Episodes

9 hours ago
EC Update 7-22-25 - RIP Malcolm & Ozzy.m4a
9 hours ago
9 hours ago
A brief upload from the phone to say goodbye to Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Ozzy Osbourne. I wish I'd said everything I said better, but I think my heart is in the right place. Both sad losses. Hang in there until Thursday, and I'll upload a Fab 15 for you!

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
EC Update 7-15-25.m4a
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
A quick update on why there's not a new episode yet, plus a very brief book review! There will be a FAB 15 uploaded soon, I promise!

Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Episode 207 - Americanre
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
In this episode, we catch up on some music from James McMurtry, Pulp, Neil Young, HAIM, and S.G. Goodman. It's a slightly shorter episode, but packed with fun! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 11:41 - You and You Alone
- 12:11 - Recent Listening:
- 12:47 - James McMurtry - The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
- 17:30 - Pulp - More
- 21:51 - Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts - Talkin to the Trees
- 25:00 - HAIM - I Quit
- 34:32 - S.G. Goodman - Planting By the Signs
- 38:54 - The High Road
- 39:26 - Outro

Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Episode 206 - BOX SETS!
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
In this episode, I talk about one of my favorite musical formats--the CD Box Set! That's right! It's a theme episode!!! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
...there's just one topic. If you want to be a jerk and skip the intro, the "show" starts at 6:57. But...really? You don't have just short of 7 minutes to hear about my day? Wow...
The music in this episode is all from my Departure album:
Deeper Than Oceans
Lectio Divina
Thanks!

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Episode 205 - Love & Mercy to Brian Wilson
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
I had a different episode ready to go, but given the day's news I needed to talk about Brian Wilson. This isn't a typical episode. It's very emotional, my thoughts are somewhat random and cloudy, and it's a little raw. But I needed to do something to pay tribute to one of my all-time heroes. I hope you enjoy it.
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Episode 204 - And We All Hate Ourselves
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
It has been a MONTH! But we're back!
In this episode, I talk about a bunch of music I saw on Everybody's Live with John Mulaney, then I talk about the Karate Kid/Cobra Kai and Doctor Who. (I GO OFF when I'm talking about Doctor Who!) I had fun making it. Now it's your turn to have fun listening to it. Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 6:23 - Music Break - "S*** About Shakespeare"
- 6:54 - Music from Everybody's Live
- 9:14 - Kim Deal (and Kim Gordon)
- 11:51 - Daniel Hope/Spring 1/Max Richter
- 15:34 - John Cage and Maggie Rogers
- 19:21 - Alanis Morissette
- 21:41 - Sleater-Kinney (and the Muffs)
- 23:50 - Music Break - "Napalm"
- 24:20 - Stuff I Watched
- 24:20 - Karate Kid/Cobra Kai
- 31:42 - Doctor Who
- 54:05 - Music Break - "What Matters Most (South of Savannah)"
- 54:35 - Outro

Sunday May 18, 2025
EC Update 5-18-25.m4a
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
A quick update about the lack of an episode and how I'm doing following the tornado that ripped through St. Louis on Friday. Thanks for your patience. We'll talk soon.

Sunday May 04, 2025
Episode 203 - I Put on Khakis to Buy a Car
Sunday May 04, 2025
Sunday May 04, 2025
In this episode, I talk about my new (used) car for a long time and then also about seeing Paul Simon for a while, too! That's it! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index: (As a side note, all songs are from my album "Grounds" which is celebrating it's 20th birthday!)

Sunday Apr 27, 2025
EC Update 4-27-25.m4a
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sorry there hasn't been a new episode. Stuff has been busy. Working on it. Thanks for your patience!

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Episode 202 - Sometimes You've Gotta Hear an Album in the Sunshine
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
In this episode, I talk about music from Matt Berry, Mumford & Sons, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, and Coheed & Cambria. (Lots of "&" bands!) I also touch on the movie Empire Records (super hot topical!) and the latest episode of Doctor Who. It's a little shorter than a typical episode, but no less fun! Enjoy!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 8:24 - Music Break - Remember Me
- 8:53 - Recent Listening
- 9:10 - Matt Berry - Heard Noises
- 14:59 - Mumford & Sons - Rushmere
- 21:29 - Elton John & Brandi Carlile - Who Believes in Angels?
- 25:20 - Coheed & Cambria - The Father of Make Believe
- 29:59 - Music Break - Out from the Light
- 30:30 - Recent Viewing
- 30:50 - Empire Records
- 36:55 - Doctor Who
- 40:06 - Music Break - Born in this Town
- 40:37 - Outro, including me being mad at Liquid Death