Don't Bother Wearing Seatbelts (An Elephant 6 Recording Company Podcast)

DBWS 3 - 4 The Orange Tapered Moon with Bablicon member Griffin Rodriguez! We explore Chicago's exploding late-'90s music scene, the freedom of making music without rules, Griffin's time with Bablicon and Icy Demons, and his experiences running sound for the Olivia Tremor Control. Plus, how touring Japan as a child helped shape the blue-collar work ethic he's carried throughout his musical career. https://patreon.com/dontbotherwearingseatbelts?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink Speaking of, Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts also has a Patreon!!! Wait! Come back! It’s not like that! Our show...

DBWS 3-3 Dusk At Cubist Castle Round Table Discussion Released in 1996, Music from the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle felt like discovering a transmission from another world: Beatlesque melodies colliding with tape loops, psychedelic noise, field recordings, beautiful harmonies, and songs that could somehow feel both completely familiar and totally alien. Three decades later, we’re still wandering around inside that castle. Today on Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dusk at Cubist Castle with a special roundtable discussion featuring Matt LeMay, who famously reviewed the record for Pitchfork; illustrator and writer Mark N...

DBWS 3-2 The Same Place Episode 2 - John Kiran Fernandes and AJ Griffin The brand-new—and final—record from The Olivia Tremor Control, The Same Place, has been 27 years in the making, and we’re celebrating its arrival all month long on Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts. On October 14th we are joined by Olivia Tremor Control members John Kiran Fernandes and AJ Griffin, who share stories about the making of the band’s long-awaited third and final album—stories that have never been told before. But there’s something even more special… In this episode, you’ll hear never-before-heard fragments of music...

DBWS Season 3 Episode 1 27 YEARS IN THE MAKING. We celebrate the brand-new record from The Olivia Tremor Control — The Same Place. And for the FIRST TIME EVER, you’ll be able to hear fragments of new songs from The Same Place as part of this very special episode. Our first episode of Season 3! Special guest We’ll be joined by Derek Almstead , Ron Kwasman , and Jason Nesmith to talk about the making of The Same Place! https://patreon.com/dontbotherwearingseatbelts?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink Speaking of, Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts also has...

DBWS - 2-33 - PYLON REENACTMENT SOCIETY We’re reaching back into the vault for another classic episode of Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts — and this one is an absolute blast. We’re joined by the entire Pylon Reenactment Society for a conversation about carrying forward the legacy of Pylon, one of the most incredible, influential, and downright singular bands to ever emerge from the legendary Athens, Georgia music scene. We talk about what it means to honor that music while creating something that stands on its own, the formation and evolution of Pylon Reenactment Society, their extensive touring, the records...

DBWS 2-32 J. Kirk Pleasant - Calvin, Don’t Jump/Crystal Clear Mississippi This week we’re joined by the fantastic J. Kirk Pleasant for a conversation about his beautiful Calvin, Don’t Jump! record, Crystal Clear Mississippi. But really we don't talk much about it.. But we do talk about his undefeated college marching band, behind the scenes stories of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Gerbils. His mention in Rolling Stone magazine, The Mountain Goats getting towed in the snow, being a fire fighter, and bird migration enthusiast, and he also takes us back through some incredible memories from his ti...

DBWS 2-31 Organically Programmed / Great Lakes IT’S A Late Night DOUBLE FEATURE Podcast show! Welcome back to Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts, where this week we’re unlocking TWO classic episodes from behind the paywall and setting them loose into the universe! First up, we talk with Oliver Domingo of Organically Programmed about the band’s wonderfully strange, inventive self-titled record. Then we’re back with Ben Crum of Great Lakes, diving into the album Contenders and the history of one of the most enduring bands from the Elephant 6 orbit. Strap in. It’s a late night double feature podcast show...

DBWS - 2-30 Fear Of Fear with Ben Crum of Great Lakes On this episode, we sit down with Ben Crum of Great Lakes to talk about the band’s beautiful and deeply personal new record, Fear of the Fear. A semi-concept album inspired by the loss of a close friend, Fear of the Fear explores grief, memory, friendship, and all the complicated emotions that come with losing someone important. Interestingly, the album was actually recorded before Great Lakes’ last record Don't Swim To Close, making its long-awaited arrival feel even more special. This episode has some really amazing E6 stor...

DBWS 2-29 Happy Happy Birthday To Me Ep. 2 with Mike Turner

This time, we’re going even deeper into the story of HHBTM Vol. 1, the legendary compilation that captured a wildly creative moment at the brink of a legendary record label.

Mike takes us inside the making of the comp—the bands, the friendships, the discoveries, the stories behind the songs, and what it was like building a label around a community of musicians who were creating some of the most exciting music happening anywhere.

And, of course, we’re listening along the way.<...

https://patreon.com/dontbotherwearingseatbelts?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

Speaking of, Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts also has a Patreon!!! Wait! Come back! It’s not like that! Our show is free, and will remain that way. However! Joining the Patreon, and pledging at the Reckless Driver level ($1 monthly) allows you to participate in our monthly giveaways. There will always be at least one giveaway per month, often there will be two or more per month, and each giveaway will include at least one piece of physical medi...

DBWS 2-26 Consult The Oracle - The High Water Marks Today we're unlocking another classic episode that's available for the very first time outside the paywall. In this conversation, we're joined by Hilarie and Per Ole Bratset of High Water Marks to celebrate their wonderful album, Consult the Oracle. We dive into the band's signature dueling vocal chemistry, the making of the record, and plenty of delightful detours along the way—from Vikings to the essential Norwegian artists everyone should have on their playlist. https://patreon.com/dontbotherwearingseatbelts?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_co...

PLEASE READ BEFORE LISTENING • This episode contains frank discussions of autism. You will actually hear us talking about cutting the entire section before it airs. However, we, along with Mike, decided that the conversation was extremely interesting, inspiring, and important to the story being told. On this special episode, we're joined by one of the most influential and creative figures connected to the Elephant 6 universe: Michael Turner. As the founder of Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records, Michael has championed countless Elephant 6 artists and helped introduce an incredible wave of independent music to the world. He's also the driving force be...

DBWS 2-24 Elf Power Vainly Clurching with Andrew Reiger Here's another season one episode freed from behind the paywall. This episode marked the official start of Patrick Tape Fleming' as a co-host. We kinda forgot to tell Andrew Reiger about it ahead of time. But no biggie... They actually know each other and are fans of each other's musical work. We mostly discuss Elf Power's lo-fi 1995 masterpiece of a debut release "Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs", but, per usual, the conversation wanders. Whether you are familiar with Andrew's work or not, prepare to be edumacated and enraptured by the magic...

DBWS 2-23: The Sunshine Fix — Age of the Sun As the 1990s came to a close, the Elephant 6 universe entered one of its most fascinating and creative chapters. The Olivia Tremor Control — the Athens, Georgia kaleidoscopic psychedelic pop machine that helped define an era .. had drifted into different corners of time and space. Its two visionary songwriters began exploring new worlds: Will Cullen Hart traveled deeper into the dreamlike experimental galaxies of Circulatory System, while Bill Doss chased the eternal glow of the perfect pop song with The Sunshine Fix. And with Age of the Sun, Bill created his post OTC...

DBWS 2-22 Azalia Snail

We are honored to be joined by the one and only Azalia Snail — the legendary “Queen of Lo-Fi.” A true pioneer of the 1990s underground, Azalia helped shape the sound of home recording, neo-psychedelia, experimental pop, and the DIY universe that so many artists continue to explore today.

She is a songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, a sonic explorer — and someone whose life story almost feels like the indie rock version of Forrest Gump. Somehow, someway, Azalia has crossed paths with everyone from Beck during the explosion of the lo-fi movement to the legendar...

DBWS 2-21: Honey Puppy b/w Witch Cat Records

This episode is a special two-fer. The first half is a discussion with Athens, GA upstart Honeypuppy about their "Dirty TV" release. Their previous work and "Dirty TV release on Cloud Recordings can be purchased here: https://honeypuppy.bandcamp.com

Then things transition to a talk with Johnny of Witch Cat Records about his very unique physical releases of both experimental ambient music and re-releases of Elephant 6 associated artists. You can find the large Witch Cat catalog on BandCamp here: https://witchcatrecords.bandcamp.com

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DBWS Episode 20: Of Montreal with Andy Gonzales

In this episode of Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts, we sit down with former Of Montreal member Andy Gonzales to dive deep into Of Montreal’s beloved Elephant 6 classic, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse.

Andy takes us behind the scenes of the album’s creation, sharing incredible stories about recording the entire project on tape, the experimental spirit surrounding the sessions, and the bizarre, beautiful world of the album’s many invented characters. We talk about the record’s constant musical zig zags, its fearle...

DBWS 2-19: Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts Dressy Bessy

Mathew and Rudy are back in this episode from our first season... now free from behind a paywall..  speaking with Dressy Bessy core members Tammy Ealon and John  Hill about their new 1999 “Pink Hearts, Yellow Moons”. 

But this ain’t no nostalgia show! In addition to discussing their debut full-length release, we get into their long history up to present day with all the many changes within the music industry. You can follow Dressy Bessy online at any of these places: http://www.dressybessy.com http://www.faceboo...

DBWS 2 episode 18- Black Swan Network with Ron Kwasman

In this one, we’re talking to longtime friend and archivist of all things E6 Ron Kwasman about the “Early Music Volume 1” release from Black Swan Network on May 8, 2026 on Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. Ron was pivotal in assembling this collection and insuring the legacy of Will Cullen Hart lives on. And oh yeah, Ron is also a film maker, record producer, musician in his own right. As always, this conversation goes deep! You can order a copy of the release here: https://www.hhbtm.com/produc...

DBWS 2-17 Devine and Devine and Rishis

In this one, we’re diving into two mini classic episodes from our first season that still feel as alive and necessary now as they did then. First up is Chris McKay’s Devine and Devine — a record born out of the kind of circumstance that reshapes everything. Faced with his own mortality, Chris didn’t just write songs, he tore up the rulebook and created in a way that feels raw, immediate, and a little bit confrontational. It’s intimate in a way that might make you uncomfortable at times, but...

DBWS 2-16 “Flowers Telegraphed to all Parts of the World” with Jennifer Baron of The Garment District In this one, we’re talking to Jennifer Baron of The Garment District and many other great groups. Per usual, we try to to stick to the record, but you know the drill. Talking about all the other things a bunch of music nerds is kind of inevitable. This conversation goes deep!

You can find more Garment District here: https://thegarmentdistrict.bandcamp.com

You can find Bored Music Geek Radio and its wide array of programming here: https://live36...

DBWS 2-15 “The Rose Explodes” with Dream Boat We’re back with another episode from our first season, freed from behind a paywall. In this one, we’re talking to the dreamy and ethereal Dream Boat. And the episode is much more interesting than this description. It’s actually one of the standout episodes of the first season. 

You can find more Dream Boat here: https://dreamboatsound.bandcamp.com

You can find Bored Music Geek Radio and its wide array of programming here: https://live365.com/station/Bored-Music-Geek-Radio-a13080

You can find old episodes, like this o...

DBWS 2-14 “Middle-Aged Love EP” with The Sloan Brothers

In this episode, we talk with R. Sloan Simpson about his pandemic-born music project The Sloan Brothers as well as  his history as an audio documentarian of the Athens, Georgia music scene and maybe some Boston (the band, not the city) as well. Listeners of the podcast version of this episode will get an additional 10-minute of the talk. 

You can find more Sloan Brothers here: https://sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com

You can find Bored Music Geek Radio and its wide array of programming here: https...

DBWS 2-13 “Songs About The Ocean” with The High Water Marks In this episode, we talk to  Hilarie and Per Olé of High Water Marks about their great debut album “Songs About The Ocean” and everything in between from KISS to Slayer. Ya know… all the things you’d expect from an Elephant 6 discussion. Listeners of the podcast version of this episode will get an additional 20-minute bonus episode at the end where Rudy and Patrick discuss why the song “Have Another Dream” is a classic for the ages with the band. The very active and varied BandCamp account for The High Water...

DBWS 2-12 “OK Shine OK” with The Tammy Shine

In this episode, we talk to Tammy of Dressy Bessy about her new solo album “OK Shine OK” and, of course, a whole lot of other things, too. 

You can pre-order or order the new Tammy Shine record here:
https://hhbtm.bandcamp.com/album/ok-shine-ok

Full details on where to see The Tammy Shine live and other assorted info:
https://thetammyshine.com

You can find Bored Music Geek Radio and its wide array of programming here:https://live365.com/statio...

DBWS 2-11 “The Albemarle Sound” with The Ladybug Transistor

Those who have heard The Ladybug Transistor’s “The Albemarle Sound” know it’s an absolute masterpiece and standout among late 1990s Elephant 6 releases.

Joining OG E6 fan Mathew and E6 newbie Rudy are THREE KEY MEMBERS of the band’s iconic lineup. That’s Gary Olson, Jennifer Baron, and Sasha Bell.

They share all sorts of information about recording the album and details of the extensive 25th anniversary rerelease from November 8, 2024 and their tour that started in December 2024.

Full details on where to buy t...

DBWS 2-10 “Leap Through Poisoned Air” with Andrew Reiger

In the summer of 2025, the world was treated to new music by not only Andrew Reiger of Elf Power, but also Will Cullen Hart of Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System. It was  a collaboration that dated back to the late 90s when the two lived together. And while Hart is sadly no longer with us, Andrew was more than willing to discuss all the details with the Seatbelts crew.

You can purchase a copy of “Leap Through Poisoned Air” from the Elephant 6 online shop here: https://e...

DBWS 2.9 “Are You Sleepy?” with The Gerbils

While not as prominent as some other bands, the Elephant 6 Movement owes a great deal of its foundation in Rustin, Louisiana to an astoundingly great band called The Gerbils.

Try not to smile, laugh, cry, and just tap your toes to the music and words of this charmingly naive band that greatly exceeds their limitations.

Plus this episode from our first season, re-edited with more music, is both entertaining and full of insider information regarding the early days of the E6 world.

Keep your fingers cros...

DBWS 2.8 “The Apples in Stereo” with author Josh Bloom

In this episode, Mathew and Patrick are speaking with author Josh Bloom about his long time friendship and working relationship with Robert Schneider and other members of The Apples in Stereo.

He’s written a pretty detailed insider’s look at the band and it’s coming out just in time for the holidays!

You can pre-order or purchase a copy of the book here (to be released Decenber 9, 2025): https://linktr.ee/theapplesbook

Follow the full myriad of Josh’s other extensive activities: ...

DBWS 2.7 “Don’t Swim Too Close” with Benjamin Crum of Great Lakes

This episode marks the second appearance of Benjamin Crum on the show and we’re discussing the new Great Lakes album “Don’t Swim Too Close” on Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records.

You can purchase a copy of “Don’t Swim Too Close” on vinyl or digital download here:

https://greatlakesbencrum.bandcamp.com/album/dont-swim-too-close

You can find Bored Music Geek Radio and its wide array of programming here:

https://live365.com/station/Bored-Music-Geek-Radio-a13080

You can find old epi...

DBWS 2.6 “Explanation II” with Will Cullen Hart

This episode is a re-packaging of a season one episode that originally appeared behind the Discograffiti paywall on Patreon. 

One year ago, on November 23rd, hosts Rudy Fischmann and Mathew Bell were joined for the first time by new co-host Patrick Tape Fleming for what none of us knew would become one of the most meaningful conversations in the history of “Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts”. That day, Will Cullen Hart—pop visionary, experimental mastermind, and undisputed 4-track wizard—sat down with us to talk about “Explanation II”, the ambient...

Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts episode 2-5: Black Foliage by Olivia Tremor Control with John Kiran Fernandes”

This episode is a free re-broadcast of our very first episode which appeared behind a paywall as part of the Discograffiti music podcast's Patreon account. Special thanks goes out to Dave Gebroe for being cool with us re-releasing these episodes so we can share these really compelling discussions with the artists themselves.

So kicking things off was John Kiran Fernandes talking about the Olivia Tremor Control record that many overlook as being the best place to start with OTC. But...

DBWS 2.4 “Proverbs” with The Shut-Ups

This is a band with an immense catalog and their latest release… “Proverbs”, a double-album, does not fail to confound just like all their previous efforts.

And despite their efforts to dissuade any serious evaluation of their work, we at “Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts” feel like we made some inroads into helping the world better understand the enigma that it is… The Shut-Ups.

You can purchase a copy of “Proverbs” here:

https://shutups.bandcamp.com/album/proverbs

You can find Bored Mu...

DBWS 2.3 Chris McKay’s “The Price Of A Wish

Some artists look death straight in the eyes and refuse to flinch. Henri Matisse, confined to a wheelchair after cancer surgery, reinvented his process entirely, cutting bold, life-affirming shapes from paper when his hands could no longer guide a brush. Georgia O’Keeffe, nearly blind from macular degeneration, refused surrender, dictating color and form to assistants, painting what she could still feel when she could no longer see. Their creativity became defiance, proof that art is not a luxury of health, but a necessity of spirit.

That s...

DBWS 2.2 Giant Day’s “Alarm”

zOMG zOMG!!! We can’t be excited enough about Giant Day’s new release “Alarm” out Oct. 10, 2025 on the Elephant 6 Recording Company imprint. Seriously, it’s really good.

But so is this discussion with the band. We talk about everything from the ins and outs of recording this record to Mutt Lange’s marital history. It’s got literally everything you could ever want from an episode of “Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts”.

You can purchase a copy of the album here:https://elephant6.com/product/giantday-alarm/

You c...

DBWS 2.1 Jardin Botanique’s “Isthmus”

Welcome to the second season of “Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts”, the podcast that explores the extensive world of the Elephant 6 Movement with the artists behind it yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

This episode marks the beginning of the show’s second season, now out from behind a paywall and a part of Bored Music Geek Radio. 

Our premiere on this new platform is not with a band from Athens, Georgia as some might expect, but from Montreal, Canada. They’re discussing their new ambient album “Isthmus” which was released in Septe...