Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast (ESP)

In this episode, Skunk Manhattan and Tim Driscoll welcome ZZ Ward, a talented recording artist known for her unique blend of blues, pop, and hip-hop. They discuss her musical journey, influences, and the recent release of her EP 'Mother,' which marks her return to her blues roots and personal experiences as a mother. ZZ shares insights on balancing her career and family life, her collaborations with notable artists, and her upcoming tour plans. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in music and the challenges of navigating fame while staying true to oneself.

Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/ykfsckxn

In this episode of the Eclectic Soundtracks podcast, Vic and Skunk Manhattan discuss the vibrant music scene in Austin, Texas, and the evolution of Skunkfest. They reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on live music events, the upcoming anniversary of the Lifeblood album, and the importance of community in music. The conversation also touches on Vic's journey in acting and voiceover work, as well as his involvement in Jiu-Jitsu, and the intersection of music and martial arts. They reflect on past performances, the influence of blues in recent festivals, and the exciting lineup for Skunkfest 2024. The duo also shares insights into their podcast's revamp, emphasizing the creation of playlists to enhance listener experience and promote featured artists.

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7p5y5uvurPV8wMNrDV4XpN?si=cmKJKPjjQs6qO8d5EQ6Kkg

We're on location in the scenic hill country just outside of Austin, TX, with luthier Walker Doubleday, founder of Doubleday Guitars. We talk humble beginnings and his time as a luthier with Collings to his decision to start his own boutique guitar company. Walker also gives us a tour of his shop where we see first-hand the traditional and custom tools used to construct each instrument and get an overview into the complex building process. We also sample some guitars via an impromptu jam in the showroom of Walker's shop.

Doubleday Guitars offer the utmost quality in every instrument. Each guitar is hand-crafted with careful precision. From the choice of woods to the shape of the body, carve of the neck, threading of the truss rod, and hand wound pickups, every Doubleday guitar comprises the finest materials and hardware available. Finished with an ultra-thin all nitrocellulose lacquer and buffed to a mirror finish, these guitars are built strong, and set up to perfection.

Walker attended the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in 2014, becoming a Certified Luthier. There, he was taught how to craft quality acoustic and electric guitars, as well as make high quality hand scatter wound pickups. For nearly a decade, Walker built custom high end acoustic guitars in Austin, Texas before embarking on his own company a few years ago. Visit Doubleday Guitars at:

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Robert Dean is a journalist, raconteur, and self-proclaimed "enlightened dumbass". His work has been featured in places like MIC, Eater, Fatherly, Yahoo, Austin American-Statesman, Consequence of Sound, Ozy, USA Today, to name a few. He’s appeared on CNN and NPR and has served as a features writer for Hussy Magazine, Culture Clash, Pepper Magazine, as well as acting as editor in chief for Big Laugh Comedy, Texas’ premier comedy production company. He currently resides in Austin, TX.

This podcast is from March 2023, at the onset of Robert's book, Existential Thirst Trap. We discuss the book, music, politics, New Orleans, pitfalls, art and more. Robert tells us about his experience as a writer, moving from Chicago to New Orleans and eventually to Austin.

Robert is a skilled raconteur with plenty of juicy anecdotes throughout his book. He craft-fully draws in the reader with grimy stories from his days just off Bourbon Street in the dark corners of New Orleans' French Quarter, but then invites one in to a far more personal side of himself and the human experience. You'll not only learn about the author, but will possibly find yourself on a journey of self-analysis. Existential Thirst Trap is a quick read, broken down into short essays. It's amusing and often hilarious, but also enlightening, engaging and powerful.

Buy Robert's book HERE

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Dave Tucker, 5 Iron Woodworks founder and head honcho, is our guest on this episode. The first person to appear multiple times on our podcast, Dave joins us to discuss his recently thriving carpentry business.

Way back on episode 3 we chatted with this renaissance man about the origins of his long-running friendship with Skunk, the duo’s high school escapades and musical aspirations, early jamming and recording experiences, and a female version of Geddy Lee. The episode was filled with reminiscing laughter and hilarity. Once again we inevitably ventured into unavoidable topics that ensue when two long time friends giggle through decades of side splitting nostalgia, but this time there was an overall specific topic… 

During the onset of the recent pandemic Dave began a professional journey into his lifelong passion of wood working, and in the few short years since its inception 5 Iron Woodworks has become a full time job, gaining sponsorships and partnering with companies such as Hamilton Lee Supply,  Spec Ops, Milescrafts, Base Camp Masks, The business has grown exponentially as Dave has constructed everything from custom bottle openers and cutting boards to furniture, decks and community playgrounds. He even built a portable folding stage for the Austin-based music festival Skunkfest and will soon be starting up a 5 Iron Stage & Soundworks specifically for musician's needs. As a musician himself, Dave has been experimenting with everything from speaker cabinets to custom Frankenstein guitars since he was a teen.

As well as being a brilliant carpenter, this sawdust creator possesses a quick-witted sense of humor and an extensive knowledge of music (particularly in the rock genre) which makes his brand unique. These elements are often a common thread in 5 Iron’s social media posts. Also a family man, Tucker has fun with his equally hilarious kids, involving them in his signature idiosyncratic advertising approach. 

Of course, nobody is perfect, and Dave, for some unknown reason, harbors an unwarranted disdain for Ellen Ripley. Sit back and enjoy as we delve into this psychologically perplexing topic along with Dave and Vic’s top ten favorite iconic rock albums of 1991 and other entertaining anecdotes. And next time you’d like something that's made out of wood, support this privately owned and operated business, where nothing is mass produced and every single item that comes out of the shop is 100% handcrafted.

Dave Tucker is one of the hardest working, honest, and hilarious people you will ever meet. We highly recommend 5 Iron Woodworks for any of your carpentry needs. Remember, “The eyebrow means quality”.

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We kick off season 3 with Jeff Azar, aka Demi the Daredevil. 

Initially a drummer, Jeff morphed into a one-man show following the untimely passing of singer, Jovan Ortiz. In 2017, the debut album Secret Schizoid was released and Jeff Azar officially became "Demi the Daredevil". Inspired by music ranging from pop punk & classic rock to classical & Broadway, Demi's sound and image has emerged both theatrical and genuine. Combining meaningful lyrics with catchy alternative pop sensibilities, Jeff has managed to tap into deep, relatable material which appeals both to a mainstream audience and those who fall outside of the "norm." "With the character Demi, you’ve found your safe creepy place," Jeff states. An immediate clue to the accuracy of this statement is the off-color aesthetic displayed by the artist himself.

A fearless, often unorthodox eccentric, Demi the Daredevil still emerges radio friendly, even if the music is relatable to a less conformist culture. Whether a goth kid, theater geek, or punk rock anarchist, angsty hook-laden anthems like Not Havin' a Blast & America Anonymous from the 2019 Magic + Accidents EP, and Paranoia on Main Street punctuate the artist's catalogue. 

Demi signed with Waldman Management in 2021 and released Purgatorium via Adventure Cat Records the following year. The infectious 5 song EP features such alternative rock meets EDM numbers as The Martyr's Crown and Withering Heights, both with accompanying music videos. He has been featured on iVote, Warped Tour, Buffering the Web Series, Digital Tour Bus, Pop Song Professor, Don’t Bore Us and even gained the quote “A haunting sonic experience”  from Erin Coulehan of Rolling Stone. With over six million Spotify streams and thousands of pieces of fan art already in existence, Demi the Daredevil has only just begun.

Demi the Daredevil: Website | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube I Instagram | Facebook

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On this episode we chat with Sicard Hollow, a four-piece progressive bluegrass band with a passion for pushing the boundaries of the genre. 

Formed via mutual connections in the Nashville music scene, these psychedelic punk-grass rockers found themselves tired of existing institutions telling them who to be and what to sound like, and before they met in 2018 none of the members even considered playing bluegrass. Matt Rennick (violinist) was working on electronic music while Will Herrin (mandolin/vocals) was playing guitar in rock bands. Meanwhile singer/guitarist Alex King had spent years as an artist without an art-form, searching for a home by pouring his sweat and heart into whatever project he was a part of. As they were individually navigating a fickle industry they collectively stumbled across something that felt genuine, bluegrass. Heavily influenced by the Grateful Dead and New Grass Revival, these young pickers bring fresh vitality to a timeless style and approach it with a combination of fearless improvisation and instrumental prowess.

Their debut album, Secret of the Breeze, was produced by Dan Davis at Zac Brown and Oliver Wood's Southern Ground Nashville studio. The goal was to capture the spontaneity, passion, and energy of live shows, and the result was a perfect encapsulation of the band's genre-kicking tenacity. As fate would have it however, the band's emergence coincided with the shutdown of live music due to pandemic fears, and they were forced to cancel their entire release tour supporting their debut studio record. Aside from a live performance at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, the band turned inward to reflect on their identity and work on new material with a desire to create songs that could add their generation’s voice to a classic genre of music. With the help of producer John Mailander (Billy Strings, Bruce Hornsby) and recording/mixing engineer Dan Davis, the band further honed their identity. The result was an explosive combination of pop-punk melodies, psychedelic instrumental breaks, and existential song-writing all packaged as a bluegrass quartet dressed in tattoos and tie-dyes. 

Since their inception, Sicard Hollow has been on a journey of self discovery, challenging themselves to put a unique stamp on bluegrass music while touring extensively and growing their sound with every performance. The new album, Brightest of Days, is a perfect example of how the group can pay homage to their bluegrass roots, while blowing the door open on the expectations of the traditional style. A positive skepticism toward the mainstream permeates the entire record, with songs like “Forecast of Life” and “Where I’m At” impressing a new-American-Zen that dances through the chaos.

Sicard Hollow:

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On this episode we chat with Texas guitar legend Chris Duarte. Born in San Antonio, the young Duarte became interested in music after seeing "Fiddler on the Roof" on TV. He initially wanted to play violin and then clarinet, but circumstances led him to playing his brother's guitar where he discovered an innate talent to pick up tunes by ear. At age 14 Chris obtained his first guitar, a Supro, and became further immersed in music. He began exploring different genres and learning jazz standards (in the once "illegal" Real Book) by musical idols such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis. In 1979, he moved to Austin and purchased a 1963 Fender Stratocaster. Soon after, he found himself gravitating towards the blues stylings of players like Howlin' Wolf and Stevie Ray Vaughn. 

Durate continued to develop his chops and gained a reputation as a road dog as he constantly played, both with his own band and as a sideman, widening his touring circuit throughout Texas and the south. As the Chris Duarte Group's popularity continued to grow, Chris found himself in a bidding war between labels, but ultimately CDG's first record, 1994's Texas Sugar Strat Magik featuring John Jordan on bass and Brannen Temple on drums, was released via Silvertone Records and became a highly acclaimed success among fans and critics alike. Chris quickly gained national recognition and won"Best New Talent" in Guitar Player's 1995 Reader's Poll. He finished fourth in the magazine's "Best Blues Guitarist" category behind some of his biggest blues influences: Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. 

His second album, Tailspin Headwhack (1997) followed with the hit Cleopatra, but that would be the last record with Silvertone. Since then Chris has recorded a wide variety of albums with various producers including the legendary Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records. He has traveled the U.S. and the world many times over playing everything from small clubs to headlining major music festivals and nearly everything in between. 

After moving to Atlanta, GA for several years, Chris Duarte has returned Austin where he plays with girlfriend Beth Lee (and the Breakups) as well as consistently touring with his trio. The current incarnation of CDG primarily features Dustin Sargent on bass and John McKnight on drums, and the band has a new album release ready, recored with producer Dennis Herring of their TSSM days. 

Although genuinely humble and somewhat soft spoken, Duarte's stage performance and guitar playing are mesmerizing and out of this world. He has remained recognizable in his sound even though he has crossed many genres, and he gives every record and performance 100%. In many interviews, he has stated “music must evolve.” With such a vast catalog of recordings, there are no two shows alike.  Every set list is different, and each song may be offered distinctly based on the feel of a show and the audience. We are thrilled he is playing ESP's Skunk Manhattan's Austin-based festival Skunkfest for 2022 and looking forward to seeing what he might pull from the vault. 

RIP Frosty (drummer)

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On this episode we chat with Danceland, an Americana Jam band based out of Toronto, Canada. The group recently released their debut album ‘Pink Lem’. Rooted in the timeless psychedelic Americana tradition, complete with storyteller song-craft; sunny harmonies; lonesome pedal steel; stratospheric lead guitar passages; and a touch of Eastern mysticism. The 7-track album was mixed by Grammy award-winning engineer Gregg Rubin (The Avett Brothers, Harry Connick, Ben Folds). Additional PRESS

‘Pink Lem’ is the culmination of a long, strange trip for the group. The band’s founding guitarist and singer-songwriter, Joe Ferland, came up as a musician in the 1990s New York City music scene, playing in a variety of rock and pop-punk contexts, and earning a few record deals along the way. Eventually, the music biz hustle burned him out, but music came back into his life during the passing of his mother when he and his wife—his co-writer and co-vocalist Jale—found their way to Danceland. Comprised of the core trio of Joe, Jale, and drummer Brad Park, the band operates with an open door policy in terms of keyboard players and bassists. Initially Danceland was conceived as Cherry Garcia Band, a project performing imaginative versions of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band tunes, but has evolved to be much more. 

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It's been a minute but on our latest podcast we chat with members of the San Antonio-based rock band, All Stories End. 

AES music is a culmination of their diverse influences explosive with high energy guitar and drums, but also an impressive vocal range and command from singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher Chris Purcell. After only a short time from their inception in 2017, the band released their debut album, 'The Architecture of Sound' in 2018 which included their first single, Let the Devil Play. Minus an obvious unfortunate global setback, they've been performing consistently since that time. After a steady stream of singles including their most recent song, Taurus, the band did a 2022 Texas tour.

This podcast took us back to our origins (a distant two years ago)... it's full of laughs, ranting, and overly opinionated views on other bands etc. (some good, some not so much), but we had a blast talking with some seriously cool guys who are all about creating music and having fun on stage. All Stories End are a current staple of the San Antonio rock and metal scene, carrying on a that tradition in the country's most metal city \m/

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