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"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week, we’ve got a pretty special episode. I’ve loved Book of Love since I was a teenager and am so happy to have one of the founding members of the band, Ted Ottaviano, join us. For anyone who may not know the story, Book of Love formed in New York City in the mid-1980s, at a time when electronic music, synth-pop, new wave, and the emerging club scene were all beginning to collide in really interesting ways. The band — Ted Ottaviano, Susan Ottaviano, Jade Lee, and Lauren Roselli Johnson — created something that felt very much their own: infectious synthesizers, playful and sometimes provocative lyrics, and lush melodies. Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1986 and introduced songs like “Boy” and “I Touch Roses,” the latter becoming one of their signature songs. They followed it with albums including Lullaby, Candy Carol, and Lovebubble and built a devoted following within the alternative and dance-music worlds. Today, Ted joins us to talk about a very recent pivotal moment – but before we get to that one, let’s start with one of the very first importrant turning points for the band: getting the chance to open up for Depeche Mode. ⁠Music Credits: Merg Station from ⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at Buy Me A Coffee page!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week I’m pleased to introduce – or maybe re-introduce – you to singer-songwriter Jenny Lynn Pierce.  Back in the 90s, her band Jale emerged from the small local scene of Halifax, Nova Scotia along with other Canadian bands like Sloan, The Hardship Post, and The Super Friendz and scored a record deal with Seattle’s Sub Pop label.  So, they not be a marquee name in the Sub Pop canon, but they have a devoted following, including myself.  Jale disbanded in 1996 and Jenny, along with Laura Stein and Mike Belitsky, formed a band called The Vees.  The released a superb EP in 1997 – but then Jenny kind of disappeared from the music world.  Call it kismet, but when I tracked Jenny down, she was just getting ready to finally release some new music.  Jenny's Bandcamp Jenny Lynn Pierce website ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Music Credits: Entraining from ⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠ "Chicago Lights," The Vees "All Souls Day," Jenny and the Tide If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠ page!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. We’re back from a long summer hiatus! This week, I’m so happy to have Debbi Peterson on the show! She's the drummer and a founding member of one of the most influential all-female rock bands in music history, The Bangles. From the garage scene in LA to hits like 'Walk Like an Egyptian,' 'Manic Monday,' and 'Eternal Flame,' she's been part of a band that didn't just make great music, they broke down doors for women in rock and pop for decades to come. She's also had a rich career outside the Bangles, from session work to side projects, and she's still out there creating. Listen on to hear more! ⁠⁠ Music Credits: TeleMezzo from ⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠ "Gravity" from Kindred Spirit If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠ page!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back! This season, Lived Through That sits down with the artists who shaped alternative, new wave, and indie music from the inside out: Ted Ottaviano of Book of Love, singer-songwriter Jenny Lynn Pierce, Debbi Peterson of The Bangles, Andrea Lewis of Darling Buds, Robert Forster of The Go-Betweens, electro pioneer Man Parrish, and more. These are the stories behind the songs — the scenes that formed them, the chances they took, and what it actually felt like to live it. No nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. Just the real thing, told firsthand. New episodes drop September 9th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our 100th episode and we've got a very special show to celebrate! This milestone episode features new stories from six returning icons whose original appearances resonated deeply with the show's audience: Kate Schellenbach of the beloved alt-rock outfit Luscious Jackson; singer-songwriter Tracy Bonham, known for her raw, powerful voice and enduring catalog; Tom Maxwell of Squirrel Nut Zippers, the architects of one of the '90s most unlikely and irresistible revivals; Debora Iyall, the trailblazing frontwoman of post-punk legends Romeo Void; the icon Tanya Donelly from Throwing Muses, The Breeders, and Belly and Sean Dickson of The Soup Dragons, whose genre-defying run left an indelible mark on the alternative scene. Music Credits: Nailbed from ⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠ "Mother, Mother" by Tracy Bonham "Sainte Nicholaes" by Tanya Donelly · Chris Brokaw If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. We have Jonn Penney from the band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin on the show this week! Few bands captured the restless energy of the early nineties British indie scene quite like Ned's Atomic Dustbin. With their twin-bass attack, amazing live shows, and a debut album that turned heads on both sides of the Atlantic, they burned bright.  But, none of that might have happened had Jonn’s father not bought a new house.  Intrigued?  Listen on to hear more. You can buy Jonn's new book "Self-ish" here. Listen to our friend of the pod, Stan, here. ⁠ ⁠ Music Credits: Jadie Grange from Blue Dot Sessions If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. Today’s guest is a true original—a musician, poet, and creative force whose work helped shape the sound and spirit of post-punk. As a member of Bauhaus, David J brought a distinctive voice and artistic vision to a band that would go on to influence generations. Beyond Bauhaus, his career spans Love and Rockets, solo projects, spoken word, and collaborations that blur the lines between music, art, and storytelling. His work is always pushing boundaries while staying unmistakably his own. Today, David tells us about how this whole journey started for him. David's Website Music Credits: "Laterus"⁠ by Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sorrow Sleeps at Night (Song for Llana Lilla) - David J If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. I’m so excited to have Eddie Argos on the show this week! As the frontman for Art Brut, he turned autobiographical oversharing into an art form — writing songs about his little brother, an old flame named Emily, and the joy of forming a band. Twenty years after the debut record Bang Bang Rock & Roll, the band are still going strong.  Today, he tells us about the unexpected thing that changed him maybe more than music ever did. Art Brut's Website Buy Your Own Eddie Argos masterpiece! Music Credits: "On Top Of It" by Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week, we’ve got Belouis Some on the show. He was one of the more distinctive voices to emerge from the British new wave scene of the 1980s and had worldwide hits with "Some People," "Imagination," and "Round, Round,” the last of which found an entirely new audience when it landed on the soundtrack of John Hughes' Pretty in Pink.  Along the way he worked with some remarkable collaborators — including Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson from Chic  and guitarist Carlos Alomar, the man who had helped shape David Bowie's mid-70s sound. After more than thirty years away from the headline stage, he returned to London's O2 Academy Islington in November 2024 for a sold-out show, followed by a US tour in 2025. Today, he tells us about how a change of scenery from London to New York City helped craft his breakthrough song, Imagination, and his post-music career in nightclubs and adult film business. Belouis' Website Music Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Langustina" and " Laterus" by Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week we have Matthew Caws on the show. He is, of course, the frontman and songwriter of Nada Surf. Since breaking out in the mid-’90s with “Popular,” the band has evolved far beyond its early alt-rock roots, building a decades-long career on thoughtful, melodic songwriting and a deeply loyal fanbase. Today, he shares his memories of Michael Carlucci of the band Winter Hours, who passed away in 2015, and talks about the lasting influence he’s had on his life.  Music Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Corridor Blue" and " Iberica Lander" by Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Lesley Woods, frontwoman of the influential post-punk band The Au Pairs. Known for their sharp political edge, fearless lyrics, and groundbreaking role in the late-70s and early-80s UK punk scene, Lesley helped shape a sound—and a message—that still resonates today. Music Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. Our guest today is Angie Hart, Angie first came to international attention in the early ’90s as the voice behind Frente!’s off-beat, tender alt-pop — including their beloved cover of Bizarre Love Triangle, which introduced a whole new audience to the song originally by New Order. Since then, she’s built a rich and varied career spanning solo records, collaborations, theatre work, and deeply personal songwriting that’s resonated with listeners for decades. In this conversation, Angie shares her recent autism/ADHD diagnosis and what it takes to reclaim your artistic voice over time. Angie also shares stories from the early Frente! years, reflects on navigating the music industry, and opens up about how identity an d self-understanding shapethe way she makes art. ⁠Angie'swebsite⁠ ⁠Frente's website⁠ Music Credits: "Star of Lisa" and "Lascalere" by ⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. Our guest on this episode is Jennifer Finch. She’s one of the  founding members of L7, one of the most fearless, loud-as-hell bands to come out of the ’90s, and a musician who helped carve space for women in music by doing things her way. As the bassist of L7, she helped define the band’s sound and presence during some of its most influential years. Beyond the music, she’s an artist, an activist, and a cultural icon who never stopped pushing back against expectations.  Jennifer's Website Jennifer's Substack Music Credits: Cabana Flats by ⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠ If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. Our guest on this episode is Debsey Wykes, a British musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the influential indie pop band Dolly Mixture as well as her work with Saint Etienne. Dolly Mixture has been described by Mojo magazine as “the godmothers of indie pop,”  They emerged from the UK’s late-1970s DIY punk scene, blending high energy with irresistibly sharp pop melodies. The band has since become a cult favorite, inspiring generations of indie and alternative artists. In 2025, Debsey Wykes released the acclaimed memoir Teenage Daydream: We Are the Girls Who Play in a Band, which chronicles her life in music and the story of Dolly Mixture. In today’s conversation, Debsey shares how—more than a decade after Dolly Mixture disbanded—a chance write-up of the band unexpectedly sparked the formation of a new musical project, leading not only to a new band but also to an entirely new creative family. Music Credits: Club Redacted by Blue Dot Sessions "Our Tune," Dolly Mixture "I Could Have Been Your Girlfriend," Coming Up Roses If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lived Through That” is the companion podcast to my book where I look at influential musicians of the 80s and 90s and where they are today. On this podcast, we’ll delve deeper into a single pivotal moment in the lives of some of the artists I feature in that book, as well as other artists I love and admire. The stories they tell are open, honest, and inspiring. This week we have Martin McAloon on the show, founding member and bassist of Prefab Sprout, one of the most quietly influential bands to come out of the UK. Along with his brother Paddy and bandmate Wendy Smith, they were and known for their timeless melodies, poetic lyrics, and understated brilliance. Today, Prefab Sprout’s music continues to inspire artists and listeners alike. Martin joins us to talk about how cows and COVID played a surprising role in drawing him back to the music of Prefab Sprout, and how that eventually led him to start touring the songs—honoring the band’s legacy and stepping into a role long held by his brother Paddy McAloon. Martin McAllon's site Music Credits: Cornicob by Blue Dot Sessions The Extension by Blue Dot Sessions If you like the podcast, please subscribe and maybe leave a tip at⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A ⁠⁠⁠Coffee!  I’d really appreciate your support! Be sure to look for my books, "Lived Through That" and "80s Redux" where ever you buy your books. You can find out more about my work at my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices