Stereo Embers The Podcast: Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion)

“Reason To Live”

Well, if your looking for the kings of the indie rock grand slam, it’s a short list. But Lou Barlow is on it. The Ohio-born Barlow has Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, the folk Implosion and his solo career on his CV and that’s only a partial list that doesn’t include Sentridoh and Deep Wound. Yes, Lou Barlow has been a major part of major bands that were all groundbreaking and game changers in terms of sound, recording approach and aesthetic. He’s been on legendary labels like SST, Homestead , Sub Pop, Merge and Domino and he’s one of the most recognizable and adored indie rock dudes of all time. So yes, Barlow is a founding member of three groundbreaking indie rock outfits and his solo career has yielded several remarkable albums, including his fabulous new one Reason To Live. A songwriter of startling depth, introspection and pinpoint emotional accuracy, Lou Barlow is, to put it simply, one of the best we’ve got. Over the course of his career, he’s collaborated with Mike Watt, Stephen Merritt, Dale Crover of the Melvins and Belgian musician Rudy Trouve’ He’s both vulnerable and brave his work redolent with intimacy, observational wisdom and longing. Reason To Live might very well be his best work yet. Managing to be both layered and spare, this album is filled with breezy acoustic numbers, rolling pop jangles and textured indie rock that’s catchy, memorable and moving. In this conversation Lou talks to Alex about eating dinner with strangers, walking the financial tightrope, writing again with John Davis of The Folk Implosion and why it was so hard to ask J. Mascis for a drumbeat….