A couple of weeks ago, I was able to schedule a Zoom interview with the extremely busy, Dan Ozzi. In this interview, we discussed his unique writing process for his new book called Sellout, some unique stories of his time working in the music industry, advice he would give to other writers, as well as his process for preparing for an interview. Be sure to check out Sellout, which is available for purchase here.
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Recently I was able to catch up with the band Keep It A Secret before they released their latest single, “Middle With My Thumbs Up.” In this Zoom interview, I asked each of the band members about their core influences, their dream show on what bands they think they would be best to open for, as well as some of the back story on how they became the band they are today. The band has been steadily releasing new material, and is considering an EP at some point soon.
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It’s been five long years but the new gods of Buffalo are set to return with their most complete and powerful album yet. Radical – Every Time I Die’s ninth full-length – features 16 of the band’s most personal, vulnerable, and heaviest songs yet with a couple of new wrinkles and twists thrown in for good measure. Vocalist Keith Buckley has been to hell and back and has lived to tell it, as the veteran frontman took time out of his busy schedule to cut it up with me about sitting on the record during a pandemic, his newfound writing style, and Malignant.
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Recently I was able to connect with Michael Kamerman of the pop rock band Smallpools before he and his bandmates embarked on a comprehensive U.S. headlining tour. In this interview, I asked Michael about the songwriting process evolution with his band, the material found in Smallpools sophomore record Life in a Simulation, as well as what’s he’s most looking forward to with getting back on the road. Life in a Simulation will be released this Friday on all of your favorite streaming services.
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Today I’m happy to share the interview I conducted with the lead vocalist of a band called Slow Crush, and Isa Holliday and I’s conversation on the band’s new album Hush, that will officially hit the streets on October 22nd. In this interview, I asked her about the contrast between the two singles the band has released including “Swoon,” the differences in their approach to performing as an opener versus a headlining stint, Slow Crush’s songwriting process, and what her and bandmates look to for inspiration in their music. The band plans to headline the United States next spring in April and May.
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Recently I was able to connect with Ben Liebsch of You, Me and Everyone We Know for an interview discussing his band’s great new album called Something Heavy. The album hits the streets this Friday, and Ben and I discussed his unique writing process for this record, the choice to bring in outside collaborators, as well as his advice for others struggling with their mental health during this ultra-tough period of time.
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This past week, I was able to connect on Zoom with lead vocalist and guitarist of Middle Kids, Hannah Joy, before her band got set to leave for a comprehensive headlining tour of the United States. In this interview, we talked a lot about each of the songs from Today We’re The Greatest, the songs that she felt will most connect with fans on this tour, and the cool story behind playing with right-handed guitars even though she is left-handed. Middle Kids will be starting their headlining tour this month.
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Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom interview with DC rockers, The Slang (John Bobo and Felix Nieto) before they release their debut LP called Divide. In this interview, I asked them about the songwriting process for their debut record, the comparisons some have made to their slick pop-rock sound, how genre lines continue to blend, and also what went into their music video shoot for “Nothing Lasts Forever.” Pre-orders are now up for Divide.
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After the release of his popular book called Name Dropping: Seeking Creative Truth Through Trendy Altruism and Punk Rock, I was able to connect with author Jameson Ketchum for a great conversation. In this interview, we discussed how this semi-memoir came together, the bands he spent time with including Taking Back Sunday, The Used, and Fallstar, as well as what other projects he has in the works. Jameson Ketchum’s book is available now on Amazon for purchase, and I’d highly recommend everyone interested in what goes on during tours check out this great book.
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Recently I was able to chat with veteran singer-songwriter Lee DeWyze before he embarked on his US tour in support of his latest record, Ghost Stories. In this detailed conversation, Lee and I discussed how the pandemic influenced the material found on the album, his noticeable growth as a songwriter in songs like the title track, his recent TV/movie syncs he’s completed, and artists that he admires in today’s music scene. Lee DeWyze begins his 35-city Ghost Stories tour the day after the record is released on August 13th. Pre-orders are available here.
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This past week, I was able to chat with lead vocalist Sarah Rose of Sarah and the Safe Word before the band releases the brand new single, “Lost Ring On Riverside,” out everywhere today. In this interview, we discussed the band’s process for writing songs like this latest single, their love of cabaret and scene bands like My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco, as well as the plans for the one-year anniversary of their last full-length record Good Gracious! Bad People.
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A week after the band released their new album, I was able to catch a hold of The Maine before they set off on their Sad Summer Fest tour with All Time Low and many other great bands. Garrett Nickelsen and Pat Kirch chatted with me in a Zoom interview to discuss everything that went into their fantastic new record, XOXO: From Love and Anxiety In Real Time. Garrett and Pat also described their band’s process for recording the album, how their songwriting has evolved, the unique connection to each of their fans, and when their loyal fanbase can expect new music on the horizon from The Maine.
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This past week, I was able to reach out to the band Dim to talk about their great new record, From Dark To Light We’ll See that we premiered last week. In this interview, I asked the band about the circumstances that led to this album title, what each band member brings creatively into Dim with their unique artist influences, their process for songwriting, and upcoming merchandise plans to support the new record.
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This past week, I was able to get a hold of Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms before he embarks on a full US tour, including an expertly planned “troll job” of a gig on August 21st at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping venue with Laura Jane Grace. In this interview, we talked about the circumstances that led to this show, the things he admires most about Laura, his songwriting process, and how the pandemic delayed a lot of his creativity and motivation. Brendan’s “Here Goes Nothin'” tour begins on July 30th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and will wrap up in Cleveland, Ohio on August 22nd. Merchandise for the Four Seasons Total Landscaping show is now on sale.
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This past week, I was able to chat with Joe Principe (bassist) of Rise Against before the band embarks on one of their most ambitious tours to date. In this interview we discussed where the title of their excellent new album Nowhere Generation came from, the songwriting process that the band went through during these sessions, what Rise Against plan to do with their bonus material, as well as how Joe stayed active in the causes he is passionate about during the pandemic. Rise Against will be starting their headlining tour with support from the Descendents and The Menzingers.
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