Collage dropouts (Season 1, Episode 1)

The Record Store Dropouts podcast debuts with conversations about music, other art forms, and how they all intersect.

Record Store Dropouts is a music-adjacent podcast for music-adjacent people. On their quest for good conversation and trivial knowledge, hosts Shaun Soman and Alex Nelson explore how visual objects (e.g., album covers, music videos) are made and the extent to which they inform the listening experience. Having collectively worked at, erm, one different record store over three months, Shaun and Alex complement their “expertise” by inviting musicians, visual artists, and writers to discuss how music has influenced their work.

On their first episode, Shaun and Alex reflect on Santigold’s debut album (1:29) before Native Essence Art creator Natalie Ergas drops by to discuss her artistic process (16:09), what’s on her Western zodiac energy playlist (28:17), and how collage functions in Santigold’s discography (41:03).

The podcast’s theme music is “Communication” by a cool Madison band called Disq, which has also played the song at a venue and arts incubator called Communication, Tone Madison‘s physical home. Shaun and Alex understand “Communication” isn’t about Communication, but they like to believe otherwise. Thanks again to Disq and Saddle Creek Records for the use of the song.

If you happen to be in Madison the day this episode drops,—Friday, May 3—Ergas will be celebrating an art opening at Robinia Courtyard, 829 East Washington Ave. See a selection of Ergas’ work below.