It has been awhile since I've posted, as I'm sure you've noticed, so I detail the craziness that has been my life the last couple of months as I anticipate going into a busy next couple of months playing several festivals, traveling, camping, and somehow trying to get in shape/prepared for a fall trip/studio session with one of my bands.  This will serve as an update for Mitten Backstage, but Life is a Piano listeners can glean info from this as well. I appreciate your patience and understand as things continue to be adjusted!  Mitten Backstage is a podcast hosted by Michigan artist Dutcher Snedeker and centering on conversations around life, the industry, creative pursuits, and navigating the scene as Michigan creatives. Each week, you can see discussions on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you subscribe on Patreon you can get early access to episodes, exclusive merch, and more!

I'm joined today by The Smoogies, a stellar band of musicians currently touring the country supporting their latest album release, People Music! I caught one of their sets at Cliff Bell's the night before this interview, and it was great to hear about how the band came together, their work with Nicholas Payton, advice for young artists, and experience their band dynamic filled with love and support! These guys radiated gratitude, because as successful as they all are and with a bunch of credentials to their careers, touring with The Smoogies feels like coming home!

I take a few minutes to reflect on this podcast and all of the conversations I had in 2021! I also give a little update on an upcoming break from posting episodes, social media, and how the podcast will return in 2022!

In anticipation of our upcoming 3-day run together, Dustin Galish (Tree No Leaves) joins us today on the podcast! We chat about music education, music scenes, and navigating the future in our respective bands and regions while celebrating the return to gigging both of our bands are experiencing!

I am so glad I got to sit down and chat with Jordan Anderson for Life is a Piano! He is a wonderfully musical pianist and keyboardist from the east side of Michigan, and he's currently studying at Michigan State University while performing with groups like Sabbatical Bob, The Vincent Chandler Experience, and soon with his powerful statement of black artistry, Say Less! We have honest conversations about the relationships between audiences and performers, jazz history and its impact on the current educational and performance landscapes, and so much more in this episode!

Today's guest is pianist Emile Pandolfi, who is the first guest I have met through hosting this podcast! Emile has a long and successfully sustainable career as a solo pianist with over 30 albums in his discography and a solid list of performances under his belt around the world. He has sold over 4.5 million albums and has received over 750 million streams online, all based on a repertoire of well-crafted arrangements of popular classics, movie soundtracks, musicals, and iconic American Songbook numbers.

▶▶ Early access and private streams every week! Also, bonus merch and access to lessons, consultations, and remote studio recording! https://www.patreon.com/dutchersnedeker

Life is Piano is back! Today, I chat with Mario Sulaksana, a pianist I met last summer who recently relocated from Detroit to LA! We chat about our career goals as pianists, the changes that spurred some of our recent life decisions (beyond the pandemic), and Mario's background as a musician and composer!

▶▶ Early access and private streams every week! Also, bonus merch and access to lessons, consultations, and remote studio recording! https://www.patreon.com/dutchersnedeker

It's been awhile since the last Life is a Piano, but life on the piano for me has gotten in the way. I've been finishing up wedding season, prepping for some recording sessions, and spending a lot of hours driving between cities. It's been fun, but I'm excited to get Season 2 of Life is a Piano underway! Keep an eye out during the first Saturday in October for the next episode!

▶▶ Early access and private streams every week! Also, bonus merch and access to lessons, consultations, and remote studio recording! https://www.patreon.com/dutchersnedeker

I chat for a bit with Ypsilanti-based keyboardist Galen Bundy! We chat about his background in music, our shared experiences attending NAMM conventions through Cusack Music, and we spend a healthy dose of time nerding out about gear! Enjoy today's episode, and check out his groups (Project 206, LNGBLNKSTR, and Proton Candy) after you're done listening!

It was so great catching up with Erika Dohi, a virtuosic pianist who is part of the NYC music scene and a friend I met years ago at the 2016 Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival! She collaborates around the contemporary classical and avant-garde scenes with all sorts of composers and performers, including Andy Akiho, William Brittelle, Immanuel Wilkins, and Ambrose Akinmusire. We chat about her upbringing, current creative focuses, her recent album I, Castorpollux, and more!