First Spin

In this episode of First Spin , Hayden sits down with Addisyn Logan , a rising singer-songwriter from Buffalo, New York. With only two songs released so far— “I Can’t Beg” and “I Hate Your Guts” —Addisyn has already built a buzz for her raw, confessional lyrics and indie-pop sound. She opens up about her musical journey, from growing up as a competitive dancer and secretly performing Paramore song...

On this episode of First Spin , Hayden welcomes Ryan Taylor Price , a rising indie-folk artist whose debut album The Axe & The Tree marks him as a songwriter to watch. Blending lyrical honesty with lush, cinematic arrangements, Ryan’s music feels both intimate and expansive—like a diary entry set against a widescreen backdrop. Ryan shares the story behind The Axe & The Tree , exploring the...

On this episode of First Spin, Hayden sits down with Matteo DeBenedetti , the songwriter behind Charlie & Margot —and, as of recently, the new drummer for Flycatcher . Matteo discusses the new Flycatcher release and talks about how he transitioned from filling in on tours to officially joining the band. The conversation quickly pivots to Charlie & Margot, Matteo’s solo vehicle where he wri...

This week I sat down with Nathaniel McCurley , bassist for Seattle’s own Magenta Wave . We talked about what it’s like to live in a house with your entire band, how much distortion is too much before you stop calling it indie, and why their track “Why Am I In Love With You” caught fire. Nathaniel shared the story behind their move from Bellingham to Seattle, the lessons learned from producing thei...

This week I sat down with Raegan Gordon —drummer, vocalist, and songwriter for Leisure Hour , a band that grew out of Muncie’s DIY basements and is now grinding through a coast-to-coast run. We talked about growing up in a 50k college town, how that community shaped their ear, and what it took to turn a one-night fill-in into a permanent spot and a voice on “Ode to Muncie.” Raegan walked me throug...

This week I finally got to sit down with the whole lineup of All the Wine —Danny, Mike, and Wes. Their debut LP Farewell Currents came out last July, and it’s been living rent-free in my top albums list ever since. We talk about how they made it work with one member living four hours away, the story behind Empire Builder (one of my favorite songs, period), and the inspiration for 97 Astro . We get...

This week I got to talk with Mike Bay of Borrowed Sparks , someone whose music I’ve loved for years. We talked about his move to Nashville—how one Springsteen concert, a job lead, and a surprise lease ending all lined up—and how that kicked off a journey he didn’t totally expect but clearly needed. Mike opened up about growing up in the Midwest, playing in church bands, and how songwriting has alw...

Andrew Patrick from The Carolyn jumped on the mic with me this week, and we got into a really honest, really funny conversation about what it takes to keep a band going when you’ve also got a day job, a life, and a limited supply of vacation days. We talked about the band’s new single and upcoming album (which they announced literally right after we recorded), how they’ve never really followed the...

This week I got to talk with Justin VanNiekerk, guitarist for Flycatcher , a band out of New Jersey that’s been quietly building one of the most interesting sounds I’ve heard in a while. We talked about how Flycatcher came together, how the sound’s grown up without losing its edge, and what it means to actually find your own thing in a world full of noise. Justin listens to music like someone who...

This week I sat down with Madison Hughes, a wildly talented artist and singer based out of Nashville, TN. From the moment we started talking, it was clear just how much she loves songs— all kinds of songs—and how deeply different genres have shaped who she is as a musician. We dove into her latest album, All That I Am , which dropped in April, and explored what it means to make music that’s true t...

This week I sat down with Chris Ruwart—lead songwriter and one half of Critter Ruwart , a brother duo that started in a small town in Wyoming and is now chasing their music dreams from Michigan. We talked about growing up in wide-open spaces, how that shaped their sound, and what it means to take a leap when you come from a place where most people play it safe. Chris shared what it’s been like to...

In this episode, I sit down with Pacific—also known as Will Hunter—an indie artist whose song is closing in on 2 million streams. But numbers only tell part of the story. We talk about the real ride of being an independent musician: the momentum, the burnout, the thrill of playing live, and what touring feels like in a post-COVID world. Will doesn’t hold back when it comes to the emotional weight...

I first found Eliza Harrison Smith on TikTok a while back— singing something that felt way too honest to scroll past. Her writing hit me immediately. Sharp. Introspective. Real. Since then, I’ve kept an eye on her journey, and this January she dropped her debut EP, The Way I’m Wired . It’s raw and catchy and full of the kind of songwriting that stays with you. In this first episode of First Spin ,...