Get Lit: Reeve Carney Performs New Music

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Get Lit: Reeve Carney Performs New Music"

Episode Information

• Title: Get Lit: Reeve Carney Performs New Music
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Guest: Reeve Carney
• Release Date: June 2, 2025

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Introduction In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, the spotlight is on the multifaceted artist Reeve Carney. Known for originating the role of Orpheus in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown and for his work as a solo musician and band frontman, Carney brings a rich blend of acting and musical prowess to the conversation. This episode delves into his creative process, the interplay between his acting and musical careers, and features exclusive live performances of his new music.

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Live Performance: An Anthem for America [01:43 – 05:33] The episode kicks off with a powerful live performance by Reeve Carney. His original song, a poignant commentary on American ideals and societal challenges, sets the tone for the discussion. The lyrics reflect a deep contemplation of America's identity, encapsulated in lines like:

“America, oh my sweet America
May you come to be all that you aim to be”
[01:43]

Carney's performance captures the essence of his introspective songwriting, blending personal emotion with broader cultural themes.

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Interview with Reeve Carney

Balancing Acting and Music [05:50 – 07:38]

Alison Stewart explores how Carney's dual careers as an actor and musician influence each other. Carney explains:

“Being an actor has certainly helped me as a musician, and vice versa. Writing is the hardest part of what I do. It’s very isolating as well...”
[06:21]

He emphasizes the importance of creativity in both fields and how engaging in one art form can enrich the other.

The Writing Process and Auditions [07:53 – 08:37]

Discussing the challenges of character development and auditions, Carney shares insights into his approach:

“With auditions, it gives you the opportunity to say, maybe this one's not for me, or, yeah, I can pull this off.”
[07:53]

He highlights the balance between quickly adapting to roles and taking the necessary time to develop a character fully.

Upcoming Projects: Green Room 42 and Queen Tribute [08:43 – 09:37]

Carney reveals his upcoming performances, including a tribute to Queen at Green Room 42:

“I love Queen, and I'm doing, like, a tribute to them, and they're one of my favorite bands of all time.”
[08:56]

He discusses his preference for intimate venues that foster a strong connection with the audience, contrasting them with larger, more distracting settings.

Maintaining Vocal Health [09:37 – 09:41]

When asked about managing his vocal demands, Carney responds succinctly:

“I guess you just gotta practice a little bit every day, and that helps.”
[09:33]

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Live Performance: "Checkmate" from Youth is Wasted [09:43 – 13:25] Carney returns with "Checkmate," a track from his 2017 solo album Youth is Wasted. The song delves into themes of love, vulnerability, and emotional struggle. Notable lyrics include:

“When love is the power play, checkmate. We're losers in the game of love.”
[10:19]

His rendition showcases his ability to convey complex emotions through music, resonating with listeners on a personal level.

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Final Thoughts and Second Performance [13:53 – 18:20]

In the concluding segment, Carney reflects on the support and inspiration he draws from others:

“When I'm lost, you bring me back. When I crash, you make me glad.”
[13:53]

He expresses gratitude for his collaborators and audience, highlighting the reciprocal nature of artistic creation.

Closing Performance: Original Song [14:45 – 18:20]

Carney performs another original piece, further illustrating his talent as a songwriter and performer. The song emphasizes themes of perseverance and emotional resilience, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and introspection.

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Conclusion Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by highlighting the summer break for the Get Lit series and teasing upcoming events, including a discussion on the life of Mark Twain with biographer Ron Chernow. Reeve Carney's blend of heartfelt performances and insightful conversation provides a compelling exploration of the intersection between music and acting, embodying the spirit of All Of It as a celebration of culture in all its forms.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Being an actor has certainly helped me as a musician, and vice versa. Writing is the hardest part of what I do. It’s very isolating as well..."
  — Reeve Carney [06:21]

• "With auditions, it gives you the opportunity to say, maybe this one's not for me, or, yeah, I can pull this off."
  — Reeve Carney [07:53]

• "I love Queen, and I'm doing, like, a tribute to them, and they're one of my favorite bands of all time."
  — Reeve Carney [08:56]

• "When love is the power play, checkmate. We're losers in the game of love."
  — Reeve Carney [10:19]

• "When I'm lost, you bring me back. When I crash, you make me glad."
  — Reeve Carney [13:53]

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Upcoming Episodes Listeners can look forward to the continuation of Get Lit in September, featuring a deep dive into Mark Twain's life with Ron Chernow, promising more engaging discussions and cultural insights.

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All Of It continues to serve as a vibrant platform for exploring the diverse facets of culture, bringing together creators and consumers in meaningful dialogue. This episode with Reeve Carney is a testament to the show's commitment to showcasing the interconnectedness of different artistic disciplines.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

All of it is supported by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart Choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. You're listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Our get lit with all of it book club selection audition centers around acting and performance. So we wanted to invite a musical guest who also knows a little something about the actor's creative process. We were thrilled that actor and musician Reeve Carney was able to join us. Reeve is best known for originating the role of Orpheus in the Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. He's also fronted rock bands and performed as a soloist. In 2017, he released the solo album Youth is Wasted. You'll hear some of my interview with Reeve in just a bit, but first let's kick things off with some music. Here is a special live performance from Reeve Carney.

[Reeve Carney]

There's an unrequited dream I'm praying for she flies weathered wise and fray May she stand by the car she's been waving for the red, the white, the blue, the free and brave America oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you aim to be America, oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you claim to be upon the backs of those shackles the stolen shores A nation under God and unrepaid under the stripes and the stars they're still bleeding for May we do more than only say their names America, oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you claim to be America, oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you a beautiful oh say can you see a land where wolves are not policed what justice, liberty and peace remain the cardinal decree and where our kids don't have to flee from someone's empty magazine now tell me about your freedom Is it man or machine we are crying for institutions I can't entertain Thoughts and prayers for the cause they've been dying for the memories I will not betray America, oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you aim to be America, oh my sweet America May you come to be all that you aim to be America, may you come to be America May you come to be all that you aim to be America man you come to be America man you come to be all that you a to be.

Thank you. Well, this is like my first. It's like a daytime late night talk.

[Alison Stewart]

Show kind of, Right?

[Reeve Carney]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

It's good, right?

[Reeve Carney]

It's awesome.

[Alison Stewart]

Where were you when you wrote that song?

[Reeve Carney]

At home in New York.

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah.

[Reeve Carney]

Here? Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

What prompted you to write it? Just listening to the lyrics.

[Reeve Carney]

I mean, I love this country and I love people, and I do think that America at its best does both of those things. So, you know, it's, you know, it's the American experiment that we're still striving towards reaching what we're aiming, you know, our ultimate goals in a positive way. So I guess that's where it comes from for me.

[Alison Stewart]

You know, when they said we have to find a musical guest to go with Katie's book, your name was first in my mind. C for each car. It would be great because you're an actor, because you're a musician. When you think about the two of them working together, how is being an actor helped you as a musician? And how has been a musician helped you be a better actor?

[Reeve Carney]

That's a great question. I do have the opportunity to work with amazing writers in this business, so it certainly helps. I was talking to Katie backstage. I think writing is the hardest part of what I do. It takes the longest. It's very isolating as well. You're there by yourself. I mean, I guess you could write. I could. Maybe. That would be pretty boring for all of you guys, though, if I were sitting here writing a song in front of everyone. Especially since they take like. This is a fast one. That one took me maybe like 40 hours, which for me is fast, but sometimes they take years. Yeah, I don't know. I guess you learn. It's nice to have things to jump between, because this business. As Katie, you were both speaking of this in her book. We were speaking backstage a little bit. It is an interesting business when you don't have something else aside from auditioning or waiting for the next job. So I'm really grateful that I do have these other things because it keeps my mind really engaged.

[Alison Stewart]

In the book audition, the protagonist is having a hard time with her part. She doesn't seem to feel that she can get the part down. When you're struggling to get a part down, when you're struggling to find the character, what do you do?

[Reeve Carney]

That's another good question. I think that's one thing that's nice about the audition process, when it's reasonable, because sometimes it's a bit, you know, it's. There's some new SAG rules which are really helpful, because during the pandemic it got kind of nuts. You get auditions, and they'd be due the next morning. It's like, you know, by 12 noon or something like that, you're like, oh, my gosh. I don't even have time to develop this character. But with a longer process, I find it's really useful because then you kind of learn yourself, am I gonna be able to do this or not? So that's one thing I do like about auditions, that it gives you the opportunity to say, maybe this one's not for me, or, yeah, I can. I can pull this off. So. But it can take. Sometimes you get it quickly. I'd say, you know, a couple days at least. To memorize the lines and get a foundation of a character is what I would like to have.

[Alison Stewart]

So, yeah, I want to ask you about green room 42. Oh, yeah, you've got a big show coming up.

[Reeve Carney]

Oh, thanks. Well, I love Queen, and I'm doing, like, a tribute to them, and they're one of my favorite bands of all time, so I try to keep it interesting, change it up every month. I play there every month, but I do a different show kind of every month there.

[Alison Stewart]

Why do you like that space?

[Reeve Carney]

It's a lot like this, actually, in terms of the size. I have a more elaborate setup there just because it's more music of the night in the night. They've got a nice piano there. But I like the intimate spaces. It's a real listening room, which is really nice. I love that. As opposed to, like, it's fun playing a rock club when you're with a band, but it can get distracting when you're doing a solo act and all you hear is people ordering drinks in the back.

[Alison Stewart]

So wait, last month, did you do Broadway Divas?

[Reeve Carney]

I did, yes. Well, that's great. Thanks for knowing that. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah. And you're doing Queen next month?

[Reeve Carney]

This? Yep. Yes. In Jep in June 20th. Yep.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you give yourself a break between Broadway Divas and Queen? That's a lot on the Voice.

[Reeve Carney]

I guess you just gotta practice a little bit every day, and that helps.

[Alison Stewart]

What are you gonna play for us next two songs?

[Reeve Carney]

I'll play a song from my album, youth is wasted called Checkmate. Do I not miss Reef Carney?

It started with the kids alone in the abyss we used to be strangers we were just strangers and every step we take with every move we play your heart is in danger and I dance with a stranger eyes will set your tears to say it's over and your heart will bend the rules suit the Soldier. When love is the power play checkmate. We'll lose ours in the game of love. My love my or losers in the game I love my love Will take the future blind.

And you'll trust your heart with mine.

And I'll try to take it and hope not to break it. But I see it in your eyes. I'm not much for long goodbyes. Let me do us a favor. Cause sooner or later your scars will set your tears to say it's over. And your heart will bend the rules to suit the soldier when love is the power play checkmate. We're losers in the game of love my love all losers in the game. I love my love. Turn around and trust your hesitation. Cause I can only hurt you When I fall Everyone must fall. I'd rather watch you walk away Than to take you with me down in flames. I'll always love you babe. But my scars will send your tears to say it's over. And your heart will bend the rules to suit the soldier. When love is the power play Checkmate.

Thank you.

When I'm lost you bring me back. When I crash you make me glad. When I think I have it back I think of you. When I don't know where to go and it feels like I'm alone. When I hang my head down low. I think of you Each night you.

[Alison Stewart]

Wait.

[Reeve Carney]

Outside my door. Cause you wanna know I think of you. When I fall into a snare and it's all too much to bear. When I think nobody cares I think of you. When the going's getting tough and I feel like giving up. When I think I've had enough I think of you. You've always been and you always be. Even to the end. Oh oh I'll think of you are the way the truth, truth and the life. And I'll follow you when it's time to say goodbye. And the tears in my eye I can hold my head up high. When I think of you. My flesh is weak but your spirit wills. And my heart and mind oh will think of you.

Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

That was a special live performance from Reeve Carney, musician and former star of Hadestown on Broadway. He joined us for our May get lit with all of it book club event. And that is it for our spring season of get lit. We are taking a break for the summer. But we are. We will be back in September with a very exciting event. And I'll be right back here tomorrow with another special book series. Full bio returns with a discussion of the life of Mark Twain with biographer Ron Chernow. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you, and I'll meet you back here next time. For 140 years, MultiCare has been in Washington prioritizing long term solutions, partnering with local communities and expanding access to care. Together, we're building a healthier future. Learn more@ multicare.org I'm Ira Plato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, our team has been reporting high quality news about science, technology and medicine. News you won't get anywhere else. And now that political news is 24 7, our audience is turning to us to know about the really important stuff in their livescancer climate change, genetic engineering, childhood diseases. Our sponsors know the value of science and health news. For more sponsorship information, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.