The future of rock and roll is in good hands as long as Zero Theorem continue churning out original, thought-provoking music with a message.
Our heroes are tired. The rock and metal legends that gave us the blueprint to making music that riles audiences and incites mosh pits are growing older with each passing day. If the heavier side of music is to survive it needs fresh ideas from younger artists who not only have something to say, but who can also convey those thoughts in ways that capture our imagination. There are many musicians doing this already, and one of the most promising is the men of Zero Theorem.
Combining big ideas about existence and the human condition with groove-heavy rock and a penchant for science fiction, Zero Theorem is one of a kind. The band strives to make us reconsider not only our place in the universe but the importance of relationships. Like a great novel or a powerful film, the band’s music speaks to what we can be rather than what we are, and they do so without ignoring the work required. They recognize that we cannot accomplish anything without focused effort, and the group hopes to encourage us to pursue the difficult, but necessary growing pains that lie ahead.
On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell chats with Zero Theorem about the importance of having something to say in music today. The discussion also highlight’s the band’s new single, “Swarm,” and how they are using their time during COVID-19.
Haulix is partnering with two non-profits to bring a new kind of music podcast to the masses.
We want to tell you a story about rock and roll. It has many themes you will recognize, such as sex and drugs, but we are going to look at things from a different perspective. We’ve all heard legends about rock bands partying their lives away and musicians who can only create when drunk or high, but that image of the so-called “rockstar lifestyle” is flawed. Living a stereotypical rockstar life comes with a rarely discussed cost, and that is where the story of High Notes begins.
High Notes is a new series from Haulix.com in partnership with HeartSupport and the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation. It’s a podcast about addiction and recovery in music that details the personal experiences of people in the rock and alternative world. Each episode explores how the entertainment industry makes it possible for people to live out their wildest dreams and how most never appreciate the price of doing so until it’s too late.
The first season of High Notes features eight episodes, and each one is different from the last. You’ll hear about the highest heights people can reach, as well as the lowest lows, and somewhere in the middle — we find hope. We learn what it takes to make positive changes, and why it’s so important.
Guests featured on the first season of High Notes include:
Bert McCracken of The Used
Anthony Green of Circa Survive
Nick Martin of Sleeping With Sirens
Brian ‘Head’ Welch of KoRn
Tommy Vext of Bad Wolves
Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October
Ronnie Winter of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Haley Butters of absinthe father
All eight episodes from the first season of High Notes will be available on Tuesday, July 28, wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen to a teaser below:
Late one night, Jake Luhrs sat outside the Chicago House of Blues Stories of addiction, depression, self-harm, heartache, war, fear, and hopelessness echoed in his mind. Every night, a fan would share a different story. Although Jake was the well-recognized frontman of August Burns Red, he was at a loss for how to help. He wasn’t a mental health specialist and he screamed into a mic for a living. Not exactly the picture of expertise his fans needed. Deep in thought and prayer, all Jake knew was that something had to change
.Every year we help men and women brave their wounds, find purpose, and discover healing. Our goal is to create a legacy of life-transformation, freeing them from suicide, addiction, abuse, and mental health issues while empowering them with the realization they are loved unconditionally and supported by a community that believes in them. We do this by creating a safe space where people can come as they are and explore healing and providing resources.
What we do: We provide a community space where people can find healing. One way we do this is through our support wall where people can share what they are going through and receive support and encouragement at forum.heartsupport.com . In addition we have self-help workbooks geered towards people who are struggling with self-harm and depression as well as an online anxiety course. Lastly, we stream on twitch 5 days a week to provide support and have dozens of YouTube videos with your favorite metal bands where guys like Ricky Motionless, Garrett Russell, and Matty Mullins open up about their experiences to remind you, you’re never alone.
The Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation (GRI) is the first and only national community foundation dedicated to funding critical support services for people in early recovery from substance use disorders (SUD).
Ahead of his new EP, The Outside, Rapper and creative ToBy stops by Inside Music to discuss why now is the perfect opportunity to make your talent known.
ToBy is one of the brightest minds in entertainment today. His music speaks to the struggles we all experience and channels those commonalities into songs that soothe the soul. He isn’t trying to convince you that your problems don’t matter, but instead, ToBy aims to provide comfort as you go through life. His latest EP, The Outside, plays like a late-night road trip spent with the wind in your hair and the radio on as loud as it will go. In other words, it’s precisely what many of us need.
The magic of The Outside lies in the themes and aesthetics that tie the five-track release together. As ToBy works through the highs and lows in life, not to mention the things he cannot change, the production creates a near-dreamlike state. As much as heaviness may exist in the lyrics, the music is weightless, and that allows listeners to lose themselves in every note and melody that ToBy chooses to share.
On the latest episode of Inside Music, ToBy chats with host James Shotwell about his creative process and the surreal experience of releasing music during the coronavirus pandemic. He shares the way the chaos around us is informing his marketing efforts, as well as why he feels listeners are drawn to a different kind of music than usual. It turns out, the ‘new normal’ might not be as bad as some in the industry are making it out.
In celebration of his band’s new EP, Ben Liebsch returns to Inside Music to discuss the crazy world we live in and how it’s shaping the future of entertainment.
You, Me, And Everyone We Know is about more than a single band or the music they create. The Pennsylvania-based group has made it their mission to help listeners everywhere appreciate that we are all in this thing called life together. They recognize that we are individuals with personal freedoms and desires, but at the end of the day, we are one species attempting to coexist with each other on a tiny rock spinning in infinite space.
With their latest EP, Radical! Change, You, Me, And Everyone We Know is taking steps to help people stay calm amidst the chaos of existence. The two-song release teases where the band is heading in the future with acoustic cuts of previously unreleased material that explores mindfulness and meditation. There are references to though leaders such as Ram Dass alongside grounding exercises meant to help people reconnect with their inner selves. That may seem heavy, and maybe it is, but there is a lot of fun to be had as well.
Ben Liebsch is no stranger to Inside Music. In fact, his presence on our podcast this week makes him the guest with the most appearances to date. He’s also among the artists our listeners ask to hear, so it all works out pretty well for everyone involved.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, Ben discusses the world and his role in it. He tells host James Shotwell about the way COVID-19 has sidetracked his plans for the year, but also the ways it has helped him focus on what matters most. The pair also discuss the latest EP from Ben’s band, You, Me, and Everyone We Know.
Radio’s relevance in today’s world is not up for debate, and Louisville-area host Regular Laura tells us why on the latest episode of Inside Music.
Radio is alive and well. Despite the widespread belief that the streaming era has made terrestrial radio something of a dinosaur, millions of listeners from all age groups tune in to local stations every single day for music, news, and commentary from their favorite DJs. Regular Laura, otherwise known as Laura Hardy, is here today to explain how the format continues to thrive amidst uncertain times in media.
Those living outside of Louisville, Kentucky may be unfamiliar with Regular Laura. She’s a morning drive host for 107.7FM who lives to create entertaining moments of chaos in between classic hits from the bands you and your families grew up enjoying. She’s the type of person to play Bob Seger at 5 AM on a Tuesday because she understands that sometimes only the king of existential rock narratives can comfort the working-class masses while they commute back and forth from their jobs. She also has a lifesize cutout of herself, but that’s a story for another time.
On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell calls Regular Laura to discuss her career in music. Laura details her journey to hosting, as well as the realities of working in media during a pandemic. She also offers advice to anyone considering a career in radio (which you should absolutely do).
Fast-rising rock band Moon Fever stops by Inside Music to share what they’re learning about life in the entertainment business.
Rock and roll is a fickle business. Every success story overshadows the hundreds of aspiring stars that never got a proper shot at reaching genre fans. Even those who taste mainstream acceptance often see the rug pulled out from under them as fans claim they are selling out for radio appeal. Still, every year, countless artists try their hand at sharing the next song that will change the world (as long as people hear it).
Here at Haulix, we believe in the future of rock and roll. We think it is vital for every rock fan to support new talent as a means of ensuring the music we love continues to spread around the globe. Our platform may not be as large as other outlets, but that doesn’t stop us from doing our part, which is precisely why the group Moon Fever is on our podcast.
The latest and potentially greatest American rock band to make a case for mainstream recognition, Moon Fever harness classic rock ethos and channel them into a unique sound that demands listeners shake off the worries of the world. Their latest single, “Cassanova,” is a nuclear earworm that works its way into your cerebellum and refuses to leave. You cannot hate this band even if you tried to, and why would anyone want to do that?
This week on Inside Music, host James Shotwell calls Cody Jasper of Moon Fever to discuss his band’s meteoric rise through the rock ranks. Cody tells James how Moon Fever sets themselves apart from their peers, as well as the way COVID-19 changed their plans for 2020. There is also some discussion of the George Floyd protests, the greatness of Kings of Leon, and more.
Guitarist John Notto shares his cure for COVID blues, the reality of opening for your heroes, and more on the latest episode of our long-running podcast.
Rock music has a promotion problem, and that’s not news to anyone working in the entertainment business. Rock has long heralded the bands that brought the genre to mainstream success in the 1970s and 1980s, which has made it increasingly hard for newer groups to get radio airplay and media attention. As you read this, somewhere in America, at least six radio stations are playing “Back In Black,” and another four are spinning “Paradise City.” The chance a band from the last five years is getting airplay right now is low, and therein lies the problem that those in rock music are trying hard to correct.
The only way young artists can establish themselves and build lasting careers is with the support of radio and the media. Other areas of music, such as pop and hip-hop, cater to that need far more than rock. A lot of people in positions of power throughout the rock community cannot bring themselves to limit the exposure given to legacy acts to help up and comers succeed because, frankly, most people don’t know about those new musicians. In an age where retaining and building an audience matters more than ever, tastemakers want to work with groups that have followings rather than those needing help creating them.
We do not see ourselves as industry influences, but we have a platform, and we’re choosing to use it for the betterment of the music business as a whole. Inside music exists to explore the business side of entertainment, and we feel the best way to do that is by working with artists currently cutting their teeth in the professional world.
On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell speaks with Dirty Honey guitarist John Notto about his band’s unbelievable ascension through the rock music ranks. John tells James what the group was planning before the spread of coronavirus, as well as their efforts to keep fans engaged during these uncertain times.
Them Evils saw their plans for 2020 crumble as COVID-19 took the world by storm, but not even a global pandemic can stop these rockers from making their name known.
Critics love to question whether or not rock music is dead. “It’s too safe,” some say, while others questions if there are any ideas the genre has yet to explore. We believe rock is very much alive, but the best bands working today are just getting started in their careers. Them Evils is a perfect example of a game-changing group that is working just outside the mainstream consciousness, but with a little luck and a return for live music, this band could take the planet by surprise in no time at all.
But in early 2020, a new problem emerged. The spread of coronavirus brought live music to a halt, which forced up and coming bands like Them Evils off the road just as their career was starting to take off. The group’s plans for the year began to crumble before their eyes, but Them Evils were determined to keep going. The group took a step back to rethink and plan a new approach to gaining recognition, and they’re now putting those thoughts to action.
“Where Ya Gonna Crash Tonight,” the new single from Them Evils, brings to mind the brash and rebellious sound of early-2000s rock acts such as Jet and The Vines. It’s a whirlwind of extravagance and bad decisions filtered through a raw rock sound that is intended to be played loud during summer road trips.
On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell chats with Jordan Griffin of fast-rising rock band Them Evils. Jordan tells James how the spread of COVID-19 complicated his group’s plans for 2020, and how finding himself in a corner forced him to get creative in new and exciting ways.
Fast-rising New York duo King Falcon stop by Inside Music to discuss the challenges of promoting new music in the age of COVID-19.
The music business will never be like it was before March 2020. The spread of COVID-19 not only brought touring to a halt, but it also forced the industry to rethink its promotional efforts completely. Artists at every level of the music business found themselves challenged to make people care about their creativity without being able to meet and engage with them in person. When this era ends, the lessons gained from this time will continue to inform future promotional decisions. There is no going back, and it’s not worth it to try.
King Falcon is not an arena headlining band. The duo barely had a chance to make their name known before coronavirus brought the entertainment industry to a halt. Like many other indie artists, the group has to choose between pushing ahead in any way possible or doing their best to wait until the current pandemic ends. They believe constant progress is the key to establishing their name among the modern rock great, and they are working hard to find exciting ways to engage oversaturated social media users until live music returns.
Luckily, the music King Falcon produces is great. The band’s songs provide a much needed moment of escapism from our trying times. It’s the kind of wild, unpredictable rock that shakes your soul and moves your feet.
On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell chats with fast-rising group King Falcon about the challenge of promoting new music in the age of COVID. King Falcon shares the difficulties they’ve been experiencing as a new group trying to be heard, but also the positives of needing to think outside the box when it comes to marketing. You can stream the group’s latest single, “Shake! Shake! Shake!,” wherever you find music.
Ronnie Winter of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus stops by Inside Music to celebrate our podcasting milestone and share updates from COVID-19 lockdown.
Making a living in alternative music is a difficult task. Reaching the point of profitability and continuing to excel for five years is almost impossible. Continuing to grow and build an audience for nearly two decades is a feat so insurmountable most artists never come close to achieving it. Still, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is not most artists. The band learned early on that fans are as much as a factor in success as their songwriting, and they harnessed that understanding to establish themselves as one of the most widely-recognized names in rock worldwide.
Vocalist and founding member Ronnie Winter will be the first to tell you that hard work and fan engagement alone is not enough to produce a successful career in music. Luck also plays a much more significant role in success stories than many people are willing to admit. For every artist that gets ahead by engaging with fans and writing good songs, hundreds more utilizing the same techniques and never go anywhere. That is because most musicians are only as good as their fans, and how listeners react to music is what ultimately determines an artist’s fate. People can love a song, but do they like it enough to tell people about it? Do they align themselves with the group or artist so much that they feel intimately involved in that person’s career trajectory? These things matter just as much, if not more than having talent.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus treat fans as if they are members of the band. The group dedicates a large amount of time to reading and replying to messages, as well as interacting with followers through live events online. That devotion to their audience has produced a global following that is willing to go above and beyond to ensure RJA continues to create and deliver songs that matter, and no amount of marketing money or label involvement can duplicate that kind of artist-fan relationship.
To celebrate 200 episodes of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell shares a video chat with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus frontman Ron Winters. Ron tells James about his band’s enduring legacy in alternative rock, his work to engage with fans during COVID, and how the group’s recent single (“Brace Yourself“) became an unexpected quarantine anthem.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus will release their highly anticipated new EP, Emergency, later this year.
