Part-Time Rockstar Podcast

Episode 251 features Justin Taylor from Southern Maryland. He is a songwriter and musician who has been touring and releasing music for many years now. He has worked with the likes of Sam Grow and has also lived in Nashville for periods of time. We are playing a show together this Saturday February 3rd, at Cafe611 in Frederick, MD, so I wanted to get him on the show to talk about his experience in...

Episode 249 features a new band from Maryland called Choking On Flowers. I became friends with the guys after a video shoot that we did at The Hangar Studio in Columbia, MD. They are an indie rock band with a real chill sound that combines garage rock, alternative, and funk, among other influences, delivering raw authenticity and infectious grooves. I featured their new song called ‘Rhythm Girl,’...

Episode 248 features Chris from No Trees Touch The Sky, an alt-rock band from Philly. They draw their influences from The Deftones, Mars Volta, and Incubus, among others. In the episode, I featured the band's new song ‘Enrhythm,’ which you can find wherever you stream music. In our conversation, we talked about all things Philly, as well as songwriting and how to find inspiration while working the...

Episode 248 features Raised By Sheep from Lynchburg, VA, a progressive rock band. In the interview, I spoke with the bassist/keyboardist of the group, John Mesh. We discussed college life, music philosophy, and the band's influences. The episode includes the tracks Endless Ocean and Existence. If you enjoy either track, you can find them on Apple Music and Spotify. Thank you for listening and supp...

Episode 246 features Goddamn Wolves, an indie rock band hailing from North Carolina. They draw influence from classic alternative rock bands such as the Replacements and Pixies. Goddamn Wolves is led by Chris Weilding and Laura McCullough. The band has released three EPs: "Goddamn Wolves," "Dauphine," and "Resign Yourself." The latter was recorded with the exceptional engineer Missy Thangs at Fide...

Episode 245 featured Early Exit, a rock band from New York City. Their influences range from Green Day to Fall Out Boy to the Arctic Monkeys. The band’s latest release is called 'Return to Sender,' and I featured 'Favorite Lies' and 'Paralyzed' on this episode. If you like either of them, you can stream them wherever you listen to music. You can also find the band on any and all social media platf...

Episode 244 features Letsbeastronauts from Baltimore, MD. They are an alternative/indie rock band that reminds me a lot of Brand New. In the conversation, I spoke with Cliff & Eddie. We talked a lot about the backstories behind the new songs, including life, death, suicide, and getting things off your chest through the medium of art. I featured my favorite song of theirs called ‘Overdose,’ as...

Episode 243 features Richmond native Mark Dunn, who is a guitar shredder with a solo album currently out. The album was produced by Andrew Coleman, who has worked with everyone from Prince, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, The Rolling Stones, etc. Mark is also a hardworking session player, teacher, and creative. We had a very lively conversation on how to make it in the modern age as a musician, a...

Episode 242 features Jeff Ojeda of Phase Music Management based in Vancouver, B.C. Over the years, he has worked with the likes of Nickelback, Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and others in the Big Loud crowd. He began his journey in the music scene by playing in a relatively unknown touring band before transitioning into graphic design and management. Currently, he is managing a country/ameri...

Episode 241 features Bright Kelly from Philadelphia, PA. Currently releasing music under his solo moniker, he is also the frontman of the band called The Great Enough, which gained success opening for Imagine Dragons and other big names. Bright is a hardworking songwriter, and I appreciate his lyrics for their creativity and bluntness. He has one best all-time lyrics I’ve ever heard from any guest...

Episode 240 features Vinyl Vows, a wedding band and DJ package in the DMV. The lineup includes myself, DJ Will Cole, The Big Laird, Lynette, & Christian. Will Cole has successfully DJed hundreds of weddings and is now inviting our band to join him. The addition of a band component makes Vinyl Vows unique, offering a comprehensive musical experience for weddings. I would describe the project as...

Episode 239 features Robert Becker of Fauxtrot, a post-hardcore band from Leigh High Valley, PA that incorporates high-energy riffs, grooving basslines, and intricate song structures. I would compare their sound to that of The Fall Of Troy, and perhaps to some degree, 311. Fauxtrot has a brand new EP dropping later this week called 'Lost in Translation.' I featured their two most current tracks, '...

Episode 238 features Alex from Granddogs, who is a member of a piano-driven, multi-genre band from Pennsylvania. They are described as 'a rock'n'roll Cerberus, furiously digging up the dark secrets of the past, searching for love and truth in a world on fire.' Their next show is on 12/16 at West Art in Lancaster, PA, with Quiet Riders. In my conversation with Alex, we talked about working in a pia...

Episode 237 features Very Visible, a post-hardcore pop-punk band from New Jersey. In the interview, I spoke with Erik and Jesse. Their latest release is called ‘Anxiety/Maps,’ which features two songs, ‘Anxiety Capsule’ & ‘From Today,’ and I featured both of them on this episode. If you like them, you can find them on the Part-Time Rockstar playlist on Spotify, as well as anywhere else you str...

Episode 236 features John and Terry from Bootleggers & Baptists. They are a bluesy swamp rock band hailing from the Baltimore area. We've played some shows together over the years, and I've also shot some videos for them, so this interview has been a long time coming. The guys have a new EP called 'Aside' out now, and I wanted to get them on to talk about it. The EP features 5 tracks, and I fe...

Episode 235 features Hyperspace from Atlanta, GA, a pop-punk band with a new album called 'Emulator' available wherever you listen to music. In our conversation, I spoke with Jason (guitar) and Ryan (drums). We discussed the Atlanta music scene, songwriting, and Hyperspace's latest shows around the Southeast. In the episode, I featured the band's songs 'Barbara Gordon' and 'The Borg.' Jason discus...

Episode 234 features Jennifer Schimpf, a singer/songwriter from Annapolis, MD. She has a big show coming up on November 15th at 49 West Coffeehouse & Winebar, where she'll be joined by Emma Myers, Sara Jean Kelley, and Madison Bailey. In the episode, I featured her song 'Never Let You Go,' which you can find wherever you listen to music. During the interview, we discussed various topics, inclu...

Episode 233 features Alex from Heartbent who are an emo rock band from northern Maryland. They have a show coming up this Friday, October 20th, at Baltimore Soundstage with Free Friends, One Time Reunion, & Lovesick Loner Car. Heartbent also has some new music out, and I featured “I Swear” as well as a brand new track that is debuting on this episode called “Agony,” which officially comes out...

Episode 232 features Ryan and Sully from Dream The Heavy, who are a Pittsburgh-area rock band. In the interview, we talked a lot about the Pittsburgh scene, the band's style of songwriting, and their charismatic frontman, TK. The guys have a show coming up on 12/15 at Small's Theater. In the episode, I featured their latest single, 'There You Go.' If you like it, you can find it wherever you strea...

Episode 231 features "You Fool!" from Washington D.C. In the interview, I spoke with Josh, Julia, and Mayson. We had a really fun, relaxed, and candid conversation the other night about their style of songwriting and their perspectives on the DC music scene. In the episode, I featured their song "Light of the Moon." Their next show is on October 13th, which happens to be a Friday the 13th. Their n...

Episode 230 features Bellevue who are an emo band from Pennsylvania. In the interview I spoke with Richard and Rony. We talked about the guys' new music, which just dropped this weekend. The EP is called “Is It over Yet?” and features four songs, with one of them being showcased in this episode; it’s called “Something New.” I also featured their most popular song, “Grass Stains.” If you enjoy thei...

Episode 229 features my friends, The Viper Brothers, from Howard County, MD. They are a cover band that I often hire for my parties and events. I've been friends with their drummer, Jason, for many years. In our campfire conversation, we also had Josh, Matt, and Adam join us. We talked about all sorts of subjects, and at times, the interview definitely went a bit off the rails. So, if you are frie...

Episode 228 features Bradley Riot, who is a folk-punk singer from Southern California. He will be releasing a new album on October 13th. In the episode, I featured one of his songs called 'Port to Port,' which is available wherever you stream music. During our conversation, we discussed the process behind making the new album and the topic of drinking versus sobriety. We also talked about our favo...

Episode 227 features Stential who are a post hardcore band from Ocean County, NJ. I spoke with Kris who is the founder and bass player. In our conversation we talked a little bit about what’s going on in the New Jersey music scene, as well as some deeper issues behind the their songwriting, such as death and the emotions that come with that. Stential has some shows in NJ coming up soon and you can...

Episode 226 features Cameron Mae who is an indie/singer songwriter from Annapolis, MD. She has a few EPs out currently and is working on a full length 14 song album. In the interview we were also joined by her producer Daniel. Cam is still in high school so we talked a bit about that, as well as songwriting, and the Annapolis scene in general. In this episode I featured her songs “The Government I...