Dropped Among This Crowd

“There could be world peace if everybody just went to rock concerts all the time.” This week on Dropped Among This Crowd, Sara J. welcomes world-renowned and iconic music photographer Richard Beland for a captivating two-part conversation that dives deep into music, memory, and the magic of live shows. In Part One, Richard takes us on a journey through his early years in a border town, where misch...

This week, we’re welcoming some feminine energy to the mic with special guest Leah Naomi Singman — a Michigan-based musician, mother, and longtime friend of Sara J’s. In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Leah opens up about navigating the male-dominated music industry, transforming life experiences into creative purpose, and what we hope our children learn by watching us chase our dreams....

This week on the show Sara J. is joined by musician and podcast host Mark Hopkins for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human. They dive into everything — from the power of music and raw emotion to time itself, ghost stories from Salem, UFOs, and beyond. Mark shares how hearing Pearl Jam’s Ten for the first time changed the trajectory of his life, the...

Craig is back with the final three bands on his list — and this episode gets real. We dive deep into the raw power of music, the moments that stay with us forever, and the feeling of greatness it can bring. Craig opens up about an unforgettable experience, shares a documentary everyone should see, and reminds us why music hits the soul in ways nothing else can. So get comfy (and maybe grab the Kle...

She had no notes, guys!! Sara J. hands over the reins to returning guest Craig Rogers for a special two-part mini-series. Craig kicks things off talking a bit about the CanCon laws and what sparked this series. From there, we dive into the first four bands on the list — and trust us, this is just the beginning. More From This Week's Guest: Gift Shop: https://www.giftshophipband.ca Discovering...

Craig brings it all home in this can’t-miss part two starting with Gift Shop—the West Coast’s ultimate tribute to The Tragically Hip. Craig shares the story of how he joined the band, what it’s like stepping into the role of Paul Langlois (right down to the gear), He also reflects on the unique experience of playing in a country where Hip tribute bands are a dime a dozen. Craig talks about the wil...

The wait is over—Sara J finally sits down with Craig Rogers: co-host of Discovering Downie & guitarist for Gift Shop (West Coast’s ultimate tribute to The Tragically Hip) In typical DATC Pod fashion, this chat is so good it had to be split into two parts! In part one, Craig takes us through his musical journey (with his guitars as our guide)—from the influence of his father’s own musical caree...

In the final installment of Sara J's conversation with jazz saxophonist Dan Wallace, the focus shifts to his band, The 11th Hour, and their phenomenal cover of Tool's "Sober." Dan also shares his aspirations for a live album and the story of his friendship with musician Marc Shapiro, who was the catalyst for Dan's guest spot here on the show. Dan shares his experiences in the B...

This week marks a very special moment here at the podcast — it’s our 300th episode 🎉 AND I just celebrated my 41st birthday on August 4th! So I had to jump into your feed with a quick bonus episode to reflect, celebrate, and say a huge heartfelt thank you. In this mini milestone episode, I talk about: The wild journey from a tiny podcast to a full-blown media brand The growth and expansion of DAT...

🎷 In this captivating first installment of another epic two-parter, host Sara J. is joined by Baltimore-area jazz saxophonist Dan Wallace for a raw, real, and wide-ranging conversation—true to Dropped Among This Crowd form. Things leap off with Dan sharing the absolutely fascinating story of local legend Daryl Davis—a blues pianist who, through conversation and courage, convinced dozens of white...

In this mid-summer solo episode, host Sara J checks in with listeners after a transformative few months both personally and professionally. She shares updates on DATC Media Company, upcoming collaborations, and exciting projects in the works—plus a little behind-the-scenes from a recent cross-border adventure. Donate to DATC Media Company: https://datcmediacompany.com/support Give the gift of Patr...

“I’m a deep cuts person — the hits get you there, but the album cuts keep you.” Perfectly timed for Canada Day, this episode wraps up Sara J and Darrin’s epic two-part conversation with a deep dive into their shared love for The Tragically Hip. Sara shares the recent rediscovery of a 2003 Gord Downie solo show in Buffalo, while Darrin traces how learning to code sparked his journey into archiving...

In part one of this epic two-part conversation, Darrin and Sara J dive deep into a rich and winding musical landscape. They explore the power of thoughtful feedback—from trusted sources—and how it can support the musicians in your life, and the importance of staying open to it yourself. Darrin reflects on his lifelong love affair with music, tracing it back to the nostalgic albums his parents play...

In the conclusion of Sara J's epic two-part conversation with RoughGauge’s Featured Artist for June 2025, Marc Shapiro, we pick up right where we left off—diving back into the gear talk and Marc’s love for integrating the Jake blade into his setup. Marc shares what makes the Jake blade a standout addition to his arsenal, and how RoughGauge’s legendary customer service ensured every detail was...

In this part one of another epic two-parter, Sara J is joined by the RoughGauge June 2025 featured artist, Marc Shapiro. Marc takes us through his influences and how Slash and Appetite for Destruction played a major role. Marc shares his love for digging into his favorite guitar player’s heroes, going down a rabbit hole that includes a dive into how John Frusciante has a lot of Hendrix in his play...

In the thrilling conclusion of Sara J’s deep dive with Kirk, the two pick up right where they left off—unpacking the heart and soul behind Discovering Downie, an 11-part passion project from Dewvre Podcasts & Such, exploring the solo work of Gord Downie, the legendary frontman of The Tragically Hip. Kirk shares how the series, which just celebrated its first anniversary, sparked not just insig...

This week on the show, host Sara J is joined by musician, podcast host, and producer Kirk Lane for an epic two-part episode you won’t want to miss. In Part One, Sara and Kirk dive deep into the idea of finding your "inner fame," the wisdom of Linda Wolf’s book Tribute, and Kirk's love for the Grateful Dead. They chat about the magic of seeing shows at The Sphere, the spark that led Kir...

This week on the show, Sara J. sits down with RoughGauge’s May 2025 Featured Artist, Ben Kays. They dive into the guitarists who’ve shaped his sound, the pros and cons of being a left-handed player, and the rhythm guitarist he turns to for inspiration. Ben opens up about his songwriting process, the emotional and mental role music plays in his life, and what it means to be a well-rounded musician....

This week on the show, host Sara J is joined by Canadian woodworker and artist Ashley Dawes, the creative force behind Willow & Ash Designs. Ashley shares how she unexpectedly found her way into woodworking, how life as part of a military family shaped her journey, and what draws her to a craft that demands such precision and patience. She also opens up about the therapeutic power of woodworki...

This week on the show, Sara J. sits down with RoughGauge’s April 2025 Featured Artist, Bill Hyland, for an honest, inspiring, and wide-ranging conversation that goes deep into the heart of music and creativity. Bill opens up about his first guitar god and the surprising instrument that kickstarted his musical journey — the accordion. From there, we follow his path through early influences, humblin...

This week on the show, host Sara J is joined by music industry pioneer and visionary leader Ralph Tashjian for an incredibly captivating conversation. With a career spanning over four decades, Ralph has worked alongside some of the most iconic artists of our time, and trust me, his stories are just as legendary! From backstage moments to pivotal shifts in the industry, he shares it all with a wisd...

This week on the podcast, host Sara J. gets into the nitty-gritty of guitar gear with Dan Keclik the mastermind behind DK Pedals. They dive into Dan’s love for amps, the sparks of inspiration behind his pedal creations, and the transformative effects of audio therapy. Plus, Dan takes Sara on a tour and shares stories about his guitar collection. It’s an episode packed with insights and creativity,...

The dynamic duo is back! Celebrate International Women's Day with the powerhouse ladies behind DATC Media, CEO Sara J. and Editor-in-Chief Nancy Weil! In this special episode, they dive deep into the legendary female musicians they're spotlighting this month on Patreon, sharing how these trailblazing icons have shaped and inspired the world of DATC Media. But that’s not all—Sara and Nancy...

This week on the show, host Sara J. chats all things guitars, gear, and Jake blade with Justin Behn, guitarist for The Textures. This conversation is in conjunction with Justin being named RoughGauge's February 2025 Featured Artist.

This week on the show, host Sara J is joined by DATC Media team member Nancy Weil for an exciting and wide-ranging conversation! They dive into everything—music, journalism, and highlights from Nancy’s eclectic career, including some of the incredible people she’s interviewed. Nancy also shares her journey as a percussionist, how she built her impressive collection of instruments, and the story be...