WTTS In Conversation

Long-time Little Feat percussionist Sam Clayton sings lead vocals on a brand new album of mostly blues covers called “Sam’s Place.” He spoke with Matt Pelsor about the new record, as well as a forthcoming original Little Feat album due out next year, and recalls what it was like playing with Jimmy Buffett back in the 80s. Little Feat plays with Los Lobos at Everwise Amphitheater at White River Sta...

Crystal McKenzie talks to two members of Collective Soul ahead of their June 8th show with Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain. Dean Roland talks about recording a new double album in Elvis' Palm Springs home and the inspiration that came from that experience.  He also talks about Christmas at the Rolands' house and how mom doesn't allow shop talk during the holidays. Bassist Wi...

Afternoon host Crystal McKenzie chats with George Thorogood about the good ole days of playing the Vogue, and what a legendary room it is for the rockers of his era.  She also tossed him a FAST FIVE in the spirit of Carb Day, which he headlines on Friday, May 24th. Tickets to Carb Day can be found below: https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/buy-tickets/Carb-Day/products-carb-da...

Gary Clark Jr. plays Indianapolis on May 18th as part of the I Made Rock & Roll festival at the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis. He spoke with Matt Pelsor about his new album JPEG Raw , and what it was like to work closely with Stevie Wonder on the new song “What About The Children,” as well as the the album’s themes of over-connectedness and self-consciousness through technology...

Gin Blossoms founding member and rhythm guitarist Jesse Valenzuela talks with Matt Pelsor about how he really feels about the term “Jangle Pop,” and briefly shares some technical aspects of its performance. He’s also come to terms with ‘playing the hits,’ and will do so at Miller Lite Carb Day 2024 (5/24/24) as they open up for George Thorogood and the Destroyers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway...

Crystal McKenzie talks with the Grammy winner about Farm Aid, working with and befriending Brandi Carlile, and teaming up with Norah Jones. Plus some hard topics about her upbringing that led to her activism.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sheryl Crow spoke with Matt Pelsor ahead of the release of her twelfth studio album Evolution. They talked about bucking her 2019 intent to not release another album and dug into the themes of the forthcoming release, including the title track, and compared a song on the new record to a deep cut from 1996.

For this episode, prog rock solo artist and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett talks with Matt Pelsor ahead of his March 21st show at Brown County Music Center. In an insightful conversation, they talked about his latest album The Circus and the Nightwhale (released Feb 16), plus a lost project with Queen’s Brian May, and the real reason his mid-80s supergroup GTR didn’t work out. Concert info...

Three-time Producer of The Year Grammy winner Jack Antonoff spoke with Matt Pelsor about the forthcoming self-titled album from his own band Bleachers (due out March 8). They touched on the creative value of limitations, and covered what a typical day looks like in the life of one of music’s busiest producers.

Jeff Tweedy talked with Matt Pelsor about his two latest books: How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back, and World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life, and Life That Changed My Music. They also touched on his recent productivity, releasing two Wilco albums in as many years (2022's Cruel Country, and 2023's Cousin ).

The Heavy Heavy are slated to release a full-length album this year, and indeed already have a busy schedule this coming Spring. We caught up last year before their particularly well-attended set at WonderRoad Festival and talked about how things have changed since they found success in the US.

Kenny Aronoff spent almost two decades as John Mellencamp’s drummer, and has also worked with Melissa Etheridge, Willie Nelson, the Smashing Pumpkins, John Fogerty, and many more. He talked with morning host Matt Pelsor about his time with John Mellencamp, and playing in the Jim Irsay Band.

Portugal. The Man guitarist Eric Howk talked with Matt Pelsor about life in the band now versus before “Feel It Still” became the international mega-hit that it is. They also discuss the song “Who’s Gonna Stop Me,” featuring Weird Al Yankovic, as well as Eric’s perspective of being a wheelchair-bound professional musician in a world that doesn't always accommodate him.

Singer-songwriter Noah Cyrus spoke with morning host Matt Pelsor ahead of her show at Old National Centre this past September. She talked about her past struggles with addiction and how they inspired many of the songs on her debut album The Hardest Part, as well as her collaboration with Vance Joy on the song “Every Beginning Ends,” and how it was a full-circle moment for her career.

Bear Rinehart talks about Needtobreathe’s latest album Caves, and its intentional “bigness.” He also recalls the evolution of Indy shows and the fervent fanbase they’ve enjoyed here over the course of their now 20+ year career as a band. Needtobreathe performs May 22, 2024 at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park More info & Tickets: https://www.wttsfm.com/events/wtts-presents-needto...

Ketch Secor wrote “Wagon Wheel” from a song fragment that Bob Dylan had written decades before. He and morning host Matt Pelsor explored the song’s origins and ubiquity, as well as their new album, Jubilee, ahead of Old Crow Medicine Show’s Brown County Music Center appearance on Friday, November 17th.

Jason Mraz kicked off this past Summer with a new album called Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride , and a tour with what he calls his “Superband.” Morning host Matt Pelsor talks with him about both, plus details about an Indiana show from 20 years ago this month. They also discuss his best-known hit “I’m Yours” and what it was like as it was taking off in the mid-to-late 2000s.

Crystal McKenzie talked with legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean about his forthcoming box set, and some of the unique merch on his website. They also discuss a timeless song inspired by a performance of his, and the documentary The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie, now streaming on Paramount+

St. Paul and the Broken Bones singer Paul Janeway talks to Matt Pelsor about the emotional kickoff to their new album Angels in Science Fiction, and the new song that he considers to be the first love song he ever wrote. They also talk about balancing  fatherhood with touring, and the concept behind the interviewer’s favorite album, Young Sick Camellia. St. Paul and the Broken Bones play the WTTS...

This year, George Thorogood marks 50 years of performing with his band, The Destroyers. He talks with morning host Matt Pelsor about one of his biggest hits and who it was meant for. They also talk about the only electric guitar model he's ever used, and what it took to have more made. George Thorogood and The Destroyers play Old National Centre on Thursday, September 14th

Farm Aid is returning to Indiana for the first time in 22 years. Morning host Matt Pelsor talked with their Cultural Impact Director, Michael Foley, about the focus of the benefit in 2023, and the issues it hopes to highlight. This year, Farm Aid happens Saturday, September 23rd and features Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and more.

Cake frontman John McCrea talks to Matt Pelsor about the band’s signature sound, and one essential instrument that makes it. They also touch on the band’s activism, which includes the tradition of giving away a live tree at every show. Plus, why their great live album spent years in the vault before anyone heard it. Cake plays TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park on September 13th.

Matt Pelsor talked with Robby Takac about the Goo Goo Dolls' upcoming August 23rd show at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park. They talked about the songs he wrote for the new album Chaos in Bloom, as well as his successful Buffalo-based nonprofit “Music Is Art,” and why he often performs barefoot.

Crystal McKenzie talked with Melissa Etheridge before her July 25th performance at Brown County Music Center. They talked about her cancer battle, her forthcoming book, and the Broadway show she’s about to start in September.

Bassist George Gekas of The Revivalists talks to morning host Matt Pelsor about how the new album Pour it Out into The Night came together. They talk about the upcoming tour dates with Band of Horses that will include our Rock On The River show, and the charitable causes they've supported as a band, which will include Indiana Wish , come July 29th.