Go follow my new podcast 2 Dudes 1 Scene Podcast with Dan Bollen. And follow my IG @thiswasthescene

Small Towns Burn a Little Slower was a Minneapolis/St. Paul band that blended emo, indie rock, and pop punk into a sound that felt both melodic and emotionally raw. Formed in 2002, they quickly built a loyal following through relentless touring and releases on Rise Records, Triple Crown Records, and Dead Letter Records. Their 2005 full length, Mortality as Home Entertainment, earned them recognition from Alternative Press as one of its "100 Bands You Should Know About." Their music paired soaring hooks with introspective lyrics, making them a standout in the mid 2000s emo scene alongside many of the era's rising bands. Although they called it a day in 2008, their catalog has continued to find new listeners and remains a favorite among fans of heartfelt, guitar driven punk and emo.

Chitty from Houston Calls mentioned them on his interview so I gave them a listen, dug it, got them on the Zoom, and this is what we chat about:

• The Minnesota scene
• The bread theft
• Getting on Rise Records
• Their first tour being 3 months long
• Triple Crown Records
• Recording with Ed Rose
• Auditioning for Drive Thru
• Myspace
• Kind of getting screwed by Immortal Records
• And a ton more

Ryan has a new EP so go check it out.

Give Toilet Rats and We Are The Willows a listen wherever you do the streaming thing.