Couch Riffs

My guest this week is the always-a-good-time, shred loving guitarist Eric Howk of the band Portugal. The Man. Eric is a veteran of the Seattle music scene, a great player, a smart musician and writer, and an awesome asset to any band I've seen him play in. Eric is also a wheelchair user which creates touring situations where awkward and seemingly inconvenient situations for other touring musicians can quickly turn in to near nightmares. But, my man is a champion and a true lover of music and he's unstoppable. Period.

Portugal. The Man is writing for the follow-up to their 2017 album, Woodstock, which featured the Grammy Award winning song Feel It Still and exposed the band to a much larger audience. We're excited to see what happens next and what kind of shred Eric commits to the new material.

My guest this week is the always-a-good-time, shred loving guitarist Eric Howk of the band Portugal. The Man. Eric is a veteran of the Seattle music scene, a great player, a smart musician and writer, and an awesome asset to any band I've seen him play in. Eric is also a wheelchair user which creates touring situations where awkward and seemingly inconvenient situations for other touring musicians can quickly turn in to near nightmares. But, my man is a champion and a true lover of music and he's unstoppable. Period. 

Portugal. The Man is writing for the follow-up to their 2017 album, Woodstock, which featured the Grammy Award winning song Feel It Still and exposed the band to a much larger audience. We're excited to see what happens next and what kind of shred Eric commits to the new material.  

This week Mike talks with Christian Martucci, a rock 'n roll lifer who had the talent to make some higher level stuff happen and the persistence and patience that it sometimes takes to have your number called. And, it couldn't have happened to a more humble and nice dude. His career is a perfect example of doing it for the right reasons, letting opportunities present themselves, and knowing when to pursue or pass on them.

The week of this podcast's release Christian releases a solo EP with some old friends backing him up (including Couch Riffs alumni Acey Slade) and in September 2019 the new Black Star Riders album will be released with a European tour to immediately follow. So far, a very cool 2019 for Christian and I hope that things just get better and better for him.

This week Mike talks with Christian Martucci, a rock 'n roll lifer who had the talent to make some higher level stuff happen and the persistence and patience that it sometimes takes to have your number called. And, it couldn't have happened to a more humble and nice dude. His career is a perfect example of doing it for the right reasons, letting opportunities present themselves, and knowing when to pursue or pass on them. 

The week of this podcast's release Christian releases a solo EP with some old friends backing him up (including Couch Riffs alumni Acey Slade) and in September 2019 the new Black Star Riders album will be released with a European tour to immediately follow. So far, a very cool 2019 for Christian and I hope that things just get better and better for him. 

Ryan Waters is as cool as they come. And, he's a wicked guitarist. And, possessing those two qualities will get you in to some great situations which Ryan most certainly has. His resume includes playing or recording with Sade, Pink, Liv Warfield, Prince, CeeLo Green, Roadcase Royale, Roberta Flack, and lots more. Ryan is currently out on tour filling guitar duties in the amazing Heart. Not a hint of ego or attitude from this fella, though.

I hope you enjoy our conversation. If you'd like to help in supporting Couch Riffs please visit couchriffs.com and buy some stuff! We have a new Etsy store where all of our crap is. Your support helps a ton in getting the name and the show out to the world.

Ryan Waters is as cool as they come. And, he's a wicked guitarist. And, possessing those two qualities will get you in to some great situations which Ryan most certainly has. His resume includes playing or recording with Sade, Pink, Liv Warfield, Prince, CeeLo Green, Roadcase Royale, Roberta Flack, and lots more. Ryan is currently out on tour filling guitar duties in the amazing Heart. Not a hint of ego or attitude from this fella, though. 

I hope you enjoy our conversation. If you'd like to help in supporting Couch Riffs please visit couchriffs.com and buy some stuff! We have a new Etsy store where all of our crap is. Your support helps a ton in getting the name and the show out to the world.