indie-vidually

Chris Black is one of my favorite people to shoot the crap with. If you heard our first episode together when we discussed his album "230 West Allmon St. Apt. A" you'd know the caliber of the conversations we are capable of having. This time, we review and feature his latest full length album "Monosapien," written and recorded during this pandemic we are all still living in. We cover everything that there is to cover on this episode... Ok, not really, but we do talk about a lot. Don't listen to this episode, or do, that's fine too.

I'm happy to have JD Wilkes of "The Legendary Shack Shakers" back on the show, but this time he brought his long-time buddy  Nathan Brown. They are both founding members of the band, and are back together for some shows and collaborations. Featured on this episode is their cover of "Rawhide," which is on the upcoming album "Cockadoodledeux." We spoke about their roots, why they love music, the history of the band, and a whole lot of other rambles as well. 

I love talking to this band! "The Weird Sisters" out of Nashville, TN recently released a very awesome and infectiously catchy song called "Lost in the Chronic," and they're my guests once again on the show to talk about it. Izaac Short and Gabrielle Lewis discuss all sorts of fun and cool things with me on this episode of the podcast.

I'm psyched to have Paducah, Kentucky post-rock/metal/instrumental band "Art Thieves" back on the podcast for this episode of "indie-vidually."  I had them on for a live album they did a few years ago, but this time they're back to discuss their newest release "Maelstrom," an 8 track LP that will blow you away.  It's fantastic, and they are one of my favorite Western Kentucky bands.  They're also some really cool, down to Earth dudes. 

It was a blast to feature "The Weird Sisters," a psychedelic funk rock trio from Nashville, Tennessee again on the podcast.  I last spoke to them back in the summer of 2019, so this was long overdue.  I caught up with founding members Gabrielle Lewis and Izaac Short, as they shared what they've been up to creatively and musically since the last time we spoke.  They recently recorded and released a cover of a song made popular by blues artist Freddie King called "Going Down."  Their version is sick, and I know you'll all love it, and I'm so proud to be able to feature it on this episode.  Be sure to check out their self-titled record on Spotify or any other streaming service after you listen to the show, because you just can't miss out on that art. 

I am happy to finally have my good friends "Wolfstar" on the podcast.  Wolfstar is a metal band out of Lexington, Kentucky that I quite enjoy, and for many reasons.  They're real, they're humble, and they write some kick ass, old school sounding metal that any veteran or new metal fan can rock to.  All four members were present for this chat, including lead singer and rhythm guitar Matthew Dominic Capua, lead guitar player and founder Sam Pednau, bass and backing vocals Justin Taylor, and on drums John Hause.  I thoroughly enjoyed hanging virtually with these dudes, and you'll enjoy the following conversation and the songs included. 

Nashville native "Nordista Freeze" once again graces the podcast with his presence for this edition of indie-vidually.  Freeze is always a super fun conversation, and a very down to Earth guy with a great energy.  Born and raised in Nashville, Nordista Freeze is no stranger to its local music scene, having been described as "cosmic Tom Petty," as well as drawing comparisons to the likes of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed, with a modern twist, as well as being described as a lot more genres from 60's based music that you'll learn about as you listen to this episode.  Last time we spoke we broke down and discussed his 2017 album "Cosmic Haus," but this time we focus on 6 singles he's put out recently, as well as how the Covid-19 pandemic has effected a musician whose bread and butter is touring the country hundreds of days throughout the year.

It's my pleasure to bring this episode of the podcast to you after having not posted since August.  I am happy to have Josh Smith, or "Ebearorama" on the show.  He just released a single called "Digital Snake Oil," and it slaps, as kids these days say.  I used to be in metal core bands with Josh, or "Bear" as everyone knows him.  Those bands were "A Scarlet Catastrophe" and "Chamberlyn," local bands from the Western Kentucky/Southern Illinois area.  I hadn't connected with Bear since 2007, and this conversation was the first time we had spoken other than Facebook messages and comments in 13 years.  It was a great time, and the track is great.  

My buddies in the Murray, Kentucky band "Maewyn" have been long overdue an interview on indie-vidually.  The dudes just released a new single this month which they feature on the podcast titled "I'm Giving in Because I Can," and it's a banger as the kids these days say.  I caught up with Bryce, Aaron, McCall, Levi and Kyle as they were happy to update the world on just what the band has been up to during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as announcing some cool stuff they have planned this year, and other possibilities.  

During the episode of this podcast when I was interviewing Nashville band "Treading Water," I was given the name "Trophy Shop," a band from Carterville, Illinois, and I am glad I followed up it.  "Trophy Shop" is a 4 piece group of best friends that plays Midwest sad rock, as defined by themselves in their Spotify bio.  We discussed and reviewed their 2019 EP "One Eighteen" for this episode of indie-vidually.   

Year of October just recently released their new single "Black Widow," and in honor of that, I am featuring them for another episode of indie-vidually.  Josh and Phlecia Sullivan phoned in to chat about their upcoming album release "Wastelands," which is due out on October 9th, 2020.  Josh and Phlecia are always a great conversation and are definitely not strangers to the podcast. 

Treading Water is a pop-punk/emo trio originally from Illinois, but currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee.  They phoned in to the podcast to review their 2019 EP "Made of Something" with me for this edition of indie-vidually.  I first heard of these guys through Maewyn, another band I've featured a few times on this podcast, and who has toured with Treading Water.  On guitar and vocals is Michael Seyfert, bass guitar and vocals Blake Gerlock, and on drums Nate Burgett.  

Year of October from Nashville, Tennessee graces me with their presence once again for this episode of indie-vidually.  Phlecia and Josh Sullivan, the husband and wife duo, phoned in to the podcast as they discussed the life of a touring band while in quarantine for the Covid-19 pandemic, recording their new album "Wastelands," live streams from home, and current nerdy things they are partaking in to ease their boredom. 

It was a pleasure to feature and review the album "GOLDY" by The By Gods with their vocalist and guitar player George Pauley.  The By Gods are a rock band out of Nashville, Tennessee who have evolved quite a bit since they started, and it is very evident on "GOLDY."  They worked with Grammy-nominated producer Alex Newport, who has worked with bands such as At The Drive-In, Death Cab For Cutie, City and Colour and Bloc Party to name a few.  The album is very moody, very beautiful and very catchy all at once.  I enjoyed the conversation with George, and especially diving into the album itself, that was very much influenced by tragedy, and came out after a 3 year break of recording music for the band. 

I've got the guys from the band Shirk for this episode of Indie-vidually, whom I met while unpacking my gear at Possum Stock 2019, a DIY music festival outside of Clarksville, TN, where the band is from as well.  Although they have pop-punk sounds and influence, they are much more than that, and will be showcasing that on their album they are recording right now called "Quarterlife."  Lead vocalist and guitarist Jessie Armstrong, as well as bassist/background vocalist Josh Simpkins phoned in for this edition of the podcast, as we spoke about many things, including their history, influences, musical journey and 90's nostalgia.  They just released the first single "Faces" from their upcoming album on leap day, February 29th, and also 30 seconds of another single that will follow it called "It's Not the 90's Anymore," both of which are featured on the podcast.    

Founding member, lead singer and guitarist Ian Shannon of Nashville alt-rock band "Sleep for the Weary" phoned in for this edition of indie-vidually.  They recently released their second of three planned EP'S called "Theoria" in August of 2019, which is featured on the podcast, and was the focal point of our discussion.  We talked the music, philosophy and a host of other random ramblings throughout the show.  I really identified on many levels with Ian, and I appreciate his honesty, and his interest in the show. 

It was an honor and a privilege to feature Western Kentucky native Colonel JD Wilkes for this episode of indie-vidually.  This man wears many hats, and is an accomplished musician, visual artist, author and amateur filmmaker.  Best known for his experimental rockabilly band "The Legendary Shack Shakers," Wilkes is also an author of two books, "Barn Dances & Jamborees Across Kentucky," and "The Vine That Ate The South" (which I read following the interview, and it is GREAT)!  We talk at length about his writings, music, Kentucky history/folklore, hipsters, nostalgia and many more random topics.  Featured on the podcast are two tracks from "The Legendary Shack Shakers," and "JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers."  JD educated me on a host of different things, and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.

Nashville native "Nordista Freeze" graces the podcast with his presence for this edition of indie-vidually.  Freeze was a super interesting conversation, and a very down to Earth guy with a great energy.  Born and raised in Nashville, Nordista Freeze is no stranger to its local music scene, having been described as "cosmic Tom Petty," as well as drawing comparisons to the likes of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed, with a modern twist, as well as being described as a lot more genres from 60's based music that you'll learn about as you listen to this episode.  We focus on and discuss in depth his 2017 album "Cosmic Haus," which is fun and as catchy as it gets.  

For this episode of the podcast, I asked Nashville rock band Rusty Shipp to discuss their concept album they just put out this November called "Liquid Exorcist."  Present for the recording was lead singer and guitar player Russ T. Shipp, bassist Andrew Speed, also known as "Speedy," and drummer AJ Newton.  Missing in action was Elijah Apperson, who plays lead guitar.  These guys seriously rock and were a lot of fun to interview.  I really dug the concept to this album, and I know you will too!

It was my pleasure to have Ronnie and Shana McCoy of the Hi Fi Ninja for a second time, one year later on indie-vidually, although very bitter sweet at the same time.  Fans of this great band were sad to read a post on Facebook awhile back in reference to them hanging it up for good due to a medical issue that one of the band members is currently facing.  They have one more show, and it is sure to be a banger.  For this special edition of the podcast, Ronnie sent me 6 songs that mean a lot to him and Shana to feature and discuss, as well as a reflection of the last 12 years as a married couple and band, and their influence and mark they've left on Paducah, Kentucky's local music scene.  Try not to feel stuff when you listen to this one, y'all!