Rock Paper Podcast

Garrett Rongey returns!! My good buddy Garrett joins me this week to talk about some of what he's been up to, some spooky stories, movies, writing songs & expecting a new addition to the family! We also talk about good friend Dana Michael Anderson and how much we miss him. We talk about Garrett's work with his band Nick Gusman & The Coyotes and he recently recorded on the upcoming Poor Dirty Astronauts album. We also played a couple new songs live acoustic for you! On this episode you'll hear: Nick Gusman & The Coyotes "Trucker" "30 Ton Freight" "Bad Luck" "3 DUIs" (Dana Michael Anderson cover) See Garrett LIVE: April 9 at Venice Cafe with Igor Death 9p. This is Garrett & Maggie's Diaper Party so if you'd like to help they'd appreciate anything to help with their new little one. Be sure to check out Nick Gusman & The Coyotes on FB, IG & YouTube. Listen wherever you get your digital music!

I caught up with the guys of Surtsey recently at their band practice. We had a lot of fun taking a deep dive into some of their history as a group, first CDs, the early days of playing shows in the Mall at Hot Topics to recording some of brand new music. We also did a stripped down live take on their new single "Coast" for today's show! On this episode you'll hear: Coast (Live) Limerence (debut!) See them LIVE 3/19 Abbey Espresso Bar in Belleville, IL Find more from Surtsey on FB, IG & YouTube. Be sure to follow along wherever you get your digital music!

I sat down with the guys of A Brighter Side a bit ago at Atomic. They recently released their debut EP to the world and we deep dive into some of the songs & talk about recording with the great Nathan Hershey. On this episode you'll hear: Live It Long Metaphors Sing-A-Long Find more from A Brighter Side wherever you get your digital music! Follow along with them on FB, IG & TikTok. See them LIVE: March 13 at Atomic (St.Louis, MO) for Summer Camp: On The Road with Spillie Nelson, Subplay, Stacks, Modern Pasta, & Stymulation March 20 at John Brown's On The Square (Marion, IL) March 27 at Pop's Nightclub (Sauget, IL) for Road To Pointfest with Facing Infamy, Alex Petraborg, Party Hat Club, Brave New World, Trevor May & The Nomads and Time Kure.

Singer songwriter Justin Rose joins me for a brand new episode! I had a lot of fun sitting down with Justin at Mighty Kind in St.Louis, MO. We took a deep dive into some of his early days with the guitar and songwriting, forming his band, their debut 2025 SEARCHING EP, old school hip hop & much much more. Justin brought along his acoustic and played a couple live solo as well! Be sure to check out SEARCHING wherever you get your digital music! On this episode you'll hear: Searching (Acoustic) Summer Rain Chaos of You (Acoustic) Follow along with Justin Rose & The Green Thumbs @JustinRoseSTL on your FB, IG, Tik Tok & YouTube. See him LIVE: Jan 23 & Jan 24 at Atomic in St.Louis, MO for Shady Grove with The Hillbenders, The Spooklights, One Way Traffic, Hunter Peebles & The Moonlighters, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Sam & Sam's Wonderband, Gerard Erker & Friends, Fleetwood & Family, Justin Rose & The Green Thumbs and more! Justin will be with One Way Traffic on Friday Jan 23 and The Green Thumbs on Saturday Jan 24th. Tickets at TicketWeb.com Justin also hosts a songwriter series STL Unplugged every third Thursday at Pop's Blue Moon. Next up on Feb 19 will be Josh Whitt & Tim Bearden! Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

The Last Stanza joins me on today's show!! I caught up with them at their rehearsal space to get to know a little more about the band. We deep dive into their upcoming album DECADES APART that is due out February 2026! We talk about working in the studio with engineer Jason McEntire (Sawhorse Studio) & inviting Moon Valjean (Story Of The Year/Goldfinger/Greek Fire) to help produce the album. Hear a preview of the new album including a live acoustic tune & a world premiere of their next single! See them LIVE: 12/6 Bennie's Pizza Pub in Belleville, IL 2/6 Road to Pointfest at Pop's Sauget, IL On this episode you'll hear: Midnight Brakelight Don't Look Down (Live Acoustic) All Over Now (World Premiere) "All Over Now" hits streaming on 12/5. Keep an eye out for the music video! Follow along with The Last Stanza on FB, IG, TikTok & YouTube. Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or click PLAY

A while back I linked up with Dave Henson online and had been following along for a while. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with him and get to know him a little better. We deep dive into his story including his journey to Nashville and becoming a songwriter. He shares some stories behind a few of his songs from his latest FULL-TIME FAMILY MAN EP and play live acoustic! On this episode you'll hear: Our Kinda Lovin (Live Acoustic) That Damn Song (Live Acoustic) I'm Doing Well Find more from Dave Henson wherever you get your digital music! Follow along with him on FB, IG, YouTube & TikTok. See him LIVE 10/4 Saturday at Harmonie Verein in Augusta, MO in a songwriter's round with Shena Persons, Mike Heeter & Justin Collie. FREE show! TheHarmonie.org  

A while back I had the opportunity to sit with Mike Landau (Phat Buddha Productions) and Joe Hess (formerly of KDHX & Riverfront Times). I've been a fan of there work for a long time but I finally had a chance to sit and talk with them about some of their work in St. Louis music including their latest adventure Free 4 All.  Join us Sept 6th & 7th in St. Louis, MO in the Grand Center as 100 musical acts will be performing for the inagural Free 4 All! Free4AllSTL.com for full listing, locations & schedule! Free event & all ages.   

This week I caught up with Scotty And The Future! We talk about some of the groups history, their upcoming show, brand new songs, stories behind the songs & much more.  On this episode you'll hear: Drinking Solution Best Is Yet To Come Lonely Drinks See them LIVE: 8/2 at Blueberry Hill Duck Room with Lousy With Coyotes Find more by following along on FB, IG, YouTube & ScottyAndTheFuture.bandcamp.com  

Tom Blood Jr returns to the show! Tom has appeared on the show with his band Jesus Christ Supercar but he recently put out his debut solo album NEVER LET YOU GO. We sit down to talk all about it along with some of the stories that led us to this new album.  On this episode you'll hear: "Never Let You Go" (Live Acoustic) "Which Way To Run" "What Its Like" (Live Acoustic) Find more from Tom Blood Jr wherever you get your digital music. Follow along with him on FB, IG, YouTube & Bandcamp.  See Tom LIVE 7/25 Jesus Christ Supercar EP Release Show at Old Rock House 9/13 Tom Blood Jr Album Release Party with Hi Lo Buffalo & Blinded By Stereo at The Heavy Anchor Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

Paul Niehaus IV returns! Paul just released his 2nd full length album titled SHORT STORY LONG and dropped by to talk all about it. We deep dive into the songs, stories behind some of the songs, the all star cast of people that helped make it possible and play a couple live acoustic.  On this episode you'll hear: Disco Ball Linger In Our Love (Live) I Gotta Find A Way Baby Spirit Bury Me (Live) Paul Niehaus IV's SHORT STORY LONG is now available wherever you get your digital music! Be sure to follow along on FB, IG & YouTube for more. See him LIVE 7/3 Red Fish Blue Fish in St.Charles, MO Open Mic 7/5 Blumenhof Winery 2-5 Washington, MO Washmo Blues Fest 7/10 Pickin On The Picnic at Lost Hill Lake St.Clair, MO with Eddie 9V 7/11 The Hi-Hat Lounge St.Louis, MO 7/12 Rachel's Sidebar Belleville, IL  

This week I caught up with Nashville based singer songwriter Tom Morrow as he was home visiting in St. Louis. We talk about what he's been up to in Nashville from touring with Iam Tongi & Chase Matthew to recording his debut EP. We talk about some of the stories behind his new singles  and what else we might be able to expect on this new EP and play a couple live acoustic.  On this episode you'll hear: We Are (Oh Mama) Unholy Affair (Live Acoustic) Still Yours For The Taking (Live Acoustic) See Tom Morrow LIVE 5/17 St. Louis, MO at The Dark Room with Dead Format Find more from Tom Morrow wherever you get your digital music! Follow along on IG, TikTok, YouTube or visit MusicOfTomMorrow.com

This week I caught up with St.Louis rockers Mister Malone! They released a brand new album CUSTOM BUILT this week and we sit down to talk all about it. We preview a few songs from the record, talk about recording with Gabe Usery at Encapsulated Studios, stories behind the songs & much more.  On this episode you'll hear: Custom Built Who I Am Look Both Ways Find more from Mister Malone wherever you get your digital music! Follow along on FB, IG & YouTube.com See them LIVE: 5/15 Old Rock House in St.Louis, MO with Steepwater Band. Tickets at OldRockHouse.com Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

A bit ago I caught up with singer songwriter Taylor Steele of The Love Preachers to talk about their new album HIGH FEELING. We deep dive into some of the stories of grief, life, metaphysics & much more that make up this album. Taylor even plays 2 of them live acoustic for us! On this show you'll hear: Never Apart Don't Sell Out (Live Acostic) High Feeling A Good Friend's Lament (Live Acoustic) Listen to HIGH FEELING wherever you get your digital music. Visit their Bandcamp page to help support this project.  See them LIVE May 7 St.Louis, MO at Venice Cafe with Nick Gusman (Taylor solo) May 8 St.Louis, MO at Broadway Oyster Bar with Emily Wallace May 17 Labaddie, MO at Point Labaddie Brewery with Hunter Peebles & The Moonlighters May 23 Edwardsville, IL at Stagger Inn (Taylor solo) July 10-13 St.Clair, MO at Lost Hill Lake for Pickin On The Picnic. Visit PickinFestival.com for tickets! Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

Today's episode I caught up with Saint Chuck to get to know them a little better. They are about to relelase a brand new ACTING LIKE ADULTS EP this week! We deep dive into the EP, stories behind the songs, play one live acoustic, and all the details for the Release Party!  On this episode you'll hear: Ohio (live) Love Hate Letter See them LIVE: April 4th at Blueberry Hill Duck Room ACTING LIKE ADULTS EP RELEASE PARTY with special guests The Tropic of Cancer & Sharad Swaney. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com or Blueberry Hill box office.  Follow along with them on FB, IG & YouTube! saintchuckmusic.om ACTING LIKE ADULTS EP available everywhere digitally on April 4th! Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

Hello everyone! It's been a while! I'm excited to be back with a brand new episode for you. Back at the end of November I caught up with Greg Heaney to meet for the first time. We recorded episodes of each other's shows. Be sure to check out my appearance on his podcast Greg Heaney Music Podcast wherever you get your podcasting.  Today's episode I had a  great time getting to know a little more about Greg and his work as an educator with Music Exploratorium & Different Dynamics, his podcast and his band Knifehand. Visit HeaneyGreg.com for more info on all of his adventures! Greg played a live acoustic version of his song "Remember My Love" from the upcoming Knifehand album. Closing out the show you'll hear "Writing Wrongs" from their 2017 album THE NEON PHOENIX available on all of your favorite streaming platforms.  Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com    

Ahna returns! The other day I took a trip to Illinois to sit with my friend Ahna and talk all about brand new music. Ahna is gearing up to release a brand new single on Friday 2/14, pre-save here, but you get an advanced sneak peek along 2 other new songs. Ahna shares some stories behind these songs, sobriety, clowns, circus performers & much more.  On this episode you'll hear: You And Me, Like Coffee And Weed (Live Acoustic) I Realize (Live Acoustic) Your Love Is A Circus (Live Acoustic) Follow along with Ahna on FB & IG for more live shows  See Ahna LIVE Gramophone St.Louis, MO 2nd Friday of the month Global Brew Tap House Rock Hill Open Mic Every 1st Wednesday of the month Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or click ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com  

The other day I stopped by Willem Dafrend's rehearsal space to sit down with the guy and talk all about thier brand new album OLD GHOSTS/NEW GARMENTS. We deep dive into some of these tracks and the stories behind the songs. We also talk about their upcoming shows & whats next for 2025! On this episode you'll hear: Where Are My Keys Angry Sticks Green Goblin OLD GHOSTS/NEW GARMENTS now available wherever you get your digital music! Support them by buying a shirt or download music on Bandcamp! See them LIVE: 2/15 Columbia, MO at King Theodore's Record Store w/ Lowest Life, Hockey Smile & Ghost Goddess 3/9 St.Louis, MO at Red Flag w/ Darkest Hour, Blistered Spirit & Unfleshing. Tickets here! Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com  

Bluesman Matt "Rattlesnake Lesch returns to the show to talk all about his brand new album BLUES CUT LIKE GLASS. We deep dive into some stories behind these songs, stories about our friends Big George Brock & Gus Thorton, recording at Blue Lotus in St.Louis and his upcoming Album Release Party. Matt brought his guitar and performed one of the tracks live acoustic for the show! See him LIVE 1/18 at National Blues Museum in St.Louis, MO for the Album Release Party. Tickets here! 1/26-2/2 at Blues Cruise with Dylan Triplett On this episode you'll hear: Still Got My Blues He's A Bluesman (Acoustic) Blues Cut Like Glass Find more from Matt "Rattlesnake" Lesch wherever you get your digital music. MattRattleSnakeLesch.com Follow along on FB & IG for more info. Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com  

During the holiday break between Christmas & New Year I caught up with my buddy Gus Page. You may remember Gus from his past appearances on the show with Hobo Empire and most recently Russo & Co. Gus recently left Russo & Co and we talk about some of his recent life transitions and what he's been up to. We talk about a new record coming soon and give you a sneak peek at his next single!  On this episode you'll hear: Riverside Blues  Tell Diane (Mike Jordan cover) Cryin (Live Acoustic) That Spirit of Christmas (Live Acoustic) (Ray Charles cover) Find more from Gus Page wherever you get your digital music! Follow along with him on FB, IG, Tik Tok & YouTube. Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com

A bit ago I caught up with The Lucky Old Sons to discuss their brand new album WTF IN THE STL, some of the group's history, stories behind these songs, recording with Paul Niehaus at Blue Lotus and much more.  On this episode you'll hear: WTF in the STL Still Number One  Find the full album wherever you get your digital music! Grab a copy on CD and a shirt at any upcoming shows or LuckyOldSons.com See them LIVE Jan 10 at Hammerstone's Feb 14 at Hammerstone's Mar 14 at Hammerstone's April 11 at Hammerstone's Listen to Rock Paper Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast apps or ROCKPAPERPODCAST.com