My interview with AI
9 Questions from ChatGPT
I owe this idea to Kevin Alexander from On Repeat Records (whom you should follow - if you’re not already).
Thank you kindly!
AI is all the rage now, so I decided to ask Chat GPT to ask me ten questions (I removed one of them, so it’s really nine) based on the following statement:
I have a podcast called Abandoned Albums. We look at albums that may have been forgotten over time, some albums people may not know, and some new albums by artists we think you should know about. Ask me ten interview questions about the podcast.
What inspired you to start Abandoned Albums, and how did you choose the name?
I’ve told this story a bajillion times, but it all originates with the self-titled debut album by a band called Broken Homes. I think it is, without a doubt, one of the best debut albums of the 1980s. Arguably, one of the best debut albums in rock and roll - and yea, I would put it on par with the Boston’s debut and Appetite for Destruction by Guns-n-Roses.
The name came from a brainstorming session with a friend one night… but I’m always considering a re-brand.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable album you featured on your show and why it was memorable for you?
The one that immediately comes to mind is the Season Four closer, our interview with Jeremy Chatelain.
The debut record by Handsome is one of co-host Geoff Calhoun’s favorite albums, and after hearing it, I can see why. The episode was perfect on every level.
The show isn’t about just ONE album, it’s about the career as a whole, and one of the most incredible things about speaking with artists is that Geoff and I get to hear about their creative journey, and Jeremy’s is pretty amazing. I won’t give anything away here; you’ll have to listen… but it’s fantastic.
How do you select the albums you feature on your podcast?
Geoff and I chat via text about bands we like and want to reach out to. I listen to many podcasts and audiobooks and jot down artists’ names.
We’re also pitched by various PR firms that represent artists.
When I mention Abandoned Albums, people say: “Oh, what about…”.
Friends and family… truthfully, all methods of contact…and by so many different people - it’s fantastic.
Ultimately, Geoff and I decided who we queue up for the show, but we welcome any suggestions!
What do you hope listeners take away from each episode of Abandoned Albums?
Well, I’d like to think they walk away having learned about - or been reminded of - an artist whose work they like, maybe learn a little about where the songs come from and sometimes how they’re made. It’s an open discussion, and I’m just happy anyone listens.
I like to think of Geoff and me as the voice of the listeners so that we ask the questions that they may be scratching their heads about. In that sense, I hope we can clear up questions that they might be having.
How do you research and prepare for each episode?
If it is an artist I need to familiarize myself with, I use all available resources - Wiki, articles, social media, and now you Chat GPT; I TRY to stay on top of the rabbit hole. But if you’re reading this and have searched for music on the internet, that sometimes happens.
While listening to the artist’s music in preparation and researching, I am also developing ideas for the interstitials (the little snippets we use throughout the podcast). Sometimes, that can derail the artist’s research and send me elsewhere.
Geoff is the real professor of the two of us, and his profundity helps elevate our conversation with each artist. And he also drinks six raw eggs before each taping.
Have you ever had an experience where you thought an album would be forgotten or overlooked, but it turned out to be more popular than you anticipated?
Yes.
Many albums leave me scratching my head, asking: “WTF am I missing?”
The other side of that coin is the folks who listen to the Mega Artist may scratch their head, asking: “WTF am I missing?”
How has your approach to hosting and producing the podcast evolved since you first started?
I’ve always approached the show with zero expectations; each interview is unique. My initial plan was to have a format and approach the show more academically. But in that first episode, I had to corral people in Greece, The Bahamas, LA, Staten Island, and New Haven.
And then, in another episode, the artist talked for three hours, and we didn’t get to the album I wanted to discuss until deep into the second hour.
Both were great experiences, for sure.
So my approach now is to keep things loose and friendly and see where the conversation goes. I barely recall the old days of free-form FM radio, and that’s kind of what we do… but we edit it. :)
What do you think sets Abandoned Albums apart from other music podcasts?
This is a tricky question because there are so many podcasts… and so many are genuinely outstanding.
Honestly, I don’t know.
The breadth of musical tastes that Geoff and I bring to our production meetings helps us tremendously. While we do have some musical taste overlap, we both turn each other on to bands we may have only heard of.
So, I think in that sense, those meetings aren’t necessarily a vacuum where we talk about the same bands, genres, or eras of music… or simply music we like.
Our meticulous approach and concern with editing add a special touch that we both enjoy… and genuinely hope others do.
Lastly, we balance each other well.
What can listeners look forward to in future episodes of Abandoned Albums?
Music, chat, laughs, and almost always, something a guest will reveal somehting that they haven’t shared before.
Conversations with some amazingly creative artists - some you don’t know, some you should know, and some you will know.
What can listeners look forward to? A great deal of awesome!
