Episode 98: Steve Gunn

The guitarist discusses his new album, ‘Other You,’ out now on Matador Records.

By Team JamBase Sep 30, 2021 • 11:41 am PDT

Episode 98 of The JamBase Podcast, a partner of the Osiris Media Network, features an interview with guitarist Steve Gunn. JamBase’s Andy Kahn spoke with the singer-songwriter about his new album, Other You, which is out now on Matador Records.

Gunn was in Brooklyn — where he’s called home for several years — when he recently spoke to Kahn via video chat. The interview largely focused on Other You, which was the follow-up to 2019’s The Unseen Between. Gunn talked about making the new record with Justin Tripp, who also contributed to the 2014 album Way Out Weather. Gunn described trying to create a similar environment to the one he and Justin created during the making of that album during the sessions for Other You.

Gunn also went into detail about working with veteran producer Rob Schnapf (whose credits include Elliot Smith, Beck and many others). The album was recorded at Schnapf’s studio in Los Angeles over two separate sessions, and Gunn explained how the surroundings influenced the sort of underlying dystopian vibe that colors Other You. Gunn told the story of how Schnapf helped come with the album and title track’s “Other You” phrase while Gunn was recording a vocal part for one of the songs on the album.

Among the other aspects of making the record that were discussed was Gunn recruiting guest musicians like Julianna Barwick, Mary Lattimore and Ryan Sawyer to contribute to the record, the influence of being in Los Angeles, the unexpected downtime brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and more. The interview also touched on Gunn’s relationship with acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Michael Chapman who was Gunn’s mentor and friend and who recently died at the age 80.

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