You Guys Suck, Give Up

This episode features musician, audio engineer and producer John Allen Stephens. Forming the band New York City Queens in 2010/2011, John has established himself as an integral part of the Houston Music community ever since. He has gone on to found his own recording studio, Third Coast Recording Co, and release two albums under his self-named solo project.

Third Coast Recording Co.

John Allen Stephens - Music

This episode features Daniel T O'Conor: a man who jumped in Lake Michigan for 365 days straight. What started as a hangover cure became a stress reliever and eventually morphed into a charitable collaboration to raise money for local Chicago venues. I very much enjoyed talking with him.

Donate to CIVL Chicago here

In this episode... I'm speaking to myself about the joys of starting a band, making a record and the un-joys of breaking up while making a second record: an exercise of finding the happy amidst the sad...

This episode features mixed media artist Tra Slaughter. I met Tra years ago when I worked at an art gallery in downtown Houston during a brief stint in 2014. I sat down with him at his studio in the Elder Street lofts to talk about those times, art installations and plays that devolved into knife fights.

View his works here

Learn more about his charity here

This episode features artist, label founder and recent Iron Man (70.3) Chase DeMaster. We discuss his basketball skills, emailing skills, day trading skills and his various exciting visits to Fleet Feet. I had a great time. Enjoy!

Check out his label: Very Jazzed

Check out his band: Get a Life

Check out his band: Children of Pop

This episode features music photographer Ismael Quintanilla III. When the pandemic hit us back in March 2019, live music came to a screeching halt; artists started to fade into the background. An idea sprang into Ismael's mind: bring some focus back to the people who had their livelihood stripped from them and bring a new lens to the relationship between artist and photographer. His vision turned into a book: "I Am Here All Day" -- a candid look at how artists are experiencing the pandemic. Better still, all proceeds made from the book go to Austin charities that either help musicians directly, or are run by musicians themselves. It was a great conversation.

Buy the book "I Am Here All Day"  here

Directly support the charities below:

HAAM
SIMS Foundation
DAWA
Banding Together ATX
Free Lunch
Ninas  Arriba

This episode features Utopia Fest founder, Travis Sutherland. Located in the sprawling and beautiful Utopia, Tx, Utopia Fest offers a unique experience of self sustaining  primitive camping with a common sense approach to BYOB. Founded in 2009, the fest continues to offer an intimate musical experience unlike any other national fest. If you haven't been... GO!

UTOPiAfest - More Info and Tickets
Lucius by a Waterfall
Charles Bradley in a downpour! (Holy Shit)

This episode features Adam Schatz of Landlady. Perfectly timed with the release of their 4th studio album, "Landlady," we meander through topics like band bios, banter, proof reading, apathy, Randy Newman and vanity. There are some great pauses in this one.

Buy the new album "Landlady" here
Check out their new website here
Watch the video for "Supernova" here
Learn how to write a band bio here 

This episode features Calliope Musicals front-woman and founder, Carrie Fussell. Hustling since 2009, the band decided to take a break from touring towards the end of 2019 heading into 2020... we all know what happened then. Their brief hiatus was forced into an indefinite one due to the pandemic that has sidelined live music across the nation. In the meantime, they've been working on a new record and Carrie, herself, has helped with the program "Free Lunch" in Austin, TX to help feed the un-housed community. It was a true joy speaking with her.

Calliope Musicals Bandcamp
Calliope Musicals Website
NEW SINGLE!
FREE LUNCH - Become a Lunch Monitor today and provide 3 healthy meals to those in need with just $10 a month.

This episode features bassist Jon Wisinski. Jon spent years grinding it out in cover bands before auditioning for, and joining forces with one of Country Music's rising stars, Granger Smith. Jon has now been touring most of his life and  has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to being a "working musician."