Episode 770: On the Record | An ATX Music Marketplace & Panel w/ Chris "Frenchie" Smith, Kathy Valentine and Louis Black Live at Native Hostel!

In December of last year, The Austin Music Foundation invited me to do some live panel discussions with three legendary Austin creatives about their journey and "how they got here" at the On the Record An ATX Marketplace and Panel event at Native Hostel. I sat down and got into it with producer/musician, Chris "Frenchie" Smith, Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's and The Bluebonnets and Louis Black film producer, co-founder of SXSW, The Austin Chronicle and the new Sex Hawke Black Records. I would like to thank On the Record sponsors, Vinylmnky, Native Hostels, SXSW and The Austin Music Foundation for having me. I would also like to thank WERD Productions for recording the show and running the sound. I hope you enjoy these inspiring conversations with these legendary creative trailblazers. I sure did. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG
 

Episode 766: AMF's Artist Development Program Class of 2018- Otis Wilkins, Kalu & The Electric Joint, Shy Beast, Aaron Stephens, Superfonicos, Alesia Lani & Western Youth!

Hello gang! The second year of the Austin Music Foundation's, Artist Development Program, which I am part of, is drawing to a close and ready to celebrate!The NEXT is our way to showcase these hardworking bands. Join us at Antone’s Nightclub on Friday, January 18 for performances from all 7 of our current program participants: Aaron Stephens, Alesia Lani, Kalu & the Electric Joint, Otis Wilkins, Shy Beast, Superfónicos and Western Youth. In this episode of "How Did I Get Here?" I took some snippets from conversations I had with each of these artists on the podcast over the last year giving you the chance to get to know them better. For tickets to The NEXT go HERE! I have had a great time getting to know these amazing artists through the Artist Development Program and the podcast. I'm sure you will too. See you at The NEXT! Let's get down!
 
About the Artist Development Program
The Artist Development Program (ADP) was designed by the Austin Music Foundation alongside leading music industry professionals. The intensive seven-month program aims to prepare a select group of emerging Austin artists to take their careers to the next level. ADP artists work closely with a team of mentors through both one-on-one consultations and classroom-focused group sessions, where artists are encouraged to discuss their goals and share ideas with peers.
 

Episode 765: Tiarra Girls

Hello gang! Tori, Sophia and Tiffany Beltierra, better known as Austin sister trio, Tiarra Girls are my guests for episode 765! Their latest single, the empowering, "Leave It To The People" is available now where ever you stream and download your jams. Go to tiarragirls.com for music, videos tour dates and more. If you live in Austin, you can see them tonight, Friday, January 4th, for a "free week" show at Stubb's. We have a great conversation about becoming a band of sisters, writing songs, staying up on the political front, the bands they like and much more!. I had a great time getting to know these fine young ladies. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 763: Nagavalli

Ethereal, Eastern soul artist, Nagavalli is my guest for episode 763! Her brand new album, the breath-taking, Immersion drops on January 15th, but you can hear the first single, "Jhini Re Jhini" where ever you stream or download your jams. Nagavalli is celebrating the release of Immersion on Sunday, January 20th at One World Theater here in Austin. Go to nagavalli.com for music, videos, show dates and more. We have a great conversation about making Immersion as one continuous track, growing up in Mumbai, India, college in Tallahassee, Fl and much more! I had a great time getting to know Nagavalli. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 749: Quiet Company V

Hello friends! Quiet Company frontman, Taylor Muse returns to the show for episode 749! Their brilliant new EP, Corners & Shapes drops on January 4th, they're releasing a new Christmas EP in a couple of weeks and playing some Holiday House shows in December. Go to quietcompanymusic.com for music, show dates and more! Taylor and I have a great conversation about the new Quiet Company music, the magic of Paul McCartney, Taylor's love of the Christmas season, Home Alone's hidden musical gems and more! I always love hanging out and talking to Taylor. I'm sure will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 728: Hard Proof

Hello gang! Four time Austin Music Award winners,  Stephen Bidwell and Joe Wollard from Austin Afrobeat band, Hard Proof are my guests for episode 728! Hard Proof is celebrating a decade of being a band and playing next weekend at Waterloo Music Festival here in Austin. You can fnd their music, videos, show dates and more at hardproofmusic.com. We have a great conversation about Afrobeat, how they came together as a band, working with producers Adrian Quesada and Frenchie Smith, touring with a big band and much more. I had a great time getting to know these fine gentlemen. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! - JG

Episode 718: Gina Chavez Returns! / Scott Collins Stops By!

Hello friends! 10 time Austin Music Award winner, Gina Chavez returns to the show for episode 718! Her gorgeous new EP, LIGHTBEAM drops Friday, September 14th. She's celebrating with a release show here in Austin on Saturday, September 15th at Antone's followed by extensive national touring through the fall. The first single & video for the song, "Heaven Knows" is out now. Go to ginachavez.com for music, videos, tour dates, ticket info and more. We have a great conversation about making LIGHTBEAM with producer Dwight Baker (The Wind + The Wave), the change in direction for the new EP, her non-profit, Niñas Arribas, her honeymoon in Europe and much more! Plus, Scott Collins stops by to talk about his latest EP, Road Maps produced by Frenchie Smith (The Toadies, The Darkness) that drops this Friday, August 3rd. He's celebrating with a release show this Friday, August 3rd at Saxon Pub here in Austin followed by a West Coast tour. Go to scottcollinsproject.com for music, videos, tour dates and more. Have a great week. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 717: Robert Wagner - Suede

Hello friends! Singer/songwriter, lead singer of Suede, Robert Wagner is my guest for episode 717! Robert is an amazing singer here in Austin and has been a staple on the scene since the early 90's. What you might not know is that Robert's dad, Dick Wagner, played or wrote songs for Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Meat Loaf, Etta James, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, Hall & Oates, Kiss and many more. You can find out all about him at wagnermusic.com. Robert is celebrating his family's music legacy with a special show, "Life & Legacy Song of Robert and Dick Wagner" on Saturday, August 10th at One-2-One Bar from 10 - 11:30 pm. Click HERE for tickets and more info. Robert and I have a great conversation about growing up looking up to his dad, the hair band scene of the late 80's, opening for George Lopez with Suede, we talk cover band stuff and much more! I had a great time getting to know Robert. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 716: Nakia VII

Hello friends! Blues singer/community activist, two time Black Fret recipient and my pal, Nakia returns to the show for episode 716! Nakia has a new album, the blues infused, Blues Grifter out on August 17th. He'll be celebrating with a string of release shows with his band, Nakia & The Blues Grifters including August 17th at Luna in San Antonio, August 18th at The Saxon Pub in Austin and more. Go to nakia.net for tour dates, music, videos and more! We have a great conversation about  finally finishing Blues Grifter after years of having shelved it, his "Voices in the Round" shows, learning about blues, arranging the classic blues songs on Blues Grifter the various incarnations of Nakia and much more! Let's get down!
Ciao! -JG

Episode 700: Live At One-2-One Bar w/ Einar Pedersen, AJ Vallejo, Aaron Blackerby, Sara Houser and Taylor Wilkins

Hello friends! Welcome to episode 700 recorded live at One-2-One Bar in Austin, TX on Sunday, May 20th.  I want to thank everyone who came out and celebrated with us, One-2-One for having us, Curt Ganem for recording the show and running sound, you for listening and my wonderful guests, Einar Pedersen, A.J. Vallejo, Aaron Blackerby (Major Grizz), Sara Houser (Löwin) and Taylor Wilkins (Otis The Destroyer, Otis Wilkins)! We have an insane conversation about Def Leppard, playing shows on mushrooms in the 90's, musical relationships, calling the pay phone backstage at The Ellen Show and much, much more! This is a fun, loose and slightly offensive show. I hope you enjoy it. I sure did. Thank you so much for listening to "How Did I Get Here?". It's been a true blessing in my life to connect with my music community and to bring this show to you guys. Thank you. Let's get down!