Y Arts Podcast

We sit down with Demetrius—a hip-hop artist from Frederick, Maryland. Debuting in 2020, Demetrius has become a key figure in Frederick's hip-hop scene. His artistry and community involvement were spotlighted in the  Frederick News-Post in 2023, where his journey and impact were highlighted. In addition to his music, Demetrius curates the monthly Real Rap Show and frequently collaborates with Benef...

Lori Rounds is an award-winning visual artist whose practice includes painting, printmaking, and photography. A lifelong creator, she began pursuing art full time in 2019 following her retirement from a successful career in information technology. Lori is currently an artist-in-residence at the Y Arts Center and an active member of several arts organizations, including the Maryland State Arts Coun...

In this full length episode, we sit down with Jordan Holt. Talented videographer, photographer, and founder of Falling Squares, a creative group producing compelling video content for local businesses and entertainment platforms alike. Jordan shares the story behind his journey, from early foundations and education to the evolution of his unique visual style. We dive into his creative inspirations...

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Lord, founder, executive director, and president of the Global Z Recording Project. Bill holds a doctorate in adult education, training and development, and international communications, along with a master's degree in educational media, media production, and distance learning. Through his nonprofit, Bill is breaking down barriers in long-distance collaborati...

In this episode, AJ Naylor—better known as Sounds by Fred—reflects on his legendary Bang Bang parties and the cultural waves he curated that reshaped the Frederick music scene. He takes us on a journey from his early years as a crate-carrying DJ to becoming the creative force behind his fashion label, Made by Fred. Influenced by the local community, Yo! MTV Raps , skate shops, and more, AJ reflect...

In this episode, Ricole Barnes and I had the pleasure of interviewing  Roy Ghim , a film and music columnist who has long been an active member of the Frederick arts scene. Throughout his career as a freelance writer, Roy has contributed to notable publications such as  The Frederick News-Post  and  The New York Times . In his free time, he enjoys coaching soccer and curates an online publication...

Daryl Campbell, or Daryltron, began his artistic journey as an obscure  hip-hop artist. After experiencing a series of transformative life events, he decided to chase his long-held dream of becoming a multi-faceted creator. Drawing inspiration from iconic musicians like Beck, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Prince, Daryltron boldly expanded his creative pursuits. Although leaving behind his previous li...

The Steampunk Soiree at the Frederick Book Arts Center was an event hosted by Braindead Live this past October. I had the opportunity to attend and interview six key people behind the event's success: Dylan Zingg and Tony Gianni from Braindead Live, Coordinator Eric Groff, Photographer Matthew Mason, DJ Marisa Hyphae Hongos, and Mixologist Landon Harwell. Enjoy this exclusive insight into what it...

Part 2 of the OneFrederick Collaborative round table interview discussion series with guest speaker Juanita Hardy, a consultant for creative place-making. 

The OneFrederick Collaborative is excited to share the powerful insight and encouragement of Juanita Hardy, a consultant for creative place-making.  We hope her affirmation and her challenge will fire us up to collaborate and develop creative places in our own community.  

Joey Two Geez is multi instrumentalist, DJ, artist, producer, live sound engineer, and event coordinator located in Frederick MD. He is the current owner of Sketchy Shed, a DIY arts venue  which operates out of a secret location in the Frederick area. As a punk himself, Joey puts his all into making the Sketchy Shed a welcoming place for creative thinkers and like minded artists to be loud and exp...

Cynthia Scott, owner of Gaslight Gallery in Frederick has created an art installation and exhibition called The Oracle at the Y Arts Center. It features a geodesic dome. Based on concepts by Buckmister Fuller, it's a structure made of triangles that mimics sacred geometry. This dome has its own energetic qualities and vibrates with cosmic energy to unveil secret truths. On Friday evenings through...

Ricole Barnes is the Y Arts Center Site Director at the YMCA of Frederick County, Maryland, where he has been actively involved for over 20 years. A prominent figure in the local arts community, Ricole is also a hip-hop artist who performs as the frontman of the rock band daMOOD and co-founded the trip-hop duo Bikes. In 2003, Ricole began working for the YMCA's Before and After-School program to s...

George Koch began his journey in biology but soon discovered a deep passion for the visual arts, which led him to pursue degrees in both ceramics and design. Building on this artistic foundation, Koch established A. Salon, Ltd., an artist service organization that started as a collective of seven artists. Under his leadership, A. Salon revitalized unused spaces, transforming a vacant elementary sc...

Joe Keyes has been immersed in the music scene since his middle school days as a DJ. It wasn't until 2009, approaching his 50s, that Keyes discovered his true calling with his band, Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band. The group's distinctive vibe and sound have been tuned through years of theatrical, improvisational performances featuring extended solos and captivating vocal monologues. Drawing ins...

Dylan Zingg wears many hats as an artist, DJ, event planner, and landscape architect. Since moving to Frederick, he has integrated himself into the vibrant local art and music community. Notably, Dylan has partnered with Braindead, a collective dedicated to curating, promoting, and executing community art and music events that uplift and enhance the creative landscape. They aim to revitalize space...

East River Band is composed of Joel Cymerman, Blake Thatcher, Corwin Leber, and Sebastian Melendez bringing the public a multifaceted, traveling jam band. Started back in 2021, they've grown into this 4 man crew all about connecting through their music. We dive deep into their journey—how they hustle for gigs, make up their tunes, and bring down the house when they perform. Check out their stuff a...

From being part of Bad Seed Rising-the youngest band signed to Roadrunner Records, toured throughout the U.S.A, and featured in a major film, Francheska Pastor has accomplished plenty so far in her lifetime. Pastor is a musician and photographer born in the Philippines, raised in Frederick, Maryland. Starting at age 10, they began to learn guitar. As the hobby turned into a serious passion at 12 y...

Downtown Frederick Partnership is key to the enrichment of Downtown Frederick, anything from hosting and organizing events, cultivating a community, and providing support and attraction within the area. Kara Norman, Leeann Crews, Jade Dunhour, and Brittany Himber, the team behind the Partnership, join us in this episode to talk about the past, present, and future of their nonprofit organization. Y...

MAD Dance presents "Intentional Terrarium", a month-long series of performances hosted at the MAD Studio in the Y Arts Center. This episode features an interview with Kitty Clark and Ray C. Shaw, the duo behind MAD Dance.  "Intentional Terrarium" displays a portable greenhouse as its main feature. Different performers, including co-directors Clark and Shaw, add movement, audio and natural visuals...

What would you get if you crossed nature, theater, art work, and sustainability? You'd get: Sky Stage. In the outskirts of the heart of Downtown Frederick, sits a living, growing art installation with an open-air theater. In this episode of The Y Arts Podcast, we cover the Sky Stage by attending their last Comedy Show of 2023 hosted by Stacey Axler. We got to talk with Stacy and included some of h...

Rebecca Hargreaves is a self-taught tufting artist who creates fanciful rugs. With a background in fashion and textiles, she has found a true calling towards designing and making your-not-so-average rugs. From teaching yoga at Yogamour, to being a single mom, to working in her garden, Hargreaves continues to live her artistic life. Though it took her a few months to start tufting, she took a step...

Even in her 50's, Lisa May Bennett is chasing her dreams. Bennett has led a successful life, with wonderful friends and family, and even has worked for nonprofit business, National Organization for Women-yet, something about her life felt stagnant. Then one day, Bennett decided to give up drinking and in turn be committed to her writing career. In the last six and a half years of sobriety, Bennett...

Dylan Hyman tackles on both the visual and audio side of life when it comes to creating. In their past, they have produced Keith Haring-inspired black and white digital post cards, focusing on bringing light into the darkness of their work. As a musician, they collaborate with Spencer — forming duo, tee.vee. They talk about their journey with their art, finding their avenues in life, and nostalgic...

Ethan Larsh is a songwriter and musician from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Starting at 7, Ethan learned how to play piano. As he matured into adulthood, he picked up playing guitar and original songwriting. He finds inspiration from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Flaming Lips, and 70's country music, describing his own music as "Psychedelic Americana". Recently losing his job, he now focuses on his music...