Steve Sxaks' Artistic Journey: From Punk Roots to Recording Success

In this episode of 'Set Lusting Bruce,' Jesse Jackson steps off the Bruce Springsteen train and dives into a fascinating conversation with comedy writer and musician, Steve Young. Best known for his 25-year stint with 'The Letterman Show,' Steve shares stories from his career, his unique record collection featured in the documentary 'Bathtubs Over Broadway,' and his foray into alt-country music with his album 'Broken Heart Insurance.' Tune in for an engaging discussion about the intersections of comedy, music, and the unexpected turns life can take. He also shares one of my favorite answers to the Mary Question! https://www.steveyoungworld.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 02:06 Steve Young's Background and Career 04:38 Life at the Letterman Show 07:22 Musical Influences and Early Life 11:15 Discovering Comedy Writing 18:30 Journey to the Letterman Show 19:57 Bathtubs Over Broadway 26:07 The Hidden World of Industrial Musicals 27:45 Discovering a Passion for Music 29:26 Nashville Connections and Early Songwriting 30:45 Releasing Music and Performing Live 34:58 Transitioning from Behind the Scenes to the Spotlight 37:02 Reflecting on Career Changes and Future Plans 43:06 The Mary Question and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Feb 53min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes back Anthony, who previously joined during the '30 Days of Springsteen' series. They discuss their shared passion for Bruce Springsteen, Anthony's background growing up in New Jersey, and his extensive fandom including attending over 80 live Bruce shows. Anthony also shares his memories of family music influences, stories from memorable concerts, and their thoughts on specific Bruce albums and tracks. Listen in for an engaging conversation about Springsteen's impact on fans and music culture. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:40 Early Musical Influences 09:51 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 14:49 Memorable Concert Experiences 24:43 A Horrible Seat and a Better Ticket 26:00 The Best Seats for Devils in Dust 26:37 Discussing Favorite Albums and Songs 26:51 The Only Bad Song by Bruce 27:10 Talking About John Hiatt and Rating Systems 27:46 Thunder Road and Born to Run 28:21 Living Proof and Other Favorites 28:52 The Album Collection and Tracks 30:14 Be The Boss and Song Requests 33:12 Anticipating New Music from Bruce 36:30 Chasing Songs and Concert Experiences 39:33 Does Mary Get in the Car? 42:49 Contact Information and Other Projects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Feb 48min

Join Jesse Jackson in a riveting episode of Set Lusting Bruce, where he chats with guest Sarah Seltzer, author of 'The Singer Sisters.' Sarah shares her lifelong passion for Bruce Springsteen, growing up in a music-loving family, and the influence of classic rock on her work. Learn about the inspiration behind her debut rock 'n' roll novel and its deep connections to her upbringing and adoration for pop culture. Dive deep into storytelling, lyricism, and the challenging journey of writing her first book. This episode is a must-watch for fans of Bruce Springsteen, aspiring writers, and anyone who loves a great family saga set to a backdrop of rock music. Fine the book here - https://a.co/d/iZYWPet 00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 00:36 Meet Sarah Seltzer 01:13 Sarah's Musical Upbringing 04:44 Growing Up with Books 11:11 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 19:10 The Singer Sisters: A Rock Novel 31:57 Bruce Springsteen as a Lyricist 35:55 The Mary Question 39:15 Final Thoughts and Farewell Support the show here - buymeacoffee.com/setlustingbruce  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Feb 47min

Join host Jesse Jackson in this episode of Set Lusting Bruce as he chats with returning guest Yedda. They discuss her experiences as a lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan, her journey from Brazil to the U.S., and her recent adventures attending multiple Bruce concerts around the world, including memorable shows in France, Italy, and the U.S. Yedda shares personal stories, concert highlights, and her enduring love for Bruce's music. Tune in for an engaging conversation about music, fandom, and memorable moments from the Boss's tour. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:07 Yedda's Background and Love for Music 04:15 Bruce Springsteen Concert Experiences 07:19 Memorable Shows and Highlights 14:41 Future Plans and Reflections 20:25 Personal Stories and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Feb 28min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson talks with author Matthew (Matt) Hattersley about his transition from music to writing, his journey to becoming a full-time author, and his compelling thriller series. Matt shares insights into his creative process, influences, and the inspiration behind his books, including the 'John Beckett' and 'Acid Vanilla' series. The discussion also delves into the relationship between music and writing and how music continues to influence Matt's storytelling. Plus, find out if Mary gets in the car at the end of Bruce Springsteen's 'Thunder Road.' Find out about Matt's work here https://www.matthewhattersley.com/  Support the show here - buymeacoffee.com/setlustingbruce  00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 00:34 Meet the Author: Matt 00:43 Matt's Journey to Full-Time Writing 01:40 Musical Influences and Early Life 05:25 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 06:46 From Music to Writing 12:38 Creating Acid Vanilla 17:56 Introducing John Beckett 23:08 The Creative Process 29:39 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Releases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Feb 39min

Join host Jesse Jackson on this exciting episode of Set Lusting Bruce as he chats with writer Paige Lavoie about her latest project, a Kickstarter campaign for her cozy Monster Romance series 'Mothman and Love.' Paige shares insights about her background, her writing journey, and the influence of her family's musical tastes on her work. With tales from her childhood in Michigan, a discussion about the romantic themes in 'The Sound of Music,' and thoughts on creating a unique blend of romance and paranormal in her books, this episode is filled with engaging stories and heartfelt moments. Don't miss out on learning about Paige's inspirations, her upcoming projects, and a special tribute to Bruce Springsteen! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4horsemenpubs/mothman-in-love-triology-the-collectors-edition-0/description https://paigelavoie.com/  00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 00:29 Meet Paige: The Monster Romance Writer 01:19 Sound of Music and Family Influences 03:11 Hallmark Movies and Mothman Inspiration 04:34 Fashion Phases and Reading Habits 08:42 Early Writing and NaNoWriMo 09:56 The Birth of the Mothman Series 12:47 Mothman Lore and Pop Culture 20:52 From Standalone to Series 21:50 Engaged to Mothman 21:53 Writing and Character Development 22:50 Kickstarter Campaign Insights 23:57 Special Edition Books 25:06 Chronic Illness Representation 27:00 Kickstarter Stretch Goals 29:23 Future Creative Projects 34:14 The Mary Question 37:40 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Feb 44min

In this episode of 'Set Lusting Brews,' host Jesse Jackson speaks with Patrick O'Donnell, who shares his rich life journey from growing up in Chicago, moving to Wisconsin, and his 25-year career as a police officer in Milwaukee. They delve into Patrick's Irish family background, his love for music, especially Bruce Springsteen, and his path from music major to law enforcement. Patrick recounts his experiences with self-publishing and podcasting, culminating in his highly successful 'Cops and Writers' series aimed at authors needing accurate police procedural knowledge. Later, the conversation shifts to Patrick's new dark fiction series 'The Good Collar,' exploring themes of justice and vigilantism. The episode is a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and shared love for music, making it a rich and engaging listen. Find more about Patrick here - https://copsandwriters.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Feb 55min

In this episode of 'Set Listing, Bruce,' host Jesse Jackson welcomes author and musician Karen from Seattle. Despite a windstorm causing a power outage, Karen joins the podcast to share her deep passion for Bruce Springsteen, her background in music, and her journey in writing fantasy and science fiction novels. Karen discusses her early life in central Washington, her varied musical influences, and her experiences playing in a garage rock band with her brother. She also delves into her writing career, including her upcoming book, music-themed novels, and the influence of storytellers like Bruce Springsteen and Ursula K. Le Guin. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of music, writing, and creativity. Find more about Karen's work here - https://kareneisenbreywriter.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:03 Karen's Musical Background 02:05 Early Influences and Family 08:04 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 10:54 Karen's Writing Journey 22:43 Incorporating Music into Writing 26:29 The Challenge of Titling Chapters 26:50 Writing Songs from a Character's Perspective 28:54 The Power of Hats and Visibility 30:28 From Short Story to Superhero Band 31:27 Influences and Inspirations 33:44 Exploring New Creative Avenues 38:30 Garage Band Beginnings 43:58 The Mary Question Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Jan 52min