Illinois Drifter host Justin Conn launches the podcast edition of his long-running Substack, expanding his project celebrating live music, musicians, and the culture that surrounds them.

In this debut episode, Justin is joined by Jeff Massey and Joe Winters of The Steepwater Band to discuss the first show he attended in 2026 — the band’s January 10 performance at Leroy’s Hot Stuff in Porter, Indiana. The conversation covers Steepwater’s long history with Leroy’s, favorite hometown venues, the distinctive sound of opening act Nomad Planets, the realities of live performance, new music coming in 2026, and thoughts on recent songs from The Black Crowes.

Special thanks to Nomad Planets for the use of a clip from their song “We Can Settle This at Sunrise” as the Illinois Drifter podcast theme. You can purchase Nomad Planets’ music at nomadplanets.bandcamp.com.

For more information on The Steepwater Band and upcoming live dates, visit steepwaterband.com.

For more on Nomad Planets, including music and shows, visit nomadplanets.com.

Episode Timeline (40 minutes)

00:22 – Welcome to the Illinois Drifter PodcastJustin introduces the podcast, its roots as an extension of the Illinois Drifter Substack, and his goal of celebrating music through writing and audio.

02:00 – Expanding Beyond WritingWhy podcasting felt like a natural next step, what Illinois Drifter has covered so far, and plans for more show reviews and interviews.

02:58 – Introducing the GuestsJustin welcomes Jeff Massey and Joe Winters of The Steepwater Band as the podcast’s first guests.

03:23 – First Show of 2026: Leroy’s Hot StuffSetting the scene for the January 10 show in Porter, Indiana, and Justin’s first visit to the legendary roadhouse.

03:55 – Leroy’s Hot Stuff: History & VibeJeff and Joe discuss their long relationship with Leroy’s, its blues legacy, and why it remains a twice-a-year hometown stop.

05:26 – Early Days at Leroy’sOpen mic nights, Sunday jams, and how Steepwater became regulars at the venue.

06:50 – Other Local HauntsReggies, Austin’s Community Tavern, FitzGerald’s and the importance of hometown venues.

08:21 – Coming Home After TouringWhy hometown crowds feel different after long tours, including recent European runs.

08:47 – Nomad Planets: The Opening ActHow Justin discovered the band and why they made for a perfect contrast on the bill.

09:24 – History with Nomad PlanetsMeeting Mark Myback, encouraging original music, and a shared DIY ethos.

12:16 – Nomad Planets’ Sound & Influences80s and 90s alternative vibes, Lou Reed, R.E.M., and The Tragically Hip comparisons.

13:54 – The Steepwater Band’s PerformanceEnergy in the room, no soundcheck, technical issues, and powering through live challenges.

16:24 – Live Music RealitiesBreaking gear, adapting onstage, and why unpredictability is part of the experience.

18:41 – Tom Keifer/Arcada Theatre StoryA cautionary tale about volume, blown PAs, and live sound disasters.

20:54 – Chris Grove’s Role in SteepwaterLongtime collaboration, keyboard textures, and how he expands the band’s sound live and in the studio.

23:58 – New Steepwater Album (2026)Recording with Tony Mack, piecing sessions together around touring, and excitement about playing new material live.

27:14 – The Black Crowes’ New SongsThoughts on two two new Black Crowes songs, classic Crowes tones, lineup rumors, and reactions to the new video.

34:16 – Wrap-Up & Final ThoughtsJustin closes out the conversation, thanks Jeff and Joe, reminisces on how he met the Steepwater guys, and looks ahead to future Illinois Drifter podcast episodes.