Episodes

Ep.45: Developing your artistic voice isn’t just about understanding your sound; it’s about permission, confidence, and learning how to trust yourself before the world catches up. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with Brandon J Marks to talk about what it actually means to build a creative identity that lasts. We dig into the making of Brandin Land, a bold, genre-bending concept album that blends gospel legacy, R&B, jazz, and pop into something timeless and globally resonant. Brandon...

Ep.44: Despite what most folks believe, the hardest part of being an artist isn’t the grind itself, it’s the quiet. The stretch where you’re doing everything “right,” pouring time, money, and heart into your work… and the world gives you nothing back. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with That Boy A.B, a storytelling rapper from New Jersey and longtime friend, to unpack what it actually takes to keep going when the applause isn’t there yet. We talk about how his mindset has evolved s...

Ep.43: Building a real fanbase isn’t about going viral. It’s about being seen and learning how to grow sustainably. In this episode of “loves music”, I sit down with Quinn McGraw, the force behind PARIAH, to unpack how genuine connection is built long before the numbers catch up. We talk about how PARIAH cultivated a devoted community of “Seekers” by leading with honesty, direct engagement, and story-driven content, not gimmicks or empty hype. Quinn shares how Swan Song emerged from grief, addic...

Ep.42: While most artists chase the dream, others stop and ask whether the dream is actually worth living inside. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with Ali “AMAC” McGuire, better known as AMACULENT, to unpack a career that reached the highest levels of the music industry and the burnout that forced her to rethink everything. We talk about her new album On One, a project rooted in healing, alignment, and creative honesty, and why she believes success should feel sustainable, human, an...

Ep.41: In this episode, I chop it up with Ohio-based producer and podcaster Anthony Church, an artist who treats instrumental music like world-building. We talk about his fall-themed project Leaves and Soil (and the deeper life-cycle concept behind it), how he “paints with sounds” through sample-based production, and why consistency is the real superpower for artists trying to play the long game. Anthony also opens up about how real life shapes his most emotional work, what success looks like ou...

Ep.40: Some artists entertain. Others reveal. In this episode of loves music, I sit down with Louissa, an artist whose voice, story, and presence feel lived-in, earned, and unapologetically real. From nearly losing her ability to sing to reclaiming her voice through sheer grit and intention, Louissa opens up about healing, rebellion, artistry, and what it really takes to stay in the game when the path gets brutal. This conversation moves through grief, perseverance, creative rebirth, and the uns...

Ep.39: Every now and then, a guest takes the conversation somewhere unexpected. In this episode, I sit down with Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Bright Kelly for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about art, trauma, faith, fatherhood, and the responsibility that comes with telling the truth through music. Bright’s work resists easy categorization, and so does his story. We talk about his path through touring, his transition into releasing music under his own name, and the emotiona...

Ep.38: Some conversations remind me exactly WHY you love talking to artists, and this one with Dean Ashton is no exception. In this episode, I sit down with Dean Ashton of The High Nines, a band carving out a timeless, big-hearted indie rock sound straight out of the North West. We get into debut albums that take a decade to write, the strange arc of maturity in bands, the art of letting go of ego, and what it means to create music that people can own for themselves. Dean opens up about the band...

Ep.37: Some bands write songs; Stella Ruze builds whole worlds. In this conversation with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Katie O’Donnell, we get into how a “folky funk” seven-piece from Philly ends up blending New Orleans brass, Americana storytelling, and R&B-leaning ballads into one ridiculously cohesive sound. Katie shares the decade-long evolution of the band, why they let songs breathe instead of chasing three-minute “hits,” and how their latest record Origin finally captures the live e...

Ep.36: Taylor Brooke is the kind of host who can have you cackling over a rant about Staples one minute and tearing up over purpose and creative calling the next. In this episode, I sit down with the voice behind Taylor, Taylor, Taylor to talk about what really goes into building a show that’s unhinged in the best way, fiercely women-centered without being exclusionary, and grounded in a sense of purpose bigger than the algorithm. We get into the pressure of staying “on brand” as a blonde media ...

Ep.35: There’s a certain kind of artist who makes you lean in before you even realize it, and Joe Bachman has that effect from the second he starts talking. From Key West songwriter rounds to Nashville radio tours, from managing breakout looping phenom Carl Wockner to writing military anthems that have literally saved lives, Joe’s career is the definition of heart, hustle, and purpose. In this conversation, we dig into the stories behind his biggest songs, the moment his performance intersected ...

Ep.34: There’s something magnetic about artists who refuse to be boxed in. The ones who follow their instincts even when the music industry begs for simplicity. Valentina Sounds is one of those artists, and the result is a catalog that swings from playful sarcasm to soul-heavy honesty without ever losing its identity. In this episode, I sit down with Italian-born, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Valentina Sounds to talk about the winding path behind her genre-blurring sound. We dig into her...

Ep.33: Before I even hit record on this one, I knew it was going to be special. There’s something about a band built on attitude, grit, and genuine love for their community that hits different, and Black Sonic Revolver embodies that energy completely. In this episode, I sit down with Leon Kenny from Manchester’s underground powerhouse Black Sonic Revolver. We get into the band’s 10+ year evolution, their refusal to chase gimmicks, the chaos and beauty of their live shows, why they embrace stayin...

Ep.32: Sometimes the best stories in music aren’t about fame. They’re about family, resilience, and learning how to create from joy instead of pain. In this episode, I sit down with Canadian musician, songwriter, and podcaster Sean McGinity: host of his show, SeanGeek and FastFret Podcast, and former frontman of the concept-driven rock band Dome. We talk about growing up in a musical household, navigating sibling rivalry and creative camaraderie, and how loss shaped the way he now approaches art...

Ep.31: There’s a difference between playing heavy music and feeling it. And few bands capture that balance like Arlo Wells. In this episode, I sit down with Vancouver-based musician and producer William Langlais, co-founder of Arlo Wells, a post-hardcore band that’s as melodic as it is heavy. We get into the band’s evolution, their approach to writing songs that actually feel good to play, and the discipline it takes to stay creative while juggling real life. Will shares how he became the “band ...

Ep.30: From Madrid to the world, Vickyta Rya is crafting pop music that feels both global and deeply personal. In this episode, we talk about how heartbreak turns into rhythm, and therapy comes with a beat. We discuss her songs, which move between dancehall, reggaeton, and funk-pop, blending emotional honesty with an undeniable groove. In our conversation, we dig into the experiences that shaped her upcoming two-part project, how she found the courage to start over creatively, and the story behi...

Ep.029: In this episode, I sit down with Austin-based creator, entrepreneur, and all-around powerhouse David M. Wilkerson to unpack his “Feast or Famine” philosophy and why most musicians are chasing the wrong metrics. From his 50-Fan Model to his hard-earned lessons as both a performer and consultant, David breaks down how artists can build sustainable, profitable careers without chasing virality, or burning out. We dive into the mindset shifts musicians need to escape the “famine” cycle, the s...

Ep.028: If there’s one thing Emily Drinker knows how to do, it’s show up: on stage, in the studio, and for the Philly music scene at large. In this episode, we finally sit down to talk about her latest project, To Feel Alive, and how she’s balancing artistry, caretaking, and community leadership all at once. From her roots in vocal looping and cruise ship gigs to a standout slot at XPN Fest and opening for legends like Pat Benatar, Emily shares what it really means to grow into yourself as an ar...

Ep.027: What happens when the music gets personal… like really personal? In this episode, I sit down again with returning guest Jorge Vallentine, the force behind Milwaukee-based indie rock project VLNTYN, to talk about art that comes from the rawest places. From recording stripped-down heartbreak songs in a church to building a consistent online presence after divorce, Jorge opens up about navigating grief, personal growth, and the liberating power of creating from pain. We get into his new era...

Ep.026: Marc Ramos didn’t wait for permission; he built Morning Wars from the ground up, chasing the kind of indie rock that hits like a memory and sticks like a bruise. In this conversation, I sit down with the mind behind Marc Ramos of Morning Wars, the NYC-based indie rock project making waves with its cinematic production and emotionally rich songwriting. Marc opens up about the five-year journey behind his new album Prospect Gallery, what it means to be a perfectionist in the studio, and th...

Ep.025: Some artists build their sound around what’s trendy. Others build it around what’s true. Matt Fell falls into the latter. A Philly-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Matt blends raw vulnerability with polished production, pulling from classic rock, indie pop, R&B, and everything in between. In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight behind his debut solo album Flashbulb Memories, how his degenerative hearing loss has become an unexpected creative advantage, and why he initi...

Ep.024: In this episode, I chop it up with Maryland-based rapper and genre-blending artist mcgwn: someone who, at just 18, has already crafted a sound and visual identity that feels polished, intentional, and full of promise. We talk about his debut EP I’ll Be Here All Summer, the beachside nostalgia that inspired it, and why he’s not interested in chasing clout. Instead, mcgwn is building something with depth, consistency, and long-term vision. He opens up about the pressures of being a young a...

Ep.023: Kevin McClure isn’t interested in chasing trends; he’s here to build something real. In this conversation, we get into the tension between commercial appeal and creative integrity, and how Kevin navigates that tightrope without losing sight of the why. He opens up about the scrappy hustle behind his early national tours, his songwriting process that prioritizes both resonance and risk, and why he thinks pop music deserves more respect when done right. We talk metaphor, mental health, and...

Ep.022: From the moment I met Brookelyn Rose, I knew her voice had weight. It wasn’t just pretty, it meant something. In this episode, I reconnect with the powerhouse vocalist and songwriter whose voice first landed on one of my records over a decade ago. Since then, Brookelyn has carved out her lane as a genre-bending force, mixing country grit, soulful edge, and pop-rock power into songs that hit as hard as they heal. We talk about the business of staying creative, the trap of perfectionism, a...