The Marty Riemer Show

Four years ago this week a little podcast took off from humble beginnings in a West Seattle basement. Today that podcast, though still little, has grown into a much less humble one, still from a West Seattle basement. So yeah, there’s that anniversary .. but much more significant is the 20th anniversary of another dark Seattle moment, which has Marty appearing on media across the globe (a.k.a. Cincinnati and Portland). Left Hand Smoke, who are averaging 1 PPY (podcast-per-year), join us for the 4th year revelry with a 4th performance. The conversation drifts to reminiscing about hair bands and hospital dramas. Obviously. Left Hand Smoke play two shows tonight (April 4th) at the Triple Door in Seattle.

When you’re gearing up to direct your first full-length feature film you are in for quite an adventure. Find out what that really is like – from the funding challenges, to production – from NW filmmaker Nathan Williams. He’s in the final stages of crowdfunding (seedandspark.com) his suspenseful thriller called “If there’s a Hell Below,” a film about whistleblowers, journalists and murder. It’s like it was pulled straight from today’s headlines. You can also see one of Nathan’s previous works, an emotional short called “The Dinner Table,” when it airs May 2, 2014 at 9PM on KCTS Channel 9 in Seattle. Speaking of emotional … In 2010, Vashon native Cami Lundeen was diagnosed with an incurable liver condition. Struggling to cope, while raising and homeschooling 4 kids, she used songwriting as an emotional outlet. The results have been awe inspiring: a crowdsourced CD called “Run Free,” and a load of critically acclaimed live performances. You can catch Cami live at the Triple Door on April 11.

While many (including Texas A&M) may lay claim to the Seahawks 12th Man promotional campaign, we have found the man who legitimately started the movement. Tim Turner is a jack-of-many trades. Really, just about every trade. Among them coming up with insanely successful marketing campaigns. His latest, non-sports endeavor is an inspirational book called “Questions?” And while we’ve always said music has no accent, Seattle 5-piece NoRey breaks that tradition. Their lead singer’s latin growl cuts through on the new CD “Untie Your Arms.” Come see NoRey perform live on Friday, March 28 at Conor Byrne.

Marty explains the theory of pi (stay with us), and some shocking news about the man found last week alive in a body bag. Especially shocking to him. NBC business editor Al Olson steps up to talk about the only business that matters in Washington these days – the marijuana trade. Al brings a satchel filled with product. No, not the weed itself but all the ancilliary industries and gadgets that are springing up to support the trade. Oh, and then Michael gets high. Celebrating 19 years of Barry Manilow and Carpenters covers, the Dudley Manlove Quartet shares the ups and downs of being a cover band – but a highly, highly successful one. Their 19th anniversary show has them teaming with the Seattle Rock Orchestra string quartet at Neumos tonight, March 14, 2014.

We find out today that Seattle is the 39th most diverse city in America, so we offer up a “diverse” mixture of topics. From legal/illegal upskirt photos to corporate wedding vows to horrifying news about guacamole, this show is three times as diverse as Detroit. Squeezing in at the last minute with is two-year-old’s stolen guitar, the (insert adjective) Ethan Anderson of Massy Ferguson world premieres a new song showing his toddler how it’s done – you don’t jump up and down on the instrument! Join Massy Ferguson at the Triple Door on March 21st. Reason enough not to leave for Mars. Yet.

In our continuing efforts to find balance between the digital and the real world, we showcase a horrible new piece of technology called Spritz that will permit you – or force you – to read at 1,000 words per minute. Blink during Harry Potter and you’ll be, like, Voldermort who? We follow that up with a heated debate about Big Bertha’s delays – or progress – depending on which side you’re on. Finally, we conclude with a spectacular performance from roots-pop singer/songwriter Tae Phoenix. Her operatic influence shook the windows of the Moldy Basement as she performs two songs from her soon-to-be-released 2nd CD “Outside the Lines.” CD Release Party, April 24th at the Royal Room in Columbia City.

A just-concluded, all-inclusive vacation to Mexico has Marty sharing stories about overeating, overdrinking, and being bent-over. Was it his eighth trip to the coleslaw bar that did him in? Also, Marty’s flight down to Mexico aboard a brand new Russell Wilson-adorned Boeing 737-900 introduces a new approach to aviation safety. We’ll let comedian Richard Jeni explain it to you. And Marty’s interaction with Seatac airport’s fierce, drug-sniffing beagle will help drug smugglers everywhere sneak past the cute little mutt. Feed the little guy already! Next week, more live music and the guy who invented the 12th Man. See you then, we’ve gotta run. No seriously, we’re not feeling so well.  

Spoiler alert: the Seahawks win the Super Bowl this year. And the statewide celebration continues with our very special guest, former Seahawks kicker Norm Johnson. Big #9 gives us his unique perspective on the game and waves his 12 pound AFC Championship ring in our faces. Norm also brings a case of his latest business venture into the studio. That’s when we lose Michael … Also “on tap” Seattle’s premier electro-soul duo, Fly Moon Royalty. They make their debut appearance on the show and wave THEIR AFC Championship rings in our faces. Dammit. Does everyone have one of these things!? Vocalist/fast talker Adra Boo and DJ/Producer Mike Illvester bring a level of funk to the Moldy Basement not seen since Curt Warner and Kenny Easley were doing the Seahawks shuffle.

It was a day of breaking news:  Mayonnaise is more popular than Ketchup. And the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl .. again. Joining us today, Seahawks kicker Norm Joh…. Wait, what’s that? Delay of game penalty against #9? OK, next up, Cody Beebe and his new guitarist, Skyler Mehal. We’ve always been fans of Cody’s but there’s something about this performance that really makes us say this guy has arrived! (Which is more than we can say for our first guest .. haha) The first song Cody performs is an emotional ode to his grandfather who passed away from lung cancer. Proceeds from this track (codybeebeandthecrooks.bandcamp.com) benefit Levi Ware’s Melodic Caring Project (melodiccaringproject.org). Levi even stops by the show today to lend support. Which is more than we can say for our first guest.

We used to say the only good thing about this podcast is that we didn’t have to work on Sunday. Now we don’t even have that either. But it was worth it. Welcome to our special Sunday Brunch edition of the podcast with extraordinary Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kim Richey. Making her first appearance in the Pacific Northwest in quite some time, playing Portland, Gig Harbor, Seattle, Bellingham and some guy’s musty basement. Kim performs a couple songs off her latest release, the wonderfully melancholy “Thorn in my Heart.” Catch her at the Tractor Tavern tonight, January 26, 2014. And look for the review of today’s show in the latest issue of Garden & Gun magazine!

In one of the most raucous shows we’ve ever done, the hilarious Gilbert Gottfried discusses getting fired as the AFLAC duck and then goes completely off the rails ridiculing Marty about the time they first met at a Joni Mitchell show. It was the time Cheryl Ladd didn’t come down … (it’ll make sense when you listen). It’s quite likely Gilbert will still be railing when he takes the stage at the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight and tomorrow night (GET TICKETS). Poor Daniel Kirkpatrick. He had to actually push past a ranting Gottfried to get to a microphone in order to play tunes from his brand new record Alibis, which is being celebrated on Saturday, January 25th at Neumos. Get tickets for Daniel Kirkpatrick and the Bayonettes HERE. See you Sunday for a special non-Super Bowl edition of the podcast with special guest Kim Richey performing!  

On today’s podcast we recap our visit to the Issaquah High School campus for the Tech Timeout campaign that kicked off this week. Various fun – and some painful – observations ensue, like how the City of Issaquah funds education. We all contributed, Marty twice. Michael uses some of his new found media savvy from this week’s satellite media tour tutorial to answer a controversial question about the Pope. While Marty addresses his sagging dorsal fin. And this week we’re joined by Marty’s new buddies who he spent New Year’s Eve with, Red Jacket Mine. A band that takes its influences from just before music started to suck. See Red Jacket Mine play the Uncle Tupelo tribute show (and not play any Uncle Tupelo) on January 30th at the Tractor Tavern (star Anna will also be there, so Michael approves).

Let’s meet the woman who made a film that crushes our film at every single film festival – and the worst part: she deserves it! Lydia Smith, director of “Walking the Camino,” is not only an amazing filmaker, but has found an innovative way to market her documentary – and sell out theaters all over the country. “Walking the Camino” – and Lydia – hit town February 7th in a souped up RV for a limited run at the SIFF Uptown Cinema. Money-back guarentee from Marty! Oh, and Camille Bloom is here. Sorry – THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED Camille Bloom shares wild stories from her house parties (Snicker-Salads in Arizona!) and performs a song we’ll no doubt steal for part 2 of “Sleeping with Siri.” See the wonderful Camille Bloom at her EP release party at the Columbia City Theater on Jan. 18th. Oh, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll makes a cameo appearance on the podcast. Yeah, there’s that.

Whatever New Year’s resolutions we may have made to improve ourselves will still leave us wanting when compared to today’s guest. Levi Ware, who with his wife founded the Melodic Caring Project for gravely ill children, stops in to plug their upcoming auction and gala and play two lovely tunes. Unfortunately in the midst of such a joyous, sweet message the show takes numerous detours into questionable territory: boring machines blocked by dead pioneer debris, more swipes at Eastern Washington, and face transplants. Sign up today to have a chance at wearing Marty’s mug! The “Raise a Record” Gala Dinner and Auction is Feb. 8th. For tickets, go to melodiccaringproject.org Best show of 2014, without a doubt! So far. This image, which shows what it would look like if Marty were to inherit Levi’s face, totally creeps us out.  More than Marty’s face on its own, which is saying something.

Our last show of 2013 and it’s a time to reflect on our accomplishments, and others failures. Holy Fook! Marty tries to create a safe zone for the crew sharing their aspirations for the coming year, it gets a little ugly when someone’s goals involve Miley Cyrus. That someone is the insanely talented Star Anna who lays down two stunning tunes, and shares her other dream of touring Europe in ’14. Let’s make that happen for her! No set New Year’s plans yet? Join Star at the Sunset on New Years Eve or Marty and his musical twin, LeRoy Bell, at the Kirkland Performance Center. Oh, and if you stumbled upon this site while surfing martyriemer.cn or martyriemer.com.cn or martyriemer.org.cn, we’re on to you!