Jokermen Podcast: In Conversation with Corey Hansen

Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: Jokermen
Guest: Corey Hansen, Singer, Songwriter, and Author

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Jokermen Podcast titled "In Conversation: Corey Hansen," host Jokermen delves deep into the creative journey of Corey Hansen, exploring his latest record, "I Love People," released under Drag City Records. The conversation spans Corey’s songwriting process, musical influences, production philosophies, and upcoming tours, providing listeners with an intimate look into his artistic evolution.

Creating "I Love People"

Corey Hansen begins by sharing his enthusiasm for his latest record:

[01:05] Corey Hansen: "Well, this record, for me, it's the best of the best of the best of the last five years of songs that I've written. And there were hundreds of songs..."

Corey explains the meticulous process of selecting songs from a vast pool, emphasizing the collaborative effort with his producer. Instead of solely engineering the sound, the producer played a pivotal role in curating and developing the best tracks from Corey’s extensive repertoire. Ultimately, eleven songs made their way onto the final release.

Song Selection and Development

[01:05] Corey Hansen: "...I had no idea how to break them down into a record or how to pick which ones were good and which ones were not as good. And I got him to produce this time instead of just engineer."

The collaboration involved trimming down from approximately 40 promising tracks to 20 for recording, and finally releasing 11 standout songs. This selective process ensured that only the most refined and impactful songs graced the album.

Evolution of Musical Style

The host observes a noticeable shift in Corey’s musical direction compared to his previous work:

[03:32] Host: "This record sounds as different from the last one as a record could sound in a lot of ways, it's much more to my ear like a singer-songwriter type of record..."

Corey acknowledges this evolution, highlighting his preference for collaboration to overcome creative blocks:

[04:17] Corey Hansen: "Well, it's hard for me to do music alone completely, you know, and without getting any feedback..."

By involving others, especially his wife, Corey finds clarity and confidence in his songwriting choices, ensuring the album’s cohesiveness and emotional resonance.

Influences and Musical Inspirations

A significant portion of the conversation delves into musical influences, particularly drawing parallels between Corey’s work and that of iconic artists like Jimmy Buffett and Steely Dan.

Jimmy Buffett and Parrot Heads

[07:01] Corey Hansen: "There's some Parrot Head cues in that one."

While Corey himself doesn’t identify as a Parrot Head, he expresses admiration for Jimmy Buffett’s approachable persona and enduring appeal. The discussion hints at a potential resurgence of the Parrot Head community, drawing comparisons to the Grateful Dead’s revival.

[08:00] Corey Hansen: "...there will be a massive Parrot Head pivot at some point."

Lou Reed’s Profound Impact

A deep appreciation for Lou Reed permeates the conversation. Corey recounts a personal anecdote about meeting Lou Reed during his time at CalArts, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Reed’s dedication to audio fidelity and artistic integrity.

[32:41] Corey Hansen: "...he was just saying, like, this is the real Berlin. This is the way you're supposed to hear Berlin..."

Corey reflects on Lou Reed’s tumultuous career, particularly highlighting "Lulu" as a challenging project both technically and artistically. Despite its mixed reception, Corey defends its production quality, drawing parallels to high-fidelity recordings.

[26:13] Corey Hansen: "But Lulu was one of the only records that sounded perfect."

Production Philosophy

Corey emphasizes a no-nonsense approach to production for "I Love People," aiming for authenticity and organic soundscapes.

[38:03] Corey Hansen: "I wanted this record to be like no bullshit, no studio tinkering or, you know, processing. Just it's all live takes..."

This philosophy led to minimal overdubs, preserving the raw essence of his performances while incorporating subtle string arrangements and choral vocals to enhance the musical depth.

Song Inspirations and Themes

The conversation explores various inspirations behind Corey’s songwriting, ranging from personal experiences to broader cultural references.

Rodney Dangerfield and Humor

Inspired by Rodney Dangerfield’s autobiography, Corey incorporates themes of respect and personal struggle into his lyrics.

[44:11] Corey Hansen: "...there's that lyric about not getting no respect or getting no respect."

Texas Weather and Road Stories

Drawing from his experiences as a touring musician, Corey reflects on the perilous stretches of highway in Texas, infusing his songs with vivid imagery of natural disasters and roadside encounters.

[46:03] Corey Hansen: "From El Paso to Austin, Texas, that stretch... it's terrifying."

Touring and Live Performances

Corey outlines his upcoming tour plans, highlighting a dual approach of performing with his band, Wand, and embarking on solo acoustic sets. This strategy allows him to showcase both collaborative and individual aspects of his artistry.

[42:00] Corey Hansen: "I'm doing a tour as a three-piece with me on, like, switching from piano and guitar..."

He playfully discusses the idea of a multi-faceted performance setup, likening it to having "three Coreys" to accommodate different musical styles and arrangements.

Future Directions and Closing Thoughts

As the conversation nears its end, Corey contemplates future projects, including the possibility of exploring alter-egos similar to Garth Brooks' and Chris Gaines’ ventures.

[48:29] Corey Hansen: "I should just maybe I'll write a song called Chris Gaines and see where that goes."

The episode concludes with Corey sharing tour dates and expressing gratitude for the support, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating his upcoming performances and new musical endeavors.

Notable Quotes

• Corey Hansen: "I love people. Yeah, whatever that means."
  [00:00]

• Corey Hansen: "Sometimes people are just like, this short one is amazing. And then the really long thing is it just doesn't hit..."
  [05:42]

• Host: "There is a website where you can buy Circus Money for very cheap for like $9.99..."
  [09:18]

• Host: "I haven't really talked about this on the POD before, but a few months ago there was an event that happens every year in New York for Lou Reed's birthday..."
  [28:31]

Conclusion

This episode of the Jokermen Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of Corey Hansen’s latest work and artistic mindset. Through candid discussions and insightful anecdotes, listeners gain a deeper understanding of Corey’s dedication to authenticity, his reverence for musical legends like Lou Reed, and his relentless pursuit of creative excellence. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his music, this conversation provides valuable perspectives on the making of "I Love People" and what lies ahead for Corey Hansen.