Talkin‘ the Talk With Don
Since 2009, I have interviewed some of my favorite artists. I cover a lot of genres because, well, I love all kinds of music. From Classic Rock to Black Metal and all else in between, if I love an artist, I want to talk to them! I try to set a relaxed, ”living room” type of vibe and have a conversation and talk about anything.
Episodes

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Episode 92: Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies)
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
In 1993 while at a friends house getting high as the moon, he turned to me and said, "Dude, your hippie ass is going to love this." He then put on the song "Superman Song" by Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies. I was so blown away by how insanely deep his voice was accompanied by this incredible folky sounding stuff. Shortly after, he put on the album God Shuffled His Feet and to say that I was in love right away is an understatement. I vividly remember planting myself in the corner of his couch, closing my eyes, and letting the song "God Shuffled His Feet" take me to another plane. It's a feeling I still get to this day (even when not high as the moon.)
Since that fateful day, I have been a fan of Crash Test Dummies and their music has been consistent part of my life's soundtrack. In 2023, Crash Test Dummies will be hitting the road once again to bring the magic of their songs to the people once again and I was so excited to have the chance to talk to lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Brad Roberts. Brad is an amazing human being and I had an absolute blast talking to him about all things Crash Test Dummies. We laughed and laughed some more and it was such a thrill for me.
Enjoy, y'all!

Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Episode 91: Troy Marks (Razor White)
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Troy Marks is a living legend when it comes to being a part of the New Orleans Heavy Metal music scene as the vocalist for Razor White. To me, nobody did it better than Razor White. I know some will say Lillian Axe did but honestly, I LOVE them but it was the Razor that pumped me up like no other.
In 1988, Razor White released a 5 song demo that became known as "The Black Tape" that featured five amazing songs. Razor White followed it up with a full length called Just What The Doctor Ordered and then disbanded not long after it's release in 1991.
35 years later, vocalist/songwriter Troy Marks announced that both the The Black Tape and Just What the Doctor Ordered will be re-released via Lost Real Records and I was beside myself! Being an old buddy of mine, I reached out to Troy and got him to talk about this huge news. As always, it was an absolute blast talking to him about the old days of the New Orleans music scene, the releases, and even the possibility seeing these songs re-visited in a live setting.

Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Episode 90 - Lunar Vacation
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Every now and then a band will come along and completely capture my heart. It always seems that this happens when I'm at a certain point in my life when I need something to lift me up that band just happened to be an Atlanta band called Lunar Vacation.
Not too many can say that they discovered a new favorite band by serving jury duty with a band member's mom. Well, that's exactly what happened. Since that fateful week, I have become a diehard fan of Lunar Vacation snatching up all that I can of the band’s music. The music of Lunar Vacation is what I would call perfect (for me, at least). It's psychedelic, it's dreamy, it's poppy, and they can rock the fuck out. Lunar Vacation scratches a lot of itches for me and I couldn't be happier.
After seeing one of their sold-out Atlanta shows end of last year, I talked lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Grace Repasky and guitarist Maggie Geeslin into being guests on my podcast. In all honesty, this was one of my favorite, most fun ones I've done. They were so kind, warm, and hilarious to talk to and Grace's cat Science even made a cameo to show his "good" side.
Enjoy this one y'all and please check out Lunar Vacation now.

Sunday Nov 20, 2022
Episode 89: Charlie Granberg (Hellsingland Underground)
Sunday Nov 20, 2022
Sunday Nov 20, 2022
Hellsingland Underground is a band out of Sweden that is one of the most UN-SWEDISH bands I have ever heard. Sounding more like they could've come straight out of the Southeastern part of the US, their sound is a hodgepodge of influences such as Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, and Dr. Hook just to name a few.
I would've never heard one bit about had it not been for my good friend Jacob Hellrud from Children of the Sun. Jacob sent me a press release for Hellsingland Underground that was written by lead singer Charlie Granberg's 16 year old daughter and it was so amazing, I had to listen to them. Here's just a portion of said press release:
My dad and his gang of smelly bearded geezers release another “record.” Good for them.
And once again he’s forced me to do a job that he obviously is too lazy or incompetent to do himself. He apparently things child labour is perfectly fine in 2022.
I didn’t’ even know what a press release was. But after a lot of nagging and bribery of various kinds, I finally put forward my terms: I will write it if it presented in my version, without censorship. And he agreed with it. So, blame yourself.
First of all, I don’t understand why anyone would want to buy a piece of plastic that is just insanely difficult to play. Feels damn 20th century if you ask me. He says, that I don’t “get the point” but in truth, it’s he himself who’s old and lagging behind.
I have no idea how to get anyone interested in this. But sometimes I can feel a little sad for them for still trying.
Charlie is not just a great singer and songwriter but he is an amazing human being and was so much fun to talk to. We discussed the band's American southern rock influences, his love for Bob Dylan, the band's new album "Endless Optimism", and other random bullshit that made each of us laugh and become good friends!
Check out these badasses at https://hellsinglandunderground.com/

Friday Nov 04, 2022
Episode 88: Proper Pet
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Friday Nov 04, 2022
I happened to be on the app TikTok one night and to my delight, I stumbled upon a band that really blew me away. TikTok ya don't stop. Ok, that was lame but you know what isn't lame? PROPER PET.
Proper Pet is a duo based out of Tempe, Arizona and they the breath of fresh air that I (and probably you) need. With a vast array of influences which include, EDM, folk, indie pop, synth pop, and new wave (just to name a few), Proper Pet leaves no stone unturned. There is a bit of everything for everyone but the best part is that all of their songs are so accessible, catchy, and easy to love.
I had the privilege of being Proper Pet's first interview. Lead vocalist/keyboardist Abigail Corrine and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Zach Christian were so much fun to talk to as we discussed the concept behind Proper Pet, playing live, being a musician in the Social Mediasphere of TikTok, and dreaming big. We even bonded over my TikTok user name (jesusisonmyspace) and introduced our dogs virtually. I loved talking to them and I hope you will enjoy checking out their music.
Find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProperPetMusic

Friday Oct 14, 2022
Friday Oct 14, 2022
It's hard to believe that I have been doing interviews for over 12 years. My very first big interview too place on July 15, 2010 and it was with former Quiet Riot and current (at the time) Ratt guitarist Carlos Cavazo. It was after Ratt's opening set with the Scorpions at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Alpharetta, GA.
After waiting about 20 minutes backstage, Carlos made his way to the corner of the room and took a seat. I didn’t approach him right away because I really didn’t know what the etiquette for doing this was. I was totally flying blind here. Carlos managed to lock eyes with me, he smiled, and then motioned for me to come over to him. I walked over and he says, “Hey man. You must be Don.” I asked him how he knew and he said, “Well, the printed out interview questions and the recorder in your hand kinda gave it away.” We both laughed and all of a sudden he wasn’t a rock god to me. He was a really nice, funny, and humble guy.
This is the interview that started it all and here it is, unedited in all it's glory. I hope you'll enjoy this blast from the past!

Monday Jun 13, 2022
Episode 87: Anne K. O’Neill (Serpentent)
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Anne K. O'Neill (Serpentent) emerged from the void and delivered one of the most disturbingly, dark, yet beautiful collection of music that I have heard in a long time. Based out of Seattle, WA, Anne is a multi-instrumentalist, artist, and musician who's influences range from Kate Bush to the legendary dark folk sounds of Buffy Sainte Marie and Joan Baez. Under the Serpentent umbrella, Anne has released Ancient Tomes I: The Mother of Light which is the first of a three part concept album.
It was so exciting to have the opportunity to speak with Anne since it seems pretty rare these days that I get to speak to a brand new emerging artist that I don't know a whole lot about. It was so interesting to talk to her about her influences, the concept behind the Ancient Tomes trilogy, and how it's just not bad to love the dark.

Wednesday May 18, 2022
Episode 86: Tommy Alexandersson (Hallas)
Wednesday May 18, 2022
Wednesday May 18, 2022
Based out of Sweden, Hallas plays what they refer to as "Adventure Rock." With an ongoing theme of sci-fi adventure and pure escapism, one listen to songs like "Carry On", "Star Rider," and "Ellusion's Gate" and you will have an "A-HA!" moment for sure.
Hallas just put out their second album Isle of Wisdom and has garnered critical acclaim from writers and music fans worldwide. With only two albums under their belt, it's already clear that Hallas is going to be on a long journey and thankfully so.
I had the chance to talk to Hallas vocalist/bassist Tommy Alexandersson and it was a great time. We talked about the new album, the return to live music in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what a pain in the ass it was for them to make their epic b-rate movie-like video for "Ellusion's Gate."
Hallas is one of the most important bands of the century that you don't know about... YET.