You, Me and An Album

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On this episode, Brooklyn-based classical guitarist and music educator Tomas Rodriguez introduces Al to Toumani Diabaté’s 1988 album Kaira. Tomas talks about discovering Kaira during a visit to a New York record store and how his eclectic musical upbringing primed him to develop a deep appreciation for this album of Malian kora music. Tomas explains why Kaira is a spiritual album and how it has helped him to stay centered during tumultuous moments. He also discusses how this album influences his own music, and in particular, his latest album Whispered Awakening.

To get Tomas’ music, schedule of live dates and more, please visit his website tomasrodriguez.com/. You can also buy or stream his music on Bandcamp at tomasrodriguez.bandcamp.com/.
You can follow Tomas on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at @tomasrodriguezguitar.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to www.patreon.com/youmealbum.

1:34 Tomas’ introduction
2:18 Tomas recalls when he was first introduced to Kaira and kora music
6:11 Tomas and Al talk about the uniqueness of the kora as an instrument
10:58 Tomas notes how the spirituality of Diabaté’s music drew him in
14:53 It took Al a while to notice the variety across the tracks of the album
17:30 Tomas explains how each track is derived from Malian standards
19:34 Tomas discusses the circularity of Diabaté’s music
22:36 Tomas and Al contrast and compare kora music with blues
24:44 Tomas makes a case for listening to tracks from Kaira as one-offs
26:56 Tomas talks about how Diabaté borrows specific lines from other genres
29:46 Tomas explains how listening to Kaira helps him with his own compositions
30:56 Tomas was influenced by a wide variety of musical genres growing up
33:16 Tomas talks about the tribute to Diabaté he recorded for his new album
40:02 Tomas revisits the lead-up to making Whispered Awakening
43:42 Tomas explains why he founded the Tomas Guitar Studio in Brooklyn and how he uses Kaira in his instruction
48:21 Tomas talks about teaching with Rick Beato’s materials
50:21 Tomas talks about his upcoming shows

Outro music is from “Mélancolie” by Tomas Rodriguez.
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Georgia-based vocalist, songwriter, graphic designer and illustrator Anne Richmond Boston (The Swimming Pool Q’s, solo) visits YMAAA to introduce Al to The Glands’ self-titled album, released in 2000. Anne talks about getting to know The Glands’ late frontman Ross Shaprio in Athens, Georgia, before learning he was in a band and then discovering The Glands’ music. She explains what she loves about the band’s self-titled album and about the band in general, discussing the contributions of Shaprio as well as other members. Anne also talks about her 2025 solo album I Should Be Happy, which was 32 years in the making.

You can check out I Should Be Happy on Bandcamp at annerichmondboston.bandcamp.com.
Learn more about Anne’s work at annerichmondboston.com.
You can also follow her on Instagram at @annerichmondboston.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
1:32 Anne’s introduction
2:10 Anne explains why she picked The Glands for this episode
3:29 Anne recalls how she met Ross Shapiro and got introduced to the The Glands’ music
8:38 Anne talks about Shapiro’s artwork
10:42 Anne discusses the appeal of the album’s eclecticism
14:02 Anne listens to the album in a variety of settings
14:48 Anne works at spreading the word about The Glands
16:27 Anne has a hard time picking a favorite track
18:31 Anne talks about the Athens music scene past and present
21:01 Anne gives props to the other musicians who were in The Glands
23:33 Anne hears Shapiro’s “heart and soul” in The Glands’ music
25:16 Will Anne and her band cover a Glands song?
26:39 Al talks about the full-band sound on several of the tracks on I Should Be Happy
28:50 Anne discusses the process of making I Should Be Happy and the 32-year delay in releasing it
37:43 Anne talks about putting a band together to tour the new album

Outro music is from “I Should Be Happy” by Anne Richmond Boston.
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Drummer and percussionist Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, solo) visits YMAAA to introduce Al to the 1978 no wave compilation No New York. Bob talks about the music he listened to growing up in New Jersey and how he ultimately became immersed in the New York punk and no wave scenes. He details how No New York was an instrumental part of his exposure to no wave and how he eventually collaborated with some of the musicians from the scene, including Lydia Lunch. Bob also discusses his new album, Beach Bongo Bloodbath—the first solo album he has released under his own name.

As Bob mentions on this episode, he has several upcoming shows and projects. You can learn more about those and whatever else Bob has coming up on his Instagram account. You can follow him at @therealbobbert.

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
1:13 Bob’s introduction
2:26 Bob talks about the progression of his music listening, leading up to his discovery of no wave
7:35 Bob discusses joining Sonic Youth and meeting Lydia Lunch for the first time
10:15 Bob recalls some of the shows he went to growing up in New Jersey
13:27 Bob talks about the allure of the New York punk scene
17:37 Al shares his reaction to the compilation
20:25 Bob explains why he thinks no wave was accessible for him
21:36 Bob points out how interest in no wave has far outlasted the scene itself
24:06 Bob talks about the no wave scene beyond the compilation
30:22 Bob discusses the album’s ongoing importance to him
32:34 Bob recommends a pair of no wave documentaries
34:41 Bob explains how he came to make Beach Bongo Bloodbath and why he didn’t include guitars
38:18 Bob talks about the show from his recent album release party
40:40 Bob discusses his upcoming shows and projects

Outro music is from “Foggy Notion” by Bob Bert.
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Bassist, songwriter, music producer and film dialogue editor Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, solo) introduces Al to Bright Eyes’ 2005 album Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Kira talks about why this album has been one of her favorites for the last 10 years and explains why she admires Conor Oberst’s musicianship and songwriting in general. She delves into her favorite tracks on the album and explores why Oberst’s highly vulnerable performances are a central reason for why she revisits Digital Ash frequently. Kira also talks about her second and latest solo album Enigma and how her songwriting process shaped the album’s sound.

If you want to hear Kira’s album Enigma in its entirety before it gets released on July 10, register for her Bandcamp listening party, which will take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm ET. You can RSVP at kiraroessler.bandcamp.com.

Follow Kira and her label Org Music on their socials!
@kira_bassplayer on Instagram
@kiraroessler on Facebook
@orgmusic on Instagram

Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
1:10 Kira’s introduction
2:13 Kira reveals how she first became aware of Bright Eyes
3:08 Kira explains why Digital Ash resonates with her
4:57 Al and Kira share their responses to Oberst’s vocal style
7:50 Oberst’s openness and vulnerability is part of the appeal for Kira
10:31 Al identifies the point where his experience with Digital Ash started to change
12:48 Kira and Al responded differently to “Hit the Switch”
16:01 Kira appreciates Conor’s songwriting and album-making craft
18:47 Coping with addiction is an important theme of Digital Ash
22:02 Kira and Al talk about the one anthemic track on Digital Ash
28:34 Al and Kira make note of the album’s loop-like nature
30:24 Kira addresses a few tracks towards the end of the album
34:27 Kira and Al talk about the Bright Eyes discography
37:32 Kira explains why she recently saw Bright Eyes perform Digital Ash and I’m Wide Awake, despite her dislike of nostalgia
39:57 Kira gives some examples of artists she can get nostalgic about
41:02 Kira talks about her cover of “Drinking and Driving”
43:17 Kira discusses the title track and album closer for Enigma
45:16 Kira explains how she created the spacious sound on Enigma
49:45 Kira talks about her recent singles and upcoming plans

Outro music is from “You Will Feel My Pain” by Kira Roessler.
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This episode was originally published on the YMAAA Patreon in October 2025.
Munich-based soul-pop artist Caro Kelley visits Bonus Tracks to talk about her 1000 Albums project, in which she listened to three albums a day for an entire year. Caro shares why she started the project, and she explains how she determines what rating to give an album. She and Al get into discussions about seven of the albums she has listened to for the project, ranging from the one-star Flood by They Might Be Giants to Frank Ocean’s Blonde, which she gave five stars.
To see Caro’s Google sheet, which lists every album she has listened to for the project and their ratings, go to: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lqeY7_ihNEpU-2ngUvmpn8p7FIrIRANCNWFwurbmM8I/edit?gid=0#gid=0
You can learn more about Caro and her music at https://carokelley.com!
Also, you can follow her on the following platforms:
Instagram and TikTok: @caro_kelley
Facebook: @carokelleymusic
YouTube: @CaroKelley
Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
0:00 Re-introducing Caro
1:09 Caro explains why she decided to undertake her 1000 Albums project
2:33 Caro details the process she used to select the 1000 albums
4:53 Caro explains how she rates the records she listens to
9:04 Why Caro gave her own album five stars
10:57 Caro clarifies the familiarity data from her 1000 Albums spreadsheet
Discussion of selected albums (with Caro’s ratings):
13:16 They Might Be Giants, Flood (1 star)
17:18 The Waterboys, This Is The Sea (2 stars)
24:07 Toto, self-titled (3 stars)
26:59 Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out (3 stars)
33:32 The Cars, Heartbeat City (4 stars)
36:40 Steve Winwood, Arc of a Diver (4 stars)
38:32 Frank Ocean, Blonde (5 stars)
Outro music is from “Guilty Feeling” by Caro Kelley.
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