Episode 227 - On a Horse, Learning to Play the Banjo

In this episode, I talk about playing the banjo and the Beetlejuice movies. It's as classic as peanut butter and jelly. Biscuits and gravy. Peaches and Herb. Beetlejuice and banjos! It's a fun one. It turns out that I have a LOT of thoughts about Tim Burton. Enjoy!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 6:40 - Banjo Break #1 - 5 String Banjo
• 7:11 - Talkin' Banjos!
• 24:30 - Banjo Break #2 - Plectrum Banjo
• 25:00 - Yellin' about Beetlejuice...
  • 31:22 - Beetlejuice
  • 42:33 - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• 1:08:35 - Banjo Break #3 - Tenor Banjo
• 1:09:06 - Outro

Photos:

Here's your cover photo. On my screen the banjo strings are kinda blown out but I'm not good enough of a photographer to fix it. So we're all just going to have to die mad about that, okay?

This is me with my most recent two banjos--the Plectrum and the 5-String. This became my avatar on most social media.

These are the most recent two banjos, sitting together. They're friends.

And here's all three of the banjos you hear in this episode--the Three Amigos! (Apt since Steve Martin is a big reason that I like the banjo so much!)

Episode 226 - I Guess We're Doing Hot Picks Now

This week's episode is a little bit short, but no less sweet than usual. It's a fun one where I complain about the weather, then talk about new releases from Mumford & Sons, Mitski, and Squeeze. I had fun with it. You might too!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 12:21 - Vagabond
• 12:52 - Music Reviews
• 31:23 - Slainte
• 31:53 - Outro

Photos! They're BACK!!!

Here's your cover photo! Neat, huh?

This is the new Mumford and Sons album. I think I was starting to say, but then got distracted, that I have no idea why an album called "Prizefighter" has a Zippo lighter as the cover photo...other than I assume they're going to be selling $200 Zippos as merch on tour... But I still like it.

...and here's what distracted me! I apparently bought one of the autographed copies and didn't realize it! That's pretty cool!

Newest album by Mitski, and my HOT PICK of the week! It's a really beautiful album that has made me want to explore her entire back catalogue. Well done.

And here's my potential HOT PICK of the whole damn year (at least so far). The newest album by Squeeze is a very cool, immersive listen and I really hope they bring the tour to St. Louis this time!

Episode 225 - The Muppet Movies Episode

In this episode I talk about the theatrically released Muppet movies, in chronological order. Because everyone loves the Muppets! Enjoy!

No time index, since it's just the one subject--and I should clarify that I am spoiling every movie, if you haven't seen them.

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Songs used in the show:

• I Hope You're Happy
• Useless

Cover photo:

Episode 224 - The One Where I Bought an Autoharp

In this episode, I talk about recent releases from Geese and Wednesday, then I talk about buying an Autoharp. That's the show! Enjoy!

Sorry there's not a time index...but here are the links...although really there's not anything that corresponds to the Bandcamp page, since I'm just noodling...but whatever! Also, I'll probably get back to posting more pictures in the next episode. I'm kind rushing this one. :) 

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Cover Photo:

Episode 223 - Bask in My Reflected Joy

In this episode, I pay my respects to Catherine O'Hara, then talk about my newest (vintage) guitar and the long-since-canceled TV show Andy Richter Controls the Universe. I had fun with this one! Enjoy!

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 6:41 - I Go*
• 7:11 - Rest in Peace Catherine O'Hara
• 25:18 - Racing the Rain*
• 25:49 - Silvertone Guitar
• 38:20 - After the Storm*
• 38:51 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe
• 51:34 - Losing Sleep*
• 52:04 - Introduction to Racing the Rain
• 55:43 - Racing the Rain (Electric Version)
• 59:59 - Outro

*All songs except "Racing the Rain" were just me noodling on the guitar this week, so there's not much to download, unless you just wanna go to Bandcamp and find the full songs.

And here's your Cover-Photo:

Episode 222 - Chinese Buffets and Mispronunciations

In this episode, I'm low on stuff to talk about because I haven't bought anything lately, so I talk about movies from the recent (25-35 years) Rocky & Bullwinkle universe. It's a show! Enjoy!

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

The subjects this week are pretty intertwined, so I didn't do a time index. But if you're interested in the songs used in this episode they are as follows:

• Vagabond
• Racing the Rain
• Bite the Habanero (Theme Song)

Cover:

Episode 221 - The FAB 15 Albums of 2025

It's a Christmas...well...not "miracle." But it's happening near the day! In the final Fab 15 (and EC episode) of 2025, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are counting down our favorite albums of 2025. It was a really fun talk and we hope you'll enjoy it and maybe find a few new things to listen to! Enjoy!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 
Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079 

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 14:39 - The List Begins!
  • 14:39 - #15 - The Living End - I Only Trust Rock N Roll / Envy of None - Stygian Waves
  • 20:23 - #14 - Peppermint Kicks - Pop Rocks in my Chewing Gum / Alison Brown & Steve Martin - Safe Sensible and Sane
  • 27:55 - #13 - The Rumjacks - Dead Anthems / Mumford & Sons - Rushmere
  • 33:43 - #12 - Lucy Dacus - Forever is a Feeling / Neil Young - Talkin' to the Trees
  • 38:47 - #11 - John Batiste - Big Money / Elton John & Brandi Carlisle - Who Believes in Angels?
  • 45:46 - #10 - Margo Price - Hard Headed Woman / David Byrne - Who is the Sky?
  • 50:35 - #9 - Sloan - Based on the Best Seller / Los Straitjackets - Somos Los Straitjackets
  • 57:45 - #8 - Cheap Trick - All Washed Up / Bob Mould - Here We Go Crazy
  • 1:05:42 - #7 - Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow / Sloan - Based on the Best Seller
  • 1:11:37 - #6 - Dropkick Murphys - For the People / Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow
  • 1:18:03 - #5 - Spin Doctors - Face Full of Cake / James McMurtry - The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
  • 1:29:06 - #4 - Dream Theater - Parasomnia / HAIM - I Quit
  • 1:38:54 - #3 - Mammoth - The End / Hayley Williams - Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
  • 1:49:11 - #2 - Halestorm - Everest / Dream Theater - Parasomnia
  • 1:54:46 - #1 - Hayley Williams - Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party / Yungblud - Idols
• 2:00:50 - Honorable Mentions
• 2:18:07 - This is Your Christmas
• 2:18:37 - The FINAL 15 and Outro