On this episode of The Hang!, Scott Saldinger sits down with Emily Petersmark, lead singer and co-founder of The Crane Wives, to explore the band’s evolution from local Grand Rapids beginnings to becoming a globally recognized indie rock force.

Emily shares how her early musical foundation—learning piano by ear through the Suzuki Method—shaped her songwriting instincts and creative voice. She reflects on the band’s humble origins, including performing in a Chinese restaurant while working service jobs, and how those early struggles fueled both their sound and storytelling.

The conversation dives into the band’s transition from a folk duo into a full-band indie rock act, highlighting how key members expanded their sonic identity and opened new opportunities. Emily also discusses the realities of being a modern independent artist—balancing creativity with content demands—and why staying authentic matters more than chasing algorithms.

If you’re an indie music fan, songwriter, or creative navigating today’s landscape, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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Las Vegas pop-punk trio Crimson Riot joins host Scott Saldinger on The Hang! to talk about their musical roots, the evolution of their band, and why the Las Vegas punk scene is one of the most exciting underground communities in music right now.

Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and guitarist Roxy Gunn, alongside bassist Chris Reject and drummer Ryan J, the band shares the story of how Crimson Riot grew from the early Roxy Gunn Project into a high-energy trio built on DIY spirit, collaboration, and community. The conversation explores their songwriting process, the emotional inspiration behind songs like “Hurt” and “Gatekeeper,” and how the band crafts anthemic pop-punk built for both the stage and the underground scene.

Roxy also reflects on the growing wave of femme-fronted punk bands, discussing how the genre is becoming more inclusive and supportive of diverse voices. The band talks about the power of local scenes, why supporting independent artists matters more than ever, and how Las Vegas venues and musicians are creating a thriving ecosystem outside the Strip.

If you love pop-punk, underground music scenes, DIY touring stories, and honest conversations about making music, this episode offers a candid look at how a band builds something meaningful from the ground up.

Listen, discover new music, and support independent artists.

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In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Toronto-based electro-rock duo ROMES—brothers Jacob and Nicolas Bitove—to unpack how they built a global audience completely on their own terms.

From recording in a basement studio to selling out their first-ever European headline tour, ROMES share how experimentation, risk-taking, and raw creativity fueled their debut album Sonic Trash. Without a traditional label push, the duo leaned into unconventional sound design, blending punk energy with electronic textures to create something entirely their own.

The conversation dives into their early influences, growing up surrounded by vinyl and mixtapes, and how trial-and-error experimentation led to their signature “punktronic” sound. They also reveal how posting studio experiments online sparked viral momentum—turning casual viewers into ticket-buying fans.

ROMES open up about collaborating on the Call of Duty: Black Ops soundtrack, the creative freedom of staying independent, and why making music for themselves—not algorithms—changed everything.

If you’re into genre-bending artists, DIY success stories, or the future of indie music, this episode is a must-watch.

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In this episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Nashville-based indie rock artist Quinn O’Donnell for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about music, creativity, and emotional honesty. Born into a musical family in Nashville, Quinn shares how growing up around touring musicians shaped not only her artistic instincts but also her understanding of collaboration, community, and resilience within the music industry.

Quinn reflects on her earliest experiences performing—starting with DIY living-room shows as a teenager—and how those formative moments helped her build confidence, find her voice, and connect authentically with audiences. Songwriting, she explains, has always been her primary way of processing emotions and life experiences. Rather than masking vulnerability, Quinn embraces it, allowing her songs to function as emotional documentation and personal growth markers.

The conversation dives into the creation of her recent single “Ghost,” a track that represents a turning point in her artistic evolution. Quinn discusses how collaboration played a pivotal role in finishing the song, highlighting the power of working with artists from different musical backgrounds. That openness to collaboration, she notes, continues to shape her creative process as she looks toward future releases.

Beyond the music itself, Quinn offers an honest perspective on navigating the modern music industry—especially the emotional toll of social media. She speaks candidly about the importance of protecting mental health, setting boundaries with technology, and resisting the pressure to constantly perform online. For Quinn, success isn’t defined by numbers or virility, but by authenticity, sustainability, and the ability to keep creating meaningful work.

This episode of The Hang! is a compelling look at what it means to grow as an artist—creatively, emotionally, and personally—while staying true to yourself in an ever-changing music landscape.

#QuinnODonnell #IndieRock #NashvilleMusic #Songwriting #TheHangPodcast

In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Sam Blasucci, the Ojai-based singer-songwriter known for his work with psychedelic folk duo Mapache and his ambitious solo project Physical Dream.

Sam shares the story behind creating his massive 28-song double album, recorded on a remote island in British Columbia and shaped by a deeply personal creative journey. Blending indie folk, Latin influences, mysticism, and experimental textures, Physical Dream represents one of Sam’s most expansive artistic statements yet.

The conversation explores Sam’s musical roots growing up with a musician father, his early influences ranging from Enya and the Beatles to Mexican folk traditions, and how those sounds helped shape his distinctive style. Scott and Sam also dive into the role of mental health in creativity, the value of artistic exploration across mediums like painting and photography, and why live music remains the most powerful way to connect with audiences.

If you love conversations about music, creativity, and the artistic process, this episode offers a deep look into the mind of a musician who refuses to limit himself to one form of expression.

🎧 Listen now and discover why Sam Blasucci believes music should be experienced as a journey from start to finish.

https://samblasucci.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.instagram.com/samusbus/

https://www.samblasucci.com/

#SamBlasucci #Mapache #IndieFolk #SongwriterInterview #TheHangPodcast

What shapes a punk frontwoman? For Stacey Dee of Bad Cop/Bad Cop, it started in a San Francisco band house, reel-to-reel tapes, and seeing The Go-Go’s at five years old.

In this episode of The Hang!, Stacey opens up about growing up surrounded by reggae, MTV, and rock history, and how that foundation led her to co-found one of modern punk’s most vital bands. She shares the creative evolution behind Lighten Up, why collaboration transformed the band’s sound, and how trusting her instincts changed everything.

But this conversation goes deeper than music.

Stacey talks about sobriety, surviving cancer, touring for seven straight months, and co-founding The Sidewalk Project — a nonprofit serving unhoused artists in Los Angeles. From Skid Row outreach to overdose response efforts that helped reduce deaths in the community, her activism is rooted in lived experience.

You’ll hear about:

• Writing songs that take years to find their moment

This isn’t just a band interview. It’s a conversation about purpose, identity, and believing in yourself.

Oakland/San Francisco punk trio BitchFit aren’t waiting for permission — they’re building their own lane.

In this episode of The Hang!, Ailish, Tallulah, and Lila break down how three teenage musicians turned friendship, therapy, and shared rage into one of the Bay Area’s most fearless young punk bands. Raised around classical, jazz, soul, and punk, they found common ground in Riot Grrrl, political urgency, and the need to say what others won’t.

They talk about writing “Girl Soldiers” the day after the election, why songs like “Barbie’s World” and “Paid Administrative Leave” feel personal, and how flow state transforms their live shows into something electric. The band opens up about facing criticism in the scene, being labeled “too Riot Grrrl,” and why they refuse to shrink themselves to make others comfortable.

BitchFit also shares what it means to play Doll Fest alongside artists who paved the way — and how Kathleen Hanna and My Chemical Romance still inspire their creative fire.

This isn’t just a punk interview. It’s a conversation about voice, feminism, privilege, community, and why young artists using their platform matters more than ever.

If you care about punk, Riot Grrrl, or the next wave of politically fearless bands — this one’s essential.

Bitchfit Insta

Doll Fest Website

Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland) 

Doll Fest Volume II 

In this episode of The Hang!, Scott Saldinger sits down with Seoul-based death punk disco band 18 Fevers to unpack their origins, their sound, and the underground scene shaping them.

Fronted by Christmas, alongside VV (guitar), Matt (bass), and Garrick (drums), 18 Fevers blend hardcore, goth, thrash, and dance-punk into what they half-jokingly — and now proudly — call death punk disco. But behind the chaos and humor is something deeper: a band pushing against Korea’s conservative norms, creating space for women in punk, and refusing to dilute their identity for algorithms or trends.

Christmas shares how Pink Floyd and a life-changing 2009 Korean rock festival sparked her path into music. Matt reflects on growing up in the Southern California punk scene before relocating to Seoul. VV talks about trading painting for live performance — and why sadness, power, and emotion matter more than perfection.

They break down key tracks like “Dance Macabre,” “Save Your Venom,” and “Never Fall,” discuss pressing their first full vinyl release via California’s Lava Socks Records, and explain how a chance meeting at Rebellion Festival led to their upcoming performance at Doll Fest 2026.

This is a conversation about authenticity, female-forward punk, creative risk, and building community across continents.

Band Website

Website

Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland)

Doll Fest Volume II 

What shaped Girl In A Coma’s sound—and why does it still resonate today?

In this episode of The Hang, San Antonio trio Girl In A Coma open up about their origin story, creative evolution, and the sisterhood that built their foundation. Nina Diaz shares how learning power chords from her older sisters sparked a songwriting journey at just 13 years old—one that would grow into a fearless blend of punk urgency, indie grit, and emotional vulnerability. 

The band reflects on their Riot Grrrl influences, The Smiths, Silverchair, Morrissey, and the way their third album Trio B.C. intentionally embraced genre shifts rather than sticking to one “safe” sound. They discuss sobriety, therapy, community, and the emotional strength required to create in a world of constant feedback.

Nina names Mike Patton as her dream collaborator. Jenn speaks about the lasting influence of Kathleen Hanna. Fani reflects on drumming inspiration and creative resilience. The conversation also dives into Dollfest, new music, and the San Antonio scene that shaped them.

If you’ve ever felt unseen and turned the volume up anyway—this one’s for you.

Doll Fest Website

Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland) 

Doll Fest Volume II 

In this episode of The Hang, The Dreaded Laramie frontwoman MC Cunningham opens up about heartbreak, authenticity, and why real connection matters more than ever in a digital world.

Blending punk urgency with power pop melody, The Dreaded Laramie turns emotional wreckage into sharp, hook-driven anthems. MC shares how early guitar lessons, rejection from a songwriting program, and a life-changing introduction to Weezer helped shape her creative voice. What started as discouragement eventually became a band built on honesty, collaboration, and DIY grit.

The conversation dives deep into the band’s breakout record Princess Feedback, including tracks like “Fishnets” and “I Should Go,” both rooted in the messy tension between what we want and what we know we should do. MC explains how shifting song structures mirror emotional whiplash, and how journaling, philosophy, and self-reflection fuel her songwriting.

Beyond the music, this episode explores technology, authenticity, AI, streaming culture, and the importance of showing up for artists in real life. From limited-edition Warped Tour compilation cuts to community-driven festivals like Dollfest, this is a conversation about building something real in an increasingly disposable world.

If you care about punk with heart, power pop with depth, and music that refuses to fake it — this one’s for you.

Band Camp

Doll Fest Website

Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland) 

Doll Fest Volume II 

#TheDreadedLaramie #PrincessFeedback #PunkPowerPop #IndieRock #Dollfest #TheHang #almostfamousmagazine