The storied musician, songwriter, and music journalist talks about recording his album The Last Day of Summer during the pandemic, his approach to interviewing artists, and his friendships with some of his musical heroes.

Today, the Spotlight shines On musician, songwriter, journalist, and returning guest, Jeff Slate.

Jeff joined us about two years ago and while that discussion was more focused on his work as a writer and cultural observer, this talk focuses on his music career.

Based in New York City, Jeff has traveled quite an interesting road from his roots in the mid-80s post-punk world to rubbing shoulders and working with luminaries like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Pete Townshend, Roger McGuinn, Jeff Tweedy, Willie Nile, Margo Price, and Sheryl Crow.

Jeff has a new record out, The Last Day of Summer, featuring Dave Stewart, Duff McKagan, Earl Slick, as well as members of Paul Weller’s band and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The album even boasts photos shot by famed rock photographer Bob Gruen.

It was a real blast getting to know this side of Jeff’s life and work. He’s fun to spend time with and is someone who speaks his mind and who clearly cares. Check out Jeff’s music (links are in the show notes) and enjoy our talk.

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Jeff Slate’s album The Last Day of Summer)

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Dig Deeper

• Visit Jeff Slate at jeffslatehq.com
• Purchase Jeff Slate’s album The Last Day of Summer on Qobuz or listen on your streaming platform of choice
• Follow Jeff Slate on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube
• Jeff Slate visits Spotlight On in 2022
• Story Of The Song “Bennie And The Jets” By Elton John
• Jet | Paul McCartney & Wings | The Beatles Bible
• David Bowie changed my life: the story of Earl Slick
• Ben Gordelier | Drummer/Producer
• How Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy Rediscovered Routine in Quarantine
• How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy
• Jorma and Vanessa Kaukonen visit Spotlight On in 2020
• Duff McKagan • Official Website
• Duane Lundy | Music Production | Lexington, KY
• David Bowie’s bandmates explain just how he got them to sound like that
• Peter Frampton on why he keeps performing despite suffering with a degenerative disease
• Heartbreakers Bassist Ron Blair on His Life With Tom Petty
• The stories behind Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets' new Set The Controls setlist
• Steve Cradock | Guitarist (Paul Weller)
• The Style Council’s Mick Talbot: 10 records that changed my life
• Revisiting John Lennon’s Comeback Album ‘Double Fantasy’
• Boogie Wonder Band: The most celebrated Disco Band of Our Generation
• Dirt Floor Recording & Production
• “Blues Albums Turned My Life Around”: Dave Stewart on New LP ‘Ebony McQueen,’ Eurythmics’ Legacy and Beyond
• The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde on the State of Music - WSJ
• ‘Tattooed Love Boys’: A song that describes the tragic assault of Chrissie Hynde
• James Honeyman-Scott: The Complete 1981 Pretenders Interview
• ‘The Who’s Tommy’ Is Back On Broadway — and it’s a Great Time
• Jeff Slate: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

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