In this first of four episodes from Northlands Music & Arts Festival, I’m super psyched to share two very special interviews. First up, I’m happy to share my chat with festival co-founders Mike Chadinha and Seth McNally along with festival co-owner and co-producer Jen Mayerhardt on the last day of this amazing festival to review the proceedings at the fourth annual installment of this wonderful festival. We talk about it all, from the inherent festival ups and downs to their amazing staff and wonderful patrons that make this Festival one of the best of its class. These folks really do it right, and they talk to me about creating and sustaining this festival and what it all means to them!!

I’m also super psyched to share my interview with Joel Cummins and Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee, who sat down with me together for a quick update on the state of the UM World in 2025. Lots of changes are happening, and Joel and Ryan talk to me about their collective gratitude for still being able to do what they do, and how their special form of improv continues to make it exciting for them to turn on their fans with their spectacular live shows. They share with me their views on their famous Zeppelin sets to working with new drummer Scotty Zwang, and we even discuss Ryan’s possible reluctance (tbd) to take one for the team and execute a sacrifice bunt when the situation requires one. Ryan remains non-committal on this subject!

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Show Notes:

For more information about Northlands Music & Arts Festival, click here

Click here for Umphrey's McGee tour dates

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Episode Chapters:

00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg

05:36 Interview with Northlands Festival Organizers Mike Chadinha, Seth McNally and Jen Mayerhardt

23:38 Northlands Organizers wrap-up and summary

27:02 Intro to Interview with Joel Cummins and Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee

29:34 Interview with Umphrey's McGee

52:56 Episode Outro with Host Josh Rosenberg

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Follow Roadcase on Instagram here: @Roadcasepod

For more information on Roadcase:
https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Or contact Roadcase by email: info@roadcasepod.com

Roadcase theme music: "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer

I’m so excited to welcome Jake Brownstein to Roadcase this week!! Jake plays shredding guitar for the band Eggy, which has been lighting up stages, and turning on fans with their unique brand of what I like to call “collaborative rock.”

Jake is a super thoughtful and humble artist, who seeks to find joy in the moment, and he talks to me about how being vulnerable and seeking to be true to oneself is the key to living authentically — in both the arts and in one’s personal life.

Together, we explore the origins of the band, and go deep into self-exploration and what it means to really make a difference in people’s lives with music. This is a special interview with a unique artist, and Jake really brings it all for this amazing conversation.

Show notes:

For tour dates and more info on The Wood Brothers, click here

You can find the book "Songwriters on Songwriting" here on Amazon

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Episode Chapters:

00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg
04:20 Introduction to Eggy and Their Journey
07:19 The Importance of Long-Lasting Relationships in Music
10:18 Growing Up Together: The Band's Origins
13:21 The Evolution of Eggy: From High School to Professional
16:29 The Role of Covers in Eggy's Music
19:31 The Business of Music: Balancing Passion and Professionalism
22:09 Collaborative Spirit: The Dynamics of Playing Together
25:23 Performing with Friends: The Connection with Dogs
28:20 Playing Jerry Garcia's Guitar: A Special Experience
39:24 Finding Your Voice Through Music
41:37 The Evolution of Waiting Game
44:09 Embracing Vulnerability in Performance
46:37 The Pressure of Legacy and Life's Work
53:10 Connecting with Fans and Community
01:00:10 Honoring a Friend Through Music
01:05:37 The Art of Jamming and Live Performance
01:14:40 The Journey Ahead for Eggy
01:14:34 Episode Outro and Wrap-up with Host Josh Rosenberg

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Follow Roadcase on Instagram here: @Roadcasepod

For more information on Roadcase:
https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Or contact Roadcase by email: info@roadcasepod.com

Roadcase theme music: "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer

I’m excited to welcome back Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers as he makes his return to Roadcase for this week’s episode. Oliver is an extraordinary artist with killer guitar chops and a mellow and intentional vibe that, dare I say, exudes Zen-like qualities.

We talk about his life in music, songwriting, and that elusive goal of being and staying “in the moment.” Improv is a big part of Oliver’s art, both in the studio and in a live performance setting, and staying grounded and open to possibilities is at the heart of it. He claims that “the best art happens by accident,” and he talks to me about how that mindset drives his creative direction.

The Wood Brothers have a new album coming out August 1, Puff of Smoke, and are touring all over the country through the summer. Oliver’s second solo album, Fat Cat Silhouette, is out there now for your listening pleasure — it’s a phenomenal work of musical art.

The Wood Brothers are one of my favorites bands, and this is a really awesome conversation with Oliver!! Enjoy!!

Show notes:

For tour dates and more info on The Wood Brothers, click here

You can find the book "Songwriters on Songwriting" here on Amazon

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Episode Chapters:

00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg
04:00 Welcome Back and Solo Tour Reflections
06:56 The Joy of Intimacy in Solo Performances
09:56 Evolution of the Wood Brothers
12:53 The Art of Spontaneity in Music Creation
15:56 Being Present: The Key to Creativity
19:00 Accidental Artistry and Mindfulness in Music
21:48 The Process of Recording: Analog vs Digital
24:55 Capturing the Vibe: Limitations in Music Production
30:42 Creative Blocks and Common Struggles
31:57 The Art of Challenging Yourself
33:21 Capturing Authenticity in Art
34:50 The Duality of Rock Stardom
35:47 Gratitude for a Slow Rise
36:58 The Mindfulness of Being a Witness
41:07 Interpreting Art and Personal Reflection
43:41 The Role of Accidental Creativity
52:07 Mindfulness in Personal Life
54:17 The Constant Challenge of Life
55:08 Episode Outro with Host Josh Rosenberg

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Follow Roadcase on Instagram here: @Roadcasepod

For more information on Roadcase:
https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Or contact Roadcase by email: info@roadcasepod.com

Roadcase theme music: "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer