Episode 1167 - Patti Smith

Mac McCaughan from Superchunk is also the founder of one of the biggest and most prolific indy music labels in the country - Merge Records. Mac and Marc talk about the creation of Merge and the evolution of Mac's own musical output. Also, comedian Carol Leifer drops by to talk about her new memoir, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Crying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Aug 20141h 27min

When singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock looks back at the roots of his prolific career, he sees a little Bob Dylan, a little Syd Barrett and a little Doctor Who, to name a few influences. Robyn talks with Marc about his first band The Soft Boys, his mixed feelings about reunions, the fears and compulsions that keep him going, and the elusive nature of originality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Aug 20141h 17min

Wanda Sykes is one of the funniest people alive. But Marc remembers Wanda when she was first starting out in the New York comedy clubs and says she was a completely different performer back then. Wanda tells Marc how she found her confidence and became more honest, in both her act and her life. Plus, Wanda explains what happened during her encounter with the President and First Lady. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Aug 20141h 14min

In a way, Ty Segall has the life Marc always wanted. Still in his mid-20s, Ty already has eight solo albums, as well as others with various bands, and rubs shoulders with rock legends while making music with his long-time friends. That probably explains why Marc is so excited to get a modern rock lesson from Ty, covering pyschedelia, noise rock, no wave and modern punk. Ty also explains his DIY approach to creating albums, which is not unfamiliar to a podcaster like Marc. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Aug 20141h 3min

Comedy writer Alec Sulkin found success on Family Guy and the movie Ted. But as he explains to Marc, the road to good TV writing jobs is long and winding, filled with connections, coincidences, injustice and nepotism. Alec explains how he made it through the long slog, got past the disappointment of his own show getting canceled, found personal popularity on Twitter and subsequently got himself in hot water. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Aug 20141h 11min

Bob Mould shook up alternative music in the '80s and '90s with his influential bands Husker Du and Sugar. But Bob seems willing to shake up his own life at every turn, too. Bob tells Marc how he took advantage of sudden opportunities that set his life down different paths, like becoming a writer for pro-wrestling, composing The Daily Show theme song and coming to terms with his true identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Aug 20141h 20min

Bob Newhart is an American institution thanks to his incredibly funny and popular television shows. But the way Marc sees it, Bob Newhart is one of the most important stand-up comedians ever. Marc talks with the legend about the comedy albums that turned Bob into an overnight sensation and changed the game for American comedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Aug 20141h 51min

Actor Pat Healy is coming off a string of acclaimed performances in challenging films like Compliance and Cheap Thrills. But how do those complex roles compare with another from his past? That role being the roommate of Marc Maron's ex-wife. Pat and Marc talk about those strange days when their lives intersected, as well as Pat's earlier years at the vaunted Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Plus, Pat busts out a killer Werner Herzog impression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Aug 20141h 16min