What does life on tour really look like?

In this episode of Loyal to the Craft, Mike Chappell sits down with Cody Ash, drummer for Jelly Roll, and David Atkinson, drum tech for A Day to Remember, for one of our most honest conversations yet.

They pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a career in the music industry. From sleeping in vans and showering at truck stops to networking, landing gigs, dealing with post-tour depression, and sacrificing time with family, this episode shares the realities that aspiring musicians rarely hear.

Whether you're a drummer, drum tech, musician, or simply curious about life behind the scenes, this conversation is packed with real stories, practical advice, and hard-earned lessons.

In this episode:

How Cody landed the Jelly Roll gig
Touring with A Day to Remember and Knocked Loose
Building a career through networking and reputation
Why being a good person matters more than being the best player
The mental health challenges of coming home from tour
The truth about touring life vs. social media
Advice for young musicians trying to break into the industry
Why hard work always beats shortcuts
The importance of lifting others up as you grow

If you're chasing a career in music, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to Loyal to the Craft for conversations with the musicians, creators, and industry professionals who have built their careers through passion, persistence, and hard work.

In this episode of Loyal To The Craft on Adobe Radio, Mike Ciprari sits down with Olive Vox to talk about the real journey of building a band from the ground up.

From early garage shows and Facebook ads to touring, getting signed to Big Machine, and learning how to become a true unit on the road, Olive Vox shares what it actually looks like to chase a career in music while staying locked into the reason it all started: the songs, the live show, and the connection.

Mike first met the band at Camp Woodward in 2024, where their performance immediately stood out among skaters, artists, and music legends. Since then, the band has continued to build momentum through DIY touring, social media, new music, and a live show that they describe as the clearest way to understand who they are.

In this episode:

 - How Olive Vox formed and found their sound
 - Why Woodward became a major turning point for the band
 - What their first real tour taught them about being musicians
 - How they got discovered by Big Machine A&R/producer Julian
Raymond
 - Why they play every show like everyone is watching
 - The work that comes after getting signed
 - How social media, humor, and personality help fans connect
 - Why their live performance is such a huge part of their identity
 - What’s next: new music, videos, and touring with Toadies and Local H

This conversation is for every young musician trying to start a band, book shows, build momentum, and figure out what it really takes to turn music into a sustainable path.

Follow Olive Vox, go see them live, and support independent artists.

Subscribe to Loyal To The Craft for more conversations with artists, musicians, and industry voices helping the next generation chase their dreams in music.

What happens when music education meets one of the most legendary festivals in the world?

In this video, Mike Ciprari, Founder of LOYAL TO THE CRAFT, sits down with School of Rock President Stacey Ryan to discuss bringing School of Rock students to Vans Warped Tour for the second year in a row.

Made possible through our partners at Gross Labs Foundation and DistroKid, this initiative gives young musicians opportunities that go far beyond performing. 

Throughout the weekend, students will:
• Perform live at Vans Warped Tour
• Participate in exclusive artist workshops
• Experience surprise guest appearances
• Learn directly from professional musicians
• Build confidence, community, and lifelong inspiration

School of Rock has spent more than two decades building a performance-based music education model because they believe students learn best by taking the stage. We're proud to help expand those opportunities on one of the biggest stages in music.

This is what LOYAL TO THE CRAFT is all about:
Creating unforgettable experiences that inspire the next generation to chase their dreams.

⚡ FUEL THE HABIT.

#VansWarpedTour #SchoolOfRock #LoyalToTheCraft #FuelTheHabit #MusicEducation #DistroKid #GrossLabsFoundation

In this episode of Loyal To The Craft, Mike sits down in the Loyal Lounge with Nathaniel, Head of Creative Partnerships at DistroKid, to talk about what it really takes for independent artists to get their music out into the world.

DistroKid has been a huge partner in helping Loyal To The Craft support emerging artists, from activations like Vans Warped Tour to conversations and resources that help young musicians understand that music can be a real, sustainable path. In this conversation, Nathaniel breaks down the tools DistroKid offers, why ownership matters, and how artists can build momentum without waiting for a label to “discover” them. 

In this episode:

 - How Nathaniel found his path in the music industry without being a musician
 - Why there are so many careers in music beyond the stage
 - How DistroKid helps independent artists release music, sell merch, and handle publishing
 - Why building a real local community still matters more than chasing algorithms
 - The power of your first 100 fans
 - Why artists shouldn’t change who they are just because they aren’t getting traction yet
 - How releasing music consistently can help build your catalog over time
 - What DistroKid is building next for direct-to-fan tools

If you’re an emerging artist, parent, teacher, or anyone trying to understand how music careers are built today, this episode is for you.

The tools are out there. The gatekeepers don’t have to stop you. Start releasing, start building, and keep showing up.

Subscribe to Loyal To The Craft for more conversations, workshops, and resources built to help the next generation of artists chase their dreams.

This conversation is fueled by DistroKid, the easiest way to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube, and more. Keep 100% of your royalties. Release your music today!

Release your music today & get 50% off your first year: http://www.distrokid.com/vip/LTTC

Kids That Fly joins the Loyal Lounge fresh off a month-long national tour to talk about what it really takes to build a band in today's music industry.

From fans driving across the country to attend shows, to viral TikToks, Spotify success, life on the road, and the realities of balancing creativity with content creation, this conversation dives deep into the modern musician's journey.

The band shares how they built a loyal fanbase, why authenticity matters more than trends, and what separates artists who stick with it from those who give up. We also hear from drummer Adam as he reflects on his path from posting drum videos online as a kid to touring the country and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

In this episode:
• Building a fanbase through Spotify and social media
• The reality of touring as an independent band
• Why consistency beats perfection
• Networking tips for young musicians
• How Adam turned content creation into career opportunities
• The pros and cons of today's music industry
• Growing a band without a label
• The future of Kids That Fly

Whether you're an aspiring musician, content creator, or someone chasing a dream, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Follow Kids That Fly
Subscribe for more Loyal Lounge conversations with artists, creators, and industry professionals.

#KidsThatFly #LoyalToTheCraft #MusicPodcast #TourLife #IndependentArtist #RockBand #MusicIndustry #ContentCreation #SpotifyArtists #Drummers

What starts as a fan moment can turn into a life-changing opportunity. In this episode, Jack Battaglia shares the unbelievable story of how bringing a sign to a show led to meeting one of his favorite drummers, eventually filling in for them, and building a real friendship and mentorship along the way.

The conversation dives into the intensity and passion behind live performance, stories from Warped Tour, Travis Barker’s impact on the scene, and what it really takes to chase a career in music. From vomiting behind the drum riser and still finishing the set, to discussing the next generation of pop punk drummers, this episode is packed with inspiration, chaos, and love for the craft.

If you’re an artist, musician, or someone chasing a dream, this episode proves the music industry may be more possible to break into than you think.

Featuring:
• Jack Battaglia
• Stories from Warped Tour
• Travis Barker moments
• Tour life and mentorship
• Passion, persistence, and independent music

Fuel the habit. Support independent artists.

What starts as a story about sneaking into Warped Tour with a trailer full of drums turns into a conversation about community, mentorship, and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

In this special Vans Warped Tour episode, Mike Ciprari shares his journey from attending Warped Tour as a teenager to bringing Loyal to the Craft and School of Rock students back to the festival in an official capacity. Along the way, he sits down with some of the people who helped shape the culture that inspired an entire generation.

Featured guests include:

• Kevin Lyman on the legacy of Warped Tour and why creating opportunities for young artists still matters.
• Deryck Whibley on perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and his unforgettable surprise performance with School of Rock students.
• Stacy Ryan on the life-changing impact music education has on students and families.
• Frank Zummo on his journey from building his own stage at Warped Tour to headlining the main stage and giving back to the next generation.

This episode explores the power of community, the importance of resilience, and why opportunities like Warped Tour can inspire young musicians to dream bigger than they ever thought possible.

Whether you're a musician, parent, educator, or lifelong Warped Tour fan, this conversation is packed with stories, lessons, and behind-the-scenes moments from one of music's most influential festivals.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why internet hype is secondary to the "long grind."
• The legacy Pink Noise wants to leave behind.
• Under-the-radar band recommendations you need to check out (featuring Silly Goose and Code Words).

Special thanks to the Adobe community and DistroKid for supporting independent music. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter at loyaltothecraft.com!

On this episode of Loyal to the Craft, Mike Ciprari talks with Echo and Low Spirit about forming Ninth Key, collaborating for years before launching the project, and the reality of pursuing music in today’s world.
From mental health to creativity and staying authentic, this is a raw conversation about what it means to keep pushing forward as artists.
Who’s ready for the new Ninth Key music drop?