Sound to Savor

Send us Fan Mail Join me with my former student, Jason Chumpitaz, as we talk about our favorite Halloween movies and music. Also, we review the new Primavera Barcelona lineup. Finally, he tells us about some of the shows and festivals he's been to this year, and how he ended up doing a write-up for an LA publication about NOFX's last 3 shows. Have a beer (we pregamed, Modelo for him, Voo...

Send us Fan Mail Join me on this deluxe episode, with a maple flavored old fashioned, as I talk about new festival lineups, what a radius clause is, and what it has to do with booking Coachella acts. Also, Bishop Briggs in the Tasting Room, and a Led Zeppelin Vintage Pour. And, what do you do when one of your favorite artists is problematic? Do you keep listening? Or do you erase them from your pl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk about the trend of live performers using backing tracks for their vocals. Everyone from legend Frankie Valli, to modern pop star Sabrina Carpenter have been accused of relying on them. Also, I talk about The Linda Lindas, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction this weekend, Fingerprints Music in Long Beach, and fall albums from Miles Davis and Dave Matt...

Send us Fan Mail Join me for a bourbon, while I talk about why I've both loved, and hated Coldplay, throughout their relatively long career. I talk about their albums, their early influence on my own songwriting, and why they're still worth watching live. Also, new music from the Smile, Mae Deline, Victoria Monet, and Leon Bridges. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail Did you ever think that music stopped being great, right around the time you grew up, and became an adult? Do you ever find yourself listening to music from your youth, and reminiscing about better days? Join me as I recount my love of R&B music in high school, tell you why it's sometimes healthy to go down that musical memory lane, and pass on the musical memories some o...

Send us Fan Mail I've made it to 25 episodes! To celebrate, I highlight my past episodes and guests, talk about what it's like behind the scenes, and what I've learned writing, hosting, and editing a music podcast. And some advice if YOU are thinking of starting a podcast. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail This is a special episode, as I revisit a big part of my youth: James Bond films, and the music that went along with them. I go through, film by film, and talk about the songs that were written and performed for each one. AND....I made a version of his famous Vesper martini. Also, the music of Nilüfer Yanya in the Tasting Room. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I talk about one of my favorite festival lineups ever, the legendary 2017 FYF. Headlined by Björk, Missy Elliott, Frank Ocean, and Nine Inch Nails, this lineup was arguably a peak, and the end, of one of LA's great music festivals. Also, Brazilian legend Sergio Mendes passed, Sade has new music coming, and Fyre Festival II is apparently happening (LOL). And B...

Send us Fan Mail Join me for this Labor Day edition, where I talk about Oasis reuniting, why Gen Z may be buying up the tickets, and whether you'll get to see them here in the US. Also, I revisit the subject of parasocial relationships, this time pertaining to Chappell Roan's recent Instagram post. And, I talk about new music from Los Bitchos, Fred Again.., and Tasting Room artist Claude...

Send us Fan Mail If you're an indie musician, do not miss this episode. Join me for part 2 of my conversation with Whittney Mikkél Cloud, as she discusses a very serious contract dispute she and Jaron had with a company. We talk about IP (intellectual property), contracts, and why it's important for independent artists to learn about the music business. Also, I quiz her on Radiohead, and...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I catch up with my friend and artist, Whittney Mikkel Cloud. She joins me from Washington, for a nice conversation over gin and tonics. We talk about her growth as an artist, the influences of Imogen Heap and Radiohead, and the name of her very first band. Plus, I talk a bit about Echo Park Rising, and Happy Sundays LBC (which is this coming weekend). Enjoy!

Send us Fan Mail Join me for this special happy hour with Nashville artist Alicia Blue, as we enjoy Mexican Mules (a tequila take on Moscow Mules), and talk about Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, writing and performing songs, and her recent music collaboration with Lucinda Williams and John Paul White. Plus, I give her a quiz crafted for her. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail Join for me part 2 of my conversation with Ryan Casey. We talk about him performing live, and how that impacted his decision not to pursue a full time career in music. Plus, we talk about Metallica, the benefits of being a musician in 2024, and playing cover songs in bars. Also, I give Ryan a quiz about Modesto's music history, and a quiz about microgenre versus artist names....

Send us Fan Mail For this episode, I'm joined by friend and musician, Ryan Casey, who walks us through his music influences and his own experiences with being a musician and writer. We talk metal, country, and 'butt rock,' all while having a couple beers. Plus, we go over the Stones wrapping up their tour, Dylan having us lock up our phones, and a podcast called Bandsplain. This con...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I talk about music genres: what they are, the ones YOU listen to, and why there are so many mico genres. And what the hell is crabcore? Pull up with your drink of choice (mine is a cab franc), and let's figure out if you really love all music. 

Send us Fan Mail Today, I enjoy a Spindrift sparkling water, and talk to you about one of my favorite music documentaries, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil." I tell you why it's one of my must-sees for any music fan, or artist, and why there are lessons still relevant today. Also, I talk about Ed Harcourt, Billy Strings, Linda Ronstadt, a couple upcoming festivals, and a Tasting Room feat...

Send us Fan Mail It's mid-July, which means it's almost time for Outside Lands in San Francisco. Join me for a drink (a Stella beer for me) as I talk about the festival in its early days, my experiences over 9 years of attending, and what the lineup looks like this year. 

Send us Fan Mail For this 4th of July episode, my friend Tushita dropped in with some Liquid Death, to talk about the good and bad of parasocial relationships. Plus, a few 4th of July milestones, including 100 years of "Rhapsody in Blue." Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I cool off with a pineapple vodka drink, and talk about the history of music charts, how technology has played a part in changing them over the years, and some interesting facts about artists charting. Also, I feature artist talker for the tasting room, highlight two new docs on HBO, and wish the album "Purple Rain" a 40th birthday. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail I'm cooling off with a Smog City hazy IPA, and talking about 'nepo babies' and 'industry plants' in music. I go over what these terms mean, name off some famous examples, and discuss whether it matters if your parents help you in the music business. Also, my JarFive, and Aphex Twin for the Vintage Pour. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail Join me for my 10th episode, with a glass of sparkling wine. I go over my JarFive, have a vintage pour for the 20 year anniversary of Ray Charles' death, and talk about how concert tickets got to be so expensive. Have we reached a peak with prices, or do we need to seek out other options?

Send us Fan Mail Pull up your drink of choice (mine today is a vodka and watermelon juice). In this episode, I discuss two new music documentaries: one on the Beach Boys, and one on Stax Records. Plus, I talk about artists announcing tours, a new album date for Jamie xx, and indie artist Wallice doing a show in LA. Plus, happy birthday to Sergeant Pepper, and a tasting of a band called Bully. 

Send us Fan Mail Frank and I enjoy some scotch, and recount the third day of Bottlerock. We also talk Tom Waits, Stephen Sondheim, and why Captain & Tennille were wrong. Cheers from the great Napa Valley! 

Send us Fan Mail This week, I go over my JarFive, followed by preparing for Bottlerock this weekend. I talk about the first Bottlerock, the first music festival I ever went to,  along with talent past and present, and how to properly Bottlerock. Cheers!

Send us Fan Mail We're well into the 2024 music festival season. My friend Lucie joins me (with an aperol spritz), to chat about the Just Like Heaven, ACL, and Portola festivals. Plus, whatever happened to KAABOO festival?  And why is it tough to pick a favorite artist or band? Salute!