From Mr. Brightside to the Ballpark: A Killers Conversation with Jen Ramos Eisen

From Lonely Town a Killers Podcast · 46:01

Show by Derek Everitt

What happens when a lifelong Killers fan also happens to be a baseball writer? You get a pretty entertaining conversation! This week on Lonely Town, we're joined by Jen Ramos Eisen, a baseball writer, longtime Killers fan, and someone who has managed to sneak Killers references into her professional baseball writing. Jen takes us back to discovering The Killers at 13 years old in Las Vegas, growing up during the Hot Fuss and Sam's Town eras, and what it was like watching a band from her hometown become an international phenomenon. We also talk about her journey into sports journalism, covering baseball, the World Baseball Classic, and the possibility of a looming MLB labor dispute. Of course, we get into Brandon Flowers' latest solo work, Thrasher, and why its Bakersfield country influences hit particularly close to home for Jen. We discuss the new songs, including "Diamonds on Black Velvet" and "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," music criticism, and the evolution of Brandon's songwriting. Plus, Jen shares the story of meeting Brandon at the Altadena benefit concert, getting a dollar signed, her six shows on the Thrasher tour, Killers-themed baseball merchandise, and why she considers "Paradise" a song about labor. It's a conversation about music, hometown connections, baseball, fandom, and the unexpected ways The Killers find their way into everyday life. Show Notes From Hot Fuss to Lifelong Fan Discovering The Killers at 13 after hearing "Mr. Brightside" Growing up in the Las Vegas suburbs during the band's early rise The Hot Fuss and Sam's Town years The Las Vegas music scene and the evolution of the city A Baseball Writer with Killers References How Jen Ramos Eisen got started in sports journalism Studying economics and becoming interested in sports labor Writing for the 2026 Lindy's Baseball Preview Sneaking Killers lyrics and references into baseball articles Covering the World Baseball Classic The possibility of an MLB lockout and what comes next for baseball Thrasher, Country Music & Brandon Flowers Growing up listening to Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard and the Bakersfield sound Why Thrasher connected with Jen The influence of country music on Brandon's songwriting "Plans," "Does It Ever Cross Your Mind" and "Red Ground" "Diamonds on Black Velvet" and the excitement surrounding new music "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" and the literary connection to Flannery O'Connor The importance of artists following their creative instincts Six Shows, a Signed Dollar & Brandon Flowers Seeing The Killers live for the first time after years of waiting Six shows on the Thrasher tour Favorite stops in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Meeting Brandon at the Altadena benefit concert The Nevada necklace connection and getting a dollar signed The Killers & Baseball The Las Vegas Aviators collaboration and Killers merchandise Finding other Killers fans throughout the baseball world Brandon's childhood baseball connection The story behind his childhood baseball card collection Jen's World Series prediction: Brewers in seven The future of baseball in Utah Las Vegas, Labor & "Paradise" Growing up around the old, campy Las Vegas How the Strip has changed The new baseball stadium and preserving pieces of old Vegas Why Jen considers "Paradise" a pro-labor song The connection between Brandon's songwriting and the people who make Las Vegas work Find Jen Ramos Eisen Instagram: @JRamosEisen Bluesky / X: @JenRamosE Find Lonely Town Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelytownpodcast/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1464087943928872 Merch Store: https://lonely-town-podcast.printify.me Have a question, story, or want to contribute? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you. Produced & Edited by Derek Everitt

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