Sound Matters with Tom Leu

Tom's reactions, commentary, and tribute to the shocking news of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden's passing in May of 2017 after photographing the band just 3 days earlier at the Northern Invasion music festival in Wisconsin...

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Tom's interview with serial entrepreneur Phillip Ryan Block from Independent Ear Productions and Block Media Group.

Inside the Interview:
02:34 - What is Independent Ear Productions (IEP)?
04:13 - What are IEP's services?
05:08 - How do you find artists to bring into IEP?
05:37 - What does "hustle" mean to you, and why do so many not walk the talk?
06:53 - How does one stop making excuses and overcome fear?
07:33 - What is Block Media Group?
08:31 - On blazing your own trails...
09:19 - Phillip's philosophy on 9 to 5...
12:00 - What is the Human Element Program?
15:22 - How does the Human Element affect change in artist/fan dynamic?
17:32 - On self-awareness...
19:12 - On where to find Phillip online...

Connect with Phillip Ryan Block:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/phillipryanblock

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Tom's first in-depth interview with George Lynch of Dokken, Lynch Mob, KXM, and Sweet & Lynch about the latest KXM album, his thoughts on jam bands, the recent Dokken reunion, and his insights about human nature and philosophy specific to music and the world at large... deep stuff, but always great stuff coming from George...

Inside the Interview:
02:45 - On the making of the latest KXM album Scatterbrain... 
03:46 - Is there more pressure going into the studio without much pre-production... 
04:34 - On George's preference of recording or playing live with more or less preparation...
06:23 - Why was KXM so important to get off the ground?
07:02 - On the possibility of KXM touring without drummer Ray Luzier...
07:59 - How important is the concept of evolving within music and life in general?
09:33 - On working with guys like Michael Sweet, and not sharing the same world-views...
11:08 - On delving into deeper lyrical & philosophical content within music...
12:39 - How important is it to be student of human nature within music & otherwise today... 
14:30 - Do democracies work in bands when there are really only 2 types of people?
16:52 - Are people capable of changing their belief systems?
17:34 - On trying to write 80's type music in recent years...
19:13 - On the recent Dokken reunion & going forward...
20:40 - A question he's never asked, but wished he was...

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Tom's interview with Austin Dickinson from the excellent UK band As Lions. If you're into heavy, melodic, and well-produced music with intelligent lyrics, then As Lions is a great band to check out. Austin also happens to be the son of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson.

Inside the Interview:
02:24 - On making the As Lions debut album Selfish Age...
03:31 - On the melodic nature of the album...
04:32 - On the songwriting process for As Lions...
05:29 - On shooting the acoustic video for the song "World On Fire" and the song's inspiration...
08:23 - On the differences between Austin's previous band Rise to Remain with As Lions...
10:42 - About the current tour and being out on the road...
12:18 - Preference for the studio or playing live...? 
13:24 - On perfectionism in the studio...?
15:11 - On the significance of the album's artwork...
16:14 - On the substance of his lyrical content...
17:29 - Who would Austin want to interview and why...?

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Tom interviews veteran music journalist, author of six books including two about AC/DC, and paranormal researcher Susan Masino.

Inside the Interview:
00:34 - Susan's extensive bio and history with Tom...
02:20 - On living in Savannah, GA...
03:11 - About Susan's latest book AC/DC FAQ...
04:40 - On Susan's first encounter with AC/DC in 1977...
05:46 - On writing the screenplay for Susan's first book Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy...
06:55 - On fielding advances from Bon Scott & Angus Young back in the day...
07:43 - Transcriptions/audio recordings of Susan's 2nd interviews with AC/DC...
08:20 - Giving copies of The Story of AC/DC book to Malcolm & Angus Young...
12:45 - On Susan's busy, busy schedule...
13:42 - Susan's book writing process...
16:43 - On Susan's book Family Tradition - Three Generations of Hank Williams...
17:42 - What is Susan's favorite AC/DC lineup?
17:56 - Susan's take on the current status of AC/DC with Axl Rose on lead vocals...
21:55 - On Susan's book The Secrets of the Universe and her history and interest in the paranormal...
23:10 - On Susan and her son's connection to the Titanic...
26:13 - What does Susan say to skeptics of the paranormal...?
29:10 - On Susan's recent stand-up comedy endeavors...
30:00 - New book projects in the works...?

"I have always enjoyed my interviews with Tom Leu for his Sound Matters Radio show. Tom is a Radio/TV host and motivational speaker, who is always informed, passionate, and doing an interview with him is so easy. He is genuine, inspiring, and it has been an honor to know him. Especially his unfailing support for my work over the years, which I am extremely grateful for."

- Susan Masino, Author>>www.susanmasino.com

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Tom's recent interview with guitarists Ringo Nelson and Gregg DeCarlo, drummer Wally Houck, and new lead singer Chuck Stout from Rockford's RIPT about the next era of the band...

Inside the Interview:
01:27 - On the recent line-up changes in the RIPT camp...
02:42 - What things are like now with Chuck in the band...
03:23 - It's not just reunion shows anymore; it's a new era for RIPT...
04:40 - What can fans expect of the new RIPT?
05:35 - On how Chuck is assimilating into the new role...
06:50 - On how Ringo is keeping up with progress back in Rockford...
07:50 - On rehearsing with all band members present...
08:19 - On Chuck's background in music...
08:56 - On Ringo and Chuck's first meeting and the notorious "8 track" story...
12:24 - Wally recounts meeting Ringo for the first time...
13:51 - On the upcoming RIPT gigs...
15:07 - On new & older RIPT tunes being included in the set lists moving forward...
16:55 - On Tim Speer's additions to the band & writing new music...
18:41 - On Chuck's first audition...
19:40 - On RIPT's management moving forward...
20:17 - The new band from Wally's vantage point behind the drums...
21:43 - On future RIPT shows & offers going forward...
22:51 - Not just a new RIPT line-up doing reunion shows...
23:35 - Did Chuck think he would ever be fronting RIPT?
25:01 - On RIPT's time management skills, and the need for bail these days...

Connect with RIPT:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/riptfromrockford/

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Tom interviews Dan Eisman and Debbie Akre from the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) organization and gets some behind-the-scenes insights about the group's past, present, and future.

Inside the Interview:
01:44 - What is the RAMI and what were the beginnings and evolution of the organization?
03:33 - What is the RAMI voting process currently?
06:11 - About the 26th Annual RAMI Awards show...
07:01 - About the RAMI scholarships initiatives...
08:14 - On Debbie's role as treasurer of the RAMI...
09:28 - The mechanics of the Annual RAMI Awards show...
12:02 - About the RAMI committee members...
13:38 - On being a member of the RAMI Association and voting, etc.
15:30 - On RAMI educational seminars...
16:24 - On sponsoring the RAMI Awards show...
17:54 - On contacting the RAMI organization, & the Missing Links...
18:38 - Upcoming 2017 RAMI events...

Connect with the Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. (RAMI):
Website: www.ramiawards.com

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Tom interviews Night Ranger drummer, singer, and songwriter Kelly Keagy about the band's 12th studio album Don't Let Up, Kelly's approach to drumming, his solo projects, working with Bill Champlin from Chicago, and more...

Inside the Interview:
02:30 - On Night Ranger's latest album Don't Let Up...
03:07 - On Night Ranger's experiences making records throughout their career...
04:30 - On self-producing albums these days... 
05:07 - On working with Brad Gillis and Jack Blades all these years on...
05:49 - Is there still pressure to write and record new music these days? 
06:42 - On the song "Truth" from the new album... 
07:25 - What still drives him and Night Ranger at this point in their career? 
08:40 - Does Kelly find it difficult being a drummer and songwriter simultaneously within the band?
10:01 - How do they decide how vocals are handled on Night Ranger songs?
11:17 - On how Kelly approaches drumming within the context of songwriting...
12:32 - What are some great, overlooked songs in the Night Ranger back catalog? 
14:20 - On the future of Kelly's solo projects with Bill Champlin and with The Mob...
16:44 - Who would Kelly like to interview and why? 

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Tom's first in-depth interview with former White Lion frontman Mike Tramp is featured here. Tom covers Mike's extensive and impressive solo catalog, and his nearly 40 year career past and present...

Inside the Interview:
Does he miss the old days of the music business?
Does the resurgence of the 80's & 90's era of music surprise him?
On technology and music today... 
Is music still all about the song, even today?
On Mike's new solo album "Maybe Tomorrow" and the first single "Coming Home"... 
Is it a conscious decision to separate music from image?
On Mike's three previous solo albums: "Nomad," "Museum," "Cobblestone Street"...
On working with producer, Soren Andersen...
On the song "High Like A Mountain"...
On sobriety and health...
On Mike's current solo touring band...
On touring in 2017 and the content of the set list... 
On Mike's honesty and forthrightness... 
On touring in 2017... 
Why won't there be a White Lion reunion? 
If Vito Bratta ever called him to reunite, would he do it?

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Tom Leu interviews filmmakers Kyle Kruger and Steve McClure of the music documentary "Hair I Go Again" on SOUND MATTERS Radio to talk about the film's genesis, the 5 year journey to complete the film, the numerous rock star interviews and cameos, as well as their current band, Bullet In The Chamber.

Inside the Interview:
03:38 - What's the film really about and what's its genesis?
04:50 - Where did the idea to do a film (about the old band) come into play?
05:51 - Is it common for films to evolve into something different than intended?
07:03 - Tom's take on what the film is and isn't, and who its for...
08:08 - On their 80's band Tryxx...
08:44 - On the Tampa, FL & Hollywood, CA scenes in the late 80's...
15:19 - On the numerous rock 'n roll celebrities featured in the film...
18:03 - On their take on the resurgence of 80's & 90's rock music...
22:16 - On the birth of their current band Bullet In The Chamber...
23:44 - On Ron Keel's role as producer and what it was like in the studio...
25:48 - On the current Bullet In The Chamber line-up and changes...
29:17 - On the Hair I Go Again film tour 2017...
34:23 - "Hold My Head Down" excerpt from Bullet In The Chamber...

"Tom is the ultimate pro. He's extremely knowledgeable about all things music. He definitely does his research and asks great, in-depth interview questions. It was a blast speaking with him. Two horns up!"

- Steve McClure, Director >> www.facebook.com/HAIRIGOAGAIN

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