On the Record with Live Music Junkiez

What happens when your bandmate is also your spouse?

In this episode, I'm joined by Jean-Philip Grobler and Patti Beranek of synth-pop band St. Lucia for a conversation about building a life together on and off the stage. From raising two children while touring the world to trusting inspiration over deadlines, they share what it's really like to create music as partners in every sense of the word.

🎯 We get into:

🎶 The unexpected story behind the name St. Lucia

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Balancing marriage, parenthood, and life in a touring band

📝 How songs begin—from voice memos on a run to fully realized albums

💿 Why Fata Morgana waited years before its release

🚐 Wild tour stories, unforgettable moments, and the realities of life on the road

🎤 The one-word challenge: describing all six St. Lucia albums. Their answers will surprise you.

If you enjoy hearing the stories behind the music and the creative partnerships that make it possible, this episode is for you.

To learn more about St. Lucia and find upcoming tour dates, visit their website.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

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Five-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and vocalist Esperanza Spalding has spent her career redefining the boundaries of jazz, improvisation, and creative expression. In this episode, we dive into a thoughtful conversation about the deeper purpose of music, artistic freedom, collaboration, and the philosophies that continue to shape her journey.

Esperanza reflects on the power of music as a tool for healing, liberation, joy, and human connection — and why she believes music remains one of the most accessible and transformative resources we have. She also opens up about navigating challenges as a woman in music, the practices that help ground her, and the legendary artists whose paths made space for her own.

Along the way, we explore unexpected collaborations with artists like Prince, the role improvisation plays in both performance and life, and why authenticity matters more than ever in today’s music landscape.

We get into:

🎶 The deep purpose of music and how it creates healing, empowerment, and joy
 🧠 How spiritual practice helps her navigate challenges and creativity
 🎸 The unexpected story behind collaborating with Prince
 🎤 Why improvisation is woven into nearly everything Esperanza performs
 🌍 How modern platforms have created more space for artists with unique sounds to find their audience
 🎷 Revisiting and the evolution of older albums
 ✨ The philosophy behind authenticity and individuality
 🎹 What fans can expect from her upcoming performance at the Atlanta Jazz Festival

If you’re fascinated by creativity, improvisation, jazz, and the ways music shapes both artists and listeners, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Esperanza Spalding and find upcoming performances, visit her official website.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

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In this episode, I’m joined by 11-time GRAMMY-winning bassist and bandleader Christian McBride for a conversation about his journey through jazz, mentorship, and building a lasting career in music.

We talk about his early start—picking up the bass at age nine, learning from his father, and quickly finding his place in the jazz world. From there, Christian shares what it was like stepping into the scene as a teenager, playing alongside legends, and the mentorship that shaped his path.

We also get into his transition from one of the most in-demand sidemen to a bandleader, including how Inside Straight came together and how that same mindset continues with his latest group, Ursa Major.

We get into:
 🎶 Learning bass at a young age and the moment everything clicked
 🎺 Meeting Wynton Marsalis and entering the jazz world early
 🧠 Mentorship in jazz then vs now
 🎸 Transitioning from sideman to bandleader and building Inside Straight
 🌟 Creating opportunities for emerging jazz artists through Ursa Major
 🏆 The story behind his first GRAMMY win
 💭 Advice for performance anxiety and building confidence on stage

If you’re interested in jazz, live music, and the journey behind great musicianship, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Christian McBride and find upcoming performances, visit his website.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

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In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Joy of Cannons for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, resilience, and the journey behind their latest album, Everything Glows.

We talk about how the band has stayed true to their sound from the very beginning, what it took to build a career independently, and the turning points that shaped their evolution over more than a decade. Michelle also shares the unexpected story of how Cannons first came together and how that foundation helped them grow into the band they are today.

Along the way, we dive into life on the road, the pressure that comes with growth, and the burnout that forced the band to pause and reset. Michelle opens up about that experience and how it ultimately led to a more intentional approach to both music and life — themes that are woven throughout Everything Glows.

At its core, this conversation is about finding the light within yourself during difficult moments and recognizing the growth that comes from pushing through them.

🎯 We get into:

🎶 Staying true to their sound and creative process
 📀 The unexpected Craigslist story behind how Cannons formed
 🚐 Building a career independently before signing a record deal
 🔥 The breakthrough Netflix moment that changed everything
 🧠 Burnout, boundaries, and finding balance on tour
 ✨ The meaning behind Everything Glows and finding light in dark times

If you’re drawn to artists who build their sound on their own terms and find meaning through the highs and lows of the journey, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Cannons and find current tour dates, click here.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

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Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Cimafunk is bringing Afro-Cuban funk to the global stage — blending deep musical roots with an energy that turns every performance into a full-body experience.

In this episode, we talk about his creative process, the influences that shape his sound, and how he’s built a style that connects cultures through rhythm and groove. From spontaneous songwriting moments to collaborating with legends, Cimafunk shares how music becomes something people don’t just hear — but feel.

We get into:
🎶 How the song “I Don’t Care” came together with George Clinton and Trombone Shorty
🌍 His experience with Getting Funky in Havana and the strong connection between Cuba and New Orleans
🌆 The cities around the world that bring the most energy — including Atlanta
💡 Why he sees music as “medicine” and how it creates a sense of release for audiences
🔥 The role of energy, vibe, and first takes in his creative process
🎤 What makes a live show feel like a true experience

If you love music that moves you — physically and emotionally — this conversation is for you.

To learn more about Cimafunk and see where he’s performing next, visit his website, and to listen to his music, check out his latest releases on Spotify.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

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What happens when hip-hop & hardcore energy collide with synth-driven beats?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jay Webster, frontman of Dallas-based band UnityTX, for a conversation about carving out a unique space in heavy music and staying true to the heart and soul of hip-hop.

We talk about their latest album, Somewhere In Between, how skateboarding first introduced him to music culture, and the full-circle moments that come with touring internationally. Jay also shares insights into the realities of building a modern band — from writing and recording music to managing social media and creating content in today’s internet-driven landscape.

We get into:
 🎸 How skateboarding shaped his work ethic and musical journey
 🌍 Touring Europe vs. the U.S. — and what makes international crowds unique
 🎤 The grind behind writing, recording, and promoting music independently
 📀 Favorite tracks from Somewhere In Between and the influences behind the album
🎧 Blending hip-hop, EDM, rock, and metal into UnityTX’s sound

If you’re drawn to artists forging their own path and pushing genre boundaries, this conversation is for you.

To learn more about UnityTX and find upcoming tour dates, visit their website and stream their music on Spotify.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com
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📘 Facebook
📺 YouTube

What happens when deeply personal songwriting creates a global fan community?

In this episode, I’m joined by UK indie-pop artist Dodie for a thoughtful conversation about songwriting, vulnerability, and the unique connection she’s built with her fans.

We talk about her latest album, Not For Lack Of Trying, and the chapter of life that shaped the record — a period she describes as trying to move forward through stagnancy and uncertainty.

Along the way, Dodie reflects on creativity, community, and what it’s like to share such personal music with a global audience.

We get into:

 🎶 How her YouTube beginnings helped shape the community around her music
💬 The powerful moment during her Atlanta show when a fan revealed one of her songs saved their life
🎥 The collaborative fan project behind the alternate version of “Darling, Angel, Baby”
📀 The story behind Not For Lack Of Trying and the season of life that inspired it
🚌 Life on the road — and why touring sometimes feels more like camping than luxury

If you enjoy honest songwriting and hearing how artists connect deeply with their audiences, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Dodie and follow her latest music and tour updates, visit her website, Spotify, and social media channels.

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
📺 YouTube

Buddy Red is an Atlanta artist who’s not following the hip-hop lane many might expect as the son of Atlanta icon T.I. Instead, he’s carving out a guitar-driven blues-rock sound entirely his own.

In this episode, he shares the moment in 7th grade when discovering Prince’s self-produced debut album expanded his understanding of what was possible — and how that realization continues to shape the way he creates today.

We also talk about how his song “1958” evolved from a simple acoustic idea on the edge of his bed into a fully realized recording, built piece by piece, instrument by instrument.

We get into:

🎸 Picking up guitar as a teenager and accelerating fast
 🎧 Growing up in a music-centric household while searching for his own lane
 📀 Sitting on a vault of unreleased music and holding ideas for the right moment
 🎤 The meaning behind the name Buddy Red
 🔥 Why he wants listeners to leave with more questions than answers

If you’re drawn to artists defining themselves on their own terms, this conversation is for you.

Follow Buddy Red on his website and Instagram and stream his music on Spotify to keep up with his latest releases and upcoming performances.

--------------------

Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
📺 YouTube

In this episode, I’m joined by Briscoe, the Austin-based folk-rock duo made up of Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton, for a thoughtful conversation about songwriting, touring, and growing into a life built around music.

We talk about their latest album, Heat of July, and how long drives, time spent on the road, and missing home shaped a record that unfolds like a series of lived-in moments. Briscoe also shares what it was like balancing college life while building a band, hitting the road immediately after graduation, and learning — sometimes the hard way — what touring really demands.

We get into:
 🎶 Writing songs inspired by real moments and the people you meet along the way
 📚 The unexpected book that sparked the story behind “Escuidilla”
🚌 The realities of early touring — from snow-covered roads to unforgettable fan connections
🎷 How a long-forgotten saxophone became a live-show staple
🎤 Opening for Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge and artists they dream of touring with next

If you love behind-the-scenes tour stories and discovering artists on the rise, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Briscoe and find upcoming tour dates, visit their website.

**Briscoe will be in Atlanta on February 20 at Terminal West — a great chance to catch these songs live!

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Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
📺 YouTube

In this episode, I’m joined by Oliver Wood of the Grammy-nominated band The Wood Brothers for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about music, connection, and creativity.

We talk about the band’s latest album, Puff of Smoke, what it feels like stepping onstage for the very first show of a tour, and how Oliver’s early years in Atlanta’s music scene — from blues clubs to deep musical community — helped shape the artist he is today. Oliver also reflects on reconnecting with his brother through music, the evolution of The Wood Brothers over 20 years, and why staying open is at the heart of both life and art.

We get into:
🎶 The making of Puff of Smoke and trusting instinct in the studio
🧠 Mindfulness, presence, and letting go — themes woven throughout the music
🎸 Oliver’s early days in Atlanta and the mentors who encouraged him to sing and write
👬 Reuniting with his brother and building The Wood Brothers from a side project into a lifelong band
🚌 What really changes from the first night of a tour to the last — and why those moments matter
❤️ Why music is ultimately about connection, community, and showing up for one another

If you love thoughtful songwriting, honest conversations, and music that meets you where you are, this episode is for you.

To learn more about The Wood Brothers and find upcoming tour dates, visit their website.

--------------------

Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!

🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
📺 YouTube