Behind the Vinyl

I had singer/songwriter Deanna Faye on for this one. Deanna has been working really hard over this past year. In January she put out an EP labeled "Good to You." The songs on the EP show Deanna's classic rock routes — they have a real 60s or 70s feel to them. Deanna also stays active by consistently uploading videos to YouTube and social media. There is a large variety of content from "how to" videos all the way up to her own music. This was a deep conversation. Deanna talks about some of the trials she went through before getting back into making music. We also had some fun topics about how radio talk shows are still something people in Canada listen to and growing up in the Toronto area. Check out Deanna's music below:

Website - https://deannafaye.com

Bandcamp - https://deannafaye.bandcamp.com/album/good-to-you

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtb2bs8FL28J0Cc0UokPs6Q

Instagram/Twitter - @deannafaye__

I had Will & Max of the band Dosser (Baltimore, MD) on for this one. Their EP labeled "Brainscan" came out at the beginning of the year. Brainscan takes its name from a 90's sci-fi/horror movie starring Edward Furlong. The movie shows a young teenager transition from being someone who is constantly playing video games to a serial killer. One of the big subjects Dosser wrote about on this EP and for future songs is not truly knowing what someone is going through on the inside. It's easy to portray a happy life through social media, but for some people, that does not tell the full story. They have hidden stress that the world does not know about or sees. Like so many other artists over the past year, mental health has become a main theme of song writing. Mostly because we have been isolated due to a pandemic, but also the demands of being young in this world begins to creep in. There is this preconceived notion that everyone should follow a path of going to college, having a family, etc. but people don't talk about the loads of stess from needing to find a job that seeks years of experience and having a bunch of debt. Will and Bret talk about current societies pressure put on people and the anxiety that starts to come with it in their lyrics. Check out Dosser below:

Bandcamp - https://dossermd.bandcamp.com

Instagram/Twitter - @dossermd

Really Rad Records - https://www.reallyradrecs.com/dosser

We made it to the big 5-0 for episodes. Thrin Vianale was my guest for the pod's 50th episode. I found out about Winded a few weeks ago when Thrin did a livestream for The Alternative. I decided to connect with Thrin after that livestream wrapped up because their music was incredible and the conversation in-between was real genuine. I knew it would make for a great interview, and it sure did. We talked about Florida bands that paved the way for Winded and some of the early shows the band had. Thrin says they all got to know each other on the road and it's a different connection than hanging out at home or in the studio. We also had a deep conversation about Queen and about how Freddie Mercury opened the door for so many future artists. Thrin brings up a recent trip to Spencers. We also talked about a song they wrote after watching Bram Stoker's Dracula. Check out Winded below:

Bandcamp - https://winded.bandcamp.com/music

Instagram/Twitter: im.winded/@windedfl

Bridget & Haley of OK Cool joined me this week to talk about their new EP labeled Surrealist, which came out on March 26 and is now streaming everywhere! It was a blast talking about the songs on this EP, not having much writing experience before this band, finding ways to get a new band out to the world, combining their influences to make their sound, staying busy, the theme of scooters, their close friendship, starting Take a Hike Records, and how gross cat calling is. The name is true, Bridget and Haley are in fact cool. Check them out!

Bandcamp: https://okcool.bandcamp.com/music

Five Finger Exploding Heart Technique music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZl5SH2RceI

Instagram/twitter: @okcoolband

Take a Hike Records: https://takeahikerecords.limitedrun.com/?fbclid=IwAR2cE_xIuv7WeAXa1leNgK4MBg-U2ODnwCptm7ZAsH0oTQpZKy8qrHlwyXE

Evan Stanley is on a motivated path towards making a name for himself in the music industry. He wants every song to be better than the last. He wants people to want more when he releases music. His competitive energy began in high school when his band at the time won a battle of the bands. Evan says that everyone in the group was pumped up to take home the top prize, but they were missing the big picture. He didn't just want to be the best band in high school, he wanted to have his name up there with some of his favorite artists on the radio. Evan continued to play in bands all the way up to college in New York. That is when he realized that he wasn't necessarily happy with his path in music. So, Evan took a leap of faith, left school, quit his band, and moved back to Los Angeles to focus on his solo career. We talked about all of his two releases this year (Memories & El Camino), having Bryan Cranston star in one of his music videos, and growing up as the son of Paul Stanley of KISS.

Instagram/Twitter: @itsevanstanley

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/essguitarman

Several years back I had a buddy of mine send me the band Doe and told me this is my kind of music. There's a reason that we call certain people friends in life, because he was spot on that day. It was love at first site when I heard Nicola Leel's vocals come blasting through my vocals. Fast forward to 2021, and I had the chance to chat with Nicola. Doe is no long an active lineup, but that doesn't stop them from occasionally popping up on social media, and it certainly didn't stop us from having a wonderful conversation about their existence. Last week Doe posted a video of their last show at The Lexington. The crowd was electric -- it was the proper send off for a band that gave us so much good music. This was a fun episode where we talked about the history of Doe and some of the other projects Nicola has been dabbling in like Maneka and The Glow. There might even be some solo music in the future. Keep up with what Nicola is up to below:

Instagram - @nicolaleel

Doe Live at The Lexington (farewell show) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xO53hnmk-g

Bandcamp - https://doetheband.bandcamp.com

Website - http://www.doetheband.co.uk

Sofia Verbilla of Harmony Woods came on the show to talk about the band's new album "GRACEFUL RAGE." The album came out as a surprise release and exploded the moment it was made available to listen to. The album has received nothing but positive reviews and was even hinted at as an early candidate of Album of the Year by Jamie Coletta of No Earbuds. "GRACEFUL RAGE" was produced by Bartees Strange. Sofia says that Bartees Strange gave her new found confidence in her singing that helped her become a better vocalist. This album is a collection of songs that Sofia is extremely proud of and really believes in. It expresses a tough emotional state Sofia was in and how she became far removed from the events taking place and finally was able to write about how she was feeling. Writing about those songs allowed her to see that chapter in her life with a little more clarity and Sofia took away lessons from it. Sofia hopes these songs can help the listeners feel a little less lonely during tough times -- especially the ones we have been experiencing over the past year. Sofia knows she would love to hear a record that she can relate to and hopes that others feel that way while listening to it. Keep up with Harmony Woods below:

Bandcamp - https://harmonywoods.bandcamp.com/album/make-yourself-at-home

Instagram/Twitter - @HarmonyWoodsPA

Grab the vinyl and other Merch here - https://skeletallightning.com/collections/harmony-woods-preorder/products/harmony-woods-graceful-rage

From Jimmy Kimmel Live, to a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, to playing sold out arenas supporting Maroon 5 -- None have been bigger than this tell all interview Rozzi did on Behind the Vinyl. Just kidding, it wasn't a tell all interview or more important than those past accomplishments, but it was still a fun conversation that went into full detail about Rozzi's new songs from the past year. Especially the most recent release which at the time of the discussion was Hymn for Tomorrow a song about how sometimes letting go opens up room for something new in life. We also talked about her song called "Best Friend Song" which is about, well, her best friend. It is such a catchy song and has found its way on to SiriusXM Pulse and numerous Spotify playlist. The music video is a fun watch too! The other big song was Orange Skies which was a song about the California wildfires. Her record label S-Curve Records/BMG donated a portion of the proceeds to The American Red Cross (Western Wildfires) and the Bay Area's Sonoma Family Meal. Rozzi actively talks about climate change and voting for science. Rozzi also co-host a podcast labeled "Ugh! You're so Good!" which is a must listen. Former Olympic figure skater, Michelle Kwan, was one of the guest! Check out Rozzi below:

Website: https://www.thisisrozzi.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2CYv87SoIoJQIePjZ8DaQw

Instagram/Twitter: @thisisrozzi

It's release day! Alex, Fred, and Sam joined me live from A Shared Universe in Eatontown, NJ to talk about their debut album "Price of a Nation." Listen to the album below:

Bandcamp: https://americaparttwo.bandcamp.com

Revival: https://www.revivalrecs.com/america-part-two

Instagram/Twitter: americaparttwo

I am really pumped up about this one. John, Sam, Anthony, and Wes joined me to talk about their new album coming out on March 26 called [Laughs]. There are currently three singles out so far! Give The Stray, Trophy Deer, and Guilt Like a Gun a listen and get excited about this upcoming album. I am telling you, every song on [Laughs] could be a single, it's that good. It's a fun ride from start to finish. I really enjoyed this interview because I could tell how close Kali Masi is. Every decision is made as a group and that is what made this album so good. Check out Kali Masi below:

Bandcamp: https://kalimasi.bandcamp.com/album/laughs

Instagram/Twitter: @kalimasiband