loves music

Ep.41: In this episode, I chop it up with Ohio-based producer and podcaster Anthony Church, an artist who treats instrumental music like world-building. We talk about his fall-themed project Leaves and Soil (and the deeper life-cycle concept behind it), how he “paints with sounds” through sample-based production, and why consistency is the real superpower for artists trying to play the long game....

Ep.40: Some artists entertain. Others reveal. In this episode of loves music , I sit down with Louissa, an artist whose voice, story, and presence feel lived-in, earned, and unapologetically real. From nearly losing her ability to sing to reclaiming her voice through sheer grit and intention, Louissa opens up about healing, rebellion, artistry, and what it really takes to stay in the game when the...

Ep.39: Every now and then, a guest takes the conversation somewhere unexpected. In this episode, I sit down with Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Bright Kelly for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about art, trauma, faith, fatherhood, and the responsibility that comes with telling the truth through music. Bright’s work resists easy categorization, and so does his story. We talk abou...

Ep.38: Some conversations remind me exactly WHY you love talking to artists, and this one with Dean Ashton is no exception. In this episode, I sit down with Dean Ashton of The High Nines, a band carving out a timeless, big-hearted indie rock sound straight out of the North West. We get into debut albums that take a decade to write, the strange arc of maturity in bands, the art of letting go of ego...

Ep.37: Some bands write songs; Stella Ruze builds whole worlds. In this conversation with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Katie O’Donnell, we get into how a “folky funk” seven-piece from Philly ends up blending New Orleans brass, Americana storytelling, and R&B-leaning ballads into one ridiculously cohesive sound. Katie shares the decade-long evolution of the band, why they let songs breath...

Ep.36: Taylor Brooke is the kind of host who can have you cackling over a rant about Staples one minute and tearing up over purpose and creative calling the next. In this episode, I sit down with the voice behind Taylor, Taylor, Taylor to talk about what really goes into building a show that’s unhinged in the best way, fiercely women-centered without being exclusionary, and grounded in a sense of...

Ep.35: There’s a certain kind of artist who makes you lean in before you even realize it, and Joe Bachman has that effect from the second he starts talking. From Key West songwriter rounds to Nashville radio tours, from managing breakout looping phenom Carl Wockner to writing military anthems that have literally saved lives, Joe’s career is the definition of heart, hustle, and purpose. In this con...

Ep.34: There’s something magnetic about artists who refuse to be boxed in. The ones who follow their instincts even when the music industry begs for simplicity. Valentina Sounds is one of those artists, and the result is a catalog that swings from playful sarcasm to soul-heavy honesty without ever losing its identity. In this episode, I sit down with Italian-born, Philadelphia-based singer-songwri...

Ep.33: Before I even hit record on this one, I knew it was going to be special. There’s something about a band built on attitude, grit, and genuine love for their community that hits different, and Black Sonic Revolver embodies that energy completely. In this episode, I sit down with Leon Kenny from Manchester’s underground powerhouse Black Sonic Revolver. We get into the band’s 10+ year evolution...

Ep.32: Sometimes the best stories in music aren’t about fame. They’re about family, resilience, and learning how to create from joy instead of pain. In this episode, I sit down with Canadian musician, songwriter, and podcaster Sean McGinity: host of his show, SeanGeek and FastFret Podcast, and former frontman of the concept-driven rock band Dome. We talk about growing up in a musical household, na...

Ep.31: There’s a difference between playing heavy music and feeling it. And few bands capture that balance like Arlo Wells. In this episode, I sit down with Vancouver-based musician and producer William Langlais, co-founder of Arlo Wells, a post-hardcore band that’s as melodic as it is heavy. We get into the band’s evolution, their approach to writing songs that actually feel good to play, and the...

Ep.30: From Madrid to the world, Vickyta Rya is crafting pop music that feels both global and deeply personal. In this episode, we talk about how heartbreak turns into rhythm, and therapy comes with a beat. We discuss her songs, which move between dancehall, reggaeton, and funk-pop, blending emotional honesty with an undeniable groove. In our conversation, we dig into the experiences that shaped h...

Ep.029: In this episode, I sit down with Austin-based creator, entrepreneur, and all-around powerhouse David M. Wilkerson to unpack his “Feast or Famine” philosophy and why most musicians are chasing the wrong metrics. From his 50-Fan Model to his hard-earned lessons as both a performer and consultant, David breaks down how artists can build sustainable, profitable careers without chasing virality...

Ep.028: If there’s one thing Emily Drinker knows how to do, it’s show up : on stage, in the studio, and for the Philly music scene at large.  In this episode, we finally sit down to talk about her latest project, To Feel Alive , and how she’s balancing artistry, caretaking, and community leadership all at once. From her roots in vocal looping and cruise ship gigs to a standout slot at XPN Fes...

Ep.027: What happens when the music gets personal… like really personal? In this episode, I sit down again with returning guest Jorge Vallentine, the force behind Milwaukee-based indie rock project VLNTYN, to talk about art that comes from the rawest places. From recording stripped-down heartbreak songs in a church to building a consistent online presence after divorce, Jorge opens up about naviga...

Ep.026: Marc Ramos didn’t wait for permission; he built Morning Wars from the ground up, chasing the kind of indie rock that hits like a memory and sticks like a bruise. In this conversation, I sit down with the mind behind Marc Ramos of Morning Wars, the NYC-based indie rock project making waves with its cinematic production and emotionally rich songwriting. Marc opens up about the five-year jour...

Ep.025: Some artists build their sound around what’s trendy. Others build it around what’s true . Matt Fell falls into the latter. A Philly-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Matt blends raw vulnerability with polished production, pulling from classic rock, indie pop, R&B, and everything in between. In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight behind his debut solo album Flashbulb...

Ep.024: In this episode, I chop it up with Maryland-based rapper and genre-blending artist mcgwn: someone who, at just 18, has already crafted a sound and visual identity that feels polished, intentional, and full of promise. We talk about his debut EP I’ll Be Here All Summer , the beachside nostalgia that inspired it, and why he’s not interested in chasing clout. Instead, mcgwn is building someth...

Ep.023: Kevin McClure isn’t interested in chasing trends; he’s here to build something real. In this conversation, we get into the tension between commercial appeal and creative integrity, and how Kevin navigates that tightrope without losing sight of the why. He opens up about the scrappy hustle behind his early national tours, his songwriting process that prioritizes both resonance and risk, and...

Ep.022: From the moment I met Brookelyn Rose, I knew her voice had weight. It wasn’t just pretty, it meant something. In this episode, I reconnect with the powerhouse vocalist and songwriter whose voice first landed on one of my records over a decade ago. Since then, Brookelyn has carved out her lane as a genre-bending force, mixing country grit, soulful edge, and pop-rock power into songs that hi...

Ep.021: There’s no one like IMVNI. Born on “Planet X” and raised in Louisiana, her music folds jazz, R&B, rock, and soul into a sonic experience that’s both otherworldly and deeply rooted. In this conversation, we break down her incredible debut album The 11th Hour , a genre-defiant project woven with love, grief, prayer, and psychedelic grooves. She opens up about how addiction shaped her sto...

Ep.020: What happens when a film composer decides to stop playing it cool and finally puts his own name, and heart, into the music? In this episode, I talk with RIMENY, the alt-pop project of Zak Engel, who’s flipping the script on what it means to “arrive late” as an artist. We get into the personal stories behind his debut singles, the decade-long detour that led him back to performing, and the...

Quia Morgan-Hill knows how to make a brand stand out in a crowded media space, and she’s been doing it for over a decade. From her start in radio to building a full-service multimedia company, Quia has mastered the art of blending authenticity, strategy, and connection. In this episode, we talk about her journey, her unique approach to booking celebrity guests, and the mindset shifts that keep her...

This one’s bigger than bars. In this episode, I reconnect with Philly artist, writer, and producer Scholito, a true force in the independent music world. We talk about everything from publishing deals to post-traumatic growth, and how he’s turned his pain into luxury-level art. Whether it’s his Everything Plush fashion line, upcoming TV series, or high-energy live shows, Scholito’s building an emp...

Wilhelm Duke has bars, bounce, and a catalog deeper than you might expect. In this episode, I catch up with the Swedish American rapper who’s been carving his sound from the streets of Chicago to viral moments on Facebook. We talk about his infectious single “Butterick’s,” what it was like being Twista’s assistant, and how becoming a husband and father shifted his perspective on success. Wilhelm’s...