In a two part series I offer you interviews with the two guys behind the online masterpiece that is Daytrotter. Each week you can always look forward to the recording sessions made available for free download from artists who stop by the Daytrotter recording studio located in downtown Rock Island, Ill. Each session is unique and almost always offers exclusive or never before recorded material. Every artist that I’ve talked to has held the experience of stopping by as a high point in their touring schedule.

For the first installment I have a question and answer session below with the man behind the sounds at Daytrotter, Patrick Stolley. I hope you enjoy the answers as much as I did, and if you haven’t already been won over by Daytrotter, please head there now.

Could you give us some general background on you and what got you started with Daytrotter?

I had a studio, Sean asked me to do the recordings for it. I thought it would fun to do them live to 2-track tape, for the “liveness” of it.

I want get an idea of your musical taste evolution if you will. What were some of the first albums/tapes/CD’s you bought?

AC/DC “Back in Black” 45, Pat Bentar “Hit me With Your Best Shot” 45, Supertramp “Dreamer” 45, Styx “Paradise Theater” LP. This was long, long ago.

What are some of your favorite records of all time?

Wire – The Ideal Copy
Joni Mitchell – The Hissing of Summer Lawns
The Clash – London Calling
U2 – Boy
Led Zeppelin – Physical Grafitti
Pink Floyd – Meddle
The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow

What have been the albums you’ve enjoyed most that were released this year?

Destroyer’s Rubies
Midlake – Trials of Van Occupanther
My Brightest Diamond – Bring Me The Workhorse
The Donkeys LP
Dr. Dog EP

What 3 artists would make up your wish list for a Daytrotter session?

Destroyer
Dr. Dog
Wilco

Can you tell me what the first concert you saw was and when? To follow that up, are there any particular shows that stand out in terms of being favorites?

First real show…Fishbone 1986 or so. I think my favorite live show was Unrest in Iowa City Circa 1992.

What are some bands that you haven’t gotten the chance to see live, but would really like to?

I’m not so into live shows, but I’d like to see Destroyer. I really like Destroyer.

Outside of music do you have any other interests or projects?

I do carpentry, I have a family (2 kids), and a sailboat.

What Daytrotter sessions would you say are your favorite thus far? Also, if someone was coming to Daytrotter for the first time, which session would you direct them to first?

I really enjoyed the Casiotone/Donkeys session, and the Cold War Kids/Sound Team session. Bonnie Prince Billy was cool. I would direct folks to the Donkeys. I think that session just has a really great feel to it. I really dig those takes. It’s a hard question, though. I like everything with only a few small exceptions.

Do you depend or draw from other online publications or blogs, and, if so, which ones do you enjoy?

I read Daytrotter and a few of the zines that link to it. Pitchfork, etc. Not too much, though.