Middle Class Rock Star

My guest this week is Canadian singer-songwriter, Taylor Abrahamse. Our paths first crossed virtually last year when we were both finalists in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition (Taylor was a winner!). We had the pleasure of meeting in person when he stayed with me and my wife back in August during his pilgrimage west to see South Park at Red Rocks.

Our conversation is filled with an array of topics (such as our mutual love for Randy Newman), but the core of this episode explores the tale of Taylor and his friend, Bryn Scott-Grimes, attempting to save their beloved studio. Silverthorn Studios was a 7-room, 24-track recording space in Toronto that Abrahamse called home. Suddenly faced with losing the space, Taylor and Bryn tried everything they could to keep it going. In those final weeks, Taylor recorded some 120 songs that he is now starting to release (the first track dropped on November 18, 2022).

Since our conversation, he has been working with the legendary Toronto venue, Hugh's Room Live, to bring back the studio better than ever! Hugh's Room is working on purchasing an old East-End church that (if successful) will become a non-profit arts & performance community center - an affordable, inclusive & dearly needed creative hub for the next generation of Canadian talent. (Note that half of all proceeds from Taylor's weekly releases as well as his patreon will go towards Hugh's Room Live).

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help out the most!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

Guest Links:

Website: https://taylorabrahamse.ca

About Silverthorn Studios: https://www.silverthornstudios.ca

Taylor's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/taylorabrahamse

Episode Music:

Original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

We made it!! Episode 100! A big thanks to all the support that's been given to this podcast over the last four years.

My guest for this centennial episode is Michigan based singer-songwriter, Kyle Rasche of Chain of Lakes. Our paths first crossed last year when we were both finalists in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition. Neither of us were winners, but Kyle got a second shot this year, as he was named a finalist yet again! The competition will take place at Kerrville Folk Festival at the end of this month.

During our conversation, we chat about many things including: his new album ("The Catch Album"), his songwriting process, being a full time dad with a full time job and still finding time to be an extremely high level songwriter, touring solo, and our made up side project, Slit Knot.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://chainoflakessongs.com

Episode Music:

"Fathershaus" by Chain of Lakes

"Catch" by Chain of Lakes

**All other music is original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

This week, I caught up with my old friend, Jacob Larson. Though we've both been around the Denver music scene for quite some time, our history connects more through Little League baseball. Jacob is my little brothers age, and I was both an assistant coach on my brothers teams as well as an umpire in the league for several years. Egan (my brother) and Jacob were teammates at one point and I got to know him and his family through weekly practices and games.

In the music realm, Jacob leads his own group, Jacob Larson Band, a funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation and an old-school approach to music. Gaining inspiration from the roots of soul religion, JLB shares their own take on such notable influences as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

During our conversation, we chat about his forthcoming album, what it's like leading a 10-piece band, how to entertain a crowd, and his scary battle with COVID 19 at the beginning of 2020 that had him on a ventilator.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://jacoblarsonlive.com/press-kit

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

Shanna and I had much to catch up on during her second interview on Middle Class Rock Star. She and I first sat down over zoom and chatted back in June of 2020 (episode 44). At that time, Shanna was living in Boulder and was in the midst of winning nearly every notable songwriter competition, including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition.

Now, she's living in Nashville (she moved almost 6 months ago) and is finding her stride and place in music city, while also touring all corners of the country, writing songs, and keeping up with her nearly 250 Patreon patrons.

During our conversation, we chat about her 60 date bike tour where she biked from Washington to Massachusetts and performed everywhere in between, her debut album (Robots - out May 27, 2022), and how much she values the Patreon platform. At the end, Shanna also gives us her honest take on Nashville and whether or not every aspiring musician needs to be there.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://shannainadress.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannainadress

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Nashville based tour manager, Joe Lentini. As of late, Joe has been touring the country working as the tour manager for Daniel Donato. Prior to joining Donato's team, he interned at Relix Magazine and the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville.

This podcast episode was truly unique in the way it all came together. I was in Nashville playing a couple gigs in early March. On my off day, I went out to discover a new brewery. What I found was Southern Grist in east Nashville (highly recommend!). As I sat drinking my beer and writing in my journal, I noticed Joe sitting a couple seats down submitting setlists to BMI. I asked him what he did and we got to talking. He was just a cool dude. The kind of guy that knows everyone just by going out and being himself. Before I left, I told Joe about my podcast and that I'd like to interview him because I've never had a tour manager on. He immediately agreed and we made it happen!

During our conversation, Joe and I chat about the culture of cosmic country, the ins and outs of tour managing, his tie dye business (Trippy Toes Dyes), and his love for plants.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Trippy Toes Dyes: https://instagram.com/trippytoesdyes?utm_medium=copy_link

Daniel Donato: And feel free to share my personal as well Daniels website danieldonato.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Colorado based singer-songwriter and performer, Sweet Virginia. Leading up to her debut record (out April 29 on Gitcha Records), Sweet Virginia has two singles out, "Blue Skies" (Feb 18, 2022) and "Hallelujah, Michael" (March 18, 2022).

During our conversation, we chat about the process of making a record, songwriting, promoting yourself, and hair.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.sweetvirginia-music.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is entertainment and copyright lawyer, Max Hass. After attending school at Tulane in New Orleans, Max did anything except for law to start his career in the music business. Instead, he worked in almost every other part of the industry as a performer, promoter, manager, and more. After settling in Colorado, Max joined Parlatore Law Group as a partner. His focus is intellectual property and entertainment law, as well as copyright & trademark law, business law, intellectual property litigation, and commercial litigation. In addition, he recently began working as a booking agent at Loose Leaf Talent Agency. On top of all that, he's still a gigging musician.

During our conversation, we chat about his upbringing, finding the music business, and answers to questions that all musicians wish they could ask a lawyer!

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Email: [email protected]

looseleaftalentagency.com

parlatorelawgroup.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

I first met Marcus at The Blues Can in Calgary. I was traveling through town with my band after playing a week long residency at Blues On Whyte in Edmonton, AB. The next time through town, Marcus sat in with my band and played guitar for a set. At the time he was only about 19 or so! Fast forward a couple of years, and Marcus is calling me saying that he's on a "right of passage" road trip through America and is coming through Denver. We got together for coffee, then he came back to my place and we recorded an episode!

(now copying from his website):

Marcus Trummer’s combination of bluesy guitar playing, soulful vocals, and down-to-earth songwriting is a modern yet familiar take on the sounds of past decades. Dubbed “a precocious guitarist whose vocals possess a wise-beyond-his-years weariness" by the Calgary Herald, the Calgary, AB native has earned a reputation as a busy local performer since bursting onto the scene with his band in 2018. Following their debut release, These Roads - EP (2020), the Marcus Trummer Band were invited to perform as part of the National Music Centre’s Gala alongside the likes of Jann Arden and Corb Lund. Trummer was the recipient of the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award at the 2019 YYC Music Awards. Supported by The Prophets of Music Foundation he recorded Running on My Own at OCL Studios in 2020. With his debut solo offering Trummer taps into a more reflective sound, while remaining true to his blues, soul, rock & roll, and Americana influences.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://marcustrummermusic.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest today is Nashville based singer-songwriter and performer, Erin Rae. She joins me on the show just days after releasing her latest album, "Lighten Up" (Feb 4, 2022). Produced by Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty, Billy Strings, Conor Oberst, Erin Rae) and distributed by Thirty Tigers, "Lighten Up" gives us a modern yet retro take on indie folk music.

Erin has been making a name for herself in the scene for several years now touring both solo and with a band, and opening for acts like Jason Isbell, Dawes, and Hiss Golden Messenger.

During our conversation, we chat about the new record, as well as her childhood, a one semester stint in college, and her first dive into the world of open mics and songwriting.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.erinraemusic.com

Listen to "Lighten Up": https://orcd.co/lightenup

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Nashville based singer-songwriter and performer, Sam Robbins. Sam and I first became acquainted through the 2021 Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition. We were both selected as finalists, and Sam was one of the six winners. We've had a steady back and forth conversation happening on Facebook for the past few months, so it was great to finally sit down and talk with him for a while.

During our conversation, Sam talks about auditioning for The Voice, attending Berklee College of Music, his transitional move to Nashville, house concerts/touring, and songwriting. We also chat about his debut album, "Finally Feeling Young" (May 14, 2021) as well as his plans to release a new album later this year.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.samrobbinsmusic.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com