Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell & The Art of Musical Genius | Izze Stein | Ep 249

Mike Rhyner sits down with rising singer-songwriter and viral Steely Dan analyst Izze Stein to unpack why her deep-dive breakdowns of albums like Aja, Pretzel Logic, and The Royal Scam have captivated a whole new generation of fans. They swap origin stories on discovering Steely Dan, geek out over lyrics, favorite deep cuts, and influences like Joni Mitchell, Erykah Badu, and Amy Winehouse, and Izze shares details on her debut album Questions, her Hometown Music Group project, and upcoming tour dates and virtual concerts. A must-listen for Steely Dan fans, singer-songwriter enthusiasts, and anyone curious how a new generation is falling in love with classic rock and jazz-fusion legends.
00:00:00 – Cold open and banter
Lighthearted studio chatter and inside jokes before the show officially begins.
00:01:04 – Welcome to Your Dark Companion
Mike Rhyner welcomes listeners and introduces the episode’s theme.
00:01:45 – Introducing Izze Stein
Mike explains how he discovered Izze Stein online through her Steely Dan breakdown videos and brings her on the show.
00:04:26 – Izze’s musical theater roots and path to Steely Dan
Izze shares her background in musical theater and how she discovered Joni Mitchell and eventually Steely Dan.
00:07:56 – Mike’s own Steely Dan origin story
Mike recounts his first encounters with Steely Dan’s music via radio and road trips in the 1970s.
00:11:58 – Why Steely Dan resonates and playing their music live
Discussion of what makes Steely Dan unique and how Izze incorporates their songs into her live shows.
00:14:13 – The songwriting genius and lyrics of Steely Dan
Deep dive into Steely Dan’s compositional skill, wordplay, and mysterious lyrics, including songs like “Everything Must Go” and “Gaucho.”
00:19:35 – Izze’s own musical journey in New York
Izze describes moving to NYC, pivoting during COVID, and building her career as a singer-songwriter.
00:21:38 – Izze’s debut album “Questions”
Details about her album’s sound, influences, and standout tracks.
00:22:49 – Mount Rushmore of musicians
Mike and Izze trade their personal “Mount Rushmore” picks of favorite artists.
00:24:25 – Bands, collaborators, and Hometown Music Group
Izze talks about her collaborators, her band setups, and her songwriting group with friends from New Jersey.
00:29:51 – Touring, venues, and upcoming Dallas/Austin shows
Discussion of venue types, Izze’s upcoming show at Geraldine’s in Austin, and possible Dallas connections.
00:34:13 – Virtual concerts and Patreon
Izze explains her virtual concert series and Patreon offerings for fans.
00:37:01 – Ranking Steely Dan albums
Mike and Izze debate favorite Steely Dan albums and discuss the band’s later comeback albums.
00:43:33 – Stolen Water Media Fantasy Football Draft Party promo
A promotional break for an upcoming live event at Dudley’s Sports Grill.
00:45:06 – Joni Mitchell deep dive
Izze passionately discusses Joni Mitchell’s evolving sound and songwriting genius.
00:47:58 – Billy Joel and his documentary
A tangent into Billy Joel’s career and the HBO documentary “Billy Joel and So It Goes.”
00:49:43 – Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, and live show experiences
Izze discusses more musical influences and her unforgettable Erykah Badu concert experience.
00:54:12 – Wrap-up and where to find Izze Stein
Izze shares her social media handles, website, and details on her next virtual concert before the episode closes.