Sound for Thought

“I really think everybody can make cool songs... if they try.” Marcos Vaca joins the program for an excellent discussion of all things music. Marcos and I talk about how each of us met the great Jake Marino, the process of combining musical influences, what it means to have a signature sound, the idea of never being finished with a piece of art, and more. Marcos tells the story of his own musical journey, and most importantly, the reason why he makes music. Featured tracks: I Need You Now (More Than I Did Then) and Bastille Day. Listen to bonus content with Marcos and other great artists on our Patreon page.

“That's the hater in me coming out…cause I just know I'm gonna hate it, and hate gives me enjoyment.” This episode features the incredibly talented, all around good guy, Jake Marino of Count Harriet! He's also the host of a brand new podcast from Redefing Records called Trust the Process. Jake and I talk about the important things in life like the miracle of birth, SNL, and dogs. Jake tells us how and why he fell in love with playing guitar. And most importantly Jake explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Tired Lies (world premiere!) and Stranger Things.

“There's certain things and people and places… that make you feel more musical, that just make you want to intuitively spend more time in, or invest in.” Brooklyn-based ambient artist Corntuth joins the show for a wonderfully meaningful conversation. We chat about how he got into ambient music, his songwriting process, demo-itis, instruments as tools... and how they inform the music creation process, plus much more. Most importantly, Corntuth explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: E-004 and C-003.

“I've never felt like I've been making music truer to how I want it to sound until now.” Dream-rock singer-songwriter Chloe Gallardo stops by the podcast for an enchanting chat. We discuss all sorts of things like how growing up in Orange County with a very musically talented family impacted her sound, how she handles social media and self-promotion as an indie artist, how she breaks out of writer's block, the inspirations behind her new single and upcoming album, and so much more. Most importantly, Chloe explains why she makes music! Featured tracks: Cutting It Close and Fool's Keeper.

“When everything is gone for me, music will still be there.” The multitalented musician, actor and podcaster, Parker Wierling, joins the show and we dig deep. We chat about his new single “With A Little Love,” moving from ATL to LA back to ATL, the appeal and dangers of being a madgenius dedicated to one craft, his musical genesis story, a transformative Beatles listening experience, working at the edge of your comfort zone, his podcast On That Note, listening to albums in full and so much more. Most importantly, Parker explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: With A Little Love and Silver Words.

“When I'm working on songs and feeling really pumped about them, there really is no better feeling.” Strath, an indie synth-pop artist originally from Melbourne, but now based in LA, joins the show and we cover a lot of ground in our conversation. We chat about his ‘cliche' experience of moving to LA to pursue music, how he was inspired to play the sax by Sesame Street,  ‘mucking around' on Logic Pro, NFTs, a transformative experience seeing Frank Ocean live in Sweden, his upcoming EP Soon Everything Will Be Perfect, cooking, Lebron James fandom and so much more. Most importantly, Strath explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: Watertight and I Like The Look Of Today.

“Bigger. Bolder. More silly shit. More of the stuff you love and less of the stuff that you don't.” To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Redefining Records, our two podcast extraordinaires, John Pagliassotti and Andrew Shults did an Instagram Live session on June 1, 2021. That sesh included a listener Q&A and a merch giveaway! That live stream has now become this BONUS podcast episode. Some topics we covered: dream supergroup vs. nightmare supergroup, guilty listening pleasure, favorite love songs, types of guitar solos, random hypotheticals and so much more. We discuss the history and future of Redefining Records and our podcasts, how the process has changed our lives for the better and how we'd like to progress going forward.

“Music is the only thing that makes sense to me.” Sean Perry of The Shakes, an infectious indie-pop band from SoCal, joins the show and we talk about how he grew up in Seattle, how his parents and sister got him obsessed with music, his songwriting process, creating music that is both happy and sad, how retiring can be a good career move, shitty movies, baseball fandom, the pros and cons of social media and streaming, the future of music and so much more. Most importantly, Sean explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: Six Feet Below and I Just Want to Feel Something.

Hello, Soundseekers! Welcome to Sound for Thought, a podcast about why people make music. What's the point of making music? Why do so many people spend so much of their time and energy writing songs? This show exists to answer those questions and so much more. Whether you're a musician yourself, a huge music nerd, or a casual listener, you can listen to this podcast for the same reasons you listen to music: to be inspired, to discover something new, and to get to know your favorite artists.

“I feel like music that you release is kind of like... a snapshot of what your life was like at that time.” Eliza Klatt of Australian indie pop-punk band Eliza & The Delusionals comes on the show and we talk about her musical origin story, how she accidentally started playing bass, the long reward process of making music, how she has evolved as a person since starting the band, learning from relationships that come and go while navigating the music industry, being proud of your songs, trusting your gut instincts, and so so much more. As always, and most importantly, Eliza explains why she makes music. Featured tracks: YOU and Sentimental.

“Just keep going, nobody runs out of ideas, there’s no harm in sharing new things.” Danny and Wil of Husbands, a pop-rock n’ roll band from OKC, join the show and bring a bunch of good stuff to the table. We chat about how they got into music, how they become a band, Taco Bell, mall aquariums, their favorite and least favorite original songs and so much more. Most importantly, the bandmates explain why they make music, and talk about each other's talents and creativity. Featured tracks: Mexico and Try Not to Worry.

“Just be yourself and create something unique… If you’re creating something different and it’s coming from you… people are gonna see that and they’re gonna appreciate it a lot more.” Donna Borges of ALTANGELES and cool mom mgmt comes on the show and we talk about how she got into music, how she started Altangeles and cool mom mgmt, how to be original and unique, the necessity of building a brand and using social media to interact with your audience, the importance of creating a more inclusive and safe environment in the music scene, and much more. Most importantly, Donna explains the point of making and listening to music! Featured tracks: Joy II by Joynoise and On & Off by Modern Color.

“It’s gonna be your boys, your favorite dudes in the world sending it just like only they know how to.” This 25th episode of Sound for Thought is a special one. Fellow podcast extraordinaire, John Pagliassotti of Bands, Beers & Buzzwords joins the show for a (very late) recap of 2020. He and host Andrew Shults each bring 5 noteworthy albums to the table to dissect. Future Generations, Chon, Star Parks, Mac DeMarco, HAIM, Khruangbin, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Tame Impala and The Strokes are all discussed. We also give shoutouts to our Creative Cult members Delta Dagger, The Judd Zingle Project, Vaudeville Revival, Carny and Magic ~ Fingers. We give an elevator pitch for John’s new podcast and play a miniature version of his game on this show. There’s more good stuff in here than at an ampm. Featured track: Time Well Wasted.

“We can go through life together on the hunt to try and figure out, what is cinnamon? And why is it a stick?” New kid on the Spotify block, VHS King, joins the Sound for Thought family. Some of you might know him better as Andres Montiel, titan of the film industry. We had a wonderful discussion about cinnamon (and lots of other amazing things like the UCSB music scene, Hawaii, the frustrations of recording, overcoming self-sabotage and doubt, 80s music, strange times in Seattle, etc.) Most importantly, Andres explains why he makes music. He also turns things around and hits me with some tough questions of his own. Featured tracks: Tinder Girls and Prom Song.

“The point now is really just havin’ a good time.” The prolific Doc Martian, otherwise known as Gerran Brown, joins the show and brings the good vibes! Our chat covers everything from his job hunt to his college football career, the true cliches of studying abroad, having fun making fun music, creativity as a choice, collaborating and so much more. Most importantly, Gerran explains why he makes music. We also play another game of Soundtrack to Your Life! Featured tracks: Ran Into You and Moonlight.

“I’m officially done trying to sound like I have anything smart to say.” Tyler Blue Broderick of Diners comes on the show and says literally a bunch of smart things! Our wonderful conversation ranges over topics like bread, coping without live music, making your own inspiration, the joys of making juice, having no taste in music, skateboarding, touring with pets, taking care of plants, skateboarding, and the World Series! We talk about how Tyler got into music from a young age and most importantly, Tyler explains why they make music! Featured tracks: Cup of Coffee and Good Zone.

“I just hit it really fast and hard.” The large majority of San Francisco based punk-rock band, Pork Belly joins the show to jibber-jabber about all the music things: how they got started individually and as a band, how they mesh their very different musical tastes together, which of them is the most talented and creative of the bunch, which of them is most likely to fall off the wagon, all that good stuff. Plus VHS collecting, skateboarding, pet geckos, and more. Most importantly, Nick, Nick, and Junior explain why they make music. Featured tracks: Jinx and Chew.

“Around the time I was 8 or 9, I saw School of Rock and I was like fuck piano! Let’s go play some fucking guitar.” Henry, Jacob, and Jordan of Wax Charmer stop by the show (virtually) to talk about all sorts of super spectacular stuff such as School of Rock, the formation of their band, and beginnings as Jubilo Drive, the music that made them, their hobbies, and so much more! Most importantly, these charming fellows explain why they make music. Featured tracks: Downstairs and Emblem.

“My life has been pretty uneventful compared to most people.” Mapache Lazer Disco, often referred to as ‘Kevin’ by human beings who know him, is our guest this time around. We talk about We The Beat, Kevin’s musical journey, our first concert-going experiences, Kim Gun Mo, the process of finding your own taste in music, the IV music scene, DIY shows, fishing, golfing, and so much more. Most importantly, Kevin explains the point of making music. Featured tracks: We (OUI) by Jeebonoff ft. sogumm and Wondering by Becky and the Birds.

“I learned piano as a kid because I’m Asian and that’s just what we do.” My dear friend Eugene Cheng, the infamous redseaturtle, stars in the latest episode of Sound for Thought. We are joined by another dear friend, Aidan Dansey of The Judd Zingle Project and we share stories of our old band Frisson, discuss finding songwriting inspiration during quarantine, the creation process of EDM, the great SoundCloud apocalypse, guilty listening pleasures, The Needle Drop vs. Pitchfork, Instagram ads, our latest Spotify saves, philosophy, hypothetical plagiarization and more! Most importantly, Eugene explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: jbly and fake gods plan.

“I’m in this unique position of being a perfectionist... but not that talented!” Episode #17 features the extremely talented and comical Andy Bianculli of Austin-based band Star Parks! Their latest album, The New Sounds of Late Capitalism is available now. Andy and I talk about the important things in life like cats, old movies, and 90’s NYC punk music. Andy rants about the pros and cons of living in Austin, listening to music that sounds really happy but is about sad things, pre-celebratory falls from grace, the architecture of songs, fucking up every bridge he’s ever written, photography, and sports! Also many more riveting topics you won’t wanna miss. We play a game of Soundtrack to Your Life and most importantly, Andy explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Something More and Hobby Horse.

“Sorry, I’m like hungover as shit and covered in cat hair… let’s do this.” This very special episode features all three wonderfully talented and charming STUDS/dweebs/jabronis from The Haunts! Our conversation ranges over everything from how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their music and personal lives, to stories about having military personnel point guns at their minivan! We talk about how they came together as a band, their biggest influences, their pets, their opinions on the LA music scene and so much more. Most importantly, Aaron, Alanna, and Max explain why they make music! Featured tracks: New Mexico and Kids in the Street.

“I never wanted to practice… I just wanted to be outside ballin’… ” The one and only Aaron Shadrow joins the show and we’re even lucky enough to hear his dog Cooper chime in with a few borks as well! We talk about social distancing, his sporadic creative process, spiritual epiphanies, tales of dire food poisoning and so much more. We play another game of Soundtrack to Your Life and most importantly, Aaron explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Love Relapse and X-Acto.

“My first song was a love song about a koala”. You may know him as Jordie Saenz, or as Lakewalks. You may know him from his work with Love You Later. But if you don't know him or his music, you're missing out. Mr. Jordie and I talked about creative ruts, tour life, song debt, the indie romance film that is his marriage, Pokémon, BoJack Horseman, and many other lovely topics. We also play a game of Soundtrack to Your Life and most importantly, Jordie explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Easy and Make Gold.

“To sum that all up, you gotta get drunk. At least a little bit, because then you can be vulnerable and heartfelt and also a macho dumbass.” John Pagliassotti of Delta Dagger (AKA the nicest guy ever) comes on the show and we have a chat for the ages. We talk about his home studio setup in SLO, the difference between Savage Henry and Delta Dagger, LEGOS, the IV music scene, Simpsonswave and so much more. Of course, most importantly, John explains why he makes music. We also play the most intense game of Soundtrack to Your Life so far. Featured tracks: Daft Drunk and Count to Four.

“It’s just against everything that I believe in... but it’s so fun! I just wanna smash stuff all the time.” Episode 12 of Sound for Thought takes place on a scenic balcony in Los Angeles. McCall and I talk about all sorts of things like ordinal linguistic synesthesia, new year’s resolutions, My Favorite Murder, and more. We discuss the struggle of making art for other people, and what it feels like to create something from nothing. Most importantly, McCall explains why she makes music! Featured tracks: Lavender and Stone Cold.

“I’m all about yin and yang. I’m yin, Jessie’s yang. He’s the fucking piece of shit side of me and I’m the perfect angel baby boy.” This episode was recorded at Back Alley Studios and features the funny and talented Austin Montero and Jessie Murillo of Montero y Murillo. We talk about a whole bunch of stuff like the evolution of their friendship and musical interests, a $20 acoustic guitar from a local hardware store, Pikachu’s butthole, Dwayne The Rock Johnson T-shirts, recording farts to incorporate into Christmas songs, and so much more. We also play an original game called Soundtrack to Your Life for the first time on the show! Most importantly, Austin and Jessie explain why they make music. Featured tracks: Now That You're Gone and Fake Dreams.

“If I can perform and create that excitement over something that I am making on stage, there is nothing else in the world that is better than that.” This very special 10th episode features the wonderful Rae Cole, she’s a fantastic vocalist and musician with a cute pup named Indie. We talk about music as therapy, her band Calling Cadence, the screamo metal genre, collaborating with family, and a whole bunch more! Most importantly, Rae explains why she makes music. Featured tracks: Enough and Took A Chance On Me.

“I literally go day by day, I don’t know what I’m doing in two hours.” My old pal Andrew Hammond AKA Harmonomy comes on the show and we talk about music education, opera music, golf, philosophy, and so much more. He gives his take on how to break out of a writer’s block and, most importantly, Andrew explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: Keep You Close and I Notice.

“I think half of growing up is learning what to offend people by.” D.C.R. Pollock is the man you’re listening to on this one. We talk about jank rigs, blind goldfish, SpongeBob, Tom Waits, the OC music scene, and so much more. We also run through each-other's Spotify Wrapped for 2019! Most importantly, David explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Hank Williams and Cold Tub.

“It’s cool cuz it’s like you type in Madonna and you see a bunch of Madonna, you type in Twanner and you see a bunch of Twanner.” The very funny Anthony Vezirian comes on the show and he’s basically on the same level of internet relevance as Madonna. We talk about his cat Willow, where creativity comes from and what it’s like to be in the perfect flow-state for making music, the challenges of performing electronic music live, a love story for the ages, obscure sci-fi books, and comedy writing, among other things! Most importantly Anthony describes why he makes music. Featured tracks: No Next Time and Not Again.

“I would love to sell out… to a degree...” The delightful Max Collier comes on the show and we talk about his instafamous cat ฅ/ᐠ｡ᆽ｡ᐟ , Isla Vista, sad boi music, fine wines, and LA history, among other things. Most importantly, Max explains why he makes music… or rather, why he can’t stop making music. Featured tracks: Trouble Sleeping In and Old Motif.

“I guess the most difficult part is when I say the word acoustic and that translates to… electric…” Mike Donnelly of Twin Peaks Sessions comes on the show and we talk about crazy cajón incidents, Twin Shrieks Fest, DIY scenebeans, and baseball! ~among other things. Most importantly, Mike explains the point of making music. Featured tracks: Long Lungs by Kevin Nichols and Step Back by Rainville.

“I’d rather be bad than boring.” Rock n’ roll dudes Luke Culhane and Jake Marino of Vaudeville Revival come on the show and we talk about their new album Free Dirt, I ask them which one of them is more talented, and they give a shoutout to their biggest fan (maybe it’s YOU?!), plus more more more. Most importantly, the boys explain why they make music! Featured tracks: All the While and World Falling Apart.

“We talk about music for about 15 minutes and then we just bum you out”. This one features a chat with Spencer Hayden of Carny and we talk about music education, childhood Green Day fandom, WHAT WE THINK HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE, the current state of the music industry, and the Los Angeles Lakers, among other things. Most importantly, Spencer explains why he makes music! Featured tracks: Caroline and 16 Girl.

The second installment of Sound for Thought features the unmistakable Robert Sanlis of Spurts. We talk about church music, harmonizing, craft beer, Weezer, band names, and a handful of other riveting topics. Most importantly, Robert explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: The Saddest Thing I've Ever Heard and Copenhagen 1916-2116.

He's terrible at basketball... but he's pretty damn good at everything else he does, especially when it comes to music. The inaugural episode of Sound for Thought features Redefining Records contributor Aidan Dansey who sits down with me to talk about his latest endeavor, The Judd Zingle Project. We talk about Jazz Band, James Murphy, college band parties and more. Most importantly, he explains why he makes music. Featured tracks: Downtown Swing and Old School Tribe.