Franz Nicolay, The Hold Steady

Franz Nicolay plays piano, accordion and pretty much anything with keys for a wide range of projects including The Hold Steady and cabaret-punk orchestra World/Inferno Friendship Society as well as his own burgeoning solo career. We talk on all that in addition to his output as an author (see links below).  This is one wide ranging chat we hope you’ll enjoy a great deal. To listen / watch: * Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: * Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):   Franz’s past 12 months Franz’s most recent solo album – New River Seeking the challenge of being more exposed Franz’s musical upbringing The World / Inferno Friendship Society Guignol – Bad Day at the U.N.  Anti-Social Music – Anti-Social Wedding Music Voltaire – The Black Labyrinth Experience of being in highly democratic bands Franz’s upcoming book – Band People Humorless Ladies of Border Control and Someone Should Pay For Your Pain (check both of them out here) Rebecca West – Black Lamb and Grey Falcon Joining The Hold Steady Franz live with The Hold Steady in 2023 The Hold Steady – Sideways Skull The Hold Steady – Don’t Let Me Explode The Hold Steady – Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night The Hold Steady – Navy Sheets The Hold Steady – Heavy Covenant (featuring some old soviet synth samples) Franz’s rig with The Hold Steady Franz’s solo work on YouTube Tag a Keyboard Player: Garth Hudson, Geraint Watkins, Bob Andrews, Scott Thurston, Terry Adams, Ted Bois Desert Island Discs: Mercury – American Music Club, The Ellington Suites – Duke Ellington And His Orchestra, The Band – The Band, Live at Montreaux – Andrew Hill, Fourth Symphony (Live) – Charles Ives Key links: