Dive Bar Music Club

Summary

Amanda Miles joins us for a spirited chat about the magic of music and the venues that bring it to life. We're diving deep into the heart of what makes places like the Tabernacle in Atlanta and the Ryman in Nashville such special spots for music lovers. It's not just about the shows; it’s about the stories, the experiences, and that electric feeling when your favorite artist hits the stage. As Amanda shares her journey from a music writer to a passionate fan, we explore how music connects us on a human level, whether it’s the tunes that get us through tough times or the ones that make us rage. So, grab your drink of choice, kick back, and let’s indulge in some good music talk that’ll make you want to dig through your playlists for that perfect jam.

Amands Miles

Former entertainment writer/blogger, Currently serve as a nonprofit executive, leading development strategy at New Disabled South and is a self-described music nerd.

@Alabamapinesatl on Instagram

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction to Dive Bar Music Club
• 00:48 - The Journey from Music Writer to Music Fan
• 02:21 - Exploring Favorite Music Venues
• 03:57 - The History of the Tabernacle Venue
• 04:36 - Connecting with Creativity: The Journey of Amanda Miles
• 05:20 - The Power of Music Connection

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:00.320 - 00:00:03.680

This is Amanda Miles, and you're listening to Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaker B

00:00:04.960 - 00:00:47.720

Welcome to the Dive Bar Music Club podcast, where the guest hosts drop in and out, but the opinions are always passionate and the playlists loud. It's like cheers if everyone at the bar had a strong take on 90s alt rock or a suspicious number of burned CDs.

We're all just here to share what we're currently obsessed with and maybe convince someone that, yes, that weird Icelandic synth folk band is worth a listen. Okay, that last one's probably me. Sloan Spencer. It's Dive Bar Music Club. Low key, high taste. Happy hour for music nerds.

Amanda Miles, we are so glad to have you be part of Dive Bar Music Club. What are you doing in the world of music these days?

Speaker A

00:00:48.120 - 00:01:07.010

Well, I'm a former entertainment writer. I would say I'm retired music writer, and I am just now a music fan. Now I'm attending concerts and listening to as many albums as I can.

But I formerly wrote for Atlanta Music Guide, Inside Atlanta, and just love attending shows now.

Speaker B

00:01:07.730 - 00:01:12.530

Ah. So what's kind of the longer version? How did you end up in music writing?

Speaker A

00:01:13.890 - 00:01:40.600

So I am a huge music fan. I've always been a writer all of my life. I've wrote poems and some songs and now working on the novel.

But when it comes to music, I don't have any instrumentation abilities. So I loved, like, taking my writing skills and going out into the world and like, using them for good.

My passion was sharing music that I loved with, you know, with the world, with the Internet. And now I'm here to share on this podcast.

Speaker B

00:01:41.800 - 00:01:50.840

This is fun. I can't wait to hear more as we all get to know each other down the road about the novel that you're working on.

I don't want to steal that now, but that's an exciting thing that I did not even know about.

Speaker A

00:01:52.200 - 00:01:58.840

Oh, thank you. Yeah, definitely, definitely going to have some appellation, music kind of influence.

Speaker B

00:02:00.280 - 00:02:20.600

Ooh. We have a couple of people that are part of this group with Dive Bar Music Club that will be super into that. Ah. Even more intriguing. Very exciting.

Well, so as you have been a fan of music for a really long time and kind of that person that turned other people on to new music. What sort of venues or places that you like to go hear music?

Speaker A

00:02:21.800 - 00:03:22.100

So my favorite venue is absolutely the Tabernacle in Atlanta, a former church that has been turned into a music venue. And there's just something special about the sound in that room.

You know, I've seen a lot of My favorite acts there, like BlackBerry Smoke, the Black Crows. My favorite artist of all time, Jason Isbell. And there's just something magical that happens in that room on those hardwoods.

And when it comes to Nashville, some other favorite venues. I love hearing folks at the Ryman. Same sort of thing, of course, like the mother church of country music.

And there is just something beautiful that happens in those hollowed in that room. You can't talk about favorite music venues without talking about Red Rocks. I've only been to the one show.

We're actually going back during May to listen to another one. But that venue is just incredible. The sound, but just the space, like the open space.

Seeing the stars above you while you're listening to the music is just something incredible.

Speaker B

00:03:22.820 - 00:03:44.740

Agreed. Definitely on the bucket list. Fun that you mentioned the Tabernacle. I love that place.

For y' all who have never had a chance to go to Atlanta and see a show at the Tabernacle. So I like to sit in the balconies, which is also sort of taking your life in your own hands. They shake if the show is wild enough.

It's a little scary. Oh, my gosh.

Speaker A

00:03:44.980 - 00:03:56.300

That is. We always do. We always do the balcony.

And yes, like, depending on how I the sound is turned up, you can absolutely feel it, like reverberating through the balcony on the floor beneath you.

Speaker B

00:03:57.100 - 00:04:06.620

When I was growing up in Atlanta, it was a church. And so the backstage area and the green rooms are also extremely entertaining because they're basically old Sunday school classrooms.

Speaker A

00:04:07.180 - 00:04:14.140

Oh, my goodness. That is incredible. I didn't know that. I didn't know that. That would be like, so fun to see.

Speaker B

00:04:15.580 - 00:04:23.990

Yeah, like, when you go back there, you're like, it's just really hard to reconcile the two because typically it's not a gospel related act. When you're seeing the show at the Tabernacle.

Speaker A

00:04:26.150 - 00:04:32.870

That's exactly what I'm picturing. I'm like the black crows and like the puffs of smoke that are probably happening just like filling up the Sunday school room.

Speaker B

00:04:32.950 - 00:04:45.910

That's pretty much exactly the experience. If people are wanting to know more about what you're doing creatively today or find some of your past work or connect with your upcoming novel.

How would folks find you online?

Speaker A

00:04:46.700 - 00:05:03.340

Yeah, they can find me on Instagram. It's Alabama Pines ATL and just give me a follow there.

And I share all about my work and any music I'm listening to and talk about the upcoming novel and would love to connect with fellow music fans there.

Speaker B

00:05:03.900 - 00:05:15.020

Fantastic. Alabama Pines atl That's easy enough to find on Instagram, y'. All. Very cool.

Well, Amanda Miles, we are super excited that you're going to be part of what we're doing here at Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaker A

00:05:15.590 - 00:05:40.230

I'm so excited to jump in and take apart. I was sharing a little bit earlier.

I love talking to fellow music fans, and there's just something so special when you come together and share, like, what, you know, what makes your heart sing, what music touches you or what music helps you get through. Or sometimes, like, what music do you rage to? Sometimes that's just like that.

Having that human connection with each other through music is so special.

Speaker B

00:05:41.120 - 00:05:45.360

I agree with that, and I hadn't thought about it, but, yeah, rage. Music is an important part of life as well.

Speaker A

00:05:45.760 - 00:05:46.240

Yeah.

Speaker B

00:05:46.240 - 00:05:49.760

That might be an interesting, like, specific episode someday.

Speaker A

00:05:50.560 - 00:05:51.120

Yes.

Speaker B

00:05:51.680 - 00:05:52.320

I'm like.

Speaker A

00:05:52.320 - 00:05:54.320

I'm like, we need it. We need it in these times.

Speaker B

00:05:55.840 - 00:06:13.280

That's last call at Dive Bar Music Club. If you like the hang, follow the show, leave a review, and tell your algorithm, gosh darn it, we're worth it.

Better yet, share your favorite episode with a friend who actually stayed for the whole set. See y' all next time for the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Summary

We're diving deep into the world of independent music with Fort Collins, Colorado's very own Charles Hale, the mastermind behind Driver 8 Records and Ajax Diner Book Club. Charles is not just your average record store owner; he's a long-time community radio host and a passionate music advocate who believes that it’s all about taste, not trends. In our chat, we explore his journey from a curious high schooler raising his hand to get on the airwaves, to opening a boutique record store that fills a much-needed gap in his community. We reminisce about some legendary dive bars where the music flows as freely as the drinks, and Charles shares tales of unforgettable performances that remind us of the magic of live music. So grab your drink of choice, kick back, and let’s get to know the man behind the records and the radio waves, because this is all about the vibe, folks!

Bio

Show Notes

In this episode, we dive straight in with Charles Hale, the creative force behind Driver 8 Records and the Ajax Diner Book Club on KRFC radio. From spinning records on college radio to opening one of the city’s most beloved record stores, Charles shares the story of how passion, persistence, and community came together to build something truly special.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

1. The origin story of Driver 8 Records: How Charles turned a community need into a thriving record store that opened its doors in July 2022.
2. Behind the business plan: A year and a half of late nights, coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions, and the moment he knew it was time to take the leap.
3. Curating with heart: Why Driver 8 isn’t just about selling vinyl; it’s about creating a space where music lovers can discover something meaningful.
4. From radio to records: Charles’ journey from a volunteer college DJ to hosting a Friday afternoon radio show that celebrates his deep love for sound and storytelling.
5. Doing the “unfun work”: The lessons learned along the way about persistence, preparation, and embracing every part of the creative grind.
6. A tour through musical memories: Stories from dive bars and venues that shaped his appreciation for live music, like the Parish Baker Pub in Oxford, Mississippi, and Surfside 7 in Fort Collins.
7. Community at the core: How local scenes, shared spaces, and a good setlist can bring people together in lasting ways.

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

It’s an honest, inspiring, and down-to-earth chat that reminds us why independent music, and the people who champion it, matter so much. Whether you’re a crate digger, a small business dreamer, or just someone who loves a good story about following your heart, this one’s for you.

Listen now to hear how Charles Hale built more than a record store; he built a community around the joy of music.

Links

1. Get to know the rest of the Regulars
2. You might also like our other podcasts, Sleep with Rock Stars or Country Fried Rock
3. Toss a few coins in our Tip Jar!

Chapters

1. 00:12 - Introducing Charles Hale: A Music Enthusiast
2. 01:10 - Starting a Record Store: Charles Hale's Journey
3. 02:49 - Journey into Radio and Writing
4. 05:11 - Exploring Music Venues
5. 06:01 - Music Venues Across America
6. 06:59 - Introduction to Dive Bar Music Club

Takeaways

1. Charles Hale's journey into music began with a simple act of raising his hand, showcasing how opportunities can arise from just a willingness to volunteer.
2. At Driver 8 Records, we embrace a philosophy of taste over trends, ensuring that our selection resonates with true music aficionados.
3. Community radio plays a vital role in nurturing local music scenes, providing a platform for emerging artists and fostering connections among fans.
4. Dive bars like Surfside 7 in Colorado and Parish Baker Pub in Mississippi create intimate settings where unforgettable live music experiences thrive.
5. The essence of a boutique record store lies in its unique curation, where each vinyl tells a story and connects listeners to the heart of music culture.
6. Engaging with music on multiple fronts—from retail to radio—allows for a richer connection to the art form and strengthens community bonds.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Driver 8 Records
2. Ajax Diner Book Club
3. Nine Bullets blog
4. KRFC radio
5. Fort Collins, Colorado
6. Oxford, Mississippi

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:00.640 - 00:00:41.100

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Each week we're joined by a rotating cast of true music fans, people who live and breathe independent music.

This week, we're featuring one of the regulars, Fort Collins, Colorado, record store owner Charles Hale of Driver 8 Records and Ajax Diner Book Club. Hale has spent years in community radio. In the retail end of a boutique record shop, we're not about trends. We're all about taste.

Part hang, part deep dive, part time machine. So grab a drink, slide into the booth, and get to know Charles Hale, one of our regulars on Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaker B

00:00:41.340 - 00:00:47.740

So, Charles Hale, I sure appreciate you being part of Dive Bar Music Club. What have you been up to in the world of music these days?

Speaker C

00:00:48.220 - 00:01:08.160

So it's every day I go to work, which is owning a record store. So every day I'm surrounded by music. And every week I host a radio show.

So I'm throughout the week thinking about what I want to play, how I want to put it together for my Friday afternoon radio show.

Speaker B

00:01:08.400 - 00:01:10.320

Tell me a little bit more about your record store.

Speaker C

00:01:10.560 - 00:01:45.770

So the record store opened in July of 2022. I decided about a year and a half before then that I wanted to open a record store.

I thought Fort Collins needed a better record store or a record store like I had in mind. And it took about a year and a half to write the business plan, figure everything out, most significantly, figure out how to pay for it.

So we specialize in new and used records. We're a small boutique store, but people seem to like us very nice.

Speaker B

00:01:45.770 - 00:01:54.560

So y' all should definitely check out the driver 8 records in Fort Collins, Colorado. So, Charles Hale, how on earth did you end up in the music business?

Speaker C

00:01:54.880 - 00:04:27.450

You know, it's a great question, and I think the simplest answer is that way back when I raised my hand, sometimes that's all it takes. I don't know how. I happened to learn while I was in high school that colleges had radio stations, that if you were a student, you could be a dj.

But once I learned that, that was my primary focus for going to college. So I just walked in to the campus radio station and said, hey, I want to do this. And went through the training, obviously, volunteer.

I did that for two years, dropped out, then went to another college. And a guy I moved in with was a deejay at that college station. And he said, hey, you should come down. So again, I raised my hand.

I go down there, I say I have some experience, and I get a midnight shift. Then years Later I'm reading the Nine Bullets blog and there happens to be a post that says, help wanted. We're looking for writers.

And so I fired off an email and said, hey, I've got a degree in creative writing. I know music, I'd love to write. So that happened.

Then a year or so after that, I was thinking about getting back in radio and looked at the community station in Fort Collins and I saw that the music director in his website bio read nine Bullets. And so I sent him an email, said, hey, I've done radio in the past. I write for Nine Bullets. I'd like to be involved.

So again, just sort of volunteering.

And then from that I also started helping put together a, like a mini roots festival by just saying after I attended the first year, saying, hey, I could help, if you need anything, let me know. So again, you just sort of raise your hand, you volunteer.

And then I think it's important to be willing to do the unfun work because everybody in music wants to do the fun work. And then with the record store, that's sort of me just raising my hand to myself of saying, here is something that I think my community needs.

I feel like this is something I might could be good at and let me see if I can figure out a way to make it happen. And then we're three and a half years in to the record store and people come by every day and buy records.

Speaker B

00:04:28.090 - 00:04:34.410

Definitely check out Driver 8 records and folks can contact you online if they have any, like, special orders and stuff, can't they?

Speaker C

00:04:34.790 - 00:04:48.470

Yes, we've got a website, we've got Facebook, we've got Instagram, and just recently we launched a Discogs page. So we sell some of our, our used inventory on Discogs.

Speaker B

00:04:48.950 - 00:04:57.830

Very cool. So, yeah, definitely Driver 8 Records, both online as well as in Fort Collins, Colorado for the boutique shop. But also Ajax Diner Book Club is.

Speaker C

00:04:57.830 - 00:05:05.460

The radio show which is also streaming, streaming [email protected] Fantastic.

Speaker B

00:05:05.460 - 00:05:21.820

Community radio, always part of any great arts community and vital these days to emerging music. Well, Charles, one of the things we all love are the different venues that make the music even more magical.

Are there any places in the past or in the present that you love to go see or hear music?

Speaker C

00:05:22.460 - 00:06:31.460

No. Sticking with the dive bar theme, there are two, two dive bars in my past that are worth mentioning. One was when I was living in Oxford, Mississippi.

There was a small bar called the Parish Baker Pub. They had music there fairly regularly, but there was never a cover charge.

So sort of on their way up at Parish's Bar, I saw J. Roddy Walson in the business. I saw Cedric Burnside, I saw American Aquarium and I saw Pokey La Farge. Never paid a dollar for any of them.

And then the other one is out here in Colorado. It's called Surfside 7. There, there was, you know, a five or ten dollar cover charge. But over the years I've gotten to see people like Charlie Parr.

I saw John Morland play to 11 people there. Arlis, Nancy, and of course our hometown heroes Drag the River have played there a bunch.

So Surfside 7 in Colorado and Parrish Baker Pub in Oxford, Mississippi.

Speaker A

00:06:31.940 - 00:06:32.380

Wow.

Speaker B

00:06:32.380 - 00:06:38.300

Absolutely fantastic. And for me it's fun to learn about places that are the space for.

Speaker A

00:06:38.300 - 00:06:39.380

Different parts of the country.

Speaker B

00:06:39.460 - 00:06:41.540

So thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Speaker C

00:06:41.860 - 00:06:43.420

Absolutely awesome.

Speaker B

00:06:43.420 - 00:06:46.260

Well Charles, where would you like people to be able to find you?

Speaker C

00:06:46.500 - 00:06:54.980

Instagram. The Instagram is driver the number 8 Rex R E C s easy to find.

Speaker B

00:06:54.980 - 00:07:02.540

Y' all should definitely stop by. I know that. And of course from one of my all time favorite bands. As folks who listen to this new show, Dive Bar Music Club will definitely.

Speaker A

00:07:02.540 - 00:07:20.810

Find out that's last call at Dive Bar Music Club. If you like the hang, follow the show, leave a review and tell your algorithm, gosh darn it, we're worth it.

Better yet, share your favorite episode with a friend who actually stayed for the whole set. See y' all next time for the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Join us as we dive deep into the eclectic world of independent music with the one and only Nelson Gullett from WDVX in Knoxville, Tennessee. We’re not just sipping drinks; we’re pouring over the rich tapestry of sounds that connect the past and present of roots music. Nelson shares his journey from college radio to crafting a show that showcases diverse voices and classic influences, all while keeping it fresh and engaging. We’ll explore the venues that shaped his musical palate and, trust me, you’ll want to hear about his first encounter with Kasey Chambers that sparked a love affair with Americana music. So grab your favorite drink, kick back, and let’s unravel the threads of music that define us in this laid-back, high-taste gathering of music aficionados.

Nelson Gullett

Nelson was born in the deep dark hills of Eastern Kentucky in a town called Paintsville... just a few miles away from Loretta Lynn's cabin on the hill. He initially cut his musical teeth on pop artists of the 80s. Somewhere along the way, though, his mother instilled a love for songwriters such as Paul Simon and Jim Croce while his dad exposed him to early rockabilly rebels and the pioneers of rock and roll. Nelson was eventually introduced to the band R.E.M., and their blend of southern folk/rock in high school. In college, it was the Dave Matthews Band’s brand of roots-based jams that provoked him to drive for hours just to get to the next show.

Nelson's Website

Nelson on YouTube

Catch Our Other Network Podcasts

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indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Chapters

1. 00:12 - Introducing the Cast of Characters
2. 01:37 - Nelson's Musical Journey
3. 03:12 - The Awakening of a Music Enthusiast
4. 04:23 - Musical Memories of a Small Town
5. 07:27 - Supporting the Arts: How to Help WDVX
6. 08:00 - Fall Fund Drive Announcement

Takeaways

1. The Dive Bar Music Club is all about chilled vibes and deep music discussions, making it a special hangout for music enthusiasts.
2. Nelson Gullett's extensive experience in independent radio truly enriches the conversations around music's evolution and its diverse influences.
3. Understanding how past music influences the present is key; it's all about connecting the dots through genres and artists.
4. The significance of venues in shaping music memories cannot be overstated; they serve as cultural touchstones in our musical journeys.
5. Supporting community radio like WDVX is crucial, especially during tough times for arts nonprofits; every small donation counts.
6. The podcast encourages listeners to engage with music, whether through live shows or online platforms, to keep the spirit of independent music alive.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. WDVX
2. Morehead State University
3. NPR
4. Mountain Stage
5. Beale Street Caravan
6. Kasey Chambers
7. Buddy Miller
8. Graham Parsons
9. Emmylou Harris
10. Lucinda Williams
11. Rodney Crowell
12. Dar Williams
13. James McMurtry
14. Wilco
15. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
16. Greg Brown
17. Webb Wilder
18. Junior Brown
19. Clack Mountain String Band
20. Tyler Childers
21. Chris Stapleton
22. Iron and Wine
23. BlueSky
24. Threads
25. YouTube

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:00.640 - 00:00:47.780

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Each week we're joined by a rotating cast of true music fans, people who live and breathe independent music.

This week, I'll introduce you to one of our rotating cast of characters, veteran community radio host Nelson Gullett, currently with WDVX in Knoxville, Tennessee. He spent years in the trenches of independent radio and now bringing an incredible depth of real world music knowledge to our roundtable.

We're not about trends, we're about taste. Part hang, part deep dive, part time machine.

Grab your drink and pull up a stool and let's join Nelson Gullett for this week's session, a Dive Bar Music club. Hey, Nelson, thanks so much for joining us here with Dive Bar Music Club. So what have you been up to lately in the world of music?

Speaker B

00:00:48.340 - 00:01:15.280

What I try to do on my show is play a bunch of new music, highlight some diverse voices, and go back into the classics so we can connect and see how the music of the past is informing the present. Because that's a lot of what current roots music is.

There's so much to draw from, so many influences from the past and so many people out there blending all of that in interesting ways. And that's what I try to highlight on my show every week.

Speaker A

00:01:15.760 - 00:01:29.020

I think that's what makes your show so special. And I'm so glad that you've decided to be part of this adventure where we're figuring it out as we go. With Dive Bar Music Club.

You'll bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the conversations for a really broad range of music, which is important.

Speaker B

00:01:29.820 - 00:01:34.940

Yeah. Well, thank you for inviting me. I'm excited to be a part of whatever this is going to be.

Speaker A

00:01:35.260 - 00:01:44.220

Who knows yet? This will be fun. Nelson, we've known each other for a pretty long time, but I don't actually know how you ended up this deep in the world of music.

Speaker B

00:01:44.540 - 00:03:25.560

Well, it kind of started. I went to college. I was at Morehead State University.

I was undeclared into my junior year and finally just I gave up and started working at the college radio station. Right. I was doing the news internship, NPR newscast, working in the sports department, graduated, went to work in the world of commercial radio.

I was a news director at a commercial station in eastern Kentucky. And I got so bored with that that I went back to grad school.

And the music director there at Morehead State Public Radio knew I was a fan of, offered me an Americana shift. They had just started doing an Americana show four nights A week. And I didn't know what that was. He tried to explain it to me.

There was a lot of talk about country music, and I didn't want any part of it. This was the early 2000s. I thought country music was all Garth Brooks and Billy Ray Cyrus, and I. I turned him down.

So his response was to stick me on a Friday night board op shift from 8 to midnight. And he made me listen to the Mountain Stage in E Town and Beale Street Caravan every week for a semester.

I heard Casey Chambers one night on a Friday night. I was in his office Monday morning saying, who is this person? What can you tell me about it? He gave me the Barricades and Brick Walls album.

From that record, I discovered Buddy Miller and Graham Parsons and Emmylou Harris and Lucinda. A few months later, I'm seeing Casey Chambers live on the Mountain stage. And that same show had Rodney Crowell and Dar Williams and James McMurtry.

And I just. I kept jumping deeper and deeper, connecting the dots. Ended up just kind of hooked.

Speaker A

00:03:26.360 - 00:03:30.200

This is fantastic. And I did not know that origin story.

Speaker B

00:03:31.000 - 00:04:04.030

You know, it took a while. There was a period where I was, you know, in the local record shop once a week.

I bought the entire Uncle Tupelo discography in one go and just dove into it A few weeks later. It was all of Wilco up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. You know, just little by little, I would take records home off the shelf every week.

And one weekend it's all Greg Brown. The next weekend it was all, you know, Webb Wilder or Junior Brown. And it just. It got into my bones.

Speaker A

00:04:04.910 - 00:04:21.450

This is fabulous. I love this, and I love the breadth of it, especially because I know what you're into nowadays as well.

And so you really have incredibly deep knowledge of music. And you do a really good job of explaining that to people.

And that's one of the reasons that I was like, yes, Nelson's going to be part of Dive Bar Music Club. This is great.

Speaker B

00:04:21.450 - 00:04:22.170

Well, thank you.

Speaker A

00:04:22.570 - 00:04:30.810

Absolutely.

I know we all don't get out to see as much live music as we would want, but do you have any favorite venues over the years that you've enjoyed seeing music?

Speaker B

00:04:31.210 - 00:05:55.480

You know, again, I grew up in a small town. There was no live music unless, like, Lee Greenwood came to the high school gym during the fall festival. Like, that was.

That was the only thing we kind of had. Growing up. When I got to doing the Americana work at my college station, there was a joint in Lexington, Kentucky, called the Dame.

And it was just right there in the middle of Downtown Lexington. We had an underwriting agreement with them where we would promote their shows and pretty much any show I wanted to.

I had a pair of tickets I could drive.

It was about an hour to Lexington from where I was and I would go see Nico Case and Scott Miller and Alejandro Escovedo and Old Crow Medicine show over the Rhine. They all played this joint, Iron and Wine I saw there. So it was about an hour away.

I didn't get there like every weekend or whatever, but, you know, every couple of months or so I would just take off after an air shift and drive up to Lexington and see what I could see. Morehead didn't really have anything at the time. It was still a dry city. So there. There was no. A few festivals here and there.

I would go see the Clack Mountain String Band, which was Jesse Wells, who now plays with Tyler Childer. Sometimes Chris Stapleton would sit in with them. But that was. That was. That was pretty much all we had back there.

So you had to travel to Lexington or I would go to Charleston to see the mountain stage. But that was. That was. That was pretty much it.

Speaker A

00:05:56.920 - 00:06:18.100

That was it. Anyway, good times. Good times. Yeah. It's funny how like venues can bring up such spec memories of like time, place, music, all of that sort of stuff.

I'm sure we'll be talking a lot more about that as we all get to know one another through the course of Dive bar Music club. One of the things I want to be sure people get a chance to do is share where they want to be found online.

Speaker B

00:06:18.980 - 00:07:11.370

My primary presence right now is Blue Sky, I guess@nelsonwdbx. I'm also on Instagram, which that posts to to threads as well. Though I'm not super active over there, those are probably the best places to find me.

Also wdvx.com My show is on Wednesday nights from 7 to 10:30 Eastern Time. I'll pop up occasionally in some other places, but we are 24 7. Americana music, folk blues, bluegrass, whatever we can throw in.

We have specialty shows that are all bluegrass. We've got an all blue show. We have, you know, different things at different times. We do live music six days a week.

Every Monday through Saturday at noon, there's a live show called the Blue Plate Special. You can stream all of [email protected] and find some of those live videos through our YouTube channel too.

Speaker A

00:07:11.930 - 00:07:31.290

WDVX is really special, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, but obviously through the joy of the Internet, one of the upsides is being able to hear such eclectic and really thoughtful programming. We know that we are dealing with difficult times with arts nonprofits specifically right now.

How can people who find WDVX help you all out these days?

Speaker B

00:07:31.610 - 00:08:32.690

Well, they can go to our website, wdvx.com there's a support page where you can make a one time donation. You can become a sustaining member of the radio station as well, where you can do $5 a month, $10 a month, that sort of thing.

We have an online shop as well through the website or you know, even something as simple as watching those YouTube videos, sharing, liking, subscribing that, you know, helps us out in the, the algorithm and boost that funding a little bit. But we're about to kick off a fall fund drive in November.

We just had an emergency kind of recovery fund drive in August where we raised over a hundred thousand dollars in a month to replace most of what we lost through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for this year. That's, that's money that we lose every year going forward. So we're working on ways to cover that too.

But yeah, the best thing to do is just to go to the website, wdvx.comsupport that'll take you straight to a donation portal.

Speaker A

00:08:32.930 - 00:08:58.650

Perfect. And I hope that folks do stop in and check that out because of course we want everyone to continue helping support.

The arts and the music are an important part of everybody's life. And that's why we're all here to hang out with Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaking of which, it is important that y' all stop by, subscribe in, whatever your favorite podcast app is. Give those thumbs up likes, ratings, reviews, all the good stuff. You don't want any nice to say, feel free to step aside.

Nelson Gullett, thanks so much for being part of what we're going to be doing here with Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaker B

00:08:59.130 - 00:09:01.850

Yeah, thank you, Sloan. I'm, I'm excited to see where this goes.

Speaker A

00:09:02.810 - 00:09:20.230

That's last call at Dive Bar Music Club. If you like the hang, follow the show, leave a review and tell your algorithm, gosh darn it, we're worth it.

Better yet, share your favorite episode with a friend who actually stayed for the whole set. See y' all next time for the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Bio

Chad Cochran

Ohio based music and potrait photographer.

Chad's Website

Chad on YouTube

@cowtownchad on Instagram

Chad's Facebook page

Summary

Chad Cochran, better known as CowtownChad, takes us on a laid-back journey through the vibrant world of independent music in this episode of Dive Bar Music Club. We dive into his experiences as a live music and portrait photographer, where he seamlessly transitions between capturing electrifying live performances and intimate backstage moments. Chad's love for Americana music runs deep, and he shares tales from his time at iconic venues like the Ryman Auditorium and the Beachland Ballroom, where the magic of music truly comes alive. Throughout our chat, we explore the evolution of his artistic journey, from a punk rock kid to a sought-after photographer, and how those gritty dive bars laid the foundation for honing his craft. So, grab your favorite drink and join us for a candid conversation that’s sure to resonate with music lovers and aspiring artists alike!

Show Notes

Welcome back to another laid-back session of Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. This week, we’re pulling up a stool with someone who's seen it all from behind the lens: music photographer and filmmaker Chad Cochran, aka CowtownChad.

Here’s what went down:

1. Meet Chad Cochran: portrait photographer, music video filmmaker, and the guy behind the camera at some of your favorite Americana shows.
2. Chad’s journey from punk metal kid to the Americana scene (thanks to a cowboy hat and a certain host).
3. He’s worked with big names and captured quiet moments, both live on stage and backstage at festivals.

This summer’s lineup included:

1. Nelsonville Music Festival
2. Pickin’ in the Backwoods
3. Healing Appalachia
4. Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, where Chad was also a guest speaker on mental health in music.

Trivia Night:

1. Fun fact: Chad didn’t pick up a camera until he was 40. Now at 53, he's built a career shooting festivals, portraits, and raw emotional moments in music.
2. His first band? A “horrible” high school group called Stonehenge. But it laid the foundation for a creative path back to music decades later.
3. Favorite venues? The iconic Ryman Auditorium tops the list, but the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland is where he honed his chops in tricky, low-light dives.
4. Why small venues matter for music photographers: they’re gritty, they’re real, and they’re the perfect training ground before the big stages.

Where to find him online:

1. Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok
2. Username: @CowtownChad
3. Yes, he's talking about music on TikTok (because his kids made him download it and a PR friend told him to find a niche).

Thanks again to Chad for joining our crew of rotating regulars, and yes, you’re definitely going to want to hear more from him in future episodes.

Last Call Reminder

Like the vibe? Follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who stays till the very last note. See you next time at Dive Bar Music Club, where the love of music always takes center stage.

Links

1. Chad Cochran
2. Get to know the rest of the Regulars on Dive Bar Music Club
3. You might also like Sloane Spencer's Gen X sleep podcast, Sleep with Rock Stars

Chapters

1. 00:19 - Introducing Cowtown Chad
2. 00:45 - Exploring the World of Music Photography
3. 03:35 - Exploring Musical Venues
4. 05:19 - The Journey of Cowtown Chad
5. 06:14 - Introduction to Dive Bar Music Club

Takeaways

1. Chad Cochran, aka Cowtown Chad, shares his journey from a rural landscape photographer to a sought-after music photographer, highlighting his passion for Americana music.
2. The significance of small venues like Beachland Ballroom in honing photography skills is emphasized, showcasing their unique charm in the music scene.
3. Our podcast revolves around true music fans and their stories, creating an intimate space for sharing the magic of live music experiences.
4. Chad's eclectic background in various music genres, from punk to Americana, adds depth to his photography and feeds his creative spirit.
5. The discussion touches on mental health in the music industry, showcasing a thoughtful approach to the challenges artists face in this field.
6. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show, emphasizing the community aspect of music appreciation and sharing favorite episodes with friends.

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

dive bar music club, independent music podcast, music photography, Chad Cochran, Cowtown Chad, live concert photography, music festivals, backstage portraits, Americana music, portrait photographer, music venues, Ryman auditorium, Beachland Ballroom, concert photography tips, music industry insights, mental health and music, music nerds, local music scenes, music podcast recommendations, low key happy hour

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Dive Bar Music Club
2. Uncle Tupelo
3. Wilco
4. Bottle Rockets
5. Sun Volt
6. Nelsonville Music Festival
7. Picking in the Backwoods
8. Healing Appalachia
9. Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
10. Ryman Auditorium
11. Beachland Ballroom

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:01.040 - 00:00:06.960

Hello, this is Chad Cochran, also known as Cowtown Chad. And this is Dive Bar Music Club.

Speaker B

00:00:08.000 - 00:00:49.930

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Each week we're joined by a rotating cast of true music fans, people who live and breathe independent music.

I'll introduce you to one of our rotating cast of characters, portrait photographer and music video filmmaker Chad Cochran, who you probably know as Cowtown Chad. So grab a drink, pull up a stool, and join Chad Cochran on this week's session of Dive Bar Music Club.

We've been really grateful to get to chat with all the folks who are going to be part of our regulars here on Dive Bar Music Club, helping y' all get to know who they are. So, Chad Cochran, what exactly do you do in the world of music these days?

Speaker A

00:00:50.490 - 00:01:50.800

So I am a live music and portrait photographer. I do. I partner with a lot of music festivals where I do backstage portraits for them, but I also shoot live concerts.

So I will kind of like pop back and forth between doing backstage portraits and then go and do live music. But I'm also, over the last several years, have been known for doing a lot of portraits with musicians that many of us know.

I kind of grew up a, like, metalhead. I mean, really like a punk kid.

And I ended up, you know, actually, thanks to you, Sloan, working I took photos of somebody in a cowboy hat, and I suddenly became the person that takes pictures of people with cowboy hats. I have a long love of Americana music all the way back to, like, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Bottle Rockets, Sunbolt.

And now it is primarily where you see my photos. I have been very busy this summer doing music festival, both portraits and live music photography.

Speaker B

00:01:51.310 - 00:01:57.270

Very cool. Can you give us any little hints or tidbits of what you've been working on this summer?

Speaker A

00:01:57.270 - 00:02:17.790

I did backstage portraits at the Nelsonville Music Festival. I also did backstage portraits at Picking in the Backwoods.

And then I also attended Healing Appalachia that I've worked with the last couple years, as well as I was a guest speaker because I also have a mental health series at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma.

Speaker B

00:02:18.260 - 00:02:35.220

I cannot wait till we all get a chance to talk a little bit more about some of your past projects and what you have coming up. This is going to be a real treat for our listeners here at Dive Bar Music Club.

Thanks so much for deciding to join us here with Dive Bar Music Club as one of our rotating cast characters. I'm jokingly calling the regulars. How did you end up in music.

Speaker A

00:02:36.020 - 00:03:21.440

You know, in high school, we had a really horrible band called Stonehenge. But that gave me the foundation to go to college. And when I was in college, I played in some, like, grungy pop punk bands and.

And then raised a family. And then as the kids became less dependent on me, I kind of, like, slid in the back door.

When at the time, I was a rural landscape photographer, and I had a musician reach out to me about doing some portraits. Not something I ever did, but the way that. That ended up working is it kind of got me back into the music industry.

You know, I'm one of those weird people that didn't. Didn't own a camera until I was 40. I'm 53 right now. And the last 10 years has been a wild ride.

Speaker B

00:03:22.720 - 00:03:49.530

Absolutely.

These are all the sort of teases of stories that I cannot wait for everybody to hear more about, because some of the real truth of what y' all have been doing is just head scratching. Fabulous. So fun, fun, fun. Thank you.

One of the things we've loved getting to chat about here on Dive Bar Music club is the places where we go to hear music that really have stuck out to us over the years. What are some kind of venues or spaces that have really helped make the music more magical for you?

Speaker A

00:03:49.770 - 00:05:01.670

I've been incredibly fortunate to shoot at some pretty cool places.

I think kind of the pinnacle for me, or like, the place I enjoy the most is the Ryman auditorium in Nashville, which is just a beautiful experience to see a place to see music. But I think the place that really, I kind of honed my skills living in the Cleveland area right now.

The Beechland Ballroom and Tavern has a, you know, a very long history of having some really cool shows there and breaking a lot of bands, you know, when they were small.

And as a music photographer, I think working in those low light, small venues and really kind of honing your skills there, once you get to a different level of concert photography and there is magical light as opposed to, you know, those. Those dark. Those dark, shady bars that we've all spent time in. I think that's. That's. It's your practice. Right?

Like, that's the place that you can kind of get started, start to develop those skills, and it really makes things considerably easier once you start to propel yourself further.

Speaker B

00:05:02.150 - 00:05:08.470

Absolutely. I. I love a magical little space like that. It's just. Will always be deeply in my heart.

Speaker A

00:05:10.040 - 00:05:10.440

Me too.

Speaker B

00:05:11.080 - 00:05:18.680

Fun times. Fun times. Beachland Ballroom. Fantastic place.

Y' all should definitely check it out if you're ever up in the Cleveland, Ohio area, where would you like people to find you?

Speaker A

00:05:19.080 - 00:05:44.740

I have taken this moniker online and I jokingly always say that it's like having a band that picks a really bad band name and then has a hit. That's essentially what I'm living with. So I online use the name Cowtown Chad, like the farm animal cow town and then my name Chad.

So Cowtown Chad, you can find me on Instagram, threads, Facebook and you also can find me on TikTok talking about music.

Speaker B

00:05:45.700 - 00:05:49.700

Ah, I am not a tiktoker. I will have to check that out. Fun to know.

Speaker A

00:05:50.020 - 00:06:07.780

Yeah, it's been, it's been a cool experience.

I downloaded it because my kids used it and then somebody that I worked with previously who did see some PR for me strongly suggested that I find a niche and dive into it. So talking about music is what I've chosen to do there.

Speaker B

00:06:08.620 - 00:06:22.060

This is a whole new world. I didn't even know. Fun. I will have to check this out a little more.

Well, Chad Cochran, AKA Cowtown Chad, we're so glad that you're going to be part of the regulars here on Dive Bar Music Club. Thank you.

Speaker A

00:06:22.380 - 00:06:24.299

Of course I'm excited and can't wait for more.

Speaker B

00:06:25.100 - 00:06:42.560

That's last call at Dive Bar Music Club. If you like the hang, follow the show, leave a review and tell your algorithm. Gosh darn it, we're worth it.

Better yet, share your favorite episode with a friend who actually stayed for the whole set. See y' all next time for the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Summary

Caitlin Cary joins us for a thoughtful and downright inspiring chat about her creative evolution, from the indie rock trenches to the calm, tactile world of fabric collage art, which she affectionately calls her “needle prints.” We dig into how this shift has opened up new ways for her to express herself, offering both artistic freedom and a healthy bit of distance from the grind of life on stage.

Caitlin also gets reflective about her roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, the places, people, and memories that shaped her, and how the city’s constant transformation nudged her to start preserving its essence through her artwork.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation among musicians without a few good laughs: we revisit her whirlwind years as co-founder of Whiskeytown alongside Ryan Adams, swap stories about the unpredictable charm of dive-bar gigs and bartending shifts, and touch on what it means to keep creating, no matter the medium.

So, pour yourself something good, settle in, and join us as we explore the crossroads of music and visual art with Caitlin Cary. She’s full of sharp insight, warmth, and a few recommendations you won’t want to miss.

Bio

Chapters

1. 00:15 - The Shift in Artistic Expression
2. 02:55 - Transitioning from Art to Music
3. 04:14 - The Journey into Music and Art
4. 06:32 - Navigating the Craft Cocktail World
5. 08:38 - The Excitement of Music Recommendations

Show Notes

In this episode of Dive Bar Music Club, we sit down with Caitlin Cary, a former touring musician turned visual artist, for a heartfelt conversation about her journey from the indie music scene to creating stunning fabric collage art, which she calls "needle prints."

Caitlin opens up about how she made the transition away from music and found solace in a new form of artistic expression. We explore the personal connection she has to her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, and how the ever-changing landscape of the city inspired her to start documenting its most beloved landmarks through her art. Caitlin shares how this shift in focus has given her the creative distance she needed while still maintaining a fulfilling artistic career.

From her early days as a classically trained violinist to her unexpected entry into the world of indie rock with Whiskeytown, Caitlin's journey into music was as unpredictable as it was transformative. She reflects on the chaotic, yet rewarding years spent in the music industry, the quirks of dive bars, and what it means to live the life of a working musician.

We also talk about the humble, yet vital, venues that played a huge role in her life, both as a performer and a bartender, including Raleigh's own Humble Pie and The Pour House Music Hall.

And of course, we discuss Caitlin's recent achievements, including having her artwork featured in the North Carolina Museum of Art, a long-awaited dream come true.

Listen in for:

1. Caitlin's transition from music to visual art
2. The inspiration behind her "needle prints" and how they connect to her roots
3. Stories from her time touring with Ryan Adams and bartending in dive bars
4. The challenge of navigating the modern craft cocktail scene as a non-drinker
5. Her thoughts on how music, art, and community intertwine

Where to Find Caitlin:

1. Note: If you’re searching for her past music, be wary of some...colorful results when you Google "Tres Chicas."

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

If you’re loving the conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. And as always, share your favorite episodes with friends who appreciate good music, good art, and great conversation.

Dive Bar Music Club is your low-key, high-taste happy hour for music nerds. See you next time!

Takeaways

1. Caitlin Cary's transition from music to visual art highlights the dynamic nature of creativity; it's all about finding what resonates with your soul.
2. The concept of needleprints serves as a fascinating analogy for the artistic process, marrying personal history with tangible expression in fabric.
3. The Dive Bar Music Club fosters a unique community for indie music lovers, inviting deep discussions and connections over shared passions.
4. Caitlin's experiences in venues like Poorhouse Music Hall illustrate the importance of local music scenes in shaping both artists and audiences alike.
5. Ryan Adams' serendipitous invitation to Caitlin (who then co-founded Whiskeytown) underscores the unpredictable paths that often lead to fulfilling artistic careers in music.
6. Caitlin's reflections on homesickness and change resonate deeply, reminding us that art often emerges from the need to document and preserve our personal histories.

Links

1. caitlincary.com
2. Get to know some of our other Regulars
3. 
   

Mentioned in This Episode

1. Tres Chicas
2. Humble Pie
3. Pour House Music Hall
4. NC State
5. North Carolina Art Museum

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:02.400 - 00:00:33.850

Well, mostly unenvious quitter. Of course. I haven't quit creativity, but I certainly have. For the most part, or at least for now, I've quit music.

I found an art form that is not made out of my body and out of my soul. Somehow, like there's this super comforting remove between what I am and what I make that is like, I'm so happy.

Speaker B

00:00:35.130 - 00:01:19.030

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Each week we're joined by a rotating cast of regulars, people who live and breathe independent music.

This week, we're introducing you to Caitlin Carey, a happily retired touring musician and celebrated visual artist.

Carrie spent years in the trenches of the indie scene, and now she'll be bringing a lot of that real world music knowledge to our barstool roundtable. Part hang, part deep dive. It's Dive Bar Music Club.

Grab your drink, pull up a chair, and let's dive in with Caitlin Carey on this episode of Dive Bar Music Club. Caitlin, you've been doing some beautiful creative work lately that's kind of taken you away from music. What have you been up to?

Speaker A

00:01:19.580 - 00:01:47.840

Yeah. Thank you. For about the past decade, I've been making fabric collage. I made up a name for it because the words weren't really there.

But I call it needle print. And basically it's sort of a friend of quilting.

But I sew fabric onto canvas and I'm very feeling very lucky that I've been able to sort of make a big transition into different form of art that's also my living.

Speaker B

00:01:48.080 - 00:01:54.480

I think I first got to know that work. When you were doing some representations of historic buildings in North Carolina.

Speaker A

00:01:55.520 - 00:02:54.950

Yes.

It's funny, I do connect that to my music life, mostly in the sense that I think that I spent a lot of time being really homesick, and home is Raleigh, North Carolina, and it felt like every time I came home, some building that I loved had been torn down or something had changed. And I'm generally like a not into change person, but I.

It sort of made me feel this strong urge to start documenting the places that made my home feel like my home. And that sort of merged with this way of making art out of fabric that developed into a whole, you know, my whole thing for a number of years.

I've kind of decided I don't want to be the lady that makes landmarks forever. But I certainly enjoyed doing it. And it. I feel very lucky that I.

That it resonated for people and it gave me a foothold in a new, you know, in a whole new career.

Speaker B

00:02:55.670 - 00:02:59.670

So Caitlin Carey, how did you end up having a life in music?

Speaker A

00:03:01.110 - 00:04:38.990

Utterly by accident. I mean, I studied violin from a very young age. I started at 4 and was pretty serious until about 16 when I gave it up for.

I don't know what 16 year olds do, but at least for me it wasn't classical violin. And for a while I stopped and then picked it back up again in college. But through sort of beginning of a career in music was very accidental.

I was in graduate school at NC State and I don't even remember that I told anybody that I was a musician, but I guess I did.

And I got a phone call out of the blue from Ryan Adams saying that he was starting a band and he heard that I was a fiddle player and did I want to be in a band. And I don't even know also why I said yes to that because it was insane.

I was teaching and in a more or less serious academic path heading towards probably trying to become an author, but certainly trying to teach and be in academia. And instead I ran away with the circus, so to speak.

And it really was a circus that launched into a couple decades of, of making music as my livelihood and my life. If asked, I would refer to myself as a visual artist and my goal is to be in the art museum. Well, actually I've achieved that goal.

I got in the art in the real life North Carolina Art Muse just recently.

Speaker B

00:04:39.230 - 00:04:42.430

So congratulations. That is just spectacular.

Speaker A

00:04:42.510 - 00:04:51.710

Thank you. It really feels great. It's a tiny little piece in a, in a little group show. But hey, I didn't have to die to get in the art museum.

Speaker B

00:04:53.950 - 00:05:12.350

Obviously this podcast is dive bar music club and music venues are a huge part of what all of us love.

But have there been any small to medium places and spaces that have really spoken to you with music, whether performing or seeing or just being part of a community?

Speaker A

00:05:13.550 - 00:06:32.700

Oh absolutely. I could say name several in Raleigh and I've also worked in them a lot.

I worked at Humble Pie, which was a restaurant most of the time that turned into a show venue on the weekends where we, we would be washing the dishes and then move all the tables out of the way and set up the stage. And sometimes I would be the person that went out and played on that stage and sometimes we just got to see great shows.

And yeah, there's also the Poorhouse Music hall in Raleigh which is still going as one of our really great sort of mid size clubs. And I both Skillet and I, my husband Skillet and I have Bartended there.

It's been a while now, but that was a big part of our supplemental income when we were. When we were musicians touring. You know, you. You can hold down a job even when you're gone a lot if you're a decent bartender.

I really couldn't be a bartender now in most places because the world of, you know, the well a. I don't really drink. I don't drink anymore. But also the craft cocktail world has all that muddling of fresh herbs and.

Speaker B

00:06:32.700 - 00:06:45.420

Shit that developed after I stopped drinking. So, like, I have. I'm completely clueless when people talk about it. I'm like, I'm sorry. Last time I drank was like, bucket of beer era. So sorry.

Speaker A

00:06:45.900 - 00:06:46.620

Yeah, right.

Speaker B

00:06:48.140 - 00:06:50.380

Where would you like people to find you?

Speaker A

00:06:51.100 - 00:07:26.970

I'm easy to find on caitlincary.com. i was smart enough to get that a long time ago. So. Yeah. And it's full of my artwork and a little tiny blurb maybe about my music. I don't. It's funny.

You don't want to confuse the point. So to learn about my music, you might go to our friend Google, I guess.

Or better yet, go to one of the streaming platforms and go listen to some rather than read about the boring exploits of or what have you. If you look up my band, Trace Chicas, you're liable to get some dirty porn, so watch out.

Speaker B

00:07:27.530 - 00:07:31.290

Oh, I didn't know that. I'm very familiar with Trace Chicas, but not. Not that one.

Speaker A

00:07:32.250 - 00:07:35.450

There's. There are others, apparently, and they do naughty things.

Speaker B

00:07:35.850 - 00:07:40.730

Alrighty. Well, to each their own. One probably pays better than the other. And it's not the music.

Speaker A

00:07:40.810 - 00:07:42.570

That's right. Anyway.

Speaker B

00:07:42.650 - 00:08:01.660

Anyway, Caitlin Carey, I'm so excited that you're going to be part of what we're doing here with Dive Bar Music Club. And I'm looking forward to finding out what it is you are listening to these days.

You've always got a few little gems that you share that I'm like, oh, I should know that. Or I love that too. And I'm going to nerd out about it, but we very much appreciate you being part of it.

Speaker A

00:08:02.220 - 00:08:38.400

That's really cool. I'm excited. It's going to be great. Our music world is so fractalated, pixelated, exploded, that I always feel like I'm missing something wonderful.

So I really look forward to hearing other people's recommendations. That's going to be fantastic. And why they're passionate.

You know, I've always said, like, I don't watch sports, but if I'm with somebody that's really into the World Series, I'm going to sit next to them and, like, totally catch their vibe. You know, I'm looking forward to that part.

Speaker B

00:08:38.640 - 00:08:50.860

You know, I'm much more likely to listen to something when someone passionately loves it and maybe listen for things that I didn't give a chance to previously as well. So I'm as excited about this as everyone else. So thank you. Thank you. I sure appreciate, appreciate it.

Speaker A

00:08:50.860 - 00:08:52.140

Good to talk to you, Sloane.

Speaker B

00:08:53.500 - 00:09:10.940

That's last call at Dive Bar Music Club. If you like the hang, follow the show, leave a review, and tell your algorithm, gosh darn it, we're worth it.

Better yet, share your favorite episode with a friend who actually stayed for the whole set. See y' all next time for the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Summary

Welcome to the Dive Bar Music Club, where we’re all about vibing with our favorite tunes and diving into the deep cuts that make our playlists louder than a karaoke night gone right. This episode is all about celebrating the indie music scene. No pretentiousness here, just genuine passion for the sounds we love. Our rotating crew of music aficionados pulls up a barstool to share what’s currently spinning in their heads and hearts, from overlooked gems to the fresh bands that are about to blow up. We're cutting through the usual industry chatter and gatekeeping, so you can enjoy real talk about the tracks that resonate with us, whether they’re from that cozy basement show or a band on the verge of their big break. So, pour yourself a drink, get comfy, and let’s hang out, because music is always better with friends!

Show Notes

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the hangout where indie music lovers meet to swap stories, share obsessions, and discover their next favorite song.

Picture this: a round of drinks, a few deep cuts spinning in the background, and a bunch of folks geeking out over the sounds that move us, from basement shows to breakout bands.

No pretentious vibes here, just real talk about what makes great music stick.

Each month, I’m joined by a crew of passionate voices as we dive into the heart of indie music culture, exploring how sound evolves, the grassroots scenes that shape it, and the hidden gems that deserve a bigger spotlight.

Expect plenty of laughs, a few wild stories, and a lot of “Wait, you’ve GOT to hear this track!” moments.

So grab a drink, pull up a stool, and join the conversation.

Because at Dive Bar Music Club, everyone’s got a song worth sharing.

Links

• divebarmusicclub.com
• Meet the Regulars

Dive Bar Music Club is the ultimate hangout for music lovers: easygoing vibes, great conversation, and seriously good tunes.

• Our rotating crew digs into indie music gems that deserve more love, so you’re always ahead of the curve.
• No gatekeeping here, just real talk about the songs that hit us right in the feels.
• New episodes drop every month, so grab a drink and keep that playlist close.
• Hit subscribe to stay in the loop and join us on every new musical adventure.
• Want to learn more? Visit divebarmusicclub.com to connect with our music-loving community and share the soundtrack of good company.

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:01.600 - 00:00:49.300

Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds.

Every month, a rotating crew of indie music experts pull up a barstool to talk about what's spinning in their playlists right now the deep cuts, the new finds and bands you should have known but missed.

No gatekeeping, no industry flexing, just real conversations about the songs that move us from tiny basement shows to your next favorite band's debut record. New episodes drop monthly, so grab a drink, plug in, and hang with us at the Dive Bar Music Club hit.

Subscribe in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. And check out more at divebarmusicclub.com where music always sounds better with friends.

Hey, welcome to the Dive Bar Music Club.

We’re all about good tunes, better stories, and maybe a cheap drink or coffee while we’re at it.

Each month, we’ll dive headfirst into the indie music world with a crew that knows their stuff: a venue owner, a touring songwriter, a zine editor, or a radio host who’s seen (and heard) it all. We’re swapping stories about the hidden gems buried at the bottom of festival flyers, the bands we still blast from our college days, and those unforgettable nights when the only person in the crowd was the bartender. Shoutout to them, seriously.

Whether you’re a die-hard music head or just here for the vibes, pull up a chair. Let’s talk about what’s surprising us, what’s still hitting hard, and why music always finds a way to keep things interesting.

Low-key. High taste. Happy hour for music nerds. Let’s get into it.

Doors open January 2026.

Show Notes

Let your hair down after a long month, and join one heck of a rotating crew:

1. A venue owner who’s seen it all from behind the bar to backstage
2. A touring songwriter with stories that could fill a novel (or three)
3. A zine editor who’s deep in the queer country scene
4. A radio host who always seems to know the next big thing before anyone else
5. A songwriter and musician who found her groove making textile art
6. And a rotating crew of friends and colleagues

No script here. Just a bunch of passionate music nerds riffing on what we are listening to right now.

Here’s what we’re getting into:

1. What’s been catching our ears lately: new finds, unexpected earworms (better than brain worms), and bands that blew our minds in the most random venues
2. That magical moment when a song just clicks and becomes a forever favorite
3. Our wildest concert memories (yes, including the ones where the bartender was the only one clapping)
4. Random places we’ve been caught dancing or singing like no one’s watching
5. Plenty of laughs, low-key wisdom, and a healthy dose of “you had to be there” stories

And we get a little real, too:

1. How music marks time in our lives, those tracks that instantly transport you back
2. The ways music helps us through it all: breakups, breakthroughs, road trips, and rainy Tuesdays
3. Why the indie scene still matters, and why we’re not giving up on it anytime soon

So grab a drink, slide into your comfiest chair, and hang with us.

This is where stories get swapped, deep cuts get shared, and the volume’s always just a little too loud. Just how we like it.

Related Rabbit Holes

More fun podcasts from the creator: the Gen X sleep podcast, Sleep with Rock Stars, and Country Fried Rock, where the archives from 2009-2020 are slowly available again.

Takeaways

1. The Dive Bar Music Club is a cozy gathering spot for music enthusiasts to share insights.
2. Each week features a diverse panel from the independent music scene, enriching our conversations.
3. We delve into unexpected musical gems, from hidden festival treasures to timeless playlist favorites.
4. Our discussions highlight the intimate experiences of live shows, even when it’s just us and the bartender.
5. Tune in for a relaxed vibe where music lovers swap stories over drinks, celebrating the art form.
6. This podcast is a sanctuary for music nerds, bridging the gap between casual listeners and deep aficionados.

Recommended If You Like

independent music, music podcast, music recommendations, new music discovery, music industry insights, touring songwriters, music venues, zine culture, radio hosts, underground bands, music festivals, live music experiences, music conversations, playlist favorites, music nerds, band interviews, music trends, album reviews, music community, music culture, teaser

Transcript

Sloane Spencer

00:00:00.880 - 00:00:51.890

Welcome to the Dive Bar Music Club Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds. Each week, a roundtable from every corner of the independent music world grabs a seat.

A venue owner, a touring songwriter, a zine editor, a radio host who knows. And they do what music people do best. Talk about what's spinning, what's surprising, and what still gets them to turn it up.

From finding the best new band at the bottom of a music festival lineup to the records that are still on your playlist, to the bands they saw when the only other person there was the bartender. This is where those conversations live.

So pull up a stool, slide in the booth, grab a drink, and tune in to Dive Bar Music Club Low Key High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds.