Ep. 228: Dave Pirner discusses Soul Asylum's "Misery"

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 14 October 2024

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, Dave Pirner returns to the show to discuss the writing and recording of Soul Asylum's hit 1995 single "Misery." In this insightful conversation, Dave reveals the inspiration behind the song's biting critique of corporate America and the record industry. He shares how the band experimented with recording equipment during this period, enjoying creative freedom without interference from their record label, and how they worked with producer Butch Vig on the album Let Your Dim Light Shine. The discussion also touches on the success of the album, which solidified Soul Asylum's place in 90s rock, and the enduring popularity of "Misery" as a fan favorite that continues to resonate in live performances. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes If you love Chris DeMakes A Podcast and you'd like to support the show AND get weekly bonus episodes of The After Party podcast, head to http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com to sign up for the Supporting Cast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kit.
0:02.8	Hey everyone, today's guest is Dave Perner, lead vocalist and guitarist for the Minneapolis
0:15.6	Minnesota rock band Soul Asylum. Together we tackle the writing, recording, and inspiration
0:22.3	behind the hit single, Misery, taking recording and here on Krista Makes a Podcast, and it was a pleasure breaking down arguably my favorite solosome song.
0:36.5	Dave said that misery is basically a social commentary regarding the overall vibe of the 1990s,
0:42.2	the general disillusionment and direction of life, as evidence in the
0:46.0	lyric, I know just what you need. I might just have the thing. That quick fix, Dave referred
0:52.2	to as the Prozac generation. And he just may be on
0:55.8	to something. After all, the 90s were the generation of discontent, and a lot of the music
1:00.8	from that time reflected just that.
1:03.4	Surprisingly, Dave mentioned that he didn't feel any pressure
1:06.3	to follow up their highly successful previous album,
1:09.4	that these were just the next batch of songs.
1:12.1	And with Butch Vig and the producer's chair and Andy Wallace at the mixing desk, the results are awesome.
1:18.0	So for all this in a story about being locked in an extended stay hotel, armed only with a guitar in a four track recorder.
1:25.0	Stay tuned.
1:26.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:30.0	Krista makes a podcast.
1:32.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:35.0	Krista makes a podcast.
1:37.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:40.0	Krista makes a podcast.
	...

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