Nights & Weekends

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: Silver Rein (@silverreinmusic) Venue: The Spirit Room - Ticketed Time: 9/11 @ 8:15pm, 9/12 @ 7pm Show Link: https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/silver-rein-a-goth-folk-music-experience Check out RochesterFringe.com for all the even...

This is the final episode of our first season, and it feels fitting to close things out with a conversation about the place that’s been at the center of Rochester’s music scene for decades: the Bug Jar. We sat down with Doug Kelley, the talent buyer who’s been booking bands and holding it all together, to talk about what it really takes to keep a venue alive—and why it still matters. We get into t...

This episode dives into the layered, living tradition of old time music with local musician and filmmaker Clara Riedlinger. Clara breaks down how old time is less a strict genre and more a cultural stew—blending European, African, and Indigenous influences into something deeply communal. We talk about how the music is passed along not through sheet music, but by ear, by memory, and by hanging out—...

Hannah Maier wears a lot of hats: musician, booking agent, and music director at WRUR. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to juggle all of that—while still caring deeply about the scene. From fair pay for artists to the behind-the-scenes work of booking shows, Hannah shares what really goes into making local music happen. We also get into the importance of showing up—because a good scen...

In this episode, Carly and Justin from local indie pop band, Coral Moons, talk about their own experiences in the local scene and share what they’re seeing shift around them. They dig into why festivals like Lilac Fest matter — especially when they start putting local artists on bigger stages instead of always booking the same national acts. They’re hyped about the way the lineup is changing and w...

In this episode, I talk with Pete Holmström from The Dandy Warhols ahead of the band’s May 11 show at Anthology in Rochester. We get into the importance of local music scenes and why they still matter, even in a hyper-online world. Pete reflects on how music distribution has changed—from passing around mix cds to navigating streaming algorithms—and what that’s meant for artists. We also talk about...

This week, we talk with Dave Drago — talent buyer for the fest and owner of 1809 Studios — about the Lilac Festival and its long-overdue focus on local artists. we discuss why he’s pushing to book more original music and fewer tribute acts. We get into how he found his way back into the local scene, his drive to build community, and why paying artists fairly isn’t optional. We also chat about what...

This week on Nights and Weekends , we talk with Nate and Jake, the duo behind Raincoated Records—a DIY label that’s quietly growing into a recording studio (Lilypad Underground), video production shop, and creative hub for Rochester artists. Their tape release project Spit Takes and Split Tapes is part documentation, part celebration of the local scene—highlighting bands you should know and making...

Join us as we chat with Fred McCoy, the owner of newly updated bar and venue, Bad Ending.  We dive into his personal history with music photography, how that led to buying and restoring one of his favorite places in Rochester, and his vision for creating an inclusive space that welcomes different musical genres. Mentions barbadending.com (@barbadending) thesoundrochester.com (@thesoundroc) lu...

Our conversation with Scar Markham and his journey within the Rochester music scene. He highlights the importance of representation and inclusivity in this vibrant community. Scar also shares his experience moving back to Rochester from New York City, reflecting on the differences in artistic opportunities. We dive into his thoughts on how local music venues are evolving and the need for more supp...

This week, we’re talking with Katie Morey—musician, DIY veteran, and co-owner of Submarine School of Music—about what it takes to build something real in Rochester’s music scene. From booking basement shows to touring with Pleistocene, Katie’s been in it for the long haul. Now, she’s helping shape the next wave of musicians, creating a space where learning music feels as natural as making it. We g...

Rochester, New York has a vibrant music scene. The Sound Rochester was started to amplify this scene and create awareness of our musicians, foster connections, and promote live music events. We started this podcast as an opportunity to sit down with local changemakers who are impacting our local music scene, from venue owners to artists to the musicians who are contributing their art. Our conversa...