Talkin‘ the Talk With Don

Episode 83: Wilma Nea (also of Children of the Sun)

Wilma Nea is a super talented pop singer/songwriter from Sweden who has just released her debut album This Too Shall Pass.  Wilma is also a member of the psychedelic roots/rock group Children of the Sun.  Wilma was such a gracious, funny, and charming person to talk to and I really enjoyed our conversation from her home in Sweden.  We talked about her work producing, writing, and performing nearly all of the instruments on her album, growing up in Sweden, and our love of singing along with "Bohemian Rhapsody."  
This interview was conducted shortly before her album release concert which took place on March 18th to a receptive crowd and she is currently booking more shows in support of her solo album.  She will also be doing shows with Children of the Sun so 2022 is going to be a busy year for my friend!  "This To Shall Pass" is now on all streaming platforms so head over the one of your choice and give it a listen.  If you like it, let her know and tell her Don sent ya!

Episode 82: Kevin Gale (Former SlikToxik Guitarist)

Slik Toxik was a band that blew my mind when I first saw them blow Faster Pussycat off the Masquerade stage here in Atlanta in 1992.  Even though the band was short lived, Slik Toxik's debut Doin' the Nasty is a favorite of mine 30 years later. 
What happens when you put a Canadian and New Orleans native on a podcast together?  You get a shit ton of talking but that's ok because you know what?  We had a lot to talk about.  I have been good friends with former Slik Toxik guitarist Kevin Gale for a few years and it was a great time talking to him as always.  
We talked about the 30th anniversary of Doin' the Nasty, the state of the world, and other cool shit so just settle in and enjoy!  Thanks for a great talk, as always, KG.  

Episode 81: Tony Martin (Legendary Former Black Sabbath Vocalist)

For anyone who knows me at all, it will come as no surprise just how absolutely giddy I was to finally have the opportunity to speak with the legendary metal vocalist/songwriter Tony Martin.  Tony is nothing less than a humble gentleman with stories to tell and while proud of his past, Tony is very much about where he is and where he will be going from here. We talked about the his work with Sabbath of course, his thoughts on the Sabbath album Forbidden, his post Sabbath solo work, and his fantastic latest solo release, Thorns.  
Tony was so much fun to talk to and this was a bucket list experience of the highest level. Ok, I'm going to shut up, now.  Enjoy this one!

Episode 80: Katherine Turman (Legendary Rock Journalist)

In my 12 years as a music writer, I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting and talking with someone of my musical heroes and in some rare cases becoming great friends with them.  Rock journalist Katherine Turman wrote for RIP Magazine when I was in high school and to now get to call her a friend and a mentor has been a life highlight for me. 
Katherine has had features in Rolling Stone, the LA Times, The Village Voice, Billboard, and Spin magazine just to name a few.  She is the co-author of the book Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal and has also been a featured expert in several of VH1’s “Behind the Music” episodes.
Katherine has just about seen it all from the heyday of the Sunset Strip 80's metal scene to the arrival of grunge and back around full circle to where we are now.  I hope you'll dig this one as it was a real treat to pick the brain of my good friend and journalist Katherine Turman. 

Episode 79: Dorian Sorriaux (Solo Folksinger/Former Blues Pills Guitarist)

Dorian Sorriaux has been an artist that I have admired for quite some time.  Since his work in modern psychedelic soul icons Blues Pills, Dorian has been a favorite of mine and I loved hearing and watching his dynamic guitar presence.  In 2018, Dorian and Blues Pills parted ways which opened the door for him to pursue his true musical passion: folk music.  Dorian released his stellar and critically acclaimed debut folk EP, Hungry Ghost and in 2022 is planning on releasing his long awaited full-length follow-up.  
Dorian is always a great guy to chat with and this time around was no different as we bonded over our love of folk music and, well, folk music.  
Enjoy this one!

Episode 78: Rebecca Martin (Jazz Vocalist/Songwriter)

Rebecca Martin is an artist that I have been a fan of for nearly 30 years.  From her time in the cult NYC jazz rock band Once Blue to her 2022 release After Midnight (featuring Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos and husband/bassist Larry Grenadier), I have been a fan.  I have watched her grow and set the path to becoming what I would consider to be a jazz legend.  She has all the makings to do so and I really do believe that she will be name that will spread amongst the people long after we are gone.  
Rebecca has always been a great conversationalist and this time proved no different.  We covered all kinds of ground.  We bonded over being in weird bands in our youths (Rebecca sang metal and punk at one point!), the influence of social media, the excitement and privilege of growing older, and her philanthropy work as a director for Riverkeeper, which protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law.
Enjoy this interview with the great Rebecca Martin and spread the word!  

Episode 77: Lawrence Gowan (Styx)

Lawrence Gowan of Styx has become a favorite of mine to interview.  When I first interviewed him back in 2017 about the release of The Mission, we hit it off immediately and since then he's been on the show three times.  As always, Lawrence cracked me as we talked about life during Covid, touring in a bubble, the new Styx album Crash of the Crown, and a bunch of other random crap that had us entertaining each other.  Hopefully, you will be entertained as well!!!!

Episode 76: Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)

Interview Date: October 27, 2021 
Jordan is no stranger to this podcast.  Close to holding the record for appearing a whopping 3 times (maybe 4?), Jordan always is gracious to make a return visit.  This time around we dorked out about his new music apps, life during the Covid Pandemic, and all kinds of other silly crap!