LOYAL TO THE CRAFT

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?