one’s mortality for the first time can shift one’s perspective.
I'm really thankful for this conversation, as I think it’s a great display of what can happen when you open up and allow yourself to be vulnerable with a stranger - or however many strangers listen to this podcast.