Transmissions :: Dean Wareham

Do you ever connect with an old friend and find that, despite however many years it’s been, you pick up right where you left off, as if no time has passed at all? That’s sort of what happened between today’s guest, Dean Wareham and producer Kramer in the making of Dean’s new album, That’s the Price of Loving Me. You know Dean from his work with Luna and Dean and Britta, his duo with his wife Britta Phillips, but when Kramer and Dean last teamed up, it was for the recording of Dean’s old band Galaxie 500’s final album, 1990’s This Is Our Music. 

Intro-ing his own interview with Dean for Aquarium Drunkard, writer Tyler Wilcox says, “All these decades later, Kramer’s skill for elegant arrangements (not to mention his keyboard skills) bring something special to the proceedings, giving Dean’s musings on politics, friendship, mortality, Gibson guitars and airborne toxic events a sparkling backdrop.”

This week on Transmissions, Dean joins us for a spirited discussion about the new album, movie matinees, guitars, his work with director Noah Baumbach, the influence of Lou Reed—and Dean’s experiences meeting him—and what happens when you, what happens when you embrace the magic of the un-intended. 

You can read a ⁠⁠full transcript⁠⁠ of this conversation at Aquarium Drunkard, where you’ll find 20 years worth of playlists, recommendations, reviews, interviews, podcasts, essays, and more. With your support, here’s to another decade. ⁠⁠Subscribe at Aquarium Drunkard. ⁠⁠ Stream a ⁠⁠playlist of bumper music featured on Transmissions⁠⁠, as well as selections from our guests. Transmissions is a part of the ⁠⁠Talkhouse Podcast Network⁠⁠. Visit the Talkhouse for more interviews, fascinating reads, and podcasts.