When I first started this podcast, I made a wishlist of people I wanted to chat to. I’ve still not achieved my most-wanted artist (but I came close earlier this year!), but one of those first names I put on that list was none other than Eric Michener, better known as Fishboy.
If you’re not across Fishboy, then you definitely need to go back and right that wrong immediately.
I truly believe Eric is one of my favourite songwriters, with albums like Albatross, Classic Creeps, Waitsgiving, and Art Guards providing a perfect example of his broad storytelling skills, and the way in which he is able to construct and craft dazzling character-driven narratives that connect like satisfying jigsaw puzzles.
That is to say, if you want an album to sound good and feel good too, then darn it, you need to listen to his discography.
To this day, I believe that Art Guards may actually be my favourite album, solely due to the satisfaction obtained from this lyrical narrative.
Of course, in recent years, 2021’s Waitsgiving may have overtaken things as his most popular record – especially if you’re in Eric’s home of Denton, Texas, where the annual Waitsgiving celebration takes place.
However, it’s been a few years since the last album was released, and last month, that all changed with the arrival of Bravest Neighbor. Described as a “12 song examination of how a game of telephone in an imaginary community can touch on isolation, embarrassment, estrangement, and heartbreak,” I’m not lying when I tell you this is a very good album.
The lyrics are impressive, the music is accomplished, the narrative is stunning, and the additional musicians on here (I mean, it was recorded by Kid Koala in Montreal, so you know it’s going to be good) are stunning.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I urge you to listen to this record at least once before you hear this episode. I’ve listened to it close to a dozen times and I’m still discovering things. In fact, Eric and I actually discussed whether to make this episode spoiler-free or not in the lead-up to our chat.
Oh, in case you can’t tell, my guest this week is indeed Eric Michener, who was kind enough to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon talking down the computer to a dedicated Australian fan about his craft, his records, and his love of music.
Now, I will admit that there are a few audio hiccups at play here. Namely that I could hear my own voice echoed through Eric’s audio, so if you’re hearing a little bit of doubling up when I’m talking, that just means my countless hours of audio editing have not quite reached their peak. Sorry about that.
Anyway, have a listen to Fishboy’s Bravest Neighbor, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Eric Michener’s Trusty Chords
Eric’s One Influential Artist
- Daniel Johnston
Honourable Mention:
- Cavedweller
Eric’s Three Impactful Albums
- Belle And Sebastian – Tigermilk (1996)
- Spoon – Kill The Moonlight (2002)
- Daniel Johnston – Yip/Jump Music (1983)
- Daniel Johnston – Hi, How Are You (1983)
Eric’s Five Trusty Songs
- Daniel Johnston – ‘Worried Shoes’ (1983)
- The Kinks – ‘Two Sisters’ (1967)
- Silver Jews – ‘Random Rules’ (1998)
- The Velvet Underground – ‘Sweet Jane’ (1970)
- Big Star – ‘Thirteen’ (1972)