Hello friends! Welcome to episode 617! Six years ago today, August 10, 2011, I released episode 1 of "How Did I Get Here?" with my guest, Suzanna Choffel. I thought it would be nice to put together a clip show of some of conversations I've gotten to have with people I love and admire over the last six years. Frank Turner (ep. 430 -10/30/15) talks about the coreleation between the punk and folk ethos, Kathy Valentine (ep. 18 -10/22/11) tells her story about joining The GoGo's, Hunt Sales (ep. 88 -7/29/12) discusses the ups and downs of an illustrious career, Angelo Moore (ep. 261 -4/4/14) on how he fell in love with the Theremin, A Giant Dog (ep. 330 -11/27/14) on Sweet Spirit and how they came together, Bruce Sudano (ep. 477 -4/1/16) on the transition out of disco into pop and singer/songwriter music, Penelope Spheeris (ep. 407 -8/12/15) on why Paul Stanley was in bed with so many girls when she interviewed him for "The Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years", David Grissom (ep. 89 -7/27/12) being onstage with The Dixie Chicks in London in 2003 when Natalie Maines made the George Bush comment, John Bush (ep. 314 -10/6/14) on meeting Edie Brickell and starting The New Bohemians, AJ Vallejo (ep. 600 -6/13/17) AJ gets naughty at a live podcast with Nakia, Jaimee Harris and Jane Ellen Bryant. I want to thank all of the guests who have been on the show and all the publicists, managers and friends who help me get folks on the show. Mostly, I want to thank YOU for listening. Thanks for a great six years. I'm looking forward to the next few years and all the conversations I'll have. Have a great weekend. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! I hope you all had a great weekend. My guest for episode 616 is pop singer and songwriter, Finlay! Finlay's latest single, "Tides" released in March, has been played over 129,000 on Spotify alone. "Tides" is is only her second single. Her first single, "Always There" was released in November. you can find music, videos and more at finlaymusic.com So in the last 9 Months, Finlay has released 2 singles, gotten over 140,000 plays on both combined on Spotify, secured major management, was picked as one of NPR's "100 Artists To Watch at SXSW 2017", she was Austin Music Foundation's Artist of the Month for July and a lot more. You might be asking yourself, "How does she do it?". Well, Finlay and I have a great conversation about growing up in Houston, learning piano at a young age, going to college in L.A., surviving a deadly shark attack in 2012, returning to the ocean and comitting her life to music, making music with her husband and much, much more! I had a great time getting to know Paige Finlay. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! My guests for episode 615 are Sara Houser and Michael Sanders from the band, Löwin! Sara has been on the show a few times over the years, but they've taken a step back from playing every show they can and started focusing on releasing a string of singles as they define and redifine who they are as a band. The latest in that group is the brilliant summer single, "Sloop", a poppier offering which follows on the heels of the more rock feeling, "Say Say". Both are great songs and both explore the depth of a band that's always growing and always reaching for something more. You can find all things Löwin at lowinband.com. I have a great conversation with Sara and Michael about everything from the band's songwriting and recording process, to the story about Michael getting robbed and shot on his way home from a show during SXSW a few months ago. I really loved getting to know Sara and Michael. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! My guest for episode 614 is keyboard player, producer, songwriter and studio owner, Michael Ramos! Michael has most recently been touring with country artist, Pat Green but he's about to hit the road playing with Shawn Colvin on her tour celebrating 20 years of her album, "A Few Small Repairs". He's also been in his studio, Brown Recluse Studio, producing artists like Jackie Venson and Gina Chavez. Michael has been playing keyboards and on the road since he was a kid and has toured with artists like John Mellencamp, BoDeans, The Rembrants, Charlie Sexton and countless others. He's also produced albums for artists like, Gina Chavez, Nakia, Patty Griffin and many others. His band, Charanga Cakewalk had a great run as well. I've known Michael since I was 15 and have always looked up to him as a musician and great person and we have a fantastic conversation about his illustrious career. I hope you enjoy it. I sure did. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! I have a big show for you today. First up, Scott Collins stops by to chat about his new video for his song, "The Upside" from his Let's Start Here e.p. They're celebrating with a video release show on Friday, August 11th at Spider House Ballroom here in Austin. For more info on the show and Scott Collins shows and music go to scottcollinsproject.com. Next up, I talk to Rona Rougeheart and Jared Hiebert from the goth/electronic/rock band, SINE! They've released a few singles and videos this year for their songs, "Love High" and "Feed The Vultures". They'll be playing in Austin Saturday, August 5th at Dirty Dog Bar and at Elysium on September1st. Go to sine.band for all of your SINE needs. I had a great time chatting with Rona and Jared. Enjoy! Let's get down!

Ciao! -jg

Hello gang! I hope you all had a good weekend. My guests for episode 612 are Rockyanne Bullwinkle, Justin Smith and Jimmy Wildcat from The Reputations!Their debut album, Begging For More came out in march and is available now where ever you get your music. They'll be playing this Saturday, July 29th at Empire Control Room here in Austin. You can get their album and find out more about them at their Bandcamp Page Rocky, Jimmy, Justin and I have a great conversation about how they came together from different bands, recording Begging For More on their own, the magic of ABBA, making an album with Jody Stephens (Big Star) at the production helm, (Jody makes a special appearance on the show via speaker phone), what the future holds for them and much, much more. I had a great time getting to know these fine folks. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! The world's only emo puppet band, Fragile Rock returns to the show for episode 611. Last time we were joined by guitarist, Ryan Hill and back-up singer, Emily Cawood. This time we're joined by Brently Heilbron who plays lead singer, "Milo" and Megan Thornton who plays bass player, "Nic Hole". Their brilliant new album, Wake Up To The Break Up came out last Friday and they were on NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts" last week as well. Go to fragilerockband.com for all of your Fragile Rock needs. Megan and Brently and I have a great conversation about starting a band from a Facebook post, their experience on "America's Got Talent", how a highly emotional show can keep a band on the verge of break-up, traveling to Washington D.C. for NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts", making Wake Up To The Break Up and much, much more! I love Fragile Rock and I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

Hello friends! My guest for episode 610 is guitarist extraordinaire, Jackie Venson! Jackie stopped by last week when she was in the middle of playing some of the biggest shows you can play in Austin and last night she started her run of shows opening for Gary Clark Jr. Her lastest single, "Flying" debuted a couple of weeks ago on Vibe.com. You can find "Flying" and Jackie's other releases, tourdates, videos and bio at jackievenson.com. Jackie and I have a great and sometimes raunchy conversation about touring Europe last month, the "sad sandwich hour", playing to 20,000 people the night before our interview, touring with Gary Clark Jr. and much, much more. I had a blast talking to Jackie. I always do. Enjoy! Let's get down!

ciao! -jg

My guest for episode 609 is singer/songwriter, Austin Chronicle writer, non-profit founder, Jefferson Scholar in the prestigeous Plan II program at The University of Texas, William Harries Graham! If you live in Austin and have for the last 14 years, you've probably heard or at least heard of William. Many of us have had the honor of watching the 19 year old grow up in front of us. He's been in the studio with his band and producer Stuart Sullivan recording his latest album St. Claire to be released later this year. You can find his last release, the critically acclaimed, Foreign Fields, show listings, videos and more at williamharriesgraham.com. William and I have one of my favorite conversations I've had since I started this show. We talk about his non-profit Music For Music, his amazing bands, the demands of being in the Plan II Program, growing up immersed in a music scene with Jon Dee Graham as his dad, dealing with the disease, Leggs Perthes and how that relates to the Affordable Care Act and much, much more! William is an amazing artist and human being and this really is one of my favorite conversations I've had since this show started. I hope you enjoy it too. Let's get down!

ciao! -jg