Singer-songwriter Cassandra Lewis performed her first real show at a retirement home when she was eight years old. She joins Rhett to talk about that experience and what’s happened in between, the new album she’s working on, and the co-songwriting scene that she’s become part of since moving to Nashville. The two discuss the trope of needing to suffer in order to be creative, and Cassandra explains what she means when she says she’s a ‘trash artist’. Cassandra Lewis is a cosmic blend of classic ...
Jan 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 164
Sam Quartin is an actor, activist, and frontwoman for The Bobby Lees, which she founded after discovering her future bandmates at a music school in upstate New York. The two discuss her recent role in Candy Land, a film about the underground world of truck stop sex workers. Sam tells Rhett about the impact that Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way had on her life, shares her process for boosting self-confidence, and explains why she’s opted out of having a digital profile. A band that proves it pays...
Jan 17, 2023•33 min•Ep. 163
Bestselling author Julia Cameron joins Rhett once again to talk about her new book Write for Life, in which she turns to one of the subjects closest to her heart: the art and practice of writing. This episode is full of wisdom, as Julia gives Rhett a peek into her own creative process and shares some of the best practices she’s developed over the last two decades. Julia and Rhett discuss how to manage your inner critic, what it means to be authentic, and why she is an advocate of writing by hand...
Jan 10, 2023•35 min•Ep. 162
Salim Nourallah is a musician and award-winning producer who has worked with OLD97s and Marty Wilson-Piper of The Church. He’s also the co-founder of indie label Palo Santo Records, and this week he joins Rhett to talk about balancing his role as musician, producer, and businessman. The two discuss the new projects he’s working on, what it means to be successful, and why Salim believes it’s important to stay in touch with one’s inner child. Learn more about Salim’s new album A Nuclear Winter her...
Jan 03, 2023•33 min•Ep. 161
“You're much more productive when you actually feel like getting out of bed for the day. And I just think that you don't have to be in a dark place to write a dark song. And realizing that has opened up a lot of opportunities for me to live a more healthy life.” - Anthony D’Amato Singer Songwriter Anthony D’Amato joins Rhett on this episode to talk about going from publicity intern to client at Shore Fire Media, and what he learned by coming up on the business side of the music industry. Anthony...
Dec 27, 2022•46 min•Ep. 160
The Paranoid Style is a garage-punk-pop outfit built around singer songwriter Elizabeth Nelson. Elizabeth joins Rhett this week to talk about their new album, “For Executive Meeting”, as well as the many other creative projects she’s involved in, like an upcoming piece about Springsteen’s “Nebraska”. Elizabeth and Rhett discuss what it means to be a musician and a published music critic, the process she employs to get a multitude of things done, and why it’s important to take a compliment. Plus,...
Dec 20, 2022•32 min•Ep. 159
During his years as lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips helped to create the band’s elegant folk/pop sound with honest, introspective lyrics that forged a close bond with their fans. He joins Rhett on this episode of Wheels Off for a deep dive into the inspiration behind his music and the playful approach he took in the making of his new solo record, There Is So Much Here. Glen shares stories of his life with Toad, discusses what it means to be creatively curi...
Dec 13, 2022•56 min•Ep. 158
Amy Ray joins Rhett from her home in Georgia to talk about her recently released solo album and the new music she’s working on for an Indigo Girls project. Amy and Rhett discuss the epiphany moment she had when she first sang with Indigo Girls co-founder Emily Saliers, the headiness of achieving success early in her career, and why her activism and support of emerging artists helps her navigate the challenges of self-doubt. Listen to Amy’s new album If It All Goes South Amy Ray website Amy on IG...
Dec 06, 2022•34 min•Ep. 157
Authors Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble join Rhett from Seattle to talk about their new book, which was inspired by their D&D podcast Dragon Talk. The book highlights the ways in which people are using Dungeons & Dragons to fuel creative endeavors, explore identity, deal with addiction, and process trauma. Shelly and Greg discuss how the game has evolved and explain why it’s still so popular after 50 years, as it continues to find new players with each generation. Greg Tito and Shelly Ma...
Nov 29, 2022•41 min•Ep. 156
Terre Roche, singer-songwriter and founding member of The Roches joins Rhett to talk about her new album and book Kin Ya See That Sun! The book chronicles the time when she and her sister Maggie traveled around the country as teenagers to perform on the college coffee house circuit, and the accompanying album includes live, unreleased recordings from the tour. Terre discusses the relationship she had with her sister Maggie and their unexpected yet notable career. Terre and Rhett talk about her c...
Nov 22, 2022•46 min•Ep. 155
Grammy-winning musician and producer Adrian Quesada joins Rhett from Austin to talk about the creative whims that guide his work, life as a “working class” musician, and how he harnesses his competitive spirit. The brand new album by GRAMMY-winning guitarist, producer and Black Pumas co-founder, Adrian Quesada, serves as a celebration of the super funky, slightly delirious and deeply soulful sounds that transcended the cultural boundaries of Latin America throughout the late 1960s and early 1970...
Nov 15, 2022•27 min•Ep. 154
Singer-songwriter Lauren Hoffman joins Rhett to talk about her unique journey through the music industry and shares her perspective on the impact that technology has on the creative process. The two discuss the meditative qualities of songwriting, the difficulties of being an emerging artist in the 90s, and why it’s critical to prioritize your peace of mind. Lauren is based in Los Angeles and is currently working on her seventh album. Lauren Hoffman website Lauren on IG @laurenhoffmanmusic Laure...
Nov 08, 2022•55 min•Ep. 153
Singer-songwriter Cory Branan joins Rhett from the road to talk about his approach to writing and the creative process behind his new record, When I Go I Ghost. Cory tells Rhett about learning to record, mix, and master during lockdown, which resulted in five direct-to-fan cover records that included some surprise cover song requests; and, the importance of being able to connect directly to fans. Over the last two decades Cory Branan has released five albums to much critical acclaim from NPR, Pi...
Nov 01, 2022•29 min•Ep. 152
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose joins Rhett to talk about the making of her forthcoming album CAZIMI, her first release in nearly a decade. Caitlin explains why the album is a “Pee Wee’s Playhouse situation”, plus the two discuss her passion for poetry, why she was ‘cosmically pushed’ to become an artist, and what it’s like to navigate the music industry after spending time away. Pre-order Caitlin’s new album CAZIMI Caitlin Rose website: https://www.caitlinrose.com/ Caitlin on Twi...
Oct 25, 2022•31 min•Ep. 151
Musician, songwriter, and artist Courtney Jaye joins Rhett this week to talk about her ambitious new album, Hymns and Hallucinations. Courtney tells Rhett about why she’s chosen a nomadic lifestyle, shares an important lesson she learned when opening for John Mayer, and explains why the best stuff is the unexpected stuff. Hymns and Hallucinations is available now Courtney on IG: @tropicalijaye Rhett on IG: @rhettmiller Website: Rhettmiller.com Go see a show! Rhett’s tour dates are here. Wheels O...
Oct 18, 2022•28 min•Ep. 150
Tim Burgess, frontman for The Charlatans joins Rhett from Manchester to talk about his new solo album Typical Music, how he unexpectedly created an online music community with his now-beloved Twitter Listening Party, and why he still considers himself lucky, even after 33 years of success in the music industry. Tim Burgess is a proper polymath, a hyperactive multi-talent whose long remarkable career encompasses over three decades as lead singer and frontman of The Charlatans, five diverse solo a...
Oct 11, 2022•27 min•Ep. 149
Kathleen Edwards joins Rhett from Florida to talk about taking time away from music to get “big perspective time”, what she learned about her approach to songwriting from Bryan Adams, and shares the advice she often gives emerging artists. Edwards released Total Freedom, her fifth studio album, on August 14th via Dualtone Records. Written and recorded in Canada and Nashville with longtime collaborator/guitarist, Jim Bryson, and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer, Fitchuk, Total Freedom is both a...
Oct 04, 2022•38 min•Ep. 148
This week we have a special episode for you: Rhett on the podcast Too Much Effing Perspective. Every performer who's ever been on the road has at least one bizarro story that could have been pulled straight from the iconic music mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap. Co-hosts Allen Keller and Alex Hofmann delve deep into their guests’ harrowing, humbling, and hilarious Spinal Tap Moments uncovering universal truths along the way. Rhett shares his own stories of mishaps and misunderstandings - like th...
Sep 27, 2022•56 min
Sam Cohen is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose credits include albums with Kevin Morby, Curtis Harding, Alexandria Savior, and many others. He’s also the producer of Rhett’s new solo album, The Misfit. Sam joins Rhett to talk about the making of the record and how he approaches his work, helping artists when things get difficult in the studio, and why the secret to success is letting go of one’s ego. A multi-talented musician and producer, Sam released his first solo album,...
Sep 20, 2022•35 min•Ep. 147
New York-based visual artist Ryan Cronin joins Rhett from Tambacounda, Senegal, where he is developing a collaboration with Tambacounda-based artist Saliou Diop. Ryan discusses how he got started as an artist, the creative process behind his work, and why a combination of patience and persistence leads to success. Later in the episode, Rhett is joined by Saliou Diop and his translator, who discuss Saliou’s creative approach and how a strong belief in the work helps him navigate any obstacles. Wh...
Sep 13, 2022•36 min•Ep. 146
This week, we’re revisiting an episode with one of our favorite guests from 2021: New Orleans-based artist Ashley Longshore. Ashley recently created the album artwork for Rhett’s forthcoming solo record, The Misfit (used here in the episode graphic). The album drops on September 16, which makes it a perfect time to revisit Ashley's brilliant creative spirit. Pre-order Rhett's new album, The Misfit, here. “You could decide to start a creative journey or find yourself when you're sixty years old. ...
Sep 07, 2022•29 min•Ep. 145
Superstar producer, singer-songwriter, and guitarist Butch Walker joins Rhett from his studio in Nashville to talk about Glenn, his new album centered around an alter ego who is a rock n roll balladeer. Butch tells Rhett about the moment when he decided to pursue a life in music, what it was like to perform in Atlanta clubs as a high schooler and the ups and downs of pursuing band life in L.A. Butch discusses his many successes and failures, how he manages anxiety, and why he thinks that right n...
Aug 30, 2022•51 min•Ep. 144
Dave Simonett joins Rhett from Minneapolis to talk about the latest Trampled By Turtles record, which was produced by Jeff Tweedy. Dave explains his writing process, which is dictated by the seasons, the creative exercises he employs to get out of his comfort zone, and the magic that happens when someone is learning a song for the first time. Dave and Rhett discuss the importance of humanity in art and why adhering to a routine while on the road helps manage stress. Listen to music from their fo...
Aug 23, 2022•31 min•Ep. 143
Legendary photographer Danny Clinch joins Rhett from his home on the Jersey Shore to share some stories from the early days of his career and the little moments that led to his status as one of the top rock photographers in the world. Danny talks about the growth of his gallery, Transparent Clinch, explains how he developed his distinctive style, and shares the story of shooting Bruce Springsteen for the cover of The Rising, then years later in New York for the cover of Letter To You. Wheels Off...
Aug 16, 2022•48 min•Ep. 142
American Aquarium’s BJ Barham joins Rhett from Philadelphia while on tour to talk about their new record Chicamacomico, and what it feels like to finally be back out on the road. BJ discusses his songwriting process, music as a way to help people through trauma, and how he turns negativity into a creative superpower. North Carolina alt-country outfit American Aquarium rose to prominence in the late 2000s with a sound that mixed twang, grit, and some straight-ahead rock & roll. Focused around...
Aug 09, 2022•37 min•Ep. 141
Pulitzer-prize winning author Jennifer Egan joins Rhett for an enlightening conversation about writing and making art. Jennifer shares useful insight on how she works, explains why reading aloud helps her understand a story better, and discusses the role that genre plays in her writing. She and Rhett talk about the importance of persistence and why trial and error is a great tool for creativity. Jennifer also gives us a preview of ideas she’s kicking around for future projects. Her new book, The...
Aug 02, 2022•50 min•Ep. 140
Craig Finn is a Minnesota-bred singer/songwriter based in New York City, best known as the singer of The Hold Steady. He joins Rhett to talk about his podcast, That’s How I Remember It, which is about the connection between memory and creativity. Craig and Rhett discuss the inspiration behind the podcast as well as Craig’s songwriting process, the importance of a band’s first record, and why he feels that albums have ‘seasons’. Craig shares the tricks he uses every day to dispel anxiety, depress...
Jul 26, 2022•41 min•Ep. 139
Taylor Goldsmith joins Rhett from his home in Pasadena, CA to discuss the making of Dawes’ new album and the challenges of pushing himself and the band artistically to create something new. Taylor explains why he doesn’t adhere to the ‘rules’ of the music business when it comes to songwriting, how he pushes through negativity, and shares the insight he would give to his 21-year old self. Taylor Goldsmith is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He is the frontman for the band Dawes, whic...
Jul 19, 2022•46 min•Ep. 138
Richard Edwards is a producer, mixologist, and musician who has been making music professionally for over 15 years. In this episode, Richard discusses the many projects he’s working on, including a new album and a book. Richard and Rhett talk about the challenges of being an independent artist, how the marketing and consumption of music has changed and Richard recalls his early ambition to be a director. He shares the story of the promoter in New York City who gave him the confidence to pursue h...
Jul 12, 2022•40 min•Ep. 137
Six-time Grammy award winning producer, engineer and mixer Vance Powell joins Rhett to talk about the world of making records, his approach to producing, and how he’s chosen his projects over a 40-year career. Vance shares a few war stories, explains what he means when he says “get your 10,000 hours in”, and why he would tell his 21-year old self to be more musical. Vance studied electrical engineering in Missouri and started his career as a front-of-house engineer. In 2002, he moved to Nashvill...
Jul 06, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 136
