Podcast Summary: All Of It – Lake Street Dive Perform Live

Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guests: Lake Street Dive – Rachel Price (vocalist), Bridget Carney (bassist), Mike Calabrese (drummer), Aki Burmese (keyboardist/vocalist), James Cornelison (lead guitarist)
Date: June 21, 2024

Episode Overview

This special episode of All Of It celebrates the release of Lake Street Dive’s new album, Good Together, with live performances, heartfelt conversation, and an inside look at the band’s creative process. The discussion explores the album’s themes of "joyful rebellion," collaborative songwriting, musical evolution, and the joys of bringing people together—on and off the stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Setting the Stage

• [02:02] Kusha Navadar sets an enthusiastic tone, introducing Lake Street Dive, the spirit of their eighth album, and their NYC concert at Madison Square Garden.
• The album is described as “born from what the band calls a joyful rebellion,” defined by upbeat sounds and deep collaboration.

2. Live Performances

a. "Seats at the Bar" (First Live Song)

• [03:53] Rachel Price delivers a lively, warm performance.
• Quote (07:32): Kusha: “Wow. That was Lake Street Dive live … with a performance of their brand new song, Seats at the Bar.”

b. "25" (Breakup Song with a Twist)

• [13:42] A bittersweet performance, focusing on celebrating the memory of love rather than mourning its end.
• Quote (16:25): Kusha: “Beautiful. That was Lake Street Dive with a live performance of their new song 25.”

c. "Dance with a Stranger" (Uplifting Community Anthem)

• [24:27] Performed to close out the interview. The song invites listeners to connect with new people—echoing the album’s positivity.

3. Creative Inspiration & Songwriting Process

a. The Story Behind "Seats at the Bar"

• [07:52] Mike Calabrese shares that the song was inspired by regular outings with his wife, finding comfort and connection in “two seats at the bar” during their time in Boston.
• Quote: Mike: “I thought it would be a cool, like, you know, paradigm for a love song.”

b. What is "Joyful Rebellion"?

• [08:29] Rachel Price explains:
  • Quote: Rachel: “We were searching for a way to write about all the things that we wanted to write about ... include things that are painful and things that are hard, but do them in a way that was joyful … That’s where joyful rebellion began.”

c. Using a 20-Sided Die for Songwriting

• [10:07] Aki Burmese reveals:
  • Song elements—chords, tempo, time signature—were sometimes chosen by chance via dice rolls (a nod to Dungeons & Dragons playing among band members).
  • Songs could turn “beautiful” or “a monstrosity,” but it opened creative doors.
  • Quote: Aki: “We decided we could use this 20-sided die to create a sort of a sense of chance and chaos … Several [songs] did not make the record. Some of them are too strange. But a few did make it.”

d. Breakup Song with a Positive Spin: "25"

• [12:44] Bridget Carney discusses turning heartbreak into celebration:
  • Quote: Bridget: “…not everything that’s wonderful is permanent … I had a great time. This experience was valuable, and I can have it sort of forever, even though it didn’t last.”

4. Band Growth, Sound Evolution, and Community

a. Reflections on Band Growth

• [17:31] James Cornelison reflects on joining as a fan and seeing the band expand beyond “love life songs” to broader, deeper themes.
  • Quote: James: “I think in these more recent records, they’ve really pushed their content to explore other identities and genres and subject matter beyond just the love life songs that we all cover.”

b. Blending Old and New Sounds

• [18:52] Aki credits producer Mike Elizondo for encouraging sonic experimentation, including “futuristic” synth sounds.
• Quote (19:15): Aki: “There is already a bit of a blend of old and new ... the strength of this band is that ... there’s always a bit of ... the original starter to make whatever new bread they have. So there’s like legacy of the old bread in the new loaf.”

c. The “Party on the Roof” Track and NYC Inspiration

• [20:16] Bridget (who lives in Brooklyn) expresses her love for the city’s diversity and togetherness, writing the song to capture that spirit—especially through tough times like NYC’s smoky summer.
• Quote: Bridget: “I just wanted to … write a song that would kind of celebrate all the folks that are in each other’s business here together.”

d. Significance of Headlining Madison Square Garden

• [21:32] Rachel shares the band's excitement—and disbelief—about their Madison Square Garden show.
• Quote (21:41): Rachel: “We said, yeah, but like, are you asking us for real? Like, could it even happen for us?... Now … we’re just like, yeah, we’re gonna frickin rock Madison Square Garden.”

5. Celebration and Connection: "Dance with a Stranger"

• [22:35] Bridget describes her inspiration (“a phobia of unstructured dancing” but the joy of communal dances) and how the track invites people to safely, kindly connect.
• Quote (23:02): Bridget: “It was just like a beautiful community event … it’s totally normalized to just walk up to a stranger and say, nice to meet you. Would you like to hug me for three minutes? … So that’s what this is about.”
• [23:41] Bridget: “We’re gonna try to get them to, that’s for sure,” when asked if they hope fans will dance together at shows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rachel Price (on embodying emotional songs):

  • [16:57] “I just have to embody the character. And honestly, I draw a lot from my own experiences with everyone’s songs. I think about how I can relate to it.”

• Bridget Carney (on love and resilience):

  • [09:53] “Love is my only weapon, you know? Yes, there are these things that are challenging ... But if love is your reaction to it, then how can you lose?”

• Aki Burmese (on sound evolution):

  • [19:15] “There’s always a bit of the original starter to make whatever new bread they have.”

• Rachel Price (on playing Madison Square Garden):

  • [21:41] “We’re gonna frickin rock Madison Square Garden.”

Key Timestamps

• [03:53] – "Seats at the Bar" live performance
• [07:47] – Songwriting inspiration for "Seats at the Bar"
• [08:29] – Defining "Joyful Rebellion"
• [10:07] – 20-sided die songwriting process explained
• [13:42] – "25" live performance
• [16:57] – Rachel on emotional performance
• [17:31] – James reflects on band’s growth
• [18:52] – Blending retro and electronic sounds
• [20:16] – Inspiration for "Party on the Roof"
• [21:32] – The thrill of headlining Madison Square Garden
• [22:35] – Bridget on communal dancing and inspiration for "Dance with a Stranger"
• [24:27] – "Dance with a Stranger" live performance

Episode Tone & Style

• Playful and warm, rich with inside jokes, anecdotes, and the natural camaraderie of a seasoned band.
• Emphasis on positivity in songwriting (“joyful rebellion”).
• Authentically conversational, with the band members often riffing off each other’s stories and memories.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This All Of It session is a celebration of music, collaboration, and togetherness, as Lake Street Dive pulls back the curtain on their creative process, performs new tracks live, and shares what keeps their music—and friendship—so vital. The episode is a blend of honesty, humor, and genuine affection for music as connection, both for the band and their fans. Expect stories from the road, community-focused creativity, and a heartfelt glimpse at the spirit of the new album, Good Together.