Analog Grit & Open Ears with Jeff Holmes

Jeff Holmes wears a lot of hats: commercial designer, lifelong musician, radio music director. And as you’ll hear, someone who intentionally builds a life that keeps curiosity wide open. In this episode Jeff and Evan riff through how a single magazine from his mom’s house changed his career trajectory, why he loves the “lived-in” aesthetic (both in design and in life), and how letting projects marinate produces better creative work than grinding in a vacuum.

We cover the nuts and bolts of his volunteer-run radio show (how labels send music, the joy of curating themed episodes, and the thrill of reruns), the delight of designing record sleeves and reissuing his first punk band’s 1997 album on vinyl, and the process behind writing the theme music for this very podcast. Jeff tells stories from living in Amsterdam to a deliberate reset in West Texas, shares how he balances travel with relationships, and explains the small rituals (yoga, long walks, quiet rooms) that open space for fresh ideas.

If you’re a maker who wants to understand craft as a lifestyle, not just a deadline, this conversation is full of practical mindset lessons, unexpected anecdotes, and creative generosity. Tune in for the design talk, stay for the music, and come away ready to give your next idea some room to breathe.