My First Band Podcast

As a vocalist and guitarist in Barbaro, Kyle Shelstad has toured all over the country, played some massive festivals, shared the stage with lots of notable bands and had his music heard by millions upon millions of listeners all over the world. Long before he started the up-and-coming Minneapolis bluegrass outfit, Shelstad was growing up in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and learning the ins and outs of songwriting. Recently, while spending some time in Milwaukee between tours, Shelstad spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about Barbaro getting back on the road after more than a year away, the band's forthcoming Under The Covers EP and upcoming appearances at Bonfire Music and Arts Festival and Blue Ox Music Festival. Of course, the conversation also focused on Shelstad's musical past, including the early interest he took in bluegrass while living in the sleepy Milwaukee-area town, high school cover projects, moving to Montana for college and joining Kitchen Dwellers, and moving to Minneapolis and throwing himself i

These days, Caley Conway is fresh off the release of her excellent new EP (Bliss Or Bust), is gearing up to play out again and is also contributing her talents to other accomplished projects like Field Report and OQ. Long before she was putting her stamp on Milwaukee music and hitting her stride as singer-songwriter, Conway was performing at regional and national Irish dance competitions, starting a fake band called The Angels and earning the best money of her career (so far) by singing on a Cool Whip radio commercial. Conway recently dropped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas about how the pandemic changed her creative approach, her June 4 show as part of Dandy's "Somewhat Unplugged" series and her early artistic attempts. Along the way, she opened up about getting serious about music during her abbreviated time in college, getting a creative nudge while farming in Maui, her stints in Myles Coyne's "Rusty Nickel" band and Cairns, the decision to release music under h

These days, listeners probably know Shane Hochstetler as the owner, operator and recording engineer at Howl Street Recordings. In addition to recording hundreds of projects from all corners of the Midwest (and beyond!) at his long-running and highly respected studio, Hochstetler is also one of Milwaukee's favorite percussionists. Through the years, he's drummed in renowned bands like Call Me Lightning, Hero of a Hundred Fights, Managra, Zebras, Haymarket Riot, Bad Grades and more. Before that, however, he was a kid living in Rhinelander who was performing at northern Wisconsin bars with his uncle's country band. Recently, Hochstetler invited My First Band host Tyler Maas to Howl Street Recordings to talk about his lengthy tenure behind a drum kit, his turn to recording and where his career in music all started. Over the course of the conversation, Shane talked about challenges the COVID-19 crisis brought to the recording industry, being on tour with Child Bite when the pandemic made its presence known in the

As a longtime member of Pert Near Sandstone, Nate Sipe has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, shared the stage with some well-known acts, watched the project become one of the Midwest's most celebrated bluegrass bands, and — along with his bandmates — been instrumental in the growth and curation of Blue Ox Music Festival. Long before he was a vocalist/multi-instrumentalist for the established Minneapolis outfit and thoroughly involved in the development of a massive fest, Sipe was playing grunge in suburban basements, taking a liking to folk and learning to play a mandolin as he searched for people who shared his musical interests. As he prepares for Pert Near Sandstone's Road to Blue Ox Tour, Sipe found some time to speak to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the upcoming run of shows, what to expect at this year's Blue Ox installment (Aug. 19 to 21 in Eau Claire!) and how his band got connected to the festival. Along the way, Sipe also talked about his own musical history that includes taking guitar

Frank Portman is better-known to listeners as "Dr. Frank," the musical moniker the singer, guitarist and founding member of The Mr. T Experience has used for close to four decades. Over the course of the seminal Berkeley punk project's long and accomplished run, the band has managed more than a dozen releases, performed all over the U.S. and Europe, and shared the stage with some legendary acts. Even though there have been lengthy breaks and lineup changes through the years, The Mr. T Experience and its ever-present leader are still releasing music, playing shows to packed rooms (in pre-pandemic times, at least) and influencing new generations of musicians along the way. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Frank about The Mr. T Experience's impressive over-35-year run, some of the ups and downs the project has experienced through the years, and all his pre-MTX musical endeavors. Over the course of the conversation, Portman talked about the process of collecting "dispar

As a member of Dead Horses, Dan Wolff has performed relentlessly, opened for legendary bands like The Who, toured all over the country with renowned bands like Trampled By Turtles and Mandolin Orange, played at legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater and Alpine Valley, and (along with longtime bandmate Sarah Vos) has earned a reputation as one of Wisconsin's — if not the Midwest's — most accomplished Americana acts. Before he was making a living exclusively as a musician, Wolff was getting in trouble for playing Bloodhound Gang and NOFX covers in high school and killing time in his college years with decidedly less ambitious musical endeavors like Cocktooter. Recently, Wolff joined host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters (thanks, vaccines!) for the first in-person My First Band recording in more than a year. After the requisite conversation about how weird it was to be in the same room and how excited they both are for the safe return of live music in some capacity, Wolff talked about abruptly e

Whether you know William Goldsmith as a founding member of Sunny Day Real Estate, as the original drummer of Foo Fighters or from his time in the short-lived-but-outstanding band The Fire Theft, you're absolutely aware of his work. Following his tenures in those world-renowned projects, the accomplished percussionist — citing "musical PTSD" (and actual PTSD) — recently ended his decade-long hiatus from playing music to get back behind the kit with Assertion. A few weeks removed from the release of his new band's debut album on Spartan Records, Goldsmith spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his decision to return to drumming, the response the new record has been getting and his renewed musical motivation. Of course, the conversation also turned to his past work. Over the course of the conversation, Goldsmith talked about growing up in Seattle and quickly taking to the drums, early on-stage experiences in middle school and high school bands, meeting Jeremy Enigk and playing together in a hardcore band c

As the guitarist of Against Me!, James Bowman has spent the last 20 years performing all over the planet, sharing stages with some of music's most iconic acts and releasing albums that have earned both critical acclaim and commercial success. Before he was an integral part of one of modern punk rock's most celebrated bands, Bowman was a teenager playing in punk and hardcore bands in St. Petersburg, Florida, and working as a tire technician with no idea he'd eventually be performing in arenas and soccer stadiums. Recently, Bowman spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his two decades worth of experiences in Against Me! and everything that came before. Over the course of the conversation, the guitarist spoke about striking up a friendship with Laura Jane Grace in high school, moving to St. Pete as a teenager and quickly latching onto the city's music scene, his stints in bands like Shot Heard Round the World and The $cam$, the unexpected circumstances that found him joining Grace in Against Me!, the band

Over the last 12 years and counting, Bryan Atchison and Neil Olstad have entertained audiences of all ages with the goofy, wholesome and undeniably fun music they make as Koo Koo Kanga Roo. Since its unassuming start as a project initially intended for a college talent show, the duo has performed at venues of all sizes and scope all around the world, spent a summer on the Warped Tour, shared the stage with acts like Frank Turner and The Aquabats, and made videos that have been viewed millions upon millions of times. Before they were a favorite among educators, children and anyone looking for catchy anthems about anything from pizza to fanny packs to Panera Bread, Atchison and Olstad were in a music fraternity and playing together in a folk-rock band. Recently, the Koo Koo Kanga Roo guys spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the project's origin, its unexpected rise in popularity and the importance of maintaining an independent approach to releasing their music. Over the course of the upbeat hour-long d

Over the course of his nearly half-century career, Paul Collins has experienced some dizzying highs, crushing lows and almost everything in between. The "King Of Power Pop" was chewed up and spit out by the music industry in the '80s, only to resurface in the early 2000s with a newfound DIY approach, renewed energy and new listeners who were eager to hear material that never really had an audience the first time around. With his Julliard training, a major label past and thousands upon thousands of shows under his belt from his decades on stage, you can be sure Collins has no shortage of amazing stories to share. Recently, Collins spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his extensive and altogether impressive history as an artist, his musical origin in a New York basement, his time in The Nerves and The Breakaways, The Beat's unexpected rise to notoriety, his "fallow" years away from music, the path back to performing, and the appreciation he has for his ongoing second act. Along the way, Collins read an

Mikey Erg has been in A LOT of bands. Frankly, it might be easier to list projects he hasn't been involved with, but listeners likely know the hardworking drummer, guitarist and vocalist from his stints in iconic punk bands like The Ergs!, Worriers, Star Fucking Hipsters, The Dopamines, Dirt Bike Annie and from his extensive and impressive body of work as a solo artist. A few weeks removed from the release of his outstanding self-titled solo record, Mikey spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about each of those artistic endeavors and numerous other bands he was part of over the course of his roughly three decades of on-stage experience. Over the course of the lengthy discussion, the accomplished punk purveyor talked about growing up in a small New Jersey town, formative all-ages shows and independent record stores that fostered his taste in music, high school projects, and the start of The Ergs! (and the band's unexpected rise to pop-punk prominence). Along the way, Erg talked about his solo turn, joining u

Hailey Whitters isn't just an accomplished songwriter who has crafted songs that were recorded by country stars like Alan Jackson ("The Older I Get"), Martina McBride ("The Real Thing") and Little Big Town ("Happy People"), she's also one heck of a musician in her own right. The up-and-coming artist turned heads last year with The Dream, her acclaimed album that struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. She followed it up last month with, Living the Dream, a deluxe album that features collaborations with Trisha Yearwood, Jordan Davis and Little Big Town. Before she was releasing excellent albums and writing songs that landed on the charts, Whitters was living in the small Iowa town of Shueyville and performing at sports bars, a Chinese restaurant and anywhere else she was allowed to play. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Whitters about her breakout album, this year's deluxe release, the ins and outs of professional songwriting and significant moments from her accomplished career. Over t

If you're a fan of punk, ska or any sub-genre in between, you probably know Devon Kay as a member of Direct Hit! and/or the namesake of Devon Kay & The Solutions. Over the past 10 years, the motivated musician's two bands have released a steady diet of impressive albums, toured the world and shared the stage with the likes of NOFX, Blink-182 and Anti-Flag. Long before he was fronting a ska-punk outfit and playing guitar in a band on the Fat Wreck Chords roster, Kay was a kid in West Chester, Pennsylvania, who was performing at coffee shops and church basements as a member of a group called The Mighty Clams. Recently, Kay spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his productive past few months, during which The Solutions released a full-length on A-F Records and remotely recorded enough material for another album (which he's planning to release in single-song increments every month of 2021). Of course, the conversation also turned to Kay's musical history, including his life-changing discovery of Less T

This week's episode finds us crossing the pond — over video chat, at least — to speak with Dave Arcari. Over the course of his roughly 20-year solo career, the Scottish "alt-blues" singer and slide guitarist has released six full-length albums and a slew of EPs, frequently toured throughout Europe and all across the United States, helped bring the resonator's sound to exciting new territory, started a record label and even had a National Reso-Phonic signature model guitar made in his honor. Long before he was winning fans all over the world and helping to expose a new generation of listeners to the resonator, the accomplished musician was busking on the streets of Glosgow and developing his distinct sound while splitting time with blues bands. Recently, Acari talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about how he's been keeping busy and staying solvent during an uncharacteristically quiet point in time for him. In addition to discussing his livestream concerts and 2020 EP, the singer-songwriter talked about Sco

As the singer and guitarist of Kali Masi, Sam Porter has performed all around the United States, toured Europe, played Riot Fest and other festivals of note, shared the stage with the likes of The Lawrence Arms and Titus Andronicus, and released one doozy of a debut album (2017's Wind Instrument). Years before he was fronting the accomplished Chicago punk quartet, Porter was a kid in McHenry, Illinois, who was honing his musical taste by listening to records he got from the library, oft-misidentified songs he pirated from LimeWire and the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater soundtrack. Back in January, Porter spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about Kali Masi's excellent forthcoming album — [laughs], out March 26 via Take This to Heart Records — and the thorough recording process with engineer Jay Maas (no relation!) that helped bring the record into being. Following the now-requisite discussion about the pandemic and plans for the future when the world safely opens up again, Porter talked about making up a fake band

This week's guest is Tom May, who you might know as a guitarist and vocalist from The Menzingers. Since the band's start in Scranton, Pennsylvania, more than 15 years ago, the punk-rock powerhouse has released a flurry of well-received EPs and studio albums (including last year's self-recorded From Exile), shared the stage with some massive acts, earned a spot on the Epitaph roster and performed to passionate fans all around the world. Before May was a founding member of The Menzingers, he was honing his skills as a member of lesser-known Scranton bands like Decadence Decay and Bob and The Sagets. Recently, May spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his early artistic efforts, formative shows from adolescence, the circumstances behind the start of The Menzingers and why he feels the band has remained intact for close to two decades. Over the course of the hour-plus discussion, May also talked about canceling The Menzingers' Australian tour last March to return to the U.S., the process of recording last

This week's guest is Davey von Bohlen, who you might know from influential Midwest emo acts like The Promise Ring and Cap'n Jazz or from his work in Maritime. Long before he was helping to usher in a genre's second wave and putting Milwaukee music back on the map with some timeless records, von Bohlen was learning how to play guitar and emptying basement shows out as a member of Ten Boy Summer. Recently, the legendary frontman spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his early musical attempts, what he's up to now and pretty much everything that happened in between. Over the course of the TWO-HOUR conversation, Davey opened up about joining Cap'n Jazz, reluctantly coming on as The Promise Ring's singer, that band's unexpected popularity, the path to starting Maritime (and where he feels the band is at this point in time), and jamming in a project called Vermont. Along the way, von Bohlen talked about his basketball coaching aspirations, performing on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, earning a Platinum recor

Duncan Sheik is probably best-known for "Barely Breathing," the hit single from his self-titled 1996 debut album that went Gold, spent more than a year on the charts and earned the singer-songwriter a Grammy nomination. Beyond writing one of the most recognizable songs of the 20th century, Sheik has subsequently released a wealth of tremendous albums with a continually changing and ever-evolving sound. Along the way, he expanded his artistic scope to a career in composing — winning a Grammy and two Tony Awards for his work on Broadway. But long before he was writing world-renowned songs and entertaining audiences in two different musical mediums, Sheik was a kid in South Carolina playing hair metal covers in a talent show. Recently, Sheik spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about what he's working on now, his recently released Live at the Cafe Carlyle album and some especially notable moments from his long and accomplished career in music. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Sheik opened up about

We're breaking our usual Friday release format this week to give you an extra special BONUS episode with Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Elijah Wolf. The up-and-coming purveyor of "psychedelic folk" is set to release Brighter Lighting — his sophomore album and studio debut under his own name — on Feb. 26. Weeks before its release, the album has already received well-deserved attention from some respected sources. Though it seems like there are big things in store for Wolf, the 27-year-old musician has actually amassed quite an impressive list of artistic accomplishments already. Recently, Wolf spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about recording his forthcoming album with Sam Cohen, along with accompanying players who have direct ties to Wilco, Angel Olsen and Fleet Foxes. Of course, the conversation eventually turned to Wolf's musical past, which includes a memorable stint in a high school hardcore band that opened for The Misfits, an internship at the famed Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock,

This week's guest is Jen Razavi. You might know her better as "Jen Pop," one of the singers, guitarists and founding members of The Bombpops. The Los Angeles-based band has earned notoriety in the punk rock realm and last year's sophomore album, Death In Venice Beach, has only bolstered their reputation. Before she was touring relentlessly and sharing the stage with some of punk’s premier projects, Razavi was a high school kid playing Pennywise covers in a band called Split Nation. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas got in touch with Razavi to talk about the latest Bombpops album, the record release show and nationwide tour the band had to cancel on account of the COVID-19 crisis, ways she's staying busy and creative in quarantine, and some of the amazing opportunities her band has given her through the years. Of course, they also discussed her musical origin story, including her years playing acoustic guitar as a kid, meaningful concerts in her adolescence, meeting her longtime friend and bandmate Poli