Calling Out The Ghosts: The Wayside + Producer Matt Goldman discuss new music

John Thompson December 19, 2022

If you think True Tunes host and founder John J. Thompson is objective about music – merely a dispassionate observer or fact-gathering journalist… think again. “Before I wrote about music,” he admits, “before I worked in the industry at all – before I promoted concerts or started True Tunes back in the 80s – I was a kid with a guitar, bad hair, and way more confidence than talent. Inspired by heroes like T Bone Burnett, Steve Taylor, Bob Dylan, Bono, Mark Heard, Bruce Cockburn, The 77s, and all of the bands Terry Scott Taylor was in, I knew I had to make music. Everything I have done since then has flowed from this original inspiration. I am definitely biased about this stuff.”

The Wayside (and friends) after tracking Ghost and Not OK: (L-R) Hunter Spivey, Jimmy Abegg, Dan Wheeler, Steve Hindalong, Michelle Thompson, JJT, Matt Goldman

And despite how busy he has been helping other people with their projects, It’s been a long time since Thompson has released new music of his own. With the release of a new double single: “Ghost In The Needle” / “Not OK At All” that time has come and he is ready to show his hand. In this special “extended” 45RPM episode, JJT is joined by his wife – and longsuffering Wayside bandmate – Michelle Lynn Thompson to discuss their new songs in particular and their somewhat complicated creative relationship in general. Elsewhere in the show, he sits down with producer Matt Goldman, famous for his work with Underoath, The Chariot, Luxury, and others, to talk about the production process.

Full Show Notes are available at TrueTunes.com/Wayside45 and all of the band’s available music can be found at TheWaysideStore.com.

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