58 Comments

I think this is my favorite Starship Casual ever!

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Dear Mark,

That was quite cool, even for us non-gearheads who wouldn't know a pedal from a bicycle.

However, 'twas I who strongly requested more reportage about snacks, particularly ROAD snacks (though Loft snacks would be of great interest as well).

So I must say, one photo of one partially-eaten banana between TWO of those (presumably) pedal-thingies is just not really gonna scratch that itch. WE CAN DO BETTER!

More snacks please.

Crystal, you're our only hope.

Warmest regards,

Vince

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Can do. WILL do! #SnacksRlife

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Road snacks to follow.

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Yesssssss!

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Whenever I’m stressed I listen to Wilco, whenever I’m happy I listen to Wilco. This gear talk and sound check made me ache for live Wilco. Send help. 🩵 and thanks Crystal and Mark.

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I had moogerfooger once but a shot of penicillin in my ass cleared it up.

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Love these BTS videos! I know dookie about guitar pedals but it’s so interesting to see the stage set-up. How do y’all not trip over yourselves? I still can’t believe I got to Solid Sound AND Cain’s in 2024. Epic dream shows! First time on the rail and my face hurt from smiling so hard. (It was nice meeting you irl Crystal.) 🤘❤️

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Nice to meet you, Dara!

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I'm of the age that it takes me a minute to grok what BTS means. No, I don't think of K-Pop...I go straight to Built To Spill.

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Ha! I do the same, I see BTS and I sometimes scratch my head wondering what Built to Spill has to do this.

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Crystal .. More videos please :)

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What she said ⬆️

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Now we just need a three-parter on capos! 😁

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Even drummers love pedal talk. Thanks!!

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And I've been amazed he holds in his head a lifetime of songs, lyrics, chords, keys, and which guitar for each. But also…a zillion unique boutique pedals and what they do and when to use them where?

Wow! Thanks, Mark for another fascinating and educational piece, and as always, a profound wider truth thrown in to ponder:

"People who have found their voice in their instrument or their songwriting end up sounding like themselves no matter what." Loved that. So true, in all the arts, but so hard for most to achieve.

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I’ve wonder for 20 years(not even kidding!) about those control pedals and what they were hooked to. Now the mystery has been solved.

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Somewhat off topic, but I was wondering if there are plans to ever release the Carol’s Pub shows for those of us fans who could not be there. Either just the music on Roadcase or if it was filmed that would be awesome too. 🤘🏻🎸

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I will pay money to see this brilliant content. (O, I think I actually do😂)

I have no idea what parameters the pedals are controlling, but it does sound fascinating.

Perfect balm for a January 2025 afternoon in Westport CT. 😵‍💫

But it’s my birthday. 😍 So …

Thank you Jeff.

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Happy birthday!! :)

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You know what? That's a great point. I'd love to see/hear Jeff demo that various pedal effects so that us non-musicians get a sense of how they modulate the music.

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This may be an insane request/idea BUT...wouldn't it be cool if there were a way fans could hear Wilco tracks on songs SEPARATED OUT? Like...a website or interface where, say, ASHES OF AMERICAN FLAGS can be heard in it;'s various mixes BUT, we can click on a player and would just hear their isolated track on the song.

I've often thought about this but the pedals vid. piqued my interest in terms of "oh, what does THAT pedal do" because while you obviously can hear it live or on album, it's mixed in and not really isolated. Could be cool! I could be crazy. It just may be a lunatic you're looking for.

Also, great job on the video, Crystal!!

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Wait 10 more minutes and your wrist watch will be able to do all that while it scrambles you some eggs.

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I love shambled eggs

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omg where is the 'I'm rolling on the floor' button on substack?! We need at least as many 'like and other emotion' buttons as the band gets cute-little-robot-boxes for their guitars.

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I think that's a great idea. But it might be like a magician explaining how the magic is done.

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They really look like friendly robot buddies.

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I'm on the low end of the gearhead scale, but that was fun. Thank you for sharing. All I need is a pedal that would make up for a lack of talent and even greater lack of practice.

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MoMa pedal wall! This warms my heart hearing the behind the scenes omnibenevolence of Brian Henneman !

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