Blue October’s Matt Noveskey | 20 Years of Foiled, 1.5 Billion Streams & a Full-Circle Journey

Some interviews are about meeting someone for the first time. This one is about reconnecting with a story that has been part of mine for more than 25 years.

I first saw Blue October at Rock Fest 2000 in Omaha, Nebraska—a legendary lineup featuring 311, Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus, Papa Roach, Nickelback and more. Months later, I opened for Blue October at the Ranch Bowl and eventually several more times, including at the Music Box. There was even a day spent hanging out at Fun-Plex before one of their Omaha shows.

Then, in 2006, Justin Furstenfeld unexpectedly showed up at my band’s show at Knickerbockers in Lincoln. He loved our set, gave us Blue October’s manager’s number, and asked if we wanted to tour. That opportunity ultimately became one of the moments that changed the trajectory of my band.

Years later, I found myself working security when Blue October returned to Lincoln.

Now, more than 25 years after I first saw the band, I sit down with bassist Matt Noveskey.

We talk about Blue October’s early days, the road to Foiled, the explosive success of “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean,” the challenges that came with that success, and what has allowed the band to remain creatively relevant nearly three decades later.

We also dive into the 20th anniversary of Foiled, the album’s lasting impact, Blue October’s connection with generations of fans, and the incredible milestone of their catalog surpassing 1.5 billion streams.

For me, this conversation is more than an interview. It’s a full-circle moment with a band whose story has intersected with mine in ways I never could have predicted back in 2000.

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Carter Reeves joins Caught on the Mike for a conversation about the evolution of Surfer Girl, his journey from Aer frontman to building a band with a sound that blends reggae, surf-rock, indie-pop and hip-hop into something distinctly its own.

With Surfer Girl’s new album Midnight arriving August 21, Carter talks about the creative evolution behind the record, the road from Sunrise and Noon through Sunset, and the growing global community that has developed around the band. We also get into “Smoked Out,” the new Surfer Girl single featuring Wiz Khalifa, Carter’s connection to hip-hop, the inspiration behind several of Midnight’s singles, and the balance between nostalgia, reflection and carefree energy that runs through the music.

Carter also shares insight into Surfer Girl’s reputation as a live band, performing at festivals including Tortuga, BeachLife and Warped Tour, and the difference between making music for headphones and creating an experience in front of a crowd.

From his early success with Aer to finding a new creative identity with Surfer Girl, this is a conversation about musical freedom, growth, reinvention and building something that feels authentic.

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Scarlet House is one of the most intriguing emerging voices in alternative music—and his story goes far beyond the music.

In this episode of Caught on the Mike, we go back to the beginning with the 25-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina artist and explore how his experiences with homelessness, cancer, heartbreak, and survival helped shape the sound and identity of Scarlet House.

We also dive deep into his highly anticipated debut album, Angels, arriving August 28. Scarlet House opens up about the inspiration behind the 14-track record, the emotional journey connecting songs like “With You,” “Cherish,” “Who We Were,” and “Made For You,” and why his newest single is one he simply wants to let speak for itself.

We talk about the evolution from Homecoming to Angels, creating music as a one-man band, his cinematic blend of shoegaze, grunge and alternative rock, touring with Violent Vira and Flawed Mangoes, and stepping onto the Vans Warped Tour stage.

This is a conversation about music, survival, vulnerability, and what happens when you turn your experiences into something other people can feel.

Scarlet House’s debut album Angels is out August 28.

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On this episode of Caught on the Mike, Michael Clark sits down with Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and musician Stephen Day for one of the most personal conversations of the show.

Stephen opens up about his journey from discovering his mom’s guitar as a kid in Georgia to building a career with more than 200 million streams, touring alongside artists like Teddy Swims, Stephen Sanchez, Allen Stone, Lawrence, and Ben Rector, and finding his voice as an artist.

At the center of the conversation is Stephen’s upcoming self-titled album, Stephen Day, arriving October 2, 2026. We talk about why he waited more than a decade to make a record bearing his own name, the difference between imitating your heroes and emulating them, and the vulnerability that comes with finally saying, “This is me.”

Stephen also shares the deeply personal stories behind his songs, he discusses recording the album live with a full band, the philosophy of  in with the old, out with the new,” his latest single “Back In My Bed,” and what he hopes this next chapter says about who he is as a songwriter and storyteller.

It's a conversation about music, family, fear, love, identity, and the courage it takes to become exactly who you're supposed to be.

Stephen Day is stepping into his own name. This is his story.

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Southern California alternative rock band Strange Case joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about their journey from the local DIY scene to becoming one of the fastest-rising bands in modern alternative rock.

Mikey and Zayno discuss the band's evolution over the past decade, being the very first artist signed to Jakob Nowell's SVN/BVRNT label, touring alongside Jakobs Castle, Strawberry Fuzz, and Spray Allen, and performing with Sublime at major festivals and headline shows. They also reflect on the success of their million-stream single "27 Club," hearing their music featured in Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer, and what they've learned from building a career rooted in hard work, authenticity, and Southern California's rich musical legacy.

The conversation also dives into the creative process behind their brand-new album, Gone For A While, the stories behind the songs, life on the road, and where Strange Case is headed next.

Whether you're a longtime fan of alternative rock, punk, surf rock, or discovering Strange Case for the first time, this episode offers an honest look at a band carving out its own place in today's music scene.

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Some conversations feel like they're years in the making. This one has been nearly three decades.

John Feldmann, frontman of Goldfinger, Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, A&R visionary, and one of the most influential architects of modern punk rock- joins me for a conversation I'll never forget.

Goldfinger has been part of my life since the late '90s. I saw the band tear through Midwest clubs, covered their songs with my own ska band, watched them become one of the defining acts of the third-wave ska movement, and years later found myself introducing their music to my son, who insisted on hearing "Mable" (or as he called it, "the She's the bomb song") every time we got in the car. Sitting down with John felt like one of those rare full-circle moments that reminds me why I started Caught On The Mike.

We dive into Goldfinger's incredible journey, the stories behind the band's longevity, and the making of their latest album, Nine Lives. John also pulls back the curtain on a career that extends far beyond Goldfinger. As a producer and songwriter, he's helped shape the sound of generations, working with artists including Blink-182, Good Charlotte, The Used, Story of the Year, 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, Panic! At The Disco, Sleeping With Sirens, Black Veil Brides, Avril Lavigne, and countless others. We talk about discovering talent, making timeless records, navigating an ever-changing music industry, and what separates artists who last from those who fade away.

Whether you know John Feldmann as the voice of Goldfinger, the producer behind some of the biggest rock records of the last 30 years, or the creative force who has helped launch and develop countless artists, this is a conversation about passion, perseverance, reinvention, and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.

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Alejandro Aranda—also known as Scarypoolparty—joins Caught on the Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about his musical journey, his creative process, and the release of his new EP, Baroque.

After captivating audiences as the runner-up on American Idol in 2019, Alejandro has continued to chart his own artistic path, releasing acclaimed projects including Exit Form, Doom Hologram, The Act of Forgiveness, and now Baroque. Rather than following trends, he's built a reputation for blending classical, jazz, indie rock, electronic music, pop, and drum & bass into a sound that's entirely his own.

In this episode, Alejandro discusses the inspiration behind Baroque, how the project reflects both his musical influences and personal evolution, and why he continues to challenge himself creatively with every release. We revisit his American Idol experience, explore his distinctive fingerstyle guitar technique, and talk about songwriting, artistic independence, and the freedom that comes from creating music without being confined by expectations or genre labels.

Whether you've followed Alejandro since his American Idol days or recently discovered his work as Scarypoolparty, this conversation offers an insightful look at one of today's most inventive singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, as well as the mindset that continues to shape his evolving career.

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J.Lately joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about his new album, Room to Grow, and the journey that's made him one of the Bay Area's most respected independent hip-hop artists.

In this episode, we explore the inspiration behind Room to Grow, how his songwriting has evolved, and why authenticity continues to drive everything he creates. J.Lately shares what it's like building a loyal fanbase without compromising his artistic vision, balancing introspective lyricism with laid-back production, and navigating today's music industry as an independent artist.

We also talk about collaborating with artists like Travis Thompson, Wrekonize (¡MAYDAY!), Evil Ebenezer, and Mouse Powell, life on the road, and the lessons he's learned from years of touring and staying true to his craft. From creative growth to the realities of the independent grind, this conversation offers an honest look at the mindset behind the music and what continues to fuel his career.

Whether you're a longtime fan of J.Lately, a supporter of independent hip-hop, or simply enjoy conversations that go beyond the music, this episode delivers thoughtful insight, compelling stories, and an inside look at an artist continuing to carve out his own lane.

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🚨 BIG CHANGES ARE HAPPENING AT CAUGHT ON THE MIKE 🚨

For the past several weeks, I've been working behind the scenes to take this show to the next level.

🎥 Full video episodes are coming to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
📺 The YouTube channel has been completely reorganized to make discovering past interviews easier than ever.
🎙️ The studio has been upgraded—both aesthetically and technologically.
🤝 New business relationships are creating exciting opportunities for bigger guests, collaborations, giveaways, and more.
🔥 And the content? I'm pouring more into every single episode than ever before.

Will there be a few bumps along the way? Probably. That's part of growth.

But I truly believe the future of Caught on the Mike has never looked brighter.

Thank you to everyone who's listened, watched, subscribed, shared an episode, or believed in this show over the last five years. None of this happens without you.

We're just getting started.

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