Today’s friend of the podcast made his foyer into the music world about 20 years ago, kickstarting his talent buying ventures straight out of college for local clubs in Southeast Texas. Starting at 500-1000 cap rooms, he booked shows for the likes of Puddle of Mudd, Sevendust, and Halestorm. Over the years, he’s gone on to work with acts from Willie Nelson and Rascal Flats to Five Finger Death Punch, to the Steve Millar Band. 

 

Operating as a boutique firm, his company (pre-pandemic) books upward of 500 shows per year. In recent years, he and his agency have moved into artists management as well due to their strengths in artist development, touring, negotiations, and much more. 

 

So without further ado, please welcome the co-founder and managing partner of “Rise Up Agency” – a self-proclaimed “unapologetic gear snob” and coffee bean connoisseur – Richard Gandy. 

Today’s friend of the podcast is LITERALLY teaching me the music game. Graduating from Harvard with a degree in Computer Science, she went on to work at Next Big Sound – a platform acquired by Pandora to provide social media, streaming service, and radio analytics. 

 

Hailing from the Bay Area she started playing piano when she was four years old. Next? Did nothing short of taking the music world by storm. Some highlights along the way include HADESTOWN on Broadway to a recent streaming production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS from Out of the Box. Next up: a secret movie project.

Today's friend of the podcast delivers a wonderful blend of raw, singer-songwriter blues with the epic soundscapes of the classics. About a year ago she pulled a Hail Mary and jumped coasts to Nashville. Over the course of 12 days she brought her latest album “Alligator” to life – which is truly one of the strongest albums I’ve heard front-to-back in some time. 

 

So without further ado, please welcome – one of my favorite songwriters out of Seattle and fellow lyric hoarder – Katie Kuffel. 

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜

Today’s friend of the podcast was a triple threat from a young age, heavily involved with dance, piano, and musical theatre – pretty much living and breathing performance.

Inspired by the likes of Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, and other greats she founded Vaudeville Etiquette - a band that expertly blending western grooves with intricate vocal work and evocative lyrics.

They have released 2 full length albums, 2 EPs, generating millions of plays on Spotify alone, and touring the US and Europe.

So, without further ado, please welcome, a DIY touring guru, phenomenal vocalist, and songwriter - Tayler Lynn!

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers (link below) 💜

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 Song: “Fever Dream” by Vaudeville Etiquette

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Today’s friend of the podcast hails from Nashville, Tennessee by way of Troy, Michigan. She may be one of the most well-rounded guests we’ve ever had – starting piano by the age of five, orchestra by elementary school, professionally trained as a vocalist in high school and was the lead in the WORLD PREMIERE of “EMMA! A Pop Musical”. 

 

She went on to study Commercial Voice at Belmont University, interned for Haley & Michaels, and is now pursuing her Masters of Music Business at the Berklee College of Music. 

 

So, without further ado, please welcome an extremely talented musician, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman – the latest addition to Grit & Magic Entertainment – Tegan McCormick!

 

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜

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Song: “Fake Reality” by Life in a Tree

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Today’s friend of the podcast is an insane vocalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Inspired by her desire to help others explore their emotions and a love for singing, she dove head-first into the music realm. 

 

Halfway through her journey to a math degree, she pivoted to a Bachelors in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music. I could go on-and-on about her musical prowess, but really you owe it to yourself to check out the string of covers she’s been rolling out – which demonstrate her uncanny ability to deliver a real, lived sound in her vocal delivery and production. 

 

So, please welcome a world traveler, true one-woman production team (from the music to the art), the frontwoman of Turtlnck – Brittany Rogers. 

 

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers (link below) 

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Song: “Worthwhile” by Turtlnck

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Today's friend of the podcast hails from the Bay Area, but has taken his music career across the country: from Berklee College of Music in Boston, a tenure in Nashville, and now San Francisco. To my excitement, we had a lot in common from our songwriting approach to our need to sneeze after looking into direct sunlight. 

He blends blues rock vocals, insane guitar work, and pristine pop production into each one of his songs - which you can hear for yourself on his new single "Dead of Night". 

So, please welcome the man with golden guitar, vocals, and fashion chops – Christopher Kenji!

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜

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Song: “Dead of Night” by Christopher Kenji

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Today’s friend of the podcast dove into the music world via Fruity Loops at the age of 15. Lucky for us, that evolved into songwriting a few years later. Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean and Pharrell, you can hear their finesse in his delivery as he cruises over some of the vibiest tracks coming out of the Northwest. 

 

So, without further ado, fresh off the release of Sus’s new single Mt. Olympus, please welcome one of the smoothest front-man in the Seattle scene – Jesse Desean!

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜

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Song: “Mt. Olympus” by Sus

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Today’s friend of the podcast has a heart as big as his impossibly large workload. I promise this episode will leave you inspired.

We chat about his initial pursuit of sports journalism, his experience with homelessness, interning for Macklemore​ and Ryan Lewis​, his band All Star Opera​, (NEW SINGLE “PUPA” OUT NOW), founding the Seattle World Tour​, and a lot of the other amazing work he’s doing.

So please welcome, one of the hardest working men in Seattle, Seth McDonald of All Star Opera and Real Don Music​

The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers (link below) 💜 

Song: “Pupa” by All Star Opera

Today’s friend of the podcast hails from Kent, Washington, getting started on the saxophone around age 10. And boy, when I say that was the beginning – it was truly just the beginning. This Berklee School of Music cat plays just about any instrument that can make a sound – making him one of the finest collaborators around. 

Not only is he busy cooking up tracks, but the guy has been an actual chef for nearly 12 years. Working out of his studio Catalyst Labs – he’s worked with the likes of Hentei, Kung Fu Grip, Macntoj, Karma Knows, and former podcast guest Nobi. Those two are actually fresh off the release of which is now available on all major platforms.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he also began working at House of Breaking Glass with Phillip Peterson, where they are already at the forefront of innovation for the future of music among these challenging times. 

So, please say hello to Jake Hillard (aka Jake, of theDGTL).