Strung Out
Society & Culture
About
Welcome to STRUNG OUT. The show is an eclectic mix of topics ranging from music, to art, to themes of the day to the supernatural to how to better this world we live in. If you like interesting conversation, along with some original music, we got your back. Martin McCormack resides in Chicago. He is known not only for his music, but for his writing and artwork. McCormack's entire catalogue of works can be viewed at www.MartinMcCormack.com. You can also see McCormack's involvement in the duo Switchback by visiting the website www.waygoodmusic.com.
Episodes
- Episode 269: “Every Song’s a Little Different." HOW JAMES WEIGEL SERVES THE MUSE
This episode features an interview with James Weigel, a journeyman musician who teaches and performs in Chicago. Weigel shares his process for creating songs, noting that melodies can come first or last. His lyrical approach is inspired by…
- Strung Out Episode 268: JAMES WEIGEL'S NEIGHBORHOOD
James Weigel discusses his musical journey, starting from his rural Illinois upbringing and moving to Chicago. He shares insights into his work as a multi-instrumentalist and music teacher at Flatts and Sharpe, while maintaining his downst…
- Episode 267: To Build the Temple-the Creative Destruction of Justin Gillam
Justin Gillam, an Americana musician and painter, explores his philosophy on creative destruction, the idea that building something meaningful requires dismantling what hinders growth. His lyrics delve into the human condition, vulnerabili…
- Strung Out Episode 266: THIS IS ME, I SWEAR-JUSTIN GILLAM
This episode features Justin Gillam, an Americana musician known for his raw and honest songwriting. Gillam writes directly from his experiences, covering themes of love, loss, alcohol, and his life as a musician.
- Strung Out Episode 265: BARRETT TASKY WRITES AGAIN
Barrett Tasky, a multi-instrumentalist known for his Americana songwriting, details his writing routine, including the use of self-imposed deadlines and the creation of a song for his birthday. Tasky
- Strung Out Episode 264: A PYRAMID OF BARRETT-THE MUSIC OF BARRET TASKY
Send us Fan Mail Barrett Tasky is one of those rare gems you discover right in your back yard. This episode title (based on a comment of Barrett's) is accurate in that, like a pyramid of Egypt, Tasky has an amazing broad base of music, rec…
- Strung Out Episode 263: A MAGICAL BEAST-HERSHYL EDWARD'S CREATIVE PROCESS
Send us Fan Mail Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would. Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwar…
- Episode 262: THE BEAT OF HIS DRUM-THE DYNAMISM OF HERSHYL EDWARDS.
Send us Fan Mail Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would. Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwar…
- Strung Out Episode 261: PLUMB THE SOUL-THE CREATIVE FORCE OF DOCTORSTARCRUMBS
Send us Fan Mail Nic Nepomiachi (aka DoctorStarcrumbs) in his second interview, lifts the curtain on his creative process in making a song. Nepomiachi is a great songwriter, arranger and performer. The song takes front seat when it comes t…
- Strung Out Episode 260--Reaching for the stars-with Dr. Starcrumbs
Send us Fan Mail Nic Nepomiachi (aka Dr. Starcrumbs) is leading a creative life journey to various galaxies in which he explores musical realms most people wouldn’t or couldn’t experience. Running a club in Telluride, Colorado with his dad…
- Episode 259: THE DRIVEN MUSE-HOW CHARLIE OTTO GETS CREATIVE
Send us Fan Mail @MartinMcCormack Strung Out Episode 259, Martin continues his interview with Charlie Otto, a Chicago singer-songwriter, who has been part of a myriad of bands such as This Must be the Band and DJ no DJ. A seasoned perfor…
- Strung Out 258: THE BAND CALLED CHARLIE OTTO
Send us Fan Mail Strung Out Episode 258 interviews Charlie Otto, a Chicago singer-songwriter, who has been part of a myriad of bands such as This Must be the Band and DJ no DJ. A seasoned performer, Otto has played alongside many amazingly…
- Strung Out Episode 257: A CLEVER PEACH, THE CREATIVITY OF JIM TASHJIAN.
Send us Fan Mail Jim Tashjian started out studying jazz guitar in university, which brought him into many different musical projects. He drifted toward, pop and rock, drawn by the interest of songwriting. Bands like District 97, Miss Remem…
- Strung Out Episode 256: JIM TASHJIAN-- ON HIS TERMS
Send us Fan Mail In our media-saturated world, it is easy to overlook the many artists that thrive without labels, without big tours, without all the hoopla and soap opera intrigue that accompanies "success" these days. These individuals t…
- Strung Out Episode 255: HOMEGROWN. THE CREATIVE WAYS OF LESLIE BEUKELMAN
Send us Fan Mail Leslie Beukelman is an artist that draws on his rural upbringing, her college education into jazz and performance and her first-hand entrepreneurial experience as a full-time working musician to be an expert on how to make…
- Strung Out Episode 254: THE SONGWRITER NEXT DOOR. LESLIE BEUKELMAN
Send us Fan Mail Leslie Beukelman grew up in Sandwich, Illinois. Her parents were musicians and perhaps her drummer mother (who was performing while 8 months pregnant with Lelsie) that instilled the desire to write and make music. After a…
- Strung Out Episode 253: MOMMA'S IN THE KITCHEN. THE CREATIVE CORE OF KELLI OWENS HUTTON
Send us Fan Mail Kelli Owens Hutton has had it all--and has had it as well. A musician, once signed to Atlantic Records, Owens Hutton found herself: midlife, middle class, midwestern and in crisis. Raising a family and wondering what to do…
- Strung Out Episode 252: IF MOMMA AIN'T HAPPY-EXPLORING THE MOMCORE REVOLUTION WITH KELLI OWENS HUTTON
Send us Fan Mail Kelli Owens Hutton walks the walk. A Berklee College of Music graduate, she was signed with Atlantic Records for a while, pursuing the rock and roll dream. Then life stepped in, (as life has a way of doing) and Kelli found…
- Strung Out Episode 251: THE REWARDING WORK-LIAM DAVIS' SONGCRAFT
Send us Fan Mail Five-time grammy nominee Liam Davis has not only spent his life with some pretty amazing bands, but he has also produced some pretty amazing bands and artists. Furthermore, he has also started teaching on unique techniques…
- Strung Out Episode 250: MULTI-FACETED. THE DIAMOND WORLD OF LIAM DAVIS
Send us Fan Mail Liam Davis is a multi-faceted musician, songwriter, and producer. The Grammy-nominated musician not only is part of the Chicago band Frisbee, he has his own solo career. songwriting workshops and has been part of such proj…
- Strung Out Episode 249. NORA O'CONNOR: EMBRACING THE SONG
Send us Fan Mail There are singer-songwriters out there who are so good at making other singer-songwriters look so good that we forget how good they are. Nora O'Connor is one such singer-songwriter. The folks she has toured and recorded wi…
- Strung Out Episode 248: AMERICANA THE BEAUTIFUL--THE MUSIC OF NORA O'CONNOR
Send us Fan Mail Nora O'Connor has been a mainstay of the Americana music scene in Chicago, having toured and recorded with The Decemberists, Neko Case, and The New Pornographers, to mention a few. She is also a prolific songwriter and mus…
- Strung Out Episode 247: THE CREATIVE MIND OF TED RUSSELL KAMP.
Send us Fan Mail Ted Russell Kamp is a sing-songwriter, based in Los Angeles. He also produces many acts and is a one-man powerhouse in the Americana music scene. In this second interview, Martin talks to Ted about his song crafting, advic…
- Strung Out Episode 246: CALIFORNIA SON-THE MUSIC OF TED RUSSELL KAMP
Send us Fan Mail You can tell a lot about Ted Russell Kamp from his grin. When he is playing a song or talking about touring, he lights up with a deep joy. Being an independent artist is not easy calling. You wear many hats, slog many mile…
- Strung Out Episode 245: CREATING THE DREAM-NIKKI O'NEILL AND RICH LACKOWSKI
Send us Fan Mail When Nikki O'Neill and Rich Lackowski moved to Chicago, it was so they could live a life as independent musicians in an environment that could literally afford them the creativity. The creative process is something that de…
- Strung Out Episode 244: THE TRAVELS, TALES AND TRIUMPH OF NIKKI O'NEILL AND RICH LACKOWSKI
Send us Fan Mail Nikki O'Neill is calling Chicago her sweet home. Her bandmate and husband, Rich Lackowski grew up in Chicago but moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. There he met O'Neill, who despite her Irish last name, spen…
- STRUNG OUT EPISODE 243: THE SPACES IN-BETWEEN OF STEVE DAWSON
Send us Fan Mail Martin continues his interview with Steve Dawson, a singer-songwriter who formed several bands, most notably the alternative country band, Dolly Varden. Having written scores of songs, Dawson is a wonderful source to ask a…
- Strung Out Episode 242: SINGER-SONGWRITER STEVE DAWSON/FROM SASKATCHEWAN TO CHICAGO
Send us Fan Mail Well-known for the alternative country band Dolly Varden, as well as Stump the Host, Steve Dawson is a lifer when it comes to music. His family roots in Saskatchewan, Dawson has lived for a time in California and Idaho bef…
- Strung Out Episode 241: THE SONGWRITING CRAFT OF ERNIE HENDRICKSON
Send us Fan Mail Ernie Hendrickson is a true hard worker, plying his craft with great intensity and attention to detail in both lyrics and guitar playing. The results are spectacular songs that relate to people on a hopeful, positive level…
- Strung Out Episode 240: ERNIE HENDRICKSON, JOURNEYMAN SINGER-SONGWRITER (Interview One)
Send us Fan Mail For every big name in the business of music, there are thousands of names in the calling of music. These names are not as well known, but they are the ones that pursue their craft with no illusions about fame or fortune. T…
- Strung Out Episode 239: THE RESPECT PERSPECTIVE WITH MARCUS GENTRY
Send us Fan Mail Part of an ongoing series about the cultural need for respect. Marcus Gentry, an expert in the field and known as "Dr. Respect" unfolds why these difficult times are due to the erosion of respect. Join us as we delve into…
- Strung Out Episode 238: THE RESPECT PERSPECTIVE WITH MARCUS GENTRY
Send us Fan Mail We are living in tough times, made worse by a world that has made a lack of respect a virtue. Caring about others and protecting your boundaries are now paramount when it comes to living free of negativity. Speaker Marcus…
- Strung Out Episode 237: THE CREATIVE ALCHEMY OF NAOMI ASHLEY AND JON WILLIAMS (part two)
Send us Fan Mail Last week on Strung Out, we had part one of the interview of singer-songwriters Naomi Ashley and Jon Williams. On this episode, we discuss the process of writing songs, influences and stage crafting needed to have a succes…
- Strung Out Episode 236: THE DYNAMIC SONGWRITING AND PERFORMING TEAM OF NAOMI ASHLEY AND JON WILLIAMS. (PART ONE)
Send us Fan Mail Naomi Ashley and Jon Williams met over 20 years ago when both were new to the Chicago music scene. They dated, broke up and went their separate ways for a couple of decades, only to reunite and reignite their romance. Alon…
- Strung Out Episode 235: WINTER CAMPING WITH EXPERT KATE VOGEL. PART TWO
Send us Fan Mail Join us for another episode of Strung Out with artist, writer, and musician Martin Laurence McCormack. In Episode 235, we dive into part two of our winter camping series with expert Kate Vogel. In this episode, Marty and K…
- Strung Out Episode 234: WINTER CAMPING WITH EXPERT KATE VOGEL. PART ONE
Send us Fan Mail Join artist, writer, and musician Martin Laurence McCormack in this exciting episode of Strung Out as he teams up with winter camping expert, Kate Vogel. Filmed on a winter location, Marty and Kate delve into the unique an…
- Strung Out Episode 233: Meet Ma Gilmore
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack sits down with the endearing and compassionate "Ma" Gilmore. Known to fans of the Mr. Marty Show as a nurturing figure and dispenser of wisdom, Ma shares her re…
- Strung Out Episode 232: THE RESPECT PERSPECTIVE WITH MARCUS GENTRY
Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack is joined by longstanding speaker and educator Marcus Gentry, also known as Dr. Respect. They dive deep into critical conversations about the moral c…
- Strung Out Episode 231: RESPECT PERSPECTIVE with Marcus Gentry
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack engages in a compelling conversation with Marcus Gentry, a renowned performer, actor, and professional speaker known as Dr. Respect. Marcus shares hi…
- Strung Out Episode 230: MARTYMUSIC HOLIDAY SONGS
Send us Fan Mail In this special holiday edition of Strung Out, host Martin LaOrence McCormack shares a collection of Christmas songs he composed over the years. From the evocative 'Gift of Peace' to the whimsical 'Marvin the Moose Saves C…
- Strung Out Episode 229: WORLD ROUNDUP (FROM THE COUCH)
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Strung Out, the podcast where artist, writer, and musician Martin Laurence McCormack explores life through the creative lens. In this episode, Marty dives into the complexities of the holiday season and its impa…
- Strung Out Episode 228: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE. A SEARCH FOR THE UNITED STATES. (PART TWO)
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Strung Out, the podcast that looks at life through the lens of an artist. In this episode, join host Martin Lawrence McCormack as he dives into part two of a compelling series with cinematographer and social sci…
- Strung Out Episode 227: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE. A SEARCH FOR THE UNITED STATES. (PART ONE)
Send us Fan Mail Join us on this episode of Strung Out, where host Martin Laurence McCormack delves deep into the heart of America through an artist's lens. In this conversation, Martin welcomes back cinematographer, writer, and philosophe…
- Strung Out Episode 226. PART TWO OF ARTIST KENNY DARK POET LAPINS
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strung Out, host Martin LaUrence McCormack dives into an inspiring and insightful conversation with Kenny Dark Poet Lapins, an accomplished artist, writer, musician, and cancer survivor, right from Kenny…
- Strung Out Episode 225. ARTIST KENNY DARKPOET LAPINS
Send us Fan Mail Kenny Lapins was born in Skokie, Illinois, in the summer of 1967. A lover of words, he makes a living as an advertising copywriter. Kenny has two daughters, Abigail and Rachel, with whom he shares a love of art, Marvel mov…
- Strung Out Episode 224. JOE LANASA AND THE FULTON STREET COLLECTIVE
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack invites back singer-songwriter and artistic entrepreneur Joe Lanasa. Recorded in the great room of the Fulton Street Collective, Marty and Joe discuss the found…
- Strung Out Episode 223. Singer-Songwriter and founder of Fulton Street Collective, Joe Lanasa
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Strung Out,' host Martin Laurence McCormack sits down with the talented singer, songwriter, and musician Joe Lanasa at the Fulton Street Collective an artist community he founded with singer-songwriter…
- Strung Out Episode 222. THE WORLD ROUNDUP (FROM THE BACKYARD)
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Strung Out, the podcast that dives deep into life through the lens of an artist. Hosted by Martin Laurence McCormack, an accomplished artist, writer, and musician, this episode features an engaging conversation…
- Strung Out Episode 221:THE GREAT LIZ CARROLL-CHICAGO IRISH FIDDLE MASTER (PART TWO)
Send us Fan Mail Join us on this episode of Strung Out, hosted by the versatile artist Martin Lawrence McCormack, as we continue our conversation with the extraordinary Irish fiddler Liz Carroll. Liz opens up about her incredible 60-year j…
- Strung Out Episode 220: THE GREAT LIZ CARROLL-CHICAGO IRISH FIDDLE MASTER (PART ONE)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Strung Out,' host Martin Laurence McCormack sits down with violin virtuoso and Irish music legend Liz Carroll. The conversation spans Liz's illustrious career, her roots in Chicago, and her deep connect…