ZHZ Podcast: Independent Music & Artist Interviews

In this rapid-fire round, reggae artist Nick Sefakis joins Zak Davis and Matt Allen to break down seven off-the-cuff questions — from creative rituals to wild stage stories. It’s raw, honest, and full of unexpected gems. 🌄 Does Nick write better lyrics in the Utah mountains or LA beaches? 🎸 Which song defines him most as an artist? 🎤 What’s the one studio tool he can’t live without? 🥤 What’s h...

Jupiter‑born space‑punk rebels crash in with meteor‑shower energy and a sound built for cosmic misfits. Ever stumble onto something so weird and wonderful that you swipe your phone out of reflex? Yeah, me too. Today, I found a band straight out of a sci-fi fever dream, and spoiler: they’re awesome. Buckle up, ZFam—this might be your new favorite space punks. Here's what I dig into: The otherworldl...

Nick Sefakis shares the truth about burnout, touring, and staying creative in independent music. A real look behind the road life grind. Ever feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of creativity and exhaustion? Well, these musical trailblazers have been through the ringer and have the secret sauce to stay inspired without losing your sanity. Spoiler alert: it involves golf, AI album art, a...

This acoustic punk band delivers a fiery, high‑energy performance that hits harder than anything in the scene. Ever wondered how a band can go from losing a van full of gear to rocking stages across Europe with nothing but raw energy and clever instrument mashups? Buckle up, because Larry and His Flask are here to prove that punk isn’t just electric—it's got soul, strings, and a whole lot of attit...

Nick gives a live apology to fans and opens up about rebuilding after the Iya Terra fallout in this raw artist interview. Everything below is tailored to the emotional weight of the apology, the Iya Terra breakup, and the independent‑artist grind. Ever wonder what goes into making a reggae artist's hustle look effortless? In Part 2 of this mini series, Nick Sefakis takes you through the wild ride...

Discover how Beth Willis became a musical time machine, captivating late-night revelers with timeless performances. Dive into her soulful journey in this Z Frequency Spotlight! Most music fans believe you need fame, a big label, or a viral TikTok to truly make an impact. But Beth Willis proves otherwise—she’s been building a loyal army of fans the old-school way: one gritty, unforgettable show at...

Ever wondered what it’s like to leap into the unknown with a guitar in hand? Nick Sefakis took that leap, left Utah, jumped into California’s music scene, and somehow turned random fan moments into chart-topping greatness—all while sharing hilarious throwbacks on D.A.R.E. cop stories and Lagoon roller coasters. Get ready for a quick tour of passion, adrenaline, and unplugged moments that prove lif...

Discover the evolution of Nick Sefakis in his life after Iya Terra. From touring guitarist to solo producer at Enoch Sound. 🎸 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE : Join Zak Davis for an exclusive Z-Frequency Spotlight on Nick Sefakis. After years of touring with the heavy-hitting reggae rock band Iya Terra, Nick is pivoting to a new chapter. Zak covers his transition from band member to solo artist, the creation...

This episode of the Z Frequency Spotlight podcast features Matt’s favorite jazz fusion band, Low Poly Cactus. The podcast delves into the band’s formation, music, and influences. Takeaways Low Poly Cactus - A Jazz Fusion Band Influences and Style of Low Poly Cactus Follow Low Poly Cactus: https://www.instagram.com/lowpolycactus https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JCLFRwINNq1g4Je8mRod2?si=ZHWen4lDTeWh...

Creators open up about self‑doubt, imposter syndrome, audience growth, and the evolving journey of content creation and music‑driven connection. In This Episode: This episode dives deep into the emotional side of content creation as Sandy reflects on self‑doubt, imposter syndrome, and the mental weight that comes with showing up online. The conversation explores the slow, often discouraging path o...

Improvising through interviews, tech hiccups, and on‑the‑go edits—Sandy shares how preparation, creativity, and adaptability keep conversations flowing. In This Episode: The conversation covers the journey of building a platform in real time, the technical challenges and solutions in content creation, and the strategies for navigating interview challenges. It provides insights into grassroots cont...

Join us as Sandy Kreitzberg takes us on her transformative journey from a reggae enthusiast to a renowned music journalist and interviewer. Discover how her passion for music and storytelling led to the creation of her engaging interview series, "Say What?! With Sandy." (Part 1 of 3 in this series) In This Episode: Sandy's early love for reggae and its influence on her career Transition from writi...

In this final part in this mini series, the conversation covers the excitement of live performances, the evolution and growth of the band, individual contributions, and aspirations for the future. It also delves into the challenges of rehearsals and the dynamics of the band, as well as the integration of AI and spontaneous jamming during performances. The conversation delves into the themes of mus...

Second addition of this mini series delves into Z Frequency's journey, the influence of local music venues, and the band's genre diversity and musical collaboration. Z Frequency's evolution, the impact of local music venues, and the band's genre diversity and musical collaboration are the primary themes explored in the conversation. The conversation covers the band's excitement for new music and r...

The conversation covers the challenges of navigating unemployment, the evolution and growth of the podcast, plans for future podcast development, the improvement of production value, and a reflection on 35 years of creativity. This is Part 1 of 3 mini-series of this annual New Year's Eve episode. Takeaways Adapting to change Podcast evolution Visit us at: zhzpodcast.com Check out Z Frequency here:...

In this conversation, Zak, Matt, and David Hunsaker discuss the release of Apophis' new album, 'Black Rock', exploring its evolution, creative process, and the collaborative efforts involved in its production. They delve into recording techniques, the importance of market testing through platforms like SoundCloud, and the personal insights that shape their artistic journeys. Hunsaker emphasizes th...

Jeff Huso returns to the ZHZ Podcast as our first 3‑time guest to mark our 30th episode and ONE‑YEAR anniversary 🎉. We dive deep into imposter syndrome, the music streaming grind, DIY artist struggles, and balancing creativity while single parenting FOUR kids.   Jeff (Maschine Fetisch, Springtank, Cold Circuit, and now Kaltmaschine) opens up about dropping guitars for analog synths and 808s, proc...

In this episode of the ZHZ Podcast, Atypical Heroes, a ska punk band from Utah, shares their journey, influences, and the vibrant ska scene. They discuss their recent shows, upcoming album release, and the importance of live performances. The band members offer valuable advice for aspiring musicians, emphasizing the significance of passion, networking, and continuous practice. The conversation hig...

Join us as Utah ska legends Stretsch Armstrong share hilarious untold stories from their wild journey, the magic behind their epic ForkFest reunion, and what's next for the band. Dive into the vibrant 90s ska scene and discover the passion that keeps their music alive! Stretsch Armstronng ZHZ Podcast #SkaMusic #BandReunion #MusicHistory

In this episode, Zak and Mateo recap their experience at ForkFest 2025, a well-organized music festival in American Fork, Utah. They discuss the festival's atmosphere, the variety of performances, and the standout reunion show of the band Stretsch Armstronng. The hosts share personal anecdotes, highlight the community engagement, and reflect on the performances of various bands, including Sego, Fi...

Join Valhalla on their EPIC journey as they unveil their new EP, embark on a mini tour in 2025, and reveal their punk rock influences!  We dive deep into the creative process behind their latest EP, exploring the inspirations and challenges that shaped their sound. Hear firsthand accounts of their unforgettable tour adventures and learn how their punk rock influences have shaped their music.  Whet...

In this engaging conversation, Old Buck shares his musical journey, from early influences to his current projects. The discussion delves into the local ska scene, the evolution of music styles, and the importance of collaboration and community support. Old Buck reflects on his experiences with The Makeways and The Low Point, highlighting the significance of recording quality and the future of ska...

In this episode of the ZHZ Podcast, hosts Zak Davis and Matt Allen sit down with singer-songwriter Bernice Celeste. They discuss her musical journey, influences, and the healing power of music. Bernice shares insights about her new single 'I Don't Even Miss You', her songwriting process, and the importance of social media in building a fanbase. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring musician...

In this special (recorded livestream) episode of the ZHZ podcast, hosts Zak Davis and Matt Allen welcome indie country artist Cody Bartels. They discuss Cody's journey from growing up in Tacoma, Washington, to transitioning from bull riding to pursuing a music career. The conversation covers his unique sound, the challenges of touring, and the story behind his latest single 'Back to You.' Cody sha...

Inthis episode of the ZHZ Podcast, host Zak Davis and co-host Matt Allen sit downwith Tom Sweeney, the creative force behind Blakgraz, a genre-bending artistfrom San Antonio, Texas. Tom shares his journey as a DIY musician, detailinghis experiences on the road, the challenges of touring, and the importance oforiginal music. He discusses the evolution of his performance style, the use oftechnology...