In this episode, Pipeman sits down with Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait at Louder Than Life Festival. The discussion is full of humor, festival stories, rock n’ roll insights, and personal reflections on music, style, and the artist’s journey. Lee Jennings gives an inside look at the band’s upcoming record, the creative process, and the importance of authenticity and community in music.Main Topics Covered
- Festival vibes and backstage stories from Louder Than Life
- Hair color choices and music style as self-expression
- Surviving festival weather and near-misses with lightning and rain
- Lee Jennings’s writing process for The Funeral Portrait’s new record
- The evolution of an artist and creative growth
- The grind and realities of being in the music industry today
- Favorite festival performances (Danny Elfman, My Chemical Romance, Black Veil Brides)
- Reflections on legendary artists and their impact on the scene
- The significance of community and being a positive force in the music world
Key Discussions & StoriesHair Colors & Cars
- Pipeman shares stories about matching hair color to his vehicles, including buying a blue Lexus to match his blue hair and considering green to match his lime green Jeep 00:54.
- Lee Jennings dishes on going green for festival season and the upkeep involved in dyed hair 01:42.
Festival Survival & Drama
- The interview recounts the sweltering heat and a dangerous storm at Louder Than Life, almost causing cancellations for headliners like Pierce the Veil and My Chemical Romance 02:25.
- Lee Jennings talks about being a fan in the crowd (GA) to catch My Chemical Romance and shares the joy of watching with family 03:15.
Creative Process & New Music
- Lee Jennings discusses The Funeral Portrait’s new record, describing it as a “rock opera” and a complete body of work created with a big-picture vision, unlike previous rushes 04:19.
- Emphasis on artistic evolution: learning, growing, and changing with every album 05:16.
- Thoughts on finding a voice and “now it’s time for us to run” as a band 05:31.
Realities of the Music Industry
- Passion for music as both work and a hobby 05:47.
- Honest takes on the shrinking profits in modern music, compared to stories of legacy artists 06:14.
- The 20-year “overnight success” journey and hustle 06:47.
Community, Kindness, and Staying Real
- Lee Jennings and Pipeman advocate for being a good human first; “no room for assholes at my table” 07:15.
Legendary Inspirations
- Swapping stories about Danny Elfman, Oingo Boingo, and iconic performances—Pipeman recalls seeing Oingo Boingo at his high school assembly and as an opener for The Police 07:37.
- Lee Jennings shares his love for Elfman’s work, from Nightmare Before Christmas to solo records and movie scores 08:30.
Shoutouts & Where to Find The Funeral Portrait
- Lee Jennings: “We’ve got the most unique name ever—just type in The Funeral Portrait. If you see a guy with green hair, you know you’re in the right place.” 09:50
- Promoting the community aspect—easy to spot and connect at festivals 10:02.
Notable Quotes
- “It’s basically like a rock opera. It’s gonna be crazy.” – Lee Jennings 04:44
- “If you’re not having fun in this business, then you shouldn’t be in the right business.” – Pipeman 06:10
- “You should be a cool, fun human first. If you’re not that, then I don’t know, there’s no room for you here at my table.” – Lee Jennings 07:15
- “It takes 20 years to become an overnight success.” – Pipeman 06:47
- “All you got to do is type in The Funeral Portrait. If you see a guy with green hair, you know you’re in the right place.” – Lee Jennings 09:57
Resources & Links Mentioned
- The Funeral Portrait: Easy to find on all platforms—just search “The Funeral Portrait”
- Artists/Performers Referenced:
- My Chemical Romance
- Pierce the Veil
- Danny Elfman
- Oingo Boingo
- Black Veil Brides
- The Police
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
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