Load-In Through The Back

Our guest on Season 02, Episode 34 of “ Load-In Through the Back ” is Jonathon Linaberry , the singer/songwriter behind indie rock outfit The Bones of J.R. Jones.  Jonathon joins us to discuss the upcoming record and subsequent tour, his creative process, maintaining a pristine mustache, touring as an independent artist, being turned off by the Eagles (we forgive him), and so much more.  The headl...

Today’s guest is still a gorilla… and by that, we mean he is still an absolute pillar and creative force in the world of rock and roll music nearly 35 years into his career. We’re talking to  Chris Barron  of  Spin Doctors  on Season 02, Episode 33 of “ Load-In Through the Back ”! Their iconic debut record “ Pocketful of Kryptonite ” is  RIAA  certified 5x platinum, and features the massive radio...

Our guest today is one of the most unique and intriguing young voices in indie folk:  Jack Van Cleaf . On the heels of tours with  Briston Maroney  and  Noah Kahan , as well as a studio collaboration with country megastar  Zach Bryan , Jack’s latest full-length album releases May 9th, 2025 via  Dualtone Records .  “ JVC ” is the follow-up to his hyper-successful 2022 debut “ Fruit from the Trees ,...

Season 02, Episode 31 brings us a conversation with Stacey, Her, and Jane– wait, that’s not their names. Let’s try again– today we chat with  Katie and Jules  of  the Ting Tings ! Their 2008 debut album “ We Started Nothing ” spawned massive radio hits with “ Shut Up and Let Me Go ” and “ That’s Not My Name .” Now residing in Ibiza, Katie and Jules are about to release their first new album in six...

On Season 02, Episode 30 we have our first return guest: the incredible John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting ! Five for Fighting is the multi-platinum selling moniker of singer/songwriter John Ondrasik, who on the back of hits like “Superman,” “100 Years,” “Chances,” “The Riddle,” and “Easy Tonight,” has become one of the most renowned balladers of the past 25 years.  John joins us to preview the up...

We’re getting a lesson in romantics on today’s episode with Derek Sanders from  Mayday   Parade . Since their formation in 2005,  Mayday Parade  has become one of the best-selling and well-recognized emo bands of all-time. Their debut album “ A Lesson in Romantics ” is certified gold, and the lead single, “ Jamie All Over ,” has been named on the list of 100 Best Pop-Punk Songs of all time by  Roc...

Our guests on Season 02, Episode 28 are frivolous with their hearts. They watch them bend ‘til they break, then they pick up the parts… They are  the Ballroom Thieves . Frontman Martin Earley joins us to discuss the evolution of  the Ballroom Thieves ’ sound, the college circuit, being involved in a a 180 car pile-up on tour,  DJ BoBo ,  the Backstreet Boys , and to defend his stance on the “ Wolf...

Our guest today is renowned blues-guitarist, singer/songwriter, and all around good-guy  Seth Walker . Seth joins us to discuss his latest record, “ Why the Worry? ” released April 4th, 2025, as well as his upbringing by musical parents, the Suzuki method, how place can fuel a song, and so much more. Seth recently embarked on a summer-long tour in support of “ Why the Worry? ” which will take him...

Season 02, Episode 26 reaches cruisin’ altitude with  Umphrey’s McGee ! Since their formation at the University of Notre Dame in 1997,  Umphrey’s McGee  has become one of the most prolific and well-respected jam bands of all time. Equal parts rock, prog, metal, and psychedelic, the band has played over 2,500 shows and amassed more than 300,000,000 streams on  Spotify  alone.  Keyboardist Joel Cumm...

We are doing anything but settling for today’s guests: Robbie Wulphsohn and Sampson Hellerman of alternative pop rockers Ripe .  Since forming in 2011, the Berklee School of Music graduates have made a name for themselves on the back of AAA radio hits such as 2023’s “Settling,” and chronic touring alongside esteemed acts such as DISPATCH , O.A.R. , Jason Mraz , and Michael Franti . Ripe recently r...

Cat Ridgeway  is our new best friend… well, she was until she sassed us. Now we like her more. Cutting her teeth on van tours with her band  the Tourists , and at apres ski gigs across the United States, the Florida singer/songwriter is poised for national success with her upcoming record, “ Sprinter ,” out March 28th.  Equal parts sensitive songwriter and ferocious punk rocker, Cat’s unique blend...

WE ARE HOSTING A LIVE SHOW! Join us for a concert and conversation with  Wheatus  and  Steve Poltz  on May 2nd at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe, VT! Featuring a round-table conversation and interview, an opening set from  Troy Millette & the Fire Below , plus an acoustic-busker style set from Washington, DC’s  Brian K. & the Parkway . Ticket Link:  https://www.sprucepeaka...

Our guest today is up-and-coming pop star  McKenna Michels . An operatically trained vocalist with modern sensibility, McKenna’s music grapples with the human condition and the complexities that accompany being an autistic, bisexual woman.  McKenna joins Troy and Pauly to discuss her musical origin story, retaining genuineness while incorporating lore and fantasy elements into her music, and more....

Gabe Dixon  is the virtuosic pianist behind  Tedeschi Trucks Band  and renowned frontman of  the Gabe Dixon Band . He is also our guest on Season 02, Episode 22 of “Load-In Through the Back!” Gabe joins us to discuss recording “Driving Rain” with  Paul McCartney , traveling with  TTB , releasing new music into a singles-driven listening culture,  Ryan Reynolds , and much more. His spring tour begi...

On this episode of “Load-In Through the Back” we’re sailing away with  Lawrence Gowan , frontman of the iconic rock group  STYX . Since joining the band in 1999, Lawrence has been tasked with writing and recording new music, as well as breathing new life into their legendary catalogue of tunes such as “ Come Sail Away ,” “ Renegade ,” “ Lady ,” and more.  Lawrence joins us from the road to discuss...

Griffin William Sherry  is the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter behind one of the 2010’s most popular stomp-and-holler bands:  the Ghost of Paul Revere . He is also our guest on Season 02, Episode 20 of “Load-In Through the Back!”  When  Ghost  disbanded in 2022, Griffin quickly got to work on his debut solo LP “Hundred Mile Wilderness,” a beautiful collection of songs that are equally haunt...

Today’s guests are the pride and joy of Portland, Maine– a truly independent roots rock and roll group who has shared stages with  Turnpike Troubadours ,  Blackberry Smoke ,  Robert Earl Keen ,  .38 Special ,  Molly Hatchet ,  Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real , and many more. We are talking to  the Mallett Brothers Band  on Season 02, Episode 19.  Luke and Will join us to discuss their brand...

Our guest today is a virtuosic mandolin player and a renowned singer/songwriter who independently released her debut album at age 10 before signing to renowned Americana label  Rounder Records  at age 13, and garnering a  Billboard Top 10  Bluegrass album, “ Secrets ”, at age 16. We talk to  Sierra Hull  on Season 02, Episode 18.  Hailing from Byrdstown, Tennessee by way of Berklee, backroads blue...

Our guest today is the Diamond-selling singer/songwriter behind one of America’s most beloved rock and roll bands:  Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon . After 52 years, Kevin is branching out on his own to bring the hits of  REO Speedwagon , B-sides, deep cuts, and brand-new material to life as  the Kevin Cronin Band . The band’s inaugural jaunt will hit amphitheaters across the United States with  ST...

Our guest today is running from reality… well, he’s not, but his touring schedule might lead you to believe otherwise. He is one of the most prolific touring artists the jam scene has ever seen, frequenting hundreds of theaters and festivals across North America annually. We are of course talking about  Keller Williams . Keller has been writing, recording, and performing music under his own name a...

Well, well, well– It’s Season 02, Episode 15, and that means we’re celebrating 50 Episodes of “Load-In Through the Back!”  On this episode we are joined by Speech , the groundbreaking MC behind one of the most iconic hip-hop groups of all-time: Arrested Development. The group burst onto the national scene with their debut album “3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of…” which contained smash-h...

Our guest on Season Two, Episode 14 is Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter Bob Schneider . From humble beginnings as the frontman of rock outfit the Ugly Americans , Bob has released over 20 records as a solo artist and accumulated over 55 Austin Music Awards . Bob joins us to discuss being a chronic creator, almost missing an opening slot for Counting Crows , the nearly 200 unreleased tracks of...

Our guest on Season Two, Episode 13 of “Load-In Through the Back”  is a folk songwriter in the purest form of the word. As self-described in her bio, she is “a preacher’s kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner who sings social justice music right alongside ‘traditional’ Country and Americana music.” What more could we say than that? Our guest is Crys Matthews. Crys joins us fr...

Our guest today is Pennsylvanian neo-folk artist Denison Witmer. A thoughtful and poetic fusion of Cat Stevens and Nick Drake, Denison has been writing and recording original music since 1995. His upcoming record “Anything At All” was engineered and produced by indie-rock icon Sujan Stevens.  Denison joins us virtually to discuss all things “Anything At All,” birding, the digital evolution of the...

Today’s guests are quickly rising to the forefront of a modern roots-rock revival in the vein of Blackberry Smoke and Whiskey Myers. We’re talking about Aaron Sparling of Nashville’s Hippies & Cowboys ! After boldly releasing a full-length live record in 2023, the group released their debut studio EP “Fork in the Road” in September of last year. Aaron joins us to talk about the band’s origin s...