Better To... Podcast with D. M. Needom
The Better To Podcast is a place where we'll discuss what was the inspiration for their perspective projects and how it all came about. Sometimes, we’ll take a deeper dive into that moment that placed them on the creative path. On the podcast, we honor achievements, discuss new projects, and reflect on life lessons and the beginnings of the creative journey.
Interstellar Radio - Alex Alexander
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This week on the podcast, Alex Alexander stops by the show to discuss his musical journey that has taken him from Chicago to Nashville, his album, and more.
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Alex is a versatile musician with a passion for creating music and performing. Playing five instruments including Drums, Guitar, Vocals, Bass, and Trumpet, Alex has a background in music notation and complex musical understanding of many genres which allows him to thrive in multiple music styles and gaining a wide rage audience in many markets. Alex delivers each song in the...
The Fuzzy End - John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch
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John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch and I discuss the band’s 27th release. ‘The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop’, creativity, Marilyn Monroe, and much more.
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The praise heaped of late upon John Andrew Fredrick's long-standing and astonishingly productive Los Angeles indie band--from the likes of Mojo, Shindig!, The Big Takeover and even Prog Magzine--has been nothing less than, well, remarkable. Having made seven albums for ATOM Records (whom they signed to in 2018) plus one for legendary but now defunct A Turntable Friend and one for The Bevis Frond's...
Jack Grisham and the Life Undone
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This week Jack Grisham, vocalist for the punk rock band T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) and Joykiller stops by the show. We talk about his latest project, Jack Grisham and the Life Undone with Lars Triesch. We also discuss his involvement over the last four decades—in literature, film work, and most importantly independent music—with over 70 million streams and over 2,000 live shows under his belt. Grisham remains a constant figure in and beyond the American punk scene.
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Grisham is known as the frontman of TSOL and l...
The King of Pants - Alvin Valley
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This week on the podcast, the fashion designer who is known as the “King of Pants,” Alvin Valley, stops by the show. We talk about where he picked up the moniker, how his first runway show came with a little help from Kathy Hilton, and so much more.
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Named the “King of Pants” by The New York Times, designer Alvin Valley's journey revolves around Miami and, of course, pants. Born in New York City, and educated at the University of Miami, where he studied architecture, Valley’s designer roots are firmly...
A Step Back in Time - Fergal Lawler
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Fergal Lawler stops by the show to discuss, The Cranberries, Fame, Grief and more.
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There's a pivotal moment when a promising young band goes from having a big debut to being launched into the mainstream stratosphere... For The Cranberries, this live album Live At The Long Astoria II, 1994 is that moment.
Live At The Long Astoria II, 1994 was recorded in London after their debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? had been released and the band returned from the U.S...
Woman: A Journey - V Torres
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V. Torres stops by the show to discuss her new Album Woman. We also discuss how she once was on track to be a basketball player, but realized that the pressure was leading to burn out. We also talk about grief, the pressure of being a woman and more.
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Woman is a seven-song collection that moves fluidly through transformation and renewal.
Written during one of the most profound chapters of her life and co-produced alongside longtime collaborator Steve Aguilar, Woman marks a significant creative milestone as...
(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang - Candy Whips - Wendy Stonehenge
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Wendy Stonehenge of the Candy Whips returns to the show to discuss his cover of the classic Heaven 17 song, "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang', Tour Life, Fatherhood and much more.
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"After the doo-wop covers EP Moonlight that I released last year, I wasn't planning on doing more covers for a while. But I was listening to Heaven 17, the pertinence of the lyrics really jumped out at me,” says Wendy Stonehenge, mastermind behind the electro/New Wave-inspired project CANDY WHIPS, about their ne...
All Good Things - ME
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Mark O'Connell, Eddie Reyes and Mike Jensen from the band ME stop by the show to discuss, how the band came together, how Mike packed a bag after getting a call and took a risk that changed his life, as well as the future.
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ME. wasn’t supposed to be a band. After nearly a decade apart, former Taking Back Sunday founding members Mark O’Connell and Eddie Reyes started writing together again with no intention of forming one. They had already experienced what happens when something you built stops...
Magenta Light - Kieth Carne
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Keith Carne stops by the the show to discuss his solo release Magenta Light, the inspiration behind it, touring and more.
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After sitting behind the drum kit for celebrated indie-pop/alternative band We Are Scientists for the last 13 years, NYC-based musical multi-hyphenate KEITH CARNE is stepping into the spotlight with his debut single "Look for the Moon," adding to the largely unexplored notion that he who makes the most noise makes the most beautiful music. Built on glistening synth textures and a steady pulse straight o...
Red Carpet - Bridget Barkan
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This week on the show Bridget Barkan stops by to discuss her new single Red Carpet, touring with Scissor Sisters, prophetic dreams and more.
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“I told my friend Rod Thomas a.k.a. Bright Light Bright Light the idea for this song and he said, ‘You must do it!’ The next day my horoscope literally said, ‘Roll out the red carpet, now is your time’,” laughs New Yorker, multifaceted artist, powerhouse performer and certified redhead BRIDGET BARKAN about the inspiration fo...
Revisiting the Butthole Surfers - Paul Leary
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This week on the podcast Paul Leary, guitarist for the Butthole Surfers stops by the show to discuss the release of After the Astronaut (Out Today), revisiting the archives, the documentary and more.
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In 1998, when BUTTHOLE SURFERS followed up their 1996 mainstream breakthrough Electric Larryland with their next record entitled AFTER THE ASTRONAUT, the major label they were signed to at the time pulled it from their release schedule at the last minute. Their reasoning? They wanted a more “commercial” record. Had that label known...
Slow Stories - Bette A
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This week Bette A stops by the show to discuss her book Slow Stories which she collaborated with legendary musician, Brian Eno. We also talk about art and creating as well as AI. One of the other major topics we cover is her charity work to help empower woman and help the world.
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As artist/writer BETTE A. explains: “As I developed these stories during two decades, rewriting them from memory, they grew shorter. Strange details persisted and gained significance, while what once seemed like a central plo...
Jonathan’s Journal - Gerald Everett Jones
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This week on the podcast Gerald Everette Jones stops by the show again to discuss his latest release Jonathan's Journal. We talk about how some choices made in WW1 still affect us today and more.
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Gerald Everett Jones lives in Santa Monica. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Women’s National Book Association, as well as a board member of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He is a Film Independent (FILM) Fellow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the Col...
Marilyn Forever - Amy Gaskin
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On this episode of the Better to Podcast, I sit down with Amy Gaskin. Back in 2020 an idea came to her about going to Marilyn Monroe's grave and even though we were supposed to be masking she found fresh lipstick kisses. This lead her on an incredible journey of how the idol had come to be something more personal than a Movie Icon.
When I was notified of the opportunity to do this interview I jumped at is as it was a way to celebrate Marilyn's 100th Birthday and did into s...
Transformation - Jules Peters - The Alarm
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On this episode, I sit down with Jules Peters, the wife of the front man of The Alarm, the late Mike Peters. We discuss their incredible love affair, his long battle with cancer, The Alarm’s new album, Transformation, and more.
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"Mike lived a life of beauty and never gave up right to the very end,” says Jules Peters, bandmate and wife of the late Mike Peters of THE ALARM who passed away on April 29, 2025. Following a fearlessly valiant 31-year battle with cancer, his...
Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah - Margaret Gurevich
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This week on the episode author Margaret Gurevich stops by to discuss her latest book, Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah. Growing up as an immigrant and more.
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Margaret Gurevich (she/her) is a middle-school teacher and the author of Ain't It Funny, multiple Who Was? books, and the award-winning Chloe by Design series. When not writing or teaching, Margaret enjoys hiking, bingeing too many shows, and spending time with her family. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and their wise cat, Goosie.
YASHA'S AMAZIN' B...
Gas Me Up - Lightning Stills - Craig Fort
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Craig Fort stops by the show to discuss, music sobriety, inspiration and more.
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Lightning Stills isn’t an album detailing the evils of alcohol. Instead, it’s life stories while still in the moment. “I started this project as a way to keep me occupied and help me through getting sober,” vocalist/guitarist Craig Fort of Omaha’s reigning outlaw country band explains.
Aside from the obvious health benefits of quitting the sauce, his reason for quitting was far more personal. “Ultimately, I got sober for my family,” he c...
UK Tour and More - The Ritualists - Christian Dryden & David Andreana
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Christian Dryden and David Andreana from the Ritualists stop by the show to discuss the up coming UK tour, new music that might be coming out in the fall, AI and more.
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Rising from the NYC underground scene of the Lower East Side, The Ritualists first attained international critical acclaim for their debut album, Painted People, released just prior to the pandemic on Out of Line Music. The record, and particularly, its lead single “Ice Flower,” was hailed as a seamless blend of dark beauty & anthemic pop sensibilities.
The...
Moment in Time - Chris Eveland
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This week on the show Chris Eveland stops by the show to discuss, being a studio player as well as a touring one. We talk music, life, and more.
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Chris Eveland is a dynamic and versatile guitarist whose style emulates many genres. With a
deep passion for music that began at a young age,Chris has spent over 35 years and north of
3000 live shows, honing his craft, developing a reputation for technical skill, emotive playing,
and a unique sound that blends many of h...
A Rush to the Starting Line - Bren Holmes
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Bren Holmes stops by the show to discuss music, AI, chasing his dream, and more.
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For thirty-plus years, Bren Holmes has been playing his craft as a musician, songwriter, and bandmate. As an original member of the Irish Rock band The Young Dubliners, this Los Angeles-by-way-of-Dublin Ireland band has gigged all over the world--and lived to tell about it.
In the fall of 2019, Bren decided to part ways with the band in the pursuit of a solo career. After several months, he put...
Blessn - Gerald Jones
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Gerald Jones stops by the show to discuss, his new app, Blessen, trauma, doom scrolling and more.
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Gerald Jones and Kevin Clark's friendship goes back over 20 years, to the night they first met backstage at the Academy Awards. Their bond grew through creativity, shared values, and a deep desire to make a difference. Together, they later won an Emmy Award for a public service announcement addressing school gun violence - a project that reflected their heart for inspiring hope and protecting the next generation.
Beyond their work...
Deathrock Devotionals - Justin Warfield
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Justin Warfield stops by the show to discuss, Deathrock Devotionals Vol II, inner peace, change in perspective and more.
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After a year of steady build-up, bold reinvention, and dancefloor resurrection, WARFIELD - the darkwave/deathrock project helmed by She Wants Revenge lyricist and frontman Justin Warfield - arrives at a pivotal moment. Today marks the release of Deathrock Devotionals Vol. II (out via Black Heathers/Cleopatra Records), the latest installment in Justin’s ongoing love letter to the early Los...
Retribution - Annie Kuchenmeister of Loki's Folly
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Annie stops by the show to discuss music, how Loki's Folly came together, anxiety, new music and more.
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‘Retribution’ is a song looking at the parallels of extreme sides of emotions and how we react to difficult things,” says Annie Kuchenmeister, guitarist and singer for Loki’s Folly, the Minneapolis-based indie-punk trio made up of sisters Annie (24), Nissa (19) and their brother Oskar (15). “The verses are an exploration of defensive and protective anger - wanting to hurt those...
Changes Ahead - Dauna Needom
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I'm the guests this week to provide and update about changes or the show. Talk about community and more.
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If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.com
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Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi
©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. Needom
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Too Good To Go - Shari Rowe
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Shari stops by the show to discuss, new music, performing the National Anthem of Nascar, health and so much more....
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Embodying the heart and soul of country music, Southwestern songstress Shari Rowe redefines what it means to captivate. Bringing authenticity, intentionality, and a timeless blend of country and americana, Rowe’s “voice, personality, and story will mesmerize you” (Missy, Center Stage Magazine). From international tours in Poland to charity events, to opening for big name artists like Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes, Rowe has seen all sides of the industry and proven...
Changes Ahead - DM Needom S9 Ep 46
I'm the guests this week to provide and update about changes or the show. Talk about community and more.
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If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.comFollow us on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom
Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi
©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. Needom
Too Good To Go - Shari Rowe
Shari stops by the show to discuss, new music, performing the National Anthem of Nascar, health and so much more....****Embodying the heart and soul of country music, Southwestern songstress Shari Rowe redefines what it means to captivate. Bringing authenticity, intentionality, and a timeless blend of country and americana, Rowe’s “voice, personality, and story will mesmerize you” (Missy, Center Stage Magazine). From international tours in Poland to charity events, to opening for big name artists like Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes, Rowe has seen all sides of the industry and proven her invaluable talent. Closer to home, the Arizon...
Cascades - Magic Wands
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This week on the podcast, I sit down with Dexy and Chris to discuss their latest release, their musical journey and more.
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Dark dreampop duo Magic Wands will release a new album entitled Cascades via Metropolis Records. It includes their current single, "Time To Dream,"as well as the previously issued "Hide," "Armour," "Moonshadow," and "Across The Water."
“Cascades was born from a fascination with how the past lingers inside us and...
Pendulum - Triptides Glenn Brigman
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This week on the podcast, Glenn stops by to discuss the Triptides latest release, Shapeshifter, their cover of Spooky and so much more.
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Releasing on the heels of Triptides’ June 2025 album Shapeshifter, the six-song EP Night Shift arrives as the band lands in Europe for a two-week tour. Comprised of four songs recorded during the Shapeshifter sessions and two newly recorded covers, the EP is classic Triptides. From the dreamy fuzz ‘n’ faze of the opener “Pendulum,” to the bouncy groove of “Lonely Planet” and the interplanetary funk closer “Nuvens,” Triptides...
Living Between the Lines - Frank Meyer
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Frank stops by the show to discuss his solo record, his childhood adventures with his brother and so much more.
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Living Between the Lines is the debut solo LP from Frank Meyer. A long time coming, Meyer’s been hinting at it for a while now with Bandcamp exclusive tracks, covers on tribute albums, acoustic solo shows, and his acclaimed collaboration album with Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers. Like the Eddie collab, LBTL is out on Kitten Robot Records. The 11-song album adds touches of blues and soul to Me...
The Sage & Story Dream - Amanda Brown
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Amanda stops by the show to discuss her dream of building a bookstore, Blind Date With a Book Boyfriend, and more.
****Side note - in my wrap up I mention that no harm that also included animals.****
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My love for reading began at a young age—curled up with a book, a fluffy blanket, a warm candle flickering nearby, and a cup of London Fog tea from Harney & Sons in hand. There’s nothing quite like escaping into another world, especially a good dystopian novel (bonus points if i...
Synesthesia the Escape From a Tumultuous World - Azam Ali
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This week on the podcast Azam stops by the discuss her new music, Synesthesia, immigrating tot he US, living through war, menopause, and more.
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It is a song of destruction, of fire consuming everything in its path, yet within that annihilation lies the threshold of renewal, and the promise of something new,” explains internationally beloved singer/songwriter/producer AZAM ALI about her new single “To Pieces,” which is released today, September 4, 2025 via COP International. Taken from her upcoming album Synesthesia whic...
Your Best Shot and Film School - Eddie Schwartz
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Eddie stops by the show to discuss the hit song he wrote, 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot', his last CD, 'Film School', and so much more.
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The first time I heard Pat Benatar’s version of ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot,’ I was almost arrested for loitering,” laughs internationally lauded Canadian songwriter, producer, performer, and rights advocate Eddie Schwartz about the song he penned that became Benatar’s first Top Ten single in 1980. “I was walking down Yonge Street in Toronto when I heard it blasting out...
Annual Halloween Episode - Amanda Keith
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Amanda stops by to talk about Hoodoo, Voodoo, her upcoming trip to Egypt and more.
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From an early age, Amanda has been aware and in tuned with her Psychic gifts and with the spirit world. As she grew up listening to sound of her own drumbeat. She borrowed her first book on Wicca when she was 13 and first tarot deck at 16. Then, at the age of 18 she was free to truly study her Spirit Lead path of Witchcraft, Psychic Development, and Energy Healing at a local shop that was l...
Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar (Music of the American South) - Don Cusic
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Don stops by the show to discuss his book on Chet Atkins, teaching and his long career as a professor, writer, and more.
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Don Cusic is one of the premier historians of country music and an internationally known scholar and writer. As an author, teacher, historian, songwriter, producer and executive, Cusic has been actively involved in the music business since 1973. He is a 2022 inductee in the Western Music Hall of Fame.
He is an American author, songwriter and record producer who is best known as a historian of U...
The Not-So Only Child- Rich Boerner
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Rich stops the show to discuss his book The Not-So Only Child, as well as his journey of discovering this fact. We also discuss the radio biz, the Woo and more.
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Rich Boerner is an Award-Winning podcast and radio Audio Creator / Producer / Talent / now Author, whose successful journey has taken him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Orlando. His resume includes working for and with A-List talent and major networks, including Spotify, Audacy, FOX, and CBS Radio.
Rich has also been the voice of several r...
Dream Vessel - William Covert
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William stops by to discuss his latest release Dream Vessel as well as the many styles of Chicago music.
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William Covert announces the release of 'Dream Vessel' via Coup Sur Coup Records.
Exploring the territories on the intersection of improvised music, jazz and ambient soundscapes, Chicago-based musician is happy to present his newest release.
After more than 15 years of drumming in math rock, post-rock, and post-hardcore bands, William Covert began experimenting with live-looped synths alongside acoustic and electronic drums. This experimentation birthed two full-length solo...
Ancient Wisdom For Living Your Modern Purpose: Terry Tucker
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Terry was a guest back in 2022 is back again to talk about his continuing cancer battle and his new book: Four Truths and a Lie, Ancient Wisdom For Living Your Modern Purpose.
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Terry Tucker is an author and sought-after speaker who passionately believes in the transformative power of a good story to motivate, inspire, and encourage others. His purpose is to help people lead their uncommon and extraordinary lives.
Combining his thirteen-year cancer journey with his diverse business, athletic coaching, and law enforcement expertise, Terry delivers compelling y...
MOONLIGHT - Candy Whips
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Wendy Stonehenge stops by the show to discuss the Candy Whip's new EP, inspiration, Ai and more.
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Oakland, CA-based CANDY WHIPS released their new covers EP MOONLIGHT via Josie Cotton's Kitten Robot Records On August 26th! The EP features classic tracks “Duke of Earl” (originally recorded by Gene Chandler), “Earth Angel” (The Penguins), and “Bad Boy” (Jive Bombers), among others, the EP Moonlight was inspired by both the post-punk and new wave bands of the late ‘70s/ea...
Minute Men: Execute & Run - Lawrence C. Connolly
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Lawrence stops by to discuss his latest release, as well as writing, creating and film making.
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Lawrence C. Connolly’s books include the collections This Way to Egress, whose titular tale of psychological horror was adapted for the Mick Garris film Nightmare Cinema; and the Bram-Stoker-nominated Voices.
He is currently collaborating with his brother Christopher Connolly, Academy-Award winning producer Jonathan Sanger, and Mr. Sanger’s producing partner M. Jones to develop a feature film based on Minute Men: Execute & Run.
More information can be found at...
