Wim Tapley is turning strangers into fans night after night, and I still remember when he was sketching out the first pieces of his dream. Now based in Athens, GA, he’s playing packed clubs across the country. I got to dance (and cry a little) watching his band electrify a New York City crowd last year!

Here, we talk about life on the road, the creative community that raised him, and the friendships that fuel his band. As always, our conversation drifts into big, unfiltered questions about AI, digital tools, and the unstoppable human drive to make art.

Enjoy this honest, soulful conversation with my beloved former student, exploring what it really means to make music in a noisy world.