Joe Senger- The Story of a Musician's Journey to Honor His Brother & the Music They Created

Episode Summary

Joe Senger, a musician, joins Brad Banyas on the SaltyMF Goat Podcast to discuss his musical journey and the story behind his brother's lost music. Joe recounts growing up in Baltimore with a brother who struggled with bipolar disorder and manic depression, leading to a tumultuous childhood. Despite these challenges, they formed a band, recorded music, and eventually released an EP in 1994. After his brother's untimely death, Joe discovered the lost tapes and worked to restore and release the music. The album, "Too Many Junkies," was finally released on October 1, 2023, honoring his brother's legacy and showcasing their timeless music. The conversation centers on the differences between live and recorded music, with speakers expressing a preference for the energy and authenticity of live performances. They criticize modern concerts where artists lip-sync or rely heavily on pre-recorded tracks, citing examples like Justin Timberlake and unnamed artists. They emphasize the importance of supporting local musicians and the personal connection that comes from attending live shows. Joe Senger shares his journey of honoring his late brother through music, highlighting the album "Too Many Junkies" available on major streaming platforms and his website. The discussion also promotes a service called Band Groupeez, designed to help local musicians connect with audiences.

Journey to the Podcast and Introduction to Joe Senger

• Speaker 1 (Brad Banyas) introduces the podcast and Joe Senger, highlighting his musical journey and the story of lost music recently found.
• Speaker 2 (Joe Senger) expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and mentions his trip to North Carolina to play music.
• Joe talks about his upcoming performances in North Carolina at the Blind Fox and the Bank, describing the venues and the weather in Kannapolis.

Joe's Musical Beginnings and Family Dynamics

• Joe shares his background, growing up in Baltimore with a brother eight years older and a sister six years older.
• He discusses his brother's struggles with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and manic depression, and the impact on their family.
• Joe recounts his brother's early musical influences and his own early attempts to play music, including sneaking into the basement to play drums.
• The brother's band, Pentagon, is mentioned, highlighting its unique composition and Joe's brother's guitar skills.

Formation of the Band and Early Recording Experiences

• Joe describes the formation of their band, starting with cover songs and eventually writing their own music.
• They recorded their first originals on a four-track recorder, with Joe's brother playing guitar and Joe on drums.
• The band's progression is detailed, including the addition of a bass player and the acquisition of better recording equipment.
• Joe reflects on the brother's influence and his own contributions to the band's sound and production.

Challenges and Changes in the Music Industry

• Joe talks about the transition from vinyl to CDs and cassettes, and their decision to release an EP cassette in 1994.
• Joe reflects on the changing music industry and the challenges of releasing music without the internet and social media.
• The band's evolution is mentioned, including Joe's brother's increasing struggles with alcohol and mental health.

Joe's Personal Journey and Family Struggles

• Joe shares his personal journey, including moving to New York, Pennsylvania, and eventually Florida for work.
• He describes the ongoing challenges with his brother's mental health and the impact on their relationship.
• Joe's brother's final years are recounted, including his struggles with alcohol, manic depression, and a triple bypass.
• The story of Joe's brother's death and the discovery of his body three months later is shared, highlighting the landlord's actions and the subsequent legal battle.

Reuniting with the Music and the Release of the Album

• Joe recounts the process of finding the lost tapes and the emotional journey of listening to them.
• The decision to release the album is discussed, including the challenges of transferring the tapes to digital format.
• Joe shares the story of the album's release date coinciding with his brother's birthday, adding a poignant touch to the project.
• The album's reception and the impact of the music on listeners are highlighted, with Joe expressing pride in the final product.

Reflections on the Music and Its Relevance Today

• Joe reflects on the relevance of the music today, emphasizing its timeless quality and the energy in the recordings.
• The album's release date and the process of preparing for its launch are discussed, including the creation of a physical album with additional content.
• Joe shares anecdotes about the band's wild times and the brother's antics, adding a personal touch to the story.
• The album's success and the positive feedback from listeners are mentioned, with Joe expressing gratitude for the support and interest in the music.

Live Music vs. Recorded Music

• Joe discusses the difference between old school music recorded to a live drummer and modern music recorded to a click track.
• Brad agrees, noting that live music has a unique energy that recorded music lacks.
• Joe shares his experience attending a Justin Timberlake concert, expressing that the energy felt pre-recorded despite the high production value.
• Brad recounts attending a concert where the artist was lip-syncing, expressing disappointment and frustration.

Preferences in Music and Live Performances

• Brad and Joe discuss their differing opinions on Justin Timberlake and other artists, emphasizing the importance of live energy in music.
• Joe reminisces about his first concert experience with Van Halen, highlighting the raw energy and imperfections of live performances.
• Joe mentions using Spotify to discover new music, appreciating the convenience but lamenting the decline in album sales.
• Brad shares his own experience of discovering local band Hush Money, emphasizing the personal connection and authenticity of live music.

The Importance of Local Music and Independent Artists

• Brad talks about the impact of local musicians and the personal connection they bring to their music.
• Brad and Joe discuss the decline of live music venues and the challenge of finding new, independent artists.
• Brad expresses a desire to promote independent artists and the importance of supporting local music scenes.
• Joe emphasizes the need for listeners to support local musicians by giving feedback and attending live shows.

Challenges for Independent Musicians

• Joe discusses the financial and time investment required to produce music, highlighting the need for listeners to engage with new artists.
• Joe encourages listeners to explore new music and support local bands by attending shows and providing feedback.
• Brad introduces their service, Band Groupeez, designed to help local musicians and venues connect with listeners.
• Brad explains how Band Groupeez aims to make it easier for listeners to discover and support independent artists.

Joe Senger's Musical Journey and Tribute to His Brother

• Joe shares his story of creating an album as a tribute to his brother, emphasizing the importance of listeners engaging with the music.
• Joe discusses the availability of his album on various streaming platforms and his website.
• Brad and Joe talk about the significance of the album's release and the personal meaning behind the music.
• Joe mentions the YouTube channel for his band, LEAF, and the lyric videos available for fans to enjoy.

Final Thoughts and Appreciation

• Brad and Joe reflect on the importance of listening to music and supporting independent artists.
• Brad thanks Joe for sharing his story and emphasizes the human connection in music.
• Joe expresses gratitude for the support and opportunities provided by Brad and their team.
• Brad encourages listeners to stay true to their passions and support local music scenes.