The Upper Lefters Podcast - Episode 1 "Whispering Campaign"

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Hi there everyone. Welcome to our inaugural Upperle Lefters podcast.

[00:00:07]>> Very exciting. I don't know that we'll be doing these on a regular basis. So, you're going to want to subscribe in your podcast feed. Also, make sure you subscribe or befriend us on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

[00:00:20]>> Are you signaling that you are irregular?

[00:00:22]>> Uh, I'm a little irregular today in terms of my podcasting. [laughter] >> Too much information. I can't go I can't go too much further than that for my explanation.

[00:00:31]>> We appreciate that. Let's talk about our first topic which is really understandably Starbucks because we do live in Seattle and it is a hometown >> huge company but draw for people who come to Seattle. Many of whom make the journey to what they believe is the mecca of Starbucks in Pike Place Market >> the original Starbucks as it's known.

[00:00:56]But is it the original Starbucks?

[00:00:58]>> Lots of locals will tell you it is not the original Starbucks.

[00:01:03]>> The original Starbucks was located in a spot which is now Victor Steinbrook Park. If you go there to the original Starbucks location, you will find it is now grass and dirt.

[00:01:13]>> Why are we talking in these voices?

[00:01:15]>> I don't know. It's very dramatic.

[00:01:16]>> I know it is very dramatic.

[00:01:17]>> It's kind of fun.

[00:01:18]>> The tr that is the truth though, right?

[00:01:19]Like when you go in the Wayback Machine with Starbucks, the very first location that they had just doesn't exist anymore. It actually isn't exactly like the coffee shop that we know today, right? They weren't like espresso. Yeah.

[00:01:32]Yeah. They sold they sold coffee beans and grinders and all the things you could take home to make your own coffee.

[00:01:38]I think they also sold spices. So in that sense that it feels very Pike Place Market to me that way too. Totally.

[00:01:45]>> But today uh Oh, and it was there I think it was there for two years. Let me check my notes.

[00:01:52]>> Yeah, I couldn't find it, but I think it was in that original location for like two years.

[00:01:56]>> Yeah. And it was close by, right? It was on Western, very very near the market.

[00:02:00]>> Yeah. It's like a few hundred feet.

[00:02:02]>> So, the crux of our story isn't isn't this this is just a little history lesson. Fascinating. No, the crux of it is that so, you know, so many people go there to buy a cup of coffee from what they believe is the original Starbucks, take a photo, >> and they will stand in a long ass line to do it, which >> especially this time of year, right, when all the tourists are coming, >> and locals walk by, and what do they do?

[00:02:24][sighs] >> It's not even the first Starbucks, you dumb dums.

[00:02:28]>> Yes. Mhm. But, but let's, this brings us to another topic. Let's be nice to the visitors to our city.

[00:02:33]>> Yes. I think this is the crux of what we're talking about here, which is >> why you got to ruin it for someone.

[00:02:38]They're excited to be there. It represents what Seattle is to them in a big way. Let them love it.

[00:02:44]>> Let them live in their fantasy world for just a little bit. We We do that when we go to other cities. I don't want to be treated like I'm a >> So when they say Pikes Market, you know, just Yeah. Okay. To you it's Pikes Market. Go with it. Now, if someone lives here and says that, then you can jump all over them.

[00:03:03]>> They shouldn't live here. They should be asked to leave.

[00:03:05]>> Yes. Shot into outer space. So, that's our that's our call out for all locals.

[00:03:10]Just be nice. Also, really like the other thing to consider is that >> the all like the look of that specific Starbucks is all throwback. It is very true to the original. So, you are getting like there's there is history involved there.

[00:03:23]>> Some people say they should sell more like original Starbucks merch, though.

[00:03:27]>> Oh, I would love I love a throwback. And it's not, once again, it's not the original Starbucks, per se. Okay.

[00:03:33]>> It is the oldest continuously operating Starbucks.

[00:03:36]>> All right. Make sure you get that right when you do your host, people.

[00:03:40]>> Yeah, >> Jim's going to complain.

[00:03:41]>> I'm going to complain about something.

[00:03:42]>> Oh, good.

[00:03:43]>> I've been doing this actually for a lot of months. We got a new garbage can here in Seattle.

[00:03:50]>> What is it? Seattle. What's it called that picks up our garbage? Public Utilities or something like that.

[00:03:55]>> I don't know the answer to that. we'll we'll find the answer for you.

[00:03:58]>> I'm just gonna keep whispering anytime I'm nervous.

[00:04:01]>> I like the whisper. The whisper is great. Makes it draws people in.

[00:04:04][laughter] >> Or it makes them they've already the ones who don't like it have already left. So >> yesvin, hi Marvin.

[00:04:09]>> The dog just came through. I don't think you can see.

[00:04:11]>> No.

[00:04:12]>> Uh anyway, I a few months ago we got this new garbage can. Actually over a year, but I I complained for a long time.

[00:04:19]>> And I went to move it the first time and I was like, "Oh my gosh, there's something in it. M.

[00:04:25]>> It's so heavy. There's got to be something in it.

[00:04:27]>> Was it one of the big Was it a big raccoon?

[00:04:29]>> I thought it was a big dead raccoon.

[00:04:31]>> Yeah.

[00:04:31]>> Horrific.

[00:04:32]>> And I opened it up and there was the big dead. No, [laughter] >> there's no raccoon in it. It feels like it should. So, >> it was a raccoonless >> raccoonless but very heavy trash can.

[00:04:44]>> They've got they've got like double walls. You I mean, you should be storing your life savings in these things. It's like double walls, giant bars. Uh, and then big old wheels on the bottom to the point where they're kind of topheavy and I have to roll mine down these steps. I have to keep them at the side of the house, roll them down the steps. Very, very difficult process. And I'm thinking, how would an 80some year old woman get her garbage down to the street?

[00:05:11]>> I will say though that I'm glad you made that point because you were giving a little get off my lawn before that like guy who's mad about something that is very much a first world problem. But the truth is there is a reason.

[00:05:23]>> We researched this.

[00:05:24]>> Yes. There [snorts] is a reason that they're a little heavier, a little more un unwieldy.

[00:05:30]>> Do tell me. Educate me.

[00:05:31]>> Um to help keep our collectors safer.

[00:05:36]>> Oh, >> right. Because the the trucks have like versus a person having to lift things and dump things in. The truck has these arms and it picks up and it dumps them.

[00:05:46]And that the the I was gonna say orifice, but that's not the right word.

[00:05:51]The container [laughter] in which >> Why would Why would it be an orif? What does even >> I hope you're not keeping your trash in an orifice.

[00:05:59]>> Good God.

[00:06:00]>> This is just what popped in my mind. The container >> if you are, see a doctor.

[00:06:05]>> The container has to be structurally sound for these trucks to be able to lift it and not crush it.

[00:06:12]>> They take a lot of abuse getting thrown into the back of the truck. So what what you're dealing with here is the uh what we call the ANSIZ245 compliance. It's a standardized version of measurements that are used for both the equipment and for as it turns out the bins that you're using. That's why they're all pretty much the same size.

[00:06:32]In fact, in Seattle, the large bin, if you get a 32gallon uh garbage can, >> yeah, >> it's the exact same size as the 20 gallon garbage can. [gasps] But the 20 gallon is just the 32 with a big hunk of plastic stuck in it, so it has less room. [gasps] >> Yeah, now you know.

[00:06:50]>> Wow.

[00:06:52]>> Yeah.

[00:06:52]>> Well, maybe you do have something to complain about then. Although, what are you going to do when it's the ANSI Z245 compliance?

[00:07:00]>> You got it.

[00:07:01]>> It's rolls off the tongue. Who among us isn't aware of that?

[00:07:05]>> Um, let's talk about something nicer that we are certainly not complaining about. Okay, >> we are raving about a new musical that made its world premiere debut here in Seattle.

[00:07:18]>> It does not belong in the ANSIZ245.

[00:07:22]>> It would follow that compliance though if asked because it is just that good.

[00:07:26]>> It is.

[00:07:26]>> It gets it hits on every note. No pun intended.

[00:07:31]>> It wasn't a good pun. No, it was true.

[00:07:33]>> There was What do you mean intended? Not even attempted. We did a little behind the scenes at Avatrix the musical at Seattle Public Theater not too long ago.

[00:07:42]Our friend Angela Po Russell is the writer and creator and she got a really great team together to help her do the music and and direct it and all that.

[00:07:52]>> Um, and for people who don't know Aviatrix means >> it is a female aviator specifically in this case Bessie Coleman who was a pioneering >> female aviator. the first black and native female pilot anywhere in the world.

[00:08:10]>> Yeah. To get her international pilots's license. She was the first. It was like 1921.

[00:08:14]>> Such a cool story. She had to go to France to get it because back then they were like, "What woman? What? Black? No way." You know, so she's like, "You know what? I'm going to make it happen." And and it's such a sort of a an empowering musical to watch. You know, we got we got a little Well, I didn't, you know, because I'm pretty stoic and macho, but Kim cried a little bit uh watching it.

[00:08:37]>> Jim cried, too.

[00:08:38]>> I Why are we whispering again?

[00:08:40][laughter] >> Don't know. It's like those >> Stop.

[00:08:42]>> Like people at a, you know, dinner party or something who are telling you something that maybe not everyone should hear about. And yet, this is a podcast that obviously millions of people are going to be listening to. So, I need to just put it out there.

[00:08:53]>> So, did you hear about Bill? He was found in his wife's panties.

[00:08:58]>> No.

[00:08:59]>> What?

[00:09:00]>> Wearing his wife's panties to the post office >> on his head, which was the part that made it weird.

[00:09:05]>> Very weird.

[00:09:06]>> Okay, here's why we bring up Avatrix. In addition to saying in its next iteration, go see it cuz I don't think you even can see it anymore. It's sold out shows for this one. It's people just people just love this show and we are so proud of Angela and >> I actually am more proud of myself for being to being able to say that I know her. That's what it comes down to.

[00:09:28]>> We're going to ride her coattails all the way to the end.

[00:09:31]>> Oh, by the way, I bought a t-shirt when we went on opening night. I bought a t-shirt.

[00:09:34]>> You love a t-shirt.

[00:09:35]>> I do. And this is a really great design.

[00:09:38]Yeah.

[00:09:38]>> Uh and I So I had my Avatrix t-shirt.

[00:09:41]I'm all excited about it. I put it on the next day and Anita, my lovely wife, says, "Yeah, don't ever wear that because I think I'm a medium, but I'm actually a large." And so I [laughter] had this like I looked like um you know when Chris Farley did a did a sketch and he came out as a Chip andale. Do you remember that classic sketch?

[00:10:08]>> Classic. And the shirt wouldn't quite close. Yes. Yeah, >> that's me.

[00:10:13]>> Okay. Yeah, please don't wear that. You could frame it and hang it up in the house though because it is that cool of an image. It's Bessie Coleman wingwalking cuz she used to wingwalk too, which by the way, if you're not familiar with wing wingalking, >> it's people getting up out of the cockpit and literally walking on the wing of the plane while it is in air.

[00:10:34]>> Yeah.

[00:10:34]>> Yeah. She was a badass.

[00:10:36]>> There's a great Twilight Zone episode.

[00:10:38]is a classic starring William Shatner as a very young man.

[00:10:42]>> Chim Chim, who among us has not seen the >> the monster on the wing.

[00:10:46]>> I Oh, you know the title.

[00:10:47]>> Oh, well, I mean, I don't. I made that up, but it's something along those lines.

[00:10:50]>> It's so good. It's so good. If you haven't I bet you could find it like on YouTube or something, right? These old cl I think that's where I saw it.

[00:10:57]>> Yeah, I'm sure it's on there.

[00:10:59]>> Classic uh real and we're talking old twi original Twilight Zone stuff. I'm gonna say something that may be controversial because there's so much good TV being made. I still think that The Twilight Zone is potentially the best television series that has ever existed. There, I said it. I just came right out and said it.

[00:11:16]>> I would agree with it. And this is really controversial. I'm going to say that Jack Benny's late night show might have been the best late night program ever done.

[00:11:25]>> I am going to say, >> and nobody even remembers. I don't know if I've seen it. I found a bunch of old DVDs once and I started watching it. I'm like, "Oh my god, this everybody stole from this guy."

[00:11:35]>> Interesting.

[00:11:35]>> Everybody. Yeah.

[00:11:36]>> And and David [snorts] Letterman will gladly say he did. And Johnny Carson used to gladly say he stole from Jack Benny.

[00:11:43]>> All right. I'm going to have to uh Google Jack Benny old episodes.

[00:11:47]>> The long awkward pauses, you know, when when the joke doesn't go well or and he pulls down the microphone or looks around, that one didn't go so well.

[00:11:57][laughter] That's very much Jack Benny.

[00:12:00]>> Interesting. Okay. Um, we did what we do best, which is wildly deviate from our first >> Oh, right. Right.

[00:12:07]>> Which was So, we were saying first of all, we did want to recommend Avatrix.

[00:12:10]See it when you can, where you can, how you can.

[00:12:13]>> But it also got us talking about passion projects. Oh, yeah.

[00:12:17]>> And how because this was an absolute passion project for Angela. She told us three years ago she was going to write a musical and then actually did it, which is remarkable. it to that topic if you don't mind. When we came out of the theater, Anita said, "Oh, >> I just feel so inspired right now."

[00:12:34]>> Yeah.

[00:12:34]>> Because of not just the musical, but she also saw what Angela was able to imagine and then put into reality. Y >> and both she was equally inspired by both the the story on the stage and what happened behind the scenes to put it all together. And it's true and that's why I think we're talking about this.

[00:12:53]>> Yes. And I think for me it's the the wonder and joy that comes from it when you see someone do that even if you haven't done it yourself. Like I think that's why I cried a little bit in her show. It's a beautiful show.

[00:13:05]>> I knew it.

[00:13:06]>> But also >> I told you she cried and I did not. That was Kim crying. That was Kim. That was not me. That was Kim.

[00:13:14]>> Might have been Jim as well. But the reason why it really got to me, I think, was because of that actuality of seeing someone that I adore achieve a dream.

[00:13:25]And it didn't even matter that it was that specific dream. Like I I have no dreams of writing a musical, nor could I, but it it's not even the the thing exactly. It's just the idea of it. And so I think that's why passion projects are so amazing. like it gives you something if you are pursuing it, but it also >> is fundamentally inspiring and joyful to everyone around you to see you doing this thing. Like our friend Lindsay >> is writing a book. She basically has written the first draft and is now iterating on it. And that's so amazing.

[00:13:57]And it's like a romance like F1 romance type. It's going to be really cool.

[00:14:02]>> And your husband Rob records albums.

[00:14:04]>> Yes. and mixes and masters them in our >> fully conceptualizes and produces them and and uh my sister Tracy >> in her 50s. This is the other thing about how you what age you are. It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter matter.

[00:14:20]So she she was in her I believe in her 50s when she said, "You know what? I'm going to I'm going to open that art studio I've always wanted to open." And it's in a little like a little farmhouse kind of uh place. She has kids coming in and out all day long, taking kids classes, visiting artists, adult classes at night, people drinking wine and painting and I mean it's just like this amazing amazing place. It's in Pennsylvania. So um >> so great recommendation for all of the upper >> lefterers. So what you do is you get on a plane or [laughter] a very long bus ride. It's um take it to the Philadelphia area. Uh it's [snorts] on Britain Lake Road, Thornton.

[00:14:57]>> Are you writing for it listeners? Okay, great. No, it's just it is so great. And um I think that's why we all have to have I guess we don't all have to. There are some people I've met people I feel sorry for them who are like, "Yeah, I'm just not like into anything. I don't have any hobbies. I don't have any real real passions."

[00:15:16]>> And if and some people are okay that way. I couldn't live that way. I've always got to have something going on.

[00:15:21]That's >> Well, I feel like that is ultimately what Upper Leers has been to us. It's why you pitch starting it. And it's like for me I think so much >> it's been so fun and when it was our actual jobs it was a job which we loved but there's something about doing it on your own terms telling the kind of stories that you want to tell in the way that you want to tell them that has been for me it's like I feel like I finally do have a hobby for the first time that I can go and do my day job but then I know I get to do this on the back end and it's been so wonderful.

[00:15:53]>> I've always loved a startup, you know, like >> Yeah. And I don't mean like um you have to start your own company. I mean even when we were working in TV, okay, like when the pandemic hit, I use this example and it's the worst example in the world because the pandemic was awful.

[00:16:09]>> Yeah.

[00:16:10]>> But there was a little part of it where that show, our show was basically wiped out. We were an in the field show.

[00:16:17]>> We couldn't Yeah. We couldn't go into the station and shoot anything in the station.

[00:16:21]>> We couldn't even go to work. And so we're all in our houses and we >> Yeah. because then we couldn't go out in the field and shoot it because you couldn't interact with other humans.

[00:16:29]>> That's right. So, this is where the idea of constraint really made things creative because you're like, "Okay, here's the little here's a little bag of of nuts and bolts."

[00:16:41]And >> I thought you were just going with a bag of nuts and I was very nuts. Here's a bag of salted peanuts [laughter] and we need to turn it we need to turn it into a breathing device to get us around the moon and back safely >> and and we did.

[00:16:56]>> Look at what we did with those peanut salted peanuts breathing device show from our basement for like a year and >> and a half >> and boy I mean I don't want to go back there but creatively speaking it was kind of cool to be forced >> to figure it out. That part was a great challenge. Don't you think though that like most great change there has to be a forcing mechanism? It's just as humans it's so much easier to keep on keeping on and and change is really difficult because it's uncomfortable and it's the unknown. So you have to have a forcing mechanism that pushes you in that direction and it it may suck at first but ultimately if you go through >> like my son making me work out right now.

[00:17:38]>> Oh yeah, that's right. Jim has a personal trainer who won't let him get away with anything and it's his son. I love it.

[00:17:45]>> He is such a stickler, too. It's like, uh, you got to keep your elbows in when you do that. It's like, I can barely push this metal forward and now I have to do it with a pretty form when I'm doing it. Doesn't make any sense.

[00:17:58]>> You told me that you get mad when he says to straighten your back or keep your back straight.

[00:18:02]>> Oh, yeah. I'm laying on my back. I'm doing something and and uh it's like a core exercise and he goes, "No, no, no.

[00:18:08]if we got to flatten your back. Flatten your back. And I'm like, flatten my back. [laughter] >> Did he mean keep it on the ground?

[00:18:15]>> Yeah, it makes sense. But then he'll say stuff to help me. I'm just not very smart. So he'll say stuff to help me like, think of moving your belly button in closer to your hips. I'm like, what the he what the hell do you think I'm built? How am I made that I can just I'm not a transformer for crying out loud.

[00:18:32]>> So we're we have a lot of fights, but it's it's kind of fun. I'm so glad that you're enjoying that. It's it's battle.

[00:18:39]It's like fitness through battle.

[00:18:41]>> Yeah, >> it's good.

[00:18:42]>> I need that. I need >> I love it. That's your forcing mechanism. There you go. See, and it So, look for Jim this summer at a beach near you with his >> six-pack. 12-pack.

[00:18:53]>> 12-pack.

[00:18:53]>> You want 12-pack? Isn't that too much?

[00:18:55]Isn't that uh >> I don't know. I mean, these days with that whole looks maxing thing.

[00:19:00]>> 12 is 12 because ask Rob. Rob's over there on the corner.

[00:19:03]>> Is it six pack or 12-pack? When if you're like really fit and we're asking you because obviously you >> you're really fit.

[00:19:09]>> You're fit.

[00:19:10]>> It's a six-pack.

[00:19:11]>> Oh, he says it's a >> six pack. Just keep it to six.

[00:19:12]>> That's right. We're just gonna get divorced. It's fine. Thanks for agreeing with Jim and not me. That's appreciate it.

[00:19:18]>> Thanks.

[00:19:19]>> 12-pack would be alien.

[00:19:21]>> Oh, >> thank you. Thank you, Rob. I knew 12 was >> Look for Look for Jim and Rob this summer at a beach near you hanging out together cuz I won't be there with them >> and and looking like aliens.

[00:19:32]>> Okay, speaking of summer. Yay, it's here.

[00:19:35]>> It is here. Well, I mean, listen, when the sun comes out in Seattle, I'm like, it's summer. Let's go. Let's make it happen. Um, and that means it's summer concert season >> and we have some goodens coming. Do you have tickets to anything this summer?

[00:19:47]Are you going to see >> uh boy, do I have anything to see this summer? I don't think we do. We've just come off a very busy concert stretch. We went to uh we saw Oasis the reunion in Mexico City which WAS AMAZEBALLS [screaming] >> bragging >> and just of you know not long ago you may have seen if you're an Upper Lefters fan we put up the video from the return of Jackie and Judy which is a Ramon's cover band fronted by the members of Slater Kenny and Fred Armison >> was on drums in a wig.

[00:20:24]>> Yeah. And can I can I um share something with the listeners?

[00:20:28]>> Fred Armison liked the post.

[00:20:31]>> He gave it a thumbs up.

[00:20:33]>> It's very exciting when stuff like that happens.

[00:20:35]>> But he did not give it a heart.

[00:20:39]>> Is there a difference? Did he like it on Facebook or Instagram?

[00:20:42]>> It was Instagram, which I think is only thumbs up.

[00:20:45]>> No, it's only hearts.

[00:20:46]>> Oh, it's only hearts.

[00:20:47]>> Are you new here?

[00:20:48]>> Okay. No, then he did he did like it with a heart. [laughter] I love that. Jim Jim has been doing upper lefterers across platforms for uh nine months now and still not quite sure how.

[00:21:03]>> Don't mean I know stuff.

[00:21:04]>> Okay, so speaking of summer concerts, >> yeah.

[00:21:06]>> Um >> got a lot of good ones going.

[00:21:08]>> Yep. Ed Sheeran is going to be huge.

[00:21:11]Noah Khan though is the biggest. And let me tell you, >> he's got kind of a higher voice.

[00:21:17]>> That is not remotely what he sounds like. Yeah. Stick season.

[00:21:23]>> Is that the bee's doing stick season?

[00:21:25][laughter] >> Oh, can I tell you something?

[00:21:30]>> Not Noah Khan. I'm so sorry, Noah.

[00:21:32]Please like this. But don't get mad at me.

[00:21:34]>> Last night we did karaoke in this very room and Anita pulled up the acoustic version of the BG's.

[00:21:42]>> Oh man, what was it? Oh, now I can't remember. One of the BG songs.

[00:21:46]>> They I honestly wouldn't know the difference. And I joined in and [clears throat] did that voice just here in this room. That's why it's still in my mind probably. And it was pretty amazing.

[00:21:56]>> Was it?

[00:21:57]>> Yeah.

[00:21:57]>> Now you're setting a bar. I expect this the next time we carry.

[00:22:00]>> I told her she's got to do it as a duet and let me in on it cuz it it was pretty good. Which one was it? It wasn't too much heaven.

[00:22:07]>> I don't know.

[00:22:07]>> Nobody gets too much.

[00:22:13]If [clears throat] you told me you could make up titles and lyrics and tell me that they were all from the BGs and I'd be like, "Oh my god, they're so good."

[00:22:22]Am I right? No idea.

[00:22:23]>> Don't you love Dog Day Sunday?

[00:22:25]>> Oh my gosh, it's the best.

[00:22:26]>> Day.

[00:22:29]>> Just made that up. You didn't even know.

[00:22:31]Doat's going to be playing Portland.

[00:22:33]Chris Stapleton's in Portland.

[00:22:35]>> Uh in Vancouver, we've got ASAP Rocky this summer. Not to brag, but one person sitting at this table has been to a Chris Stapleton concert.

[00:22:44]>> Oh, I don't think that is bragging, but okay.

[00:22:47]>> Amazing. Highly recommend. Noah, also >> he's fine. He's fine. Oh, McLemore is playing Spokane. McLemore is playing Spokane this summer. And not to brag, but one of us sitting at this table was at a McLemore concert.

[00:23:02]>> I've been at a McLemore concert.

[00:23:04]>> Was it at least 5 years ago?

[00:23:06]>> No, it's probably longer now. I was at MOP when when we No, I mean >> McLemore >> cuz that's 2014.

[00:23:13]>> So it's a little more than 5 years ago.

[00:23:14]It was 2014. Do you guys do this? If if someone asks about timing, it happened in my mind a couple of years ago and then my husband will be like it happened 19 years ago.

[00:23:25]>> Yeah. I just double it. Double the amount of time I think it is.

[00:23:29]>> And that doesn't even work anymore.

[00:23:31]>> Yeah.

[00:23:31]>> Now it's like I should go to three time.

[00:23:34]>> Yeah. That just happened. I was like, "Yeah, maybe it was more than five years ago." And it was actually it was >> 12 12 years ago.

[00:23:41]>> 12 years ago.

[00:23:42]>> I do that with cars, too. I keep thinking I have a new car >> and it's from 2014, I think.

[00:23:50]>> So, >> yeah, it's because you keep using that new car smell.

[00:23:54]>> I do.

[00:23:54]>> And so, it just takes you right back.

[00:23:56]>> The thing is, I have a new car smell.

[00:23:58]So, every car I'm in starts to smell like me. And I I think of it as a new car smell, although it's been described as other things.

[00:24:05]>> We do need to circle back to the Chris Stapleton thing really fast because I feel like you ostracized some um upper lefterers in a way that you need an ap they need an apology for.

[00:24:16]>> Chris Stapleton, by the way, I think he's playing Portland and Seattle.

[00:24:21]>> Oh, this summer.

[00:24:22]>> Well, then gosh, then that's another one I'm going to have to try to get tickets for. I'm already ready to mortgage my house for the Noah Khan concert because it was impossible to get >> Noah Khan fans I alienated. I said he sound like a BG or something.

[00:24:32]>> Well, that too. You've >> I love Noah Khan, actually. Do you know how that first song, Stick Season, the first big one, how he he wrote that? He wrote it with the help of people online.

[00:24:41]>> Oh, fing snippets up on Twitter and then they got back to him and they were like, "That's great. I'd love to hear a chorus to that." And he's like, "Oh, maybe something like this." And >> together they basically wrote that song.

[00:24:52]>> It's so great. Have you ever listened to his live album from playing Fenway Park in Boston?

[00:24:56]>> I have not. It is if I've had a rough day, I put that in my ears and take a walk and it brings me absolute happiness because he is so thrilled to be there because he grew up in Vermont. He's a New Englander. And so to play Fenway Park with an entire audience, sold out show. Everyone knows every single lyric.

[00:25:18]That's got to be a dream come true for those guys.

[00:25:20]>> It is the most joyful thing you will ever hear. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:25:23]>> Yeah. I'm going to do that someday.

[00:25:24]>> You're going to play Fenway?

[00:25:25]>> Uh, yeah. It's sold out. Only if it's sold out.

[00:25:28]>> Oh, yeah. Otherwise, what's even the point?

[00:25:29]>> So, when we did that that Ramon's cover band, >> Yes.

[00:25:33]>> Um, with Fred Armson on drums and Slater Kenny um, playing, >> I we we posted that video and a lot of people were saying like, uh, nice to see the audiences getting into it, which they felt they weren't.

[00:25:49]>> Oh, like people should have been dancing and saying more.

[00:25:52]>> But it's like some of these folks, you know, we can break hips if we get too crazy. So you got to be you got to be careful when you get over 40.

[00:26:02][clears throat] >> But also also what a weird complaint.

[00:26:06]>> I know. Who cares? Who gives a if like did you did it hurt who did they hurt you?

[00:26:12]>> I mean >> point show me where they hurt you.

[00:26:14]>> I just feel like we have reached this tipping point of grievance where people it doesn't matter what the thing is.

[00:26:21]Someone is going to feel compelled to use their energy to type out something crappy. What is the point of Oh, I can't believe they weren't dancing more. What?

[00:26:31]What do you >> dance for me, you monkeys?

[00:26:35]>> It's so silly. But having said that, I do think it opens up because I've seen lots of different comments about any concert video that goes up where people will complain about not things always as ridiculous as that, but as like, why are you shooting this? like why aren't you just in the moment enjoying it? Are you blocking people's view? Even if you're at a show itself, is there etiquette that really does scale that everybody sort of understands at concerts? Because I think that everyone has a different idea of what concert etiquette should be. Personally, >> I I am guilty of I actually was shooting at a concert with my phone and I did it for too long and I didn't even realize it until the person behind me very very nicely said, "WILL YOU TAKE YOUR PHONE OUT OF MY VIEW? IT'S RUINING THE CONCERT for me." And so at that in that moment I was pissed off like, "Oh yeah, I paid from the spot I'm standing in." But then I realized later like, "Yeah, I probably was." And it's not just that you're blocking their view, but you have a video screen, right, >> going in front of them the whole time.

[00:27:37]They're trying to just look at the stage and you're like, >> that's okay. So, that's fair, but I feel like it is also the modern version of the girl on the shoulders.

[00:27:48]>> Yeah, >> that always used to happen. At least all those like concerts from the 60s that I've seen film of. Like, there's always the girl on the shoulders. pissed me off so much when I was when I I just say like >> why do you have the right to block a hundred people behind you >> just to like you know it was like a guy showing off for his girlfriend or whatever throwing her up on his shoulders I guess and I didn't I never had a girlfriend so I was angry all the time >> anyway you know >> he's just he was so angry that he's like why why aren't you dancing more to the people around him that was that's always been your grievance why aren't you dancing are angry. Okay. So, what about like cuz I always wonder about this.

[00:28:29]What if you are at a concert where there are seats like it's a seated show, right?

[00:28:35]>> But they're playing music and like you want to get up and dance.

[00:28:40]>> Can you? I do sometimes, but I always am uncertain about whether I'm doing something fundamentally wrong. I think the dancing or the cheering on a song that is just, you know, that great moment in the concert where you just want to stand up and let the performer see that you're right there with them.

[00:28:58]>> Yeah, >> I think that's fine. Yeah, I think that's fine. What what I what bothered me and I'm trying to remember which concert it was. It was a big one. I Oh, Cindy Loer. We went to that earlier this year.

[00:29:11]>> Oh my gosh. and uh at climate pledge and the women in front of us decided to dress up like the8s fun you know >> girls just want to have it >> was the girls that's right it was a girls just want to have fun night and I didn't mind I'm not of course I don't mind what they wear but then they were all standing and sort of dancing but mostly talking >> oh >> in front and they're and at some point you got the sense that they barely knew what the music was doing but they were just sort of Wayne and so anyway, are you guys gonna are you guys going to go to the thing next weekend? And >> and yeah, and I wanted to do something, but I didn't cuz I >> You just Well, now you are.

[00:29:53]>> I live in Seattle and I'm >> That's true. We don't >> I just quietly fume.

[00:29:58]>> It's >> It's what we do.

[00:30:00]>> That should be on the >> That should be the state [laughter] motto >> that's on every license plate. Welcome to Seattle. We quietly fume. [laughter] It's perfect.

[00:30:10]>> I definitely did.

[00:30:12]>> Uh but I Yeah. No, I think that that is in terms of broad etiquette, that's a a no joy. Like if you're going to go to a show >> because some people do go to concerts and they don't care about the band. Like they got gifted the tickets or they're they're very wealthy and can just afford any ticket or they thought it would be fun to dress up from the 80s so they go to the Cindy Loer show. Then go to the lobby. I almost gotten my first adult physical fight at a Shenado Connor concert. So, >> I'm learning so much about you.

[00:30:42]>> I had just gotten glasses and so I wore my nice glasses and they're really sort of shiny and polished looking cuz they were brand new.

[00:30:49]>> Yeah.

[00:30:50]>> And I'm at the concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a couple years ago. This is a couple years ago like 1988 [laughter] or nine or 2000 >> or double it. Double it. [laughter] >> So these guys standing like either right next to me or right in front of me the whole time are just making fun of her >> saying baldah.

[00:31:17]And she was bald in all fairness but it was by choice >> and stunning >> and stunning. And I was and they were just the whole con she would say something from the stage you know and then there and that's my Irish accent accent >> and then then they're like and and I was like excuse me excuse me why are you here [laughter] like if you hate this so much why are you talking through the whole concert and >> and you know what that guy did >> punched you in the face.

[00:31:54]>> Close.

[00:31:55]>> Took off your glasses.

[00:31:56]>> There you go. [gasps] He He looked at me and he flicked my nose. My glasses went up and I went, "Where my glasses? My glasses." And then he goes, "Shut up, Four Eyes.

[00:32:07]>> What is this 1980s [laughter] Spielberg film?"

[00:32:11]>> Yeah. No, it was like Back to the F. I was like I was like Marty in Back to the Future. Biff.

[00:32:16]>> Yeah. His name was Biff. [laughter] >> Oh my god.

[00:32:20]>> Yeah. It was crazy.

[00:32:21]>> So then did you It was the worst. It was the wor I don't remember what happened.

[00:32:25]I think I sent him a stern letter.

[00:32:27][laughter] >> But I don't I honestly don't remember what happened. But then >> uh this was the worst concert in history though because while I'm sitting there, it's an outdoor concert. Somebody comes running down our aisle and just keeps running. I'm like, that's weird. They were really hauling. Then I look go down to pick up my binoculars and they're gone. So they stole my Somebody else stole my binoculars. Don't go to Pittsburgh. Do not go to Pittsburgh.

[00:32:52][laughter] >> Okay. Can I just say though, the way when I'm visualizing you at this concert based on your description, >> you could have also been bird watching.

[00:33:02]Like you have your new glasses and your binoculars. [laughter] >> Did you have a little a little pencil and a rocking bird watcher? Pencil and notebook in your pocket to take notes.

[00:33:12]>> Yeah. And what's the thing? Um uh slide rule.

[00:33:15]>> Oh, a slide rule. Yeah.

[00:33:16]>> Yeah. I had to have the slide rule with me, too.

[00:33:18]>> Great. Then I'm not even done with this horror story. [laughter] We're 40 minutes in and Chenade O' Connor announces, "I'm freaking knackered." and walks off stage.

[00:33:30]>> That was it.

[00:33:31]>> She was too tired.

[00:33:32]>> She left. Wow.

[00:33:33]>> And we're all looking at each other like, well, I think we were looking at each other. I couldn't see very well.

[00:33:38][laughter] >> And we're like, the concert's over.

[00:33:42]That's it. [gasps] That was it. 40 minutes done. Left. Wasn't very nice about it. Can I just say the word knackered brings me joy. I have a list of like British isms and [clears throat] I could never pull off knackard.

[00:33:56]>> No.

[00:33:57]>> Um but my one of my colleagues at work is British and he taught me a new one that I didn't know and I love it. Which is >> it's not the C word, is it? Because they use that freely.

[00:34:07]>> They do.

[00:34:08]>> They use it freely like it's nothing.

[00:34:10]>> It is nothing. It's a word. It's a word.

[00:34:13]>> Say it right now.

[00:34:15]Oh boy. Don't I'll turn red and then I'll have to write a sternly worded letter.

[00:34:21]>> I would say it, but I don't trust you to not put it in the podcast. Here's another one that I love.

[00:34:25]>> Cantaloupe.

[00:34:28]>> Do you rate that person? Uh, I don't rate them. I don't really rate her.

[00:34:32]>> No. Don't know what that means.

[00:34:34]>> Means you don't think much of them.

[00:34:35]>> Oh, so they're not good though.

[00:34:37]>> So they're not fit as hell, eh?

[00:34:38]>> Yeah. No. Is that your British accent?

[00:34:41]>> I don't know. I'm not. I got to I have to inhabit it. Do you know I set my nav system with a British voice and I practice it when she talks because I really want to nail this. I also set it to metric because you know we are so backwards. Yes. That we're still using this weird system that makes no sense.

[00:35:00]Numbers don't match up. It's all weird.

[00:35:02]>> Yeah.

[00:35:02]>> So I go no I'm metric. Somebody will say like uh oh that place is 2 miles that way. I'm like >> you say kilometers?

[00:35:08]>> Yeah. How many kilometers please?

[00:35:10]>> Is it kilometer or kilometer?

[00:35:12]>> The Brits I don't know. Ask, go ask your GPS.

[00:35:15]>> She says kilometer.

[00:35:17]>> Oh, interesting.

[00:35:18]>> Yeah, it's 20 kilometers.

[00:35:20]>> She is also a robot.

[00:35:23]>> That's true. But I love her and I want to be with her.

[00:35:28]>> I'm telling Anita.

[00:35:30]>> That's fine. She knows. She's seen the way I look at the nav system when we're in the car together.

[00:35:35]>> Okay. For someone who's been practicing >> your accent, I would just say, >> okay, >> practice makes perfect. Well, uh, shoot, how do I, um, I had I did a radio drama once where I had to do a British accent the entire time and I went I went onto YouTube that day on YouTube and I worked it as hard as I could [laughter] and then I just the night of the performance I decided my character is going to mumble a lot [laughter] and it somehow came together.

[00:36:11]>> Maybe if you just I bet where you would sound really good is if you're just giving directions. Turn left.

[00:36:17]>> Turn left. Yeah, that's true.

[00:36:20]>> There you go. That's what you nail first and then it's just gradual from there.

[00:36:22]>> So, if I go to England, I did once drink a little bit too much beer. I know, weird for me, right? In a pub in England. And then I thought, I'm going to try my English accent out on the bartender and see if they noticed.

[00:36:36]>> And >> they noticed immediately and they did not like it. [laughter] And this was Manchester, England, which does not take kindly to it's not like as touristy a place as London. They're used to people acting like a-holes in London, but Americans don't really get around to Manchester that much to do that sort of thing. So, >> how do you say Manchester with the accent? Can you even do that?

[00:36:54]>> Manchester.

[00:36:56]>> Manchester.

[00:36:57]>> Not Manchester.

[00:36:59]>> Manchester.

[00:37:00]>> Manchester.

[00:37:03]>> Chester.

[00:37:04]>> Manchester.

[00:37:05]>> Manchester. England.

[00:37:08]We we say United Kingdom [music] these days, but okay, [laughter] >> it's time to wrap it up. Thanks everybody. See you soon.