Steve Gorman spent nearly three decades providing the backbeat for one of rock’s most turbulent bands — and he’s got the memoir to prove it. In his book, “Hard to Handle,” the Black Crowes’ drummer laid bare the dysfunction, drama, and grind of life inside a band that was as volatile offstage as it was electric on it. Now, with the Crowes nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Gorman deep into a new project — the supergroup Howl Owl Howl, alongside Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills — he’s got plenty of perspective on what it takes to survive a legendary band, trust the groove, and enjoy the ride.

In this intimate and wide‑ranging conversation, musicians Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson open up about the creative forces, personal histories, and emotional truths behind their new album. They reflect on apocalyptic imagery, artistic integrity, and the healing power of making music. Nicole shares how she finds beauty even in turbulent times, while Dwight reveals the quiet, meticulous process behind shaping songs from scraps of riffs and iPhone recordings. Together, they explore vulnerability, ferocity, grief, and joy, offering a look into the inner world of two artists determined to create on their own terms.

Their new album is Day or Night.

Guitarist and composer Nili Brosh returns with Eventide, an album that blends retro‑modern synth textures, genre‑bending arrangements, and an unexpectedly emotional undercurrent. In this conversation, she opens up about writing away from the guitar, the color‑driven instincts that shape her music and visuals, and the internal intensity that fuels her playing. From the retro‑futurist artwork to the nuanced percussion choices, Brosh reveals how every element of Eventide was crafted with intention—and how her work with Cirque du Soleil, Danny Elfman, and Dethklok subtly seeped into the final sound.

In this illuminating conversation, Joel Ekelöf, vocalist of progressive metal band Soen, discusses the philosophy behind their album Reliance. From exploring the tension between darkness and hope to examining how technology shapes modern society, Ekelöf offers insight into the band's creative process, their willingness to embrace vulnerability, and why sometimes less is more. He also reveals how writing lyrics in a non-native language has shaped their distinctive voice.

Folk music veterans John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton discuss their collaborative album "Together Again" with interviewer Cris Cohen. The conversation explores their songwriting philosophy of addressing macro issues through intimate personal stories, their creative partnership that has flourished through Zoom co-writing sessions, and their optimistic view of folk music's current health. They reflect on mentorship from Pete Seeger, the importance of surrendering to the creative process, finding success outside mainstream formulas, and maintaining artistic vitality throughout their careers. The interview touches on specific songs from the album while offering insights into collaboration, the role of technology in creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling in music. (Note: At one point Tom drops from the call and is unable to reconnect.)

Singer-songwriter Afton Wolfe discusses his album "Ophiuchus," named after the 13th zodiac constellation. He explores themes of astronomy versus astrology, the balance between high concepts and intimate moments, vulnerability in songwriting, and navigating the attention economy as an artist. Wolfe also shares the deeply personal story behind "Crooked Roads," written the night before his wife's brain surgery, and reflects on the collaborative process with illustrator Cora Lee.

Singer-songwriter Bernie Barlow opens up about her latest album "Walking Around This Town," sharing decades of wisdom from both lead and backing vocal work. In this in-depth conversation, Bernie discusses the craft of songwriting, the value of life experience in music, and what it means to be an independent artist later in career.

Cory Marks doesn’t fit into boxes, and he’s not interested in starting now. The Canadian singer-songwriter has built a career on bridging the gap between country and rock, two genres that don’t always play well together in the industry’s carefully segmented landscape. But Marks isn’t concerned with what should or shouldn’t work. From touring with hard rock heavyweights like Theory of a Dead Man and Sevendust to ending his high-energy shows with just an acoustic guitar and raw vulnerability, he’s carved out a unique space that honors his influences from Merle Haggard to Ozzy Osbourne.With the release of Sorry for Nothing, Volume Two, Marks continues to push sonic boundaries while staying true to his roots as a drummer-turned-songwriter. When he’s not on stage or in Nashville’s writing rooms, you might find him 10,000 feet in the air. Marks is also a licensed pilot who finds creative inspiration among the clouds. In this conversation, he opens up about the emotional power of acoustic performances, the challenges of Nashville’s intense writing culture, his unforgettable experience flying with the Canadian Snowbirds, and why sometimes the best thing a songwriter can do is take a step back and just live.

In this interview, The Rasmus frontman Lauri Ylönen discusses the creative process behind the band’s album “Weirdo,” revealing how personal experiences fuel his songwriting… from the revenge-driven “Rest in Pieces” written at 3 a.m. after a friend’s betrayal, to the deeply personal “I’m Coming For You,” a confessional song for his 17-year-old son about balancing career and fatherhood. Ylönen shares his approach to songwriting, often composing melodies in his head before touching an instrument, and reflects on the band’s “Stay Weird” philosophy as a message against social media pressure and perfectionism. Ylönen also describes performing a charity concert in Ukraine, sleeping in bomb shelters during missile strikes, and meeting exhausted soldiers. Throughout, he discusses writing lyrics in English as a second language, how his naturally shy Finnish personality contrasts with his stage persona, and the importance of maintaining band unity with members he’s known for three decades.

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, Michele) recorded this interview backstage at the Carolina Theatre in Durham before Richard’s show with Howard Jones and Haircut 100.