No Simple Road

This week on No Simple Road, we're bringing together two passionate champions of music, community, and culture for a conversation that celebrates everything we love about the grassroots scene. Joining Aaron, Mel, and Apple are Brick Lohr, promoter and visionary behind the beloved Ramble Festival, and Kris Howland of Heady Wax Fiends, one of the most respected vinyl-loving communities in the jam band world. As the countdown to this year's Ramble Festival continues, we dive deep into what makes this gathering such a special experience for music lovers, Deadheads, vinyl collectors, and festival family alike. Brick shares the story behind the festival's growth, the vision that guides it, and how Ramble continues to cultivate an intimate atmosphere where music, art, and connection thrive. Kris joins the conversation to discuss the enduring power of vinyl culture, the community that has formed around Heady Wax Fiends, and why physical music remains such an important part of the live music experience. Together, we explore the intersection of collecting, community, and the shared love of discovering new music through old-school formats. But that's not all. In a special live announcement, we officially unveil the Ramble Festival x Heady Wax Fiends Vinyl Submission Contest winners, Denver's own The Hip Snacks, and we're even joined by their very own Ben Suarez! This episode is a celebration of independent music, vinyl culture, grassroots festivals, and the communities that keep the spirit of live music alive. Whether you're planning your trip to Ramble Festival, digging through crates for your next favorite record, or simply looking for your next musical adventure, this conversation is packed with inspiration, excitement, and plenty of family vibes. Go to ramblefestival.com for your ticlets and info now! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome guitarist, songwriter, and sonic explorer Tom Hamilton of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) for a deep dive into his haunting and beautifully personal new album, I Am Your Vampire. Known for his fearless improvisation and emotionally charged playing in the jam band world, Tom joins us to talk about stepping into a more intimate and vulnerable creative space through this latest release. We explore the inspiration behind I Am Your Vampire, the themes woven throughout the album, and how songwriting can become both a mirror and a form of transformation. The conversation moves through Tom’s creative process, balancing life between collaborative improvisational music and deeply personal solo work, and how years in the jam scene have shaped his approach to composition and storytelling. We also talk about identity, darkness, beauty, and the strange emotional terrain artists sometimes have to walk through in order to create something honest. Like all things No Simple Road, this episode reaches beyond music into the deeper currents underneath it all — creativity, vulnerability, self-exploration, and the power of art to connect us through the parts of ourselves we don’t always show the world. Whether you know Tom from the expansive live journeys of JRAD or are discovering his solo work for the first time, this conversation offers a thoughtful look into the mind of an artist unafraid to evolve and explore. For tour info, music and more head over to: tomhamiltonjr.com Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple gather around the virtual campfire joined by Venue Llama/Fire on the Mountain owner Jordan Busch to unpack one of the most talked-about live music experiences in recent memory — Phish at Sphere in Las Vegas. From the moment the lights dropped inside the revolutionary immersive venue known as the Sphere, it was clear this wasn’t just another run of Phish shows — it was a full-on sensory expedition. In this episode, the crew dives deep into the music, visuals, crowd energy, and emotional impact of the run, exploring how Phish once again managed to push the boundaries of what a live concert experience can be. We talk favorite jams, standout moments, setlist surprises, and the way the Sphere’s cutting-edge visual technology transformed the relationship between improvisational music and storytelling. But like all things No Simple Road, this conversation goes beyond technical production and into the deeper layers of what makes the Phish community so enduring: connection, presence, spontaneity, and the shared experience of stepping into the unknown together. The crew reflects on what it felt like to witness a band with decades of history embrace the future without losing the soul of what brought fans there in the first place. Whether you made the trip to Las Vegas, couch toured, or are just curious what all the buzz was about, this episode is a heartfelt deep dive into a truly unforgettable chapter in Phish history. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple sit down with Murph & Primo, the independent promoters behind the 2nd Annual Warlock Koolaid Campout — a grassroots music festival built by and for the Deadhead community in Oregon and beyond. From humble beginnings to a growing gathering of like-minded souls, Murph and Primo share the story of how Warlock Koolaid Campout came to life — fueled by a love of music, community, and that unmistakable magic that happens when the right people come together under the open sky. We dive into what it really takes to build a festival from the ground up, the challenges of staying independent, and the intention behind creating a space that feels authentic, inclusive, and rooted in the spirit of the Grateful Dead. The conversation flows through the ethos of the Deadhead scene — improvisation, connection, freedom, and family — and how those values shape every aspect of the campout experience. Murph and Primo open up about curating the lineup, fostering a safe and welcoming environment, and why gatherings like this matter now more than ever in a world that’s often missing that sense of real connection. Like all things No Simple Road, this episode goes deeper than just music. It’s about community-building, following a vision, and saying yes to the wild idea that you can create something meaningful from the ground up — and invite others to be part of it. Head over to @road.trip.records on IG for more info! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome John Tyson and James McPhillips of Denver’s own Orca the Band — a group that’s carving out their own lane in the modern jam and indie landscape with what they call an “Adventure Band” spirit. From the jump, this conversation dives into the origin story of Orca the Band — how the project came together, the chemistry that sparked between members, and the shared vision that continues to guide their sound. John and James take us inside their writing process, where spontaneity meets intention, and songs evolve through exploration rather than expectation. We explore the wide range of musical influences that shape Orca’s sound — from jam and indie rock to experimental textures — and how those influences aren’t just referenced, but transformed into something uniquely their own. The band’s identity as an “Adventure Band” becomes a central thread, reflecting not just their music, but their approach to creativity, performance, and life on the road. This episode also taps into the deeper layers: what it means to take risks as artists, how improvisation builds trust within a band, and why stepping into the unknown is often where the best music lives. Like all things No Simple Road, this isn’t just about songs — it’s about the journey behind them. If you’re a fan of jam bands, indie music, improvisation, and artists who aren’t afraid to explore, this conversation is going to resonate. Head over to www.orcatheband.net for merch, music, and more! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.