Aaron lee Tasjan and Brett Newski live
Aaron Lee Tasjan (New West Records) and Brett Newski chat about stomaching criticism, weird road stories, Tom Petty, the end of smashing hotel rooms, the power of saying no, and why Americans are obsessed with the royal family.
More on Aaron: https://www.aaronleetasjan.com/
Support the pod: https://www.patreon.com/BrettNewski1
SNIPPET:
Brett: Some guys look way more rad as they age. One of the best examples is someone I know we both have a mutual love for—Tom Petty. That guy looked way cooler as he aged.
When you look at old pictures of Tom Petty when he was young, you think, “That guy’s in a rock band? What?” He shouldn’t shave, and when he got the beard, towards the end of his life that guy just looked like Jesus. A hippy Jesus.
Aaron: Tom always had a look going. He always looked like something. That’s what I think rock and roll is. I remember my friend managed Johnny Thunders, and he told me one time, “Even the last time I saw him, and I knew he wasn’t doing well, he still looked...amazing.
And that’s the thing about rock and roll. I don’t know how much people understand that looking like a beautiful mess is almost more important than looking like Harry Styles or this perfect idealized version of anything.”
Brett: Totally. There’s something to leaning into the age. And I think anyone can age gracefully if they can lean into it, maybe put a little effort into some style that goes with what’s going on.
Now, did I see you at the Tom Petty show in Nashville? I swear I saw you walking around in a parking lot a couple of years ago during his last tour.
Aaron: Yeah, I did go to that show. Joe Walsh opened?
Brett: Yeah he was there!
Aaron: Yup, I went to that show. My manager got us tickets. I had only seen Tom one time before, and it was at Madison Square Garden when I lived in New York City—Buddy Guy opened that show, another incredible guitar player. A legend, man.
But, yeah, that was a great show. Of course, Joe Walsh is so cool, he invited the great Tom Bukovac from Nashville, an astounding guitar player, to join him for his set, so it was great to see my old buddy Tom playing up there as well.
Brett: Yeah Walsh seems like a good guy. I gotta actually tell you a quick Tom Petty story. So we’re playing at Summerfest in Milwaukee a couple of years ago.
Tom Petty played the day before. And I had made these shirts a few years prior where I had drawn Tom Petty in these robes, and it said in bad handwriting, “Tom Petty May or May Not Be Jesus.”
And I had these at shows at my merch table. So I went back after my set to the merch table, and the merch manager at Summerfest says, “Hey Brett, I love this T-shirt, I took a picture, and I sent it to Tom Petty’s management, because I know the management guy.”
And I was like, “No! Why would you do that!?” Because I was worried about Tom Petty’s management suing me for this t-shirt, which would be totally fair.
And he said, “No, it’s cool, it’s all good, don’t worry. The management loves the t-shirt! They want to buy twelve of them!” So they bought all my remaining Tom Petty May or May Not Be Jesus shirts. And apparently a bunch of the staff wore them around on that final tour that he did.
Aaron: You can’t do much better than that, man.
*full audio above
