In this episode, I sit down with Dan Cinotto, a veteran of the Midwest rock and Nu Metal scene. From his early days in the Omaha-based Downshift to his current work with Narcotic Self, Dan has lived the evolution of heavy music firsthand.

He’s also the co-host of the podcast We Were Loud Once ‪@WeWereLoudOncePod‬ alongside Jeff Geaghan — where the two dig deep into the Nu Metal movement from the perspective of musicians who were actually part of it.

Together, Dan and I talk about that era’s energy, its impact on the Midwest scene, and why the genre is seeing a massive resurgence in 2025.

Raw, reflective, and full of insight from someone who lived it.