Locals Only Podcast

Ventura County coastal desert rock outfit Virtual Nobodies joins Dalaney and Shayna on the Locals Only podcast for an in-depth conversation about navigating life as independent creators in the 805.

Band founders Jeremiah and Xavier unpack their unconventional beginnings in Newbury Park, tracing how a comical case of mistaken gym stalking turned into a collaborative songwriting partnership between two bass players. They also share their unexpected pivots into music, from Xavier walking away from law enforcement after a broken Xbox pushed him toward bass guitar, to Jeremiah finding his voice through local college choir and Jack Bruce records.

The guys dive into the realities of indie production, breaking down how the duo connected with legendary producer Niko Bolas (Neil Young) to track their debut album, Any Last Words, live to tape at Carbonite Sound in Ojai. Jeremiah and Xavier share the unvarnished grind of self-booking, designing their own gig fliers, and playing tough dive bar crowds in 29 Palms alongside major local showcases at Ventura Music Hall.

Beyond music, Xavier talks about working inside an aerospace engineering clean lab while Jeremiah details his work as a psychotherapist integrating music into youth mental health. The episode concludes with intimate in-studio live performances of their original songs.

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(01:35) Radio and transitioning to podcasts
(04:26) Xavier picks up bass and leaves college for music
(06:45) Introducing Virtual Nobodies
(08:48) The gym stalker mix-up: How Jeremiah and Xavier met
(11:15) Coastal Americana and desert rock influences
(13:08) Booking East County and Southern California gigs
(15:05) Playing Ventura Music Hall and cutting the debut record
(16:35) Tracking live at Carbonite Sound with producer Niko Bolas
(20:55) Self-taught vocals and karaoke stage fright
(24:15) Vocal training and psychology background
(31:58) Live performance: "Bona Fide"
(36:07) Live performance: "Ride or Die"
(39:23) Live performance: "Of the Essence"
(43:20) Balancing aerospace engineering clean labs and band life
(49:00) Achilles injury and writing during recovery
(56:55) The daily grind of DIY band promotion and fliers
(1:01:25) Writing "Bona Fide" on the Hopi Reservation
(1:06:10) The importance of live shows and rebuilding local community
(1:08:20) Debut album "Any Last Words" and building roots at home
(1:11:15) Finding their authentic sound: Coastal desert rock vs. chasing trends

🎵 Listen to Virtual Nobodies on Spotify and Apple Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/virtualnobodies
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/virtual-nobodies/1616859612

📸 Follow Virtual Nobodies on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualnobodies

Get more great local Ventura County content at: https://vclocalsonly.com

🎧 Listen to Locals Only Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#venturacounty #ventura #indierock #LocalsOnly

Actor and comedian Gary O'Neal stops by the Locals Only podcast in Ventura to break down his 24 years navigating the Hollywood entertainment industry with hosts Bryan and Shayna. Gary shares his evolution from moving out to California from the DC area to surviving the raw reality of the Los Angeles acting hustle, revealing what it actually takes to get by sleeping in cars and showering at a Sherman Oaks gym while networking with A-list celebrities.

The conversation explores the chaotic truth of reality television editing on shows like MTV's Call to Greatness and Hollywood Exes before diving into Gary's turbulent origins in stand-up comedy. Gary breaks down the humbling reality of bombing his very first open mic after getting too high, the sobering moment a comedy legend nearly ended his career, and the deep personal philosophy behind his "Dress Shoez" mindset.

Beyond acting and stand-up, Gary details his mission to elevate the Ventura County comedy scene by producing premier live events and bringing major headline talent to The Venue at BH.

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(01:35) Breaking into the entertainment industry
(03:00) The dark side of reality TV editing
(06:45) Networking with celebrities at 24 Hour Fitness
(12:20) Behind the scenes of the Dial Soap commercial
(15:40) Getting cut from a major HBO movie
(19:30) Surviving the LA hustle by sleeping in cars
(21:50) Making the transition to stand-up comedy
(25:00) Bombing a comedy show after getting too high
(29:50) Comedy inspirations and meeting Andrew Dice Clay
(33:20) The meaning behind the Dress Shoez mindset
(35:50) Why getting humbled by an icon changes everything
(40:30) Launching a live comedy showcase in Ventura
(49:15) Learning hard lessons at the Laugh Factory
(1:03:00) Final thoughts and upcoming show details

🎭 Follow Gary O'Neal on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gary_wayne_oneal
🎟️ Get tickets for event at The Venue at BH: https://instagram.com/thevenueatbh

Get more great local Ventura County content at: https://vclocalsonly.com
🎧 Listen to Locals Only Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#StandUpComedy #VenturaCounty #LocalsOnly #HollywoodHustle #Ventura

Ojai locals and creative "fun guys" Dugan Gundelfinger and Sage Stoneman join Shayna and Dalaney on the Locals Only podcast for an expansive conversation about regenerative living, art, and the 805 community. Dugan shares his evolution from directing music videos and comedy commercials to creating his new psychedelic short film "Heroic Dose" and embracing his musical alter ego. Sage details his deep connection to the earth, tracing his path from being introduced to permaculture at 17 to building debt-free, sustainable homes out of raw mud and salvaged materials.

The discussion tackles the profound impact of the mycelial network and the upcoming Ojai Mushroom Summit, diving into the science and history of functional fungi. The group explores the stoned ape theory of human evolution, the cognitive benefits of non-psychoactive mushrooms, and the nuances of safely navigating psychedelic experiences. Sage breaks down the reality of off-grid natural building, explaining how to bypass modern zoning restrictions with structures under 120 square feet, and highlights the deeply humanizing ritual of community mud building.

Beyond fungi and architecture, the conversation gets brilliantly weird with talks of somatic clowning exercises, the hilarious "Mud Plug" business idea, and a playful challenge to Joe Rogan for a biohacking mud wrestling match. The episode concludes with a spontaneous and intimate live acoustic session featuring Dugan's original song "Trust the Process" with Sage on drums, followed by Sage's original track "Body."

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Old radio days, the "Mom Squad," and what makes a true local
(07:59) The Ojai Mushroom Summit and mycelial networks
(11:32) Unpacking the stoned ape theory of human evolution
(16:13) Sage Stoneman on permaculture and regenerative ecosystems
(21:54) Navigating zoning laws and building permits for earth homes
(23:10) Somatic mud building workshops and community connection
(28:40) Building a functional cob home for under $1,000
(32:48) Dugan Gundelfinger on his psychedelic short film Heroic Dose
(40:13) Troubleshooting adverse physical reactions to mushrooms
(46:53) The cognitive benefits of non-psychoactive functional fungi
(52:47) Overcoming cultural shame through somatic clowning
(58:00) Challenging Joe Rogan to a biohacking mud wrestling match
(1:00:27) Live performance: "Trust the Process"
(1:03:33) Live performance: "Body"

🎵 Check out Dugan's music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gundelfinger

🧱 Learn more about Sage's natural building workshops: https://sagestoneman.com

Get more great local Ventura County content at: https://vclocalsonly.com

🎧 Listen to Locals Only Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#venturacounty #ventura #Ojai #LocalsOnly #NaturalBuilding

Ventura musician and entrepreneur Keyth Garcia joins Bryan and Joe on the Locals Only podcast for an in-depth conversation about navigating life as an independent creator in the 805. Keyth traces his unexpected path into music, starting as a high school football star and college baseball catcher at SF State before a schedule glitch landed him in a piano class that changed his trajectory. He also shares the wild story of living in an eccentric Santa Barbara commune during his early twenties.

The discussion tackles the real economics of working musicians, diving into the story behind Keyth getting fired from a venue after turning down a mid-set request for a Bob Marley cover. Keyth breaks down the math of a 6-piece band making $14 an hour after setup, breakdown, and travel, shedding light on venue expectations, contract boundaries, and the overwhelming wave of support from the Ventura County music community.

Beyond music, Keyth talks about his viral bio-fertilizer business, Worm Folk, where he cultures microbes and teaches kids about plant science and composting. The episode concludes with an intimate live acoustic session featuring two of Keyth's original songs on ukulele, "The Greatest Trick" and "Ain't Got No Time."

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro
(00:50) - Audiobooks, edit spikes, and Malcolm McDowell stories
(06:58) - Welcome Keyth Garcia to Locals Only
(07:20) - Big Sur adventures and Henry Miller Library
(12:00) - Men of Letters channel and spiritual inspiration
(17:39) - Growing up in South Oxnard and SF State baseball
(21:45) - The Hope Ranch commune experience
(27:40) - How a high school schedule glitch sparked a music career
(34:58) - Joining his first band in San Francisco
(36:45) - Breaking into the Ventura music scene
(43:07) - The story behind getting fired over a Bob Marley song
(58:00) - Breaking down gig pay: The $14 an hour reality
(1:14:18) - Launching Worm Folk and viral plant science
(1:21:00) - Support from the 805 community and live music culture
(1:25:42) - Live performance: "The Greatest Trick"
(1:30:20) - Live performance: "Ain't Got No Time"

🎵 Check out more Keyth's music on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keythgmusic
🪱 Check out Worm Folk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worm.folk

Get more great local Ventura County content at: https://vclocalsonly.com
🎧 Listen to Locals Only Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#venturacounty #ventura #LiveMusic #LocalsOnly

Dalaney and Joe sit down with Spencer Noren of Ventura Forward for a candid conversation about Ventura politics, local government, City Council, public comment, community involvement, and the issues shaping Ventura, California. Spencer discusses his roots in Ventura, the story behind Ventura Forward, his experience with the Parks and Recreation Commission and local elections, plus his views on special interests, government transparency, youth, e-bikes, parks, development, homelessness, waterways, and why more Ventura residents should pay attention to decisions being made at the local level.

This episode of Locals Only gets beyond the social media clips to examine Spencer Noren’s ideas, controversies, criticism, and approach to civic engagement in Ventura County.

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(01:22) Welcome to Locals Only
(04:20) Meet Spencer Noren of Ventura Forward
(09:00) Family, loss and finding purpose
(14:06) Youth, accountability and community
(19:24) Ventura politics and local government
(24:06) Political parties and special interests
(27:38) E-bikes, policing and Ventura’s biggest issues
(32:09) Public comment and making a difference
(35:43) The future of Ventura Forward
(46:39) Parks & Rec controversy and accountability
(1:00:21) Ventura community, local business and what comes next

🌐 Check out more Ventura Forward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturaforward

Get more great local Ventura County content at: https://vclocalsonly.com
🎧 Listen to Locals Only Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#Ventura #VenturaCounty #LocalPolitics