Western Grunge Tapedeck

Howdy folks! This week, Libby sits down with Abe Partridge, who walks us from his years as a preacher into his life now as a multimedia folk artist. They talk about how making art became a way to heal after hard times, and how vulnerability fuels Abe’s process. The pair digs into the Eastern Kentucky scene and why small, independent venues are worth saving. There’s also a look at the music itself....

Howdy cowpunks! Jarrod Morris returns to the Tapedeck fresh off the release of his new album, Day Money. Jarrod and Brennan explore the intricacies of the music industry, touching on the creative process, the impact of AI on music, and the importance of authenticity. They discuss the challenges of live performances and the evolution of recording techniques. The conversation reflects on the future...

Howdy folks! Libby and Kyler sit down with Luke Trimble, an Eastern Kentucky songwriter with a great 2025 debut album. They talk small venues that shaped him, the community that keeps Appalachian music alive, and the challenge of carrying that sound beyond state lines. Luke shares how childhood memories and hometown stories shape his songs, why vinyl still matters, and what it means when a tune co...

Howdy folks! On his second visit with us, Colby Acuff digs into the whirlwind of being signed, dropping the label, and carving his own lane as an independent artist. He talks about pulling inspiration from bluegrass to classic rock, why storytelling matters more than ever, and how his new album was built on real interviews with real people. Along the way they hit on genre-blending, outdoor adventu...

Howdy Grungers! Five hosts, one deck, and a whole lot of tangents. Tracer, Trey, Brennan, Libby, and Frosty start off buzzing about the upcoming Verdi Money show with Ricky Chilton before spiraling into a debate about beef jerky. From there it’s customer service war stories, Halloween nostalgia, and a blind rank of ‘90s cartoons. Anime sneaks in (yes, One Piece) and before long the conversation sw...

Howdy cowfolk! Some interviews happen in studios, others in dimly lit bars, but this one happened roadside, which feels just right for Jason Scott & the High Heat. Jason and Ryan joined Tracer to talk about their new album American Grin, their songwriting roots, the realities of touring, and the role social media plays in music today. Along the way they hit dream venues, favorite drinks, and t...

Howdy Grungers! Brennan, Tracer, and Gage went to Born & Raised and came back with more stories than sense. Electrical mishaps. Missed pizza plans. Late-night wanderings that turned into half-remembered mornings. Somewhere in episode they actually talked music. It’s a recap, but also a reminder of why music festivals matter.. because they leave you with stories that stick long after the lights...

Howdy cowfolk! The boys from AllTown share their journey from childhood friends to a rising band in the music scene. They discuss their early experiences playing in dive bars, the importance of enjoying every moment in their musical journey, and the diverse influences that shape their sound. The band reveals insights into their recording process for their debut album and emphasizes the significanc...

Howdy cowfolk! Tracer and Brennan sat down for a full review of Tanner Usrey’s These Days, breaking down the record track by track while pulling in pieces from the rest of his catalog. In true fashion, the conversation veered into Halloween costumes, songs about the weather, and a draft of top female country acts. Intro/Outro - Trenton Fletcher Western Grunge Tapedeck: https://www.westerngrungetap...

Howdy hunters! Brennan, Gage, and Libby set out on their own Snipe Hunt with a track-by-track review of Tyler Childers’ latest record. Along the way they dig into his evolving sound, the genre lines he keeps crossing, a blind rank, a draft, and a few announcements you won’t want to miss. Intro/Outro - Trenton Fletcher Western Grunge Tapedeck: https://www.westerngrungetapedeck.rocks/

Howdy cowfolk! Tracer and Brennan sat down with Mac Hankins for a wide-open hang. The usual chicken and fast food talk showed up, plus T-Rex sandwiches, college football, and a blind rank of grunge bands that got a little rowdy. Don't miss it! Intro/Outro - Trenton Fletcher Mac Hankins and the Moonlighters: https://machankinsandthemoonlighters.com/ Western Grunge Tapedeck: https://www.westerng...

Howdy grungers! Gage and Brennan sat down with Dalton Domino to talk about the release of his new album Arizona. They talk about how much fun he had making the record, a “special” merch signature, one of the funniest pre-save announcements you’ll ever hear, and some of the other podcasts Dalton's dropped in on lately. He also opened up about the cover art, a tribute to his late friend Doug. In...

Howdy folks! Album reviews are back. Brennan and Gage dust off the Tapedeck to spin Danno Simpson’s The Kill Joy front to back. They cover the highs, the stand-out tracks, and where it fits into his body of work. Don't miss it! Intro/Outro - Trenton Fletcher Western Grunge Tapedeck: https://www.westerngrungetapedeck.rocks/

Howdy Cowfolk! Welcome to Around The Deck, our new series where we step off the main stage and just talk shop. No setlist, no structure, just the crew following wherever the conversation drifts. In this debut episode, the Brennan and Tracer cover Boys from Oklahoma (Texas edition), Born & Raised fest, the best Turnpike songs, Taco Casa, and even a detour into Battlefield. Don't miss it! In...

Howdy folks! Hunter Flynn sat down with Brennan and Libby to talk about life on the road, growing up around Kentucky lakes, and his experiences at Laurel Cove. He shared the story of how he picked up the guitar, the car wreck that changed the course of his life and career, and the venues that feel most like home. They also got into touring stories and a look at the new music he’s been working on....

Howdy cowfolk! Libby and Kyler sit down with Gannon Fremin of Gannon Fremin & CCREV to talk about the band’s brand-new EP, how it was recorded, the meaning behind the album art, and the story of an artist chasing down his sound. They dig into the progression from early releases to now, the timing of projects, and what’s next with a new album in the works. Along the way, Gannon shares how a lig...

Howdy cowfolk! Tracer, Gage, and Kyler sit down with Joe Fink of Hand Drawn Records for a deep dive into the world of vinyl record production. From the nuts and bolts of how records are made to the magic of colored pressings, Joe breaks it all down. They talk about turntable setups, the artists he’s working with, and a friendly reminder to never say “vinyls.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a WGT conver...

Howdy folks! Brennan and Brook host Chris Thomas and Kyle Carter of Born and Raised festival to discuss the intricacies of festival promotion. They explore the evolution of the Red Dirt and Americana music scenes, the impact of social media on artist recognition, and the community aspect of festivals. The conversation dives into the challenges of booking artists, the importance of data in music pr...

NCAA champion wrestling coach J Jaggers and rising high school coach Jordan Davis join Brennan for a crossover of sports and music you didn’t know you needed. They talk about the songs that soundtrack their practices, favorites from our scene, and Laurel Cove Festival. From vinyl collections to the glory days of mp3 players, DVDs, and Redbox, the conversation weaves between nostalgia and now. They...

Colton, Slaid, Noah, and Conner of The Smokin’ Oaks sat down with Tracer and Kyler for a chaotic good time. They covered everything from guitar pedals and concert posters to hairstyles and brick collections. The guys shared stories about wild shows (including a moped crash and a snakebite that didn’t stop the music), live albums, new music on the way, and the origin of their band name. Also discus...

Howdy folks! Fresh off the release of his debut album, Coltt Winter Lepley joins Tracer, Trey, and Libby for a wide-ranging conversation that covers way more than just music. We get into Coltt’s roots, influences, and former life as a racecar driver. They also dive into the diverse corners of Appalachia, Cincinnati chili takes, the legend of the Toilet Wizard, heirloom George Foreman grills, and t...

Friend of the pod and voice behind our intro, Trenton Fletcher is back for a second round, and it’s a good one. Brennan and Tracer sit down with him to talk about his new record and why intention might just be the secret ingredient to a lasting album. They also detour into conspiracies (AI and otherwise), recap standout live shows from the year, break down every track on the upcoming album, and ev...

Howdy cowfolk! Max Stalling has long been a steady hand in the Texas scene, but in this episode, he sits down with Gage and Tracer to talk about how the landscape has shifted under everyone’s boots. From the changing role of radio and the rise of playlists, to the venues getting harder to break into as buyouts ramp up, it’s a grounded and honest look at the realities of today’s Texas music circuit...

Howdy cowfolk! It's that time again! The Grungees are halfway home. The gang runs through the current front-runners in every category if the year ended today, sharing favorites, surprises, and a few hot takes from the committee. Somewhere along the way, it all unravels into conspiracies, cryptids, ghost encounters, and general chaos. Consider this your official halftime report... with a tinfoi...

This week, Libby and Trey sit down with Jordan Lee King to talk about what it means to call Appalachia home, including the beauty and the heartbreak, and why telling both sides matters. They dig into Laurel Cove, new music on the way, and the stories behind the songs. There’s talk of staying and building something where you’re from, instead of running from it and how much intention that really tak...