WTTS In Conversation

The founding keyboardist talks about how quickly the band fell back into the groove after a 6-year gap between albums, and elaborates on the band's connection to each other and how their initial bond as friends has kept the band strong and healthy. He also elaborated on specific songs, and how the place called Rushmere became a focal point for not only this album, but this point in the band's career.Mumford & Sons bring the Rushmere Tour to Ruoff Music Center June 17th

The founding bassist joins Matt Pelsor for a chat about his playing, his hobbies, his latest musical rabbit holes, and one particular song on the latest album Lend Me A Hand that the host loved and was delighted to learn more about.String Cheese Incident will play Brown County Music Center on May 23rd, 2025.

Morning host (and Barenaked Ladies superfan) Matt Pelsor sat down with frontman Ed Robertson for a chat spanning topics such as career turning points, the surprise focus on "One Week" as the single for the highly-successful Stunt album, their foray into children's music, and reflection on the band's quirky style, as well as Ed's personal mental health journey. Barenaked Ladies bring their Last Summer on Earth Tour to Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park on July 20, 2025. Details at WTTSFM.com

Lucy Dacus joined Matt Pelsor for a zoom call shortly after the release of her latest album, Forever is a Feeling. They talked about the new album, her experience with the success of boygenius, and the 2022 Indy show she played laying on a couch despite having thrown her back out just days before.Lucy Dacus plays a WTTS Rock To Read concert September 16th at Old National Centre! Become a 92-3 VIP for presale access and other great perks:https://www.wttsfm.com/

Charity and Matty spoke with Matt Pelsor about the new song "Arrow," and the forthcoming album Aperture, which comes out May 9th. They also discussed the band's charitable arm, the Rivers and Roads Foundation.See The Head and The Heart August 6th at Everwise Amphtheater at White River State Park

In this bite-sized chat, Keb' Mo' talks to morning host Matt Pelsor ahead of his upcoming Brown County Music Center show with Shawn Colvin (3/20). They discuss his last album Good to Be, and touch on his forthcoming collaboration with blues legend Taj Mahal.Show info & tickets...

In the latest episode, Matt Pelsor sits down with Bear Rhinehart, the man behind the solo project known as Wilder Woods.They do a deep dive on his latest albumCurioso(out 2/7), unpacking specific songs, as well as working with special guests like Maggie Rose and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James. Wilder Woods plays the WTTS Rock To Read concert series on Friday, February 21st.

Indiana's own Connor McLaren joins Crystal for a conversation about the music industry and how to break into it through street performances.  Connor would busk at all of his favorite artist's shows.  They talk about his first album, Innocence, and his song "Cliche'," which became a regional favorite. 

The frontman joins Matt Pelsor for a second time to talk about the band's latest album, Her Way Out, as well as his guitar collection, Big Head Todd's history at Red Rocks, and his newfound fitness journey.

On the latest episode of the podcast, Toto guitarist and session legend Steve Lukather talked with Matt Pelsor about the outrageous value of his 1959 Les Paul, playing Jeff Beck's white Strat at the Hollywood Bowl (pictured), the legacy of Toto's music, playing with THREE Beatles throughout his career, and so much more.  Toto will play Ruoff Music Center with Men at Work and Christopher Cross on August 6th

Original member Lonnie Jordan, and longtime producer/manager Jerry Goldstein talk to Matt Pelsor about the new Christmas song “(Yes, It's) Christmas,” which is based on their hit song “Summer” from 1976. They also discuss being invited to perform “Why Can't We Be Friends” for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the use of “Low Rider” in Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke.

Fiddler Ryan Young talks with Matt Pelsor about Trampled By Turtles' new EP Always Here and how it parallels another release from frontman Dave Simonett's other band Dead Man Winter. He also talks about recording at Pachyderm Studio, where Nirvana famously recorded In Utero.

Warren Haynes talks with morning host Matt Pelsor about his new solo album Million Voices Whisper. He also talks about the Soulshine Madison Square Garden benefit show, which just took place on Sunday, 11/24; but you can still donate at the link below: https://www.soulshinemsg.com/

The Kansas keyboardist and musical director spoke with Matt Pelsor about working with a band with a 50-year history like Kansas, and about his previous experience working with artists like Debbie Harry and Meat Loaf. Kansas is playing Brown County Music Center on Saturday, November 23rd.

Mike Campbell shared a phone call with Crystal McKenzie to talk about how his surprise appearance with Bob Dylan came together for Farm Aid 2023. He also touched on playing with Fleetwood Mac, and asking Dave Grohl to play with the Heartbreakers after the demise of Nirvana. They also discussed the new tribute entitled A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, on which he worked with Margo Price, Chris Stapleton, and others.  

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James shares thoughts on the band's history of charitable giving, and offers perspective on his personal struggles with mental health while recalling a legendary performance at Bonnaroo 2004 in an interview with Matt Pelsor from June 2023. Listen for the new song “Aren't We One” from My Morning Jacket on 92.3 WTTS.

Upon the news of Sting and Billy Joel playing Lucas Oil Stadium in February, Matt Pelsor dug up an interview from last year with Police drummer Stewart Copeland. They talked about his orchestral performances, showcasing the arrangements done for the album Police: Deranged for Orchestra; as well as his film score work, and the jam band project Oysterhead with Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool.

The co-frontman and IU alumnus talked with Matt Pelsor about tour mates REO Speedwagon's recent breakup announcement, the band's history, and the double album of originals dropping in late November ahead of their September 27th date at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. For tickets, click here...

Dave Navarro talks about the re-formed classic lineup of Jane's Addiction who will come to Indy's Everwise Amphitheater on September 26th. He remarks on the band's volatile history and present (this talk was taped just before the on-stage fight in Boston on the 13th); as well as grappling with his own personal fame. For more on the upcoming show, click here...

Crystal McKenzie recently spoke with Amos Lee, who dropped his latest album Transmissions on August 9th, and also put out Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams last year. He got into the struggles he has with connecting to folks in a digital world. He also talked about Solomon Dorsey, his stand up bassist using a bow at times to create richer tones in the music. Plus the first time he ever met Jimmy Buffet, who absolutely loved Amos Lee's music.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band will play their first Indianapolis show in two years on August 31st at the HI-FI Annex. Rev talked with Matt about his unique guitar collection, a tour mishap last September, and his thoughts on songwriting. Find tickets at the HI-FI website

Two short interviews this time around with bands coming to town in September. Matt Pelsor talked with Brad Roberts of the Canadian band Crash Test Dummies about the way Canadian media seemed to abandon the group after their breakthrough record God Shuffled His Feet. Crash Test Dummies play Hendricks Live in Plainfield September 18th. Crystal McKenzie then talks with Chris Difford of Squeeze, who play Old National Centre on September 3rd. They talk about his famous next door neighbor, and recalls the 1981 English Mugs tour with Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

Crystal McKenzie sat down with Doobie Brothers founding member Pat Simmons to talk about, among other things, his best known song; as well as the song he wrote to benefit the recovery effort from last year's fires in Hawaii. The Doobie Brothers play Ruoff Music Center with special guest Steve Winwood on August 17th.

The founding frontman of Old Crow Medicine Show sits down with Matt Pelsor for a talk about their latest album Jubilee, including the collaborations with Sierra Ferrell, Mavis Staples, and former Old Crow member Willie Watson. He also talks about his songwriting partnership with two-time Bluegrass Grammy winner Molly Tuttle, and what it's like to write a Christmas song in July. Old Crow Medicine Show play Indianapolis' Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park on Saturday, July 13th.

Crystal McKenzie began the chat with a huge compliment to Bridget from Amos Lee that his band has been listening to her new solo album on the bus!!  It's her 4th solo album and is called Comeback Kid.  We also talked about her being a midwestern Iowa girl and a huge Caitlin Clark fan like us here in Indy, plus her love of strange potato chips. Lake Street Dive plays Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park on July 12th

Long-time Little Feat percussionist Sam Clayton sings lead vocals on a brand new album of mostly blues covers called “Sam's Place.” He spoke with Matt Pelsor about the new record, as well as a forthcoming original Little Feat album due out next year, and recalls what it was like playing with Jimmy Buffett back in the 80s. Little Feat plays with Los Lobos at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park on June 20th

Crystal McKenzie talks to two members of Collective Soul ahead of their June 8th show with Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain. Dean Roland talks about recording a new double album in Elvis' Palm Springs home and the inspiration that came from that experience.  He also talks about Christmas at the Rolands' house and how mom doesn't allow shop talk during the holidays. Bassist Will Turpin joins in on the conversation and talks about how it all began in his Dad's recording studio.  Also what it was like to step upon the stage of the Ryman Auditorium to play.  Collective Soul plays Ruoff Music Center June 8th with Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain

Afternoon host Crystal McKenzie chats with George Thorogood about the good ole days of playing the Vogue, and what a legendary room it is for the rockers of his era.  She also tossed him a FAST FIVE in the spirit of Carb Day, which he headlines on Friday, May 24th. Tickets to Carb Day can be found below: https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/buy-tickets/Carb-Day/products-carb-day?utm_source=paidsearch&utm_medium=CARBD&utm_campaign=ims2024&utm_term=branded&pc=digital-paidsrch-carb-brand&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWaCnxHMHMPnpLsgbTrg1m8EoG0noD7pU9WLXvPFHDZdpX9C3QM9HKYaAtM6EALw_wcB

Gary Clark Jr. plays Indianapolis on May 18th as part of the I Made Rock & Roll festival at the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis. He spoke with Matt Pelsor about his new album JPEG Raw, and what it was like to work closely with Stevie Wonder on the new song “What About The Children,” as well as the the album's themes of over-connectedness and self-consciousness through technology. He also shares his thoughts on playing a festival with the theme of the racial heritage of rock & roll.  Tickets available here: https://imaderocknroll.com/tickets/

Gin Blossoms founding member and rhythm guitarist Jesse Valenzuela talks with Matt Pelsor about how he really feels about the term “Jangle Pop,” and briefly shares some technical aspects of its performance. He's also come to terms with ‘playing the hits,' and will do so at Miller Lite Carb Day 2024 (5/24/24) as they open up for George Thorogood and the Destroyers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. CARB DAY INFO/TICKETS: https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/buy-tickets/Carb-Day/products-carb-day

Crystal McKenzie talks with the Grammy winner about Farm Aid, working with and befriending Brandi Carlile, and teaming up with Norah Jones. Plus some hard topics about her upbringing that led to her activism.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sheryl Crow spoke with Matt Pelsor ahead of the release of her twelfth studio album Evolution. They talked about bucking her 2019 intent to not release another album and dug into the themes of the forthcoming release, including the title track, and compared a song on the new record to a deep cut from 1996.

For this episode, prog rock solo artist and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett talks with Matt Pelsor ahead of his March 21st show at Brown County Music Center. In an insightful conversation, they talked about his latest album The Circus and the Nightwhale (released Feb 16), plus a lost project with Queen's Brian May, and the real reason his mid-80s supergroup GTR didn't work out. Concert info: https://www.browncountymusiccenter.com/events/detail/steve-hackett-genesis-revisited

Three-time Producer of The Year Grammy winner Jack Antonoff spoke with Matt Pelsor about the forthcoming self-titled album from his own band Bleachers (due out March 8). They touched on the creative value of limitations, and covered what a typical day looks like in the life of one of music's busiest producers.

Jeff Tweedy talked with Matt Pelsor about his two latest books: How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back, and World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life, and Life That Changed My Music. They also touched on his recent productivity, releasing two Wilco albums in as many years (2022's Cruel Country, and 2023's Cousin).

The Heavy Heavy are slated to release a full-length album this year, and indeed already have a busy schedule this coming Spring. We caught up last year before their particularly well-attended set at WonderRoad Festival and talked about how things have changed since they found success in the US.

Kenny Aronoff spent almost two decades as John Mellencamp's drummer, and has also worked with Melissa Etheridge, Willie Nelson, the Smashing Pumpkins, John Fogerty, and many more. He talked with morning host Matt Pelsor about his time with John Mellencamp, and playing in the Jim Irsay Band.

Portugal. The Man guitarist Eric Howk talked with Matt Pelsor about life in the band now versus before “Feel It Still” became the international mega-hit that it is. They also discuss the song “Who's Gonna Stop Me,” featuring Weird Al Yankovic, as well as Eric's perspective of being a wheelchair-bound professional musician in a world that doesn't always accommodate him.

Singer-songwriter Noah Cyrus spoke with morning host Matt Pelsor ahead of her show at Old National Centre this past September. She talked about her past struggles with addiction and how they inspired many of the songs on her debut album The Hardest Part, as well as her collaboration with Vance Joy on the song “Every Beginning Ends,” and how it was a full-circle moment for her career.

Bear Rinehart talks about Needtobreathe's latest album Caves, and its intentional “bigness.” He also recalls the evolution of Indy shows and the fervent fanbase they've enjoyed here over the course of their now 20+ year career as a band. Needtobreathe performs May 22, 2024 at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park More info & Tickets: https://www.wttsfm.com/events/wtts-presents-needtobreathe/

Ketch Secor wrote “Wagon Wheel” from a song fragment that Bob Dylan had written decades before. He and morning host Matt Pelsor explored the song's origins and ubiquity, as well as their new album, Jubilee, ahead of Old Crow Medicine Show's Brown County Music Center appearance on Friday, November 17th.

Jason Mraz kicked off this past Summer with a new album called Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, and a tour with what he calls his “Superband.” Morning host Matt Pelsor talks with him about both, plus details about an Indiana show from 20 years ago this month. They also discuss his best-known hit “I'm Yours” and what it was like as it was taking off in the mid-to-late 2000s.

Crystal McKenzie talked with legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean about his forthcoming box set, and some of the unique merch on his website. They also discuss a timeless song inspired by a performance of his, and the documentary The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's American Pie, now streaming on Paramount+

St. Paul and the Broken Bones singer Paul Janeway talks to Matt Pelsor about the emotional kickoff to their new album Angels in Science Fiction, and the new song that he considers to be the first love song he ever wrote. They also talk about balancing  fatherhood with touring, and the concept behind the interviewer's favorite album, Young Sick Camellia. St. Paul and the Broken Bones play the WTTS Rock To Read concert series at Old National Centre on September 26th.

This year, George Thorogood marks 50 years of performing with his band, The Destroyers. He talks with morning host Matt Pelsor about one of his biggest hits and who it was meant for. They also talk about the only electric guitar model he's ever used, and what it took to have more made. George Thorogood and The Destroyers play Old National Centre on Thursday, September 14th

Farm Aid is returning to Indiana for the first time in 22 years. Morning host Matt Pelsor talked with their Cultural Impact Director, Michael Foley, about the focus of the benefit in 2023, and the issues it hopes to highlight. This year, Farm Aid happens Saturday, September 23rd and features Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and more.

Cake frontman John McCrea talks to Matt Pelsor about the band's signature sound, and one essential instrument that makes it. They also touch on the band's activism, which includes the tradition of giving away a live tree at every show. Plus, why their great live album spent years in the vault before anyone heard it. Cake plays TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park on September 13th.

Matt Pelsor talked with Robby Takac about the Goo Goo Dolls' upcoming August 23rd show at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park. They talked about the songs he wrote for the new album Chaos in Bloom, as well as his successful Buffalo-based nonprofit “Music Is Art,” and why he often performs barefoot.

Crystal McKenzie talked with Melissa Etheridge before her July 25th performance at Brown County Music Center. They talked about her cancer battle, her forthcoming book, and the Broadway show she's about to start in September.

Bassist George Gekas of The Revivalists talks to morning host Matt Pelsor about how the new album Pour it Out into The Night came together. They talk about the upcoming tour dates with Band of Horses that will include our Rock On The River show, and the charitable causes they've supported as a band, which will include Indiana Wish, come July 29th.

Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach of Goose spoke with Matt Pelsor last year right after the release of their acclaimed album Dripfield. They talked about recording the album, and the band's process of recording and releasing nearly every live show they do. Later, they comment on a piece of fan-made merch that has become a source of delight, and confusion, among some fans (including Matt).