My Weekly Mixtape

<p>This week, I’m joined by <strong>American Idol Top 20 contestant </strong>and <strong>New Jersey artist Jake Thistle</strong> to talk about his experience performing on one of <strong>television’s biggest music stages</strong>.</p><p>Jake shares what it’s really like behind the scenes of <strong>American Idol</strong> — from the <strong>strategy behind song choices</strong> (including his audition take on <strong>Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”</strong>) to the <strong>pressure</strong> of performing <strong>original music</strong> in front of the judges and a national audience, as he did with his song <strong>“Sleep On Me.”</strong></p><p>We also dive into his roots in the <strong>New Jersey music scene</strong>, the <strong>artists who helped shape his sound</strong> — including <strong>Tom Petty</strong> and <strong>John Hiatt</strong> — and the moment he realized <strong>music was his path in life</strong>.</p><p>Along the way, we preview his latest single <strong>“Alone, Together,”</strong> and Jake shares <strong>three songs he thinks deserve a spot on your musical radar.</strong></p><p>Whether you’re already <strong>a fan of Jake’s music</strong>, an <strong>American Idol</strong> <strong>faithful</strong>, or simply curious about <strong>the reality behind televised music competitions</strong>, this conversation offers <strong>a candid look at the journey behind the music</strong>.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></p><p>🎵 <strong>Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠</a></p><p>💬 <strong>Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠">https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠</a></p><p>🌐 <strong>Connect on Social:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠</a></p><p>📧 <strong>Email the Show / Contact:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠</a></p>

<p>This week, I’m joined by <strong>Weakened Friends’ Sonia Sturino</strong> to dig into <strong>Feels Like Hell</strong>, the band’s 2025 release that captures the <strong>emotional whiplash</strong> of <strong>modern life</strong> with <strong>biting honesty</strong> and <strong>melodic grit</strong>.</p><p>We talk about<strong> the mindset behind the album</strong>, how <strong>exhaustion</strong>, <strong>anxiety</strong>, and <strong>self-reflection</strong> shaped the <strong>songwriting,</strong> and why Feels Like Hell feels like both a <strong>breaking point </strong>and <strong>a breakthrough</strong>. </p><p>From <strong>loud-quiet dynamics</strong> to <strong>lyrics that don’t flinch</strong>, this conversation <strong>pulls back the curtain</strong> on how the band translated <strong>real-world pressure</strong> into <strong>a record that resonates deeply</strong> — <strong>especially if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed but kept moving anyway</strong>. Sonia opens up about <strong>trusting raw instincts</strong>, <strong>embracing honesty</strong> in <strong>songwriting</strong>, and how that <strong>vulnerability</strong> has <strong>deepened the connection with fans</strong>.</p><p>We also get into the nuts and bolts: working with <strong>Don Giovanni Records</strong>, the surreal collaboration with <strong>Buckethead</strong> on <strong>“NPC,” song dynamics</strong> across the record, the band’s cover of Ednaswap’s <strong>“Torn,” </strong>and why <em>Feels Like Hell</em> was built to be experienced as a full album — not just a collection of singles.</p><p>This episode is about <strong>survival</strong>, <strong>growth</strong>, and <strong>finding clarity</strong> on <strong>the other side of burnout</strong>. Then there’s the incredible music! </p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></p><p>🎵 <strong>Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠</a></p><p>💬 <strong>Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠">https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠</a></p><p>🌐 <strong>Connect on Social:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠</a></p><p>📧 <strong>Email the Show / Contact:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠</a></p>

<p>Ever judge an album by its cover? This week on My Weekly Mixtape, Jay Sweet joins me as we flip through some virtual record crates to curate a playlist inspired by the <strong>most iconic album covers of all time</strong>. From <strong>legendary imagery</strong> to <strong>unforgettable records</strong>, we’re turning that <strong>visual inspiration</strong> into a <strong>killer mix of songs</strong> — and exploring what makes album art just as <strong>timeless</strong>, <strong>meaningful</strong>, and <strong>memorable</strong> as the music inside.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></p><p>🎵 <strong>Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠</a></p><p>💬 <strong>Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠">https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠</a></p><p>🌐 <strong>Connect on Social:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠</a></p><p>📧 <strong>Email the Show / Contact:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠</a></p>

<p>Welcome to the launch of a new kind of bonus episode I’m calling <strong><em>Mixtape Moments</em></strong> — short stories sparked by <strong>a recent news item</strong> or an<strong> anecdote</strong> I haven’t yet found a place for in a full-length episode.</p><p>There’s <strong>no set timetable</strong> for how often these will appear, but the format <strong>opens the door</strong> to new ways of experiencing <em>My Weekly Mixtape</em> — including <strong>quick hitters </strong>when the moment calls for it, whether it’s <strong>reacting to breaking news</strong>, a <strong>surprise album release</strong>, or <strong>a story that simply can’t wait</strong>.</p><p>This premiere <em>Mixtape Moment</em> was inspired by this week’s news that <strong>Bruce Johnston</strong> is stepping away from <strong>The Beach Boys</strong> after more than six decades with the band. </p><p>So join me as I celebrate Bruce’s remarkable journey with the band, while sharing a personal story about how a simple act of mid-concert kindness — <strong>a bottle of</strong> <strong>FIJI Water</strong> — became an <strong>unforgettable memory</strong> for this <strong>longtime fan</strong>.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></p><p>🎵 <strong>Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠</a></p><p>💬 <strong>Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠">https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠</a></p><p>🌐 <strong>Connect on Social:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠</a></p><p>📧 <strong>Email the Show / Contact:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠</a></p>

<p>This week, I’m sitting down with the legendary <strong>Warren Haynes</strong> to revisit <strong><em>Tales of Ordinary Madness</em></strong> — his <strong>debut solo album</strong>, now <strong>newly remixed and remastered</strong> more than<strong> thirty years after its original release</strong>. It’s a record that’s lived a long life with a lot of us, and hearing it again with fresh ears raises a bigger question: <strong>what happens when you return to deeply personal songs after decades of living, playing, and moving forward?</strong></p><p>We talk about how the album found a home on <strong>Megaforce Records </strong>— yes, <em>that</em> Megaforce — and what it was like for Warren to re-engage with these songs from a distance he simply didn’t have in the early ’90s. From <strong>co-producing</strong> the original sessions with <strong>Chuck Leavell </strong>to hearing <strong>Grammy-winning engineer Jim Scott </strong>remix the album and fully unlock its <strong>timeless status</strong>, this conversation becomes<strong> less about revision</strong> and <strong>more about rediscovery</strong> — about <strong>what time gives you</strong>, and <strong>what it doesn’t</strong>.</p><p>There are stories between the songs, too. We dig into the long-lost <strong>“Tear Me Down,”</strong> finally restored to its rightful place in the <strong>album’s new sequence</strong>, and trace how <strong>“I’ll Be The One” </strong>quietly evolved from <em>Tales of Ordinary Madness</em> into <strong>Gov’t Mule’s</strong> <strong><em>Mo Voodoo</em></strong> rendition. Warren walks through <strong>what changed</strong>, <strong>what stayed the same</strong>, and <strong>why those distinctions still matter</strong> — <strong>musically</strong> and <strong>emotionally</strong>.</p><p>Along the way, we widen the lens. We revisit his <strong>legendary early-morning acoustic performance</strong> at <strong>Bonnaroo in 2004</strong>, talk about<strong> the mechanics of collaborations</strong> — what <strong>makes it work</strong>, what <strong>makes it last </strong>— and touch on his musical chemistry with artists like <strong>Little Milton</strong>, <strong>Kenny Wayne Shepherd</strong>, <strong>Grace Potter</strong> and <strong>Joe Bonamassa</strong> (just to scratch the surface). We also unpack the story behind that unforgettable slide guitar on <strong>Blues Traveler’s “The Mountains Win Again,” </strong>and how that moment <strong>unexpectedly helped shape the sound and direction</strong> of <strong>Gov’t Mule’s debut</strong>.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></p><p>🎵 <strong>Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠</a></p><p>💬 <strong>Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠">https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠</a></p><p>🌐 <strong>Connect on Social:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠</a></p><p>📧 <strong>Email the Show / Contact:</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact">⁠ </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠">https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠</a></p>