Get Labeled! Indie Music Roadmap

A true Indie spirit, Singer/Songwriter, guitarist, drummer, Joshua Van Ness is always pushing for the next creative level. A working man's musician available for nearly all types of events and recording sessions.

His voice offers a soulful, raspy quality. Behind the drums, Joshua’s feel echoes of classics from decades ago, yet is driven by a desire to stay ahead of the trends.  When on guitar, Van Ness employs a song first mentality, fortified by a strong sense of rhythm.

Versatility has been the key to Joshua’s success. “A combination of touring, recording sessions (Top class studios and garages) and even gigging in the local scene has taught me how to play for the song as well as how to read an audience,”explains Joshua. I feel very comfortable in almost any situation”.

Joshua has endorsements with 7Drums, Skygel damperpads, Attack drumheads, Collision drumsticks, and Tsunami cables/

This week's guest is live show veteran Audio Engineer and Production Manager, Tim Kraus. For the performing artist, Tim offers some "Sound Advice" on delivering your best audio experience for playing a successful show. He offers some tips for cultivating a good relationship with your sound engineer, building a positive industry reputation, and ultimately enabling you to present your best for a crowd-pleasing show.

You can find more information about Tim Kraus on Facebook under Timothy Kraus.

Also a musician and songwriter, Tim's latest album release “Sleight of Hand” can be found on all streaming platforms.

“Seth Witcher is a man of many talents. He built his own guitar from scratch, and he plays it quite well."

Seth Witcher is a music artist that is fresh on the scene in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. He has been in love with music ever since he was 6 years old, and has been singing/playing the guitar ever since then.

Seth has performed live since December 2017. Since then, he has been hired to perform at places like the PPL Center, Coca-Cola Park, and Musikfest held in Bethlehem, PA. Though Seth has been performing out for such a short time, he has over 300+ live performances under his belt. Seth’s passion for music is what drives him everyday(see quote).

Seths latest release, “Who Am I?” is a 13 song album that was released January 21st, 2022

A continuation of my Episode 14 conversation with Michael Ronstadt. Fair warning, we get a little music nerdy in some of this thread.

Michael G. Ronstadt has been captivating audiences throughout North America for nearly two decades as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer. A master at his craft, Ronstadt traverses a mélange of musical styles that range from anywhere between folk, jazz, classical, Americana and the wildly ethereal. He lends his talents to a broad range of projects, including solo work and a variety of small ensembles, as well as larger bands.

Primarily known for his prowess as a cellist, Michael G. has contributed his cello to hundreds of recordings from accomplished artists around the world. Throughout his tenure as an acclaimed musical artist in his own right, Ronstadt has also premiered several classical compositions on behalf of composers like Norway’s Bjørn Bolstad Skjelbred, as well as United States composers Conrad Kehn, Kenneth Stewart and Michael Ippolito.

He has recorded over two dozen albums under his own name or in groups that he is a part of. These include collaborations with his brother, Petie Ronstadt, in the Ronstadt Brothers band. Also of note is Ohio’s Serenity Fisher & the Cardboard Hearts, as well as his work as one half of the Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt avant-folk duo.

As a quintessential member of Ronstadt Brothers alongside multi-instrumentalist Petie Ronstadt and drummer Aaron Emery, Michael G. dares to twist and bend the band’s Tucson Americana sound into genre-defying new worlds. Originally founded as Ronstadt Generations by his late father Michael J., they have honed in on a familial sound with this group that has propelled them from regional acclaim in Arizona to concerts regularly held throughout the continent. Michael G.’s offbeat, contemporary vision brings the western band into places you may not expect while keeping these core family values at its center.

Michael G. Ronstadt has been captivating audiences throughout North America for nearly two decades as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer. A master at his craft, Ronstadt traverses a mélange of musical styles that range from anywhere between folk, jazz, classical, Americana and the wildly ethereal. He lends his talents to a broad range of projects, including solo work and a variety of small ensembles, as well as larger bands.

Primarily known for his prowess as a cellist, Michael G. has contributed his cello to hundreds of recordings from accomplished artists around the world. Throughout his tenure as an acclaimed musical artist in his own right, Ronstadt has also premiered several classical compositions on behalf of composers like Norway’s Bjørn Bolstad Skjelbred, as well as United States composers Conrad Kehn, Kenneth Stewart and Michael Ippolito.

He has recorded over two dozen albums under his own name or in groups that he is a part of. These include collaborations with his brother, Petie Ronstadt, in the Ronstadt Brothers band. Also of note is Ohio’s Serenity Fisher & the Cardboard Hearts, as well as his work as one half of the Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt avant-folk duo.

As a quintessential member of Ronstadt Brothers alongside multi-instrumentalist Petie Ronstadt and drummer Aaron Emery, Michael G. dares to twist and bend the band’s Tucson Americana sound into genre-defying new worlds. Originally founded as Ronstadt Generations by his late father Michael J., they have honed in on a familial sound with this group that has propelled them from regional acclaim in Arizona to concerts regularly held throughout the continent. Michael G.’s offbeat, contemporary vision brings the western band into places you may not expect while keeping these core family values at its center.

Connecticut based singer-songwriter, Drew Angus brings a certain verve to his work that resonates with audiences and fellow performers alike. Drew found his love for music growing up in a house filled with the sounds of artists like Tom Petty, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He’s Influenced by these classic rock sounds mixed with artists of today like Ben Rector, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer.

You can find more about Drew on Social media @DrewAngusMusic, www.drewangus.com, his music is available on all streaming music outlets.

Hailing from Maryland, the rock band Kruiser breathes new life into faded music genes. At a time when it looks like Rock will just fade into the tie-dyed sunset, and no one's around to pick up the mantle, these guys emerge eager to lift sword from stone.

Still at the sun rise of their music careers, they demonstrate a passion for nuanced original music and a Rock n Roll live show that would make long gone Rock icons proud.

Their 2019 debut offering EP “Take You For A Ride” is available through all music streaming sites (Apple, Spotify, etc.).

You can find more info about them on Facebook and instagram as KruiserShow.

Currently a professor of Film Studies, in his earlier life David experienced a career in music composition, producing, performance, and promotion. In other words, he has pursued two parallel career paths--one in university teaching and research, and another in media production. He is now pursuing film and other digital media projects in the interest of substantiating my film production experience.

He can be reached through LinkedIn. Some of his early music can be found on YouTube: "Heavy Water Experiments":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1eDoG4FzQ&t=120s "Fuzz Beloved":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULCmEwhHkX4 "Ludivine":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gumxF_7Jucs  

Alice Leon is an expressive and talented singer/songwriter who has enjoyed a regional following in the northeastern part of the United States. The New York  resident is a multi instrumentalist and has led several bands and has opened for and shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, John Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, John Eddie and many more. She has favored a very melodic, tuneful, and hooky approach to acoustic pop/rock and adult alternative.

In the past decade she's recorded 5 of of her own CD's with friends in the Alice Project band and written 100's of songs via my workshops and songwriting business. She's traveled around the world and hoping to do loads more with my son and husband. She's built a new business as a teaching artist and am finding that it is a perfect fit for my life as a creator, coach, mentor and cheerleader. While not playing as many live shows as in years past, she enjoys her time as a writer and my best job of all....being my son's mom.