Dropped Among This Crowd

“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...

Sara J is back in your podcast feed, checking in and updating you on all things happening at DATC Media! Donate to DATC Media Company: https://datcmediacompany.com/support Give the gift of Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Datcmediacompany/gift The DATC Media Podcast Family: https://datcmediacompany.com/podcasts Would you or someone you know like to be a RoughGauge Featured Artist? Send an email to...

This week on the show, host Sara J. chats all things guitars, gear and Jake blade with Mosey Beat guitarist, and RoughGauge loyalist, Taylor O'Connor. This conversation is in conjunction with Taylor being named RoughGauge's Featured Artist for the month of January. You can read his Q&A mentioned in this episode and more here: https://www.roughgaugellc.com/featured-artists Would you or...