Seeing Them Live

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles sits down with singer-songwriter BB from BB & The Honey, a staple of Chicago’s music scene for over 20 years. BB shares stories of her first concert experience at age five, reflects on memorable performances from Mumford and Sons and Bob Dylan, and discusses a pivotal moment in her career when she was discovered singing Amazing Grace in a Chicago subway. She dives into her musical evolution, from early hip-hop collaborations to her current band, and how learning piano during the pandemic transformed her approach. With BB & The Honey’s latest EP, Reckless Heart, now streaming, she offers insight into its recording process and their dynamic live performances. Tune in to hear about her journey, upcoming shows, and where to find their music.

In this engaging episode of Seeing Them Live, we welcome MEGG, a dynamic artist who fuses pop music with her punk rock roots. Raised in LA's South Bay, MEGG has opened for bands like The Used, headlined the iconic Saint Rocke Music Venue, and even sung the national anthem at Dodgers Stadium. The discussion covers her musical journey, including her first concert experience at a Madonna show, and her childhood fascination with the Spice Girls. MEGG reminisces about her early bands and significant concerts, shares her time at USC's Popular Music Performance Program, and discusses her thrilling participation in Warped Tour. Listeners will also hear about her EP plans, insights into her creative process, and her exciting upcoming performances including Warped Tour in Long Beach. Tune in to hear her story, her music, and a live acoustic rendition of 'The Hangover Song.'

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Benny, a Brooklyn-based musician who performs under the name Muted Circus, shares his inspiring musical journey and reflective stories. Benny discusses his upbringing in Orange County, California, his time at Berklee College of Music, and his seven years in Tokyo, Japan. He also delves into his project Muted Circus, a 10 EP, 50 song venture, which he created to navigate and express his grief following his father's death, who was also a visual artist. Benny recounts attending his first concert, watching The Get Up Kids, and reflects on memorable concerts, including a mixed experience meeting Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. He details how music helped him through difficult times and previews one of his songs, "Disconnection." Join this heartfelt conversation exploring the intersections of life, loss, and music.

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, the host interviews Jesse Rifkin, the owner of Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC and author of 'This Must Be the Place: Music, Community, and Vanishing Spaces in New York City.' Jesse shares his journey from a touring musician to a music historian and tour guide in New York City. The discussion covers Jesse's early concert experiences, his views on the uniqueness of small music venues, and how these intimate settings differ from large arena shows. Jesse also talks about the inspiration behind his tours and book, detailing the rise and fall of various music scenes and clubs in NYC. He emphasizes the DIY nature of fostering music communities and how anyone can be a part of them. The episode is a deep dive into the cultural and historical significance of NYC's music scenes and the ever-changing landscape of its venues

Join us on Seeing Them Live as we welcome Jose Rivera, founder, manager, and lead vocalist for the band Five Guys Named Moe. Jose shares his incredible journey from playing trumpet in the United States Marine Corps, performing for U.S. Presidents, and sharing the stage with trumpet legends like Doc Severinsen and Al Hirt. Listen in as Jose recounts inspiring stories, from sneaking into a nightclub to meet his trumpet heroes in the band Chase the night before he left for Marine Corps basic training to the devastating impact of the plane crash in 1974 that tragically ended the lives of several members of the band. Discover how he founded Five Guys Named Moe and grew the band into a Midwest sensation performing over a hundred gigs a year. Jose also dives into the importance of band dynamics, audience engagement, and the business side of music

Jamie James takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, from his early days leading The Kingbees to playing alongside Hollywood legends like Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Quaid. He shares stories of rock and roll mayhem, including a wild gig with AC/DC and ZZ Top that took an unexpected turn. With a deep love for rockabilly and roots music, Jamie reflects on the musical influences that shaped his sound and the moments that defined his path as an artist.

In this conversation, Jamie also delves into the formation of Dennis Quade’s band, The Sharks and his experiences collaborating with some of the industry's most fascinating figures. He recalls the energy of the L.A. music scene and the friendships that fueled his artistic journey. Whether performing in intimate venues or alongside iconic performers, Jamie’s passion for music has never wavered, and he offers an inside look at the highs and lows of life on the road.

A major turning point came when Jamie faced a life-threatening health scare that forced him to step back and reassess his creative direction. Emerging from this experience with a renewed sense of purpose, he found inspiration in songwriting once again. Now, with his latest album, Ain’t No Big Thing, Jamie returns with a collection of songs that reflect his journey, blending raw energy with heartfelt storytelling. His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an enduring love for making music.

Join host Charles as he sits down with Giuliana Funkhauser, a U.S. East Coast-based transdisciplinary artist, to delve into her unique blend of digital code and synthesized audio for creating story-driven art installations. Giuliana shares her journey from her first concert experience at the Radio 104 Fest to her most memorable performances, including the Halloween Industrial Music Fest and an unforgettable Iggy Pop show. Giuliana also discusses her collaboration with Elizabeth Verosa and their group Snowbeasts, their live performances at the New England Synthesizer Festival, and the creative process behind their EP 'MMXXI'. She explains how they use data sonification to enhance their installations and compositions, and the unique improvisational methods they employ during live performances. Tune in for an engaging conversation that explores Giuliana's fascinating world of music, art, and technology.

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles welcomes John Dominguez, co-founder and chief strategist of Songbird Collective, a Metaverse initiative promoting music, art, and cultural experiences. John discusses his first concert, an NWA show in 1989, shares unique concert memories including witnessing Kings of Leon at the Viper Room in 2003, and recalls the Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996. He also talks about engaging with artists like Nels Cline and Joe Baiza and emphasizes the importance of supporting local music venues. The conversation highlights Songbird Collective's efforts to support musicians during the pandemic through virtual concerts.

Join us for an engaging episode of 'Seeing Them Live' as we welcome Ray the Roadie and Hollywood Mike, hosts of the Rock and Roll Chicago Podcast. Broadcasting from the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum's studio, Ray and Mike share their insights on the Chicago rock scene, the origin stories of musicians, and their own fascinating musical journeys. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, such as Mike's unforgettable encounter with Buddy Guy and Ray's memorable ZZ Top concert. Dive into the history and highlights of their popular podcast, learn about the ongoing development of the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum, and hear about upcoming exciting episodes and local band experiences.

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, author Ben Apatow discusses his books on Metallica and Body Count. He shares insights from his live concert experiences, including his first show seeing Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead in 1995, and memorable performances by Prince. Ben also touches on the challenges and highlights of writing about these iconic bands, including interviews with industry legends and the impact of controversial songs like Body Count's 'Cop Killer.' Tune in for an engaging discussion that explores the intersection of music fandom and biographical storytelling.