Set Lusting Bruce - Hallmark Comfort Movies, Punk Roots, and 80 BNL Shows with Cece

·1 hr 1 min·5 clips

A law school graduate explains why she became obsessed with watching all 40 Hallmark Christmas movies despite not being the target demographic.

This episode is a B-side installment of Set Lusting Bruce, where host Jesse Jackson steps outside the Bruce Springsteen focus to interview Cece. Cece introduces herself as someone who met Jesse through a Hallmark movie Facebook group, explaining her ironic enjoyment of Hallmark films despite not being the target demographic. She grew up near Washington, DC, with a father who listened to ZZ Top and blues, but she gravitated toward punk, political rap, and alternative rock via radio station WHFS and MTV's 120 Minutes. Cece studied political science and black studies at Virginia Tech, attended Temple University Law School, and passed the New Jersey bar but chose not to pursue a legal career. She details seeing Barenaked Ladies 80 times between 2001 and 2009, sparked by a three-concert road trip with her cousin, and describes the band's interactive, improv-heavy shows. Cece also talks about her fandom for the Avett Brothers, whom she's seen 10-15 times, and mentions tracking setlists through databases like November Blue. Politically, she identifies as moving further left toward socialism as she's aged. The conversation touches on her enjoyment of concerts alone, her interactions with musicians like Steven Page, and her current interest in perfume collecting. Jesse invites Cece to return to discuss Avett Brothers song recommendations, and the episode concludes with contact information and podcast network promotions.

As heard by us

A Hallmark connection leads to blueberry muffins, fan signs, and the comedy-show energy of Bare Naked Ladies concerts.

A Hallmark Facebook connection points Jesse Jackson and Cece back toward the pleasure of fan memory: how a few concerts can turn into a lasting attachment.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when Hallmark comfort and a blueberry muffin on a guitar tuner sound like a perfect detour.

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