The Riff Lounge w/ Nick Tello

Juan Hinojosa is the drummer for metal bands Relent and Upon A Burning Body and one of the original founding members of Upon A Burning Body. After leaving Upon A Burning Body in 2008, he returned to the band in 2025.   Nick Tello sits down with Juan Hinojosa to reflect on his history with Upon A Burning Body, including attending high school with lead vocalist Danny Leal and his regret over leaving...

Kingdom Collapse is an American rock band preparing to release its first full-length album, “Survivor,” on Friday, October 30, with a message centered on perseverance and refusing to give up. Band members Jonathan Norris and Aaron Smith join host Nick Tello for this episode to share their experiences making music and building a life on the road. Jonathan also works as a music producer when he is n...

Sanity’s Last Breath is represented in this episode by Eli Sanity (Eli Salazar) and Isaac Esteves, who are also members of metal band, Sonterra. In addition to his work with Sanity’s Last Breath and Sonterra, Eli plays guitar for American hard rock band, Kingdom Collapse.   Nick Tello sits down with Eli and Isaac to discuss the origin of the Sanity’s Last Breath name, recording the episode on Eli’...

Abigail Bexx is a death metal and deathcore vocalist. She is known for her virality on social media and is recently known for working alongside the band Burial Path on their collaborated song, “Lilitu.”   Nick Tello sits down with death metal and deathcore vocalist Abigail Bexx for a conversation about her return to the metal scene after losing her voice for a year. Abigail opens up about rebuildi...

Juan ‘Sancho Pancho’ Villa is a comedian from Seguin, Texas, whose path to comedy has been shaped by discipline, service, education, and a willingness to take big risks. Sancho Pancho graduated high school at 17 and joined the Marines the same year after originally considering the Navy, choosing the Marines because he did not want to let his brother down. After getting out of the Marines at 21, he...

Jarred Taylor is a United States Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, media creator, and musician best known as a co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee and for his work in veteran-driven media and entertainment.   In this episode, Nick Tello sits down Jarred Taylor for an honest conversation about military service, creativity, music, business, and the unexpected paths that shaped his career. Jarred talks w...

Zach is a music fan, fan of the show, family man, barback, ice cream man, and bass player with a deep connection to the San Antonio music scene. He is a longtime supporter of the metal band Life Cycles and has known their guitarist, Chris Buckner, since high school. Zach loves going to shows, is looking forward to Sick New World in October, and brings a genuine fan’s perspective shaped by bands li...

Clay Hollis is a Texas country artist from San Antonio whose music blends catchy hooks, true country grit, and a modern honky-tonk sound. Since releasing his debut EP in 2017, Clay has built a name for himself across the Texas country scene with multiple projects, charting singles, and a live-show schedule that keeps him on the road for more than 100 shows a year. His songs reflect the lifestyle h...

Kelsey Hudgens, also known as Yonder Wizzerd, is the head door guy at The Sunset Strip comedy venue in Austin, Texas. Before that, he worked the door at Vulcan Gas Company before the Comedy Mothership opened, after Tony Hinchcliffe helped him get the job. Redban of the #1 live podcast, Kill Tony, brought him over to The Sunset Strip comedy venue, where Kelsey now works and opens as the music act f...

Miggy Sanchez plays percussion for the Latin American nu-metalcore band Ill Niño and sings for the Christian nu-metal/hard rock/hip-hop band Relent. Salvadore Dominguez plays guitar for both Ill Niño and Relent, and is also a founding member of American metal band, Upon A Burning Body.   Nick Tello sits down with Miggy Sanchez and Salvadore Dominguez for a fun, honest, and wide-open conversation....

Mateo Adalberto Lopez is the Guinness World Record holder for becoming the world’s youngest mariachi singer at just 4 years old. Mateo is not your ordinary performer. He plays 10 instruments, represents both the United States and Mexico, and has already shared his voice on some of the biggest stages in the world.   Nick Tello sits down with Mateo Lopez, and his father, Albert Lopez. They talk abou...

Originally from Ethiopia, Emeshaw is the host of Texas Traxx on 99.5 KISS. He is also the guitarist and vocalist for his metal band, Overlay. At the time of this episode, he is attending higher education, studying Entertainment Business.   Nick Tello sits down with Emeshaw Molina for a fun and engaging conversation about music, touring, and the experiences shaping his career. Emeshaw began perform...

Sebastian Elizondo is the guitarist for Life Cycles and Darkness Divided. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist for Porch Dream, as well as the frontman for System of A Brown, a System of a Down tribute band.   Nick Tello sits down with Sebastian Elizondo. During this episode, Sebastian reflected of the time he spent in college before making an exit to pursue music. He also talked about his e...

Mark Tomlin is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and audio production engineer. At the time of this conversation, Mark is employed at The Aztec Theater in downtown San Antonio, Texas, and also works as the touring sound engineer for metal bands Snake Father and Left IV Dead.   In this episode, Nick Tello sits down with Mark Tomlin. Their discussion naturally explored the unique production character...

Branch is a versatile musician involved in three different bands: Ten Times Demise and End of Evergreen, both known for their post-hardcore and metalcore sound, and the Dawson Baker Band, which plays country music. His ability to move between genres demonstrates his deep musical roots and adaptability. Originally from Killeen, Texas, Branch grew up surrounded by country influences, which is reflec...

‘Foreword’ is a metalcore band from San Antonio, Texas. They incorporate electronic sounds in their songs inspired by video game soundtracks. At the time of this episode, they are signed to the music label “Seek & Strike.”     Nick Tello sits down with two prominent members of ‘Foreword': lead guitarist, Marco Gomez and vocalist, Andy Alderson. In this episode, Marco shares how he fell in love...

Chris Mora is a producer, music engineer, composer, guitarist, and vocalist. Chris is currently the guitarist for American Christian metalcore band, Darkness Divided, and was formerly the vocalist for American alternative/nu-metal band, Charcoal Tongue. Chris’s involvement in music has resulted in hundreds of millions of streams across various platforms, demonstrating his wide-reaching influence....

Jake is the frontman of metalcore band, ‘Broken Time,’ guitarist for metalcore band, ‘Inside The Hollow,’ and drummer for punk band ‘9 O’clock Shots.’ Jake was involved in Jazz Band during middle and high school, and attributes his musical discipline to that experience.     Nick Tello sits down with Jake Enriquez. In this episode, Jake shares his favorite motorcycles, and recounted the experience...

Jared Robles is a videographer whose primary market includes the cities of San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. His regional focus has allowed him to develop a strong presence in the Texas creative community. Throughout his career, Jared has shot videos for a variety of artists and bands, including Mohegan, Suffering In Silence, Kill Lonely, CZYK, Oni (Jared Dines’ band), Taken By Tides, Slaughter To...

Matt Muehling is the guitarist for ‘Kill Tony’ in the ‘The Kill Tony Band.’ Kill Tony is the #1  live podcast in the world and the  #2 podcast on YouTube, second only to the ‘The Joe Rogan Experience.’ He also performs live for Rob Schneider as a member of comedian’s live band. Matt is a founding member of both bands ‘Progger’ and ‘Open 2.o.’ He also plays for ‘Sir Woman,’ ‘WeDaHomies,’ ‘Groovelin...

Raul Ayala is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His rock band, ‘ra!,’ was started around the time this episode was recorded. Nick Tello recently had the opportunity to sit down with Raul Ayala, an artist whose random live performance on 6th Street in Austin, Texas left a crazy impression on him. Nick shares with Raul how Raul’s energy and creativity stand out, robbing the audience’s attention f...

Thomas Alvarez is the bassist and clean vocalist for ‘Upon A Burning Body.’ Thomas is also the founder and vocalist of ‘Coldcasket,’ formerly called ‘Buried Under Texas.’   Nick Tello had the privilege of sharing this fun, yet serious episode with Thomas Alvarez. Thomas describes what it’s like to play in ‘Upon A Burning Body’ alongside his two brothers; vocalist Danny Leal and guitarist Ruben Alv...

Sab is the lead vocalist for ‘Kill Lonely,’ a heavy band signed with Ghost Killer Entertainment. He is also a proud father, family man, and incredible friend to many.   Nick Tello had the opportunity to sit down with Sab, who shares his experience with the band becoming signed to Ghost Killer Entertainment. Sab dives into his musical journey beginning at the age of 12, from playing drums to transi...

Luis Lopez is the vocalist for hardcore and thrash metal band, ‘Life Cycles.’ Luis is also recognized for his impressive skills on guitar, known for his work with the metalcore band ‘Coldcasket,’ which is former ‘Buried Under Texas.’ He also plays guitar with the precise System of a Down cover band, 'System of a Brown.’   Nick Tello had the opportunity to sit down for the first time with Luis Lope...

Steve Rico Jr. was the vocalist for hardcore band, Fortunes TX, at the time of this video.   Steve sat down with Nick Tello to share his experience with the band, which is currently signed to Upstate Records. Steve also admits that his musical tastes are diverse—his favorite dish is Pad Thai, and his second favorite genre is pop-punk. Steve reminisced about enjoying house parties with Texas metal...