In April 2023, while producing a documentary series for The John Templeton Foundation (JTF), I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing legendary punk/rock musician and producer audio engineer Steve Albini. Portions of that interview appear in the sixth installment of the doc series (which is phenomenal, and you should watch every episode immediately), but most of our conversation has remained unreleased—until now.On May 7th, 2024, Steve passed away at 61 after an illustrious and influential life and career. With special thanks to JTF (and in honor of Steve Albini Day), we’re pleased to publish the full audio of that interview here.

Steve engineered audio for artists like Nirvana, Bush, and the Pixies, helping each bring some of their most authentic and celebrated works to grateful fans the world over. Steve’s dedication to capturing the natural essence of a band's performance without excessive studio manipulation has left a lasting legacy in the music industry.In this wide-ranging exchange, Albini shared insights into his philosophy on music production and anecdotes from his time working with some of the biggest names in rock. And given the uniquely ontological focus of our documentary, Steve also served up some fascinating meditations on:

* communicating with aliens

* being a ‘vector of history’

* the modern music scene

* and the mathematics of music

Albini's approach to his work wasn’t just technical but deeply philosophical. He believed that the role of a producer was to serve the artist's vision rather than impose their own. That ethos resonated throughout our discussion, a testament to his principled commitment to artistic integrity. His passing is a significant loss, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future musicians and producers.- KmeleNOTE: This release includes a brief cameo from my friend and sometimes collaborator Jason Mojica — the indispensable producer/director of Dispatches from The Well.Interview Recorded: April 28th, 2023Published: July 27th, 2024

* HOF weekend

* The Talented Ms. Jewhater

* Notes from the RNC

* The black Republicans who don’t care about ideology

* The 33 person BBQ in North Milwaukee

* Losing their religion

* The Great Resignation

* “She’s not Joe Biden on foreign policy, buy who is…”

* Why they hate us

* There’s no Kamala bump

* More Project 2025 nonsense

* The rise of the mentally ill pundit

* To win, Dems…

Moynihan calls in from GOP Ground Zero in Milwaukee. Kmele threatens to dish about Silicon Valley support for Donald Trump. Welch only slurs as much as Reince Preibus. Topics include J.D. Vance’s political philosophy, Joe Biden’s deteriorating public appearances, and—as ever—Kmele’s mangled naughty bits. Who the hell knows when the Adderall shortage will kick in, but we’re squeezing the last drops out of Moynihan’s productivity before the vape-seizures finally do him in. Let’s gooooo!!!!

A rebroadcast of our increasingly popular Second Sunday edition, during which you, the listener, get to interact with the Fifth, berate them, flatter them, hit on them, and endlessly praise their wisdom and prescience. And thanks to all of you who showed up this week…so many, in fact, that we were forced to pay Zoom to increase the number of attendees. …

The lads make it through Biden’s presser, watch a bit of state television after, listen to the Mike Tyson’s Punch Out soundtrack, and limbo below the lowest bar in the history of low bars.

* Wizards of Transnistria

* Checking the box

* A festival of freedom?

* More old stuff

* France and the media

* Brain dead v. Hitler

* It didn’t end in 2008, but it proved a lot

* What a dictator is… and isn’t

* An accent free pass

* The best video ever: Fuck you bloody

It’s an Independence Day Miracle (if a few days delinquent). As another US Supreme Court term draws to a close, we tap in with our favorite SCOTUS obsessive, Damon Root (currently Freethink/Big Think, previous Reason, and author of books you really should buy).

We discuss Presidential absolute immunity, Chevron deference, the pitiful state of SCOTUS journalism, and the obviously-super-serious effort in the US Congress to impeach/pack/scorn the highest court in the land on account of its *various crimes against democracy* (or something like that).ALSO: Frederick Douglass's on Independence Day… and Juneteenth?!

“With flowing ROBES, grace, bald, striking.”

- (Caddyshack - 1980)

* Supreme Court and Presidential Powers

* Chevron Deference, Executive Authority, and Legislative Inaction

* Checks. Balances.

* Judicial Perspectives on Recent Cases

* Social Media and the First Amendment

* Supreme Court's Conservative Majority

* Frederick Douglass and American Ideals

* Channeling Frederick Douglass (for Juneteenth)

Recorded: June 3rd 2024Published: June 7th 2024

* Miracles of indigenous science

* Why is Matt talking about Kevin Costner so much?

* Aaron Sorkin solves January 6th

* Norm on Bob Uecker

* Matt revisits his…bad night

* The Biden sitch

* James Carville on masculinity and “communities of color”

* How do you guys manage to watch this crap?

* QAnon all the time

* Sam and Diane, but not funny

* The block of humans called voters

* “Total…