Life of the Record Life of the Record

The Making of SPIDERLAND by Slint - feat. Brian McMahan, Britt Walford, David Pajo and Todd Brashear

Jun 3, 2026 · 2h 29m

Summary

Marking the 35th anniversary of Slint’s *Spiderland*, members Brian McMahon, Britt Walford, David Pajo, and Todd Brashear recount the album’s creation. They discuss the band’s evolution from earlier projects, the departure of Ethan Buckler, and their intensive summer writing sessions. The episode highlights their collaboration with producer Brian Paulson and the meticulous crafting of the record’s iconic atmosphere and narrative structure.

Topics discussed

Introduction and DistroKid Direct sponsorship Early bands: Maurice, Langwood and Flaccid Formation of Slint and the Tweez era Recording Tweez with Steve Albini Ethan Buckler's departure and new lineup Signing to Touch and Go Records Writing and recording Spiderland Musical dynamics and song structures Studio process and Brian Paulson's production Deep dive: Washer and Don A Man Deep dive: Good Morning Captain Vocal performances and lyrical themes The breakup of Slint Legacy and long-term impact
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