Bands To Fans

In this interview, legendary KROQ DJ Richard Blade reflects on the golden age of alternative radio, crediting program director Rick Carroll's music-first philosophy for creating the environment that made the station's DJ lineup so exceptional. That lineup included our mutual friend, the late, great Dusty Street. Blade offers frank insights into today's radio landscape, which he describes as "a swamp" programmed by salespeople rather than music lovers, while sharing career advice about setting bold goals and the importance of knowing your audience. From breaking new wave bands in the '80s to his current role preserving that era's legacy, Blade discusses stories from his autobiography "World In My Eyes," including a Hollywood movie project in development based on his relationship with Berlin's Terri Nunn. Through industry changes and celebrity encounters, the interview reveals Blade's core motivation remains unchanged: he's simply a guy who loves sharing great music with people. We (Richard, myself, and my wife

When three seasoned Austin guitarists who grew up watching the same blues legends at legendary venues like Antone's and the Continental Club decide to collaborate, something special is bound to happen. That's exactly what occurred when Johnny Moeller—known for his work with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and backing artists like Marcia Ball—joined forces with Jesse Dayton and Ian Moore to form the Texas Headhunters.What started as a casual studio session between old friends has evolved into a powerhouse trio that captures the authentic spirit of Austin blues while pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Their debut album, recorded in just five days at Willie Nelson's studio, showcases not just their individual talents but their remarkable ability to weave three distinct guitar voices into a cohesive, electrifying sound.In this candid interview, Moeller opens up about the challenges and revelations of transitioning from a career spent primarily as a supporting musician to sharing frontman duties with two other guita

I interviewed Lawrence Gowan of Styx. We discussed:Their new album, Circling From Above.When the listener is nervous to hear the new album because they loved the last album.The challenge of giving yourself only three days to write and record a song.The melody idea that would not leave him alone.Their continuing embrace of song vignettes.When the final version of a song is even better than the initial idea.Creating conflict and resolution within the span of one song.

“When I gravitated back to music, it was for the right reasons.” I interviewed Kenneth Nixon of Framing Hanley. We discussed:Their new song, "Mean It".The influence of Walt Whitman's "The Poet's Purpose".The advantage of growing up across the street from the library.Developing song ideas through humming.Why he stepped away from music for a few years.Persevering despite how the social media / streaming companies work to prevent musicians from connecting with their fans

I interviewed the band Secret Monkey Weekend -- Ella (bass), Lila (drums), Jefferson (guitar). From their bio - "Ella and Lila’s father Matt, a prominent area drummer who’d toured with Hüsker Dü’s Grant Hart, passed suddenly in 2012, when his daughters were aged just 4 and 9. Matt had played in bands with Jefferson and, after his friend’s passing, Jefferson started teaching Ella guitar. A relationship with their mom, Laura, slowly blossomed." What began as a hobby / therapy evolved into a family band.We discussed:- Their new album, "Lemon Drop Hammer"- Starting so young, how Ella and Lila have adapted their playing as they have physically grown- The song "So Much Joy" and its gritty happiness- The quirky, fun title track - The great lyric "walking between raindrops" - How the music community embraced them after their dad died - The job title I have never seen in album liner notes before

I spoke with AJ Dean of The Wandering Hearts. We discussed:Deja Vu (We've All Been Here Before), their reimagining of the album by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.The rare thunderstorms that bookended their recording sessions in the California desert.Veering away from the obvious choice of who should sing lead on a song.And more.

I spoke with the band Sister Hazel, specifically Ken Block, Drew Copeland, Jett Beres, and Ryan Newell. (Drummer Mark Trojanowski was warming up because they were about to go on stage.) We discussed:- Their new album... Sand, Sea & Crash Debris- Co-writing a song with Emerson Hart of Tonic- Ken co-writing a song with his daughter - Which member of the band is "the unwriter"- The songs "Hole In Your Life," "All Goes By So Fast," and "Lay Your Worry Down"- And more 

Vulnerability with volume. Talking about the song "Wild" with Kelsy Karter.

Talking with Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon about the song "Everything You Want" 

I interviewed Peter Holsapple, best known for his bands The dB's and the Continental Drifters, as well as his work with groups like REM and Hootie and The Blowfish. Topics and pull quotes:His new album, The Face of 68."You want to kind of go for feral performances if you can. You want it to jump out of the grooves of the record.""There's the human jukebox that's running from the second I get up to the instant I fall asleep that I can't turn off.""It's got conversation that I'm having with him beyond the pale. I need that. I need to grieve somehow."And he proves he is an even a bigger music geek than I am.

“Sometimes the moment that you think is the worst moment, the worst thing to happen, turns out to be, in hindsight, something that was necessary, maybe even profoundly a gift.”I spoke with Jim “Soni” Sonefeld of Hootie and The Blowfish. We discussed:His autobiography, “Swimming With the Blowfish: Hootie, Healing, And One Hell Of A Ride”.Overcoming his addictions.Writing about his tumultuous times in a way that did not let himself off the hook, but also did not harm his bandmates, friends, or family.The thrill and the pressure that comes with releasing one of the best selling debut albums of all time.Hearing the crowd at one of Darius Rucker’s solo concerts sing along to “Hold My Hand,” which Soni wrote.

I interviewed Chris Berardo. We discussed:- His new album, Wilder All The Time- Sequencing the song order so it mimics a live show- "You are cheating yourself if you don't recognize the joy when it happens."- Writing songs on the piano that are then played on guitar- And moreGet the albumMore interviews 

I spoke with Logan Tabor of alltheprettythings. We discussed:Their album ProseHis hodgepodge methodology for collecting potential lyricsCreating a song like "New Teeth," heavy rock that you can dance toHis pre-tour vocal workoutsThe different extremes within the song "Carousel"From the song “Teenage Lines” the lyric “How you were reaching for the stars again / and only pulling down the empty things that were sitting in between”And more

I interviewed Kyle Pfeiffer of Blacklite District. We discussed:- Their album You Can Do Better- How they have adapted their tours to make things easier for their fans- How getting sober has influenced his music and his lyric writing- Being influenced by Black Sabbath but sounding very different from them- And moreBlacklite District website: https://blacklitedistrict.net/ 

I spoke with Kesly Karter. We discussed:The new album by Kelsy Karter and The Heroines, Love Made Me Do It.How the opening track, which sets the tone for the whole album, almost wasn't on the album at all.Being influenced by Quentin Tarantino."I was in a Metaphorical mosh pit fighting for my place as a woman in rock music."The first instrument this rocker learned to play was the flute.And more.

I interviewed rock singer / violinist Ginny Luke. We discussed:- Her new album, Devil At My Heels- Approaching the violin as another voice- "I like being a bad bitch on stage."- Covering Deep Purple's "Burn" with guitarist Nili Brosh- And more

I interviewed new artist Slaw. We discussed:- His debut album "Here I Come"- The art of telling full stories in songs- How he was influenced by everything from Motown to Bluegrass- Learning to release your soul into your music- And more

What Kim Wilson of clients The Fabulous Thunderbirds said about Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top joining the Tbirds on their new song “Payback Time”.

Part 2 of my interview with Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon. You can find Part 1 at blog.bandstofans.netHighlights from this conversation: - "There was a way that (Seinfeld) described the art of stand-up comedy that... I felt there were through lines to what we do." - "The tone that we want to set when we start a show is that we're in this together." - "The feeling I get when I walk on stage with Richard (Marx) is what I would imagine the other players on the Chicago Bulls felt like when they walked on the court with Michael Jordan." - We delve into the his lyric "Listen and wait for the echoes of angels that won't return". - "Go listen to 'Subdivisions' from the Signals record (Rush)… and maybe (first) read the lyrics. It's astoundingly great."

Join us for an in-depth interview with Lawrence Gowan of Styx as he shares insights on the band's iconic live performances, the story behind his spinning keyboard mishap, the creative process of song vignettes on albums like 'Crash of the Crown,' advice for his brother upon joining the band, and much more.