Empty Checking with Derek Brink

EC Update 7-20-22.m4a

Last week I said there would be a full episode of the show if nothing weird happened. Well. Weird stuff happened. So this is me talking about it. Enjoy?

EC Update 7-15-22.m4a

You might have noticed there wasn't an episode this week. Here's why! (Short version - Everything is fine. Just busy. Back soon.) Thanks (again) for your patience!

Episode 128 - I’m Happy with the Bench

It's a solo-show this time with me talking about the movies Yesterday and Ghostbusters Afterlife, as well as the new albums from Coheed & Cambria and Wilco. That plus cat talk. And talk of a bench. And my dishwasher almost exploding. It covers a lot of ground!

Please remember to visit the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and more info and e-mail your questions, comments, and so on to me at db@derekbrink.com. Thanks for your support!

Time Index:

I'm Happy with the Bench

• 0:00 Intro
  • 4:23 - I got a bench.
  • 7:38 - Almost a fire.
• 16:01 - Dichotomy
• 16:31 - Movies
  
  • 17:26 - Yesterday
  • 23:31 - Ghostbusters Afterlife
• 33:03 - Out From the Light
• 33:33 - Music
  
  • 34:32 - Coheed & Cambria: Vaxis II - A Window of the Waking Mind
  • 40:07 - Wilco - Cruel Country
• 46:52 - Falling
• 47:22 - Outro

EC Update 6-30-22.m4a

Didn't get an episode together this week. And here's me rambling about why for like 10 minutes! Enjoy?

Episode 127 - Fab 15 Summer Songs

This week's episode sees Dave and me list our Fab 15 Songs of Summer! Fun, sun, sand, surfing, drinking, maybe a little reading when you need to recharge and everybody's like "come on Derek, everybody's going" but you're still like, "nah." Y'know. Summer! It's a fun episode and I think you'll dig it!

As always please check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and e-mail me at db@derekbrink.com.

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 4:17 - Explaining the concept and topic. (Ground-rules.)
  • 14:10 - #15 - I'm glad you feel safe.
  • 21:27 - #14 - You kinda like half rapped that.
  • 26:52 - #13 - Making Dave look good.
  • 33:08 - #12 - You've gotta sing it like that.
  • 38:21 - #11 - We're not baseball guys...but...
  • 40:59 - #10 - How much more Summer can you get?
  • 45:33 - #9 - Goin' 80s.
  • 49:35 - #8 - I thought the leaves were green...
  • 57:02 - #7 - Tony Bennett TOTALLY didn't do a version of it. Sorry, everybody.
  • 1:00:10 - #6 - The whole song is a hook.
  • 1:07:26 - #5 - Reduced volume...
  • 1:11:25 - #4 - Within the parameters of rock!
  • 1:18:48 - #3 - Good transition, Dave!
  • 1:25:17 - #2 - All-encompassing.
  • 1:30:10 - #1 - That's so good it should be on my list! (Also, I checked after the episode and Tony Bennett's FINAL performance was in November of 2021.)
• 1:40:27 - Working on a final List.
• 1:47:04 - Picking a Beach Boys song.
• 1:55:10 - The FINAL List!
• 1:56:05 - Final thoughts and honorable mentions.
• 2:02:52 - Outro

Episode 126 - This is Killing ME!

This is a shorter than usual episode--a good jump-on point for the newbie! In it I talk about recent releases from Rufus Wainwright and also the movies The Elephant Man and the Jack Benny version of To Be or Not To Be. It's a fun one. But you don't have to take my word for it!

Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and e-mail me at db@derekbrink.com with any thoughts!

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro (I HAVE A COUCH!)
• 9:24 - Out From the Light
• 9:54 - Rufus Wainwright
• 19:25 - Remember Me
• 19:59 - Movies
  • 21:10 - The Elephant Man
  • 30:22 - To Be Or Not To Be (1941)
• 37:43 - Sometimes You Say Goodbye (Acoustic)
• 38:13 - Outro

Episode 125 - A Little Language Lesson

In this episode I talk about music from Drive-By Truckers, Neil Young, Craig Finn, Bloc Party, and Chamber Band. And if that's not enough, I also talk about books by Neil Gaiman and Mel Brooks! It's a fun episode in which I manage to talk about a BUNCH of stuff in a relatively concise manner, for me! Enjoy!

Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and/or e-mail me at db@derekbrink.com! 

Time Index (Sorry this is a little brief--I'm on a limited schedule!):

• 0:00 - Intro
• 11:19 - Music Break - Dichotomy
• 11:49 - Music Stuff
• 32:38 - Music Break - Falling
• 33:08 - Books!
• 53:46 - Music Break - Being There
• 54:16 - Outro

EC Update 6-7-22.m4a

The show is going to be uploaded a little late this week. So here's me (badly) explaining why and being weird. Enjoy!

Episode 124 - Fab 15 Movie Soundtracks

In this kinda bananas episode, my brother Dave returns and we compile a new Fab 15 list--the Fab 15 Movie Soundtracks! It was a lot of fun and all over the place with a lot of music and movies represented. It's a good time. Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and feel free to email me with your own list (or other stuff) at db@derekbrink.com and I'll reply and maybe even read your e-mail on the air!

Time index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 7:06 - Ground-Rules and chit-chat
• 22:18 - #15 Running on Empty?
• 31:10 - #14 In the weeds.
• 41:05 - #13 Good calls.
• 47:23 - #12 We actually DID circle back to it!
• 50:57 - #11 Dave repeatedly says "very weird." Writing these without spoilers is hard.
• 1:00:57 - #10 Dave clearly researched this better than I did.
• 1:08:04 - #9 Okay!
• 1:13:08 - #8 "One."
• 1:19:51 - #7 I might email you later.
• 1:32:42 - #6 I think the page he went to is white...
• 1:38:38 - #5 I have Dad's copy of that soundtrack.
• 1:46:08 - #4 That's a really good choice and I didn't think of it.
• 1:59:20 - #3 So...continue...
• 2:03:27 - #2 The home stretch.
• 2:04:33 - #1 I am so pissed off that that's the right choice for #1.
• 2:11:47 - Honorable mentions.
• 2:25:54 - Attempting a final list.
• 2:33:33 - Outro

EC Upload 5-24-22.m4a

In recognition and respect to the children and teacher who lost their lives in Texas today, I will not be uploading an episode of what is normally a goofy, fun, pop-culture show. Instead here is a brief recording of me processing some of my thoughts on it. If talk of this event (or similar ones) is detrimental to your mental/emotional health, please skip this. I plan to upload a very fun episode next week. Be good to each other. -Uncle Derek