On this episode we chat with the multi-talented Crow Jane. Known for her work with LA-based bands Egrets on Ergot, Prissy Whip, and her part in the long-running punk act The Deadbeats, Crow Jane is a makeup artist by day and seasoned rockstar by night. She has worked on major motion pictures and several TV shows such as the Mayans MC and has been recording and performing with bands for most of her adult life. In addition to singing and/or playing guitar in several noise or punk rock bands, Crow Jane recently released a solo record via Kitten Robot Records. Check out her latest single 'Delusion' from her Master Dolorosa album. 

For more about Crow Jane: Website YouTube Spotify

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: Delusion by Crow Jane

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

We had a fun and almost PG conversation with singer, songwriter, and host of 20@10 with Nat, Natalie Price.

Natalie attended the University of Texas Dallas to study graphic design and soon after landed a job in Austin, but graphic design and photography gave way to open mics, and Natalie began to hone her songwriting and performing skills with a commitment to the craft of music. She was ready when paths crossed with musician and producer, Brian Douglas Phillips, which led to recording her first batch of songs at his studio, Rattletrap Audio. Her 2019 debut EP, Through the Fog, is a culmination of her musical upbringing in church, a love for singing, and the discovery of a passion to write songs and "express truth through music".

In 2020 she released a "pandeMe" single and began a livestream interview series featuring live music along with conversation with her guests. She has now streamed nearly 200 episodes of 20@10 with Nat, and is busy writing and preparing to record her first full-length album. Natalie is also member of the prestigious 11:59 songwriting group along with such prolific and respected Austin-based musicians as our former guest, Ray Prim. 

Initial inspiration from church hymns later resonated with an eclectic mix of pop and rock. Muse, 'Butterflies and Hurricanes', and Radiohead, 'OK Computer', are cited as two highly influential "mind blowing" albums in particular. From Pedro the Lion to Nickelback, Isreal Nash to Taylor Swift, we discuss several bands and band names along with influences, current listening. Presidents, Garfield, favorite wars, religion, flying cockroaches, fragile minds of youth, and the horrors of frat boys explaining organisms to innocent college girls in the hopes of whisking them away to a land of "spring break country"are some other topics of discussion. Also, Mexican sunburn (or lack thereof), and Mexican food... the real deal stuff like Panchos. Raise the flag!

The conversation of universal mathematics, music and subjectivity re-emerges and Natalie proposed the question "is love mathematical?" In regards to music "it's not mathematical the way it makes you feel" and "beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the ear of the listener."

For more about Natalie Price: Website YouTube Spotify

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: Heavy by Natalie Price

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

On this one-shot episode, we take our podcast on the road to Come and Take It Live in East Austin where we sit down and chat with the members of Snake Skin Prison before their 'King Snake' release show.  To our dismay, fans of Nickelback, Limp Bizkit, & Dave Matthews will enjoy this one as we discuss SSP's new EP, Yuengling beer, and taking a ride on the Bermuda Triangle Cruise to Nowhere.  

SSP kicked off in 2008 and quickly became a staple of the Austin and Texas hard rock/metal scenes. They released their full-length debut '9 Kinds of Bad' in 2010 and have put out 4 EPs over the last decade. This 100 proof southern-fried metal metal band are not shy with having a good time and it's quite impressive to see frontman and guitarist Matt Ballengee command a crowd, play lead guitar, AND somehow remember his own lyrics and unique brand of poetic interludes considering the amount of alcohol the band consumes at any given show. Yes, they have some questionable influences, but at least drummer Gary Hansen knows good beer and and the band consumes Black Label Society and Metallica as often as a bottle of Tito's Vodka. In fact, bassist and sometime vocalist Keith "Keef" Ploeger, fronts Slaterica... the world's only Slayer (a band we found out Matt hates), Pantera and Metallica tribute band.

If you love rock 'n roll and having a good time, go see Snake Skin Prison! Just don't expect to stay sober.

Thanks to our friends at: Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Outro Music: King Snake by Snake Skin Prison

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

On this brief episode we chat with Steinway & Songs artist, Esteban Alvarez. A native of Costa Rica, Esteban joins us from a massive fruit market in San Jose, and we have an “organic” conversation about music, its depth, and its current place in the world. 

Now residing in Austin, TX, with a Bachelors Degree in Classical Piano Performance and a Masters in Jazz Performance, Esteban is the founding member and Executive Director of Chorus Austin (a non-profit created to assist in humanitarian causes via music), and is an active world music concert pianist who has recorded and performed across the globe. For the past year he has been extensively traveling to record with an eclectic array of highly celebrated Latin American musicians in their respective native countries. After visiting Bolivia, Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Peru and Argentina, Esteban is currently tracking the final piano parts in Costa Rica. The upcoming album, 'Roots of the World', will most certainly offer an authentic and culturally rich listening experience. Esteban has three diverse prior albums, Tico Groove, Austin for Peach and Piano meets Mariachi (Spotify YouTube).

Skunk met Esteban in 2013 at a Steinway showing and began a series of inspirational piano lessons. We got the same honesty and passion on the podcast that Esteban brings to his students, music and social justice endeavors. He talks about the deep fundamentals of Gregorian chant to the astonishing improvisation and harmony of Bach; the symmetry of classical giants such as Hayden and Mozart; the passion and drama of Beethoven and romantics like Chopin; and the expansive complexities by modern composers such as Debussy. We also touch on various jazz styles, analyze both the parallels and differences between the two broad genres, and iterate the vital relevance of the history and chronology of the “western” musical language. Esteban sites modern virtuosos such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and John Petrucci who have tirelessly studied this language and all reside at the highest level, regardless of genre they choose to play.

In a related topic, we discuss the quality of organic food verses processed fast food created for quick, cheap consumption. Esteban asks the question “Have we become desensitized to good things? We question the subjectivity of music, food, art, photography etc. and the relevance not only of various opinions, but the source of those opinions. Esteban argues, one has subjective credibility on a given subject based on one's education on that subject, and elaborates with fundamental neurological and mathematical principles. Despite the unfortunate onslaught of fast food "art" across the spectrum, Esteban notes there are still markets for those wishing to seek authentic artists and is hopeful for a mainstream return to a desire for artistic endeavors rooted in merit rather than ego. 

Intro music: A Lazy Night In San Francisco by Skunk Manhattan

Outro music: Has Amado A Una Mujer De Veras  arranged and performed by Esteban Alvarez with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan

Written by Adams, Kamen, Lange

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

We had a blast chatting with Adam Donovan and CARRIE Stephens of Cara Van Thorn on this episode of ESP. We discuss the band's origins and current lineup, what's coming post pandemic, Voodoo Doughnuts, musical backgrounds, hometowns, oil fiends, audio engineering, endorsement deals, books, movies, comedy, sci-fi nerd stuff, and... diaper porn?

This Austin-based band (originally Caravan) got their name by combining the names of the two founders: Portland native Carrie (Vocals), who came to Austin with a background in musical theatre and show tunes, and well-rounded musician and renaissance man Mr. Donovan (Bass/Guitar), an escapee of Odessa, TX. After a few years of operating under the original moniker the band changed their title to 'Cara Van Thorn' after a suggestion at a listening party among friends. This name personifies the music and overall brand perfectly; CVT exhibits a combination of neo-barrelhouse with elements of more modern goth, rock, and jazz. A great quote from KUTX's Jack Anderson gives provides a good summation:

"The members of Cara Van Thorn have carved a niche for themselves over the past half decade with an eccentric cocktail of ’30s jazz, ’70s pop rock, ’80s goth, and ’90s alternative for a timeless onstage experience, ripe with bleak lyricism, dreamy brass, stabbing piano chords, and infectious harmonies and melodies."

Initially Carrie and Adam met via the band Donkey Island but departed to form CVT. They began writing and have assembled an eclectic roster of fantastic musicians over the past few years including Ryan Henderson (Drums), Cesar Reyes Velasquez/Tyler Olfers (Keys), Austin Johanning (Trumpet), and Jerome Chwalek (Trombone). Cara Van Thorn is a perfect example of the tight knit Austin music community... Adam was introduced to the TRCOA recording program via Ryan Henderson prior to CVT's formation, and the same relationship led to Adam's involvement in Austin electronic-rock band, Seek Irony. Adam also plays bass in Jerome's band rock band, Inch of Dark and programs lights for both.

The band does many things in-house including recording their own music at Adam's home studio and Horned Lizard Studios in ATX, and the creation of their own album artwork and logo. Adam Donovan endorses Kiesel Basses and Guitars

Thanks to our friends at: Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: Party in the Living Room by Cara Van Thorn

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

On this episode we chat with guitarist Travis Larson and bassist Jennifer Young of the Travis Larson Band. This show was a beautiful disaster of false starts, potty breaks and audio malfunctions, but we had a blast! And from what we learned about DIY touring, the messiness somehow seems fitting. Ever sit in a van driving cross country surrounded by music gear while the milk-addicted driver chomps copious amounts of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and the dude in the back haphazardly eats a bowl of rice? Well, Jennifer Young has. 

Travis, Jennifer and drummer Dale Moon have had a fascinating career spanning three decades. Our two guests met as teenagers in San Luis Obispo, CA and later met Dale (the new guy... of 23 years) from Eureka further up the west coast. These days the three all live within biking distance of their musical office, Treehouse Studios. They also record "the loud stuff" at Avalon Studios with audio engineer and touring sound-man, Kip Stork. The two initially played different instruments in their younger years but transitioned to guitar and bass around the time they met. Both shared a love for progressive rock and fusion bands and began to share mix tapes of influences such as Rush, ELP, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Steve Morse. Dale entered a few years later in the midst of a hiatus due to a torn rotator cuff, and the band built a studio to record their first album as Dale rehabilitated. Their debut record came out in 1998. 

As they began to write and perform, the duo worked at a video store. Jennifer's dedication to the band was such that she traded her beloved, hard-earned Camaro for the band's first tour van. TLB then cut their teeth by regionally touring, and as their reputation grew they began getting offers for endorsement deals from companies such as San Luis Obispo based, Ernie Ball/MusicMan. This led to unique opportunities to do guitar clinics across the country and the band began to expand their fanbase and musical network beyond the west coast. TLB has also been a staple performing at NAMM shows for over two decades. 

We discuss the band's origins, their inspiring trajectory of success, the recording process, live and studio gear, innovative tour vans, and then somehow get into Travis's obsession with milk. We also hear about their long-running relationship with fusion rock trio The Aristocrats, and find out bassist Bryan Bellar has insanely great hair and loves spreadsheets.

TLB Endorses MusicMan, Electro-Voice, Markbass, DV Mark, Gtretsch, Sabian

Skunk Endorses Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: Golconda by Travis Larson Band.

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

On this titanic episode we chat with Austin-based musician and songwriter, Brian Wolff. Brian began his musical career in his hometown of Binghamton, NY, but after a few years of playing regionally he decided to move to Austin, TX where he became the frontman for for the indie rock powerhouse, Fair City Fire. FCF is an explosive live band with several U.S. tours under their belt. On hiatus since the pandemic hit, the band has a catalogue of two full-length albums as well as a few singles. A favorite of the podcast, the band performed at Skunkfest 2019, and we hope to see a return at some point.

As of 2020, Wolff has focused most of his artistic energy on revisiting his roots as an acoustic singer/songwriter. He began releasing weekly cover and original videos on his social media pages every Friday morning, and has also started a podcast, Greetings from Wherever, about artistic inspiration and the creative process. Guests include songwriters, comedians, painters, photographers, authors and so many more. In the coming months be on the lookout for new releases, a website launch and Brain's new Patreon. 

This episode was off the hook, full of laughs and shit talk. Unbeknownst to Brian, he would be forced to hate on bands along with Skunk who was hell bent on sinking the episode. However we did get some insight into some of his big influences like Bruce Springsteen, and in the end we all agreed that Alice In Chains is eternally awesome and that Smashmouth is eternally not. DMB gets the donkey treatment again and Oasis... well yuck. Bottom line: laughing at music one deems "bad" is fun. Fortunately Brian Wolff's music is badass so we laughed with him and not at him. 

Thanks to our friends at: Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: Simple Stupid by Fair City Fire

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

We chat with bassist Menno Verbaten. Originally hailing from the quaint town of Utrecht, Netherlands, Menno was inspired by bass icons like Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and Lemmy but was initially forced to play classical guitar as a first instrument. After saving for a year he was able to buy a bass guitar and his true musical journey began. Menno moved from Holland to Los Angeles, CA to attend Musicians Institute in the late 90s and then taught at the school for 18 years. He has played bass and sung with several bands including The Caurterized, Cryptic Slaughter, and most recently the progressive doom band Behold! The Monolith. He's also played the prestigious Monsters of Rock Cruise and can no longer listen to Tesla. Now it gets strange... Steve Harris and Nuno Bettencourt saw him play but don't know it, and Menno never looks at his fingers (because he can't).

This is definitely a podcast for metal-heads... Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Maiden, Sabbath... we cover them all. We learn some shocking "truths" from Menno as he enlightens us to some of the not so romantic stories of certain rockstars. Did Guns N' Roses actually play on Appetite for Destruction? Does Metallica play to a click? Can Lars even do that? Why is Rudy Sarzo playing an F# in D minor? Why does Sharon Osbourne hate Bob Daisley so much 'For Facts Sake'? The court trials and tribulations of the Osbourne's reveal those dirty rockstar secrets but Menno can't reveal his. Buckle up because this episode gets real.

We also get some input from Menno's crotchety old cat, Miss Crinkles; he confesses his hatred for Motley Crue and admits how it sent him home alone to do the rattlesnake shake; the mention of a "short Geddy Lee" once again steps into the limelight; we discuss war movies and the uncanny accuracy of Michael Bay films; Vic gives us some insight into the Marine Core; and we reflect upon the ugly, stinky geniuses of the 18th and 19th century. Although a metal guy at heart, Menno enjoys and has played a wide variety of music throughout his career. Most recently, inspired by a series of books, he began to explore and arrange classical pieces by Mozart, Bach etc. for bass! You can hear these and other tunes on Spotify.

CAUTION: Tijuana comes up in this podcast. "Hee Haw" - DMB

Menno Plays: Fender Jazz Bass, ESP LTD Bass, Markbass Amps, Ampeg Cabinets

Thanks to our friends at: Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Intro Music: Mr. Peanut by A Good Rogering

Outro Music: The Celebrated Minuet by Luigi Boccherini (Arranged & Performed by Menno Verbaten) 

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

For our 40th episode we chat with Austin-based guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jelly Ellington. Originally from Asheville, NC, Jelly took an early interest in music after being exposed to the Los Angeles guitar quartet. He began playing classical guitar at age seven and eventually gravitated to electric guitar after hearing Led Zeppelin as a teen. Jelly has been a staple of the Austin music scene since relocating in 2011, he has shared the stage and recorded with Grammy Award-winning artists, and was voted Top 10 Best Guitarist by the Austin Music Awards for both 2018 and 2019.

We talk about the plethora of amazing artists Austin's scene has to offer, the recent snowpocalypse, the effects the pandemic has had on venues, some iconic spots in the city, and get a little backstory on Jelly's gorgeous meaty blue Les Paul. Other topics include Netflix shows, standup comics, influences and gear, Boogie Nights and Glory (go watch it), and Tiger Woods' peculiar facial expressions. Skunk insults "artists" he doesn't approve of (as usual), and Jelly confesses to a dirty little bro country secret and "dumps" a zinger of story on us. 

Jelly currently records and performs both original music and plays with the Zeppelin tribute band Dancing Days. He also recently collaborated and recorded with Sam Houston Black Odyssey at 512 Studios here in Austin. Since its inception in 2012, Jelly's Monthly Guitar Jam has featured a variety of stellar Texas guitarists and raised nearly 5K for local non-profits such as the SIMS Foundation. Check out the latest EP Butterfly on Spotify or any major streaming platform, and look out for the new 12 song double vinyl album slated for release fall 2021.

Intro Music: Bionic as Hell by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music:  Crosstown by Jelly Ellington

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!

On this episode we chat with Luke Bellet from Austin-based Indie Pop band, Luke And The Lonely. Originally form Singapore (we think), Luke's family moved to Nashville and he discovered a passion for music, soon taking up guitar and piano. During college Luke flirted with performing as a musician, but it was a move to Austin that really immersed him in music. In 2017 Luke joined The Odbodys as a keyboardist where he met drummer Nick Tozzo. When the band dissolved the two decided to start a new project. Sara Louise was asked to join as a singer, and Luke and The Lonely was born. Their hooky fun style integrates elements of rock, gospel, R&B, jazz and country. "The Age of Enlightenment" was released in May 2019 with a few singles to follow and a full-length album is in the works

We had a blast getting nearly all of this information incorrect on the podcast, and it became clear Skunk had no idea where Singapore actually is, or anything geographically for that matter. It was also assumed Luke was of French and Mexican decent, his father created a debatably more comfortable version of "the vaccine", and everyone who disagrees with anyone else is literally Hitler. Suffice to say, this was a fun podcast.

Intro Music: by Skunk Manhattan

Outro Music: My Baby Loves Heavy Metal by Luke And The Lonely

For more great guests SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW

Thanks for listening!