First Crack 21. Why We Try with Sandy Smallens from Surface Wound

A conversation with Sandy Smallens, bass and vocals from Too Much Joy, and dot com music executive. His new band – Surface Wound just released a self-titled EP. We talk about the realities of balancing the need to play music while having a day job and family, Creative Commons, and the history of discovering new music.

We discuss and play “Why We Try” and “Slow Bus Home” off the EP, if you like the music, head over to sayhername.com and pick up the album, it’s $6. If you like Too Much Joy, become a patron of the arts.

Links mentioned:

Listen to Why We Try with Sandy Smallens from Surface Wound [38 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 20. The One True Barista with Sam Buchanan

Sam Buchanan from the Afongen.com weblog and I checkout the newest Dunn Bros on east Lake (just blocks away from the Blue Moon), and discuss his history from barista, to roaster, to Java programmer.

Other things to listen for:

  • The history of afong
  • Why Guatemalan coffee is the best
  • Sam’s quest for the One True Barista in a world of bad espresso

Listen to the One True Barista, Sam Buchanan [28 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 19. Coffee and Community at the Blue Moon

Cindy, owner of Minneapolis’ Blue Moon and Second Moon, and I discuss the community value of independent, neighborhood coffee shops.

Listen for a patron-thwarted robbery and why coffee should come in small cups.

I end the show with “Don’t Tell a Soul” by the Revamps. For more on them, drop lead man Darren Harff a line or catch them at their show on Jan 14th at the Terminal Bar – they go on around 11:45pm.

Listen to Coffee and Community at the Blue Moon [29 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 18. Blogumentary’s Chuck Olsen and the Revamps

Chuck Olsen and I discuss his movie Blogumentary, open source films, vlogging, authenticity, and piles of other things including:

I end the show with “Rainy Day Exit” by the Revamps. For more on them, drop lead man Darren Harff a line or catch them at their show on Jan 14th at the Terminal Bar – they go on around 11:45pm.

Listen to Blogumentary’s Chuck Olsen and the Revamps [44 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 17. Belgian Coffee, Beer, and Chocolate with Lewis Dijkstra

The best places for coffee, beer, and chocolate in Brussels, Belgium from Lewis Dijkstra.

Things discussed:

Listen to Belgian Coffee, Beer and Chocolate with Lewis Dijkstra [28 min]

Intro: Tod Maffin & Sean from I Love Radio.

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 16. Interview with a Roastmaster: Greg Beale

Greg Beale, a Dunn Bros. Coffee roastmaster, and I roast 8 pounds of Colombian beans, discuss holiday brewing tips, and the local flavors of the Dunn Bros shops.

Intro: PodCat from PodCat’s Daily Best of Podcasting.

Listen to Interview with a Roastmaster: Greg Beale [38 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

First Crack 15. Minneapolis Bicycle Culture with Gene Oberpiller

Gene Oberpriller, who runs the 1-on-1 Bike Studio, gives us the skinny on his shop/gallery/cafe, the 15 year-old bicycle junkyard in the basement, and the history of Minneapolis’ bombastic bicycle culture.

Links Mentioned:

Intro: Bill Boulger from IndieTickets.com

Listen to Minneapolis Bicycle Culture [28 min]

Leave your audio comments at: 206-20-BEAN-1

First Crack 14. RIAARadar.com Creator Ben Tesch

A conversation with Ben Tesch, the creator of RIAARadar – a website that suggests non-RIAA artists and MixMatcher.com – a media-player-independent song playlist sharing site.

Links Mentioned:

Intro: PodCat from PodCat’s Daily Best of Podcasting

Listen to RIAARadar.com Creator Ben Tesch [45 min]

Leave your audio comments at: 206-20-BEAN-1

Featured in PodCat’s Best of Podcasting Dec 9 – 13

First Crack 13. Twin Cities Borders Unionized, Garrick Goes Off

Had some technical difficulties publishing this episode – all should be better now.

My tea kettle attacks me. Then, I go off on the news of the Uptown Borders going union – until I get that first cup of the morning. Then, peace and harmony.

Links mentioned:

Intro: Bill Boulger from IndieTickets.com.

Leave your audio comments at: 206-20-BEAN-1

Listen to Twin Cities Borders Unionized, Garrick Goes Off [17 min]