Explore every episode of the podcast Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Check-In with Kristeen Young | 30 Oct 2026 | 00:25:08 | |
Kristeen Young is a singer, songwriter and pianist based in New York city. Her 12th studio album Full Scrotal Scorpio is out now. Kristeen shares her experience growing up in St. Louis in a strict religious home and how she maneuvered her limited access to music and culture. She tells us why leaving a sketchy and archaically structured record label led her producing, mixing and engineering Full Scrotal Scorpio. Joe and Kristeen discuss her approach to the new record, how she collaborates with her drummer Jefferson White and why she wanted the record wanted to “bounce” alongside its dark themes. Kristeen tells us the story behind working with Billy Corgan, and we sample a few new tunes. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. All shoes from their Blue Collection 50% off now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. NOW! TO GET 10% OF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT heilsound.com, USE CODE Ruinous10 Mentioned in this episode: Heil Microphones Distrokid Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with James Goodson-Dazy | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:50:41 | |
James Goodson is a singer, songwriter and founding member of Richmond, VA based Dazy. His newest release, MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD VOL. 2: 24 SONGS FROM 2023-2026 is due out 10.23 via Lame-O Records. James tells us how a 24-song release is ironically a product of his affinity for short, non-limiting philosophy of releasing music and why he thinks this represents the Dazy vibe at this point the bands 6+ year history. He tells us how the record pushed him in a new direction in both song-writing and sonic dynamics and why it was both scary and challenging. We learn how winds up with several versions of the same song, Joe and James brainstorm a novel release/touring concept and we sample a few new tunes. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. All shoes from their Blue Collection 50% off now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. NOW! TO GET 10% OF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT heilsound.com, USE CODE Ruinous10 Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Heil Microphones | |||
| The Check-In with Taylor Zantingh, Tyler Paterson-PISS | 16 Oct 2026 | 00:31:06 | |
Taylor Zantingh and Tyler Paterson are two founding members of PISS, a noisy, genre-bending four-piece from Vancouver, B.C. Their debut album you made me / skin on linen is due on October 30th via Sub Pop Records. Taylor and Tyler tell us how their separate disciplines combined to form PISS and why Taylor’s collage writing project informed the shape of made me / skin on linen. We learn how anonymity provided Taylor a sense of safety in her writing for the new record and why a change in Tylers approach to music helped blend the overall dynamic. Taylor tells us how she views her breath as an instrument, how she prepares for the physical damage of touring and why they recorded her vocals in a secluded camper van. Tyler and Taylor tell us why they are getting physical copies out to like-minded communities for free and we sample a couple new tunes. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. NOW! TO GET 10% OF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT heilsound.com, USE CODE Ruinous10 Mentioned in this episode: Heil Microphones Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with N8NOFACE | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:24:59 | |
N8NOFACE is a singer, musician and writer raised in Arizona, based in California. His new album Tomorrows World is due out October 16th via Stones Throw. N8 shares his experience growing up in the Sonoran Desert and how his inherent need for music and literature shaped the artist he is today. He tells how producer Dave Sitek pushed him in a new direction on Tomorrows World and why that was such a powerful experience. We learn why his approach to songwriting is to do “everything wrong” and how the different voices in his songs are a product being consumed by emotion. N8 breaks down the meaning behind the song Memories, he shares his touring set up and we sample a few new tunes. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. NOW! TO GET 10% OF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT heilsound.com, USE CODE Ruinous10 Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Heil Microphones | |||
| The Check-In with Yoni Wolf-WHY? | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:33:57 | |
Yoni Wolf is a singer, songwriter and founding member of Cincinnati based WHY? His newest album Oh Golly/Yes Lord is due out October 30th via Waterlines. Yoni shares his relationship with music as and youngster and how his dad opened his songwriting world with just a few major chords. He tells us how a reductive approached shaped the new record and why Oh Golly/Yes Lord functions as a mediation on both the future and the past. We also get some insight into to his writing process and what motivates his production style from record to record. Joe and Yoni celebrate the power of studio ambiance, Yoni tells us why a intimacy is the goal of his live performance, and we sample a couple new tunes. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. NOW! TO GET 10% OF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT heilsound.com, USE CODE Ruinous10 Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Distrokid Heil Microphones | |||
| The Check-In with Briana Hernandez-Spread Joy | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:25:23 | |
Briana Hernandez is the singer of Chicago based band Spread Joy. Their newest record III is out now via Feel It Records. We learn how Briana went from being over the idea of being in a band to becoming the lead singer of Spread Joy. She shares how the band approached the new recorded differently, why they scrapped their first attempt and why slowing down the writing process provided a freshness to III. She also shares her approach to vocal delivery and why recording live in the studio is important to the bands collective experience. We hear why the band was temporarily not able to play live shows, we get the story behind the slightly unnerving video for their single Iambic Pentameter, and we sample a couple new songs. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Schecter Guitars. For 50 years, Schecter Guitars has pushed the limits of craftsmanship, innovation, and tone—building instruments trusted by players who demand more from their sound. This milestone celebrates a legacy forged on stages and in studios worldwide, while looking boldly ahead to the next era of performance-driven design. Have your mind blown here. Schecter Guitars Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Will Schwartz and Lynn Truell-IMPERIAL TEEN | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:30:48 | |
Will Schwarz and Lynn Truell are two of the four founding members of Imperial Teen. Their newest record All Over You is due out October 9th via Merge Records. Will and Lynn tell us how supportive and caring collaboration plays a role in the bands creative process and longevity. We learn how All Over You reflects the current state affairs and why Will took a playfully pessimistic approach to his writing. The three discuss the resonating power of modular song titles like All Over You, Will and Lynn share their experience making the video for the new single Overdrive and they commiserate on the lost activity of “hanging at the mall” . Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Schecter Guitars. For 50 years, Schecter Guitars has pushed the limits of craftsmanship, innovation, and tone—building instruments trusted by players who demand more from their sound. This milestone celebrates a legacy forged on stages and in studios worldwide, while looking boldly ahead to the next era of performance-driven design. Have your mind blown here. Schecter Guitars Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Cor De Lux | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:40:34 | |
Dawn Moraga and Tim Lusk are the guitarists, singers and founding members of the Kill Devil Hills based band Cor De Lux. Their third full length and Ipecac Records debut Year Of he Horse is due out on September 18th. Tim and Dawn share their live performance focused songwriting process, the evolution of singing duties in the band and why all rehearsals begin with their version of a therapy session. Dawn tells us why her vocals come second to playing guitar in the band, how she’s controls the energy in each song and why she’s apprehensive of traditional guitar instruction. We hear why the Year of The Horse reflects their lives at a certain time, they share their experience recording with the great J. Robbins and the two give us the story behind the song Blind Smile. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Kingston is fully restocked and are rocking their Fall/Winter collection. Visit Kingston Union now. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Schecter Guitars. For 50 years, Schecter Guitars has pushed the limits of craftsmanship, innovation, and tone—building instruments trusted by players who demand more from their sound. This milestone celebrates a legacy forged on stages and in studios worldwide, while looking boldly ahead to the next era of performance-driven design. Have your mind blown here. Schecter Guitars Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Distrokid Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com | |||
| The Check-In with Corin Tucker and Tracy Sawyer-HEAVENS TO BETSY | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:22:49 | |
Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) and Tracy Sawyer (The Husbands, The Flying Tigers, The Lies) are the founding members of Heavens To Betsy. They are set to release their first project since 1994: baby’s gone, a 16-track mission statement comprising a never-before-heard demo tape originally recorded by Bratmobile’s Molly Neuman. The two tell us how it feels to get back together as both friends and bandmates after a lifetime apart and why they feel better equipped to celebrate the power of these songs and connect with their audience. We hear why they see this release as a gift and why the baby’s gone holds its relevance and fire that ignited the band. Tracy and Corin paint a picture of recording baby’s gone in an Evergreen State University classroom and we hear a new track. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Kingston Union MFG is thee place for the Wino, the classic punk rock shoe for all occasions. Visit Kingston Union now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Schecter Guitars. For 50 years, Schecter Guitars has pushed the limits of craftsmanship, innovation, and tone—building instruments trusted by players who demand more from their sound. This milestone celebrates a legacy forged on stages and in studios worldwide, while looking boldly ahead to the next era of performance-driven design. Have your mind blown here. Schecter Guitars Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Schecter Guitars Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com | |||
| The Check-In with Chris Leo-The Van Pelt | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:27:51 | |
Chris Leo is the guitarist, singer and a founding member of The Van Pelt. Their newest record Remain Obscure is out on September 18th via Earnest Jenning records. Chris and Joe discuss the 20+ year journey of The Van Pelt, why the band finds themselves consistently reuniting and the unique circumstances that brought them back together for the new record. Chris tells us how his writing has evolved into what it is today, why it’s still a process in motion and a sustainable vehicle for his expression. We learn why Chris felt he needed to leave his home state of New Jersey and why his traveling and touring experiences brought him back. The two share meaningful experiences of their early life on the road and we sample a new tune from Remain Obscure Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Kuma Coffee Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with THAO | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:37:09 | |
Thao Nguyen is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland California. Her newest record Show Me drops October 30th via Kill Rock Stars. Thao share’s her experience growing up just outside of D.C and how playing small clubs as a teenager and the preconceptions of female musicians motivated her to operate on higher level from the get-go. She tells us what brought her back to recording and touring after a 6-year break, how a desire for communion came out of a personal reckoning and why Show Me comes from a more centered perspective. The two discuss how the single Sick Of The Times come from a single and group expression, Thao shares her experience working with Nate Brenner from Tune Yards and she tells why working alongside Working Families Party is so important to her. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Kuma Coffee Distrokid | |||
| Michael Cera Revisited | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:15:45 | |
It's that time again, my annual Michael Cera episode. Yes, the first face you see when you open Netflix is Michaels from the forever giving show Arrested Development. Yes, three generations of humans understand ALL the jokes from his hit movie Superbad. And finally, yes he played the most iconic character in film history in Barbie, the most watched film in film history. But none of this helps the guy who played the most powerful bass player in the world in Scott Pilgrim recover his lost/stolen bass in real life. The world and our perspectives have changed drasticlly since so much since the Michael lost his Vox Phantom bass. It could be in attic of your newly rented Brooklyn apartment, or in the crawl space of you uncles Floridian mid-century ranch home, or most likely, for sale on your favorite dark web listing. If you've heard this ep before, please listen again to this noir tinged mystery and please, please share with at least two of your friends. Let's help Micheal solve The Case of the Missing Bass. If you have any leads, please contact the show at hello@ruinousmedia.com or call Joe directly if you have his number. Our sponsors keep this show alive, please give them a visit. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Kuma Coffee Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com | |||
| The Check In with Chelsey Hahn-Perennial | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:22:23 | |
Chelsey Hahn is a singer, organist and founding member of Perennial. They’re newest record Modernism will be released on September 18th via Earnest Jenning Record Co. Chelsey tells us how the band approached the new record and why capturing their live energy is essential to all of their recordings. She shares the band’s dual vocal and writing process, how their instrumentation allows them to maximize their performance and why playing hi-energy shows is Perennials main objective. Joe and Chelsey commiserate on the power and beauty of an All Ages community and we hear a couple new tunes. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Kuma Coffee Distrokid | |||
| The Check In with Jim Blaha-I Will Die In This Jean Jacket-The Blind Shake | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:19:25 | |
Jim Blaha is a singer, guitarist and a founding member of The Blind Shake. His debut solo effort Hang From A Cloud from his new project I Will Die In This Jean Jacket is due out August 21st via Swami Records. Jim shares how his songwriting process became the catalyst for the new record and why it steps away from the punk garage sounds of The Blind Shake. Joe and Jim commiserate on the importance of skate punk in their musical lives, Jim tells us how his vocals and lyrics have evolved and the role isolation played on the new record. The two discuss why the analog recording operates as a cohesive glue, Jim explains the meaning behind I Will Die In This Jean Jacket and we hear a new tune. I Will Die In This Jean Jacket Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Izotope Kuma Coffee Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Mallory Hawk | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:25:34 | |
Mallory Hawk is a singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia by way of Fayetteville NC. Her self-released debut record Chinook is out July 31st. Mallory shares her experience growing up in a music rich household and why she ultimately settled with guitar as her main instrument. We learn how her songwriting style has evolved for the new record, she tells us the story behind the record title and how a military upbringing influenced the concept. The two discuss Mallory's process in the studio, how this elaborate group of songs retain a cohesion as a record over all and why she was more comfortable collaborating on Chinook. Joe admits he thought he incorrectly heard a guest singer on the record and we hear two new tunes. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now. Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kuma Coffee Izotope Distrokid Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com | |||
| The Check-In with Lily Wolter-Penelope Isles | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:43:11 | |
Lily Wolter is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and along with her brother Jack, a founding member of Brighton based band, Penelope Isles. Their newest release, 3 is due out September 25th via Bella Union. Lily shares her experience growing up on the Ilse of Mann, how that shaped her relationship with music and what motivated her and her brother to start playing music together. She tells us why the band took a three-year break, what they did with that time, and why Penelope Isles feels stronger than ever. Joe and Lily discuss her story telling style, the songwriting connection that these siblings have, and how their collaboration has evolved. The two bond on video making and content creation, how breaking the fourth wall drove the concept for their newest video, and we hear some new tunes. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now. Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Kuma Coffee | |||
| The Check-In with Dent May | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:36:05 | |
Dent May is an LA based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His 7th full length record The Big One is due out August 14th via Carpark Records. Dent share’s his experience growing up in Mississippi and why his connection to music was so meaningful both as a child and in his formative years. He tells us how his production approach rides the line of maximalist and minimalist, why he chose to track live and how he wrangled his array of influences to create a unique sound for The Big One. Dent and Joe talk about the connection that artist Joe Brainard has to the single I Remember, and we hear about the efforts it took for the song to finally be make in on a record. We get a look into Dent’s mixing approach, and we hear a couple new songs. Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now. Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Mentioned in this episode: Kuma Coffee Izotope Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Distrokid | |||
| The Check In with Evil Island- Cody Votolato-Johnny Whitney | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:48:46 | |
Evil Island have announced their debut album, Terraform The Afterlife, arriving August 14 via Blowed Out Records. Born from the creative firestorm that followed The Blood Brothers' 2024 reunion tour, the record finds Johnny Whitney, Cody Votolato, Mark Gajadhar and Autry Fulbright pushing their collective chemistry into bold new territory. In this episode, Johnny and Cody explain the story behind Evil Island, how The Blood Brothers 2024 tour was the springboard for the new band and why it feels like they are operating at the height of their songwriting. The two share their views on the importance of a good producer/band relationship and why longtime friend Ross Robinson was not only a perfect fit for the record, but more like a 5th member. Johnny shares his experience of relearning to sing after a 9-year break, why he was motivated to become a singer again and why he feels like he’s reached his best singer and lyricist self. The two explain how creating uncomfortable space in the studio led to a deeper comradery, more reliance on instincts and yielded better performance. They discuss how their songwriting has developed from their younger selves, how that allows more freedom of expression, and we hear some new songs from Terraform The Afterlife. Tour Stories supported by Kingston Union who is having their Summer Slip On sale now. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 for 25% All Slip-On's. Go here Kingston Union Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Summer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now. Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Kingston Union Kingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Izotope Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Dawson Daugherty-Almost Monday | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:29:42 | |
Dawson Daugherty is a singer, songwriter and founding member of Almost Monday. Their second album Thank God It’s Almost Monday is due out September 9 via Hollywood Records and are on tour now with Young The Giant and Cold War Kids. This week Joe reports from the back of a tour bus where Dawson share’s the unique origin of Almost Monday, how surfing played a role in the formation of the band and why Dawson with inspired to delve into songwriting as a youngster. The two discuss the sophomoric pressure for the new record, how it came from extreme highs and lows for the band and why that lends to its diverse song to song sound. Dawson tells us why the lead single Leaving Is Easy is an important song for the band, he shares some insight into his writing process, and we get a sample of the newest single, Delicate. Tour Stories supported by Kingston Union who is having their Summer Slip On sale now. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 for 25% All Slip-On's. Go here Kingston Union Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Kuma Coffee | |||
| Special Episode! As Many Weirdos As Possible with Steve Manning | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:13:27 | |
This is a special episode. We would like to present As Many Weirdos As Possible, a documentary photography project honoring the Pacific Northwest music scene from 1985 to 1995. A team of photographers is capturing portraits of bartenders, musicians, engineers, journalists and others from the community, in places that tie them to their stories. Through portraits and handwritten memories, it spotlights the creators and unsung figures who shaped a movement that changed the world. In this episode we hear from Steve Manning at a Seattle Town Hall event on April 17th 2026. Steve Manning has lived everywhere cool in the PNW (Tacoma, Olympia, Seattle), is a 9+ year Sub Pop Records veteran and Joe's occasional pickleball pal. Introduction by John Roderick (Harvey Danger, Long Winters). Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Izotope Distrokid Kuma Coffee | |||
| The Check in with Bob Bert- Beach Bongo Bloodbath, Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:16:58 | |
Bob Bert is a New Jersey based drummer, writer, and punk rock veteran whose resume includes Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls and Lydia Lunch. His debut solo record Beach Bongo Bloodbath is due out June 12th via Bar None Records. Bob shares the process and inspiration behind the new record, which is largely made up of an eclectic collection of covers. We learn how a specific percussion setup shaped the record, how he chose the songs to record and why Beach Bongo Bloodbath is a guitar-free recording.The two discuss Bob’s recording process, Bob shares the details for the jam-packed record release event and we hear some new tunes. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Kuma Coffee Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Izotope | |||
| The Check-In with Melanie Radford | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:22:51 | |
Melanie Radford is a bassist, singer and songwriter based in Seattle. Her debut solo album For The Sake Of Stillness is due out June 26th via Jealous Butcher Record. Melanie shares her experience in the Boise music scene and why she shifted her playing from jazz to rock. We learn how For The Sake Of Stillness is both a personal mediation and a need for stillness and grounding. She tells us why field recordings operate as the core of the record and how they operate as a living collaborator. Joe and Melanie discuss her writing and recording process, why bass is necessary to contextualize her songwriting and how the lush ambient presence was achieved. Melanie tells us about her approach to performing the record and we hear a couple new songs. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Kuma Coffee Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Izotope | |||
| The Check-In with Beck Zegans | 29 May 2026 | 00:26:57 | |
Beck Zegans is a Queens based singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Her newest record Engraving Of Armor is out now via Exploding in Sound records. Beck tells us why Engraving Of Armor has taken her to a new level and sound in songwriting. She shares the collaborative process it took to make the new record and how arranging, mixing, and writing simultaneously shaped the overall sound. We learn how she accidently joined a ska band as a youngster, Joe and Beck discuss the art of the photobooth relay and we hear some tunes of the new record. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Kuma Coffee Izotope Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. | |||
| The Check-In with Alden Hellmuth | 22 May 2026 | 00:33:57 | |
Alden Hellmuth is a NY based saxophonist and composer. Following her acclaimed 2024 debut album Good Intentions, Hellmuth returns with the aptly titled Tether, an eight-track exploration of jazz, punk and freeform improvisation. Alden share’s the inspiration behind the new direction and sound on Tether, what it was like writing for two basses and how mixing and processing played a role on not only in the production, but the composition as well. The two discuss the significance of texture in Alden’s recordings and she unpacks the personel that contributed to Tethers ambiance. Alden tells us how she was likely “tricked” into playing the saxophone at a young age, she shares her experience of first discovering the magic of improvisational music and how she eventually steered toward free noise rockers Deerhoof and Otoboke Beaver. We get some insight into Alden’s writing and recording process and hear a couple tunes. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Kuma Coffee Izotope | |||
| The Check-In with Kevin Barnes-of Montreal | 15 May 2026 | 00:29:41 | |
Kevin Barnes is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for of Montreal. aethermead, of Montreal’s 20th studio album is due out June 5th via Polyvinyl Record Co. Kevin shares the unusual heartbreak story behind the new record, why it felt right to go with a more collaborative approach and how the invented record title relates to a very important part of his daily routine. He tells us how limited time shaped the record and brought more life than expected into the songs. The two discuss Kevin’s lyrical approach, how it can be a complicated version of projection and why that may inform the listener’s experience. Kevin tells us how he wound up teaching a course called “Songwriting Crimes and Recording Atrocities” at Bennington College, why making a music video with his daughter was a special experience and we sample a couple new tunes for aethermead. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Kuma Coffee Izotope Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Nick Thorburn-The Creem-Pear Shape | 08 May 2026 | 00:39:14 | |
Nick Thorburn is the singer and founding member The Creem, a new collaborative project with Ratatat’s guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Stroud. Their debut release The Taste of Cherry is due June 5th, with two irresistible singles Goodbye and Taste of Cherry available now. After a quick catch up from the Mister Heavenly bandmates, Nick shares the slow blossoming story behind The Creem and how it finally came to fruition. The two discuss the 70’s FM sound, how those artists we’re celebrating the Beatles in a new way and why The Creem is its own elaboration of that era. Nick tells us why starting a new band is still fun and how collaborations give him new freedoms and push him to build new skills. He shares his experience of making the new record with guitar wizard Mike Stroud, how they divvied up duties and what role the Catskills may have played on the overall vibration of the record. Finally, some breaking news, Nick tells us about his new book Pear Shape (out June 16th via Fantagrafics), shares some of the titillating themes and how it’s fruitily related to The Creem. The Creem Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Izotope Kuma Coffee Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Cold Court | 01 May 2026 | 00:29:16 | |
Mini Serrano and Jojo Lavina-Maldonado are the founding members of the Philadelphia based band Cold Court. Their debut EP Hands Up is out June 19th with lead singles Burn and Nina available now. Mini and JoJo tell us how they’re music interest and proficiency evolved from their pre-teens to now and why they are increasingly relinquishing genre mixing rules to create their own identity. We learn why Hands Up was a sonic shift for them, how it is a product of experimentation and frustration and the two un-pack the lyrics on the single Nina. We learn how the instrumentation of the band is always evolving, we hear a few tunes and Jojo and Mini hip Joe to Philly Style Pizza. \ (^_^) / Shows Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Schecter Guitars Izotope Distrokid Kuma Coffee | |||
| The Check-In with Telehealth | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:31:43 | |
Alexander Attitude and Kendra Cox are the founding members of Seattle based Telehealth. Their second full length and Sub Pop debut Green World Image will be available May 15th. Alexander and Kendra share the origin and evolution of Telehealth, how they secured an airtight record deal with Sub Pop and why the band partially functions as a coping mechanism. We learn how their pessimistic and satirical approach make’s sense of tech culture’s destruction of human culture and relieves the anxiety of a tech driven future. They unpack the structure and lyrics behind the single Things I’ve Killed; Alexander and Kendra share their writing technique and what they do when they are stuck in the process. The three discuss why backing tracks are a function practically and better performance and we hear a couple new singles from Green World Image. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global South They also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant) Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.com Episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Ep supported by Heil Sound. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Kuma Coffee Distrokid Izotope | |||
| The Check-in with Mrs Magician-Jacob Turnbloom | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:24:37 | |
Jacob Turnbloom is the singer, guitarist and founding member of Mrs. Magician. The newest record Spiritual Hangover is due out May 15th via Swami Records. Jacob tells why the new record is driven by a heftier sound, what inspired that and how the magic of The Foo Fighters Studio 606 brought it to fruition. He tells us how his song-writing perspective has evolved, what role humor plays in his lyrics and why he’s increasingly involved in the visual presentation of Mrs. Magician. The two celebrate the virtues San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill venue, Joe tells a quick tour story about The Black Heart Procession opening for The Ex and we hear a couple new tunes from Spiritual Hangover. Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Distrokid Izotope Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Evan Cartwright | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:20:13 | |
Evan Cartwright is a composer, collaborator, and drummer for the band Cola. Cola’s third LP, Cost Of Living Adjustment is due out May 8th via Fire Talk Records. Evan tells us how the band allowed themselves more time and space in the writing process for Cost Of Living Adjustment and how that contributed to the sound of the record. Joe and Evan discuss the of the newest single Conflagration Mindset, Cola’s songwriting process and Evans history with the band. The two drummers delve into the freedoms and limitations of playing with tracks, the importance of the energy in the live performance and we hear a couple new tunes. Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs. For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. | |||
| The Check-In with tofusmell | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:23:29 | |
Rae Chen is a singer, songwriter and guitarist operating under the moniker tofusmell. His debut full length album All My Time is due out April 24th via Hardly Art. Rae tells us how he grew up in Florida on the edges of both a pop punk and worship scene, and why he picked up the guitar and eventually found himself in Winnipeg. We hear how his approach to writing gives a feeling of sonic closeness, how he responded to more production on All My Time and the role ambiance plays on the new record. Joe and Rae discuss how collaboration is important to the visual side of tofusmell, why he looks forward to the “band” version of live performance and we hear the new single (me tomorrow). Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs. or 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Schecter Guitars Izotope Heil sound "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com. | |||
| The Check-In with Carla J Easton | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:25:09 | |
Carla J Easton is a Glasgow based singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. Her newest record, I Think That I Might Love You is due may 8th via Ernest Jenning Records. Carla tells us why the new record is more guitar focused than her previous releases and how it changed her view on the creative process. We learn why she in more comfortable with her lyrics and how that has has translated into a more evocative delivery on I Think That I Might Love You. Carla share’s her collaborative experience of making the record and why a more live approach captured the energy she was looking for. She explains how her brother’s advice at a young age influenced her artistic life and we sample some new tunes. Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. | |||
| The Check-In with Billy Fuller-Beak | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:22:00 | |
Billy Fuller is a song writer, bass player and founding member of the band Beak>. Billy’s debut solo album Fragments is a sonic journey that spans time as it collects fragments of Billy creating alone in his home studio over the last few years. The songs not only inspire the visual, but they hypnotize, pulse and guide the listener through a hazy, atmospheric, and groovy motorik landscape. Fragments is available April 3rd via Invada Records, with two singles out now. Billy tells us how this record came to fruition, and he shares his process for compiling the songs, which were selected from a pool of 60+ pieces. He tells us why Fragments is a great example of Billy enjoying himself, we learn what his main goals in songwriting are, and he shares his approach to tracking songs. Joe and Billy discuss the making of the video for the single Three Blind Mice, Billy tells us why he celebrates owning the sole responsibility for the success of Fragments and Joe hedges on his usual critique of Billy’s artistic output. Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Izotope Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor-BACH ARTILLERIE | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:49:04 | |
Bach Artillerie is made up of multi-instrumental wizards Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) and Curt Sydnor. This absurdist take on the nine canons from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations and his Brandenburg concerto no. 5. will be released on April 24th via Ernest Jenning Records. We get a unique perspective from both Greg and Curt not only on Bach’s musicality, but his work ethic, the root of his dissonance and why Bach has a grounding influence on their own music creation. They discuss how a Lutheran work ethic relates to music making today and why being less productive may be better for our species in general. Greg and Curt explain why it’s important to “play tempo to the room”, they share their experience of making the record in one day and the three discuss why AI is more of an indication of a lack of trust rather than a lack of competence. Curt tells us how a re-arrangement of a Deerhoof song brought he and Greg together, we hear a new tune and somehow the topic of The Red Hot Chili Peppers sneaks into the conversation. Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos. | |||
| The Check-In with Alex Edkins-Weird Nightmare | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:24:47 | |
Alex Edkins is a singer, song writer and guitarist for Weird Nightmare, Noble Rot and Metz. The newest Weird Nightmare album Hoopla is out May 1 via Sup Pop Records and is the quintessence of power pop punk rock and roll. Alex tells us why the new record leans into a more direct and fun approach and where his love for power pop began. We learn how his lyrics have moved to a more personal delivery and why Hoopla is in many ways a sentimental and reminiscent journey. Alex share’s how his song writing and level of effort for Weird Nightmare differs from the dissonant riffage of Metz and why he sees Hoopla as an overall serendipitous experience. Joe and Alex share their love for producer Jim Eno, discuss the “twofer” nature of the Hoopla and we sample a couple new tunes. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.
Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Izotope Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Austin Brose-The Nude Party | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:29:20 | |
Austin Brose is the percussionist, drummer, and a founding member of The Nude Party. Their newest record, Look Who’s Back” is out now just ahead of an extensive North American tour. Austin shares the origin of The Nude Party, the inseparable and nomadic nature of the group and why he thinks learning to play their instruments together has forged a healthy evolution of song writing. He tells us why the band landed in Joshua Tree to make the new record, how 70’s NYC and glam rock may have seeped into some of the recording, and he shares a wild and shirtless studio moment. The two drummers dig into Austin’s approach to tracking percussion and his experience of moving to the drum kit after 10 years as the percussionist. Austin hips Joe to a performance of the national anthem on congas and we hear a couple bangers from Look Who’s Back. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Our newest sponsor Kingston Union YOUR store for the legendary Winos. Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Grrl Gang | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:25:16 | |
Formed in Yogyakarta, based in Jakarta, Grrl Gang is an Indonesian indie pop band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Angee Sentana, bassist/vocalist Akbar Rumandung, and guitarist/vocalist Edo Alventa. Their newest maxi-single release Online 24/7 is out now via Green Island Music. Angee and Akbar share the origin of the band and how The Stone Roses not only changed Akbar’s life but played a role in the formation of the Grrl Gang. Angee tells us why her approach to the new songs is more direct and how their fans influenced this approach. She explains why she wanted to address the subject of femicide on the song O, My Love and why it was important to come from an empathetic perspective. The three discuss touring in Southeast Asia, the “guitarist personality” and we sample a few tunes from Online 24/7. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Kingston Union YOUR store for the legendary Winos Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Asher White | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:40:34 | |
Asher White is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC. Her newest release, Jessica Pratt, is a full album cover of Jessica Pratt’s self-titled debut LP (out now on Joyful Noise). Asher share’s her love for the Pratt record, the motivation behind covering an entire record and how the kernel of this idea may have stemmed from a tiny fib. She explains why the recording already written songs was both challenging and fun, how that changed her approach and how trust in someone else’s writing played a role in the process. Asher tells us how she deals with noise and ambiance in her songwriting, why drums are the typically the last instrument on her recordings and Joe and Asher discuss the beauty of the “family computer”. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with James Petralli-WHITE DENIM (13) | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:32:10 | |
James Petralli is the singer, songwriter and founding member of the now Los Angeles based band, White Denim. The newest release 13 will hit the streets on April 24th via Bella Union. Second time guest Petralli share’s the thoughtful and sonically aggressive nature behind the new record and how it relates to his personal experience his community and the state of affairs in the US. The two discuss James’s approach to recording and his adherence to a collective process. They share thoughts on the band Geese, idiosyncratic songwriting, and creative integrity. Joe and James express their love for Italy, doodles and we get a taste of the newest, rip roaring, hard funk blues single, (God Created) Lock And Key. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs
Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Andrew Becker-Human Potential | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:39:20 | |
Andrew Becker is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and founder Human Potential. The newest release Eel Sparkles in out on March 6th via What Delicate Recordings. Andrew tells us how band dynamic drove him start his solo project and why he puts music before self in his expression. He shares his approach to learning other instruments outside of drumming and why he dedicated himself to the craft of song writing. Joe and Andrew commiserate on the life changing power of the Bad Brains record Rock For Light, Charles Hayward’s (This Heat) drumming iconic drumming style and we sample some tunes from Eel Sparkles. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Izotope Distrokid | |||
| Special Episode. Zak Sally and the Minneapolis response to the ICE invasion. | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:36:37 | |
Zak Sally, a Minneapolis resident, talks with Joe about the unwarranted and ill planned ICE invasion of his city that resulted in the murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Read Zak's thoughts on the ICE invasion here. Zak Sally Zak's music here. The Hand Mentioned in this episode: Distrokid Izotope Schecter Guitars | |||
| Welcome PUNK THIS WEEK with Nina Corcoran and Evan Minsker | 23 Jan 2026 | 01:37:55 | |
Joe drops the newest episode of PUNK THIS WEEK and sneaks onto the show to welcome Nina and Even to the Ruinous Podcast Network. "As of this moment, our podcast has joined Ruinous Media! We get a check-in from our new pod father Joe Plummer (Tour Stories, The Check-In) before we even had a chance to sweep up all the crumbs from our conversation about Wheatsville popcorn tofu, Jet’s turbo crust, and Cel-Ray. Discussed this week are excellent new records from DBR, Gylt, Teini-Pää, Rifle, Poor Girl, and Fuckin’ Warheads. Thanks to Ruinous Media for their network support. Thanks to Baby Tyler Band for use of our theme song “Needs” off their self-titled album. Thanks to Waylon Thornton for the bumpers. Thanks to Tyler Nickell for the podcast’s artwork. Find Punk This Week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and on any podcatcher via this RSS link. Find Nina Corcoran on Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter; find see/saw on Instagram and Bluesky. Have a question you’d like to hear addressed on the show? Want to talk about a new record we didn’t discuss? Want to send a HARD PIVOT bumper? Join us on the see/saw Discord or email us: see-saw@see-saw.fun. Punk This Week is made possible by see/saw subscribers; please consider a subscription if you enjoy this podcast. You’ll learn about way more punk records than we can pack into the pod!" This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Louis Bradshaw-Plantoid | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:24:56 | |
Louis Bradshaw is the drummer and a founding member of Brighton based band Plantoid. They’re second full-length album Flare is set to be released on January 30 via Bella Union records. Louis tells us how the new record quickly slipped from a writing session to a recording session on the edge of the Welsh national park, Snowdoina. We learn why the band pivoted from a live recording approach to a more intentional slowed down and thoughtful process.The two discuss the role of repetition on the new songs and how that created a platform for a more emotive expression. The two drummers successfully avoid talking about drums the entire episode and we hear a few new tune. This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories.GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Schecter Guitars | |||
| Nate Mendel from the Foo Fighters: Live Nude Guys | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:14:51 | |
Nate Mendel is the bass player of the Foo Fighters. He cut his teeth in the Northwest punk rock scene touring and recording with Diddly Squat, Christ On A Crutch and Sunny Day Real Estate, to name a few. In this episode Nate shares the curious history of nudity in his rock n roll career. Music by Nate Mendel, Lieutenant, and Joe Plummer. https://lieutenantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/if-i-kill-this-thing-were-all-going-to-eat-for-a-week This episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 Now! 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout. Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now has Banzoogle, where you can build your website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid Companies mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| Jim Fairchild and Joe announce the new All Smiles record! Skate Videos From Memory | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:33:35 | |
Today we celebrate the release of the new All Smiles record Skate Videos From Memory (out January 6). Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy, Modest Mouse) and Joe discuss the visual inspiration behind the record and how skate videos shaped the sound. They talk about the impact that skate culture has had on not only their own music, but their general mindset and approach to life. We learn why the new record is a prayer to the universe, why Jim and Joe are celebrating more reflexive music and they muse on why rock music maybe be taking a less cerebral turn. The two highlight their favorite skate videos, Jim shares a fanboy moment, and we hear some songs for the new record. SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs. Tour Stories is sponsored by Built In Sun and Kingston Union Mentioned in this episode: Schecter Guitars Distrokid Izotope | |||
| The Check-In with Sari Jordan | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:31:31 | |
Sari Jordan is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in New Orleans. Their debut album Perfect Be The Enemy is due out May 2026 with the video and lead single Freak hitting the streets on January 9th. Sari tells us how New Orleans has shaped and nourished their musical life and why it’s a healthy and challenging scene. Sari shares how their approach to recording has changed from the previous EP, why the new record comes from a place of both lightness and existential contradiction and how the single Freak is a celebration of a win as a transgender person. Joe and Sari discuss the distinct neighborhood music scenes in New Orleans, the importance of working out songs live before recording them and we get a sneak peek of Freak. Threadheads Cultural Foundation SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs. Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Distrokid Schecter Guitars | |||
| The Check-In with Memorials | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:32:47 | |
MEMORIALS is Verity Susman (Electrelane) and Matthew Simms (Wire, Better Corners, It Hugs Back, Uuuu, Fitted). Their newest single In The Weeds is out now via Fire Records. This is their first release since the acclaimed debut album, Memorial Waterslides. The duo tell us how both film scoring and the band Sterolab brought them together and why the formation was an accident in reverse. Verity and Matthew share how their recording approach has changed and how physical space and concision play a role on the new recordings. They discuss the beauty of imperfect instruments verses digital tools and what’s right about the wrong way of creating. We learn why their lyrics don’t always come from a preconceived idea, how they translate their songs into the live performance, and we dip our ears in the new single. SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs. Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Jamie Chellar-congratulations | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:26:26 | |
Jamie Cheller is a founding member and guitarist of Brighton based indie dance rockers, congratulations. They will release their debut album Join Hands on February 13th, 2026, via Bella Union. Jaime shares the story behind the formation of congratulations, why musicianship is important to them and how a combination of experimental music and 80’s rock energy seeped into their overall sound and delivery. Jamie tells us why the band walks the line of seriousness and humor and how that plays a role in the collaborative nature of the band. Joe and Jamie discuss the production behind Join Hands, how it was to work with friend/producer ICEBEING (Luke Phillips) and why Jamie feels like Join Hands is the bands best work yet. The two commiserate on Deerhoof, the importance of “moving butts” and why the new record is best heard LOUD. SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs.
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| The Check-In with Will Epstein | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:41:15 | |
Will Epstein is a composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist based in Woodstock NY. His newest release, Yeah, mostly (out January 9th via Fat Possum Records) takes a turn from his avant-guard and soundscape tendencies and very comfortably settles into a more traditional form of song writing and direct lyricism, but retains the sonic intrigue of his earlier work. Will shares his experience of growing up in an artistic atmosphere in NYC, how that shaped his expression over the years and how he found himself playing saxophone for a member of the Velvet Underground as a youngster. Will tells us why Yeah, mostly has helped him find his lyrical language, how the recording process freed him up creatively and why he thinks more direct and literal lyrics can bring the listener into reality in a psychedelic way. Joe and Will discuss the fruitfulness of the “song a day” exercise, their love for costume dramas and how Will heard John Coltrane in Animal Collective. Will tells us why laughter can be an indication of his best work and we hear some new tunes. Will Epstein SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||
| The Check-In with Thalia Zedek-VIA-Come-UZI-Live Skull-E | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:21:38 | |
Thalia Zedek is a guitarist and singer based in Boston. Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, she has joined and or been a founding member of several influential rock bands including Live Skull, UZI, and Come. She continues to record and tour with her solo project Thalia Zedek Band and E. Recently her mid 80’s band Via, a short-lived project with members of Nuclear Theater, Six Finger Satellite, UZI and Cell, have released their long lost self-titled EP, available now via Dromedary Records. Thalia and Joe discuss the origin of Via, why the project didn’t continue beyond two shows and one recording session, and Thalia paints us a picture of a hustling mid 80’s NY punk scene. Thalia shares share’s her experience growing up in a DC music scene and how Patti Smith and other woman forward DIY bands inspired her to play music. We get a peek into the one and only Via recording session, hear a few tunes from the new release and Thalia tells the story of how she wound up singing for Live Skull. SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments . Lovingly, Joe Please visit and support Izotope and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts. Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now! Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Mentioned in this episode: Izotope Schecter Guitars Distrokid | |||