Host J.D. Reager talks to alternative rock radio DJ John Michael about his early days in broadcasting, the original run of 96X in Memphis on terrestrial radio, the station’s demise, his journey to KROQ in Los Angeles and beyond, meeting big-time rock stars, the revival of 96X as a streaming entity, and more. Available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn,
Host J.D. Reager talks to music writer and author Stephen Deusner about his upbringing in Selmer, TN, moving on to Memphis and beyond, becoming a contributor to Pitchfork, Uncut, etc., writing his new book Where the Devil Don’t Stay: Traveling the South With the Drive-By Truckers, their shared love of Centro-matic, and more. Available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn,
Check out this amazing interview with Back to the Light founder J.D. Reager! Read the full article here. And don’t miss the accompanying Spotify playlist!
Host J.D. Reager talks to musicians Mark Akin and Jay Hines about their longstanding friendship and creative partnership, the nearly 30-year history of their band The Subteens, how addiction almost destroyed the group, working together on a new full-length album, and more. J.D. also plays a clip of the new Subteens song “I Don’t Think It’s Worth It.” Available via
The Back to the Light Podcast Network is pleased to share a trio of Christmas-themed episodes! First, J.D. Reager shares his new single “Christmas Time (Again) and an eclectic playlist of personal favorite holiday tunes on a brand new Spotify-exclusive episode of the Back to the Light podcast: Also, ICYMI – the December episode of the Shangri-La Records Podcast has
Host J.D. Reager resumes his conversation with producer, engineer and vinyl cutter Jeff Powell in front of a live crowd at the Memphis Listening Lab. They dig into the vinyl mastering process, the current vinyl manufacturing “crisis,” and take questions from the audience. Available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and everywhere fine podcasts are distributed.
Host J.D. Reager shares his feelings about the recent death of a personal hero, Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, and talks to Mark Edgar Stuart about his recent in-person encounter with the legend himself. J.D. also spins a collection of his favorite “Mike songs” from The Monkees’ catalog and several gems from Nesmith’s solo work. NOTE: this episode is available
Host J.D. Reager gears up for an imminent trip to Memphis by checking in with old friends Jay Hines (The Subteens) and Marvin Stockwell (Pezz, Champions of the Lost Causes). He also chats with musician, author, martial artist and the subject of the recent documentary In The Shed, Tyler Ransom, and spins the song “Never Gonna Happen” by The Subteens.
Host J.D. Reager revisits his conversation from 2020 with one of his all-time favorite musicians and guests, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf. Included is a Back to the Light-exclusive solo performance of the Nada Surf song “Just Wait.” Available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and everywhere fine podcasts are distributed.
Host J.D. Reager talks to musician Alicja Trout about her love of analog synthesizers, collaborating with her husband Severin in the new band Sharkteef, the volatility of the Lost Sounds, continuing the Lost Sounds legacy in Sweet Knives, touring Europe with River City Tanlines, her brief collaboration with Love’s Arthur Lee, and the new Alicja-Pop album Howlin’. J.D. also spins