The Desert Vibe

By The Desert Vibe LLC

The Desert Vibe Podcast is your home for the Arizona music scene — full-length conversations and interviews with musicians in Arizona, plus shout-outs to local Arizona bands and live music in Arizo

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FAQs about The Desert Vibe:

How many episodes does The Desert Vibe have?

The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.

The Desert Vibe episodes:

July 25, 2026 The Renaissance Artist Of Arizona | The Desert Vibe · Ep 42
We sit down with Arizona creator Deon Doughty to talk about living as a true multi-hyphenate and why making art is sometimes the only thing that keeps you steady. We also map out what’s happening across Arizona, from local comedy rooms to northern open mics that keep the music scene growing.
https://hiredeon.com/
• Deon's path from downtown Phoenix poetry into Tempe’s creative orbit
• Painting local musicians as a way to honor and elevate community
• Using technology and AI experimentation inside art and music
• Why stand-up comedy feels harder than music performance
• How Arizona’s comedy scene works, including clubs, mentors, and learning options
• Fatherhood, creativity at home, and turning pain into joy
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
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56min
July 17, 2026 The Secret To Hit Songs Is Tarnished Silver | The Desert Vibe · Ep 41
We sit down with singer-songwriter Eric Douglas to trace how he went from New York City to building a life and a catalog in Arizona, and why the desert changed what he writes about. We also dig into what makes a song connect, how he records at home, and how open mics and festivals keep the local music community alive.
His Website: ericdouglasmusic.com
• moving from New York to Arizona and letting place shape the writing
• breaking down “When I Was Superman” and why it resonates with parents
• tightening lyrics with stronger images like “tarnished silver”
• choosing instruments for tone, feel, and specific songs
• capturing ideas fast and building a practical home recording setup
• collaborating with other musicians through studios and shared files
• writing in first person while aiming for universal themes like love, regret, and nostalgia
• finding community through songwriter gatherings and the Glendale Folk Festival
• what’s vibing in the desert: Miami Artworks, Globe spots, Starlight Lounge, Mesa Social Club, and more
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
49min
July 10, 2026 What If A Local Scene Worked Like A Co-Op | The Desert Vibe · Ep 40
We sit down with Tempe music mainstay Amy Hansen to talk about how a truly welcoming open mic works, why the local scene feels like a musician co-op, and how community support turns into real action.
Amy's Website: https://www.facebook.com/ebonysbud
• Amy’s path from Chicago to Arizona and into the Tempe music scene
• Unity Through Community and why nonprofits matter for local art
• Native American flute songwriting, multiple keys, and tuning challenges
• How a list-free open mic helps nearly everyone get stage time
• Creating a no-judgment room where new performers feel safe
• Fundraising shows as a lifeline for friends in hard times
• DJ Amy Hansen wedding work and the realities of gig logistics
• White Mountains venue picks plus a tease of Lake Havasu music spots
• Tips for tracking Arizona open mics and upcoming festival dates
Just Google the Levine Folk Festival

Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
54min
June 26, 2026 From A Glendale Music Store To Global Stages | The Desert Vibe · Ep 39
We sit down with Diana Lee Messana to trace the real path from a Glendale music store to major stages, studio sessions, and a life built around performance. We also map out where live music is vibing across Arizona right now, from Jerome and Bisbee to Flagstaff and Prescott.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/diana.lee.5872682

• her first recordings and how format changes shape a career
• favorite Arizona studios and what great producers pull out of artists
• why Diana Lee’s Soul Kitchen starts during COVID to support working musicians
• Arizona family history, musical roots, and why she uses the name Diana Lee
• the mentors and teachers who sharpen her ear, confidence, and versatility
• how she builds a career by doing the work every day
• why the Phoenix music community feels like a “great co-op” of musicians
• the harmonica and flute moments that win a crowd
• upcoming performances plus the Donnie Dean “Oakland Sessions” project
• weekend getaway music picks in Jerome and Bisbee
• summer concert and tribute show notes for Flagstaff and Prescott
• open mic updates and ways to find local listings

Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
55min
June 19, 2026 What If Your Day Job Is The Muse | The Desert Vibe · Ep 38
We sit down with Justin Olson, aka PTNA, to talk about the leap from writing songs in private to sharing them on real stages and letting people see what the music is really made of. We also tour the Arizona live music map with venue picks and open mic nights across Sedona, Queen Creek, Tucson, Show Low, and Tempe.
Listen to Justin Olson "PTNA": http://Ptna.bandcamp.com

• first open mic memories and why Tempe Center for the Arts felt like turning pro
• performing as vulnerability and self-healing rather than “being confident”
• what listener feedback means when a song lands deeply
• balancing parks and recreation work with a serious music practice
• how Arizona nature and solitude feed the songwriting process
• Why the Arizona music scene feels open across styles
• Justin’s studio approach with guitar, synths, drum machines, and field recordings
• the real meaning behind the PTNA name and the desert patina story
• what’s next: EP vs album thinking, upcoming shows, and licensing goals

Check out "PTNA" (Justin Olson) on BandCamp: http://Ptna.bandcamp.com
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
46min
June 12, 2026 What If Starting Over Is The Whole Point | The Desert Vibe · Ep 37
We catch up with blues guitarist Chuck Hall as he looks back on decades in the Arizona music scene and talks through a bold, open-ended move to Bend, Oregon. We also share fresh live music intel across the state, from an all-arts open stage in Casa Grande to festival news up in Flagstaff.
WEBSITE:
https://www.facebook.com/chuckhallmusic.page

• Chuck’s first leap into Arizona and how jam nights turned into a band
• Why the Bend, Oregon move is about equal footing and new ears
• How the duo works without rehearsals and why that sparks songs
• The “free range music” solo show and the early influences behind it
• What makes the Phoenix and Arizona musician network feel like a co-op
• Studio memories, last gigs before the road, and the guitars he’s packing
• Flagstaff Folk Festival changes plus a Route 66 songwriting contest
• Our summer travel notes on venues, heat escapes, and where to scout stages
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
48min
June 05, 2026 How Tempe’s Mayor Sees Music Powering A City | The Desert Vibe · Ep 36
We talk with Tempe Mayor Corey Woods about how a personal decision to put down roots turns into long-term public service and a hands-on approach to community building. We also dig into why live music and entertainment are not a luxury in Tempe, but part of the city’s identity, economy, and future.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-woods-29817169/

• Corey’s path to Tempe through ASU and why he stays
• Losing an early council race then building deeper community ties
• Turning a love of cooking into nonprofit fundraising
• Tempe’s live music culture and how parks help it grow
• Entertainment as economic development and a citywide differentiator
• The Mill Avenue refresh and why infrastructure shapes nightlife
• Ideas for a signature Tempe music festival that honors legacy acts and lifts new artists
• How cities can support local musicians through resources, permits, and getting to yes
• Why small local shows matter as much as big festivals
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
51min
May 29, 2026 Who Are You When The Mic Turns Off | The Desert Vibe · Ep 35
We sit down with Blaise Lantana as she closes out a long run at KJZZ, tracing how a working musician became a trusted jazz voice for Arizona. We talk honestly about loneliness, sobriety, creative drive, and what it means to step into a new chapter after a life spent serving listeners and local music.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1196271322

• retiring as music director and on-air jazz presenter at KJZZ
• getting into radio after the 1980s Texas gig economy collapsed
• learning to speak to one listener at a time and mean it
• sobriety, depression, and why late-night radio can be a lifeline
• building bands as a singer and shaping a personal sound
• curating jazz programming, balancing classics with new releases
• the flood of weekly submissions and how quality gets judged
• losing gigs during COVID, moving homes, and broadcasting remotely
• the growth of the Phoenix jazz scene, venues, and music education
• letting other artists record your songs and releasing control
• what live concerts and great performances give back over time
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
52min
May 22, 2026 Phoenix Vs LA For Working Musicians | The Desert Vibe · Ep 34
We catch up with Laura Joy to compare what it really feels like to build a music life in Phoenix and Los Angeles, from getting paid solo gigs to finding your people in a huge scene. We also dig into her percussive acoustic style, the extra pressure women face in the industry, and why DIY infrastructure can be the smartest path forward.
Website: www.laurajoymusic.com

• comparing Phoenix and LA for access, pay, and day-to-day gigging
• where working gigs come from, including private events and agency pipelines
• using humor and presence to win loud rooms and mixed crowds
• navigating gendered expectations and setting hard boundaries
• building a percussive acoustic guitar approach through fingerstyle and classical technique
• playing with high-level musicians who listen and leave space
• the real cost of touring, including gas prices and travel logistics
• why many great songs stay unreleased and how to think about value now

Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
1h 1min
May 16, 2026 The Go To Violinist In Arizona | The Desert Vibe · Ep 33
We sit down with Arizona violinist Tim Sadow and dig into how he becomes the rare kind of musician who can jump genres, find the right part, and make a band feel bigger without getting in the way. Along the way, we talk Arizona community, live music authenticity in an AI era, and the choices that separate playing a lot from playing what matters.

Tim's Website: www.timsadow.com

• Tim’s early classical training plus learning by ear
• Building a versatile violin style through funk, Irish rock, and constant sitting in
• How we first crossed paths and why the Arizona scene keeps connections alive
• Playing within the music, leaving space, and knowing when not to play
• Why live performance still beats synthetic instruments and AI tracks
• The jump from “classical only” to improvising confidently on stage
• Studio approach, supporting vocals, and elevating original songs

Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
...more
1h 5min

FAQs about The Desert Vibe:

How many episodes does The Desert Vibe have?

The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.