In conversation with: OldHead
OldHead is a top contender for the most eccentric of all Blast Radio broadcasters. Going live from his cabin in the woods – frequently with special guests and consistently with pickle sandwiches – his broadcasts bring a combination of laughs, tunes, jokes, and commentary about his late pet moose, Martha.
We recently spoke with him to learn more about his taste, his inspirations, and the album he’s got in the works. Read on to learn about the man in the woods.
Make sure to follow OldHead (https://blastradio.com/oldhead or ‘OldHead’ in the app) to catch “The Old Head Two Hour Radio Hour” show live every Sunday night.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you enjoy the most about sharing your own voice in your broadcasts?
You wanna know a little bit about me? Hoo-boy where to start…well, I’m old. Like really old. I’m 112. At least that’s when I stopped counting. I live in a cabin in the woods. I spend most of my days listening to music and turning my compost heap. The cabin itself is pretty ramshackle, not a whole lot of creature comforts outside of my turntables and my EXTENSIVE record collection. Oh, speaking of creatures, I used to have a pet moose named Martha. She died recently and it broke my damn heart. I miss that giant lumbering beast, like I miss the stamina of my youth. She was a loving behemoth. I love doing the OldHead Two Hour Radio Hour because it’s really the only way I ever get to have any contact with the outside world. Except for when I hop on to my Segway with all-terrain tires and go looking for records. I’m a recluse, so the show is the only time I really let my guard down and talk to people. And I like that they like the funk as much as I do.
If you could see any artist (dead or alive) in concert, who would it be?
There’s a lot of options here. Names I would consider… I think both Howlin’ Wolf and Prince are up there. And Tom Waits is someone I still haven’t seen live and that’s sort of a bucket list item. By the way, when you’re 112 your bucket list tends to be pretty short. But Tom Waits is up there for me. I think, above anyone else though, I would want to see Little Richard in his prime. We don’t give him enough credit. He really was where so much good stuff started. That’s why he’s The Architect. So much important music that has been made was built on the foundation that was laid down by the great Richard Wayne Penniman.
Do you have a fond memory of the radio you’d like to share? Who you were with, what was playing, how it made you feel?
Listen, I’m 112. I was around before radio was INVENTED. But I do remember hearing music streaming over the airwaves the first time, out there in Pittsburgh. KDKA, I believe were the call signs. 1920 it was. And from then on, the world was a different place. But more recently than that, I was a huge fan of radio in the 80’s-early 90’s. I remember there was a night where Eddie Vedder took over a radio broadcast and did a sort of pirate radio show. He played a bunch of unknown artists and a lot of not-traditionally-radio-worthy stuff. Like out-there stuff. It was magical. I taped it all on cassette and listened to it late at night. Also, Henry Rollins has been a huge influence. The passion with which he talks about music of all kinds is so joyful to listen to. Just to hear someone who cares passionately about the music they share with all of us is so refreshing. I really feel like it’s important to him, and because of that, it becomes important to us. I endeavor to do the same thing…with a few more jokes, because I’m a smart-ass, and I can’t help myself.
How would you describe the music you make?
You hear a couple songs on most streaming platforms under the name “RATS ELEGANT” it’s a former side project I did a while back. It’s some weird stuff. Goofy. But, hopefully next year sometime, OLDHEAD WILL BE RELEASING A RECORD. I’ve been working on a project with Jimmy Lavalle, whom some of you may know as The Album Leaf. Together with Jimmy and a bunch of really talented MC’s, we’re putting together a project that is sounding really really good. Yes, OldHead will be spitting some verses on this record, but I’m mostly on the producer tip on this one. I don’t want to say too much, but this is a record with a lot of love in it. Love for the culture, love for the potential of the future and love for the architects that came before us. I’m very excited to be able to play it for all of you.
How would you describe your broadcasts?
The OldHead Two Hour Radio Hour is two hours of pure joy. It’s like being shot out of a cannon and being fed a Turkey Dinner while you are sailing through the air only to land in a bouncy house that is co-owned by Rob Zombie, De La Soul, and Robin Williams. That’s my elevator pitch at least. There’s good music, good jokes, and everyone gets a pickle sandwich!
