111. Michael Peter Olsen Discusses Van Halen, 1984

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Cellist Michael Peter Olsen joins Al to familiarize him with an album he thought he mostly knew: Van Halen’s 1984. Michael makes the case that a careful listening of the album reveals an experimental side of Van Halen. He also talks about why Van Halen, and this album is particular, is an inspiration to him, his recent experience of meeting Greg Saunier of Deerhoof (who was a recent guest on this show) and what Post-Cello is all about.

1:10 Michael joins the show

1:47 Michael explains why he started playing the cello

2:55 Michael made a strong case for breaking one of Al’s rules

4:31 Hearing 1984 was an ear-opening experience for Michael when he first heard it

10:13 Michael talks about how 1984 is an outlier in the Van Halen discography

11:57 Michael break downs the elements that make 1984 special

14:54 Michael describes the process behind the recording of 1984

19:37 1984 epitomizes Van Halen’s combination of virtuosity and silliness

22:45 “Panama” is a more straightforward Van Halen song

24:05 There’s a lot going on in “Jump”

29:29 Michael gives Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth their props

30:29 Van Halen were always a different type of metal band

32:31 Michael has a theory about the album cover

36:05 Al has questions about “I’ll Wait”

40:06 Michael talks about the lack of overdubs…

41:55 …except for one notable exception

44:11 Michael discusses some of the innovations Eddie Van Halen used on this album

46:33 Al is more interested in exploring the Van Halen discography now

50:41 Michael talks about how he recently got to meet Greg Saunier

57:00 Michael explains what Post-Cello is

1:05:07 Michael talks about his upcoming album

Outro is from “Falling Forward” by Michael Peter Olsen

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