My First Band Podcast

At just 23 years of age, budding blues guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has recorded with Buddy Guy and Keb Mo, performed alongside Jason Isbell and Samantha Fish, and released two well-received albums on Alligator Records. The latest of those albums, last year’s 662, earned the axe-wielding wunderkind a Grammy nomination. Kingfish has already accomplished so much at a very young age, but it seems like even better things are on the horizon for the guitar virtuoso and captivating crooner. On a recent day off during his "662 Juke Joint Live" tour, Kingfish spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about being back on the road again, how it feels to be up for another Grammy and what's ahead for him in terms of shows and new material. Over the course of the conversation, Kingfish talked about growing up in Northern Mississippi and being drawn to blues as a kid, sitting in with bands as a teenager, striking out on his own as an adult, some of his favorite experiences music has brought him so far, and goals he

During the band's 20-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Though the band itself has quite a long and interesting history, its founding members go back even further. Now back on the road in support of a new release — a 24-track collection of B-sides, rarities and covers called Down the Rabbit Hole — on Wicked Cool Records, the story continues for Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas. Prior to a recent show at X-Ray Arcade, The Dollyrots welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into the band's RV to talk about Down the Rabbit Hole, the ongoing tour, upcoming European shows with Bowling For Soup and Lit, and the possibility their biggest hit is still to come. Over the course of the conversation, Ogden and Cabezas spoke about meeting in middle school, dating in high school, going to college together and starting a band, and moving to Los Ang

Martin Defatte is a busy guy. The Milwaukee-based producer is one half of Guerrilla Ghost, an owner and co-founder of the Triple Eye Industries record label, and a web developer who helped build and maintain the archives at MKE Punk. In addition to that diverse collection of credits, Defatte also has a solo project called Tron Jovi, he's part of an experimental duo called M.Ape, and he's created dozens upon dozens of album covers. Long before he was making beats and releasing music from a wide range of Midwestern bands, Defatte was the bassist in a Racine punk project who took an interest in the relatively young field of computer design. Prior to the release of Guerrilla Ghost's Hell Is Empty And All The Devils Are Here, Defatte welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his home studio to talk about the upcoming album (out April 15!), other releases Triple Eye Industries has planned this year and where his musical backstory begins. Over the course of the conversation, Defatte talked about his stint in Bound

In her relatively brief career as a musician, Monica Martin has toured in Australia, New Zealand, around Europe and throughout the United States. She's performed on late-night television, shared the stage with world-renowned bands like The Head And The Heart and The Lumineers, and played a bunch of major music festivals. Though she's done so much already, Martin seems to only be getting started. The Los Angeles (by way of Wisconsin) singer-songwriter, whom you might know from PHOX, is now releasing music under her own name and preparing to release a new album. Recently, Martin spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about collaborating with James Blake, her plans for the future and everything that brought her to this point. Over the course of the conversation, Martin talked about the experience of moving from Chicago to the small Wisconsin town of Baraboo as a kid, reluctantly joining a band after high school and some of the most memorable and significant moments from her tenure in PHOX. My First Band is spo

We're bending the show's format again this week by chatting about music (and more!) with Gareth Reynolds. Though the comedian, actor, writer and one half of The Dollop podcast is not a musician, My First Band host Tyler Maas was still excited to hear Reynolds discuss his listening and show-going past, what he's listening to now, and some of the parallels he feels musicians and comedians share. Over the course of the conversation, Reynolds talked about his own comedic backstory, he shared anecdotes about memorable concerts he went to when he was growing up and he told a story of the time Andrew W.K. FaceTimed with his mom while on set. Along the way, Reynolds and Maas also talked about the state of the Green Bay Packers, bombing in Appleton and how there's no music festival quite like Summerfest. My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can a

For close to 15 years, Erik Stenglein has been the vocalist, guitarist and only constant member of Northless. During that span, the Milwaukee metal band has managed a number of sludgy and punishing releases that have earned the attention of respected music publications and listeners all over the world. With new members in the fold, a new album on the way sometime this year and shows on the books, it looks like there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon for Northless. Prior to his band's March 11 show at Cactus Club, Stenglein spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about all those exciting developments and many of the projects that preceded Northless. Over the course of the conversation, Stenglein talked about growing up in the rural Wisconsin town of Hubertus, discovering Metallica at a young age, immersing himself in guitar, playing in a variety of grindcore and hardcore bands in his teens and early 20s, finding kinship in the Milwaukee music scene, and some of the most memorable moments he's experien

This week's episode features a fun conversation with actor and podcaster Mike Mitchell. Though "Mitch," who you probably know from his work on films like The Tomorrow War, TV shows like The Birthday Boys and the Netflix series Love, and as a host of Doughboys, is not a musician by trade, music actually plays a fairly significant role in both his career and his life in general. Recently, Mitch spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about some of his first musical discoveries and show experiences when he was growing up in Boston (well, in Quincy, the be exact), calling into radio stations to request songs as a teenager, his enduring love of Dave Matthews Band and Pink Floyd, and what he's listening to now. Along the way, Mr. Slice talked about some song-based sketches he was involved in as a member of The Birthday Boys (including the widely popular "Woosh" birthday song), the part music plays on Doughboys, the experience of acting opposite Jon Hamm and Eric Edelstein in an Eels music video, and his ongoing qu

Over the course of his 30-year music career, Peter Mulvey has released more than 20 albums, written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows all over the world, shared bills with a wealth of notable performers and helped to enact change though his efforts as an activist and environmentalist. Before the Massachusetts-based singer and songwriter was gathering experiences and sharing his perspective with audiences spread far and wide, he was a theater kid growing up in Milwaukee. Prior to setting out on the road for a run of Midwestern shows (including a homecoming concert at The Back Room @ Colectivo on Feb. 17), Mulvey told My First Band host Tyler Maas about growing up on Milwaukee's northwest side, starting a band while attending college at Marquette, changing his artistic trajectory after busking in Ireland during a semester abroad, starting out in the Boston folk scene, the ups and downs of touring, and some of the standout experiences from the past 30 years. Along the way, Mulvey and Maas gush about h

At this point in his career, it might take us less time to list the amazing things Kev Marcus hasn't done. As the violinist in Black Violin, Marcus has played thousands of shows all around the planet. He's collaborated with the likes of Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. He's helped produce music for Tom Petty, Lupe Fiasco and more. He's opened for Jay-Z, Kanye West and Akon. He's played on Broadway, been part of Super Bowl and U.S. Open performances, and entertained President Obama at one of his Inauguration Balls. In the process, he's also helped to change perceptions about what both classical music and hip-hop can be. Before he was reaching listeners from all around the world, Marcus was a mischievous kid in Florida who was handed a string instrument and told to play. Prior to Black Violin's upcoming tour (which includes a Feb. 3 show at Marcus Performing Arts Center), the accomplished violinist spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about many of those aforementioned experiences, his mus

As the bassist and co-vocalist of Bad Cop / Bad Cop, Linh Le has been part of some great releases, played to audiences all over the world and shared the stage with some of punk rock's biggest acts. Long before she was part of that beloved and accomplished band, Le was a gymnast in Rochester, New York, who took an interest in music after an injury suddenly threw her life for a loop. Recently, Le talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about her artistic outset, getting back on the road after a pandemic-prompted break and some of the significant experiences she's had along the way. Over the course of the discussion, she talked about learning bass as a teenager, playing in a few bands while living in Philadelphia, moving to California without a plan, the chain of events that led to her joining Bad Cop / Bad Cop and some of her favorite moments from her 10-plus years in the band. She also talked about her Bassists Against Racists organization and doled out a few accounting tips before episode's end. My First Band

This week's episode — and My First Band's milestone 150th episode! — features an enjoyable trip down Memory Lane with Nathan Ellis. Over the last 25 years, the singer/guitarist of The Casket Lottery and bass player of Coalesce has been part of some timeless and all-around outstanding releases, he's toured all over the country, and he's helped to bolster Kansas City's already sterling musical reputation. Though he's done a lot over the last quarter-century, Ellis is still making music and looking forward to more artistic adventures in the years to come. Earlier this week, Ellis took some time out of demoing some new Casket Lottery material in the studio to chat with My First Band host Tyler Maas. After talking about the band's recent happenings, which included appearances at FEST and Furnace Fest last year in belated support of 2020's wonderful Short Songs For End Times, Ellis told Maas about a show he attended in Lawrence, Kansas, as an eighth grader that helped set his musical journey into motion. Over the c

Since the Green Bay Packers just clinched the top seed in the NFC and are gearing up for the playoffs (and, yes, because we also didn't get around to booking a guest), My First Band is breaking format this week to focus on a strange and hyper-specific type of music: novelty Packers songs! Yes, both My First Band host Tyler Maas and engineer/co-producer Jared Blohm are Packer Backers and unironic appreciators of goofy, football-focused tunes. Prior to this Sunday's regular season finale and what's sure to be a playoff run capable of inspiring a lot of new songs, Maas and Blohm talked about the soft spot they each have for Packers-related novelty and parody music, how the "genre" has changed and grown over the years, and some of their favorite artists in this creative category. Get ready to hear about memorable material from the likes of C.W.A., Happy Schnapps Combo, The Wedgies, The Wizenhiemers and Lil Wayne, as well as lesser-known green-and-gold greats like Widacre and Poopshovel. We'll be back to the norma

My First Band is ending 2021 on a great note by interviewing Andy Baxter. As half of Penny and Sparrow, Baxter — the long-running duo's vocalist — has performed all over the country, shared the stage with some legendary musicians and released six albums that have been heard and enjoyed by millions of people. Not too bad for a guy who didn't really have any artistic aspirations until college! Recently, in advance of Penny and Sparrow's seventh album (Olly Olly, which comes out Jan. 21), Baxter spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of self-producing the record with his best friend/co-collaborator Kyle Jahnke and he also talked about what 2022 holds for the band. Over the course of the fun and lighthearted conversation, the accomplished singer discussed his musical outset, including chorus classes, imitating songs he heard on the radio in his bedroom and a chance meeting at the University of Texas that would change both his career trajectory and his life forever. Along the way, Baxter and Ma

Adam Bartlett has been on a few different sides of the music industry. As the founder, owner and operator of Gilead Media, he's released dozens upon dozens of albums from bands all over the world during the last 12 years. As the founder, owner and operator of Eroding Winds Record Shop, he's sold records to customers in and around Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the past five years. And before both of those ventures, Bartlett worked for a music distributor, he played in bands, he booked shows, and he worked at another independent record store. Through his extensive and eclectic record-related background, Bartlett has witnessed a great deal of change in the way people listen to and release music through the years, and he's seen the vinyl boom firsthand. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas stopped by Eroding Winds to do some holiday shopping and to talk to Bartlett about all aspects of his diverse musical background. Over the course of the conversation, Bartlett talked about being a regular-turned-employee at The Ex

As a member of Nickel Creek, Sean Watkins has won a Grammy, he's had albums go Platinum and Gold, he's traveled the world, and he's worked with some of the biggest names in music. Not too shabby for a first band, right? Of course, it took many years and countless hours of practice before any of that happened. Before his Nickel Creek tenure and long before the start of Watkins Family Hour and his fruitful solo project, Watkins was dabbling in bluegrass at a pizza place outside of San Diego and anywhere else he was able to play ... so long as his parents could give him a ride. Prior to Watkins Family Hour's upcoming run of Midwest shows in belated support of last year's Brother Sister, Sean Watkins spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about childhood piano lessons, starting Nickel Creek when he was 12 (and his sister/bandmate Sara was just 8), and how a mix of adult encouragement, chance meetings and hard work helped set him on musical journey that's lasted roughly 35 years and counting. Over the course of th

You'd be hard-pressed to find a musician as prolific and enigmatic as Steve Gunn. The New-York-based singer, songwriter and guitarist has managed more than 20 releases in the past 15 years, including collaborations with Kurt Vile, Hiss Golden Messenger, Ryley Walker and more. Each new album, EP and split finds Gunn venturing into new and unfamiliar territory and demonstrating his continued growth and evolution as an artist. His latest, Other You — which came out on Matador Records this past summer — is no exception, with an uncharacteristically bright sound and an aura of optimism that's present in the album's 11 tracks. Before setting out on a co-headlining tour with Jeff Parker (which includes a Dec. 4 stop at Cactus Club in Milwaukee), Gunn spent some time telling My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of making Other You, his excitement to be back on the road and playing solo shows, and what's in store for him next year. Along the way, Gunn spoke about growing up a few miles outside of Philadelph

If you don't know the name Emily Wolfe yet, you will soon. The Austin-based singer, songwriter and guitarist is a few months removed from the release of Outlier, her excellent sophomore album that's earned acclaim from listeners and critics alike. Epiphone now produces a signature model guitar that bears her name, and she's about to take that guitar on the road again when she embarks on a Midwestern tour next month before what's sure to be a busy and bountiful 2022. Long before Wolfe was collaborating with Queens of the Stone Age members and sharing the stage with the likes of Joan Jett and Heart, she was playing acoustic brunch sets at restaurants and trying to make a name for herself in the Texas capital. Prior to hitting the road again (including a Dec. 9 headlining show at Cactus Club in Milwaukee), Wolfe spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about what it's been like getting back on the road again, the process of recording the new album with Michael Shuman and highlights from her already impressive an

These days, Ashley Smith stays busy as the owner and operator of Alive and Fine — a vintage shop in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood — and as one of the founders/organizers responsible for the annual Hover Craft maker fair (which is set to return to The Pritzlaff Building on Dec. 5). She also runs the recurring One Trick Pony pop up flea market and, oh yeah, is a mother of two as well. Though she's developed quite an impressive reputation in the Midwestern vintage, maker, arts and craft realms, Smith is also one hell of a lead singer. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas stopped by Alive and Fine and asked Smith about her business, Hover Craft's return and her on-stage alter ego as the frontwoman of renowned Milwaukee acts like Red Knife Lottery and Whips. Over the course of the conversation, Smith spoke about singing harmonies on her mother's church compositions as a kid, finding and quickly immersing herself in the basement show and legion hall scene as a teenager, recording with John Congleton and play

This week's guest is Silversun Pickups singer, guitarist and founding member Brian Aubert. Since starting the project with then-roommate Nikki Monninger more than 20 years ago, Aubert and his band have released five acclaimed albums, including the Gold-selling 2006 debut, Carnavas. Along the way, Silversun Pickups saw 10 of its songs land in the top 20 of the Billboard charts, they've played shows to adoring fans throughout the world and they've shared the stage with some of music's biggest names. Aubert has come quite a long way since he was a kid performing to his stuffed animals in his "fake Duran Duran lip-sync band." A few hours before last weekend's Silversun Pickups concert at The Rave, Aubert spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about what it's like being back on the road, the experience of stopping an early 2020 tour on account of the pandemic, the band's unassuming start and unexpected rise to worldwide notoriety, and all the projects that came before. Over the course of the conversation, Aubert t

Joe Pera isn't someone with a musical background, but he plays one on TV. The incomparable actor and comedian is the star and namesake of Joe Pera Talks With You, an acclaimed Adult Swim series that focuses on the life and lessons of a soft-spoken and cordial middle school choir teacher in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Though the show's topics — that touch on everything from bean arches to lighthouses to breakfast foods and everything in between — vary from episode to episode, music actually plays a surprisingly significant part in the series. On top of the main character's occupation itself, songs have been specifically written for Joe Pera Talks With You, and one unforgettable episode even focuses entirely on a song by The Who. Recently, during his press blitz leading up to the show's Season 3 premiere on Nov. 7, Pera spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about some of Joe Pera Talks With You's musical moments, what to expect from the new season, the experience of filming in Milwaukee and the U.P., and the