The Popko Project

About This Episode In this episode, Popko sits down with Ray Meoni and Kyle Johnson to talk about Scranton Skalidays 2025, happening December 20th at The Ritz Theater in downtown Scranton. Skalidays has become a Northeast PA holiday tradition — a massive celebration of ska, punk, and community. Now in its fourth year, Skalidays continues […]

Guest: Nick Summons, Founder of Dunder Mixin Entertainment Podcast: The Popko Project Podcast Presented by: Keller’s Garden Center & Landscaping Services • Ionic Development • The V-Spot Bar • Scotch Sauce Hot Sauce — Makers of Happy Boy Hot Sauce.🔥 Get 15% off with code POPKO at scotchsaucehotsauce.com About This Episode In this episode, Popko […]

Welcome to Episode 253 of The Popko Project Podcast, featuring a powerful conversation with Olivia Elizabeth Basar — a rising NEPA artist sharing her creative journey, musical influences, and what drives her to keep making honest, heartfelt music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering Olivia for the first time, this episode dives into […]

🎧 Episode 252 – Cowgirl Pills In this episode of The Popko Project, I’m joined by Dylan and Eilish—better known as Cowgirl Pills, the rising DJ duo who’ve taken NEPA by storm. We chat about their whirlwind journey from bedroom DJs to booking 75+ gigs in less than a year, including clubs, weddings, First Friday […]

🎙️ Episode 251 – Aaron Zona for Mayor of Factoryville The Popko Project gets political! In a special civic edition of The Popko Project Podcast, Popko sits down with Aaron Zona, a longtime community member, small business owner, and now mayoral candidate for Factoryville, PA. Known for his 16+ years at the helm of Sick […]

In this special 250th episode of The Popko Project Podcast, singer-songwriter Dave Hause joins us for a deeply honest and wide-ranging conversation about life, creativity, family, and punk rock. From his early days with The Loved Ones to the raw energy of his latest album And The Mermaid, Dave opens up about making music with […]

In this episode of The Popko Project Podcast, we sit down with multi-talented artist, producer, and studio owner Patrick Motto for an in-depth, honest, and heartfelt conversation. From opening for Breaking Benjamin the night they were signed, to launching his own recording facility, PM Soundscape Studios, Patrick shares his two-decade journey in music — from […]

From playing guitar in his kitchen to hearing his first song on the radio 📻 — John Bower’s journey into music is as real and down-to-earth as it gets. In this episode, we talk about: – How a random invite led to his first live gig – His debut song “LE Around OV” — and […]

In this episode, Popko sits down with Joe Caviston, the driving force behind the Electric City Music Conference and the Steamtown Music Awards, now entering their 12th year. Joe reflects on the journey from humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the Scranton music scene, and why this massive effort is his way of giving […]

In this episode, Popko sits down with Atari + Mari, a music duo that’s doing something different — real emotion, real connection, and no filter. We talk about how they built their unique lo-fi sound, why sad songs matter, and how music can actually help people get through some dark stuff. This one goes deep […]

In this episode of The Popko Project, Popko hangs out with the awesome humans behind American Television — a D.C.-based punk band that’s been pushing out melodic anthems with a message for over a decade. We dive deep into their upcoming EP, You Are Not Alone (dropping September 19), which delivers a rallying cry for […]

After over a decade since their last full-length release, Sainthood Reps are back and louder than ever. In this episode, Popko sits down with Derek to talk about the band’s origins, the Long Island scene that shaped them, and their highly anticipated new record, Dull Bliss, dropping September 26th. They dive into the chaos of […]

After nearly three years, University Drive returns to The Popko Project Podcast! Ed, Mark, and Ryan(kinda) join the show for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from their gritty new EP “First Stage Separation” to their experiences touring with Cold. The band shares insights into recording live to tape at Electrical Audio, the evolution of their […]

In this episode, Popko sits down with Zach from Denver hardcore/nu-metal/hip-hop fusion band Fox Lake to talk about their brand-new full-length album New World Heat (released August 1). Zach dives into the two-year creative process behind the record, how the band built it around the concept of “pure adrenaline,” and why they fully embraced their […]

This week, Popko sits down with Austin from Pittsburgh rock outfit Rex Tycoon to talk about their debut full-length album “No Limit 2 Love”, now out everywhere. They dive into: 🎸 The band’s origins — from college jams to a pandemic-fueled creative burst 💿 The raw, no-frills recording process (live tracked in just 2.5 days!) […]

In this episode of The Popko Project Podcast, we explore the rise of The Electric City Surf Club, an experimental indie music collective that’s redefining Scranton’s local music scene. Founder Sean Flynn dives into how the band started, what drives their DIY creative philosophy, and how they’re building a community-first music movement right here in […]

In this episode of The Popko Project Podcast, Popko catches up with blues-rock powerhouse Dustin Douglas to celebrate the release of his band, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, brand-new album, IV. Two years after their last podcast hang, Dustin returns to dive into the creative journey behind IV — from writing and recording to […]

In this episode, Popko is joined by Jacob from The Heartstrings, the rising country-rock band making serious waves out of Williamsport, PA. From humble beginnings with broken sound systems to playing packed-out festivals like River Wave Country Music Festival , Jacob shares the band’s 10-year journey, the stories behind their emotionally charged debut album Sad […]

This episode is one of those rare conversations that really sticks with you. Guilford Adams is a professional clown — yes, an actual clown — but also an actor, performer, and now the director of American Clown, a powerful new documentary exploring the strange, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking story of clown culture in America. We […]

We’ve got Nick and Mike from Wounded Touch on the show, and let me tell you—these dudes go deep. They’re not just making heavy music, they’re living it. Their new album, A Vivid Depiction of Collapse, is this raw, unfiltered punch to the soul about life, fatherhood, growing up, and yeah—things falling apart. We talk […]

In this high-energy and hilariously heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the chaotic creatives behind Kitchen Teeth, one of NEPA’s most refreshingly raw and wildly original bands. And they’ve got something BIG brewing—literally and musically. 🦷🔥 Their new full-length album, “Sink Your Teeth In”, drops June 6th, and they’re celebrating in style with an album release […]

In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic minds behind Bellwether Ritual, a rising force in the Lehigh Valley stoner/doom rock scene. We talk everything from the band’s gritty origins during the pandemic to their evolving sound that blends grunge roots, Black Sabbath fuzz, and haunting vocal harmonies. 🎸 We dive deep into: -The […]

In this episode, we welcome Tiny Ships, a New Jersey-based band that’s making waves with heartfelt songwriting, sold-out shows, and a deep commitment to mental health awareness. What started as a studio project during COVID has quickly evolved into a powerful, emotionally honest band blending singer-songwriter sensibility with influences from metal, hardcore, pop, and everything […]

In this episode, we’re joined by Ben from UK post-hardcore/alternative band Acres to talk about their highly anticipated new album The Host, out NOW. Ben dives into the band’s evolution from melodic hardcore to a genre-blending force, working with producer Landon Tewers (The Plot In You), and the creative process of crafting an album with […]

In this episode of The Popko Project Podcast, we sit down with Camille, the powerhouse vocalist of the French metalcore band Novelists, to talk about their upcoming album Coda, out May 16. We dive into Camille’s journey joining the band just a year and a half ago, the emotional depth of the new record, her experience touring the […]