Dreams Not Memes Podcast

I spoke with 1/2 of Pocket Vinyl for this episode of Dreams Not Memes. Pocket Vinyl (CT) is a music and art band consisting of Elizabeth Janciewecz and Eric Stevenson. Elizabeth creates improvised paintings while Eric plays piano and shares stories. At the end of their performance Pocket Vinyl auctions the painting and continues to share their story.  The duo has done quite a lot, including t...

I spoke with Christopher Bynes, a writer, curator, and musician from Boston, MA. Christopher has booked me at Boston's Dorchester Arts space and has interviewed me for AfroPunk. In this conversation, we talk about black representation in the arts, black stereotyping in entertainment, and how to include others in independent music communities. Bynes recently teamed up with Z Tapes and Counterzine t...

I spoke with my friend and songwriting partner Esther.  Esther is a Columbus, Ohio native who moved to Philadelphia after getting her degree in Social Work from Ohio State. Esther came to Philadelphia to pursue a masters in Music Therapy and started her next phase in her music journey as a solo artist. Esther is a recent graduate of Drexel University and is currently working on the next steps...

I spoke to Portland, Maine fashion designer Olivia Dwyer about her journey in her career. Olivia shares her story about the supply chain logistics of doing commissions, the ethical challenges of the fashion industry, and how she overcomes her own issues while working. Olivia has been making a variety of custom order masks in the midst of COVID-19 and shares her insights about freelancing and art....

I spoke with Sean Markey a Philadelphia guitarist, songwriter, and music teacher about his journey towards building himself. In this discussion we talk about songwriting angles, playing for other bands, the appreciation of black music, and much more. Sean has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of my former guests such as Taylor Kelly, Laura Lizcano, and Maria Mirenzi.  Markey is...

Emily Hill is an organizer for The March to End Rape Culture in Philadelphia. We spoke about her experiences with the organization, it's mission and the concert that will be happening on July 3rd,2020 via zoom. In his episode we dive into activism, organizing with your skills, Emily's acting career and glass ceilings . Learn more about Emily's career , reflections and accomplishments on Dreams Not...

I spoke with my friend and collaborator April Hartman in this episode of Dreams Not Memes. April and I met through a mutual friend in the folk-punk community, Billy Collector. Hailing from Lancaster, PA April runs a non-profit collective called Second Chance to Play which is dedicated to providing instruments to those who need healing while recovering from addiction. Hartman is also the front pers...

I spoke with an old Penn State friend Matthew Kelly about his career, politics, and ambitions. Matthew shares his journey as a professional podcaster and working with Geekscape.net. Matthew is part of One Hit Thunder, My Favorite Episode OF...., The Roaring 20's Podcast, and Horror Movie Night podcast which are available on all digital streaming channels. Highlighted in this episode, you can hear...

I spoke with Carolyn Lederach, an events curator, manager, and photographer from the Philadelphia area. Carolyn and I know each other from our college days at Penn State. In today's episode we talk abut Carolyn's growth and insights towards being in the music industry and community, surviving with COVID19 and her project the Philly Music Caves. Find out more about Carolyn's journey, insights and p...

I spoke with YouTube Vlogger, The Cozy Representative. Julian' vlog provides deep dive docuseries on Myspace Era Musicians and PopPunk/Emo Scene greats of the 2000s( ie Nevershoutnever, All Time Low, Academy Is, etc). In our conversation we talk about tour survival, storytelling in journalism, content creation and more. Take a dive into Julians interests, ambitions and relationship with music on D...

I spoke to my friend and collaborator Rebecca Zimmerman about our new single, "Dear Body" and her journey as a musician. In this episode we cover Rebecca's #GOALS list which includes traveling the us by foot, touring the entire US and exploring different genres of music. Check out this interview and our blues rock inspired song that discusses body -mind comfortability, "Dear Body"  Links http...

Today I spoke to Alyx McLaughlin, a Cincinatti native radiohst, photographger, videographer and documentarian. I met Alyx through To the Front Fest and they took photos of me at the festival. In our conversation we speak about intersectionality, being a mentor of your own community, current events with protests and activism, and being creative. Alyx is current learning guitar through pandemic and...

Today's episode is my first non USA conversation. I spoke with Canadian ( Calgary,Alberta) musicians  Laura Hickli and Taylor Cochrane(36?). We spoke about poverty, intersectionality, the BLM movement, quarantine, and healthcare. Laura and Taylor aspire to have a life based on touring and performing music as songwriters. Listen to their story and the hurdles they face as touring musicians in...

I spoke to Ryan Erwin, a musician in San Diego and friend of Sam Christie's ( Episode 74). Erwin shares his story about being able to be a full time musician in California, hacking social media, writing songs about pandemics and the art of "Gimmicksurfing in music."  Ryan is dedicated to art and shares his feelings towards writing with purpose vs writing with strategy. Learn more on Dreams Not Mem...

I spoke to Christine Elise about the meaning of community healing with the power of music. Christine Elise works with Philadelphia musician Kuf Knotz as a singer, harpist, and music therapist.  Christine strives to deliver workshops coupled with musical performances to foster emotional growth and support across communities in the US. In this episode, we talk about Christine's views on music therap...

I spoke with my songwriting partner Juliet Eve about her journey with finding herself. Juliet is from upstate New York and moved to Philadelphia to attend graduate school at Upenn. We met at a coffee shop to write a song for an EDM side project, we shifted directions and ended up writing a folk song called, "Meant to Be." Juliet plays clarinet in camp punk band Ghoul Friends, sings and plays synth...

I spoke to Emily Schlegel who is a radio host, event curator, and videographer about her views towards inclusion on the airwaves. Emily found me via the interwebs through my music and booked me at two events at Kutztown University. In our discussion we talk about shifts in radio and music journalism, diversity and inclusion, having problematic teachers in her academic career and her views towards...

I spoke to Paige Davis, ESQ. about social advocacy and giving back in today's climate. Paige Davis is an attorney in NYC and is an entrepreneur who is working on developing a non-profit venture called "Girls Becoming Esquires"(GBE). GBE is designed to create a mentorship program to encourage more women into the legal field as an effort to increase representation in our legal system. In our convers...

I spoke to one of my first songwriting partners, Sameryebread AKA Sam Rosen today. We spoke what it's like to sustain yourself as a studio engineer, producer and songwriter. Sam and I talk about our songwriting processes, applying theory, staying flexible and insomnia. Sam and I also wrote the song Going which was one of my first collaborations in my discography. Find out more about Sam's story in...

I spoke with Isaac Forde, lead singer of Church Pants, guitarist for Port Arthur, composer, and freelancer. During our conversation we talked about remote collaboration, jingle writing, writing for tension, and writing for advertisement and client work. Issac shares his story about what it means to work with others and writing from varing perspectives. Listen to more on Dreams Not Memes and listen...

I spoke with Rob Lawless a few days ago about his journey @Robs10kFriends . Rob is on a journey to meet 10k people by spending 1 hour with them to engage in friendship and connection. I am pleased to share that I was the 10th person and I recall meeting Rob and him feeling very ambitious about his project.  I am pleased to say he is still just as ambitious. In our conversation we talk about h...

I spoke to an old gigging friend Anna Gentile a few days back. Anna is a songwriter, instrumentalist, and budding music therapy practitioner. Anna speaks to me about queer identity and destigmatizing trans identity in the music therapy community. We also talk about composing and approaching songwriting from different perspectives with time signatures.  Anna writes in multiple projects as "herefrom...

In today's episode I speak to a young man by the name of Starly Sam. Sam found me via an online stream for Coping With Dystopia. Sam plays banjo for a band called Captain Daniels & the Sunnybrook Sailors. Sam left a deathcore band for a folk punk band and shares his story about how he wants to live and support a world that is bigger than him. In this episode we talk about his experience with being...

I spoke to the first person who believed in my music, Sam Christie. Sam and I wrote a split EP called Young Professionals five years ago. In this conversation we talk about his journey as a music therapist in training, learning music outside of your comfort zone, societal diversity, current events with George Floyd, dealing with anxiety, the internet and content creation and so much more. Tune in...

I spoke with Philadelphia local Dan Drago . Drago is the founder of Philadelphia podcast 25' O Clock podcast . Dan's mission is to talk to Philadelphia local musicians in long form interview format and highlight the passions of others. Coming from a past touring background, a bonafide record collection and an excellent palate for food in this episode we talk about local music, session playing, the...