Bullseye with Jesse Thorn (donors-only feed)
The official donors-only feed of Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
SxSW 2010: Lemmy & The Bill Hicks Story

The second show from this year's South By Southwest festival delves into the lives of two outsiders who have new biopics: Bill Hicks and Lemmy. First, a conversation about Hicks with Matt Harlock and Steve Hicks the director of American and the brother of its subject respectively. Then, Wes Orshoski and Greg Olliver, the creators of the new Lemmy biopic. Finally, the man himself, Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

Direct download: TSOYA_100330.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:54pm PST

SxSW 2010: David Gordon Green & Bear Nation

The first of two shows from the South By Southwest Film Conference and festival. David Gordon Green is the writer and director of the acclaimed drama George Washington but has recently transitioned into lighter fare such as Pineapple Express. Malcom Ingram is the director of the heart warming film Bear Nation. It explores the gay subculture in which larger, hairier gentlemen are not only accepted, but desired. 

Direct download: TSOYA_100323.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:07pm PST

Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts & Karen Kilgariff

An interview with Upright Citizen's Brigade co-founders Matt Walsh & Ian Roberts. Their new show on Spike TV is called Players. Plus comedy from Karen Kilgariff and the singing duo God's Pottery.

Direct download: TSOYA_100316.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Luis Guzman

Character actor Luiz Guzman currently appears in the HBO series How To Make It In America. He's also been in one out of every four movies you probably see. Plus, news from comedy group Kasper Hauser and some of March's overlooked pop culture gems as decided by the AV Club. 

Direct download: TSOYA_100309.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:00pm PST

Aziz Ansari, Elna Baker & Hugh Moore

This week: fresh faces. Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari has a new comedy special called Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. Elna Baker has a new memoir on being single and Mormon in the Big Apple. Plus live stand up from Hugh Moore.

Direct download: TSOYA_100302.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Sundance 2010: 'Lucky' Producers Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch & Director of Programming Trevor Groth

The third of three shows taped in Park City, Utah during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. 'Lucky' is the new documentary from Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch that follows the lives of lottery winners through both their joy and their pain. Blitz and Welch were previously nominated for an Oscar for their film 'Spellbound'. Trevor Groth is the Director of programming at Sundance and talks about the selection process for this year's films. 

Direct download: TSOYA_100223.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Sundance 2010: Douchebag, Biker Fox & Drunk History

The second of three shows taped in Park City during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Drake Doremus is the 26 year old director of Douchebag, a dramatic comedy that follows a man and his brother on a quest to find his 5th grade sweetheart. Biker Fox is a Slamdance documentary about a Tulsa, Oklahoma eccentric known for bike tricks on busy roads and feeding wild animals with his bare hand. Drunk History is an HBO series originated on the web that features famous actors reenacting historical stories as told by drunken comedians. 

Direct download: TSOYA_100216.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Sundance 2010: Kevin Kline & Taika Waititi

The first of three shows taped in Park City, Utah during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Kevin Kline has been in countless films and holds the distinction of having won an Oscar for a comedic role in A Fish Called Wanda. He spoke with Jesse after the premier of his new film The Extra Man. Taika Waititi's first feature film is Eagle Vs. Shark. Jesse spoke with him after the premier of his new film Boy. The star of Boy, James Rolleston, joined them. 

Direct download: TSOYA_100209.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Sal Santana is the son of Carlos Santana. His debut album is a fusion of rock, hip-hop, electronica and soul called Keyboard City. Loudon Wainwright III is a folk singer, humorist and actor. His new album High Wide & Handsome is a tribute to the work of Charlie Pool.

Direct download: TSOYA_100202.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Au Revoire Simone & The Language of Things This week we plunge into a world of aesthetics with the curator of London's Design Museum and an all-female, all-keyboard band from Brooklyn who scour thrift stores and pawn shops for the perfect vintage sounds. Plus a nun fight, so that's pretty amazing.
Direct download: TSOYA_100126.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Jane Espenson, Gahan Wilson & The AV Club Television writer Jane Espenson has been involved in numerous shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Battlestar Galactica. She's an executive producer for the new Battlestar prequel series Caprica. Gahan Wilson is a legendary cartoonist whose light macabre style has been seen prominently in Playboy and the New York. Plus, hear from the AV Club about some films out now on DVD that you may have missed in theaters.
Direct download: TSOYA_100118.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Aziz Ansari, Elna Baker & Hugh Moore This week: fresh faces. Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari has a new comedy special called Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. Elna Baker has a new memoir on being single and Mormon in the Big Apple. Plus live stand up from Hugh Moore.
Direct download: TSOYA_100112.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Marc Maron & Armando Iannucci On the show this week are two satirists. First Armando Iannucci – the unknown great behind classic British comedies such as The Day Today and I’m Alan Partdrige. His new film In The Loop is on its way to DVD. Plus comedy great Marc Maron. His newest CD is called Final Engagement.
Direct download: TSOYA_100105.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

2009 Comedy Special To celebrate the New Year the Sound of Young America presents 2009's best comedy. Hear Maria Bamford, Kasper Hauser, Dana Gould, Patton Oswalt and many, many more.
Direct download: TSOYA_091229.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

A Brutal Metal Christmas Our holiday special with Rob Halford of Judas Priest and the directors of Until The Light Takes Us, a documentary on the brutal Norwegian black metal scene.
Direct download: TSOYA_091222.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:30pm PST

Al Madrigal & Brent Weinbach There's odd standup comedy, and then there's standup comedy so odd it gets you banned from a network late night show... after you've already taped your appearance. Comedian Brent Weinbach is on the show this week. Plus, comedian Al Madrigal talks about the odd encounters he's had after firing over a thousand people from their jobs.
Direct download: TSOYA_091215.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Donald Glover & Mark Duplass This week is about relying on yourself. Comic actor and writer Donald Glover is part of the sketch group Derrick Comedy, who recently produced the film Mystery Team entirely by themselves. Mark Duplass and his brother Jay started out making short comedy videos and moved on to feature length films like 2005's The Puffy Chair. Mark can currently be seen in the FX series The League.
Direct download: TSOYA_091208.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:03pm PST

Live in Chicago 2007 Live from the stage of Second City in Chicago. Recorded in 2007 with Steve Albini, Hannibal Buress, and more.
Direct download: TSOYA_091201.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Ian MacKaye & Alex Patsavas Ian MacKaye is central to the world of D.C. punk just as Alex Patsavas is central to the world of film and TV music supervisors. Plus Jordan Morris' Power Rankings of America!

Direct download: TSOYA_091124.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Steven Johnson & FreeDarko Steven Johnson's book The Invention of Air uses the story of the guy who discovered oxygen to look at where information revolutions come from... and speaking of revolutionaries, the folks behind the basketball blog Free Darko talk about why they think our greatest American is eccentric hoops star Gilbert Arenas.
Direct download: TSOYA_091117.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:15am PST

Nick Hornby & The Sartorialist Nick Hornby's newest book is Juliet Naked. He also is the screenwriter of the new film An Education. The Sartorialist is a fashion blog of daily street photography. Plus, we hear from the AV Club guys on the month's best stuff in the pop culture.
Direct download: TSOYA_091110.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Sarah Vowell & Mikita Brottman Sarah Vowell's recent book The Wordy Shipmates is now in paperback. Mikita Brottman makes the case that reading isn't so much useless as it is overrated.
Direct download: TSOYA_091103.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:20pm PST

Live in Philly (and a little more New York) We're taped live at the Philly Improv Theater. The oddities of the Mutter Museum, the graphic art of Charles Burns and the comedy of Kent Haines. Oh, and Andrew WK joins us on stage in New York.
Direct download: TSOYA_091027.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:22pm PST

Live at WNYC Interviews with Scott Adsit and Rik Cordero, music from Nellie McKay and Andrew WK, and comedy from Kumail Nanjiani.
Direct download: TSOYA_091020.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Langhorne Slim & Trailer Park Boys The Trailer Park Boys' critically acclaimed TV series is created in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and follows their lives as they drift in and out of crime, jail, and relationships. Jesse is interviewing them this week, and won't let the fact that they're fictional stop him. Plus, singer Langhorne Slim plays from his new album Be Set Free.
Direct download: TSOYA_091013.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:59pm PST

Brother Ali & Pharoahe Monch MCs Brother Ali & Pharoahe Monch.
Direct download: TSOYA_091006.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:53am PST

Nathan Rabin & Bucky Sinister

It's all about guys who have been through the ringer this week. Bucky Sinister is a comedian and poet. His new book is called Get Up A 12-Step Guide To Recovery for Misfits, Freaks & Weirdos. Nathan Rabin is the head writer for The Onion's AV Club. His book is called The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought to You By Pop Culture.

Direct download: TSOYA_090929_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Rian Johnson & Mike Clattenburg Guest Mike Clattenburg is the creator of the hilarious cult comedy series Trailer Park Boys, and Rian Johnson is the man behind the teen noir Brick. His new film The Brothers Bloom is being released on DVD.
Direct download: TSOYA_090922.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

An Hour With Kasper Hauser We spend a full, hilarious hour with San Francisco comedy group Kasper Hauser.
Direct download: TSOYA_090915.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Documentary maker Gary Hustwit & author Mike Sacks This week we look inside. Inside comedy writing with Mike Sacks and his new book about comedy writers, and inside the objects in our everyday lives, with Gary Hustwit and his design documentary Objectified.
Direct download: TSOYA_090908.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:40pm PST

Al Madrigal & Brent Weinbach There's odd standup comedy, and then there's standup comedy so odd it gets you banned from a network late night show... after you've already taped your appearance. Comedian Brent Weinbach is my guest this week. Plus, comedian Al Madrigal talks about the odd encounters he's had after firing over a thousand people from their jobs.
Direct download: TSOYA_090901.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Live in San Francisco Jello Biafra, the punk rocker who ran for mayor of San Francisco on the platform that businessmen dress in clown suits; State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano talks about the gay liberation movement of the 70s, and the queer comedy movement of the 80s; plus, comedy from Sean Cullen and music from Zion-I.
Direct download: TSOYA_090825.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Rob Siegel & Jon Friedman

Rob Siegel wrote last year's critically-acclaimed The Wrestler, and his new film Big Fan starring Patton Oswalt explores a different fringe society -- sports fandom. Plus, scraping the bottom of the barrel with Jon Friedman, host of the Rejection Show.

Direct download: TSOYA_090818.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Greg Kot & Chris Anderson Hear why the price of ideas is trending towards ‘free’ from Chris Anderson, the editor of WIRED  We’ll talk about what that means for people who make their living creating thoughts. Plus, hear from Sound Opinions’ Greg Kot on how this all plays out in the music industry and Coyle & Sharpe chime in with their own idea of ‘free’.
Direct download: TSOYA_090811.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Charlyne Yi & Paul Rust There's a new generation of comic actors driven by the inspired silliness of Steve Martin and Pee-Wee Herman. On the show this week, Jesse will talk with two of them, Paul Rust and Charlyne Yi.
Direct download: TSOYA_090804.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:38pm PST

'The State' & 'Michael & Michael Have Issues' It would be tough to find any comedy group that better exemplifies generation X than The State, but the State were anything but stereotypical slackers. We'll hear how eleven NYU students got their own MTV show when they were barely out of college. Plus, Michael Ian Black & Michael Showalter talk about their new show Michael & Michael Have Issues.
Direct download: TSOYA_090728.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:52pm PST

Gideon Yago & John Hodgman Author and Famous Minor Television Personality John Hodgman talks about creating fictional worlds for his new book of humorous fake trivia. Plus, Gideon Yago talks about covering those who cover the real world on his show, the IFC Media Project.
Direct download: TSOYA_090721.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Armando Iannucci & Marc Maron On the show this week are two satirists. First I talk to Armando Iannucci – the unknown great behind classic British comedies such as The Day Today and I’m Alan Partdrige. He’s got a new film out called In The Loop. Plus comedy great Marc Maron. His new CD is called Final Engagement.
Direct download: TSOYA_090714.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Bill Withers & Bun B Bill Withers wrote and recorded some of soul music's most enduring songs -- hits like Ain't No Sunshine, Use Me, Lovely Day and Lean on Me. Then, in the early 80s, he retired. He hasn't recorded or toured since. This week I talk to Bill Withers about his life and career, and about why he left it all behind.
Direct download: TSOYA_090707.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:03pm PST

Au Revoir Simone & The Language of Things We plunge into a world of aesthetics with the curator of London's Design Museum and an all-female, all-keyboard band from Brooklyn who scour thrift stores and pawn shops for the perfect vintage sounds. Plus a nun fight, so that's pretty amazing.
Direct download: TSOYA_090630.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

John Mulaney & Dana Gould Two masters of the joke. Comedian Dana Gould helped take stand up out of comedy clubs and into bars, rock clubs and book stores in the early 90s. After a stint as a writer and producer on the Simpsons, he's back with a new special. Plus a young upstart, John Mulaney -- he'll talk about his first Comedy Central special at age 26.
Direct download: TSOYA_090623.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

On The Media & Age of Persuasion This week it's a crash course in media literacy. I'll talk about getting inside the news with Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield from On the Media. Then I'll chat with ad man Terry O'Reilly, whose CBC show The Age of Persuasion is all about the history and practice of marketing.
Direct download: TSOYA_090616.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:10am PST

Guests Brother Ali & Pharoahe Monch
Direct download: tsoya090606_alipharoahe.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:22pm PST

Never Not Funny & Jonathan Coulton I talk with some of my favorite folks in the world. First Jimmy Pardo and Matt Belknap, who host the podcast Never Not Funny, one of podcasting's few true success stories. Then I talk with our old friend Jonathan Coulton, who gives us a bit of a house concert. His new live performance CD / DVD is called Best. Concert. Ever.
Direct download: TSOYA_090602.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:59pm PST

Miss  Piggy & Jenna Fischer In the annals of Divadom, there is Maria Callas... Mariah Carey... and then there's the queen of them all, Miss Piggy. The porcine superstar will be my guest on The Sound of Young America this week, along with an anti-diva, the demure and hilarious Jenna Fischer, who plays the receptionist, Pam, on NBC's The Office.
Direct download: TSOYA_090525.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Live In Portland We're live on stage at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, Oregon, with music from two stalwarts of The Rose City's indie scene, Mirah and Blitzen Trapper, plus interviews with comedian Nick Kroll and comic writer Brian Michael Bendis.
Direct download: TSOYA_090519.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Rian Johnson & Mike Clattenburg This week on The Sound of Young America, guests Mike Clattenburg, the creator of the hilarious cult comedy series Trailer Park Boys, and Rian Johnson, the man behind the teen noir Brick. His new film is The Brothers Bloom.
Direct download: TSOYA_090512.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PST

Bun B & Paul Bacon Paul Bacon talks about being a second-rate policeman in New York. His new book is Bad Cop. Plus I talk with southern rap giant Bun B of UGK. He talks about the group's final album, which Bun put together after the passing of his partner in rhyme, Pimp C.
Direct download: TSOYA_090505.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:39am PST

Lloyd Kaufman & Eleni Mandell A celebration of the independent spirit. I talk with independent singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell, and with Lloyd Kaufman, the man behind Troma Films and movies like The Toxic Avenger and Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.
Direct download: TSOYA_090428.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:10pm PST

Comedy At The Edge A talk with Richard Zoglin, whose book Comedy at the Edge profiles the standup comics who in his view changed America in the 1970s. Then we’ll talk about the late Chris Farley with Tom Farley Jr, his brother and Tanner Colby.
Direct download: TSOYA_090421.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:42am PST

On The Media & The Age of Persuasion This week it's a crash course in media literacy. I'll talk about getting inside the news with Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield from On the Media. Then I'll chat with ad man Terry O'Reilly, whose CBC show The Age of Persuasion is all about the history and practice of marketing.

Direct download: TSOYA_090414b.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:10pm PST

The Cast of Party Down The new Starz comedy Party Down is a show about failed actors working as cater-waiters. Jesse talks with three of the brilliant actors who play those failed actors -- Martin Starr, Jane Lynch and Adam Scott.
Direct download: TSOYA_090407.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:16am PST

John Mulaney & Dana Gould This week, two masters of the joke. Comedian Dana Gould who, after a stint as a writer and producer on The Simpsons, is back with a new special. Plus young upstart John Mulaney who has scored his first Comedy Central special at age 26.
Direct download: TSOYA_090331.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:59pm PST

Live At Bumbershoot This week on The Sound of Young America, comedy group Human Giant, graphic artist Chip Kidd, cartoonist and illutrator Adrian Tomine, plus music from PWRFL Power and Rhett Miller. All live from the stage at the Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival in Seattle.
Direct download: TSOYA_090324.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:09pm PST

Steven Johnson & FreeDarko

Steven Johnson's new book The Invention of Air uses the story of the guy who discovered oxygen to look at where information revolutions come from... and speaking of revolutionaries, the folks behind the basketball blog Free Darko talk about why they think our greatest American is eccentric hoops star Gilbert Arenas.

Direct download: TSOYA_090317.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:40pm PST

Jeffrey Tambor & Whitest Kids U'Know Distinguished actor Jeffrey Tambor is our guest this week talking about his San Francisco roots and his roles on The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development. Plus an interview with the sketch comedy group Whitest Kids U Know.
Direct download: TSOYA_090310.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:46pm PST

Jenna Fischer & Miss Piggy In the annals of Divadom, there is Maria Callas... Mariah Carey... and then there's the queen of them all, Miss Piggy. The porcine superstar will be our guest this week, along with an anti-diva: the demure and hilarious Jenna Fischer, who plays the receptionist, Pam, on NBC's The Office.
Direct download: TSOYA_090303.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:15am PST

Live at SF Sketchfest We've got some serious San Francisco Values on this week's show. Jesse talks with Jello Biafra, the punk rocker who ran for mayor of San Francisco on the platform that businessmen would be required to dress in clown suits. Then I talk with a slightly more serious politician, State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, about his role in the gay liberation movement of the seventies, and the queer comedy movement of the 80s. Plus, comedy from Sean Cullen and music from Zion I.
Direct download: TSOYA_090225.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:42am PST

Larry Wilmore & How's Your News How's Your News is a new series on MTV that follows a team of physically and developmentally disabled reporters around the country as they interview celebrities, talk to regular people and generally have a fantastic time. We'll talk with the program's creator and one of its stars. Plus another perspective on the news: The Daily Show's Senior Black Correspondent, Larry Wilmore.
Direct download: TSOYA_090217.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:01pm PST

Andrew Daly & The Hold Steady This week on The Sound of Young America, The Hold Steady rock your socks off, plus comedian Andy Daly, whose comic monologues are endearingly chipper but sometimes terrifyingly dark. His new series Eastbound and Down starts on HBO next week. All that, plus a real poem called "Alien versus Predator".
Direct download: TSOYA_090210.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:45pm PST

Spike Feresten & the creators of Coraline This week on The Sound of Young America, we explore new worlds. Writer Neil Gaiman and director Henry Selick talk about making Coraline, the spectacular, immersive and kind of scary 3D stop-motion feature film. Plus Spike Feresten, the host of FOX's longest running late night program, Talkshow with Spike Feresten.
Direct download: TSOYA_090203.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00pm PST

The Dirtbombs & Raphael Saadiq Guests The Dirtbombs and Raphael Saadiq. The Dirtbombs are a rock group from Detroit, Michigan whose new record is titled We Have You Surrounded. Raphael Saadiq is a soul musician and record producer. He has a new EP titled The Way I See It.
Direct download: TSOYA_090127.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:01pm PST

Letterman Writers & Meshell Ndegeocello Guests Meshell Ndegeocello and the writers for The Late Show with David Letterman. Meshell's new record is titled The World Has Made Me The Man of My Dream. Letterman and his writers have a new book out titled Late Show Fun Facts.

Direct download: TSOYA_090120.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:14pm PST

Mike Birbiglia & Scott McCloud Guests Mike Birbiglia and Scott McCloud. Mike Birbiglia is a comedian whose new one-man show is titled Sleepwalk With Me. Scott McCloud is the author of Understanding Comics. His new collection is titled Zot! 1987 - 1997.
Direct download: TSOYA_090113.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:01pm PST

Wondermark & Achewood Guests David Malki ! and Chris Onstad.  David Malki ! is the creator of the web comic Wondermark, a new collection of the strip is titled Beards of our Forefathers.  Chris Onstad is the mind behind Achewood, a web comic and collection of blogs that was named the best graphic novel by TIME Magazine in 2007.
Direct download: TSOYA_090106b.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:18pm PST