Jokerman Podcast Episode Summary: "5 Years of JOKERMEN"

Release Date: June 16, 2025

1. Celebrating Five Years of Jokerman

In this milestone episode, hosts Ian and Evan celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Jokerman Podcast, reflecting on their journey and achievements over the past half-decade.

• Evan: Welcomes listeners to the "second half decade" of the podcast, emphasizing the significance of reaching this five-year milestone. ["Welcome, one and all, welcome, you and I, to the second half decade." (00:34)]

• Ian: Expresses the importance of the occasion, noting it as the longest commitment they've made to any job. ["It's longer than I've ever worked a job anywhere else, so from that standpoint alone, it's worth remarking upon and congratulating ourselves." (01:27)]

2. Origins of Jokerman Podcast

The hosts delve into the humble beginnings of their podcast, recounting the initial lack of direction and their perseverance despite uncertainties.

• Evan: Reminisces about the early days, recording from his parents' Malibu condo while collecting unemployment. ["...what I thought would be like a few weeks... ended up becoming a longer time. I think that was a great time." (02:43)]

• Ian: Shares his initial lack of expectation for the podcast to thrive, comparing it to a previous short-lived music podcast he did with his father. ["I assumed that this would be the same case... But to our credit, we stuck with it." (07:45)]

3. Embracing the Jokerman Mindset

Ian and Evan discuss their unique approach to music criticism, which they term the "Jokerman mindset." This philosophy emphasizes flexible, conversational, and evolving perspectives rather than rigid, traditional critique.

• Ian: Highlights their willingness to reconsider opinions over time, allowing their views to evolve with their understanding of the music. ["...our willingness to say what we think whenever at the time about a given subject, but then... disown that opinion a couple months down the line." (11:30)]

• Evan: Appreciates the immediacy of podcasting, allowing for real-time discussions and the ability to change perspectives swiftly. ["...being pretty in the moment in that way... even by your own standards, as you say something about a work of art and then next week you just get to talk about it differently." (12:49)]

4. Building a Community and Cultural Impact

The conversation shifts to the positive community they've fostered and the broader cultural significance of their focus on aging artists.

• Ian: Praises the thoughtful and engaging community that has developed around the show, contrasting it with the often negative online environment. ["...a thoughtful and engaged and fun and funny community that has grown up around the show." (16:39)]

• Evan: Discusses the importance of bridging generations and ensuring that the contributions of older artists are respected and remembered. ["...feels like a one right thing in a world that's completely fucked up... when it comes to order or like a sense of care." (22:50)]

5. Highlighting Favorite Albums: Jokerman Mindset in Action

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Ian and Evan sharing their favorite albums released during the podcast's lifespan, exemplifying the "Jokerman mindset." They explore a diverse range of artists, offering insights into why these albums resonate with their philosophy.

a. Van Morrison – Back on Top

• Evan: Describes it as a "platonic ideal of cozy sort of meat and potatoes album," appreciating its consistent quality. ["...it's kind of a platonic ideal of like cozy sort of meat and potatoes album." (29:38)]

b. Van Morrison – Latest Record Project, Volume One

• Ian: Considers it the epitome of the Jokerman mindset, praising its authenticity and alignment with their philosophy. ["If that isn't Jokerman mindset, I don't know what is." (32:55)]

• Notable Quote: ["Latest Record Project, Volume one... it's just a great package... pure expression of Jokerman mindset." (32:08)]

c. Van Morrison – Good as I've Been to You

• Evan: Highlights its functional nature, likening it to "educational music" that thoughtfully invites listeners to engage deeply. ["...very rewarding act to follow." (35:16)]

d. Cass McCombs – Heartmind

• Ian: Applauds Cass McCombs for his avant-garde approach and consistent artistic evolution. ["...a lifer of all lifers, someone who's gonna be turning these things out until the day he dies." (40:56)]

e. Scott Walker – Till the Band Comes In

• Evan: Views it as a perfect exploration of an artist's career, blending successful songs with experimental tracks. ["This album is like perfectly... a great meal when it comes to, like, thinking about the stuff we talk about." (44:07)]

f. Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

• Ian: Lauds it as possibly the best record from the past year, noting its confident advancement of the band's sound. ["...how they're creating a very rich body of work that has details that are worth looking for." (48:06)]

• Evan: Shares enthusiasm for the album, well-integrating into their picks. ["I also love Vampire Weekend still. Yeah." (48:14)]

g. The Lemon Twigs – Songs for the General Public

• Ian & Evan: Celebrate the band's ability to create authentic, innovative music that stands out in the contemporary scene. ["...they are the best." (50:22)]

h. John Cale – Poptical Illusion and Mercy

• Ian: Discusses how John Cale's albums embody the Jokerman mindset through their authenticity and artistic generosity. ["...it's good music." (55:28)]

i. Walter Becker – 11 Tracks of Whack

• Evan: Praises it as a definitive discovery, appreciating its emotional complexity and diversity. ["I could listen to that record until the day I die." (66:39)]

• Ian: Highlights the album’s unique presence and its alignment with their podcast's mission. ["That's magic, man. That's what it's all about." (68:04)]

j. Father John Misty – Together Through Life

• Evan: Emphasizes its fearless departure from commercial viability, aligning perfectly with the Jokerman ethos. ["...it doesn't announce itself as being anything more than what it is." (62:18)]

• Ian: Applauds the album for expanding the band's artistic boundaries. ["...it just exploded the very concept of what a Father John Misty record could be." (72:59)]

k. Christopher Owens – I Want to Run Barefoot Through Your Hair

• Ian: Celebrates the record as a testament to the Jokerman mindset, appreciating the deepened relationship with the artist. ["...fan favorite and probably ever will." (73:45)]

6. Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Wrapping up the episode, Ian and Evan express gratitude to their listeners and hint at upcoming bonus content for Patreon subscribers. They emphasize the importance of continued engagement and community support.

• Evan: Announces a special Patreon bonus episode featuring listener contributions. ["...coming shortly for our loyal subscribers." (74:07)]

• Ian: Concludes with heartfelt thanks, extending "namaste" to their audience. ["Namaste to you all in Jokerman Nation from the bottom of our hearts." (74:44)]

Notable Quotes

1. Evan on the Founding Moment:

   • "I thought I was going to be back from New York for a few weeks... that ended up becoming a longer time." (02:46)

2. Ian on Perseverance:

   • "But to our credit, we stuck with it. We really stuck with it." (07:45)

3. Evan on Music Criticism:

   • "The medium itself, the podcasting form, definitely lends itself to a little more flex and, you know, lack of seriousness." (14:43)

4. Ian on Community:

   • "It's a really enjoyable and rewarding part of this whole thing." (18:30)

5. Evan on Cultural Impact:

   • "If you don't respect it and digest it and discuss it, what gets forgotten won't even become part of the fabric." (22:50)

6. Ian on Independent Production:

   • "I'm very proud of the independent nature of the program... no outside investment or direction from corporate presences." (27:14)

7. Evan on Jokerman Mindset:

   • "It's like a Rosetta stone in Bob Dylan's catalog... it's just good music." (36:21)

8. Ian on Authenticity:

   • "A willingness to just never hang it up, never say no, continue to proceed into the future." (58:18)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the "5 Years of JOKERMEN" episode, highlighting the hosts' reflections, philosophies, and favorite musical journeys that embody the Jokerman Podcast's unique approach to music appreciation and criticism.