First Spin

This week I sit down with Dylan Grantham, who released music under the name Young Ritual. Dylan and I talk about his OCD, not rushing his music, and the trend away from short form content and towards platforms like Substack.   Dylan's unique childhood set the stage for a life in music, even if it looks a bit different than his family envisioned. Hope you enjoy my conversation with the immense...

In this episode of First Spin, I sit down with indie-folk artist Will McCartt for a conversation about creativity, emotional vulnerability, and the process of finding your voice as an artist. We talk about how music was always present in Will’s life — from playing guitar in church bands growing up to eventually writing a song for a major life event — but how it took years before he truly viewed so...

In this episode I sit down with Nashville-based singer/songwriter Drew White.  Drew and I talk about his fantastic 2025 release, Concrete Americana , life with missionary parents, choosing kindness, battling diabetes, touring the Southeast, So Far Sounds and more.   Songs featured in this episode: Medicine Concrete Americana Kings Street Blood Sugar Blues Dandelions Dreaming in the City Introducti...

This week I sit down with the incredibly talented Khatumu. We talk about her experience of racism with a kid at work, how she passed time during covid lockdowns, the influences that developed her unique sound, and the neighbor that heard her singing through the wall and changed her life. Songs featured in this episode: hunting days exposure therapy blackout matador psuedo doctors Introduction musi...

This week I sit down with Noah Thomas who releases music under the name American Fraternity. Noah and I talked about his brief experience in Greek life, graduating college during Covid, life in Los Angeles, and the importance of displaying confidence.  You can catch American Fraternity live in Los Angeles on May 13th! Songs featured in this episode: Nights Like This In Your Room Sometimes Californ...

On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Wesley Phipps, current Belmont University student who just released his first EP, "Worst Of It."  Wesley and I chat about how the guitar helped him overcome depression as a kid, life since leaving Dallas for Nashville, and wanting to do it all.   Songs featured in this episode: Few Reasons Drive to Ohio Curtains Leaving Houston Still Gone In...

In this special, first-of-its-kind episode, Hayden sits down with HAFFWAY (Sam Westhoff) for a conversation before his headlining show at The Moroccan Lounge on February 12, 2025.  Sam talks about almost giving up, writing for himself, mental health, the recent coverage in Rolling Stone, his latest album 'Wither.' Introduction music Blood Sugar Blues   by former First Spin guest, Drew Wh...

This week I sit down with Colorado-raised, Nashville-living, Montana-loving Seth Beamer.  Seth and I talk about his time in the Denver music scene, why he left for Nashville, writing for syncs, how Spotify numbers influence things and how he balances running a business while promoting his music. Songs featured in this episode: Drive You Can't Change Me Picture Perfect Ready To Go The Runaroun...

This week I sit down with James Uzzel of the Carolina Emo band Tourneforte.  James details finding his people in the Myrtle Beach music scene (not as easy as you'd hope), traveling to New Jersey to make albums, sustained growth vs. viral moments, working on an HBO series and his love of a short n' sweet pop star. Songs included in this episode: Minnesota May First Centerfold Make Good Ep...

This week I sit down with Emily James, who's breakout song 'Brooklyn' has been on nearly every playlist I've made in the last 3 years.  Emily opens up about the success of that song, her upcoming LP 'Summer Nostalgia' (and why it shares a name with last years' EP), the line between vulnerability and oversharing, and making romance out of life. Songs featured in t...

This week I sit down with Zach Sweeney and Alex Forsythe of the indie-folk group, Welcome Stranger.  We dive into the history of the band and the Craigslist ad that spawned it, the process of writing songs, the influence of growing up in an Evangelical Christian home, experimenting with Tik Toks, and keeping your job and music separate. Songs featured in this Episode: These Things Take Their Time...

This week on First Spin I sit down with Owen Burton, the creative force behind the band Ovven as he shares his journey from growing up in the Chicago burbs, his experiences in the Peace Corps, and the evolution of his music career. He reflects on the influence of classical guitar on his songwriting, the impact of a life-changing concert, and the importance of embracing personal embarrassment in hi...

In this conversation, Nikki Falk, a singer-songwriter originally from Hawaii, shares her journey into music, discussing her move to California (by way of Australia), using music to connect, and the importance of community in the music scene. She reflects on the emotional connections her music creates with listeners and the vulnerability involved in performing. Nikki also addresses the impact of di...

In this episode, musician Will Overman shares his journey from Virginia to Nashville, detailing the challenges and triumphs of pursuing a career in music. Will opens up about his experiences in the service industry, the impact of his divorce, and the decision to move to Nashville to further his music career. He reflects on the evolving music industry, the role of streaming, and the importance of l...

In this conversation, Mike Chiarappa discusses the evolution of his music project, Range Life, from a solo endeavor to a collaborative band effort. He shares insights about the vibrant music scene in Asbury Park, the importance of collaboration in songwriting, and the challenges of recording music. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in music production, the dynamics of the modern music...

Hayden interviews Danny and Jesse from the Long Island band Gursday about their origins, creative process, and lives outside of music. The conversation opens with the story behind the unusual band name, which started as an inside joke and became a deliberate choice to stand out in search results and avoid getting lost in the algorithm. They talk about their recent LP Bogeyland , how its title and...

LA singer-songwriter-producer Louis Metric drops in for a freewheeling, funny, and thoughtful convo about art, algorithms, and why brunch might be the enemy of your creative goals. We dig into why his breakout single “Take It Slow” came together in two days while other tracks marinate for months. He talks process like a builder: looping simple chords, chasing a feeling before theory, then sending...

This week on First Spin , Hayden is joined by Patrick and Andrew of Tennis Courts , an indie rock band born in the house-show scene of Charleston and now based in New York. The conversation traces the band’s roots back to college: chance friendships, practice spaces behind refrigerators, and the kind of chaotic “let’s just try it” energy that ended up defining how Tennis Courts works to this day....

Penny Beverly recently landed a song in Netflix’s “Black Rabbit” (starring Jude Law & Jason Bateman). Lead singer Duncan MacEachern explains the sync path and how things were quiet during the strikes, but the recent placement suddenly multiplied the bands exposure significantly. Duncan digs into DIY marketing : the TikTok push around the placement, the creative team behind their visuals  and t...

This week on First Spin, Hayden sits down with Travis Miles—vocalist/guitarist for Ontario’s long-running punk trio The Penske File—for a conversation that’s equal parts road-tested wisdom and wide-eyed love of making loud, honest songs with your best friends. Travis pulls back the curtain on why U.S. touring has become so tough for small Canadian bands and contrasts it with the radically differen...

In this week’s episode of First Spin , Hayden sits down with Taylor Burlage , founding member, lead singer, and guitarist of The Dead and Down , a Montana-based band that’s carving out a distinctive space in the indie and rock scenes. Hayden first discovered the band at Zootown Festival in Missoula over the Fourth of July weekend, where their rain-soaked set left a lasting impression. That perform...

On this episode of First Spin , Hayden sits down with Irish artist Dylan Flynn , frontman of Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets . From the band’s beginnings in Limerick to building a passionate following at home and abroad, Dylan shares how the group has carved out its own space with heartfelt songwriting and a modern twist on classic rock influences. The conversation touches on the challenges and r...

On this episode of First Spin , I sit down with Nashville-based artist Riley Smith (RYLY) to talk about the journey from Atlanta to Music City, shaping a sound that blends arena-ready indie pop/rock with songwriter roots, and what it takes to build momentum as an independent artist. We dig into writing from piano or acoustic guitar first, then “dressing up” songs in the studio, translating big arr...

On this episode of First Spin , I sit down with Taylor Lansdale , a Kentucky-born singer-songwriter whose heartfelt Americana sound is beginning to turn heads. Taylor talks us through his relatively new path into music, finding his voice in open mics, and slowly carving out a place for himself in Lexington’s growing music scene. We dive into the making of his debut album Headlong and his brand-new...

In this episode of First Spin , Hayden talks with Jack Sanders , a Springfield, Missouri–based singer-songwriter whose heartfelt country-Americana sound blends guitar-driven roots with lyrical storytelling. Jack shares how he didn’t even pick up a guitar until age 19, but quickly became obsessed—practicing for six hours a day and teaching himself via YouTube. Over time, he developed both his guita...