On The Record talks Tom Waits, Lucinda vs Trump, Talking Heads, Chris Bailey and Fungal Lives

Episode two of On The Record begins exactly where great podcasts are born: with the crushing realisation that nothing has been recorded. After a brief collective sigh (and a generous decision to “power through”), Michael Mackenzie, Brian Wise and guest Nick Corr regroup and press on—braver, wiser, and still dangerously unsupervised.

What follows is a gloriously eclectic ramble through:

A shamelessly persuasive plug for Rhythms Magazine, which somehow doubles as relationship advice
A sold-out theatre talk about fungi, proving that mushrooms now draw bigger crowds than indie bands
A deep dive into Pluribus, the Apple TV series that turns hive minds into a philosophical Rorschach test (Michael finds it calming; Brian finds it terrifying)
The long-awaited final album from Chris Bailey of The Saints, hailed as a dignified, and moving farewell
Lucinda Williams, political defiance, and why some albums are necessary whether America’s ready or not
A prolonged, reverent detour into Tom Waits, including birthdays, movies, glitter-filled pockets, and the universal agreement that everyone would still fly overseas to see him
Talking Heads nostalgia, Bluesfest ticket shock, and the unsettling concept of “cover bands with original members”

The episode wraps with movies (Dead of Winter, Train Dreams), tears shed in unexpected places, and the firm belief that art about love, loss, and grief is best discussed at length—preferably after checking the record button.

On The Record is a podcast where culture is taken seriously, and tangents are treated as the main event.