11 Things with Leigh Jones

Happy 2014! Today's episode features Irish-born, California-bred music producer/engineer/mixer Cian Riordan. Cian is currently based in Los Angeles, working at Barefoot Recording, a state of the art recording studio owned and run by esteemed music producer, Eric Valentine. Listen in as Cian talks about his journey in recorded music, the many hats a producer must wear, and a very tense personal encounter he had with Slash of Guns N' Roses. www.cianriordan.com

Mike Brun is a NYC-based musician and songwriter. In addition to creating and performing his own material, he often collaborates with Shaina Taub (he makes up one-third of her band, the Shaina Taub Trio), and recently served as musical director for the off-Broadway hit, Mr. Burns. Here, Mike discusses his musical beginnings playing a stolen guitar until his fingers bled, the benefits of musical cross-training, and his relationship with the three cities in which he has resided - Philly, New Orleans, and NYC. www.mikebrun.com

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! For this special edition of 11 Things, I appealed to all my previous guests and asked them share a musical artist for whom they are particularly thankful. Listen in, reflect upon who/what YOU are thankful for, then go devour a mountain of delicious foooood!

Todd Almond is a NYC-based musician, composer, and playwright. He has collaborated with many of today's top theatre artists, and performs his own solo material as well. Here, Todd candidly discusses growing up in a small midwestern town, his embarrassing first couple of gigs, knowing and focusing on what you're good at, and his decision not to be a brain surgeon. www.toddalmond.com

Grace McLean is a New York City based singer, songwriter, and actor. Both as a solo artist and along with her band, Grace McLean and Them Apples, she's been busy seducing audiences with her clever and dynamic songs, sharp wit, and magnetic stage presence. Here, Grace ruminates on her upbringing in the OC, the rewards of teaching, and the musical she is developing about the fascinating medieval visionary, Hildegard von Bingen. Also, Grace shares a diary entry from age 11 and we go deep about our mutual love of The West Wing. www.gracemclean.com

Miko De Leon is a New York City based singer-songwriter, and frontman of the indie folk/pop band, Miko & the Musket. Here, Miko talks about how his ethnicity informs his role in the music scene, transitioning from a very personal to a more universal songwriting style, and his dream of playing at the White House. Also, Miko and I are both visited by ghosts from our past lives when we studied musical theatre. www.mikoandthemusket.com

Olivia Quillio is a singer/songwriter currently based in Albany, NY. Her vivid folk-inspired lyrics and melodic jazz vocals are only topped by the raw emotion she packs into her songs. Here, Olivia talks about being influenced by the dynamics of the family unit, what artist in the whole world she'd like to hear cover one of her songs, and being done with heartbreak. www.oliviaquillio.com

Holly McGarry is a folk singer-songwriter originally from Sandpoint, Idaho and now living in Boston. Just 20 years old, Holly already has three albums and several tours under her belt. Here, she talks about becoming enamored with and determined to play the guitar very early on, her influences from Gillian Welch to The Who, and how age has informed and affected both her musical and personal journeys thus far. www.hollymcgarry.com

Jason Anderson is a force of nature. When he performs, a tangible energy fills the room and one can't help but sing along to his catchy, often soul-stirring tunes. Here, the oft-touring Jason talks about growing up in small-town New Hampshire, his compulsive songwriting process, and how different variables play into the way he approaches his live shows. www.jasonandersonmusic.com

Justin Goldner is a NYC-based bassist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. His versatility as a musician has enabled him to work within a broad range of genres and with countless bands and artists around the country and abroad. Here, Justin discusses his influences from Bach to Joni Mitchell to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, why he sees himself as a craftsman as opposed to an artist, and his attraction to playing gigs in strange places. www.subdiversity.com