Lonesome Lounge Sessions is a live music series and video podcast hosted at The Lonesome Rose, a honky-tonk venue on San Antonio’s St. Mary’s Strip. We transform the dance floor into a mid-century modern lounge and showcase mid-sized touring acts paired with a local artist and an onstage interview. The series has hosted artists like Bill Callahan, Santiago Jimenez Jr., and Charley Crockett. All sessions are available on Texas Public Radio’s YouTube channel, where Crockett's session holds the record for overall views on the TPR channel at 224,000+ views.
In the summer of 2020, Roberto Martinez, TPR’s Marketing Manager, and I conceived an intimate music program, inspired by KEXP Seattle's Studio Sessions, KUTX Austin’s Studio 1A, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. We were inspired by a local furniture business, Period Modern, which hosted intimate shows with unique seating but had to stop due to parking and noise ordinance issues. We partnered with them to bring their seating to the Lonesome Rose monthly, attracting notable talent and adding an interview segment, 'A Brief Moment of Inquiry.' Our first session in August 2020 featured guitarist William Tyler. Roberto hosted the session and shot video, while I conducted the interview, shot, and edited the material. Shortly after, the sessions received sponsorship from Real Ale Brewing, allowing us to gradually expand the team with TPR staffers and contractors.
Checkout some of my favorite episodes below:
Trouble Country is a podcast that delves into the stories of countercultural musical icons who have navigated the realms of Americana, Country, and Punk music over the past 50 years. This podcast aims to provide a rich narrative experience, moving beyond traditional interview and op-ed formats to create something akin to a modern version of old radio plays.
The focus of Trouble Country is on immersive storytelling, utilizing multiple voices and creative sound production to bring these musical stories to life. The podcast explores the lives, careers, and cultural impacts of these musical icons, highlighting how their work has influenced and intersected with broader societal trends and movements. The goal is to create a vivid and engaging listening experience that combines elements of documentary storytelling with artistic and musical insights.
Trouble Country is currently collaborating with KUTX on a new show. KUTX (98.9 FM) is a public radio station in Austin, Texas, affiliated with NPR and owned by the University of Texas at Austin. It produces notable programs like 'Eklektikos' and 'Austin Music Minute.' We are in pre-production on a series of six hour-long audio documentaries, each providing an in-depth look at a Texas music legend or icon. One episode delves into the rich histories of Joe Ely and Joe Strummer, focusing on their friendship and performances in the borderlands. Another episode follows the Jimenez family, particularly Flaco Jimenez, exploring the creation of conjunto music, the influence of their accordion playing, and the evolution of the Hohner accordion.
As a member of this collective, I take on the role of producer and editor. In this role, I research, pitch ideas, conduct interviews, collaborate on scripting, and engineer recordings and final mixes before publication.
The Suffering Jukebox is a short-form podcast under the Trouble Country umbrella, featuring episodes typically less than 10 minutes long and rich with media sound. Hosted by Texas Cosmic Country artist Garrett T. Capps, the show engages with icons from the cowpunk and counterculture scenes of the past, asking them to select a tune for the Jukebox and share its significance. Notable guests have included William Tyler, Jeff Smith of the Hickoids, Rosie Flores, John Doe of X, and Jesse Dayton. The premiere episode featured Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country discussing the music of Charlie Pride. This format allows for a deep yet concise exploration of musical influences and personal stories from significant figures in the genre.
Looking for Trouble" is a Trouble Country podcast hosted by Corey Baum of Croy and the Boys and Garrett T. Capps. This hour-long show focuses on a specific album each episode, with the hosts debating how well it fits into the category of "How Troubled is this record?" The podcast delves into the history of the record and the artists at the time it was made, exploring the motivations behind its creation and its impact on the music scene. Albums covered include the Range Rats, a precursor band to Dead Moon, Meat Puppets' "Up on the Sun," Mojo Nixon's "Root Hog or Die," and Tex and the Horseheads' "Life's So Cool."