The Music District Podcast
The Music District is a physical space in the center of Fort Collins, Colorado. Every day, we interact with musicians, music organizations, and a community of music lovers. While our experiences are local, it seems like what we’re learning and uncovering in our conversations resonates with listeners around the world, in whatever music ecosystem in which they may find themselves. Tune in, and find your place in music.
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Episode 20: I Love This Song - Hannah Copeland
12/11/2020
Episode 20: I Love This Song - Hannah Copeland
On this episode, Hannah Copeland -- general manager of college-run radio station -- encourages us to take a chance on the unknown, embrace serendipity, and expand our genre horizons ... because you never know where you'll find the next song you love. It might be in a box just outside the front door.
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Episode 19: Jon Snodgrass
12/04/2020
Episode 19: Jon Snodgrass
In this episode of the Music District Podcast, our Artist Development Coordinator Alysia Kraft sits down with Jon Snodgrass to discuss a wide range of topics including the 2 new albums he released in 2020, taking audience requests, writing jingles, and so much more! Jon Snodgrass was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, and later settled in Fort Collins, Colorado, before forming Armchair Martian in the early 1990s. In 1996, he started recording songs with ALL singer Chad Price under the name Drag the River. Since then, he has continued putting out music with both bands, as a solo artist, and as a member of Scorpios. Snodgrass has toured North America and Europe endlessly and has provided support for everyone from Frank Turner to Flogging Molly to Descendents to Chuck Ragan to Cory Branan. He has collaborated with Chad Rex, Hagfish, Descendents, Stephen Egerton, Joey Cape, Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Cory Branan, Frank Turner, Chuck Ragan (Revival Tour and Hot Water Music), Tim McIlirath (Rise Against), Chris Wollard (Hot Water Music and Ship Thieves), Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake), Scott Reynolds (ALL), Mike Herrera (MxPx), Arliss Nancy, and Jimmy Islip.
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The Blasting Room: Music for Music's Sake
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Music for Music's Sake
In the final episode of our 7-part podcast on The Blasting Room, the entire staff discusses the changes they have experienced in the recording industry over the last 25 years. They also share their views on the future of recording and how the recording studio will always be a place for artists to improve their musical creations.
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The Blasting Room: The Family Vibe
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: The Family Vibe
In episode 6 of our 7-part podcast on The Blasting Room, the entire staff contributes their thoughts about the family of musicians that the studio has fostered over the last 25 years and the overall principles that guide the studio’s culture. They also discuss how the studio has grown up with the bands it has worked with and how the idea for hosting a 25-year anniversary celebration came to be.
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The Blasting Room: Jonathan Luginbill - Carving Out Space
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Jonathan Luginbill - Carving Out Space
In the 5th episode of our 7-part podcast on the Blasting Room, Jonathan Luginbill recounts his journey from Ohio to Fort Collins, CO, and how he went about becoming an intern and eventually a staff member at the studio. He also discusses how he realized the unique set of skills he could bring to the studio and illustrates how they went about carving out space in their existing building to create two new production suites.
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The Blasting Room: Chris Beeble - An Inability to Quit
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Chris Beeble - An Inability to Quit
In part 4 of our 7-part podcast on The Blasting Room, Chris Beeble shares how he transitioned from an audio engineering student to an intern and then eventually a staff member of the studio. He also discusses his deep respect for the recording studio and the work ethic he exhibited that gave him some unique contributions that the studio was in need of
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The Blasting Room: Andrew Berlin - The B Room
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Andrew Berlin - The B Room
In part 3 of our 7-part podcast about The Blasting Room, Andrew Berlin tells us how he found out about the studio and the work ethic he exhibited to become an intern and eventual staff member at the studio. He also discusses creating the first expansion of the studio, recording local artists, and the types of production roles that he fills at the studio.
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The Blasting Room: Jason Livermore - Everybody's Punk
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Jason Livermore - Everybody's Punk
In part 2 of our 7-part Blasting Room podcast, Jason Livermore shares how he learned that the Blasting Room existed, and talks about his decision to take a leap of faith from Washington to Fort Collins, Colorado. He also discusses some of the people he learned from who shaped his production techniques, and the reasons for the studio’s initial success in the earlier years.
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The Blasting Room: Bill Stevenson - Board Side Manner
11/27/2020
The Blasting Room: Bill Stevenson - Board Side Manner
In the first episode of our 7-part Blasting Room podcast we hear from Bill Stevenson about why he decided to relocate his bands from Los Angeles and start up a recording studio in Fort Collins, CO. He also discusses the early days of life in the studio, the engineers that influenced their initial production techniques, and some of the first projects recorded at the Blasting Room.
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Episode 17: I Love This Song - Families
11/20/2020
Episode 17: I Love This Song - Families
In this special cornucopia-style extended edition of I Love This Song, we ask three families to find common ground by coming together in conversation and selecting songs they love. Listen to this three-part episode as sisters (musicians Sophia and Jo Babb of ), brothers (bandmates/roommates Jakob and Oliver Mueller of ) and spouses (husband-and-wife Scott and Jane Makarchuk, owners of books and music) settle on the songs that they find mutually meaningful and memorable and talk about the ways that music can create harmony in a family dynamic.
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Episode 16: Nicole Churchill of Assemble Sound
11/18/2020
Episode 16: Nicole Churchill of Assemble Sound
In this episode of the Music District Podcast, Alysia and Mickey talk with Nicole Churchill, partner at Assemble Sound. Assemble Sound is a Detroit-based organization that represents independent artists for placement in film and television, and they have recently opened their catalog to Northern Colorado artists by way of partnership with The Music District. In this podcast, Nicole details the story of Assemble Sound and how they have found success connecting independent artists to career-changing opportunities. For more information, visit .
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Episode 15: Connect Call - In-Ear Monitors
11/13/2020
Episode 15: Connect Call - In-Ear Monitors
Introducing Connect Call - where we take questions from our musician community and find an expert locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally who can provide an answer. We’ll roll the tape, play the question for the expert, and have them answer while our Podcast team moderates. This episode features a question from Amol Kitwadkar, who inquired about the viability of in-ear monitors for his band, Unified Diversity. Kyle & Alysia sat down with Kevin Gregory from Washington's FoCo to learn all about the ins and outs of in-ear monitors! Learn more about Connect Call and submit your questions for consideration at https://www.themusicdistrict.org/connectcall/
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Episode 14: Alex Anderson of WMD
10/30/2020
Episode 14: Alex Anderson of WMD
In this episode of the Music District podcast, Mickey & Alysia catch up with product marketing and social media specialist Alex Anderson from WMDevices. WMD is a manufacturer of music hardware including Eurorack modular synthesizers, guitar pedals, and stand-alone music instruments based out of Denver, Colorado. They discuss how Alex found his role within the business, how the company got into making product demo videos, the process of creating a product from concept to reality, and ways that they continue to host virtual community-building events in the wake of the pandemic. Learn more about WMD here:
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Episode 13: Circles Drum Samples
10/23/2020
Episode 13: Circles Drum Samples
In this episode of the Music District podcast, our Business of Music Manager, Mickey Davis, and Artist Development Coordinator, Alysia Kraft, sit down with Fort Collins musician Stefan Runstrom who is the owner and founder of Circles Drum Samples. Circles is a boutique drum sample & loop provider for music producers, songwriters, and audio engineers. They discuss his initial inspirations, how the sample industry has evolved, the joys and pains of recording drums in remote desert locations, what products are the most successful with customers and his observations about the music industry since the pandemic has taken effect. They also discuss mysterious rock star clientele, and new sample packs that the company has planned for future release. Learn more about Circles Drum Samples here:
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Episode 12: Dessa - Write to Rage
10/16/2020
Episode 12: Dessa - Write to Rage
In this episode of the Music District Podcast, singer, rapper, and writer Dessa fields questions from the Music District community about writing and creativity. Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations: her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, six sold-out shows with the Minnesota Orchestra–including a live recording, , released in November 2019–and a top-200 entry on the Billboard charts for her 2018 album . As an author, she’s written for the New York Times, released two literary collections, and published , a memoir-in-essays with Dutton Books.
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Episode 11: I Love This Song - Nick Duarte
10/09/2020
Episode 11: I Love This Song - Nick Duarte
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, The Music District is co-presenting this special episode of I Love This Song: "This Song Saved Me" with the . Observed on October 10 every year, aims to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. In this episode, Fort Collins musician Nick Duarte of talks to Shane about a song that changed the course of his life, and why he thinks the time is NOW to reach out for help. P.S. Nick also works at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and he shares some insight into the exhibit -- on view at the museum, with free public admission Oct. 3, 2020 - Jan 10, 2021. Whatever you're going through, help is available. For free, confidential crisis intervention, 24/7, call: 1-(800) 273-TALK (8255) text TALK to 38255 for the Colorado Crisis Support line or visit
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Episode 10: How to Assemble a City
09/25/2020
Episode 10: How to Assemble a City
Jesse Elliott’s journey includes writing books and speeches with “the rockstar economist” Richard Florida, pumping the poetic fuel into a grassroots rock-and-roll career that spanned decades and continents, and co-founding a consulting firm that would develop music strategies for the city of Denver and for The Music District. Our first-ever Music District Director found his place in music again and again, but always by making space for others in the process. Our fourth-anniversary edition of the Music District Podcast celebrates four years open to the public with Jesse Elliott grinning at the helm. *Photo by Kat Wilson
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Episode 09: I Love This Song - Ruby Hinrichs
09/11/2020
Episode 09: I Love This Song - Ruby Hinrichs
Optimism can be hard to come by in the best of times, but community connector and music superfan Ruby Hinrichs always seems to have plenty of positivity ... and then some to share. On this episode of I Love This Song, Ruby talks to Shane about always finding the good, with a time capsule of a song that is meaningful for her whole family. She also discusses encores that make you cry, and which lyrics are tattoo-worthy. Truly.
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Episode 08: When the Music Stopped
08/28/2020
Episode 08: When the Music Stopped
2020 was the year live music got put on hold. In unprecedented fashion, venues across the country were forced to shut down. In this episode, we tell the story of independent venues and venue owners navigating this new, uncertain landscape. We also explore our best options for saving these independent venues. Support NIVA and the Restart Act, a bill that will create a dedicated relief fund to support independent venues. Give your support here:
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Episode 07: I Love This Song - Grace Gallagher
08/21/2020
Episode 07: I Love This Song - Grace Gallagher
Dancer, choreographer and teacher traveled to Fort Collins on a winding path (Michigan-via-Arizona-via New York) ... yet she's found herself centered by Colorado music and grounded by galvanizing performances over and over since she landed. In this special edition of I Love This Song, recorded in celebration of Colorado Music Month, Grace explains how a local live performance inspired a moment that she's bound to revisit through movement, and how music and dance can create a powerful circuit for sharing energy with friends and strangers alike.
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Episode 06: I Love This Song - Phil Donaldson
08/07/2020
Episode 06: I Love This Song - Phil Donaldson
Musician and multimedia marketing expert grew up in Los Angeles in the days when you could turn on FM radio and hear the station play an entire album. That's where he first communed with Stevie Wonder's Innervisions and the funk/pop fusion of "". Tune in with Phil as he shares how this song reflects his own journey from a sense of hopelessness to a spiritual rebirth -- and how he channels the uplifting trajectory of "y'all do y'all. I'm gonna do ME." Oh, and pro tip: if you're not listening to Stevie Wonder through headphones, you're not getting the elevated experience.
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Episode 05: Lisa Bella Donna
07/31/2020
Episode 05: Lisa Bella Donna
In the wake of the pandemic, we have seen a massive increase of musicians working remotely, performing livestreams, and learning all kinds of alternative ways to generate new sources of income. For the latest episode of the Music District Podcast, our very own Business of Music Manager, Mickey Davis, called up Lisa Bella Donna and had a chat with her to catch up and to see what insights we could take away from a musician who has been working remotely in isolation since long before the pandemic.
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Episode 04: I Love This Song - Bevin Luna
07/24/2020
Episode 04: I Love This Song - Bevin Luna
One of the magical aspects of music is its ability to take you places you've never been. Musician (formerly of Memphis, currently of Fort Collins) experienced this when she first heard a song that she says "stopped me in my tracks": Nina Simone's version of . An evocative cover (the original was written by Randy Newman), the reggae-infused version Simone released in 1978 sets grim lyrics over sweeping strings, painting a vivid picture of a city steeped in hard times. Listen to Bevin describe how she has discovered various layers of subtle social commentary and meaningful connection to her own life, through a song that got a second look through a new lens.
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Episode 03: I Love This Song - Crip Erickson
07/10/2020
Episode 03: I Love This Song - Crip Erickson
For the pilot episode of I Love This Song -- a podcast that celebrates fond memories, new music discovery and general songlovery -- we hear from Crip Erickson. Crip's a real estate agent who's been a drummer in the Fort Collins music scene for years (currently with Mama Lenny & The Remedy), and he has some things to say about noteworthy drumming in general, and Stewart Copeland in particular. Whether through accident or serendipity, we talked to Crip on the very day the song he loves was released (well, on that day, but: 37 years later). Listen in to what he has to say about Synchronicity II by The Police.
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Episode 02: Murs & Groundwaves
05/18/2020
Episode 02: Murs & Groundwaves
“Everyone has a different fighting style… there’s a Colorado way to kick someone’s ass.” LA rapper Murs talks about the most memorable Groundwaves performances to date, the noticeable improvement in some of the performers, the “thank you, come again” chant, and why Colorado artists need to push each other to get better.
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Episode 01: Season Preview
05/08/2020
Episode 01: Season Preview
The Music District is a physical space in the center of Fort Collins, Colorado. Every day, we interact with musicians, music organizations, and a community of music lovers.
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Spencer Townshend Hughes
04/22/2019
Spencer Townshend Hughes
ABOUT SPENCER Spencer Townshend Hughes is co-founder of the Mental Wellness Meetup, a safe space attended by a collection of those involved in music communities that struggle with mental unwellness. Spencer also fronts the dynamic alternative/art rock quartet, The Hollow. The Hollow has one definitive goal: to deliver catchy thought-provoking rock music that encourages self love and mental wellness awareness. With a tightly focused sound that threatens to transform the pedestrian landscape of contemporary rock ’n roll, and thoughtfully layered guitars built upon a hard-driving rhythm section, their powerful music espouses beguiling lyrics and infectious melodies that evoke modern rock icons such as Incubus, Thrice, and Queens of the Stone Age ABOUT THE MEET-UP Also, here's the link to the meetup.com event that we created for the Fort). MWM is intended for members of the music community to get together and chat about the struggles of mental unwellness as it pertains to being active in the music community. Mental Wellness Meetup (MWM) holds open monthly meetups where musicians and the music community come together to share and collaborate in a safe space. The Hollow: http://thehollow.com/ The Fort Collins Musician’s Wellness Meet-Up: https://www.meetup.com/Mental-Wellness-Meetup/events/259897824/ Jeff Tweedy “Lets Go So We Can Get Back” - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/541712/lets-go-so-we-can-get-back-by-jeff-tweedy/9781101985267/ Dr. Brene Brown - https://brenebrown.com/blog/ FoCoMX - https://focomx.focoma.org/schedule/saturday MusiCares - https://www.grammy.com/musicares/about/who-we-are-contact-information (MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community). 24 Hour Hotline for Musician’s Needing Help and/or emotional support 0808 802 8008 (TOLL FREE) If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact the Colorado Crisis and Support Line at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 38255 or go to www.coloradocrisisservices.org to access chat. Help and hope are available 24 / 7 / 365
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Nate Meese
01/22/2019
Nate Meese
As an active musician and full-time music manager at 7S, Nate Meese dispels the myth that music and management are separate realms. He unfolds his life experience in ALL things music with the Help Desk’s Erin Roberts. Nate Meese is a manager, musician, and designer living and working in Denver, Colorado. He lives with his wife Sarah and their dog Sam. When not working he enjoys cooking green chili, riding his bike and playing music with friends. http://themusicdistrict.org/
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Connect Call - PR Campaigns
11/26/2018
Connect Call - PR Campaigns
The Musician's Help Desk connects Colorado recording artist Sydney Clapp with Michelle King of Austin-based, Noisy Ghost PR. Through Sydney's questions, Michelle's expertise, and the transparency of real people connecting for a conversation, we hope this Help Desk informs your own publicity endeavors toward your next big tour or music release. Michelle King is the owner of Noisy Ghost PR, an Austin based independent music publicity company. Michelle began her career in Athens, GA after graduating with honors from UGA's Grady College of Mass Communications. She launched Noisy Ghost in the summer of 2013 in partnership with Savannah, GA based label Graveface Records and moved the business to Austin, TX in 2015. Noisy Ghost works with artists across all genres under the indie umbrella and tailors album release and tour press campaigns for both emerging and established artists and labels. Michelle also handles publicity for Savannah Stopover Music Festival, Contrast Film Festival, and is the Public Relations Manager for The Dinah, the largest girl party music festival in the world. She lives in Austin with her wife, one fat cat, and two spoiled (but very good) dogs. Sydney Clapp is a gripping, dynamic songwriter based out of Denver, Colorado. Sydney’s songwriting is simultaneously devastating and hopeful. In the midst of isolation and deep processing of both the joys and sorrows of this world, Sydney sought vulnerability, healing, and connection of our shared human experience through her music. Potentially warranting a box of tissues, Sydney’s experimental folk music invites you to connect with your deepest emotions. Rhythmic and melancholy yet visceral and uplifting, Sydney’s debut EP, “Cradled By Sound” is coming soon.
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Surround Sound Bash Connect Call
10/15/2018
Surround Sound Bash Connect Call
SPECIAL 2018 SURROUND SOUND BASH EDITION OF THE HELP DESK PODCAST: CONNECT CALL. At the Music District’s biggest party of the year, we asked guests to step into our retro-futuristic call center and talk to us about their place in music. We got to know music lovers of all types from our community and asked them where they’d direct their most burning questions given the opportunity to connect with an expert in their field over the phone. The following is the launch point for our winter season of 2018, Help Desk: Connect Calls.
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