Five At The Door

In this episode, Kristy sits down with Jack and Dawson from Bummer Hill for a deep dive into the band’s creative process, the evolution of their sound, and the realities of being a DIY band in today’s music landscape.

Topics Covered:

• The origins of Bummer Hill and how the band members met through film school.
• The making of their acclaimed record "Far Removed"—from songwriting and track selection to the emotional and musical journey behind the album.
• The band’s approach to visuals, music videos, and the influence of their film backgrounds.
• The challenges and strategies of promoting a band in the age of TikTok and Instagram, including the importance (and frustration) of social media for independent artists.
• The evolution of the band’s lineup and sound, with a focus on collaboration and letting each member’s strengths shine.
• A candid discussion about the state of the emo/DIY scene, the pressure to fit into trends, and the value of authenticity.
• The story behind their new double single "Don’t Ask Me What These Songs Are About," including lyrical themes of communication, isolation, and the desire to be heard.
• Reflections on the grind of booking tours, building an audience, and what keeps the band motivated despite the odds.

Notable Quotes:

• “We want to be unpredictable. We want to have solid songwriting at the core, but keep you on your toes.”
• “The thing that keeps me going is wanting to make a mark—so that some other kid feels what I felt when I discovered the bands that moved me.”
• “If you’re serious about being in a band and you’re not pummeling TikTok, you’re cooked.”

Listen for:

• Insights into the creative process of a modern emo band.
• Honest talk about the music industry, community, and staying true to your vision.
• Fun stories, music theory tidbits, and plenty of laughs.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share.

EPISODE 93 – THE LOW BLOW

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, Kristy welcomes her longtime friend Patsy, frontperson of Nashville’s The Low Blow, for a deep dive into the band’s evolution, the making of their new record "Forest for the Trees," and the realities of DIY music in Nashville.

Topics Covered:

-The Low Blow’s musical journey: from blues and gospel roots to confessional, genre-defying emo.

-The creative process behind "Forest for the Trees" and how the band’s sound and songwriting have matured.

-Embracing Appalachian and Southern influences while pushing the boundaries of the emo genre.

-The importance of sincerity, community, and emotional honesty in music.

-Reflections on the Nashville DIY scene, its challenges, and the collective ethos that keeps it thriving.

-The role of fantasy, D&D, and Magic: The Gathering in Patsy’s life and creative work.

-The pressures and joys of being in a band, and the importance of taking breaks and supporting each other.

-Shoutouts to other inspiring artists and scenes, including Foxing, Summit Shack, and the Nashville hardcore community.

Music Featured:

"Forest for the Trees" (new single, out now)

Teasers for upcoming singles and the full album, releasing in early November.

Special Announcements:

The Low Blow’s album release show is happening November 15th at The End (Nashville), with Stammer, Sour Tooth, and more. Don’t miss it!

Connect:

Follow The Low Blow and Kristy for more updates.

Support your local DIY scene—plug in, show up, and help build something real.

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and check out The Low Blow’s new music!

In this episode, Kristy sits down with Gavin from Noise Beneath the Floor for an in-depth conversation about the band’s creative journey, the making of their new EP "Open Doors and Far Off Places," and the realities of being an independent musician in today’s music landscape.

What You’ll Hear:

-The story behind Noise Beneath the Floor’s prolific songwriting—over 130 songs written for their last album, and how they chose what to release.

-The process of self-producing music, collaborating remotely, and the challenges of recording, mixing, and mastering on a budget.

-Honest talk about the emotional drive to create, the struggle for sustainability, and the importance of community and self-sufficiency in music.

-Insights into balancing artistic integrity with the business side of music, including release strategies, PR, and the evolving role of live shows.

-A candid discussion about why artists keep going despite the odds, and what it means to choose the creative path.

-An exclusive preview of the intro track from the upcoming EP "Open Doors and Far Off Places."

Key Moments:

-Gavin reveals the band’s upcoming EP and shares stories from the recording process.

-Kristy and Gavin reflect on the pressures and rewards of independent music-making.

-The duo discusses the future of Noise Beneath the Floor and their commitment to community-driven, sustainable artistry.

In this episode, Kristy sits down with Ben from Scarlet Street to discuss the band’s journey, the making of their new record, and the changing landscape of music and technology. The conversation dives deep into the creative process, influences, and the challenges of authenticity in today’s music scene.

Key Topics:

• From LP1 to LP2:
  Ben and Kristy reflect on the transition between Scarlet Street’s first and second albums. LP1 was introspective and personal, while LP2 turns outward, tackling broader societal issues and the current state of the world.
• Influences & Sound:
  The band’s sound draws inspiration from post-hardcore and emo legends like Glassjaw, Crime in Stereo, and Brand New, but with a unique twist. Ben shares how the band’s influences shaped the new record’s darker, more political tone.
• The Creative Process:
  The episode explores songwriting philosophies, the importance of feeling over theory, and the collaborative dynamic within the band. Ben discusses how certain songs evolved, the role of each band member, and the push-pull between technical skill and emotional resonance.
• Music & Technology:
  Kristy and Ben discuss the impact of technology on music, from the death of the “old internet” to the pressures of self-promotion and algorithm-driven culture. They touch on the band’s use of alternate reality games (ARGs) and creative online engagement.
• Authenticity & the Modern Band:
  The conversation critiques the current state of music marketing, the grind of being in a band, and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision. Ben emphasizes making music for connection, not just for numbers or trends.
• Special Features:
  

Memorable Quotes:

• “LP1 is about you; LP2 is about everything else.”
• “We have a flattened culture because we have algorithms that reward sameness.”
• “Authenticity needs to start at the music first.”

Links & Mentions:

• Scarlet Street’s new album drops October 24th.
• Listen to the single “Warning Sounds.”
• Explore the Scarlet Street ARG for hidden rewards.

Thanks for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more conversations with artists pushing the boundaries of music and meaning.

In this episode, Kristy welcomes back Graham from Fabulous Fabulist to discuss the band’s upcoming album, "Null and Noise," out September 12th. The conversation dives into the evolution of the band’s sound, lineup changes, and the creative process behind the new record. Graham shares insights on moving towards a heavier, more experimental direction, the collaborative energy of the current lineup, and the joys and challenges of DIY recording.The episode explores the importance of community in the Nashville DIY scene, the balance between artistic fulfillment and external validation, and the value of making music for its own sake. Kristy and Graham reflect on the roles within bands, the playful competitiveness of local music, and the friendships that form through shared creative experiences.Featured Track: "Don’t Go Hollow" – the second track from "Null and Noise," highlighted as a standout single.Key Topics:-The making of "Null and Noise" and its September 12th release-Band lineup changes and their impact on creativity-The Nashville DIY music community and its collaborative spirit-Recording challenges, gear talk, and the grind of making a record-Letting go of external expectations and focusing on the art-Upcoming album release show at Arcane Workshop on September 20thLinks & Info:Album: "Null and Noise" by Fabulous Fabulist (out September 12th)Album release show: September 20th at Arcane Workshop, NashvilleFeatured song: "Don’t Go Hollow"If you enjoy the episode, share it with a friend or post about the new record on Reddit (especially r/mathrock)! Thanks for listening and supporting Nashville’s vibrant DIY scene.