The Tone Tailors Podcast

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, I sit down in the shop with Matt Hostetter for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations we’ve had so far. If you’ve spent any time around live music in Lancaster County, there’s a good chance Matt’s had something to do with it whether through Zoetropolis, The Quiet Riders, WWJD, Sugar Tank/Here, Hear Studios, or his work with Music For Everyone.We get deep into what it actually takes to build a creative life while balancing business ownership, family, touring, recording, and trying to keep local music culture alive in a world fighting harder than ever for people’s attention. Matt talks about going from working in finance to helping build Zoetropolis into one of the most unique venues in Central PA, and why the venue became much more than just a movie theater or restaurant.Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.hostetter/Follow Zoetropolis:https://www.instagram.com/zoetropolis/Follow The Quiet Riders: https://www.instagram.com/thequietriders/Follow WWJD: https://www.instagram.com/wwjd_band/Follow Music for Everyone: https://www.instagram.com/mfelancaster/A huge part of this episode focuses on the current state of live music. We talk about why getting people through the door has become one of the hardest parts of running shows, how social media has changed audience behavior, and why even major touring artists are struggling to sell tickets right now. Matt shares what he’s learned booking shows over the years, why smaller venues may actually become more important moving forward, and why artists need to stop thinking only like musicians and start thinking like business owners.We also get into his own musical journey with The Quiet Riders and WWJD, his favorite guitars and pedals, recording music in garages versus professional studios, and some incredible stories from the early Lancaster music scene including snowstorm shows at Telus and hosting bands he personally idolized at Zoetropolis.Toward the end, the conversation takes a turn into something bigger. We talk about AI music, streaming culture, shortened attention spans, and whether younger generations are losing touch with the human side of music and creativity. Matt’s perspective as both a musician and the Chairman of Music For Everyone makes this part of the conversation especially important. We discuss why music education still matters, why in-person experiences matter more than ever, and why imperfection is often what makes music actually feel real.This episode is part music podcast, part business conversation, part philosophy discussion, and honestly just two guys trying to figure out where creativity and live art fit into the future.If you care about Lancaster music, independent venues, live shows, creativity, or just hearing how people are building meaningful things locally, you’ll enjoy this one.

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, Levi sits down with Logan Ressler of Samaritan Snare for one of the deepest conversations we’ve had yet about music, creativity, recording, AI, social media, and what it actually takes to survive as an artist in 2026. Follow, Listen, & Support Logan & His Work: https://linktr.ee/loganresslerLogan wears a lot of hats. He’s a freelance engineer, producer, educator, guitarist, bassist, and part of the Lancaster-based band Samaritan Snare. He also runs a solo project called Misery Merchant while mentoring the next generation of engineers at a university studio. We talk about why smaller venues sometimes create better experiences than packed clubs, how Central PA’s music scene compares to larger markets, and why some artists would rather connect deeply with 40 people than halfway with 400. Logan breaks down the band’s philosophy of “less is more” when it comes to gigging, why they avoid oversaturation, and how intentional they are with every show they play. The conversation then turns into a full deep dive on modern music culture. We get into TikTok attention spans, shorter songs, second-screen syndrome, content creation pressure, and why artists now have to become influencers just to survive. Levi and Logan also debate AI-generated music, Suno, authenticity in art, and whether technology is helping or slowly replacing creativity altogether. We also get extremely nerdy about bass tone, production workflow, studio recording, virtual amps, modern mixing, and why “fix it later” is one of the worst mindsets in music production. Logan shares how Samaritan Snare records across professional studios, home setups, and rehearsal spaces while still maintaining a high-end sound. If you’re a musician, producer, engineer, content creator, or just someone trying to understand where music is heading next, this episode is for you.Follow, Listen, & Support Logan & His Work: https://linktr.ee/loganressler

This week I sat down with Zach, better known as Dr. Nyce, for a really fun conversation about music, education, performance, and what it actually takes to build a life around being an artist.Learn More about & Listen to Dr. Nyce: Website: https://doctornyce.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.nyce/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnycepianoSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SYK5c7OqphkmLBsFSCFQ8Upcoming Shows: https://www.facebook.com/drnycepiano/eventsWe got into the story behind the name Dr. Nyce, how his mom’s old vanity plate somehow became a full-circle moment, and how that path eventually led him to earning not one, not two, but three degrees in music. Zach breaks down his background in piano performance, his doctorate in musical arts, and why formal music education mattered to him even in a world where a lot of artists feel like college just is not the path for them.We also talked about the difference between academic study and real-world gigging, what he learned from pushing through intense contemporary music programs, and how that shaped the way he hears, plays, and interprets music now. It was a great look at how discipline, theory, and experience can all come together without killing the creative side of being an artist.Of course, we also got into his dueling pianos show, how it works, what makes it different, and why it has been connecting so well with crowds around Central PA and beyond. Zach explains the all-request format, the crowd interaction, the musicianship behind it, and how he and his partner built something that stands out in a crowded live music world.On top of that, we talked about social media for musicians, the Central Pennsylvania music scene, what venues still get wrong about booking live talent, the balance between solo work and paying gigs, his original music, his recent Central Pennsylvania Music Award win, and why recognition can be motivating without becoming the whole reason you create.If you’re a musician, a creative, or just somebody who loves hearing how artists actually make this all work, this is a great episode for you.Make sure you check out Dr. Nyce’s music, follow his upcoming shows, and keep an eye out for new releases including his upcoming Beatles piano tribute and more original music on the way this summer.And as always, if you need guitars, pedals, accessories, recording gear, keyboards, or anything else music related, make sure you stop by Tone Tailors in downtown Lancaster or shop online.Let me know if you want tags too, and I’ll knock those out next.

Learn More About The Roomates: https://www.theroomatesband.com/Learn More About Millennial Mixtape:https://www.millennialmixtape.net/Learn More About RF Entertainment: https://www.facebook.com/reasonandfritz===I sat down with Aly and Andrew, co-owners of RF Entertainment LLC and the driving force behind two of the busiest bands in Central PA, The Roommates and Millennial Mixtape.These two are playing 60+ gigs a year. Sometimes 2 to 5 shows in a single weekend. And somehow they’re still building a business on top of it.We get into how they met, how a simple Facebook post turned into two bands and a full entertainment company, and what it actually takes to stay booked at that level. It’s not luck. It’s consistency, relationships, and a lot of saying yes early on.We also talk about: • Building RF Entertainment and why they made it official • The difference between The Roommates and Millennial Mixtape • How they book gigs and stand out in a crowded scene • Pricing, growth, and knowing when to level up •Social media, branding, and creating characters like Monica and Veronica • Real stories from gigs that turned into weddings, festivals, and random opportunitiesThere’s a lot in here for musicians trying to get more gigs, and honestly for anyone trying to build something while balancing real life.These two are a perfect example of what happens when you stop waiting and just start doing the work.Check out their bands and keep up with what they’re building. More coming soon with RF Entertainment.===Upcoming Millennial Mixtape ShowsMay 22, 2026Double Barrel RoadhouseRed Lion, PAMay 23, 202615th Annual Jonestown Block PartyJonestown, PAJune 13, 2026Private PartyYork, PAJune 20, 2026Thousand Trails CampgroundLebanon, PAJuly 11, 2026McCleary’s PubMarietta, PAJuly 18, 2026McGrath’s PubHarrisburg, PA===Upcoming The Roommates ShowsFriday, April 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM551 WestLancaster, PASaturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:00 PMGift Horse Brewing CompanyYork, PAFriday, April 24, 2026 at 7:00 PMSchaylor Brewing CompanyReading, PASaturday, April 25, 2026 at 5:00 PMPrivate Party (Not open to the public)Clearfield, PASunday, May 3, 2026 at 1:00 PMPete Scilla Celebration of Life Music JamWrightsville, PAFriday, May 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM551 WestLancaster, PASaturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00 PMHorn PubLewisberry, PASunday, May 10, 2026 at 1:00 PMOpening for the Harrisburg SenatorsHarrisburg, PAFriday, May 15, 2026 at 7:00 PMWilliams Grove Historical Steam Engine AssociationMechanicsburg, PASaturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00 PMSouthern MarketLancaster, PA

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, I’m sitting down with 18-year-old musician, producer, and one-man-band content machine Ethan Cutillo.Follow Ethan online:  https://www.instagram.com/ethan.cutilloYou’ve probably seen his covers floating around Instagram. He’s sitting in a blue-lit room playing drums, keys, guitar, bass, and vocals all at once. And no, it’s not pre-recorded and dubbed over. He’s actually tracking every instrument live and building the song piece by piece.In this episode we talk about:• Starting in choir and landing a national tour of The Sound of Music at just 10 years old• Touring the country and how that shaped his confidence early on• Why Covid shifted him from acting into full-time music• His love for rock, indie, and classic bands like The Strokes and The Beatles• How he built a 50,000+ following on Instagram with covers• The exact process he uses to record drums, keys, guitar, vocals, and mix everything himself• Dealing with internet hate and negative comments• AI in music and where he draws the line• Being nominated for Best Youth Artist at the Central Pennsylvania Music AwardsWe also get into his college plans, Berklee vs NYU, and what a long-term career in music production could look like for him.What I respect most about Ethan is this: he’s not waiting. He’s not “working on it.” He’s posting. He’s experimenting. He’s learning in public. And it’s working.If you’re a young musician trying to grow on social media, or you’re just curious how these multi-instrument covers are actually made, this episode breaks it all down.Go follow Ethan and show him some love. And if you see him at the CPMAs, tell him you heard him here first.Subscribe for more episodes with musicians and creatives from Lancaster, Central PA, and beyond.

Get your TICKETS! The winners will be announced LIVE on stage at the 7th Annual CPMAs & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA! Everyone is invited--artists, press, family, friends, fans, and the general public! Don't miss this opportunity to get your picture on the red carpet!https://amtshows.com/show/7th-annual-cpmas-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, I’m sitting down with Brandon Valentine, the founder and Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. Brandon’s a drummer, a dad of two, a former movie critic, and somehow also a co-host of The Local Show on The River 97.3 FM. Oh and yes, his last name is Valentine and he was born on Valentine’s Day, because of course he was.More on CPMHOF and everything they do: https://cpmhof.com/We talk about what the CPMHOF actually is, and why it exists in the first place. Brandon saw a gap in the local scene: tons of talent, not enough recognition, not enough support, and not enough structure to help artists build momentum. So he helped create an organization that does three things really well: recognition, support, and education. That means Hall of Fame inductions, the Central Pennsylvania Music Awards (CPMAs), plus real year round work like promotions, radio, podcasts, bookings, and spotlighting artists who deserve more eyes on them.Brandon breaks down the difference between the Hall of Fame and the CPMAs, because people mix that up all the time. Hall of Fame is the “best of the best” legacy side. The CPMA awards focus on who had the strongest year across a ton of categories. It’s two separate lanes under one mission, and it’s built to give artists something they can actually use: credibility, resume lines, and real momentum when they’re trying to land better gigs and bigger opportunities.We also get into how the music industry flipped on its head. We went from “drop off your demo at the radio station” to “have a phone and a plan.” We talk TikTok discovery, independent distribution, and the reality that radio still hits different when you’re a local artist hearing your own name and song on the air for the first time. Brandon explains how artists can submit music and apply for features through the CPMHOF site, and why they keep access open because the whole point is growing the scene, not gatekeeping it.Then we go deep on youth music education, because that’s the core of what keeps the nonprofit engine running. Brandon explains the Youth Music Showcase, the Central PA Youth All Star Band, youth act bookings, and even youth music camps, all designed to help kids get real opportunities early. They’ve recorded covers, produced music videos, and built a pipeline where young musicians can level up, get seen, and eventually graduate into the adult categories when they turn 19. The CPMHOF youth program is built to nurture the next generation, not just celebrate the current one. We also talk about AI in music, and why it’s turning into a loud argument everywhere you look. Brandon shares how the Recording Academy handles AI disclosure, and what CPMHOF is discussing on their side so things stay fair while the industry changes. We don’t pretend it’s simple. We just talk about it like adults who actually work in creative industries and have to deal with the reality of where things are heading.And yes, we bring it back to supporting local gear shops too. Brandon’s message is simple: buy local when you can, try the gear, talk to real people, and keep these places alive because they’re part of the scene. That idea lines up perfectly with what Tone Tailors is all about.If you want to learn what the CPMHOF really does for Central PA music, this episode will make it click.More on CPMHOF and everything they do: https://cpmhof.com

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, we’re sitting down with Azayah Pugh and members of the band, alongside friend and mentor Terian Mack of Larger Than Life. We dig into what it really looks like to build momentum in the Lancaster music scene, finding your sound, staying consistent, putting yourself in rooms before you feel “ready,” and turning community into opportunity.Azayah breaks down the evolution from a solo project into a full band, why the new album New Era locks in their alternative rock and hip-hop identity, and how they decided to go big with a 23-track release instead of playing it safe. We also talk about the upcoming New Era Live Experience 2026 in downtown Lancaster, where Azayah Pugh will perform the album start to finish as a fully curated live experience.Terian Mack shares his path from early hustle to music entrepreneurship, how Larger Than Life grew from creative programs into a label and agency, and what independent artists should understand about publishing, sync licensing, and building sustainable income. We also get into his work with United Masters, real-world sync placements, teaching independent artist classes, and why his mission is centered on opening doors for creatives, not gatekeeping them.And yes, we cover the essentials: touring stories, performing in Tokyo, Japan, the Fender flagship store, why Japanese 7-Eleven is elite, the band’s stance on generative AI in music, and what each guest would grab with a $5,000 shopping spree at Tone Tailors.

**New Era: Live Experience 2026Tickets: https://zoetropolis.com/special_events/welcome-to-the-new-era-live-experience-2026/Diving headfirst into their alternative & nu-metal roots, Azayah Pugh and his band released their second full-length album, “New Era.” The project blends hard rock and metal with modern hip-hop to create a contemporary rap-rock sound unlike anything else. The album has several rock & rap features, many of which are from the Lancaster area. The band is comprised of Yahqob Pugh on Guitar, Trevor Shuffelbottom on Bass, Azayah Pugh on Lead Vocals, & special for this show only, Nicholas Adams on Secondary Guitar.**Follow Terian Mack: https://www.instagram.com/terian_mack/Follow Azayah Pugh: https://www.instagram.com/azayahpugh/Learn More About The Band: https://azayahpugh.square.site/**

Get A Divided Drive Pedal, TODAY - https://shop.tonetailors.com/products/stomp-under-foot-divided-driveThis episode is a fun one for me because I sat down with one of the co-owners of Tone Tailors, John LeClair. If you’ve spent any time in the shop, you already know John. If you haven’t, this episode is a solid introduction to the brain behind a lot of what makes Tone Tailors feel the way it does.We start by bouncing around the usual range you’d expect when two guitar people sit down with mics. We talk Taylor guitars. We somehow end up talking Taylor Swift. That alone should tell you where John’s head lives musically. He’s one of those people who can appreciate a perfectly built acoustic guitar, a pop record done right, and a jam band that stretches a song to 20 minutes without losing the plot.About halfway through the conversation, I casually say the words “Tone Tailors exclusive” and mention the Stomp Under Foot Divided Drive pedal. At that point, John does not take a breath for what feels like 20 straight minutes. And I mean that in the best way possible. This pedal hits every nerve for him. The history, the circuit choices, the feel, the why behind every decision. You can hear the passion immediately. This isn’t a product he’s trying to sell you. It’s a thing he genuinely cares about.The Divided Drive came out of a simple idea that turned into a deep obsession. John wanted a way to capture that stacked, early-90s Trey Anastasio-style drive sound without needing a complicated pedalboard or signal chain. The result is a Tone Tailors exclusive collaboration with Stomp Under Foot that combines two modified overdrives and a vintage-voiced, Ross-style compressor in one enclosure. Each circuit can run on its own or be stacked in different ways, which makes it way more flexible than the inspiration it’s based on.In the episode, John breaks down how and why the pedal works the way it does. We talk about running the compressor by itself for clean rhythm parts, using a single overdrive for lower-gain tones, stacking both drives for thick lead sounds, and pushing the overdrives into the compressor for that long, singing sustain people chase forever. It’s nerdy in the best way, but it’s also practical. You don’t need to be chasing one specific artist’s tone to get a lot out of this pedal.We also talk about the reality of this being a true limited run. Fewer than 20 of these pedals exist. As of recording, only a handful were left. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. There’s no restock, no reissue, no “we might do it again later.” That’s part of what makes this episode interesting. You’re hearing the story of something that’s already becoming a small piece of Tone Tailors history.Outside of the pedal talk, you get a really good look at John as a person. He shares how he got into guitar in the late ’90s, what led him to guitar repair school, and how that path eventually turned into co-founding Tone Tailors in 2015. His background explains a lot about why the shop operates the way it does. He cares about doing things right, learning constantly, and passing that knowledge on to other players and techs whenever he can.We also hit on his influences, his bands over the years, and his taste in music, which somehow includes Phish, Hall & Oates, A Tribe Called Quest, Taylor Swift, and Stone Temple Pilots without any irony. It makes sense once you hear him talk. John doesn’t care about genre lines. He cares about songs, tones, and whether something feels honest.If you’re into guitars, pedals, or just listening to someone explain why they care so much about a piece of gear, this episode delivers. If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes at Tone Tailors, this is one of the clearest looks you’ll get. And if you’re even remotely interested in the Divided Drive, hearing John talk about it might be the thing that pushes you over the edge.