What Am I Making Podcast

About What Am I Making Podcast

Hey there. I’m Matty C. For the formally inclined folks in the crowd, the official designation is Matt Carlson. I am a 50 year old musician, songwriter, and graphic designer that's spent the Covid era pondering deep and meaningful questions about music, film, literature and art in the 21st century. It seems as though we’re living in age where musicians have to give their music away, content is around every corner and we don’t seem to really value much of any of it the way we used to. What is it really like to make a living pursuing a life in the arts these days? Why are we seeing a lower percentage of artists in the workforce than at anytime in 100 years? Now, I’ve reached a point of massive change in my life and I am preparing to spend more of my time, and hopefully, generating a portion of my income from my creative endeavors. That’s a terrifying endeavor, but it’s also incredibly exciting. I’ll be discussing these ideas and a whole lot more of my own curiosity and creative endeavors on this platform using the written word, videos, podcasts, music and probably some other assets I learn along the way. I’ll be seeking out smart, and fascinating creatives as they build their own lives while fighting an ever-growing series of new challenges and opportunities. All of these journeys and detours are an effort to share my exploration of culture in the modern world, and to help shine a brighter light on the work I have been doing for years as a musician, designer and podcaster. This discussion is at the very center of our civilization, what it means to be human andhow to find a meaningful way to connect through that shared humanity in the form of artistic expression. Art is at the core of the relationship. Let’s explore it with that context, and that incalculable value, in mind. If you enjoy what you hear on the show, please subscribe to my Substack where I also I post this podcast as well as a variety of essays, video and recordings regularly in my search to find out what art really matters to people right here and right now, and they are willing to do to invest in our culture. Thank you so much for being here. It’s wonderful to have your support. https://whatamimaking.substack.com whatamimaking.substack.com (https://whatamimaking.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Matty C & His ADHD

Category

music · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

13 Feb 2023

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

205 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   WAIM 191: Nebraska Indie Rocker David Nance

   David Nance grew up in the quiet confines of Grand Island, Nebraska, a lonely little spot on the Great Plains that offered little in the way of cultural excitement, save for a few kids sporadically staging punk shows at makeshift venues around town. These shows offered a glimpse of the vast cultural world that might exist beyond the borders of Grand Island. Eventually, Nance relocated to Omaha where he began experimenting with four track recording and songwriting. Over the course of several years, Nance unleashed a slew of self-produced recordings that included original full length albums, and a series of covers albums where he has tackled legendary records like Beatles For Sale and Goat’s Head Soup, among others. In 2013, Nance relocated again to Los Angeles with his wife where he continued to work on recordings. During his time in LA, David amassed a haul of unfinished songs, but found himself unable to complete an album. Tragically, Nance was later called home to navigate the loss of his younger sister. 2024 saw the release of David Nance & The Mowed Sound via Third Man Records. The album is a raucous affair that conjures the golden era of The Rolling Stones, a less jammy version My Morning Jacket, and early 70s Kinks. During our conversation, David and I discussed the ways that limitations in recording, like working with a four track recorder, have opened up new veins of creativity. We covered the concept of songwriting as a form of journaling, and so much more. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to David for joining me. You can find out all about David’s music, find tour dates, and learn more at https://davidnance.bandcamp.com/ (https://davidnance.bandcamp.com/) The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin. You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it. Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/ (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/). Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show. You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com (mailto:whatamimakingblog@gmail.com). You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking (http://speakpipe.com/whatamimaking) Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   WAIM 190: Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub

   After nearly 40 years, 13 full length albums, and millions of miles of touring, it’s fair to call Teenage Fanclub a legendary band. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in the waning days of the 1980s, The Fannies - as their fans affectionately call them - have forged a sound built upon chiming guitars, jangly hooks, and resplendent three part harmonies. In 1991, the band’s second album, Bandwagonesque was chosen by Spin Magazine as the best record of the year. Nirvana’s Nevermind finished second. Not only did Spin get it right in that year end list, I would offer that Bandwagonesque isn’t even the Fannies at their peak. The band has always been powered by shared songwriting duties. For the first thirty years of the outfit, Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley, and Gerard Love all contributed songs to the band, with each writer taking the lead vocal on his own tunes. With a trio of songwriters in the band, Teenage Fanclub were able to take the best selections from each writer to craft albums littered with great songs and three unique perspectives on life and songcraft. In 2018, Gerard Love left Teenage Fanclub. While many bands would have seen that as a sign to pack it in after 30 successful years, Blake, McGinley, and company have charged forward, releasing three full length albums in roughly seven years. The band’s new album, Do Not Dare To Dream was recorded in the far northwest of Scotland in the Hebrides Islands. During our conversation, Blake and I discussed the effects of place on recording an album. We talked about the ways that our surroundings can drastically shape what we create. We also hit upon some of the advantages to stealing away from the world to make a record. We discussed being in an outfit with shared songwriting duties, and we talked about the healthy competition of having multiple writers in the same band. It is all of that and loads more with me and Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub. Let’s get into it. Cheers,Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Norman for joining me. You can find out all about Teenage Fanclub’s music, get tour dates, and learn more at https://www.teenagefanclub.com/ (https://www.teenagefanclub.com/) The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin. You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it. Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/ (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/). Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show. You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com (mailto:whatamimakingblog@gmail.com). You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking (http://speakpipe.com/whatamimaking) Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   16 Oct 2026

   WAIM 189: French-Texan Singer/Songwriter Theo Lawrence

   Growing up in Bordeaux, France at the crack of the millennium, Theo Lawrence was inundated with the shiny pop music of the era. Eschewing the sounds of the moment, Lawrence found himself entranced with the golden era of American Country Music from the 1950s and 60s, as well as the haunting sounds of first wave rock and roll. Theo managed to find new meaning in those old songs and stories. Since 2019, Lawrence has proven himself a decidedly prolific and nimble artist, releasing a slew of recordings that are informed by honky-tonk, classic country, cumbia, first wave rock and roll, and bossa nova. Whether releasing singles, EPs, or full length albums, Theo Lawrence is an artist with a unique voice, vision, and sound; one that feels like an intercontinental version of an updated classic. During our conversation, Theo and I discussed his migration from France to Texas. We talked about his early years in Bordeaux and the way they have shaped his Texas persona. We covered the influence of his family and his French upbringing, as well as hitting upon his unabashed love for America. Theo shares his experiences on a 75+ date tour with the legendary Alison Kraus & Union Station, and we explore the necessity of a childlike approach to creativity. Let’s get into it. Cheers, Matty C ------------------------- End Credits Thanks so much to Theo for joining me. You can find out all about her music, get tour dates, and learn more at https://www.theolawrencemusic.com/ (https://www.theolawrencemusic.com/) The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin. You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it. Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/ (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/). Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show. You can email the show anytime at whatamimakingblog@gmail.com (mailto:whatamimakingblog@gmail.com). You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking (http://speakpipe.com/whatamimaking) Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Who has been a guest on What Am I Making Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Patrick Hicks
• Mr Decarceration
• JL Cauvin
• Paul Covington
• Ainsley Covington

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

90

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact What Am I Making Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about What Am I Making Podcast