Rock & Roast

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with Director, Photographer & Videographer, Doltyn Snedden.  They talk about Doltyn's amazing break into the industry, the start he got in Nashville, projects he's been working on, differences in projects in the pandemic, stories from tour, his views on creativity and his process.  Then they briefly touch on coffee and since he doesn't drink much coffee, what he drinks instead.       Doltyn's Instagram —————> @ds_creatives   Doltyn's Website: www.doltynsneddencreatives.com

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with Magician, Paige Thompson. They talk about the struggles she had growing up with certain family, opportunities that didn't work out, being a female magician, different tours that she has been on, what she has been up to during the pandemic, and things she's looking forward to after the world starts to get back to normal.   They then discuss her favorite types of coffees, how she isn't very picky, a couple of favorite places, and having coffee in Germany.          Paige's Website ——————> paigesmagic.com   Paige's Instagram —————> @paigesmagic      

(Unofficial episode title: The Friendly Vented Asshole)   On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with singer/songwriter Therese Curatolo. They talk about what she has been up to during the pandemic, explaining their careers to the average person, the current state of smaller venues in the country, her family's history in the entertainment industry, her progression within the industry, her experiences working with Justin Glasco, and goofy tour anecdotes.  Then once on the topic of coffee, they discuss her coffee tastes getting more advanced, ways they found coffee while on tour, favorite types of coffee spots, their preferred brew methods, and how they all appreciate a good mug.     Reigning from The Biggest Little City in the World, Therese Curatolo made her way from the operatic stage to radio stations nationwide. Singing alongside soul legends Stevie Wonder & Martha Reeves, Therese's versatile vocal power has taken her from the Metropolitan Opera to the big screen & The Troubadour. She lends her voice to various musical acts worldwide touring with Scott Bradlee's “Postmodern Jukebox,”  “Scary Pockets”  & “Cirque.”      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reesetea/    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yD8X4YpwVHRS6laIW6l8w?si=M2XMd00nR8ydYE55wy9kww    Youtube :https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFWFE3NcvaJx2QwMjyj92Q   “dat ass mug” featured in the video at Justin Glasco's studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmWj5tKKnrE    To support our indie venus: Save Our Stages: https://www.saveourstages.com   

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with audio engineer/Production manager, Ross Touchette. They discuss being thrown into the fire, working well with people, sleeping on a bus, being a musician, impressing the right people, departmental feuds, and a little gear talk. Once they shift into the coffee talk, they talk about finding coffee places on the road, process at a first shop, making cold brew, favorite coffees, and giving our stamps of approval.    Ross is a musician, audio engineer, production manager, and wanna be jack of all trades. He got his start doing installs and working for a production company but got a break as a PM/FOH for a, at the time, Brooklyn based band called The Lone Bellow.  Ross fell in love with touring and had been taking every opportunity he can to get on the road.  He currently lives in Nashville and is the PM/FOH for Country artist Hunter Hayes.     Ross's Instagram ———> @ross_lucien    

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with The Lone Bellow's, Brian Elmquist. They discuss what got him into music, how he met the other members in TLB, his inspiration behind his songs, what he's doing now, and his struggle with becoming sober. These days he's not only in the The Lone Bellow, he's a producer, a writer, and has released an album with Producer, Justin Glasco, called Joyclub. They then discuss his preferences on coffee and a few of their favorite coffee shops around Nashville.     Joyclub Instagram ——> @joyclubofficial Brian's Instagram   ——> @brianelmquist

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with Lighting Director/Programmer/ Designer, Libby Gray. They talk about Libby's start in the industry working for the circus, the change from circus to music, difficulties of being a (badass) woman in the industry, the artists she's been working for in the last few years, and what she up to in these uncertain times. Libby then tells Ben and Caleb about the process of Styx getting their own line of coffee, how much of it they all go through on the road, and her favorite ways to brew it. Styx Coffee ——> https://www.coffeefool.com/Styx-Special-Brew-p/7001.htm

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb dive into a little Q and A.  What types of questions you ask?  Only the best first date questions that Cosmopolitan has to offer!  This episode gives a little insight into the personalities of who Ben Bearden and Caleb Imboden are.  The guys had fun with this one while also opening up a little.  Please enjoy!   @rockandroastpod

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb talk with audio engineer, Nathan Galaske. They discuss Nathan's nickname, him getting into MTSU, his first (shady) job in Nashville, Elite Multimedia, being freelance, touring, getting off the road, what he's doing now, and what parts of his life are most important. They also discuss his love for coffee and his inability to drink it regularly.   Links: www.thecampschool.com @ngalaske @rockandroastpod

This week on Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb are joined by International Brotherhood of Magicians President Stephen Bargatze.  They learn about Stephen's hilarious and sarcastic approach to the stage while also giving his audience a wonderful lesson from his own life.  They talk about his connection with the TSSAA and teaching teens about alcohol, drug, and tobacco use as well as his testimony from growing up with an alcoholic father and overcoming a speech impediment. They laugh at Ben's shirt, talk about hot chocolate, and that crazy uncle that everyone has in their family.   Bio: Stephen Bargatze is currently the International Brotherhood of Magicians President, 2020-2021.  Stephen has been doing his magic and comedy shows since the 1980s. Because of his hard work, dedication, and passion for making people smile, his son also wanted to become an entertainer.  He is the father of the famous Tennessee Kid on Netflix, Nate Bargatze.  Stephen will be performing October 20, 2020 at Zanies Nashville.  His website is www.magicofstephen.com.   @rockandroastpod    

Part 2 of 2. On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb finish their talk with Jeremiah Pierson. He talks about one of his worst gigs to date, being an unwanted new guy on tour, tech talk about his current gig, the article in Light and Sound America, and all of the problems to overcome as a production manager on such a large and complex project.  They then transition into coffee and recount coffee stories from the road, memorable places around the country, and how he takes his coffee.  Jeremiah then shares a message of insight to everyone.      Jeremiah is an audio engineer, production coordinator, and sound designer who got his start in the small rock club scene back in 2009.  Starting off as a runner and stagehand for local shows in his home state of Michigan, he soon landed his first few touring gigs as the jack-of-all trades  for a punk band out of Minneapolis.  After a few years of working the club circuit as a FOH/MON engineer, he would go on to work in the magic industry as both a FOH engineer and A/V designer.  Jeremiah now resides in LA where he has focused his talents on production management and systems design for festival-sized events across the country.     Jeremiah's Instagram - @jeremiah.pierson   Light and Sound America - www.lightandsoundamerica.com

Part 1 of 2. On this episode of Rock & Roast, Ben and Caleb speak to Jeremiah Pierson. They talk about his intro to the industry with a house gig, his first tour with a regional rock band, what he's learned on tour, how being thrown into the fire on a gig can make you stronger, and working with a magician on who's tour he and Ben met.    Jeremiah is an audio engineer, production coordinator, and sound designer who got his start in the small rock club scene back in 2009.  Starting off as a runner and stagehand for local shows in his home state of Michigan, he soon landed his first few touring gigs as the jack-of-all trades  for a punk band out of Minneapolis. After a few years of working the club circuit as a FOH/MON engineer, he would go on to work in the magic industry as both a FOH engineer and A/V designer. Jeremiah now resides in LA where he has focused his talents on production management and systems design for  festival-sized events across the country.     Jeremiah's Instagram - @jeremiah.pierson    

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben talk to audio tech/engineer, Calvin Welshans. They talk gear, Calvin's experience being homeschooled, his love for music resulting in his love for tech, first house gig, first tour, his transition into the company he currently works for, and what he's doing now. Then they transition to coffee and discuss how favorites of brew method, grind, and origin, the different espresso drinks, and the ratios of milk that structure them. He then teaches Ben and Caleb a few things about the specifics of brew methods and the balances that go along with them.   Calvin is a touring Monitor Systems/RF Tech and occasional monitor mixer. His hobbies include coffee, whiskey, tobacco, and being a professional. He loves to learn, read, and talk about work in any capacity. When he grows up he wants to be a barista...but seriously his retirement plan is to open a cafe serving pour over/espresso and whiskey pairings.     Calvin's Instagram - @calvinbwelshans   Clair Global's Instagram - @clairglobal

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben continue their talk to producer, tech, and musician, and coffee lover, Justin Glasco. They talk about Justin's move to L.A, then to Brooklyn, then to Nashville, and then back to L.A.! Justin tells them about his time with The Lone Bellow, his love for and his life in the studio, microphones, what he's been working on during the pandemic, travel coffee setups, coffee first thing in the morning on tour, and their favorites of coffee.   A self-proclaimed quality control freak splitting time between Los Angeles and Nashville.   Credits include session work with artists such as Andrew Bird, Christina Perri, Avril Lavigne, Blake Mills, Matt Berninger (the National), Tristan Prettyman, Bo Burhnam, Dan Wilson and writing collaborations with Cary Brothers, Wild Rivers, Emerson Hart, Serena Ryder, Anderson East and Meiko.   Justin was most recently a creative contributor and drummer for Nashville-based Americana band, The Lone Bellow. The band released their third album in September 2017. Produced alongside Dave Cobb, with additional production by Glasco at his personal studio. The album includes songs written while touring internationally with the band for three years.   He is currently busy working on upcoming releases from Meiko, David Redd, Amie Miriello, Madison Malone, Lucy Clearwater, Hugh Masterson and Brian Elmquist (The Lone Bellow) and a slew of incredible talent with a new live project called Stories.    Justin's Website- https://www.justinglasco.com/   Justin's Instagram- @justinglasco   The Lone Bellow's Instagram- @thelonebellow   Slate Coffee Roasters - https://slatecoffee.com/   Visitor Coffee/Brian Lang Instagram - @visitorcoffeela   Weak Coffee Instagram- @weakcoffeeco

This is a very special bonus episode where Caleb and Ben are joined by industry veteran Kyle Jones, Vice President of Account Development for Special Event Transportation.  Kyle has over 30 years in the live entertainment business, has served some of the top names in the industry and has grown major global companies such as Stage Call Transportation and recently launched the US division of Truck'N Roll.   This episode is a call to action to help pass the RESTART bill (S. 3814) in order to help those unemployed by extending PUA and FPUC and our industry's critical situation.   Please visit: www.usa.gov/elected-officials to easily find your elected official and message them about why this is so important.   Also visit www.wemakeevents.org for more information and ways to take action.

Part 1 of 2. On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben talk to producer, tech, and musician, Justin Glasco.  They talk about Justin growing up in a musical home with a vocalist father, college, making the move to Nashville, first jobs, first tours (as a tech and as a musician), attitudes in the industry, and little about his time with The Lone Bellow.  They also mention some of the gear they all use to record and the difficulties of recording albums in a global pandemic in person and online.  This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Justin.      A self-proclaimed quality control freak splitting time between Los Angeles and Nashville.    Credits include session work with artists such as Andrew Bird, Christina Perri, Avril Lavigne, Blake Mills, Matt Berninger (The National), Tristan Prettyman, Bo Burhnam, Dan Wilson and writing collaborations with Cary Brothers, Wild Rivers, Emerson Hart, Serena Ryder, Anderson East and Meiko.   Justin was most recently a creative contributor and drummer for Nashville-based Americana band, The Lone Bellow.  The band released their third album in September 2017, produced alongside Dave Cobb, with additional production by Glasco at his personal studio.  The album includes songs written while touring internationally with the band for three years.   He is currently busy working on upcoming releases from Meiko, David Redd, Amie Miriello, Madison Malone, Lucy Clearwater, Hugh Masterson and Brian Elmquist (The Lone Bellow) and a slew of incredible talent with a new live project called Stories.        Justin's Website- https://www.justinglasco.com/   Justin's Instagram- @justinglasco   The Lone Bellow's Instagram- @thelonebellow

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben talk to guitarist Browan Lollar from St. Paul and the Broken Bones.  They talk about Browan's previous bands, stories from Muscle Shoals (Browan's hometown and where Ben attended college), how crazy it is to run into people you know in the industry on the other side of the world, how much they all like nitro cold brew, and what is considered “good” coffee.  Aside from being a fantastic guitarist and musician, Browan is a very talented artist.  They talk a little bit about his art and how long he has been doing it. (Link to art page below).       Browan Lollar's southeastern roots and surrealistic eye blend to create colorful, dark images. Born in Knoxville, Tenn., his childhood took him to Atlanta, Ga., and finally to Muscle Shoals, Ala., where he took root and used his surroundings and experiences as inspiration for his works. As a three-year-old, he doodled in church, and immersed himself in painting at the age of twelve. Since then he has been sought after by bands such as John Paul White, The Bear, and Jason Isbell to create full circle concept designs for their albums. Lollar's art has been displayed in several galleries. His album art for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's first two records has been featured in more than 30 magazines, including Blurt, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, No Depression, and Rolling Stone, as well as many late night television shows. In 2012 Lollar released the solo EP, which he recorded while living in Muscle Shoals. Later that same year he helped form Birmingham based band St. Paul and The Broken Bones. The band has since released two EPs and three full length records and has shared the stage with such artists as Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Rolling Stones.          Browan's Art Website- Browanlollarprints.bigcartel.com   Browan's Twitter- Twitter.com/browanlollar   Browan's Instagram-  @browanlollar   St. Paul and the Broken Bones Website- St.paulandthebrokenbones.com   St. Paul and the Broken Bones Instagram- @stpaulandthebrokenbones   Caveat Coffee Instagram- @caveat.coffee   OHenry's Coffee Instagram- @ohenrys

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben talk to magician Dan Sperry about his career in magic & starting a coffee company.  Beginning with his childhood, they talk about Dan growing up in the magic industry, him moving to different cities, jobs outside of the industry, & stories from touring.  They then transition into the world of coffee and Dan's coffee company, Zombie Java.  They discuss the origins of the company, the different coffees offered, and Dan's favorite roast.     Shock Illusionist Dan Sperry : The Anti-Conjuror: Combining the art of magic with the macabre, his unhinged, shockingly eccentric humor and audience interaction that makes his live show a truly unique experience that has been dubbed, “Totally icky, yet totally awesome”, “…Left me laughing to tears. The cynical Alice Cooper of Magic”, and one that “Has audiences laughing and shuddering in equal measure”. From starring in the best-selling magic show in Broadway history The Illusionists, sky-rocketing ratings on America's Got Talent, Germany's hit series Das SuperTalent, FOX's World Magic Awards, and TLC's Cake Boss, to selling out countless performance venues around the world, Dan Sperry presents a magic show for people who love magic shows but an even better show for people who hate magic shows.   Dan Sperry Instagram - @dansperry   Zombie java Instagram - @zombiejava   Dan Sperry's website - www.dansperry.com   Dans gaming link - https://m.twitch.tv/antigaminggamingshow/profile (The Anti Gaming Gaming Show)   Aeropress coffee maker- www.aeropress.com

On this episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben bring you part 2 of their conversation with Will Whitaker! The coffee half! They discuss the origins of coffee, brew methods, the world of competition coffee, the history of the coffee bean, and how coffee houses came to be in the United States. Will also talks about the business he & his wife started, and what it looks like during and after Covid.   -Sayso Coffee's Instagram - @saysocoffee -Will Whitaker's Instagram - @will.w2189 -La Marzocco Espresso Machine - www.lamarzoccousa.com -Kalita Wave Pour Over System - http://kalita.ae/products/waveseries -December Dripper Pour Over System - https://www.decembercoffee.com/product-page/december-dripper-grip -Specialty Coffee Association - https://sca.coffee/

On the inaugural episode of Rock & Roast, Caleb and Ben interview Audio Systems Engineer, Will Whitaker.  Will has worked for, and toured with, many big name artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Foo Fighters.  In part one of this two part episode, they discuss the details of the Foo Fighters tour on which Dave Grohl broke his leg, how Will got the opportunity to work with Lynyrd Skynyrd, along with a few ridiculous jokes, and a little bit of tech talk for the nerds out there like us!  So join us, and we hope you enjoy!

In this preview episode, Ben and Caleb sarcastically discuss what will be to come on their podcast.  They talk coffee.  They talk about the road.  Caleb gets made fun of for watching Sex and the City and loving Hanson.  Ben tells about his "Orgasmatron" All Access pass from a past festival.  Are you ready to dive into the world of Rock & Roast?  Do you wonder what goes on in the minds of crew personnel of your favorite legendary bands?  Join Ben and Caleb as they laugh, reminisce, look forward, and let you in on their relationship as not only crew mates but also close friends. Links: Follow us on Instagram! @rock_and_roast Here's one of Caleb's favorite all around coffee and food places in Nashville mentioned in the episode: www.frothymonkey.com @frothymonkey