For this episode, we are joined by an extremely cool newer, yet experienced, band called So Much Hope, Buried. I've been a fan for a while now, and with their new album Wither | Grow coming out in a couple months (June 12), we just had to get together for a chat!

We talk about how SMH,B. is a sort-of super-group of the Wilkes-Barre scene, how their style transcends genre labeling (but we tried, with "cool" "gloomy" "theatrical" "dark" "melancholic" as some descriptors), fatherhood, professionalism, musicality, and what to look forward to with the new album! Go pre-order yourself something nice!

Oh yeah, and favorite Pokemon. (shout out punchy-rock)

Follow them on socials, and here:

bandcamp | website | insta

We are also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

For the latest episode in the Friends & Family Series, I get to chat with my incredibly talented cousin Karl!

We talk about the age difference between us in our large family, growing up in Tacoma/Seattle, finding music at an early age, the constant search for new music and/or music to be challenged by, graphic design, growing as an artist, commercial art, skateboarding and Tony Hawk, packaging design, and his recent fine arts solo show Light Pilots (of which I am now a proud owner of one of the pieces! Thanks Mom and Pop!).

Karl is just as thoughtful and purposeful in his exploration of music as he is with his art, which is why I knew I just HAD to talk with him. I'm stoked to share this conversation with you!

Follow him at these locations:

karlzurfluh.com

@karlzurfluh

We are also on instagram should you choose to accept! @NostalgicEmoDads

This week's guest is hiking enthusiast, thru-hiker, and Derek's Wife's Cousin, Mr. Sean McCracken!

It was such a treat to talk with Sean about his musical upbringing, what he was listening to growing up with his brother and parents, finding music through friends, piano lessons, and eventually finding his own "scene" later in college.

But even more enjoyable was talking with him about his thru-hiking experiences! Sean has now hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. We talk about his motivation (or lack thereof) for such a grueling adventure, learning as you go, how much it costs to do, slack-packing, calorie intake, and, of course, what you listen to to pass the time as you make those miles!

Sean's a great dude.

We're on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

We're kicking off a new series called "Friends & Family" with an old friend Ryan DeNeff! And my younger brother joins as co-host for his first ever podcast!

In this series I want to explore the connection people have with music, even if they are not directly participating in it. Usually we have guests on who are part of the "scene" in a tangible, discoverable way. For the next few weeks I am having conversations with people who may not have participated in it, but are connected to it in a meaningful way. I hope you enjoy it!

We talk with Ryan about meeting in graphic arts class in high school, asking him to join my band, the impact of Anthony Green, deciding on photography as his career while still a teen, touring with the EDM scene as a photographer, the ups and downs of touring life, and finding himself back in the emo scene. Plus more!

Ryan's work is on instagram @theryandeneff

We're also there as @NostalgicEmoDads

Hot off their incredible anniversary show for the album "Fluorescent Youth," we speak with Conditions drummer Ryan Tinsley about a whole gamut of things: the pipeline of Creed and Dave Matthews Band to Coheed and Alexisonfire; learning to hit drums really hard; getting recruited into Conditions from a VHS recording of a high school performance; pulling off the anniversary show; and of course, being a dad!

Ryan is such a cool dude! Go listen to Conditions!

@conditionsband

We're also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

It's that time of year again! The end of the year usually brings around "Best Of" lists, and it's no different for us here at the NED. This year we are joined by our friend Anthony DelPlato of Everything In Waves to recount our favorite releases of 2025: singles , EPs, and albums! (go listen to his music! and his conversation with us from earlier this year!)

We also share some records from 2024 that didn't end up on our lists from last year but made an impact on us this year. This records deserve some love too.

What were some of your favorite releases from 2025??!

Happy New Year!

See You Next Year! lolololz

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We're on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Let's Go!!!! Our first full-band conversation is here, and it's with the one and only Plead The Widow's Cause.

This band has been one of Derek and Jake's favorite "newer" bands over the past couple of years, having gotten to see them a couple times at some tiny local hardcore shows in Richmond. We talk about how they have kind of taken the spirit-filled post-hardcore scene by storm, how they write songs, the crossover between emo and Christian music, their DIY approach, and, of course, Pokemon.

Their latest album "Silver Glass Stare" is incredible, so go listen to it, buy it from them through Bandcamp, and/or get the limited edition emerald vinyl over at Resuscitation Records!

Here are some of their links!

Bandcamp

Vinyl

Socials: @pleadthewidowscause

We are also on instagram if you desire to get in touch! @NostalgicEmoDads

Growing up in the Richmond music scene, we adored Conditions. They were such a special band, with special dudes, who really shared their heart and love for the city.

So when I heard of the through-line that connected Conditions' guitarist Alex Howard to playing with country star Jelly Roll, I absolutely had to ask him to walk us through the story!

Alex talks his of his upbringing in a musical family, starting on bass in school band before Blink-182 made him want to learn guitar, playing in his first band Motion Picture Demise, the formation of Conditions, joining Sleeping With Sirens, touring the world, and encountering a yet-unknown Jelly Roll in Nashville (under somewhat suspicious circumstances) to now playing bass in his band. And more!

What a ride, and we're so happy for him and all he's gotten to experience! We can't wait to see Conditions in Richmond for their Fluorescent Youth anniversary show. Go listen to their latest single "Belong Forever" wherever you consume your music.

Follow Alex and Conditions on socials:

@alexmarkhoward

@conditionsband

We're also on instagram if you feel so inclined!

@NostalgicEmoDads

What a cool story this one is! Adam Brazie sang and played guitar in Ever We Fall, a darling indie/emo band on Hopeless Records. They only released one full-length (We Are But Human), but it's a must listen!

We talked to Adam about his finding the scene, learning guitar and out-of-tune pianos, getting signed to Rise Records while still in high school - that's right, Ever We Fall is a Rise band! - then transitioning to Hopeless Records and touring the country, being featured on the TMNT soundtrack, and more, all before he turned 20.

The ride was short lived but left a lasting impact on listeners. Let us know your favorite Ever We Fall song!

We are on Instagram as well, feel free to hit us up on there and/or give us a follow. @NostalgicEmoDads

This conversation was an absolute blast! Nick is such a kind dude with a wonderful perspective on the history of his band Vanna. We talk about how he was the lead vocalist on their debut EP, how much fun it is to riff, how similar our stories are, art school, favorite Vanna songs, being a fan of music, his work as a tattoo artist, and so much else!

Thank you Nick for the great convo! He and the rest of Vanna will be on tour in December for a few dates, go check them out!

Follow on socials!

@nickadamtattoo

@vannaband

@sacredsuntattoo

We're also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads