Behind the Vinyl

🎉 EPISODE 200 🎉 We're celebrating a huge milestone with Sweet Pill 💥 Jayce & Zaina join the pod to talk about their upcoming album Still There's a Glow and the journey from DIY college band to fully realized artists. We get into songwriting, growth, the pandemic, protecting artistic integrity, and creating music that actually connects . Honest, emotional, and full of gratitude — this one means...

Step into another episode of Behind the Vinyl as we welcome Izzy and Toni of Glare into the interview room for an engaging and heartfelt conversation about their journey, their latest record, and everything in between. While some might say Glare "blew up overnight," the reality is far from effortless. The band has been putting in the work, grinding behind the scenes, and staying focused on their m...

In this all-exclusive interview, Tate sits down with Chase Walsh, the creative force behind Worry Club , to dive deep into the band's evolving sound, creative journey, and latest releases—including the introspective single "Anything Else" and the newly dropped "Little Fucker." Chase opens up about the shift from recording music in his bedroom to working in professional studios, and how his surroun...

In this episode, Steve returns to the mic for an electrifying interview with Peter Pawlak, frontman of the relentless California hardcore outfit SPY. With their latest EP Seen Enough released in February and a non-stop touring schedule that's taken them from the U.S. with Superheaven to stages across Europe, SPY is proving that hardcore can break barriers and cross genres. Peter talks candidly abo...

In this episode, Tate chats with Marcus Nuccio and Evan Weiss, the driving forces behind the band,  Pet Symmetry , about their latest album  Big Symmetry , released on May 2. Since August 2023, the record label, Storm Chaser, has been releasing one album every month, but  Big Symmetry  stands out as the label's most significant release yet. Marcus and Evan discuss the power of self-releasing music...

Tate is on a roll as we edge closer to the big 2-0-0, and this week's episode brings a breezy, story-filled conversation with Andrew from the band The Wisconaut . Fresh off a surf trip with his buddies, Andrew joins the show in peak post-sesh energy to chat about everything from catching waves to catching ears with his music. The convo kicks off with Andrew's roots in Milwaukee and his unexpected...

This week, Tate sits down with Jake Beital of Prize Horse for an unforgettable convo that kicks off with an instant Minnesota connection. From the Twin Cities to deep dives into the local music scene, Jake paints a vivid picture of home — and yes, he comes prepared with a stacked list of his favorite hometown restaurants. After a quick warm-up, the two dive into the heart of it: music . Jake opens...

n this episode, we sit down with Anthony, the creative force behind the music project "Rosevile Sucks." The name originated during his time living in Roseville, and even today, driving through the area serves as a humorous reminder of those experiences. Anthony is also part of the popular YouTube channel "Hivemind," which has broadened his horizons and introduced him to the world of football, desp...

In this episode, we had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Steph Jerkova of Punitive Damage back in November. What a fantastic conversation it was! Not only is Punitive Damage an incredible band, but Steph herself is one of the most down-to-earth and engaging people you'll meet. We dove deep into the band's journey, exploring their sound, and the unique vibe that sets them apart in the har...

It's taken me a little while to dive back into some of the interviews I did last year, but today we're releasing something I'm really proud of — our interview with Chat Pile .  There were times over the past few months when I seriously considered walking away from this project. I was burnt out, and setting up interviews felt like a chore. But in the end, I realized this project is too important to...

In this episode, we sit down with Mat Kerekes , the multifaceted frontman of Citizen , to dive deep into his solo work, his ever-evolving approach to music, and his unique balance of passion projects. Whether it's fronting an iconic band like Citizen, writing his own songs as a solo artist, or stepping into the role of a producer, Mat seems to do it all—and do it well. Mat's most recent solo relea...

What can we say about Speed and their iconic hit record Only One Mode that hasn't already been said? If you're a hardcore fan, you know the vibe. This lovable group from Australia brings everything you could ask for: raw energy, relentless drive, and authenticity on and off the stage. They're more than just a band; they're an unstoppable force in hardcore, breaking boundaries worldwide. In this la...

In this episode, we dive deep with Sam and Skylar of Been Stellar as tearlier in the year they celebrated the release of their debut album, Scream from New York, NY . Having crafted their musical bond since the age of 14, the duo reflects on the evolution of their sound from singles and EPs to a full-length record. Join us as they share the story behind the album—how the pressure of previous EP's...

This week, we sit down with Adrian from Luster to dive deep into their creative process and the unique dynamics of the band. We discuss how they manage to blend emotional vulnerability with a sound that's evolved over the years. Highlights Include: The surprising fact that, despite playing shoegaze the most, it's what Adrian listens to the least! The origins of Luster as a "bedroom project," with...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of a band that emerged from the fusion of passion and persistence. Our story begins a decade ago with Eric Stenman, who was writing heavier music that he never imagined would reach the public eye. Eric's early musical journey intertwined with Aaron Bruno's in the late '90s through their shared love for hardcore music. Despite their separate cr...

We had Vince of Modern Color on to talk about "There Goes the Dream." The writing process for their latest record was fragmented, as Vince has been personally juggling other projects and endeavors—being on the road with Militarie Gun while still touring with Modern Color. It took a little longer to write because they thrive on getting in a room together and bouncing ideas off each other. Nonethele...

Tate jumps behind the mic for an exclusive interview with Grant from Hear to Gold!  We chat about everything from new jams leading to a 10-song record coming out at a later date. The journey started out with self-producing the first album and eventually the band teamed up with Memory Music. Now they are a force in the music scene just recently working alongside the incredible Will Yip which has be...

We're super excited to share our latest episode featuring Brendan Dyer and Yarden Erez of Milly! Their 2024 record, "Your Own Becoming," released on June 28, has been one of my most anticipated albums this year for me, especially after the single "Drip From the Fountain" dropped. This album is easily in my top 5 for 2024!  The band started crafting this masterpiece on a New Year's Day when Brendan...

We are to have Joey Vannucci of From Indian Lakes on to discuss his new record,  "Head Void" , which was released on May 15! This is his first FIL album since 2019, and it was worth the wait.  "Head Void" is a very organic, pick-up-the-guitar-and-bang- on-the-drums type of record. None of these songs were sitting around for long—they were all written and finished within a couple of months. Each tr...

During a recent music lull, podcasts dominated my morning commute until Pissed Jeans shook me awake with their new record! The song "Moving On" hit me like a lightning bolt – from the killer intro riff to those raw, punk vocals, it was pure magic. Their latest album "Half Divorced" reaffirmed my punk roots, reminding me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. These guys aren't just...

Get ready to switch gears with us as Tate Daniels, the wizard behind the editing scenes, steps into the limelight for an electrifying interview with the entire Riley! band! Fresh off the press, their latest record "Keep Your Cool" dropped on April 19, and if you haven't tuned in yet, well, you might just be Patrick Star living under a rock. This full-length masterpiece marks a monumental moment fo...

We were lucky enough to catch Mercedes Arn-Horn of Softcult on the same day of when they released their new hit single, One of the Pack. It's a song with a special and important meaning that Mercedes gives her honest and authentic self during the song and while talking about it  on our podcast. In the words of Mercedes, "In Softcult we pride ourselves on being femnists and advocating for equality...

We have a good one for you tonight! While the Richmond, VA crowd gets to see Glitterer live (jealous, much!) we are dishing out an interview with Ned Russin. For several years now several of my friends have been sending me music whenever Glitterer released songs. Ned's new project, that officially came to be in 2017 when he released a self-title album, quickly grew on me. Whenever someone has a su...

Kevin Devine is someone that every young musician should listen to. Throughout this conversation he gave some of the most well thought out responses I have seen on the podcast. He analyzes everything and looks at music from a lense that not every musician can see through. He is also a genuine personality and is one of the nicest people out there. The interview itself was all over the place - It st...

Matt Pryor joined us to talk about his new book, "Red Letter Days" which hit shelves on January 23. He left us with a ton of great advice for young musicians and took a deep dive in a good chunk of the fun stories that appear in this book. It's certainly a page turner so pick up a copy if you have not done so already! Purchase the book here: https://polyvinylrecords.com/product/red_letter_days