The Underknown Podcast

What happens when an Irish songwriter living in Milan and a Colorado multi-instrumentalist form a band—without ever being in the same room? Meet Sun Way Street, the cross-continental duo of Steven Eli and Leor Manelis, whose prolific output defies geography.   Their newly released album Ghost Town continues their introspective journey through heartbreak, healing, and hope. In this conversation, we...

Jeff Lawton, Darryl Smith, and Palmer Jamieson from Halifax indie band Beauts join Underknown to talk about their upcoming album Marigolds. We dig into the song’s unlikely path from a 2017 demo to a mid-tempo anthem about middle-age in-betweenness: no longer at home in late-night bars, not quite ready for full domesticity. The band opens up about writing slowly, “studio-dork” experimentation, and...

Joel Van Horne—better known by his moniker Covenhoven—joins The Underknown for a conversation about memories, craft, and staying the course. We trace the roots of his moniker back to his family’s hand-built Wyoming cabin, talk about his dad’s outsized influence (from Dylan records to dumpster-dived guitars), and relive everyone's high school graduation experience - playing Red Rocks.  Joel digs in...

On the tenth episode of Underknown, I sit down with Tess Wilkin, drummer of Sydney’s all-female rock band The Buoys. Fresh off the release of their  new single “Bitch.” Tess opens up about the story behind the track, the double standards women face in music and society, and how language shapes culture. We dive into her journey from putting down the drumsticks at age 14 to rediscovering the drums a...

What keeps an artist going when the world isn’t listening? For Irish indie‑folk troubadour Rory Gillanders, it’s the belief (and hope) that the right song for the right person can still change everything. In this episode, Rory shares the relentless reality of chasing a dream, the stories behind Waiting and Soulless World, and why he refuses to quit.

Some artists spend years convincing themselves they won’t make music — until they realize they can’t live without it. That’s Meg Elsier. In this episode, Meg opens up about the vulnerable process of sharing bare-bones demos with producer Ryan McFadden, the magic of her Hello Kitty fuzz pedal (nope, not a joke), and why she spent years writing songs alone on her bedroom floor before she ever steppe...

UK indie artist Lizzie Esau joins The Underknown to talk about her latest track "A Day in the Life"—a departure from her usual intensity, but a song that captures the frustrations of daily life with lyrical honesty. We dig into her creative process, which often starts alone in her room, looping melodies and stitching together lyrics collected from everyday inspiration. Lizzie opens up about growin...

Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan discusses his new album Natural Light, recorded in a cabin with longtime bandmates. He opens up about the creative process, vulnerability in songwriting, the ups and downs of a long indie music career, and why connection—not fame—is the true measure of success. Topics include: Dan Mangan interview, Canadian indie music, Natural Light album, songw...

In this episode of The Underknown, I sit down with the four members of the UK-based rock band Florentenes — a group that feels like your favorite new discovery and your favorite old record at the same time. We talk about writing lyrics that roll off the tongue, finding your sound, and how to use guitar solos and drum breaks to write fewer lyrics. They’re thoughtful, self-aware, and talented as hel...

Jackie and Andrew from Newcastle’s Pit Pony join The Underknown to talk about songwriting, sonic identity, and the evolution behind their latest album. They dive into the story behind some of their songs, balancing day jobs with touring, and how a spreadsheet—and a little chaos—helps the band choose what makes the cut. From stripped-down BBC sessions to big stage energy, this episode unpacks how P...

Victoria Bigelow: Songs That Saved Her Victoria Bigelow joins The Underknown for a raw, vulnerable conversation about the music that helped her survive. From a chaotic childhood and early addiction to becoming a young mother, she shares how songwriting—starting at age 12—became her lifeline. We explore the stories behind “Oblivion,” “Under the Tree,” “Low,” and “The Age of the Internet,” touching...

After nearly quitting music in 2023, singer-songwriter David Ramirez found his way back—through heartbreak, living-room shows, and a pop-up performance in Nashville that reminded him why he ever picked up a guitar. In this deeply personal conversation, David opens up about losing his identity during the pandemic, rediscovering joy in songwriting, and creating his latest album, All the Not So Gentl...

From punk rock dive bars to Muscle Shoals studios, Dylan LeBlanc’s path to haunting Americana wasn’t linear—but it was honest. In this premiere episode, Dylan opens up about growing up between chaos and creativity, landing Emmylou Harris to sing backups on his debut album Paupers Field, and finding his voice over five albums. We dig into the grit, the grace, and the making of Coyote, his most pers...

In this special origin episode of The Underknown, host Yon Perullo reunites with his former bandmates from Toad House—a hard-touring, grunge-leaning rock band that tore through venues in the 1990s. Together with Jeff Soderbergh, Kurt Friel, and Troy Williams, Yon shares the untold story of the band’s formation, evolution, and relentless pursuit of a dream. From playing college parties to hauling A...