Ep496: The Adjacent Possible w/ Damian Kulash of OK Go

The Vinyl Guide Interview - For Record Collectors & Music Nerds

Damian Kulash of OK Go discusses his evolution from punk music fan, working with Dischord records, and creating boundary-pushing music, vinyl packaging and viral videos

Topics Include:

• New album "And The Adjacent Possible" available for streaming now.
• Discussion about physical media's role in OK Go's output.
• OK Go primarily known for videos that "live in the ether."
• Damian was into physical record packaging during college years.
• First record was Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," bought at Tower Records.
• Young Damian damaged the record trying to scratch like DJ.
• Later played with Herbie Hancock at Obama's 50th birthday party.
• Musical journey from hip-hop through Prince, Beatles, Led Zeppelin.
• DC punk scene was influential, with bands playing in cafeterias.
• Started Level Records at age 15,with funding from Dischord Records.
• Ian MacKaye lent teenager Damian money to start label.
• Level Records produced 7-inches and compilation CDs for friends' bands.
• College made running a record label difficult for Damian.
• Studied art semiotics at Brown University.
• Worked as NPR radio engineer and Photoshop retoucher after college.
• Indifferent to Napster's rise during OK Go's early days.
• Band finances operated like "roadrunner off the cliff" cartoon.
• Discussion about gift economy model working for the band.
• Belief that making things you love matters most, not success.
• Music sometimes gets overshadowed by video's visual impact.
• Videos gave OK Go longevity beyond typical radio-hit bands.
• New album theme explores Stuart Kaufman's "adjacent possible" concept.
• OK Go doesn't have unified sound; band is "like a mixtape."
• Treadmill video was originally made for "nerdiest fans" only.
• Videos aim to create real events that connect with viewers.
• Physical pressings of OK Go albums are costly in secondary market.
• New vinyl features elaborate pop-up sphere in custom packaging.
• Hidden track on second album deliberately blocked copy-protection software.
• Record label "Paracadute" means parachute in Italian.
• Ten-year album gap wasn't intentional; life and pandemic happened.
• Directed "The Beanie Bubble" film with his wife for Apple.
• Film directing different from making music videos; less adrenaline-driven.
• Video production typically takes 3-6 months from concept to completion.
• Some video ideas abandoned when technology made them commonplace.

Order the OK Go LP "And The Adjacent Possible" on vinyl here

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