Talkin‘ the Talk With Don

This is the 2nd time I've interviewed guitarist Maggie Geeslin and guitarist/vocalist Grace "GEP" Repasky.  I have been a fan of them ever since meeting Maggie's mother very fatefully doing, of all things, JURY DUTY.  This story never gets old.  Anyway, Maggie's mom and I were talking while serving jury duty, I told her I was a music writer, and she said, "You need to hear my daughter's band."  From there, I became a HUGE Lunar Vacation fan with a whopping 3 shows under my belt now! 2024 saw Lunar Vacation releasing their 2nd full length album Everything Matters, Everything's Fire which, in my opinion is their best stuff to date.  I had a great time talking to Maggie and Gep about everything, and I really mean, EVERYTHING.  Life on the road, Bob Weir's wicked workout regiment, and killer ideas for merch are just a few things we gabbed about and I had an absolute blast.  These two are hands down two of my favorite people to interview and it's always a great time.  CHECK OUT THEIR NEW ALBUM HERE

If you were alive in the '90s, you undoubtedly heard a Collective Soul song or two. "Shine" dominated MTV and radio and was followed by a string of hits such as "The World I Know," "December," and "Precious Declaration" just to name a few. Collective Soul had a busy summer on tour with Hootie and the Blowfish and Edwin McCain and recently embarked on their own headlining tour. During a brief break from the insanity, i had a great chat with Collective Soul bassist/founding member Will Turpin. We talked about the bands 30 year career, what it was like being a musician in Atlanta in the '90s, and we bonded over drinking at Applebees in Stockbridge, GA which, believe it or not, was the hoppin' place for Southside rats like myself on a Tuesday night!

I have interviewed musicians of may different genres: pop, alternative, classic rock, psych rock, jazz, blues, etc.  I have also interviewed an author, a b-rate horror movie actress, and a tour manager but never a comedian... until now.  One evening while aimlessly scrolling through TikTok after taking my evening edible, I stumbled upon some videos from LA comedian Emily Vokal.  Emily is an up and coming comedian and she is definitely on her way up.  Her materials is witty, self-deprecating (sometimes we have to make fun of ourselves, I know I do.), and observant of the world around her.  Being on her own in LA, working hard to make a mark on the world of stand up comedy, Emily is putting the work into it and it shows.  It was a great time talking with her about her journey as a comedian, mental health in comedy, and other awesome shit.  Enjoy this one.  I know I did.

I have been a huge fan of the songwriting husband/wife duo Mat and Maria Fowler since first hearing their previous band Galley Beggar back in 2015.  After the release of their 2017 album Heathen Hymns, I finally stalked Mat and Maria out and managed to get Maria to be a guest on my podcast.  Since then, we have become very good friends and watching them grow as humans and as artists has been an honor.  Galley Beggar called it a day in 2022 but Mat and Maria aren't ones to just lay down and rest it out.  They returned in 2023 with a new band called Guillotine Spring and this year they released their debut album Ecolision which is hands down one of my favorites of 2024.  I caught Mat and Maria shortly after they put their kids to bed and we had a long distance wine date and talked about the new album, the future of Guillotine Spring, and Maria and I bonded over our love for Wilhelmina Cunk (Cunk on Earth.)  I hope y'all enjoy this one as much as I did!

Poison, Mother Head's Family Reunion, Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, Smith/Kotzen, and highly regarded and iconic solo artist.  Exhausted yet?  Being in ONE band was enough to wear me down but for Richie Kotzen, wearing many different hats and staying busy is what he does.  Richie recently released a new song called "Cheap Shots" and it's classic Richie.  Soulful, gritty, and full of 'tude, "Cheap Shots" is a testament to the fact that he is nowhere near being done.  This was my 2nd time talking to Richie and he's a great human being and a great conversationalist.  We bonded over our love for Dobermans and also talked about the new song and why it's just better to not know the story behind a song and to create you own narrative for it.   Once again, a great talk with Richie Kotzen and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Enjoy, y'all.

One of the things I love the most about being a music journalist is that there is no end to the absolutely amazing music that I cross paths with from time to time.  While I do see and hear a lot of crap, every now and then an artist stands out from the pack and grabs my full attention.  This was the case with Dutch vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer Kati Ran.  Kati Ran performs an eclectic genre of music that pulls from her ancient Nordic roots using instruments such as  Swedish nyckelharpa, moraharpa, hammered dulcimer, Norwegian Kraviklyra, bone flutes and overtone whistles, hurre, shells, primal percussive textures and skin-drums and vocalizes mystical ‘characters’ and powerful emotions. Kati was gracious enough to take the time to talk with me about her forthcoming album SÁLA’ which is her first release since 2015's Lys.  We talked about the spiritual and emotional connection to this style of music as well as the sensual yet primal elements to the music used to evoke emotions of solace, discomfort, and tension (sometimes all at the same time.)  Kati was amazing and I hope you all will dig getting to know more about Kati Ran and her spectacular talents. Enjoy, y'all.

As of 2024, folksinger/songwriter Dorian Sorriaux has been kicking it on his own as a solo act since parting ways with Swedish rockers Blues Pills (who hate me by the way, but that's a different story) in 2018.  Since then, he released his debut EP Hungry Ghost, toured all over Europe doing festivals and supporting Alter Bridge/Slash vocalist Myles Kennedy.   In 2023 he signed with The Sign Records and this year released his full-length album Children of the Moon.  This was the 2nd time having Dorian on my podcast and he's a fantastic human being to talk with.  I hope you'll enjoy hearing us bond over our love of folk music, songwriting, and more folk music! Enjoy, y'all!

The first time I heard Whitesnake in 1987 I became obsessed.  I loved everything about that band but after seeing them live in 1988, that's what pushed it over the top for me.  I was so captivated by guitarist Adrian Vandenberg that he quickly became one of my guitar heroes.  From there, I dove headfirst into the discography of his solo band Vandenberg and that just solidified his place as one of my favorite guitar players ever.  In 2024, Adrian and his new Vandenberg lineup hit the road with former Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate for an extensive Spring tour of North America.  This was his first tour of North America since the 1990 Whitesnake tour so this was a truly exciting time for me.  Who would've thought that at the age of 50 I would be having a conversation with Adrian Vandenberg?  Adrian is an amazing guy and much like us music dorks could talk about music all day.  His passion for the Allman Brothers, classic blues, and soul music was such a great thing to hear him talk about.  Adrian was such a joy to talk to and this was without a doubt one of my absolute favorite interviews.  I hope you dig it and then go check out the new Vandenberg album, Sin.

Living in a city that has the highest number of shitty bands per capita than any other city in the US can be a real drag.  Atlanta is a city full of bands and musicians that have underwhelmed me to the point of no return but there are a few exceptions to that.  One of those exceptions is that outstanding band Rae and the Ragdolls.  Rae and the Ragdolls are a band of young hippie misfits with old souls and a sound as classic yet fresh as the ‘60s and ‘70s bands that inspire them.  Rae and the Ragdolls pull from influences such as the Grateful Dead, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and Jefferson Airplane.  Just don’t go trying to compare lead vocalist  Natasha “Rae” Wermers to Stevie Nicks.  Rae and the Ragdolls are something very new yet very familiar.  They are a band that I very much needed to hear and I’m so glad I stumbled upon them.  I had the pleasure of talking with vocalist Natasha “Rae” Wermers and guitarist Will Bennett and they were so much fun to chat with.  We talked about their love of the Grateful Dead and jam bands, why playing live is where it’s at for them, and just how a bunch of youngins got into playing the fantastic music that the make! Enjoy, y’all!

In 1996, I heard a song by a band called Dog's Eye View called "Everything Falls Apart" and not only did it become a favorite song of mine, I connected to it on a very personal level (sadly).  Lead by singer/songwriter Peter Stuart, Dog's Eye View became a favorite band of mine that would be a huge part of the soundtrack of my life for 27 years and counting.  After the release of their 1997 album Daisy, Peter Stuart and Dog's Eye View sadly were dropped from their label and after releasing a couple of independent releases, Peter Stuart dropped out of the Public Eye's View (see what I did there) and found a new a life outside of music, and lived a happy, fruitful life...  until I reached out to him and hounded him to do an interview! I was so ecstatic that Peter actually agreed to do an interview with me and he was equally as into it as I was as we talked about the Dog's Eye View years, his feelings about the music industry, and life in general after Dog's Eye View.  This was a total bucket list interview for me and I am so grateful to Peter for taking so much time to talk, laugh, and reminisce on the good ol' days!  Enjoy, y'all.

Back in 2011, a good friend of mine who was working at the record label Nuclear Blast called me up.  I knew it was something super important if she was calling me.  When I picked up, without hesitation, she said, “Don!  I just heard your new favorite band.  They’re called Graveyard and their new album is called Hisingen Blues.”  After the first listen of the album, I knew she was right.  This was a band that was doing something unlike I’d ever heard and I loved it.  Twelve years later, here I am, still a massive Graveyard fan and geeking out over their latest (and best) album, 6. It has been nothing less than surreal to watch Graveyard grow from a new band to a band that is now being considered influential and fathers of their movement.  I had the pleasure of once again speaking with guitarist Jonatan Larocca-Ramm and it was great to talk to as always.  We touched on the writing process during the Covid-19 pandemic, not taking things for granted, and the growing, strengthening bond between the members of the band.  Enjoy, y’all!

I can honestly tell you that I don't think I have ever interviewed a "competitor" before!  Honestly, Keefy isn't a competitor at all.  He is a friend and a fellow music writer with the long running Ghost Cult Magazine.  For over a decade, Ghost Cult Magazine has been an incredible source for hard rock/metal reviews, interviews, and editorials.  These days, Ghost Cult Magazine's web and social media presence has earned them a reputation of being a great outlet and their weekly recap videos featuring Keefy himself is yet another way to connect and reach their audience.   Keefy was really awesome to talk to and I can tell you now that this isn't the last time.  There was so much to talk about that even in an hour I barely touched on 1/3 of the things I wanted to talk about.  Hope you enjoy this interview talking with a fellow music writer and please head over to www.ghostcultmagazine.com to check them out!

After 22 years as the drummer for the Black Crowes, Steve Gorman's creative life is nowhere near over.  Since parting ways with the Black Crowes in 2015, Gorman has kept himself busy.   The Steve Gorman Sports podcast, Steve Gorman Rocks!, his talk show on Westwood One as well as his bands Trigger Hippy and his newest band, Bag Men featuring North Mississippi All-Stars' Luther Dickinson and long time friend and Trigger Hippy bassist/songwriter Nick Govrik.   Being a fan of Gorman since 1990, it was a real treat to get to talk to one of my favorite drummers.  We talked a little about the Black Crowes and his style of drumming.  We talked out the outstanding post-Crowes bands Trigger Hippy and Bag Men, and life in general.  Steve was an outstanding guest and I had so much fun talking to this guy.   Enjoy, y'all!

Styx has been a long time favorite of mine since I was a kid listening to my Dad play The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight on our living room stereo.  Even though he's been singing and playing keys for Styx for nearly half their career, Lawrence Gowan is totally fine being called the "new guy."  This was our fourth time talking and we never seem to run out of things to talk about.  The mouth of the south and the mouth of the Great White North join forces and talk about all kinds of awesome shit like the stellar new Styx album Crash of the Crown, touring life after Covid, and how the pandemic made Styx's bond with their fans and with each other stronger than ever.    Enjoy, y'all!

Back in 2001 or so, I was in shitty club in Charlotte, NC to see a little band that was about to break huge called Train.  Their opening act that night was a brand new act called Five For Fighting.  I had never heard one chord from them but after their powerful 45 minute set, I had the shirt, the CD, and a new band that I loved.  Like many fans of music, sometime after their 2006 release Two Lights I lost touch with them.  After hearing Ondrasik's 2022 song for the Ukrainian people, "Can One Man Save the World," my interest and love for his songwriting was rekindled.  Getting the chance to talk to John Ondrasik was a real treat and he couldn't have been a sweeter, kinder person.  We bonded over our love of good ol' classic rock, the art of songwriting, and our mutual admiration of the Laurel Canyon folk scene of the '60s and '70s.  Enjoy, y'all!

At 34 years of age, guitarist/songwriter Nili Brosh has lived the life of 10 guitarists.  Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2009, Nili has performed with legends in the truest since of the word.  Shrapnel guitar legend Tony MacAlpine, former Nevermore and current Arch Enemy guitarist Jeff Loomis, drummer Marco Minneman, and bassist Stu Hamm just to name a few. Nili has also been a part of Danny Elfman's band, the guitarist for Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson ONE, and as part of the cartoon based metal gods, Dethklok.  Obviously, Nili is a VERY busy person and I was lucky enough that she took the time out of her busy schedule to talk to a dreg like myself.  Nili is a kind, funny, and super talented person and I loved talking to her about why sometimes being called a "shredder" can be annoying, how being called a "female guitarist" is also not a term of endearment, and other things.  To check out more on Nili, head to hear website www.nilibrosh.com Enjoy, y'all.

Since I first heard them in 1992, Ugly Kid Joe has been a favorite band of mine.  Regardless of the shit I got from friends and others about my fandom for UKJ, much like them, I lived unapologetically as a lifelong fan from beginning until, well, now.  2022 saw Ugly Kid Joe releasing their stellar seventh album, Rad Wings of Destiny and just when I thought shit couldn’t get any better, Ugly Kid Joe announced their first North American tour in nearly 27 years.  The minute they went on sale, I threw my money at Ticketmaster without any ifs, ands, or butts. Ugly Kid Joe isn’t a big “press band” and haven’t been so in a many years so when I had the opportunity to speak with founding guitarist Klaus Eichstadt, I was ecstatic.  For over an hour, Klaus and I discussed his love of AC/DC, his Mock N’ Roll t-shirt biz featuring parody metal band logos (etc. Lizzo written in the Ozzy logo), and our fascination with runaway truck ramps.  This interview was about as random as you can fucking imagine and honestly, I loved every minute of it as this was in my top 10 favorite interviews without a doubt.  Enjoy y’all! Check out Mock N' Roll shirts at www.mocknroll.com

One of the many reasons I love doing interviews is the sheer unpredictability of it all.  When I got asked to interview Amber Doig-Thorne, all I said was "Sign me up."  I mean, how could I possibly pass on the opportunity to talk to my first actor ever who also is the star of "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey."  ... and yes.  It really is a truly awesome as the title would make you think so.  Amber was so much fun to talk to as we discussed things like, her epic "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey" movie, her upcoming projects, our mutual admiration about stories from our childhood becoming horror films (Amber, don't forget about The Smurfs.), and bonding over both of us being neurodivergent. I hope y'all get a kick out of this one.  It was a blast and after this, go watch Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey!

Billy Sheehan is a living legend when it comes to hard rock music.  He broke into the mainstream as the bassist for David Lee Roth, experienced huge commercial success with the band Mr. Big and now he is letting it all loose with the progressive hard rock supergroup, Winery Dogs.  I had a great time talking to Billy about what he hates about interviews (luckily not this one), his excitement about the new Winery Dogs album and tour, and his extreme fandom of all things King Crimson.  Billy was a truly awesome guy and I hope you all will dig this one! Enjoy, y'all!

I didn't discover Hanoi Rocks until around 1986-87 or so but once I did, they became a huge favorite of mine.  It's hard to believe that it has already been 40 years since the release of Hanoi Rocks' sophomore album, Oriental Beat.  2023 doesn't just see Oriental Beat turning 40, we will see a much anticipated re-mix (or re(al)-mix as the band calls it) and for the first time nearly 30 years will see a vinyl release via Finnish label Svart Records.  I had the honor of talking to legendary Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe about the re(al)-mix release of Oriental Beat as well as his 60th birthday concert that featured a reunion with the original Hanoi Rocks featuring original drummer Gyp Casino.  We also talked about what it is that keeps him going and other cool stuff.  Enjoy, y'all!