Jokermen
Jokermen is a music-focused podcast centered on the work of Leonard Cohen, with hosts digging deep into his albums, lyrics and legacy. Beyond Cohen, the show's back catalog covers other artists such as Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, the Velvet Underground, Steely Dan, Randy Newman, Billy Joel and Death Grips. Episodes mix song-by-song analysis, historical context and plenty of opinionated discussion aimed at serious music fans. Additional ad-free episodes and bonus material are available to supporters through Patreon.
Episodes
Teaser // Leonard Cohen: BEAUTIFUL LOSERS — Side B
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Teaser // Leonard Cohen: BEAUTIFUL LOSERS – Side A
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Leonard Cohen: PARASITES OF HEAVEN
The Jokermen read and discuss still more poems of Leonard Cohen, whether you want them to or not.
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Leonard Cohen: LADIES & GENTLEMEN, MR. LEONARD COHEN
The Jokermen remark on the CBC's 1965 documentary portrait of Mr. Leonard Cohen, which dares to ponder the question, "What if there was a Canadian guy who had swag?"
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Teaser // Leonard Cohen: FLOWERS FOR HITLER — Side B
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Leonard Cohen: FLOWERS FOR HITLER — Side A
The Jokermen interrogate Leonard Cohen's third collection of poetry, the radical, sublime Flowers For Hitler.
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In Conversation: SYLVAN ESSO
Ian speaks with Sylvan Esso's Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn about the pain of daily existence, releasing a record on 9/11, nuance and depth in a discography, making a record in the midst of environmental catastrophe, overemphasizing despair, trying to become Phish, the difficulties in ditching Spotify, working with Daniel Aged, and more.
"OW ∞" AVAILABLE NOW
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Teaser // Leonard Cohen: THE FAVOURITE GAME — Side B
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Teaser // Leonard Cohen: THE FAVOURITE GAME — Side A
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Leonard Cohen: THE SPICE-BOX OF EARTH — Side B
The Jokermen consider poems about the cosmos, the Jewish diaspora, and getting your dick sucked, among other subjects.
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Leonard Cohen: THE SPICE-BOX OF EARTH — Side A
The Jokermen examine Leonard Cohen's travels through London, Hydra, and Havana on his way to the publication of his second volume of poetry, The Spice-Box of Earth.
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Teaser // Leonard Cohen: LET US COMPARE MYTHOLOGIES — Side B
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Leonard Cohen: LET US COMPARE MYTHOLOGIES — Side A
The Jokermen commence their inquiries into the life and art of Leonard Norman Cohen.
JOKERMEN PATREON SUBS 25% OFF THRU AUGUST — DON'T YOU DARE MISS IT!
In Conversation: TIM MIDYETT
Evan is joined by Tim Midyett of the mighty Silkworm to discuss the band’s uncompromising creative life and times, working with Steve Albini, and why playing together after 20 years feels as exciting as ever.
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Teaser // The Fall: THE REAL NEW FALL EPISODE with John Tottenham
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JOKERMEN 4
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In Conversation: NIROSTA STEEL
The Jokermen speak with Steven Hall—AKA Nirosta Steel—about his spectacular overnight success, his cat Romeo, his friendship with Arthur Russell, the extremities of 70s nightlife, Buddhist rebels in Thailand, Allen Ginsberg, upcoming tour plans, becoming a sex symbol at 69, his extraordinary new record My Skyscraper, and much (much) more.
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"MY SKYSCRAPER"
Teaser // Death Grips: THE JOKERMEN 30
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In Conversation: AZNIV KORKEJIAN
Ian speaks with Azniv Korkejian, AKA Bedouine, about the weather, working in the Los Angeles scene, antiquated genre terminology, the puzzle of submitting to the Grammys, Leonard Cohen, Lisa Simpson, rebelling as a teen, parenthood advice, growing up in Riyadh, observing strife in Syria and Lebanon from the US, her family's unique journey, her excellent new record Neon Summer Skin, and much m
Teaser // Death Grips: YEAR OF THE SNITCH
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Teaser // Death Grips: FASHION WEEK/INTERVIEW/STEROIDS/GMAIL
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In Conversation: NOAH LENNOX + PETE KEMBER
Ian speaks with Noah Lennox and Pete Kember—aka Panda Bear and Sonic Boom—about the annoying Victor Wembanyama, ditching Spotify, the former glory of the charts, Lou Reed's Pickwick era, making music that makes them laugh, the evolution of their collaborative relationship, annoying-sounding keyboards, fostering a community that values art, and their sublime new record, A ? OF WHEN.
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OHL x Jokermen // In Conversation: JIM WINDOLF
Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Office Hours and Jokermen. Game recognizes game in this very special "In Conversation" podcast collaboration with OHL's Tim Heidecker, Jokermen's Ian Grant and Jim Windolf, author of Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other―and the World. This one is for the true heads. Dig in and enjoy the conversation!
Teaser // Death Grips: BOTTOMLESS PIT with Benjamin Booker
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In Conversation: AARON OLSON
The Jokermen chat with friend of the pod Aaron Olson about whimsy, Robert Fripp's balls, Newgrange, punishers, Richard Harris, his rejoinder to "Honkin' Down The Highway," the accidental poetry of Pete Weber, Bob Dylan, Bruce Hornsby, Doug Weston's Troubadour, the many potential meanings of the phrase "Pet Sounds," his great new record Songs Album II, and much more.
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Teaser // Death Grips: JENNY DEATH
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Teaser // Death Grips: 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯
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In Conversation: MIKE CAMPBELL
Ian speaks with the great Mike Campbell about his affectation and appreciation for Brian Wilson, growing up with the Beach Boys, working through the loss of Tom Petty, pinch hitting for Lindsey Buckingham, working with the Dirty Knobs, the pleasures of airports, the True Confessions '86 Tour, and much more.
LISTEN TO "MISSION OF MERCY"
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In Conversation: DAVE DEPPER
Ian talks to Death Cab For Cutie's Dave Depper about making a great rock record, the Gibbardian work ethic, his status as the Ron Wood of Death Cab, his induction into the band, going indie 30 years into a career, raging against the dying of the light, taking selfies with Mike Love and Al Jardine in the catering tent—plus a dispatch from the debut performance of Bob Dylan's Long Hot Summer 2026 To
Teaser // Death Grips: GOVERNMENT PLATES
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In Conversation: IAN O'NEIL + JOHN McCAULEY
Ian chats with Ian O'Neil and John McCauley of Deer Tick about taking their time, writing rock songs about Rhode Island, the Providence scene, the Newport Folk Festival, being upstaged by Joni Mitchell, Dan Bejar's turn to synthesizers, the Adult Correctional Institution, Bob Dylan, Weird Al, Brian Wilson, and the new Deer Tick record Coin-O-Matic.
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COIN-O-MATIC OU
Teaser // Death Grips: NO LOVE DEEP WEB
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Teaser // Death Grips: THE MONEY STORE
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Death Grips: EXMILITARY
The Jokermen discuss Exmilitary, the instant-classic debut from experimental hip-hop group Death Grips.
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Teaser // The Beach Boys: THE JOKERMEN 100 — Side B
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The Beach Boys: THE JOKERMEN 100 — Side A
The Jokermen reveal the first half of their epic accounting of the hundred best songs by Hawthorne's pride and joy.
Top 50 coming later this week, only on Patreon
Teaser // The Beach Boys: THE ALBUM ART
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: AT MY PIANO + LONG PROMISED ROAD
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The Beach Boys: DO IT AGAIN
The Jokermen honor The Beach Boys the best way they can: by doing it again and revisiting All Summer Long, 20/20, 15 Big Ones, and L.A. (Light Album).
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Brian Wilson: NO PIER PRESSURE
The Jokermen discuss the final original Brian Wilson LP, a misshapen collection of collaborations with the some of 2015's hottest recording artists: Kacey Musgraves, Zooey Deschanel, and renowned pod racer Sebulba.
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Teaser // Mike Love: UNLEASH THE LOVE + 12 SIDES OF SUMMER + MIKE LOVE, NOT WAR
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"Gary Stewart: I Am From The Honky Tonks" with Jimmy McDonough
Evan is joined by Jimmy McDonough, author of Gary Stewart: I Am From The Honky Tonks—an epic biography nearly 40 years in the making, chronicling the turbulent life of one of country music’s most fascinating and singular voices.
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In Conversation: BRUCE HORNSBY
The Jokermen rap with the great Bruce Hornsby about his extraordinary artistic career, learning from The Grateful Dead, working with Bob Dylan, the significance of Edward Hopper, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, Bruce's superb new record "Indigo Park," and much more.
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In Conversation: CARL NEWMAN
Ian speaks with Carl Newman of The New Pornographers about paying or not paying attention to critics, the extended gestation of the band's new record, the difficulty of writing about the internet, the unique impermanence of The New Pornographers, assembling a discography over the decades, the Canadian-ness of the band—plus Bob, Leonard, Joni, Neil, Geese, and more.
LISTEN TO "THE FORMER SITE OF
Teaser // Brian Wilson: LOVE & MERCY (2014)
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Teaser // Van Dyke Parks: SONGS CYCLED
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Jokermen LIVE with Max Clarke & Jeff Tweedy
Complete audio from our live show in Chicago earlier this month with Max Clarke of Cut Worms and Jeff Tweedy
FULL VIDEO AVAILABLE ON THE JOKERMEN YOUTUBE
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LISTEN TO TRANSMITTER
The Beach Boys: THAT'S WHY GOD MADE THE RADIO with Jason Woodbury
The Jokermen are joined by friend of the pod Jason Woodbury to do it again one last time.
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Al Jardine: A POSTCARD FROM CALIFORNIA
The Jokermen discuss Al Jardine's delightful debut LP, featuring appearances from Brian Wilson, Steve Miller (?), and Alec Baldwin (???).
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: IN THE KEY OF DISNEY
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Brian Wilson: REIMAGINES GERSHWIN with Aaron Olson
The Jokermen welcome Aaron Olson, the busiest man in the Los Angeles indie rock scene, back to the program to consider George & Ira Gershwin, Judaism, and the purpose of Brian Wilson circa 2010.
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: THAT LUCKY OLD SUN with Ray Padgett
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THE JOKERMEN MEET AL JARDINE
Catch Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band Live TONIGHT in Los Angeles
Teaser // Jokermen Presents "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE"
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Brian Wilson: BEAUTIFUL DREAMER WAKE
The Jokermen recount the extraordinary story behind the completion, after thirty-seven years, of Brian Wilson's SMiLE.
NEXT EPISODE ON BWPS COMING ON THE JOKERMEN PATREON
WATCH THE "BEAUTIFUL DREAMER" DOCUMENTARY
Teaser // The Fall: SHIFT WORK with John Tottenham
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In Conversation: ROBERT POLITO
Ian speaks with Robert Polito about After The Flood: Inside Bob Dylan's Memory Palace, his superb new book about the second (and best) half of Bob Dylan's artistic career.
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: GETTIN' IN OVER MY HEAD
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The Beach Boys: WE GOTTA GROOVE with Howie Edelson, James Sáez, & Alan Boyd
The Jokermen are joined by producers Howie Edelson, James Sáez, and Alan Boyd to discuss the spectacular new Love You-era box set release We Gotta Groove.
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"WE GOTTA GROOVE" AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY
Teaser // Mike Love: SALUTE NASCAR + Al Jardine: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
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David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"
The Jokermen speak with author, documentarian, friend of the pod, and all-around mensch David Leaf about his All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this March.
WATCH "AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON"
Teaser // Brian Wilson: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE
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"The World of Leonard Cohen" with David Shumway
The Jokermen speak to David Shumway about the life, times, and art of Leonard Cohen as assessed in The World of Leonard Cohen, a new collection of essays edited by Shumway.
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Brian Wilson: LIVE AT THE ROXY
The Jokermen join Brian Wilson and company in the year 2000 for an immaculate document of Brian's triumphant return to show and concert recorded at the legendary Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles.
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: IMAGINATION
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In Conversation: RYLEY WALKER
The Jokermen chat with Ryley Walker about becoming a laptop guy, David Sylvian, Bob Dylan, XTC, compact discs, Van Morrison, Van Morrison's dick and balls, Westerman, Cameron Winter and Geese, the new wave of weird, fun, fresh indie rock, expanding his audience beyond record collectors, and more.
CATCH RYLEY ON THE WEST COAST THIS WEEK
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🔓Unlocked // DEAD & CO. 2025
In honor of Bob Weir, who passed away today at the age of 78, we're unlocking Ian & Evan's positively fried post-show conversation following Dead & Co's penultimate performance in San Francisco on 8/2/25, which previously ran on Never Ending Stories.
Fare thee well Bobby 🌹
Teaser // Silver Jews: TANGLEWOOD NUMBERS with @secretknowledgeofbackroads
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In Conversation: DANIEL LOPATIN
The Jokermen are joined by Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) to discuss his superb score for the instant classic MARTY SUPREME, American Hauntology, Donald Fagen, Stanley Kubrick, the blimp and much more.
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"MARTY SUPREME" SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE NOW
Teaser // Walter Becker: CIRCUS MONEY with Alex Preiss
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Brian Wilson: WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS + Mike Love: REASON FOR THE SEASON
The Jokermen embrace the "Do It Again" ethos of the holidays with two late-era Christmas records: Brian Wilson's warm-hearted What I Really Want For Christmas, and Mike Love's aesthetically abrasive Reason For The Season. Plus: a Root Beer Report unlike any other.
In Conversation: DANIEL ROSSEN
Ian catches up with Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear about their just-concluded 2025 tour, revisiting Yellow House, Veckatimest, and Shields, returning to the past with no sense of pressure, community vs. quality of life, solo artists vs. rock bands, the lasting reputation of Grizzly Bear, the GOAT Michael McDonald, and much more.
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In Conversation: W. DAVID MARX
Ian speaks with author W. David Marx about cultural atrophy, poptimism, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Geese, the "Mike Love Century," The Beatles, the importance of serious criticism, Kanye, Kim, Paris Hilton, new musical genres (or lack thereof), fashion and food scenes vs. music and arts scenes, and Marx's superb new book, Blank Space: A Cultural History of the Twenty First Century.
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Teaser // The Beach Boys: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BEACH BOYS
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The WILSON PHILLIPS Episode
The Jokermen consider Carnie and Wendy Wilson's output from the 1990s: the self-titled Wilson Phillips debut, Shadows & Light, and their pseudo-collaboration with Brian, The Wilsons.
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: SLIGHTLY AMERICAN MUSIC
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Teaser // Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band LIVE In Show & Concert
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The Beach Boys: STARS & STRIPES VOL. 1
The Jokermen discuss the laziest effort yet from the Beach Boys.
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Van Dyke & Brian: ORANGE CRATE ART
The Jokermen celebrate Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson's collaborative release Orange Crate Art, as well as the California myth, the reclamation of the SMiLE project, the complicated relationship between art and commerce, and the medium of orange crate art itself.
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Teaser // Brian Wilson: I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES (1995)
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