Derek Brink explains what purchases have emptied out his checking account, in real time.
Episodes
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
In this episode, I talk about playing the banjo and the Beetlejuice movies. It's as classic as peanut butter and jelly. Biscuits and gravy. Peaches and Herb. Beetlejuice and banjos! It's a fun one. It turns out that I have a LOT of thoughts about Tim Burton. Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 6:40 - Banjo Break #1 - 5 String Banjo
- 7:11 - Talkin' Banjos!
- 24:30 - Banjo Break #2 - Plectrum Banjo
- 25:00 - Yellin' about Beetlejuice...
- 31:22 - Beetlejuice
- 42:33 - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- 1:08:35 - Banjo Break #3 - Tenor Banjo
- 1:09:06 - Outro
Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Sunday Mar 22, 2026
This week's episode is a little bit short, but no less sweet than usual. It's a fun one where I complain about the weather, then talk about new releases from Mumford & Sons, Mitski, and Squeeze. I had fun with it. You might too!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 12:21 - Vagabond
- 12:52 - Music Reviews
- 31:23 - Slainte
- 31:53 - Outro
Sunday Mar 08, 2026
Sunday Mar 08, 2026
In this episode I talk about the theatrically released Muppet movies, in chronological order. Because everyone loves the Muppets! Enjoy!
No time index, since it's just the one subject--and I should clarify that I am spoiling every movie, if you haven't seen them.
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Songs used in the show:
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
In this episode, I talk about recent releases from Geese and Wednesday, then I talk about buying an Autoharp. That's the show! Enjoy!
Sorry there's not a time index...but here are the links...although really there's not anything that corresponds to the Bandcamp page, since I'm just noodling...but whatever!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
In this episode, I pay my respects to Catherine O'Hara, then talk about my newest (vintage) guitar and the long-since-canceled TV show Andy Richter Controls the Universe. I had fun with this one! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 6:41 - I Go*
- 7:11 - Rest in Peace Catherine O'Hara
- 25:18 - Racing the Rain*
- 25:49 - Silvertone Guitar
- 38:20 - After the Storm*
- 38:51 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe
- 51:34 - Losing Sleep*
- 52:04 - Introduction to Racing the Rain
- 55:43 - Racing the Rain (Electric Version)
- 59:59 - Outro
*All songs except "Racing the Rain" were just me noodling on the guitar this week, so there's not much to download, unless you just wanna go to Bandcamp and find the full songs.
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
In this episode, I'm low on stuff to talk about because I haven't bought anything lately, so I talk about movies from the recent (25-35 years) Rocky & Bullwinkle universe. It's a show! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
The subjects this week are pretty intertwined, so I didn't do a time index. But if you're interested in the songs used in this episode they are as follows:
- Vagabond
- Racing the Rain
- Bite the Habanero (Theme Song)
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Given the week's happenings, we're postponing the first official show of 2026 for a week, or thereabout. I spent about 11 minutes ranting here. The only thing that seems appropriate to say right now is rest in peace Renee Good and ABOLISH ICE. We will return with a normal episode as soon as possible. Probably next week. Thanks for listening. Keep talking.
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
It's a Christmas...well...not "miracle." But it's happening near the day! In the final Fab 15 (and EC episode) of 2025, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are counting down our favorite albums of 2025. It was a really fun talk and we hope you'll enjoy it and maybe find a few new things to listen to! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 14:39 - The List Begins!
- 14:39 - #15
- 20:23 - #14
- 27:55 - #13
- 33:43 - #12
- 38:47 - #11
- 45:46 - #10
- 50:35 - #9
- 57:45 - #8
- 1:05:42 - #7
- 1:11:37 - #6
- 1:18:03 - #5
- 1:29:06 - #4
- 1:38:54 - #3
- 1:49:11 - #2
- 1:54:46 - #1
- 2:00:50 - Honorable Mentions
- 2:18:07 - This is Your Christmas
- 2:18:37 - The FINAL 15 and Outro
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
This is an unfortunately "special" episode, in which I try to process the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner, while also celebrating some of my favorite movies, directed by Rob, and honoring their memory and legacy. I'm not happy with the episode. It's too rambly and aimless. But it's something.
I don't even have a good episode photo because all of my DVDs/BluRays are in stacks for the annual re-sorting that I do at the end of every year. So I can't easily physically get to my Rob Reiner movies to take a picture...but maybe this cover photo is appropriate. "None more black" and all that.
Let's try to have a happier episode soon, okay everybody?
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
This episode is very raw and emotional. It absolutely comes with a trigger warning, if you are negatively effected by grief, death, mourning, or just-plain hearing someone struggle with loss.
Sometime on Sunday morning, November 30th, 2025, my friend Michael Feldman passed away, after a lengthy battle with cancer. I had been in bands with Mike for about 25 years. He's someone who will remain in my heart forever.
Later that evening, I sat down in front of a microphone, played one of Mike's albums, and recorded this episode, while I listened (and beyond). What you're hearing here isn't my prettiest moment--I cry several times--and it is NOT the place I would begin listening to this show...but I needed to do it, for myself, and for my friend.
This barely scratches the surface of my memories of Mike. But it's something. I hope there's something in it that speaks to you. Thanks for listening.
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
email: db@derekbrink.com