I’m a musician by training, and I’ve always been a fan of interview shows like Charlie Rose, WBGA’s The Checkout, and Fresh Air. Recently, I’ve also become an avid follower of podcasts, and comedy podcasts in particular. I was searching for a way to bring more humanity and dimension to music, and it struck me that every week I was hanging with and playing with some of the best musicians and most inspirational people in the world, and that maybe we could take a page from comedy’s book and “invite the audience in” to hear some of the stories, a lot of the music, a little of the shit-talking, and a lot of the creative propulsion we experience on a regular basis behind closed doors. Sure, comedy is by its nature a “public speaking”-based medium, but jazz must be a close cousin – sharing the essential elements of honesty, spontaneity, and fearlessness. You’ll hear me say in interviews that I believe the best way forward for jazz musicians is to “be ourselves”, trusting that our music, and our humanity, will resonate with listeners.

My experiences so far have ranged from silly to atomizing. The most potent thing is when I believe one thing to my core and a guest I respect thinks something totally different. For that brief moment it’s like I’m borrowing their eyes. Damn. What an ego reset. But that’s why I’m doing this.

I have no idea what Shed Science will become. My only goal is to catalog the music and thoughts of as many of my heroes – old and young – as are willing to appear on the show.

Looking forward to the ride, and see you soon!

-Nate