The Bandwich Tapes

In this episode, I get to sit down with Peter Martin of Third Coast Percussion, an ensemble I have admired for years. Peter and I dive into the inner world of a percussion quartet that tours the globe, creates new music, commissions major composers, collaborates with artists across genres, and somehow still manages to pack an unbelievable amount of gear into checked luggage.

Peter had just returned from Paris, where the ensemble performed Philip Glass’s August Amazonia Suite alongside a live painter, something they had never done before. From there, we talk about what it truly takes to tour as a percussion group, how they travel with twelve checked bags of instruments, how backlining works, what happens when a vibraphone arrives broken, and why they think about portability and footprint even before a new piece is written.

Peter shares his personal journey from military-kid piano lessons to discovering the drum set, jazz vibraphone, and eventually falling in love with the marimba. We talk about his time studying with Michael Burritt at Northwestern, crossing paths with Brett Dietz and William James, and the surreal experience of watching his classmates become lifelong colleagues in orchestras, universities, and ensembles across the world.

We also talk about the remarkable story of Third Coast Percussion itself, from its beginnings in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago to becoming a full-time, artist-run organization. Peter explains what it really means to run a chamber group from the ground up, how he unexpectedly became the ensemble’s finance director, and why having control of the administrative side gives them total artistic freedom.

Then we dig into the ensemble’s Grammy win for their Steve Reich album, including the thrill of performing on the telecast and the artistic decisions behind putting their own interpretive stamp on such iconic repertoire. Peter describes what it was like working with producer Jesse Lewis and why that collaboration changed how they approached recording forever.

Peter also talks about the emotional experience of recording Murmurs in Time with the legendary Zakir Hussain, who passed away shortly after the sessions. Hearing Peter reflect on Zakir’s musicianship, generosity, and spirit is profoundly moving.

We wrap with a look at what lies ahead for Third Coast Percussion, from new commissions to international touring to upcoming collaborations, including the premiere of a new work with Jlin. As Peter says, there is never a month when the ensemble is not creating something new, and their passion for pushing percussion forward is unmistakable.

It was an honor to talk with Peter and get an inside look at the ensemble’s artistry, work ethic, creativity, and humanity. Third Coast Percussion continues to redefine what chamber music can be, and I am grateful to share their story with you.

To learn more about Third Coast Percussion, visit their website.

Music from the Episode:
Philip GlassAguas da Amazonia- Japurá River (Third Coast Percussion feat. Constance Volk)
Steve Reich: Sextet- V: Fast (Third Coast Percussion)
Zakir Hussain: Murmurs in Time: II: - (Third Coast Percussion with Zakir Hussain)

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode, I sit down with singer Bo Bice for a real conversation about life in music, overnight fame, and what it means to grow up and grow wiser without losing your love for the art. Bo walks me through his American Idol journey, from sleeping on the convention center floor at auditions to waking up one day and realizing he could not walk down the street without being recognized. We talk about the grit it takes to survive beyond the television spotlight, the reality of the music business, and all the unglamorous moments that shape you as a working musician.

Bo shares stories from his early days playing around Alabama and Muscle Shoals, loading his own PA, sleeping in the back of his vehicle after gigs, and learning from the characters he met along the way. We get into the music that shaped him, from Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers to Prince, the Eagles, and John Prine. We also talk about how digital tools and artificial intelligence have changed the landscape, and why live music still feels like the heartbeat of it all.

Later in the conversation, Bo opens up about faith, family, and purpose. He talks about putting God first, the peace he has found in his walk with Christ, and how learning to forgive himself has changed how he experiences his life and career. He also shares his passion for serving veterans through music and through new approaches to healing things like pain, anxiety, and PTSD, and he mentions a new project focused on herbal and cannabinoid therapy launching in 2026. We even touch on his recent appearance on the game show The Floor with Rob Lowe.

I also share a bit of my own story, including my time on Star Search as a teenager and my first year of sobriety. We compare notes on growing up in the South, getting older, and trying to keep our side of the street clean while still chasing the things we love. This one is honest, warm, and full of the kind of perspective that only comes from a lot of miles and a lot of music.

Music from the Episode:
Keep On Rollin' (Bo Bice)
Remember Me (Bo Bice)

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with one of my musical heroes, David Garibaldi. We talk about what he’s been up to since stepping away from Tower of Power, playing with Roger Smith’s group, staying active with new projects, and continuing to practice every day. David describes the drums as an endless landscape, and hearing him talk about still learning and exploring after all these years is truly inspiring.

David reflects on how imagination and curiosity remain at the center of great playing, even in a world overflowing with online content. The core never changes: you still have to follow what lights you up, spend time alone working through the “suck zone,” and develop your own voice.

One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation is David’s look back at his legendary partnership with Rocco Prestia. He talks about their immediate chemistry, their deep listening, and the intuitive way Rocco responded to the drum articulation and phrasing. His stories about Rocco’s unorthodox technique and unmistakable feel are as insightful as they are moving.

We also dive into the culture of Tower of Power, the constant rehearsing, the tight arrangements, the expectation that everyone listens, contributes, and functions as a team. David explains how “Tower 101” shaped new members musically and personally, and why the band sounded the way it did.

David shares memories of his time in the Air Force Band, how concert percussion study helped shape his ear, and how returning to the Bay Area after his enlistment led him directly into the musical world that would define his career. He also talks about his current work as a teacher and his upcoming “living book” project with Hudson Music, which he’ll continue adding to over time.

This conversation was an absolute honor for me. David has influenced generations of drummers, myself included, and getting to hear his perspective firsthand was something I won’t forget. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

Music from the Episode:
What is Hip? (Tower of Power)
Squib Cakes (Tower of Power)
Oakland Stroke (Tower of Power)
Soul Vaccination (Tower of Power)

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].