SoundcheckPGH

2019 had some sick jams coming outta Pittsburgh - we put together a list of 13 of our favorite albums. Dive in, find something new, listen/support your local musicians by clicking the links below: Short Fictions: Fates Worse Than Death  Ky Vöss: Space Cadet NVSV: Amethyst String Machine: Death of Neon The Childlike Empress: Take Care of Yourself Tribe Eternal & NVSV: Mysterious Shit INEZ: Voicemails and Conversations Feralcat: Feralcat Shin Guard: 2020 JM the Poet, Livefromthecity, & Jordan Montgomery: Support Black Business Hearken: Help Me, I'm Alive Brittney Chantele: A Fire on Venus Flower Crown: Sundries Bonus: Favorite PGH Artists who put out Singles in 2019 Drauve  Bowahk Joziah Council Badboxes Djor PK Delay Bonus: Favorite EPs from PGH Artists in 2019 The Zells: No More Heroes Pet Zebra: Chilly Chill Fat Corey: Agua Jack Swing: Supermoon Buffalo Rose: Big Stampede   Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

Our gift to you this holiday season, Soundcheck PGH's annual Christmas songs episode, featuring Noah Brode. We debate which of these jingly jams is the best with Christmas Madness and test our holiday tune knowledge in the debut of Quizmastime! What better way to get into the spirit of the season?  Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Spotify - Google Play

After a summer hiatus we are back here at SoundcheckPGH! Bringing you a conversation with Hearken, an indie rock duo whose songs are equal parts grunge and punk, held together with melodies that immediately get stuck in your head.  The two piece band is made up of Donny and Gregg, who were kind enough to sit down with us for an engaging conversation. We got the story behind their album Help Me, I’m Alive, discussed the dynamics of playing live shows as a duo, and also hit on some deeper topics like self-identity and how you define success.    Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Spotify - Google Play

This week on Soundcheck PGH, Clara Kent joins us to talk self-acceptance, the inspiration she gained from her mother, PGH's two hip-hop scenes, and if you need to leave PGH to make it.  Clara is an R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul artist whose most upcoming mixtape The 4 Winds: EAST will be released on July 27. (Pre)order on Bandcamp here! Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Spotify - Google Play

This week, the artist behind Just Fern, Princex, and more, Mags Romero sat down with us to talk music, Pittsburgh, and society. Three of our favorite topics. Mags is an indie-rocker who has started transitioning into more trip-hop territory on her latest releases. Speaking of which, Mags was generous enough to share with us a brand new, unreleased Just Fern track, Doug Funny, which you can hear around the 20 minute mark.  Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Spotify - Google Play

We welcome Jordan Montgomery back on Soundcheck to discuss his upcoming album, Dark Horse, due out May 31. We talk about what's changed since he put out Driving While Black in 2016 and the growth of his record label that grew from that project, Driving While Black Records. Jordan also gives us a brand new track from Dark Horse to debut as a Soundcheck PGH Exclusive - hear Bad Habits at the 17 minute mark and get a taste of what's to come.  Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Spotify - Google Play

Our inaugural countdown episode rounds up the Top 13 releases coming out of Pittsburgh thus far in 2019 (January - April). All genres, all types of projects, all on one list. Tune in to hear a comprehensive overview of the Pittsburgh scene and find your new favorite jams. We are going to be releasing more Top Releases episodes periodically, so if you are an artist or in a band - tag/send us your releases and we will be sure to listen.     Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

No description of Angela Autumn's music is going to be quite as fitting as 'Sad Cowgirl' songs. Sure, you could explain how elements of western, folk, country, blues, and indie rock are blended together into a heady elixir that swirls around the true backbone of the music - the lyrics. Lyrics that convey elation, ennui, energy - sometimes all at the same time. You could say all that. But really Sad Cowgirl songs says it all.  Angela gave us her take on the PGH music scene, her experience as a female musician, and at the end of the day...what really matters.   Hear her tracks - Rascal (11:00) and a brand new, unreleased demo of James Dean (37:03)  Find/Follow Soundcheck PGH: Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

You don't know Mars. Even if you think you do. We guarantee after listening to this show you'll come away having learned something new about the man who goes by Mars Jackson.  The Pittsburgh rapper was kind enough to sit down with us and we had a great conversation. Hear his story, how he got to where he is today, and what he sees coming next both for himself and the entire Pittsburgh scene.  Check out two full Mars Jackson tracks during the show - No Script (4:37) and Simple ft. Benji (33:57).  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

The future of music is blending genres and Isaiah Small is from the future. He masterfully blurs the lines between hip hop, jazz, funk, and alt rock to create 'Orange Music.' These tracks are full of infectious melodies and raw emotion and translate into live performances that are equal parts Kurt Cobain and Andre 3K.  We caught up with Isaiah to get his story, what inspires his music and insane live sets, and what he's got planned next.  Hear two full tracks during the show - Yeezus (10:13) and Its Alright, Its Ok (21:03)  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

Sad Girls Aquatics Club is an indie pop band from Pittsburgh, PA who's debut release, Vodkawine, is 7 tracks of simply gorgeous and incredibly catchy 'break-up pop.' Chelsea Rumbaugh and Marie Mashyna, who make up the band, were kind enough to sit down with us and give us the stories behind the music, what's next for the band, and why bagpipes only get cooler with age.  Also hear two full songs off of Vodkawine - Hearts Disagree (9:15) and Goth Annihilation (28:57)  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes - Google Play

We welcome back Benji for our first interview of 2019. We recap everything that's happened since we last talked, including Benji making the cover of The City Paper, Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster dancing to his song, and being included in NPR's list of artists to watch in 2019.  We also debut two new songs from Benji - Airhead (32:47) and Made God ft Mars Jackson (47:55).  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes

We present, our gift to you this Holiday season, SoundcheckPGH's Holiday Music episode with Jack Dougherty, featuring Delaney Held. Everyone has their opinions on which Holiday songs are good or bad, but what about which ones are lawful, neutral, chaotic, or evil? Tune in as we run through the full spectrum.  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Gmail  -  iTunes  

We are back with some big news! We are debuting our new Pittsburgh culture themed series - The Podfluence! This is part of a brand new monthly schedule for the show - tune in for the sweet deets. Today we introduce our 'Best Worst Thing About Pittsburgh' bracket competition and start to set the field.We want to hear from you! What are your nominations for the best worst thing about Pittsburgh? What do you love to hate about our great city? Send your submissions to soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com or on Facebook or Twitter @SoundcheckPGHYou can find us on iTunes cause we are legit, subscribe so you can be too. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.

This time we welcome JP and Barz from BBGuns, an underground hip hop group Straight Outta PGH.  Tune in to hear that boom bap sound you love and crave on their tracks Fame (11:55), Lost Soul (23:36), Dreamcast (34:42), Mauve (44:00), Circles (48:04), and Willow (53:19). We also touch on some of the most pertinent topics, including but not limited to: predictive text on smart phones, the story behind their former name LAZYBLACKMAN, and modern romance. Below is a Spotify playlist curated by the band for your personal enjoyment.  Find BBGuns on their Bandcamp and Facebook. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

We are joined this week by William Matheny a singer/songwriter hailing from Morgantown, WV. After playing in several bands throughout the years, William is now putting out music under his own name. His tracks truly defy categorization, blending genres effortlessly with superb lyrics and songwriting the lone constant.  We give you a taste with tracks Blood Moon Singer (25:27), Living Half to Death (33:42), Moon Over Kenova (42:34), and I Wish I Was Back in West Virginia (48:40).  Plus, we get into it about all things West Virginia, what it's like being in a band with your dad, the Harlem Globetrotters, and debate the best snacks in the game.  Find William Matheny on his website and Facebook. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

On this episode we converse with Jordan Montgomery, a rapper's rapper from PGH with a powerful message. This kid has talent.   Listen to hear some of his best tracks - Know My Name (13:55), Only Thing (27:40), Welch's Grape (38:37), BLAAAK POWER (49:49). Plus an EXCLUSIVE DEBUT off the upcoming album - Summer's Here (59:48). We also talk about all the important stuff - his journey as a musician, his 2016 release Driving While Black, wokeness, cartoons, cereal, and what to expect from Jordan in the future.  Get more Jordan on Soundcloud and Twitter. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

BIBS is a an indie pop/rock band that is brand new to PGH by way of Morgantown, WV.  We sit down with Ben, Mibs, and Geoff and get the full story and dive deep into several tracks from their 2017 debut EP One of the Many Ways to be Alive including: Come Home, Chilling Misadventures in Oneironautics, Nosebleed and Time's Up.  Also, don't miss the debut of a brand new track Hooked on Faunus from their upcoming debut album.  Finally, we do a tarrot reading to find out where Soundcheck PGH fits in the universe, and discuss two of the most important WV icons - Mothman and pepperoni rolls.  Get more BIBS on their Bandcamp, Spotify, and Facebook, and check out the playlist below for tracks curated by the band. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

This week, we welcome Donny and Carolyn from local indie-pop band Dinosoul to the show. Our conversation covered everything: how the band came to be, numerology, what it's like being in a band with your partner, and their upcoming debut full length album Eleven. We also debut a brand new track from the album, Garbage Truck, along with focusing on a few more cuts: 4am, Dimension, and Riot.  Finally, we find out just how well they know each other with our own version of The Newlywed's Game.  Get more Dinosoul on their website, Spotify, and Facebook, and check out the playlist below for tracks curated by the band. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

We sit down with Jake, Nick, and Mark from Altar Boy, a new indie rock project from long-time friends who have been in several local bands throughout the years.  We end up having too many beers for a Monday and get into everything. We discuss how the group came to be (3:40), their debut self-titled EP (9:30), and get the story behind several of their songs: Going Out (13:48), Silver Lake (24:40), and Winter Swell (30:15). We also put their skills to the test with our first edition of 'Rapper vs Indie Tweets' (52:43).  Find Altar Boy on Bandcamp and Facebook. Hit play below for a Spotify playlist curated by the band. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; leave us a review if you want us to

For our first ever interview, we welcome Benji, local rapper/singer/musician/producer, to our studio - aka Pete's living room.  Over a few Modelo's, we get deep with Benji. We discuss his background and how he got to where he is today (4:21), why adulting is so hard (28:02), and which local PGH artists you don't know about that you should check out (58:15). We also compare notes on who we would pick for our teams in a rappers-only basketball league (1:12:15).  Finally, don't miss the debut of a brand new song from his upcoming album (46:15).  Get more Benji on his Soundcloud and Twitter. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.

Just when you thought we were gone for good, we're back! (kinda). We've got big plans for 2018 and can't wait to get started (Pete claims he feels like a brand new person), here's a short update on what we have in store - stay tuned! Connect with SoundcheckPGH: FacebookTwitterEmail

For our 13th episode we take a look at Choo Jackson, a Pittsburgh based rapper and producer who's been putting out music at a prolific rate over the past few years. From working with Mac Miller to starting his own record label, Choo is someone you should get familiar with. This episode would be a good place to start.  Find more Choo on Facebook, Twitter, IG, Soundcloud, and Spotify.  Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below:

This week Pete tries to pull a fast one by not only picking two acts, but stealing one of them from Jack. It's classic Pete, but luckily for you, it all works out as we look at both Soft Girl and Just Fern. I'd tell you more about them, but I don't want to give any spoilers away, listen to the episode already!   Find Just Fern on Bandcamp and Facebook and Soft Girl on Bandcamp and Facebook as well.  Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below:

This week we dive into the psychy-dream rock of Zeve. A relatively new band with a well defined sound. If you're into Real Estate, Grizzly Bear, Tame Impala, or the like, you need to add these guys to your rotation. After we disect their album we go back and forth on what we've been adding to The S List.   Find Zeve on their website and Facebook.  Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below:

We celebrate our tenth episode with a double feature! We're taking a look at Short Fictions and Curse Words, two great local indie rock/emo bands. Also, we didn't know this but apparently they are rivals! Stick around after the feature to check out what we've been getting into on Spotify. Find Short Fictions on Facebook and Bandcamp. Find Curse Words on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.  Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below:

We're back with a profile of Mars Jackson, a Pittsburgh rapper who you need to know about if you don't already. After that we get into our usual hijinks. Find Mars Jackson on Soundcloud, Twitter, and Facebook. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below: 

This episode we dive deep into the dreamy jazz-pop of Pinstripe Sunny, five undergrads at Pitt who have been tearing it up lately. Stick around after the profile to hear what's been playing on The S List, my plans for a Young Thug spin-off podcast, and what Tom Petty meant to us. Find Pinstripe Sunny on Facebook and Bandcamp. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Be sure to follow The S List on Spotify below:

This episode we profile local rapper/singer/musician/producer/engineer Benji and his latest track Mimosa. We also debate whether its ok to refer to Pittsburgh as PGH, debut our new intro/outro tracks, and have too much fun playing with a soundboard. Get more Benji on his Soundcloud and Twitter. Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes; connect with us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com. Our into is 'Swampwalk Bling' by Swampwalk and our outro is 'Oh So Good' by Hobbes Duende.  Follow The S List on Spotify below:

We're back with a profile of local (by way of Erie) dream pop band Barlow. We also confront the fact that Pete can't attend a show on time, learn why you shouldn't stare at the eclipse, and expand our vocabulary. Find Barlow on Bandcamp and Facebook and follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes. Send your thoughts to soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com Follow The S List on Spotify and keep up with what we are listening to week to week below:

Our first half episode runs through everything you should check out this Labor Day weekend in PGH! Tune in next week for a full local artist profile on Barlow. Follow us on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes and Google Play. Email us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com and follow The S List on Spotify  

This week we profile local PGH artist Derlee, bring on our first special guest to help us with the S List, and question why there was so much violence on Degrassi. Check out more from Derlee on their website and Facebook Follow SoundcheckPGH on Facebook and subscribe on iTunes. Email us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com - let us know what you think or what we should check out! Follow The S List on Spotify and keep up with what we are listening to week to week: We will be back next week with a mini-episode to highlight upcoming shows for the weekend and two weeks from now with another artist profile

This week, in lieu of a band profile, we announce upcoming scheduling changes to the podcast: From now on we will be releasing full episodes every other week, continuing to profile local bands. On the off weeks, you can still expect to hear from us as we will be putting out mini, supplemental episodes that will run through the upcoming shows for that weekend in PGH. The rest this week's episode we circle back briefly to Hearken, go deep into The S List, examine some pitfalls of following celebrity couples on social media, and preview upcoming shows for the weekend of 8.17-8.20. Be sure to follow SoundcheckPGH on our Facebook and subscribe to us on iTunes or Soundcloud for news, updates, and new episodes. Email us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com - we want to hear from you! Check out The S List for this week (and next) on Spotify:  

This week we profile local PGH band Hearken, dig in our heals with our S List selections, preview some upcoming shows for the weekend, and explain what you find when you do deep research on Instagram models. Hear more from Hearken on their website and Facebook Be sure to follow SoundcheckPGH on our Facebook and subscribe to us on iTunes or Soundcloud for news, updates, and new episodes. Email us at soundcheckpittsburgh@gmail.com - we want to hear from you! Also, check out The S List for this week on Spotify:  

Against all odds, we return with another episode of SoundcheckPGH. This week we profile local artist Emerson Jay, debut our Spotify playlist, highlight local shows coming up for the weekend of 8/4, and zero in on some obscure celebrity baby names.  Check out Emerson Jay here:Website - https://www.emersonjay.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/emersonjaylive/Twitter - https://twitter.com/emersonjaymusic  Check out the S List for 8.1.17 on Spotify:  

Inaugural episode of soundcheckpgh profiling local band Microwave Ramen, previewing upcoming events for weekend of 7/28 - 7/30, and why you should listen to Lana Del Rey while on the treadmill. Check out Microwave Ramen here:Bandcamp - https://microwaveramen.bandcamp.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/microwaveramen/Twitter - https://twitter.com/mrbandofficial