Today we release Episode Two of our month-long celebration of The The Olivia Tremor Control brand-new record, The Same Place, on Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts
Our friend Matthew Buckley joined Mathew Bell and I as we had a beautiful conversation with John Kiran Fernandes, who has been part of The Olivia Tremor Control for more than 30 years. Bass, violin, clarinet and countless other sounds... John has been such an integral part of this band, not only musically, but in the spirit and heart of what makes this music so special.
John is also just an incredibly sweet soul. From the first time I met him, I was struck by his kindness, his compassion and the way he talks about music.
Years ago, when Circulatory System came to Ames, Iowa, I was talking with John while the band was loading in to the venue... when he casually mentioned that he was born in Boone, Iowa.
I couldn't believe it, a member of my favorite band ever began his life in the same state where I began mine. I've joked ever since that someday I want to go to Boone, knock on doors and ask people, "Do you know one of the greatest musicians in the world was born here?"
Our conversation with John goes to some deeply emotional places. He speaks openly about living with schizophrenia, panic attacks, burning both ends of the candle, and his enormous heart for music, and the music he created alongside his brothers in The Olivia Tremor Control. I'm incredibly grateful for his openness and trust.
We were also joined by AJ Griffin, who told us the wonderful story of how he became part of the OTC family in the late 2000s. Apparently, Bill Doss more or less tricked him into coming over to record for a new Olivia Tremor Control record when what they really wanted was for A.J. to join the band as they began playing live again.
A.J. also shared memories of working with Bill on "Wings Away," one of my favorite songs from the final Apples In Stereo record. It made me think how amazing it would have been to have that have been an OTC song.. Even though I love the ELO-esque vibe the Apples brought to it. He talked about Bill showing up at his house with a growler of beer, ready to make music, always asking for A.J.'s ideas and genuinely wanting his collaborators to become part of the song.
And hearing that made me smile. Because that's exactly the Bill Doss I remember. Super kind. Generous. Curious. Collaborative. And completely in love with making music with his friends.
The Same Place arrives October 23 on Elephant 6, 27 years after Black Foliage. I still can't quite believe it! And somehow, our little podcast has been given the incredible privilege of sharing fragments of these new songs for the first time anywhere in the world.
Thank you, John and A.J., for helping make The Same Place a reality... and for trusting us with these stories.
Episode Two is out today.
