Episodes

  • Lilly Hiatt Interview | Songwriting, Touring, Family & Collaboration (Perfectly Good Podcast)

    Lilly Hiatt Interview | Songwriting, Touring, Family & Collaboration (Perfectly Good Podcast)
    May 29 2026
    In this special episode of Perfectly Good Podcast—where the hosts normally rank John Hiatt songs A to Z—Jesse and Sylvan welcome guest Lilly Hiatt to talk about her own career. Lilly recalls starting guitar at 12, overcoming shyness to perform, and beginning songwriting in middle school, describing how melodies and lyrics arrive together and how she captures ideas on voice memos. She explains how songs develop at different speeds, how albums reflect a specific time period, and how collaboration shapes unexpected recording outcomes, including working with her husband Colby on Forever and their project Domestic Bliss. Lilly shares early memories touring with her dad, favorite venues, thoughts on Napster’s impact on making a living through touring, and influences like Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. She discusses personal songs “Ray,” “Thoughts,” and “Impostor,” then plugs upcoming Texas-area shows and encourages fans to support by buying merch and records at gigs. 00:00 Cold Open Dialogue 00:53 Podcast Intro And Guest Reveal 02:12 First Meeting And Fan Story 03:11 Early Guitar And Stage Nerves 05:46 Writing Songs And Poetry Roots 06:56 Songwriting Process And Tools 11:33 Building Albums And Collaboration 14:51 Domestic Bliss With Husband 15:41 Growing Up On Tour 16:35 Backstage Hello From Linda 17:52 Tour Life And Favorite Venues 23:50 Napster Era And Music Business 25:27 Touring Economics And Team 27:15 Touring Help Needed 27:45 Pearl Jam Origins 29:27 Eddie Vedder Shoutout 30:15 Writing Ray for Sister 31:15 Family Bonds and Aunt Life 33:43 Thoughts Voicemail Choice 34:57 Producer Magic Explained 37:25 Nashville Identity and Genre 39:24 Creative Goals Abroad 40:32 Springsteen Nebraska Deep Dive 43:02 Impostor Verse Backstory 47:27 Shows Merch and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Jake Cassman on Dueling Pianos, Teaching Music in LA, and Finding Bruce Springsteen on the Road

    Jake Cassman on Dueling Pianos, Teaching Music in LA, and Finding Bruce Springsteen on the Road
    May 27 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and ’90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master’s program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question. https://www.jakecassman.com/music 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Teaching Music in LA 03:00 TeachRock and Music Education 04:27 Writing and Community Programs 05:35 Growing Up With Rock 07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen 09:14 Early Music Obsession 10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories 12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts 15:10 Freelance Music Career 17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman 19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot 22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes 25:52 Better Paying Gigs 26:32 Idling High Origins 28:15 We All Look the Same 33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal 36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive 39:28 Next Creative Steps 40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent 44:00 Thunder Road Debate 47:53 Where To Find Jake 49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Electro-Punk Pioneer Peter Pepper on Touring, Creative Risk, and Finding a New Life in Tokyo

    Electro-Punk Pioneer Peter Pepper on Touring, Creative Risk, and Finding a New Life in Tokyo
    May 22 2026
    In this B-side episode, host Jesse Jackson talks with electro-punk pioneer Peter Pepper, calling from Shibuya, Tokyo, about growing up in rural Florida feeling alienated, discovering punk and industrial music, and channeling creativity through early audio editing into a music career. Peter shares how playing the State Theatre in St. Petersburg became a breakthrough moment, how “electro-punk” emerged organically around 1999–2001, and stories from touring, including Asbury Park’s Stone Pony in 2001 and a later tour moment with Wes Borland. They discuss the realities of life on the road, modern pressures of permanent online records, and how a friend’s recommendation led Peter to build a life between Japan and Bali. Peter previews his May 20 release “We’re From Florida” and a forthcoming blues project, then answers Jesse’s “Mary question” about Thunder Road. https://www.peterpepper.net/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PWK1iZunlFBPGG5CMpMh0?si=b9tXZRimTXqSUIeILG5Crg 00:00 B-Side Welcome 00:49 Meet Peter Pepper 02:00 Florida Roots 04:01 Finding Punk Scene 05:37 Outsider Identity 12:43 Creative Awakening 15:08 Learning By Doing 18:37 Creating In Public 22:40 First Big Break 27:18 Electro Punk Origins 29:50 Building Electro Punk 32:37 Labels And Movements 33:45 Stone Pony Ghost Town 38:44 Wes Borland Moment 41:21 Tour Life Offstage 44:03 Why Japan Became Home 48:28 New Music Plans 50:29 Thunder Road Mary Question 52:44 Goodbyes And Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • Brigitte Donahoe on Faith, Songwriting, and Finding Common Ground

    Brigitte Donahoe on Faith, Songwriting, and Finding Common Ground
    May 21 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson opens a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce with musician and worship leader Brigitte Donahoe, who shares her journey from growing up in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, California, and Michigan to becoming a songwriter, wife, and homeschooling mom of two. Brigitte discusses her eclectic influences (’90s rock/ska, R&B vocalists, and later country), her complicated early church experience, and a pivotal youth conference encounter that brought her back to faith. She describes starting songwriting at 14, releasing her first EP Restored, and performing at festivals, churches, and Christian nights at local bars. She also reflects on “Cherish Moments,” her grief-inspired song “Keep On,” her desire to make rock music, and her hope for more listening and grace in the church. https://brigittedonoho.com/home 00:00 B-Side Welcome 01:14 Meet Brigitte 01:59 Growing Up Musical 03:30 Country Music Conversion 05:34 Faith Roots and Doubts 07:14 Choosing Belief 11:14 Music Takes Over 12:52 Songwriting Calling 15:23 Going Pro in Music 16:26 Through His Eyes Story 18:06 Faith and Politics Divide 20:34 Church Needs Grace 22:37 Assume Good Intent 22:59 Cherish Moments Talk 24:05 Better Days Mindset 26:06 Starting Live Gigs 26:57 Missing The CD Era 28:11 Dreaming Of Rock 30:25 Touring As A Family 31:52 Songs That Heal Grief 36:34 Farewell And Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Blue Collar Costumes: Comparing Bruce Springsteen & Stephen King with Tom Runge-D'Amore

    Blue Collar Costumes: Comparing Bruce Springsteen & Stephen King with Tom Runge-D'Amore
    May 19 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Tom to discuss the current Bruce Springsteen tour, upcoming shows in DC, Austin, and Atlanta, and reactions to the set list, including excitement about rarely played songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” Tom introduces his new Substack, “Blue Collar Costumes: A Comparative Study of Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, and the World That Made Them,” which supports a larger book project exploring parallels between Springsteen and King—similar East Coast working-class roots, complicated or absent fathers, and mothers as driving forces—within a broader post–World War II social history. Tom outlines the Substack’s monthly themes and posting schedule, starting in May, including a first theme on “Fractured Fathers,” plus Tolkien posts and fiction. They also discuss recent King adaptations and favorite King books, and share subscription details. https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/ 00:39 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Tour Talk and Setlist Buzz 04:37 New Project Reveal 06:41 Bruce and King Parallels 11:23 Substack Format and Themes 15:31 Stephen King Adaptations 17:32 Favorite King Books 20:21 Where to Find Substack 22:16 Pricing and Subscriber Tiers 27:08 Wrap Up and Farewell 28:08 Housekeeping and Links https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Michael Cubeiro - Returns

    Michael Cubeiro - Returns
    May 13 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Michael C back to discuss Jake Thistle’s American Idol elimination, arguing Jake’s strengths are his songwriting, frontman rapport, versatility in changing vocal styles across artists (Petty, Jackson Browne, Bruce, Phil Collins, John Hiatt), and strong character, with hopes for continued success and mention of an April 29 Monmouth University show with Vinny “Mad Dog” Lopez. They shift to Springsteen concerts, set lists, and the tour’s anger/war-related themes, including opening with “War,” plus commentary that Bruce has been political since early songs. Michael then defends tribute bands as an affordable way to keep music alive, stressing quality performance, vocal range, and audience engagement, and prefers live performance over studio. Jesse closes with podcast contact info and other projects, including a John Hiatt podcast. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:55 Jake Idol Exit 02:22 Why Jake Connects 04:00 Influences And Praise 09:35 Jake Live Shows 12:06 Talent Beyond Voice 14:06 Bruce Tour Plans 15:44 Setlist And Politics 17:50 Tribute Bands Value 22:12 What Makes Tribute Great 25:11 Live Beats Studio 26:46 Cover Bands Setlists 28:58 Hooking New Fans 30:30 Tributes Keep Legacy 31:44 Politics And Critics 34:06 Proving Greatness Live 37:08 Respecting Tributes 38:13 Clive Davis Connection 40:54 Goodbyes And Contacts 42:57 Radio Hits Paradox 45:09 Podcast Housekeeping 47:03 Final Sign Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • "Kneet's Rise: Music, Identity, and Liberation"

    "Kneet's Rise: Music, Identity, and Liberation"
    May 5 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson presents a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce featuring Neat, a Punjabi Thai Sikh independent recording artist and development psychology graduate student from Bangkok who moved to New York at 25. Neat describes growing up with Bollywood and religious music, discovering Western artists like Britney Spears and Eminem, and secretly writing lyrics that sparked her own songwriting; her father destroyed her rap cassettes, prompting her to graffiti her wall in protest. She explains how music “found” her repeatedly, including through her Thailand-based Freedom of Expression project empowering girls, and later after surviving years of domestic violence, coercive control, and a nine-year New York family-court custody battle she says ignored psychological abuse. Her song and video “Rise” recount and reenact these experiences, fueling advocacy and a Change.org petition. She discusses cultural-musical blending, upcoming singles and videos, and plans for an EP or album, and shares a message of resilience and seeking help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0NUUhrMHrQ ProtectChildrenNY – Child Protection Reform Initiative: https://www.change.org/ProtectChildrenNY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Danny Goldberg on Woodstock, Led Zeppelin, No Nukes, and Bumping Into Geniuses

    Danny Goldberg on Woodstock, Led Zeppelin, No Nukes, and Bumping Into Geniuses
    Apr 30 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes music journalist, publicist, label executive, and manager Danny Goldberg for a B-side conversation about music memories and Bruce Springsteen connections. Goldberg recounts growing up in Hastings-on-Hudson with classical, folk, and cast albums, then shifting to rock after discovering Dylan, the Beatles, and the Stones, and later covering Woodstock for Billboard in 1969. He explains moving from criticism to publicity, becoming Led Zeppelin’s publicist, and shaping press narratives around their massive ticket sales amid skeptical critics. Goldberg discusses co-directing and co-producing the 1979 No Nukes film, meeting Springsteen during editing, and securing approval to use key performances after adding political context. He also talks about his books, including the reissued memoir Bumping Into Geniuses, reacts emotionally to Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” praises the Nebraska film Deliver Me From Nowhere, shares work with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle, and answers the “Mary” question about Thunder Road. https://www.dannygoldberg.com 00:37 Meet Danny Goldberg 01:38 No Nukes and Bruce 03:21 Growing Up Musical 05:00 Rock Awakening 08:22 First Bruce Encounter 08:46 Books and Writing 10:28 Billboard and Woodstock 13:43 From Critic to Publicist 17:21 What Publicists Do 21:15 Led Zeppelin PR Win 26:17 Aiming for Management 27:44 First Book Teaser 28:03 Left Lost Teen Spirit 28:52 Bumping Into Geniuses 29:34 Why Write Memoirs 30:25 Streets of Minneapolis 33:20 No Nukes Editing 35:39 Politics In The Cut 36:49 Deliver Me From Nowhere 40:11 Bonnie Raitt And Hyatt 41:55 Whats Next Ahead 43:41 Mary Question Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins