Why Music Matters With Jeff Miers

Hey there, music-lovers.    Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers.   Way back on episode 12 of the podcast, I was joined by my friend, the musicologist, writer, historian and archivist Ray Wawrzyniak. Ray's main passion in life, aside from his family, is the beloved Canadian progressive music trio Rush.    As fellow Rush freaks, Ray and myself became fast friends after meeting about a decade back, bonding over discussions of the nuances of this dearly missed band's body of work.    With Rush now celebrating 50 years of groundbreaking work - and in consideration of the fact that Ray's first appearance on Why Music Matters remains one of the most popular episodes of the series - it struck me as fitting to invite him back for another go-round.    We discussed the various Rush-related projects Ray is currently involved in, the forthcoming debut of Rushfest Toronto, the Buffalo area's continuing love affair with this great Canadian band, the timelessness of  the finest music in the Rush catalog, and why - for both of us, and for so many others - Rush music continues to matter.    Welcome back to Why Music Matters, Ray Wawrzyniak… Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Services https://678main.com --- Follow Why Music Matters on social media https://instagram.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://twitter.com/wmmpod

Hey now, music lovers.    Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers.   Today, my guest is the legendary guitarist, performer and band-leader Jamie Holka.    As a musician whose name is mentioned in hushed, reverential tones by his peers, Jamie has earned a reputation as a virtuosic guitarist and a fearless improvisor, whether he's playing blazing electric blues, fiery progressive rock, or effortlessly hip finger style jazz.    The Niagara Falls native is well-loved across the Western New York region, but he's also caught the attention of many of the finest musicians he grew up revering. That's how he ended up as an influential member of the rekindled 1970s progressive rock/jazz fusion ensemble Captain Beyond, with whom Jamie performed between 2017 and 2020.    And that's also how he befriended the brilliant rock drummer Bobby Rondinelli, a veteran of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and  Blue Oyster Cult, among many others. Jamie and Rondinelli teamed to create The Gathering, a new album of guitar-centered instrumentals that features heavy input from legendary guests like Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey, and iconic bassists Billy Sheehan and Kenny Aaronson.  Jamie, Rondinelli, Aaronson and friends will celebrate the release of The Gathering with a show at The Cave, 71 Military Rd in Buffalo, on Friday, June 6, at 7 pm.    During our chat, I asked Jamie about the genesis of his love for the guitar, how it feels to be making music with his childhood idols, and what it means to be an eternal student of music.   Welcome to Why Music Matters, Jamie Holka… -- Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Services https://678main.com --- Follow Why Music Matters on social media https://instagram.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://twitter.com/wmmpod

Hey there, music-lovers. Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. On today's episode, I'm joined in the studio by two members of a band that has spent the last 30-plus years embodying the very definition of “indie” music. Barry Privett and Terry Clark are two-fifths of Carbon Leaf, the Richmond, VA band that has spent the past three decades crafting a body of work that blends elements of rock, Americana, pop, and folk, and performing that work to devout audiences in excess of 3,500 times. Along the way, they became the first unsigned, independent band to perform on the American Music Awards, shared stages with the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Jason Mraz, among many others, and have consistently taken us back to a time when eclecticism and diversity within a band's sound were considered a positive. During our chat, which took place on the afternoon of their late April performance at Buffalo Iron Works, Barry and Terry spoke freely about their journey, the importance off embracing the moment with a sense of urgency in both life and music, and the trials and triumphs of a life spent being truly independent. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Barry Privett and Terry Clark, of Carbon Leaf… Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Services https://678main.com

Hey there, friends.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, we've got a special “Music Nerd” edition of the podcast, featuring a roundtable discussion with two friends of mine, who also happen to be deeply talented musicians with long tenures in the music business.  During a recent episode of Why Music Matters, I spent some time with the great Dweezil Zappa. Naturally, we discussed Dweezil's ongoing deep-dive into the music of his father, the late composer, bandleader and guitarist supreme Frank Zappa, as well as his April 29th appearance at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY.  But we also spent an awful lot of time talking about a shared passion - our love for the iconic and dearly missed  Edward Van Halen.  Going down the Van Halen rabbit-hole with Dweezil gave me an idea, so I called my friends Michael Lee Jackson and Geno McManus and invited them to stop by the studio and join me in a free-form chat on all things Van Halen. Michael is a guitarist, songwriter and bandleader with a long history in entertainment law and artist management. Geno is a professional musician who certainly qualifies as one of the hardest-working men in Buffalo show-business. All three of us have been bonding over our love and admiration for Edward Van Halen for a few decades, at this point. And the topic never gets old - for us, at least. So sit back, grab a beverage, and join us as we dig deep, and do our best to get to the heart of Why Van Halen Matters, to us and so many others.

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.   I'm your host, Jeff Miers. My guest to day is the singer/songwriter MarcScibilla.   Born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in a musical environment, Marc packed his belongings and headed south to Nashville, TN, when he was fresh out of high school, with dreams of becoming a songwriter living and working on the fabled Music Row dancing through his head.  This brave leap into the unknown may not have worked out exactly as Marc planned it, but as is often the case, the universe takes away with one hand while it gives with the other. And so, some 20 years into his career, Marc has become a success as a truly independent artist, one who has racked up hundreds of millions of listens and views across multiple streaming platforms and earned a devoted audience for his refreshingly passionate blend of folk, country, alternative and pop stylings.  Marc recently completed his first sold-out headline tour, with multiple-night runs in major markets like Chicago, Nashville, and NYC. Now, he's halfway into his first world tour as a headliner, and appears to be on the brink of a major breakthrough.  Marc joined me in the studio a few hours before performing a raucous and well-received show at Buffalo's Electric City, his first hometown gig in years.  We talked about his journey thus far, and his hopes for the future. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Marc Scibilla…

Hey there, music lovers.    Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.    I'm your host, Jeff Miers.   Today on the podcast, I'm excited to welcome two members of Letter To Elise, a young indie band that has already left a mark on the Western New York music scene, and is poised to take its soaring, anthemic sound out into the broader world.   Vocalist, songwriter and band founder Elliott Hunt and keyboardist/vocalist Chris Lillis bring an edgy urgency to their emotional, grandiose take on modern indie pop and alternative rock.    Their sound is at once familiar and fresh, and offers a unique take on indie tropes and the sort of pop hooks that helped to build the careers of artists like The Killers, Cage the Elephant and Catfish and the Bottle Men. And Hunt's emotionally intelligent lyrics and indelible vocal melodies reveal the influence of heritage artist like U2 and Bruce Springsteen.   During our chat, Elliott and Chris discuss their earliest musical epiphanies, their diverse musical influences, their recent joint cover of the Killers' ‘Mr. Brightside' with Goo Goo Dolls co-founder Robby Takac and members of the Bills Mafia, and their soon-to-be-released new EP, the result of a new and exciting partnership with producer Lennon Leppert.   Welcome to Why Music Matters, Elliott Hunt and Chris Lillis of Letter To Elise.  --- Follow Why Music Matters on social media https://instagram.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/whymusicmatterspodcast https://twitter.com/wmmpod

Hello, music lovers!  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, I'm beyond thrilled to welcome a longtime musical hero of mine, the guitarist, bandleader and songwriter Dweezil Zappa. Growing up with the late composer and guitarist supreme Frank Zappa as a father meant that Dweezil was exposed to some of the bravest and most adventurous music of the 20th century on a daily basis, from a very young age.  At 12, a random phone call to the Zappa home led to Dweezil meeting his hero, Edward Van Halen, and to the formation of a friendship that would last until the effortlessly brilliant guitarist, keyboardist and composer passed away, in October of 2020. During that time, Edward produced Dweezil's earliest forays into the professional music world, and remained a friend and mentor.  Dweezil is currently in the midst of his RoxPostrophy tour, which finds him celebrating a seminal era in his late father's canon of work - the early 1970s, when Frank Zappa release both the Apostrophe and Roxy & Elsewhere albums. The tour arrives in Buffalo for a performance at Kleinhans Music Hall, on Thursday, April 29. (Tickets and VIP packages are available now, through DweezilZappa.com.)  During our conversation, I asked Dweezil about this particularly rich period in his father's life and work; about just why Van Halen continues to matter to him and so many of us; about his brilliant, authoritative Van Halen podcast, Runnin' With the Dweezil; and about the difficulties of releasing and touring  behind ambitious, complex music in the streaming-centric world of the early 21st century.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Dweezil Zappa…  

Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, my guests are three musicians who seemed destined to end up playing together. Guitarist/vocalist Drew Azzinaro, bassist/vocalist Eamon Rayhn and drummer Ethan Fox all hail from Buffalo, NY, and they met in the music department at the State University of New York at Fredonia a decade back.  It would take them a few years and a handful of varied musical ventures for them to finally come together as the FAR Trio. But when they did start playing together as a unit, to borrow a phrase from Robert Fripp, “Grace was present.” Performing what they describe as a blend of “earthy fusion and soul-drenched rock'n roll,”  with a healthy dose of improvisation and a keen ear for adventurous song structures, the Far Trio quickly earned a reputation as a top tier live act. They've since released a pair of studio albums, and are currently at work on a third, in Woodstock, NY.  In between, they've managed to perform more than 150 shows a year across the Northeast.   During our chat, we touched on musical inspiration, the power of improvisation, and music's ability to elevate both the musician and the listener.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Drew, Eamon and Ethan - the FAR Trio.  

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today on the podcast, I'm lucky enough to spend some time with my friend Sam Marabella, a musician, songwriter, local music advocate, and co-owner of the legendary Buffalo, NY, live music venue Nietzsche's.   A veteran of beloved Buffalo indie-jam band Sweatin' Like Nixon, and a leading light in Buffalo's roots music scene, Sam is also a bit of a Dylan-ologist, whose love for Bob Dylan's music runs deep, and has informed his own work as a songwriter and performer. That work includes a brand new EP, Level 50, which is out now and available wherever you stream music.   Sam is passionate about the Allentown neighborhood that Nietzsche's calls home, and we talked about the challenges facing that neighborhood following the recent back to back losses of the fabled nightspots Mulligans Brick Bar and the Pink Flamingo. He's also more than a little about excited about the plans that the new team of owners has for the club's future as a primary live music destination in Buffalo.  During this episode, we talk about all of the above. And Sam was prescient enough to bring along a guitar, which he duly employed in service of a tune written by the immensely talented Buffalo underground songwriter JeffGoldstein. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Sam Marabella…

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.   I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today on the podcast, I'm happy to welcome former Congressman and current President of Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, NY, Brian Higgins.  After growing up in Buffalo, and graduating from Buffalo State College and Harvard University, Brian worked his way from the Buffalo Common Council through the New York State Assembly and finally, to the US House of Representatives, where he served as Democratic representative of New York's 26th congressional district for more than a decade. Brian left office in early 2024, citing what he called “a growing dysfunction in Congress” as his reason for moving on.   So why is a career politician a guest on a podcast dedicated to the majesty of music? Well, for as long as I've known him, Brian has been a passionate supporter of music & the arts. And a career in politics did nothing to dull his deep love for music.  Brian remains a true fan, one who speaks of certain concert experiences in his life as nigh on religious events. His career's second act , as the President of Shea's, places him in a position to have significant impact on music and the arts arts in our region's culture. Brian has turned his passion for music into something tangible.  Welcome to Why Music Matters,  Brian Higgins…

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. More than a decade back, I hopped on the bus as an embedded reporter, covering a Northeast jaunt for then up-and-coming indie band Aqueous.  I'd never met any of the band members, or their manager, Josh Holtzman, previous to that road trip.  By the end of that mini-tour, I knew that I'd laid the ground work for some friendships that, time has proven, were built to last.  Today, Josh Holtzman and his business partner Grace Vesneske are the driving force behind premier music venue Buffalo Iron Works and independent production company Twenty6 Productions.  Long before pundits were tossing around terms like “the Buffalo Renaissance,” Holtzman and Vesneske were working tirelessly to help resurrect the long-abandoned Cobblestone District of downtown Buffalo through their inventive and forward-looking booking at Iron Works. Their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude helped them guide their businesses through the pandemic with their integrity intact. That same spirit has the pair excited about what the future holds, and what form their continuing contributions to Buffalo music and culture might take.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Josh Holtzman and Grace Vesneske. 

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today on the podcast, I'm psyched to welcome a cutting edge artist whose work represents a major step forward for Buffalo hop hop in particular, and contemporary national hip hop in general.  Jae Skeese grew up in Buffalo, and from the get-go, he displayed an indelible talent for the authentic, gritty realism and deft, poetic rhymes that are fast becoming a hallmark of our region's sound. For the past decade, he's worked tirelessly to hone his craft, over the course of several albums and collaborations that brought him to the attention of the folks behind Buffalo's Griselda records - in particular, the renowned rapper and Griselda co-founder, Conway.  Jae's refusal to give up on his dreams and his unflagging work ethic ultimately earned him a slot as the first signing to  Conway's recent record label venture, the Drumwork Music Group.  Jae just dropped his latest effort, his 8th mixtape overall, in the form of Ground Level, which UndergroundHipHop.com called “a testament to Jae Skeese's evolution as an artist blending raw emotion & storytelling with cutting-edge production.”  Now, Jae is taking Ground Level on the road, beginning with his first show as a headliner in his hometown, at The Rec Room in Buffalo, on Thursday 14. He'll also be headlining at the legendary Mercury Lounge in New York City, on Wednesday November 20.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Jae Skeese. 

Hey there, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, I'm joined by three musicians whose work has intrigued me for decades, from the first time I heard them - while studying at the State University of New York at Fredonia in the late 80s - through to the present day.   Mary Ramsey, John Lombardo and Jerry Augustyniak of 10,000 Maniacs are all significant names in the world of indie and alternative music, and were prime movers in the College Radio-fueled alternative explosion of the late 80s and early 90s.  Over the past few years, 10,000 Maniacs have been touring, playing a setlist that covers 40 years of material to an audience composed of many people who have been following the band from the beginning. These days, some of those people are attending these concerts with their children, signifying the band's cross generational appeal.  The band plays its first Buffalo show in many years on Saturday, October 19, when they return to the Center for the Arts on the University at Buffalo's North Campus at 8 pm.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Mary Ramsey, John Lombardo and Jerry Augustyniak of 10,000 Maniacs… 

Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today's episode is a special one for me. Way back in 2002, I watched the renowned drummer, composer and Western New York native Bobby Previte lead a hand-picked band of musicians through the tumultuous and strangely beautiful terrain of Miles Davis' game-changing 1970 album Bitches Brew, at the former Tralf, in Buffalo. That performance changed my life, and taught me in a deep and lasting way what the concept off freedom in music truly means. In the time since that fateful evening, I've followed Bobby's richly diverse career, and gotten to know the man a bit. As a drummer and composer, he has been guided by a singular musical wanderlust, one that seeks to live in that dangerous space where form and chaos meet and commingle. “If it's not balancing on the edge of chaos, then it's no good, and I'm not interested,” Bobby once told me. I'm honored that Bobby is joining me here today on Why Music Matters, and it's fitting that we centered our conversation on Miles Davis and his enduringly influential Bitches Brew album - which, by the way, Bobby will perform with a curated band of top-tier Buffalo musicians at the Sportsmen's Tavern on Monday, October 7 at 7 pm, as part of the Classic Vinyl Live with Jeff Miers concert series. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Bobby Previte!

Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, we've got a special edition of the podcast, featuring a roundtable discussion with three diversely talented musicians and music educators, who also happen to be movers and shakers in the Buffalo and Western New York music scene.  Damone Jackson, Eric Crittenden and David Cloyd are three very different people with varied musical outlooks and a broad spectrum of life experiences. But all three are bound by their deep belief that music elevates all of us, musicians and listeners alike.  Recently, Crittenden and Cloyd - who are co-founders of the Buffalo Music Club music education collective - teamed with the Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation and the Borderland Festival to create the Borderland Band Camp. The Camp offered an opportunity for young musicians in the area to create a set of music to be performed as part of this year's Borderland Festival, which takes place September 13 - 15 at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora. Jackson is one of 7 professional instructors who took part in the camp.  Our conversation ran the gamut, from raw comedic asides, to deep and intensely personal reflections on what it means to be a musician, and why music matters more and more, the deeper you dig into it.  Thanks for listening, and we hope to see you at the Borderland Festival! 

Hello, music lovers!  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, I'm pleased to welcome a young singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has been making devoted fans of original music connoisseurs in Western New York over the past few years -  including yours truly.  Michael Delano may be young in the chronological sense, but one listen to his singing, his songwriting, and his elegant use of sophisticated open guitar tunings makes it plan that he's an old soul.  I've come to know Michael through his work with the bands 77 Stone, Sunday Reign and Five Round Bout, all unique projects that pushed the envelope of modern alternative rock music. Lately, Michael has been stretching his wings, sitting in with various regional bands and artists, performing solo gigs, and working on new material.  Our chat covered a lot of ground, including music's therapeutic role in Michael's own life, his ongoing quest to fine-tune his vision as a songwriter, and his enduring belief that “art is everything, and everything is art.”  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Michael Delano! 

Hey there, music lovers. Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, my guest is Buffalo music advocate, club owner and musician Josh Mullin. As owner of both Jack Rabbit and Riff City, Josh has worked tirelessly to boost the Buffalo Music scene, by providing artist-friendly spaces that act as hubs for the region's music-loving community. Josh is also a fighter, and he never backs down from his principles, whether that means pushing back against the city of Buffalo's proposed “Amusement License” fees, or pointing out the negative influence of certain concert venues that seem intent on disturbing our delicate live music ecosystem. Throughout our conversation, Josh pulled no punches, and his love for the Buffalo music scene was wholly evident. Listen in…

Hello, music lovers! Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, I'm excited to welcome an old friend to the podcast. Dave Wedekindt has been working behind the scenes to enrich the lives of music fans throughout the Western New York region for several decades. A tireless advocate for the arts in general and music in particular, Dave is currently the interim President of Artpark, in Lewiston, NY, where he's worked to curate live music programming that appeals across generational lines, ranging from indie and alternative rock to the evergreen classics, boasting a broad appeal while maintaining a cutting edge. Dave is also a musician and a lifelong music-lover who, whenever he isn't hard at work behind the scenes, can be found near the front of the stage, basking in everything from modern indie music to the blues and back again. Join us as we talk about Dave's long and impactful career, and his enduring love for music…

Hello, music lovers! Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, I'm pleased to welcome my friend, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and bandleader David Michael Miller. Lovers of live music in Western New York know David as leader of the searing southern soul band Miller & the Other Sinners; the former co-guitarist and vocalist with the great Dive House Union; through his work with the Campbell Brothers; and as the man behind such stellar albums as Poisons Sipped and Rise. I also know him as a deeply talented and thoughtful man who is a generous musical mentor, a guy with a serious work ethic, and a true seeker who views his life in music as a quest with spiritual aspects. Miller & the Other Sinners have just released a new album, Thieves in the Breadline, and I chatted with David about the album's significance in his ongoing musical journey, about his belief that engaging the imagination plants the seeds for empathy, and why music continues to matter so much to him in his life. Thanks for joining us!

Hello, music lovers! Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today, we've got a very special guest - legendary progressive and hard rock musician, son of western New York, and virtuoso bassist Billy Sheehan. We know Billy from his groundbreaking work with Talas, David Lee Roth's band, Niacin, Mr. Big, Sons of Apollo, and many more. Currently in the midst of a farewell tour with Mr. Big, which includes a homecoming gig at Electric City in Buffalo on June 6, Billy chatted with me from the road, where he's been enjoying a string of sold-out dates with his bandmates. I started things off by asking Billy if he recalled that fateful night night in December of 1980, when a then-unknown band called U2 opened for Talas at Stage One in Buffalo - on what turned out to be the night that John Lennon was murdered, in New York City. Billy and his Talas bandmates reacted by performing a set of the Beatles tunes they'd grown up revering, as a tribute to Lennon…

Hello, music lovers!  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today's guests are two of my favorite musicians in all of the Western New York area, and they also happen to be two-thirds of one of my favorite bands - the postmodern, jam-based trio Organ Fairchild.  Guitarist Dave Ruch and drummer Corey Kertzie have been playing in bands together since meeting as high school students. They've been a major part of the Buffalo-area music scene for decades, but instead of sliding into complacency and plucking the low-hanging fruit, they challenged themselves and their audience by forming Organ Fairchild five years back, employing the deep musical bond they've been nurturing for years as a springboard to a fresh, forward-looking instrumental sound.  With their latest effort, Songs We Didn't Write, about to drop, and a long summer of local, regional and festival appearances about to kick off, Dave and Corey took some time to chat with me about the role that music has played in their lives and their friendship, and about why music continues to matter so much to them at this stage of their careers. Welcome to Why Music Matters, guys…

Today's guest is Chris ‘Bulldog' Parker, the voice of Buffalo Sports radio, co-host of the afternoon show on WGR 550, and our conduit to all things Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres for as long as most of us can remember. Bulldog knows sports, and his passion for our Buffalo teams knows no limits. But he's just as passionate about music, and the role it has played in his own life, the lives of his kids, and in the broader community. Whether he's talking about the boundless athleticism of Bills quarterback Josh Allen, or extolling the virtues of bands like Wilco and the Clash, Bulldog wears his heart on his sleeve. And that's why we love him.

Hello music lovers! Welcome to Why Music matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I'm your host, Jeff Miers. Today's guest is an old friend of mine, a veteran of the Western New York Music Scene, and a 2016 inductee into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Alison Pipitone has been writing songs, playing gigs and releasing albums since she formed her first band, as a teenager in the late 80s. Over that time, she's fine-tuned an astute blend of rock 'n' roll, roots music, and raw Americana influences. She recently released “Best Things,” her 10th album with the Alison Pipitone Band, and our conversation touched on the writing and recording of that album, Alison's earliest musical experiences, what being an educator has taught her about songwriting, and what continues to inspire all these years into her career. Thanks for joining us!

Hello music lovers, and welcome to another edition of Why Music Matters. I'm your host, music journalist and musician Jeff Miers. Today, my guest is the jazz musician, bandleader and educator Walter Kemp. Walter just released an astounding new album, called Black Whole Live, a fiery, dynamic live set featuring a band that includes saxophonist Brent Birkhead, violinist Scott Tixler, bassist Rishon Odel and drummer Allan Mednard. Kemp describes the sound this ensemble makes as “Afro-Terrestrial Sonic Interplay,' and he's right - in this mix, you can easily hear the jagged edges of forward-looking improvisation milestones from jazz history, and the sounds of the music of the future. As a performer, composer, producer, touring musician and educator, Walter Kemp has crystallized the positive force that music can be in our lives. He's got a lot to say about why music matters, in his life and in the culture as a whole. Let's get to it!

My guest today is the bassist, songwriter, bandleader and all around awesome human being Karina Rykman.  A self-taught bassist and guitarist, Karina started playing in bands in and around New York City when she was barely a teenager, and was touring as a member of legendary keyboardist Marco Benevento's band while still attending college.  The stint in Benevento's band prepared Karina for forming her own trio and hitting the road, a period during which she caught the eyes and ears of some major players, among them Phish guitarist and band-leader Trey Anastasio.  Last year, she released her debut album, ‘Joyride,' a dizzying collection of psychedelic indie, alternative and jam-based tunes that made my top 10 list of rock albums for 2023. Anastasio co-produced the album, and lent his inimitable guitar stylings to half of the tracks.  Throughout ‘Joyride,', Karina's bass playing reveals the depth and breadth of her musical influences, and her always vibrant, sometimes playful, and occasionally dreamy vocals lead the listener on a journey through her colorful imagination.  Listeners in the Buffalo, NY area will be able to catch Karina and her trio as part of the Rail Rider Jamboree Festival on Saturday, March 23, at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville. Learn more and grab your tickets at railriderjam.com.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Karina Rykman!

My guest is cellist, creator and collaborator Alex Cousins.    A classically trained musician and Peabody Conservatory graduate, Alex has performed as a soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, played with a variety of original alternative bands, and been seen and heard in venues from Western New York to Italy.    But what sets Alex apart is his passion for the electric cello, a unique instrument that he employs in his quest to stretch the envelope and challenge the notion of what a 21st century musician can be.    Alex is a musical seeker whose tastes run from Bach to Alternative rock, and so many genres in between. Today, he'll tell us his story, and introduce us to the magical world of the electric cello.   Take it away, Alex!

Today on Why Music Matters, my guest is musician and DJ Chelsea O'Donnell. Chelsea began her career in radio as host of the local show on 107.7 FM Alternative Buffalo, where she helped that station celebrate the rich variety of local and regional indie rock from Western New York. These days, you can hear Chelsea on WBFO The Bridge, where she hosts The Scene, a show focusing on original independent music from Western New York and Southern Ontario, every Sunday. Concurrent with all of this, Chelsea writes, records, performs and tours with her indie rock band, Stress Dolls. This immersion in independent music has granted Chelsea a unique perspective on Why Music Matters - to cities, to scenes, and to each of us individually.  Join us! 

Today on Why Music Matters, I have a conversation with Ray Wawrzyniak. Ray is a devout music lover. Musicologist, author and collector whose main passion in life aside from his family, of course, is the Canadian progressive rock trio RUSH. Ray joined me to chat about our shared love for that band, about RUSH co-founder Geddy Lee's new memoir, and about why All music matters but in Ray's world, RUSH music matters most.  

Today on why music matters, my guest is composer, author, storyteller, and Recording Academy 2023 class member, Barron Ryan. Whether he's working on commissioned compositions to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, collaborating on music meant to help us deal with personal loss, or ruminating on music's ability to help us discover and present the beauty we're uniquely positioned for, Barron has significant insight into why music matters.

Today on Why Music Matters, I spend some time with Fernanda Lastra of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  Hired as Conductor Diversity Fellow by the Orchestra in September of 2022, Fernanda quickly made her mark, combining her fiery presence at the podium with a passion for community engagement, overseeing the BPO Kids and Music for Youth programs, working as cover conductor for Maestro JoAnn Falletta, and serving as a member of the BPO Diversity Council.  In recognition of her abundant talent, the BPO extended Fernanda's contract as Diversity Fellow and promoted her to Assistant Conductor of the Orchestra in October of this year.  Born and raised in Argentina, and a graduate of the Penn State School of Music, Fernanda has led orchestras around the US, in Argentina and in Brazil. Along the way, she's gained keen insight into the power music holds to connect us and speak to our better selves.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, Fernanda Lastra!

Today on Why Music Matters, I'm hanging out with my old friend, singer, songwriter, and true believer in the power of rock 'n' roll to lift our spirits and enrich our lives, Willie Nile. Praised by The New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to have emerged rom the New York scene,” Nile was born in Buffalo, but moved to New York City decades back, where he launched a  career that would eventually make fans of the likes of Bono from U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend of The Who, and Lou Reed, many of whom Nile has shared the stage with over the years. Join us as Willie shares stories from a life that, in many ways, reads like a rock 'n roll fairytale.

Today on Why Music Matters, my guest is Peter Conners, musicologist, novelist, Grateful Dead scholar and a hero of mine for the way he has devoted his life to exploring the connection between the majesty of music and the power of the written word. Whether it's his nonfiction works, like Growing Up Dead: The Hallucinated Confessions of a Teenage Deahead, Cornell 77: The Music, the Myth and the Magnificence of the Grateful Dead's Concert at Barton Hall, and White Hand Society: The Psychedelic Partnership of Timothy Leary & Allen Ginsberg, or his recent novel, Merch Table Blues, Peter's writing reads like my favorite music sounds. Join us as Peter shares some insight on getting shown the light in the strangest of places!

Today on Why Music Matters, I'm joined by Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Dan Dunleavy. In addition to his considerable game-calling skills, Dan is a died-in-the-wool music lover with an enduring passion for artists as diverse as Elvis Presley and Eddie Van Halen, the Tragically Hip and AC/DC. Throughout our chat, Dan offers some insight on the connections between music and sports, a lifetime's worth of musical obsessions, and how music has helped him through his darkest days. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Dan Dunleavy!

This week on Why Music Matters, I get to hang out with my friend Mike Gantzer, guitarist and vocalist with indie jam-rock quartet Aqueous, as well as side project Death Kings - with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee and Ryan Nogle of Funktional Flow. Mike has spent the past decade on the road, and during that period, Aqueous has grown from a Buffalo band to a major player in the world of jam-based music, performing across the country and at prime annual music festivals like The Peach Festival, Electric Forest and Summer Camp. With Aqueous embarking on a hiatus, Gantzer reflected on the band's first ten years, the significance of the friendships that birthed the band, and the role that music plays in his day-to-day life. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Mike Gantzer!

Today on Why Music Matters, I get to spend some time with one of my favorite musicians, with the added bonus that he happens to be my son. Declan Miers is a bassist, producer, composer and guitarist who is currently on the road with alternative R&B superstar SZA. He's performed and recorded with a host of Neo-soul, R&B, pop and jazz artists, including Mac Ayres, Renee Rapp, Brass Tracks, Cautious Clay, Cisco Swank, Gene Coye, Mikki Howard, Ava Max, and Alex Isley. But in my eyes, he's still that little kid who fell in love with music when he was still crawling around on the floor in front of the stereo, my longtime concert buddy, and the kid who left home at 16 to attend the Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship, and then headed out into the world to pursue his musical dreams. Declan was raised to speak his mind, and he does so here, in a conversation that touches on the mentorship he received from the Buffalo gospel, jazz, rock and funk music communities, the life of a young touring musician, and the role that music can play in teaching us all how to speak less and listen more. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Declan Miers. Let's have some fun!

Today on Why Music Matters, I'll be speaking with Shain Shapiro, founder and chairman of the economic consultancy Sound Diplomacy, director of the global nonprofit Center for Music Ecosystems, and author of the forthcoming book This Must Be the Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better. Shain is a serious music-lover, who turned his passion for music into pioneering work on how music can radically transform not just the people who live in a city, but that city itself. Over the past decade, Shain has reimagined the way in which all of us should view the convergence of music, culture and urban policy. He's an expert on music's ability to speak to our better selves, and has keen insight to share on how those better selves might build better cities. Thanks for joining us on Why Music Matters.

On this episode of Why Music Matters with Jeff Miers, I catch up with Goo Goo Dolls bassist and Music Is Art founder Robby Takac. As one of the most successful musicals to have emerged from Buffalo over the past 30 years, Robby has a unique perspective on the ever-changing landscape of the music industry. And as founder of the annual Music is Art Festival, which celebrates its 21st anniversary on September 9, he has relentlessly pursued a vision of music as an agent of community building here in his hometown. He's also just a really cool, passionate, humble, and funny guy.

On this episode of Why Music Matters, I spend some time with Jennifer Brazill, founder of the Borderland Festival, which celebrates its fifth year at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, New York, September 15 through 17. This year's Borderland marks a serious breakthrough for Brazill and her team, as she presents three full days' worth of roots music, Americana, and jam-band sounds across multiple stages, with headliners Goose, Trey Anastasio Band and Moe lending significant star power to the lineup. Jen's journey has taken her across the country over the last 20 years, as she worked at independent record labels, in concert production and promotion, and in artist management, including a stint with the Dave Matthews Band's management team. Jen brought all of this experience back to her native Western New York when she founded the Borderland Festival in 2018. Through it all, Jen has been guided by a deep and abiding love for music and an enduring belief in its ability to transform and elevate.

On this episode of Why Music Matters with Jeff Miers, I'm speaking with musician, singer-songwriter, poet, activist and social justice advocate Michael Franti. Franti recently performed an emotional, jubilant show with his band Spearhead at Artpark in Lewiston, NY, and he took some time prior to that gig to talk about music as an agent of transformation, in his own life, and in the lives of his listeners. Tune in! And don't forget to subscribe! Watch the video version here!  Listen on Spotify Visit my website Visit my Substack  Produced by 678Main.

On this episode of Why Music Matters with Jeff Miers, I'm speaking with JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Called "one of the finest conductors of her her generation” by The New York Times, Maestro Falletta is the first woman to be appointed Music Director of a major American ensemble. Throughout the course of her career, she has been a tireless champion of music's ability to transcend cultural and physical boundaries, and to speak to our shared humanity. Tune in! And don't forget to subscribe! Watch the video version here!  Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Visit my website Visit my Substack  Produced by 678Main. 

Welcome to the Why Music Matters podcast. I'm your host, music journalist and musician Jeff Miers. Throughout my life in and around music, I've often asked myself the question - Why does music matter? This podcast attempts to answer that question, with the help of musicians, members of the music industry, and music-lovers like you. Join us! https://jeffmiersmusic.com/ https://jeffmiersmusic.substack.com/ Produced by 678Main.