So The Story Goes with Brian Chartrand

Mixologist, and self proclaimed "nerdy bartender type," Joey Joyce joins Brian, Matthew Thornton and Steff Koeppen for an Amaro tasting. What is Amaro? What makes Amaros delicious? After a brief history of the spirit, we taste, describe, and rate several tasty Amaros. I hope you find this discussion valuable and now, go get yourself some Amaros. Tasting in order:1: Amaro Montenegro, Bologna, Italy2: Averna, Sicily3: Vecchio Amaro Del Capo, Calabria, Italy4: Ischia Sapori Rucolino, Ischia Sapori, Italy5: Ramazzotti, Milan, Italy6: Cynar, Milan, Italy7: Bràulio, Lombardy, Italy8: Amaro Alta Verde, Triveneto, Italy9: Fernet Branca, Milan, Italy10: Becherovka, Karlovy Vary, Czechia11: Amargo-Vallet, Hidalgo, Mexico

Matt and I discuss what to do when you are asked by friends to sit in on their gig. "Come on and play a tune! And make sure its awesome...." Here's what you need to know...

Welcome back Sandi King and Joshua Taylor to the micro-pod. In this episode Sandi shares her love for Robyn's tune "Dancing On My Own." Enjoy!

Matthew Thornton returns and we dissect two Beatles songs "Long and Winding Road" and "A Day in the Life" and why we think these songs are awesome. Enjoy people.

San Diego based husband and wife musical duo Sandi King and Josh Taylor of King Taylor Project stop by to discuss the building blocks of what makes a song awesome.. then we break down, dare I say, an awesome tune. Enjoy!

Kyle Phelan returns to talk about an awesome song... We also talk about his day gig at Warrior Guitar, NAMM in Anaheim and then we break down a Bros. Landreth tune "Vulture Choir" from their North Americana Sessions album. Hope you enjoy the conversation.

In this micro-pod, Matthew Thornton and I dig into our shared love of U2. We pull apart Matt's favorite song "With or Without You" and how it inspired his singing career. Matt had the good fortune of seeing U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Lets just say, it changed the game. We also pull up "Mysterious Ways" from Achtung Baby which is my favorite U2 song. Thanks for listening!

Sandi King, San Diego based singer/songwriter stops by for a chat. Heavily influenced by her trumpet playing father, Sandi has been singing from a very early age. From listening to jazz albums while her father rehearsed, to discovering some incredible female singers on the radio in the 90s, to finding her voice in high school. After a couple life turns, she finds music as a full time situation. We talk about her original project King Taylor Project and her latest solo project which is a celebration of the music inspired by her dad. For more information, please visit https://www.kingtaylorproject.com/.

What makes a song awesome for Singer/Songwriter Kyle Phelan? We dissect "Is It Me?" by Bros. Landreth. What is Kyle's vocal warm up? We define snare "gush." Kyle is groove forward, but also a sucker for a killer melody and lyricist. Dig in.

Josh Taylor, singer/songwriter, axe slinger for hire, studio musician stops by for a chat. We start at the beginning of the journey in OKC jamming to Kenny Loggins, to finding guitar, to joining the Navy, to moving to San Diego and becoming an award winning songwriter. We talk about starting out as a working musician, and developing your own style and how other artists can inform your sound. We rap about King Taylor Project, his project with his wife Sandi King, and his solo work. For more information visit https://www.joshuataylormusic.com/

Brian brings in Phoenix musician Matt Thornton to discuss an awesome song. What makes an awesome song? Today is Smiths vs. The Cure. Welcome to the "Micro-pod."

Guitar player James Rudolph stops by for a chat. Originally from Portland, Maine, he spent most of his high school years living in Belgium, made his way to LA to study music and then decided to move to Phoenix right before the pandemic to really commit to being a full-time musician after a period of being a public school teacher. We dive into musical philosophies, approaches, inspirations... baseball, rainbows, and the pursuit of music. For more information on James check out https://www.instagram.com/jamesrudolphguitar/

Beth Lederman, first call piano player and native Phoenician , stops by for a chat. Beth comes from a long line of accomplished musicians and music enthusiasts. Her grandfather started Lederman Music which he moved to Phoenix from Virginia in the 1950s. His store was a major hub in the music scene. Beth, not surprisingly, was inspired to play the piano at a very early age. She continued pursuing her passion for music through college(s), until making her way back to Arizona where she played in rock bands, started a latin band called Nuvo Mundo, and various jazz ensembles. We share war stories about hosting jam sessions, we talk about life as a musician, and what's on the horizon for her. We also hear her perform "Both Sides Now" from a recent performance. For more information, please visit https://bethlederman.com/

Alex Miller zooms in from NYC for a chat. Our paths crossed in 2007ish in New York. Alex had just moved from his home state of Ohio to work as a sound guy at the Canal Room in Tribeca which is where my band The Sweet Remains would perform. Alex mixed us for several shows and a friendship was formed. He is a singer/songwriter, member of the band Saved By The 90s, bandleader for his new project Silver Tooth Cactus, and die hard Phish head. We talk about his work opening a live music venue, staying productive during the pandemic, and how he is navigating the music industry as an original artist. For more info, check out https://silvertoothcactus.com/.

On this episode, Brian is joined by Phoenix based drummers Erik Teichmann and Gannon Burleigh. We dig deep, real deep, talk grooves, players, influences... favorite comedies from the 80s. There were lightning rounds. This episode has it all! We basically nerd out on the drums for a while. Enjoy!

Curtis Grippe of Dead Hot Workshop and owner of Stem Recording in Paradise Valley, AZ stops by for a chat. From the early days in Prescott, AZ to answering an ad in the Phoenix New Times for a band looking for a drummer which leads not only to his move to Tempe, but to being a part of Dead Hot Workshop in the late 1980s and immediately being immersed in the burgeoning Tempe music scene. He shares early Dead Hot touring stories, getting signed, touring with the Gin Blossoms. He helps define the Tempe sound, shares a secret to keeping a band together for over 30 years, label pitfalls, and watching the thriving local music scene disappear. We listen to the song that Curtis feels best exemplifies the Dead Hot sound "Lead Thoughts" from their major label debut album "1001." We also chat about his recording studio Stem Recording. For more information, please visit https://www.stemrecording.com/

What's happening with this podcast?!

Marah and Luis, also known as Lumar, stop by the crib for a chat. Marah is from Phoenix and Luis was raised in Mexico City, but they came together at a fateful Music Theory class at GCC. They both had a metal phase, they both grew up around music, but they chose different instruments. We talk early music memories, inspirations, favorite artists, the beginning of their band Lumar, joining the Stakes and how that collaboration works, and everything on the horizon. For more information, please visit https://www.lumarmusic.com/home

If you love baseball or music, this is your podcast because Eric Nadel zooms by for a chat. Eric is the Texas Hall of Fame radio announcer for the 2023 World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers, and one of the biggest music fans I've ever met. He talks about growing up in Brooklyn, studying at Brown University, his first job calling hockey in Michigan, and moving to Dallas in 1976 to work for the Rangers, and seeing concerts all along the way. He talks about his involvement in the Dallas music scene, shares stories about Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush, and his favorite stadiums to work in.

Just listen....

Hailing from Longmeadow, MA, Peter Venti says hello. Having received proper exposure to music as a kid, after his three years of mandatory piano lessons, and exploring the bass guitar in college, this keys player/singer ends up in Arizona in the late 80s. He mucked it up in various bands such as Garage Mahal, The Unholy Alliance, The New Subterraineans, Black Sheep Choir, Suffering Bastards and eventually in 2004 we start a band called Ten Dollar Outfit. From it's creation at an open mic at Rula Bula in 2004, to making our first studio album "East Meets West," this trio still performs to this day. Many studio and live albums later, we still enjoy making that music. For more information and to listen to TDO, please visit: www.tdo.brianchartrand.com/music

Tempe, AZ native Singer/Songwriter Joey Gutos stops by for a chat; from the first time hearing Black Dog, to NSYNC dance routines, to finding his voice after a fateful performance of "Just What I Needed" by the Cars. We check out a tune by his old band Sunset Voodoo called "Sweet Release" and how he evolved into his new thing and his arrival as a full time performer in 2018. We also chat about how he got through the pandemic in one piece. Lastly, we dig into his latest tune "Sand to Snow." For more information, please visit www.joeygutos.com.

Tempe's own singer/songwriter Jake Greider stops by for a chat. From watching his pops play music in Irish pubs, to discovering hip hop in the early 90s, to "jumping in" the Little G mafia, to finding the drums. We connect on "Stairway to Heaven," Smashing Pumpkins, our common distaste for math, and our love of Jeff Buckley (he even busts out a little "Grace" on my acoustic guitar). We also check out his tune "Clean." Did we just become best friends? Find out for yourself. www.jakegreider.com

David Moroney, aka DJ Mitch Freedom, stops by for a chat. He hails from Grand Rapids, MI where in the early 90s, he was inspired by hip hop and techno but picked the Cello in 5th grade as his first instrument. We rap about ska music, grunge, and the Grateful Dead. After touring with his band Mission Orange after high school, he makes the decision to move to Phoenix in 2004 and finishes his degree at ASU. During that time, he starts What Laura, Says, Thinks and Feels, which becomes a staple in the local music scene. He shares some early stories of the downtown music scene and the early days of What Laura Says. From the ashes of that band, he joined Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra and started to cultivate his DJ work. David has a lot going on! www.instagram.com/mitchfreedom

Dennis Rowland, Detroit's own legendary jazz vocalist, calls me into the band room at Scottsdale Community College for a chat. He shares (and sings) his early musical memories, including his first 45, singing classical music in high school, shipping off to Kentucky State University for music, his first paid gig at Joe's Palm Room in Louisville, and landing the gig singing with the Count Basie Orchestra. It's not often you get a chance to rap with a legend, and I feel honored and humbled to have spent this time with him. He also speaks candidly about his stroke in 2012 and how he got back on his feet to sing again. Dennis is still gigging to this day and you owe it to yourself to listen to him perform.

Matthew Thornton, lead singer and songwriter in Vinyl Station and reluctant "artist," returns to the podcast. He was my first guest on this podcast in April 2021 and we reminisce about that time and space which was, let's say, challenging. We talk about the early days of the pandemic and how we got things over and stayed sane. For a minute or two, the conversation goes off the rails a touch, sorry, spoiler alert. Lastly, we dig into his latest work and we talk about some of the tunes including "Nothing Yet" and "That Man." For more information, please visit https://www.vinylstationband.com/

Singer/Songwriter, guitar player, and music critic Ed Masley stops by for a chat. Pittsburgh, PA born , son of a steel worker, Beatles influenced songwriter shares his early story; from getting in trouble in school, to convincing his folks to buy him a guitar, to getting inspired to study journalism at Temple University. He talks about his decision to move to AZ, his history with Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket making records with his band The Breakup Society and working as a journalist for the Arizona Republic and the complications of being a musician AND a music writer. We discuss his latest The Breakup Society album which was released in 2020 and we listen to a snippet of his tune "all the integrity money could buy." For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/TheBreakupSociety

Ryan Cronin, singer/songwriter, guitar player, composer stops by for a chat. New Jersey born, egg roll lover, shares his story; from in utero exposure to the Grateful Dead, to watching Wizard of Oz synched to Dark Side of the Moon, to blasting Rage Against the Machine to get fired up in High School. We talk about our mutual love of Wes Anderson movies. He talks about his time at GCC and his decision to study music and start performing. We discuss his pandemic project called Croni and hear a clip of his tune Ukinumbo. Find out more at https://croni.space/

Singer/Songwriter, guitar player Austin Carthell stops by for a chat. He shares early memories singing harmonies with his family. What had been a hobby turned profession when in his late 20's he decides to ditch the corporate job and become a performer. He shares his musical journey, we talk tech, looping, gear, and why he uses backing tracks for some of his gigs. We connect on Amos Lee and then we listen to some of Austin's tunes and talk songwriting. For more information please visit http://www.austincarthell.com/Check out our sponsors:https://silentium.us/https://hippiesoulwellness.com/

Singer/songwriter Carrie Lynn Van Winkle stops by for a chat. She grew up in a deeply religious, yet highly musical family. She tried a number of instruments before getting a guitar from her dad with a cryptic post-it attached. She shares her first introduction to pop music (buckle up), her struggles as an unchallenged high school student, giving up her dream of attending Juilliard College, rebelling by NOT playing music, and her decision to go back to school including attending Glendale Community College focusing on music. We talk about how the Chicks With Picks organization made her the artist she is today and we listen to two of her tunes "Safe Bet, Sweet Plan" and "Crash." For more information, please visit : www.instagram.com/van.winkle.music

Singer/songwriter, band leader, music festival creator, and former backup singer for Christina Aguilera, Candace Devine drives down the hill from Prescott to have a chat. She shares her deep CA roots, her early love of Judy Garland and musical theater which eventually leads to her studying music at San Fransisco State. Opportunities lead her back to LA where one fateful day she gets a call to audition for Christina's upcoming tour. Spoiler alert, she gets the gig. Then there was "David and Devine," her original project that toured for over 6 years. We talk about her current band Ponderosa Grove, the music festival she created, Pure Imagination Festival, which features both national and local bands, and the creative things she did during covid. We also listen to her song "Save Your Soul." For more information, please visit https://www.ponderosagrove.com/

Southbury, Connecticut's own Jeff Tuohy stops in for a chat. We rap about how we met over 20 years ago in Springfield, MA, and his early musical influences including Peter and the Wolf, Waylon and Willie, show tunes, and Michael Jackson. After college, he moves to New York to, initially, pursue acting but ultimately make music his main focus. We also rap about his latest album Hudson Delta; an eclectic album that winds its way through swampy, New Orleans style romps, to country tunes about getting drunk - all the while delivering an authentic vocal performance that belies his New England roots. We rap about the songwriting process and his philosophy on music production. We also listen to a bit of his track called Bourbon Street. For more information, please visit https://www.jefftuohy.com/

Owner and main talent buyer for Rebel Lounge, and 6th generation Arizonan, Stephen Chilton, aka Psyko Steve, stops by for a chat. We dive deep into his punk rock roots, from booking friends' bands at Modified Arts in Phoenix in 2000 to putting on his own festival downtown in 2022 called Zona Music Festival. He shares his experience working for Stateside Presents and Crescent Ballroom and promoting shows as Psyko Steve. We also rap about his idea to start his own music venue The Rebel Lounge, in the former Mason Jar, in 2015. We rap about the evolution of the Phoenix scene and how a handful of venues changed it completely and the current state of the music industry. We also touch on his important work during the pandemic to create the National Independent Venue Association and the #saveourstages movement which resulted in important legislation which saved thousands of independent stages across the country. For more information on The Rebel Lounge, please visit https://therebellounge.com/

Guitar player, automotive journalist, and New York native, Jim Resnick stops by for a chat. We discuss early influential albums, sneaking out to jazz clubs in NYC as a young teenager, to attending the University of Hartford where he graduated with a degree in English all the while performing with various bands. After graduating, he bounces between coasts working as a writer and editor until he lands a gig at Fender, right here in AZ. We connect on the beauty of a Bavarian breakfast, our shared love of Steely Dan and the intersection between music and journalism. He is hoping to release original music very soon. For more information, please visit https://www.jimresnickmusic.com/

Singer/Songwriter, touring musician, writer, Tedtalk-er, and budding stand up comic (no joke) Stephen Kellogg shares his story. From the early days feeling inspired by Cat Stevens and Whitesnake, to writing lyrics in notebooks in grade school, to studying at UMASS Amherst where thankfully he brought a guitar with him and started to write songs, to working for Iron Horse Entertainment Group after college, to diving into performing full time. He shares stories from his early touring days being signed to Universal, recording, and making a reputation as a hard working band leader. We rap about his Tedtalk, about his old band The Sixers, his insight into keeping bands together, and staying creative and productive during the pandemic. For more information on Stephen, visit https://www.stephenkellogg.com/

Minnesota's own Steve Gripp stops by for a chat. We talk early musical memories, he shares his one Prince story, the influence of Metallica, we compare music scenes in Minneapolis and Phoenix, and what led to his decision to leave MN and uproot to Phoenix. We talk about his philosophies of being a successful and in demand side man. He is also entering the world of a solo singer/guitar player and he shares his tricks of the trade. For more information on Steve, please visit: https://stevegrippguitar.com/

Singer/Songwriter Shawn Johnson brings his son Xavier to the podcast. We rap about his rough and tumble early years in MA, his decision to move to AZ, early memories of Tempe in the mid 90s, open mic stories, making records, having fun (too much fun sometimes, "Bladder Busters" anyone?), living in Rocky Point, and surviving and overcoming a stroke in 2018. He even shares a new tune live in the studio, with his son Xavier on harmonies, called "Where I Belong." Shawn is working on a new album, keep in touch with him at https://shawnjohnsonmusic.com/

Drummer, firearms aficionado, and former video game tester Joshua Santa Cruz stops by for a chat. We talk about being inspired by his uncle playing drums in church, to getting his own drum set, albums that inspired him, we share harmonica stories, and living downtown and attending Phoenix College. He shares his journey into becoming a professional drummer which included some work with WGI/DCI (Winter Guard and Drum Corps) International, as well as his start working with local professionals and local bands. Josh also graduates PC and heads to ASU where he got his jazz performance degree. He also shares his passion for firearms, both building and training, as well as audio engineering, and building computers and gaming. For more information, please find Josh on instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/sonixx_wave/

From the suburbs of Detroit, MI to Tempe, AZ, I welcome Gannon (aka The Cannon) to the podcast. We talk about the influence of Michael Jackson's "Bad" album, learning on a practice pad, joining the school band, playing in punk bands, stopping over in Tempe while on his way to LA and never leaving. Starting his power trio "Thoughts," getting a regular gig in Tempe, and meeting Shawn Johnson with whom he started working with. He shares his favorite SJ & The Foundation tune "Acrobat." We laugh, we cry, we feel deep emotions. Gannon is a sweetheart with a great story to tell and an incredible whisperer.

Quincy, IL native Ryan McKay stops by for a chat. This singer/songwriter, guitar player, and guitar teacher shares his journey. We talk influential albums, first bands, first gigs, and first instruments. He talks about his decision to pack his car with a cheap guitar and an amp and move to Phoenix and what he did to start over in a big city. He talks about his run with his band Crash Street Kids, being a side man for Louis Prima Jr for 10 years, and making his first solo album "Ryan McKay and the Broken Brains" from which he shares his song "FIB." For more information on the album, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@ryanmckaymusic

Arizona's own troubadour and longtime band leader Tod Miller brings a nice bottle of wine and sits down for a chat. From a very early age, Tod was surrounded by music as his father was the leader of a local band. Although he didn't get serious about the acoustic guitar until his 20s, Tod has been a staple in the local music scene for decades and helped launch the careers of many. He's got some great stories to tell, especially about his dear friend and longtime musical collaborator Ethan Newman who sadly passed in December 2020. Lastly, we discuss some of his new projects including his yacht rock band, Dirty Yachtin Scoundrels. For more information, please visit https://dirtyyachtinscoundrels.com/

Oletha, KS born bass player and educator Ray Thiry stops by for a visit. From the early days being inspired to play the drums by his father, then upright bass, to that moment when he was 13 and picked up an electric bass for the first time and decided that was going to be his life. We talk about his move to Arizona and attending ASU and his decision to get a degree in Music Education. And now he wants to be a pilot?! For more information, check out https://raythirymusic.wixsite.com/mysite

Singer/songwriter Kip Fox stops by for a chat. From growing up in quiet Napa, CA listening to his parents harmonizing Christian folk songs as he drifted off to sleep, to discovering Queen and Michael Jackson, to studying at Concordia University in Irvine, CA where he pursued becoming a worship leader focusing on contemporary music. After a short stint in Vegas making music and working part time as a Gondolier at the Venetian he ultimately moves to Phoenix to become a worship leader. We rap spirituality and music. He also shares his tune "Let Me Count the Ways." For more information, please visit: http://kipfox.com/home/

Born in the deep snow of Bellingham, WA, singer/songwriter Kurtis Adair stops by for a chat. We talk through early musical influences, growing up in Yuma, AZ, finding the drums, early work slinging guitar in a country band and his dive into the local Phoenix music scene. This young gun also shares his latest tune "Gin + Citrus" which indicates to me, he is going to have a nice little songwriting career. Lastly, we dig deep into the 'Dan and the Dead. Check out Kurtis' work at https://kurtisadair.com/

Singer/Songwriter, Producer and Arizona native Dominick Provenzano stops by for a chat. From "Graceland" to Weird Al to the Beatles to Bob Dylan, Dominick enjoyed a healthy and diverse musical upbringing. We rap about songwriting, producing, recording, influences and he shares his new tune "My Heart is an Open Door" which he will be releasing in June 2023. This cat is quick to laugh and a super easy hang. I wish we recorded the conversation on the patio when we took a deep dive into all things music. For more information go to www.dompromusic.com.

Drummer, singer, songwriter A.D. Adams stops by for a deep dive. Born in MI, his family soon relocates to D.C. He recalls the music that inspired him, how the Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show changed his world, touring the east coast in High School with his brother, unbelievable tales from the road including being the backing band for Chuck Berry as a 19 year old, transitioning to working behind the board, moving to Arizona, getting clean, and returning to the drums. We also listen to some of his work with Louis Prima Jr. who he has been working with since 2010. Cat has an energy y'all. Buckle up friends.

Oregon born Krystal Waters stops by for a chat. From singing around a campfire with her family as a child, to learning clarinet, to getting her first guitar at 19. Her decision to move to Phoenix and pursue music as a career with her band Wild Angels which is how she met her future husband Sturgis Waters. How the band evolved into a duo and started making a living performing around town. She shares her tune "Hocus Pocus" which was born through a weekly collaborative songwriting circle. We rap about live streaming during Covid and her latest endeavor, Jubilee in the Desert, an assisted living center in Glendale, which she started with her sister. For more information on Krystal, please visit www.thewatersmusic.com.

Yuma, Arizona's own Mike Ozuna stops by for a chat. This versatile guitar player shares his humble beginning figuring out single-line rock riffs with his brother, playing trumpet throughout school, and his decision to study music and pursue a double major in jazz performance and music education which he received from ASU. We talk about work/life/family balance and his philosophies about being a busy, in demand, performing musician. We talk favorite guitar players and dig deep into gear as well. For more information, find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.ozuna.5

Mark Zubia has been playing in the Valley since the 80s. Growing up in a home that celebrated music, Mark quickly took to the guitar and started writing songs with his brother Lawrence at an early age. He shares stories of the Tempe scene in the 90s, and the journey of his band The Pistoleros that he started with his brother. He shares the ups and downs of getting signed to a major label deal. Mark continues to write and perform and just released a solo album "Zubia." We talk about his tune "Loser's Game." For more information, please visit: https://markzubia.com/

Entrepreneur, music lover, retailer, and fourth generation Arizonan Patrick Burch stops by for a little chat. We talk about his love of piano, starting a band with Matthew Thornton in college in Texas, and opening Cave and Post, a "Gentleman's Mercantile" here in Phoenix. This spot is super cool and has everything I love: pearl snap western shirts, turquoise rings, cowboy boots and hats, and gorgeous guitars hanging on the walls. It's a vibe. For more information, please visit www.caveandpost.com.

First call trumpet player Kevin Tangney stops by for a visit. We talk about his formative years in Oregon, his first taste of music, and how he ended up in Arizona. We discuss his decision to get sober, join the army, going to war, and then leaving the trumpet to lead river trips in Moab, UT. Thankfully, he came back to the trumpet and has been busy ever since, not only playing music but working with an organization called The Abolitionists who bring essential items to migrants crossing the Arizona border. For more information on his project The New Guard Big Band, please visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048099643047