Why Music Matters With Jeff Miers

Welcome back, Letter to Elise

Hey there, music lovers. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. 
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
Today, I’m excited to welcome back to Why Music Matters my friends Elliott Hunt and Chris Lillis, two fifths of the rising indie-alternative band Letter To Elise. 
The last time Elliott and Chris sat down with me here at 678 Main Studio, we talked about their earliest influences, their lives in music, and their then-just released collaboration with Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls and the Buffalo Bills Mafia - a rousing interpretation of the Killers’ anthem ‘Mr. Brightside.’
In the time since, Elliott, Chris and Letter to Elise have released a new EP, Risen from Rust, and are in the midst of recording a full-length album they hope to release in the spring. 
Elliott and Chris are also fresh off an incredible experience - the two teamed to bring their harmony-heavy sound and estimable spirit to the current season of NBC’s The Voice, where they represented their city and the Buffalo sound with a performance that landed them a spot on 'Team Reba.' 
During our chat, we touched on some details from the duo’s run on The Voice, what the experience taught them, why Letter To Elise is proud to be a band of brothers, and the new opportunities their appearance on the national stage has earned them.
Welcome back to Why Music Matters, Elliott and Chris from Letter to Elise. 
Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Services:https://678main.com

Ulithian Vibes: From Micronesia to Buffalo, With Love

Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. 
I’m your host, Jeff Miers. Let’s start today’s podcast with a little anecdote. 
The text from my friend Jennifer Brazill, President of the Borderland Festival, arrived about 18 months back. 
“Are you interested in producing, mixing and mastering an album for a reggae-based band from Micronesia, through a grant from National Geographic?”
“Um… well, *** yes, I’m interested. Details???”
Thus began a journey that culminated in a performance at the Borderland Festival on Saturday, September 13, when founding members of the band Ulithian Vibes traveled from Guam and Hawaii to Western New York, to be joined by a cast of Buffalo musicians for their first international public performance. 
It was immediately following this performance at Borderland that today’s podcast was recorded. 
During this episode, you’ll hear Jerry, Konner and Kira - three of the singers who form the Ulithian Vibes collective - along with manager and project coordinator Samantha Stollenwerck, who travelled from Germany to oversee the band’s visit to Buffalo, discuss the way their group formed as a means of preserving  the culture and traditions of the island of Ulithi for future generations, through a marriage of music and storytelling. 
We also discussed the Ulithian Vibes album. You can find that album, which you’re hearing excerpts from in the background right now, wherever you stream music.
 I hope you’ll get a sense of why I fell in love with the band’s story and its music, and how much being involved in this project has meant to me, and to my colleagues as well. 
I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with it, too. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, Ulithian Vibes. --Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Serviceshttps://678main.com

Ani DiFranco talks about the importance of ‘showing up’ in these unprecedented times

The iconic independent artist talks about the importance of ‘showing up’ in these unprecedented times
Hey there, music lovers. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. 
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
Today’s episode is a very meaningful one for me, because it features a musician, poet, activist, and independent music icon whose life’s work was an inspiration for the creation of this podcast. 
If anyone can stand as a representative of 'why music matters', it’s Ani DiFranco. 
Over the course of nearly 35 years and the release of 23 albums, DiFranco has carved a path that is wholly her own. A dyed-in-the-wool independent artist, Ani has never taken the knee, steadfastly refusing to follow trends or bend to the will of self-appointed tastemakers and music industry gatekeepers, all while crafting a body of work that speaks truth to power, spits fire, and embraces the beauty found in simplicity, in equal measure. 
When I spoke with Ani, she was enjoying a brief break in her current tour, supporting her brilliant, groundbreaking newest album, Unprecedented Shit. That tour brings Ani back home to Buffalo on August 31, at the Terminal B Amphitheater on the Outer Harbor, for her first hometown gig since 2016. 
During our chat, we talked about the new record; about the disturbingly strident march toward authoritarianism in this country and around the world; about the importance of, in Ani’s words, showing up for the job at hand; and about music’s unerring ability to speak to what is good and true in all of us. 
It’s an absolute honor to welcome Ani DiFranco to Why Music Matters…

The Water Dogs

Hello, music lovers! 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. 
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
Today’s guests are siblings Maria, Grace and Jarrett Brzykcy, who together perform and record as The Water Dogs. 
The Brzykcy siblings are multi-instrumentalists, whose early love of the Beatles and their daily life in a music-loving household grew into a desire to form a family band. 
After the band formed in 2014, Maria emerged as the primary songwriter, and both Jarret and Grace happily found their own respective roles as arrangers and instrumentalists, crafting a sound that blends folk, pop, country and Americana into a refreshing hybrid. 
The band recently released a new single, ‘Constellations,’ which was recorded at Robby Takac’s GCR Studios in Buffalo, under the watchful ears of legendary producer and engineer Fred Betschen. 
During their visit to 678Main Studios in Buffalo, I spoke with the band about their roots, their current musical agenda, Jarret’s budding side-job as a guitar designer and builder, Grace and Maria’s love for video direction, and their plans for the future. The band also performed a few of their songs for us, live in the studio. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, Maria, Grace and Jarrett Brzykcy - The Water Dogs. 

Goo Goo Dolls Bassist Robby Takac Returns

Hello, music lovers! 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
On today’s episode, we’re celebrating the Goo Goo Dolls, and in particular, the 30th anniversary of their mainstream breakthrough album, A Boy Named Goo. 
Though the band had already been around for a decade by the time they released this album, which would go on to reach double platinum sales status, A Boy Named Goo pushed the band over the edge, largely on the strength of the timeless hit, Name. 
This summer, the band is on the road, co-headlining the Summer Anthem Tour, alongside Dashboard Confessional. That tour hits KeyBank Center in Buffalo on August 9 - nearly 30 years after the Goos played the very first show in what was then known as Marine Midland Arena, on September 21, 1996. 
I caught up with Goos co-founder and bassist Robby Takac from the road, a few days into the Summer Anthem Tour, and we talked about A Boy Named Goo; the new generation of Goo Goo Dolls fans who discovered the band through social media outlets; the level of excitement surrounding this summer’s shows; his upcoming Music is Art Festival - which takes place in and around the Terminal B Amphitheater on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor on Saturday, September 20 - and the whole long, strange, and largely wonderful trip that has led the Goo Goo Dolls from the stages of Buffalo clubs to the arenas of the world. 
Welcome back to Why Music Matters, Robby Takac! 
Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Serviceshttps://678main.com

Rush super-fan Ray Wawrzyniak Redux

Hey there, music-lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I’m your host, Jeff Miers. Way back on episode 12 of the podcast, I was joined by my friend, the musicologist, writer, historian and archivist Ray Wawrzyniak. Ray’s main passion in life, aside from his family, is the beloved Canadian progressive music trio Rush.  As fellow Rush freaks, Ray and myself became fast friends after meeting about a decade back, bonding over discussions of the nuances of this dearly missed band’s body of work.  With Rush now celebrating 50 years of groundbreaking work - and in consideration of the fact that Ray’s first appearance on Why Music Matters remains one of the most popular episodes of the series - it struck me as fitting to invite him back for another go-round.  We discussed the various Rush-related projects Ray is currently involved in, the forthcoming debut of Rushfest Toronto, the Buffalo area’s continuing love affair with this great Canadian band, the timelessness of  the finest music in the Rush catalog, and why - for both of us, and for so many others - Rush music continues to matter.  Welcome back to Why Music Matters, Ray Wawrzyniak…
Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Serviceshttps://678main.com---Follow Why Music Matters on social mediahttps://instagram.com/whymusicmatterspodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/whymusicmatterspodcasthttps://twitter.com/wmmpod

Jamie Holka, Eternal Student of Music

Hey now, music lovers.  Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I’m your host, Jeff Miers. Today, my guest is the legendary guitarist, performer and band-leader Jamie Holka.  As a musician whose name is mentioned in hushed, reverential tones by his peers, Jamie has earned a reputation as a virtuosic guitarist and a fearless improvisor, whether he’s playing blazing electric blues, fiery progressive rock, or effortlessly hip finger style jazz.  The Niagara Falls native is well-loved across the Western New York region, but he’s also caught the attention of many of the finest musicians he grew up revering. That’s how he ended up as an influential member of the rekindled 1970s progressive rock/jazz fusion ensemble Captain Beyond, with whom Jamie performed between 2017 and 2020.  And that’s also how he befriended the brilliant rock drummer Bobby Rondinelli, a veteran of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and  Blue Oyster Cult, among many others. Jamie and Rondinelli teamed to create The Gathering, a new album of guitar-centered instrumentals that features heavy input from legendary guests like Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey, and iconic bassists Billy Sheehan and Kenny Aaronson. Jamie, Rondinelli, Aaronson and friends will celebrate the release of The Gathering with a show at The Cave, 71 Military Rd in Buffalo, on Friday, June 6, at 7 pm.  During our chat, I asked Jamie about the genesis of his love for the guitar, how it feels to be making music with his childhood idols, and what it means to be an eternal student of music. Welcome to Why Music Matters, Jamie Holka…
--Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Serviceshttps://678main.com---Follow Why Music Matters on social mediahttps://instagram.com/whymusicmatterspodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/whymusicmatterspodcasthttps://twitter.com/wmmpod

Carbon Leaf’s Barry Privett and Terry Clark

Hey there, music-lovers. Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
On today’s episode, I’m joined in the studio by two members of a band that has spent the last 30-plus years embodying the very definition of “indie” music.
Barry Privett and Terry Clark are two-fifths of Carbon Leaf, the Richmond, VA band that has spent the past three decades crafting a body of work that blends elements of rock, Americana, pop, and folk, and performing that work to devout audiences in excess of 3,500 times.
Along the way, they became the first unsigned, independent band to perform on the American Music Awards, shared stages with the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Jason Mraz, among many others, and have consistently taken us back to a time when eclecticism and diversity within a band’s sound were considered a positive.
During our chat, which took place on the afternoon of their late April performance at Buffalo Iron Works, Barry and Terry spoke freely about their journey, the importance off embracing the moment with a sense of urgency in both life and music, and the trials and triumphs of a life spent being truly independent.
Welcome to Why Music Matters, Barry Privett and Terry Clark, of Carbon Leaf…
Produced by 678Main Studio and Creative Services https://678main.com

Why Music Matters: The Van Halen Roundtable

Hey there, friends. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. 
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
Today, we’ve got a special “Music Nerd” edition of the podcast, featuring a roundtable discussion with two friends of mine, who also happen to be deeply talented musicians with long tenures in the music business. 
During a recent episode of Why Music Matters, I spent some time with the great Dweezil Zappa. Naturally, we discussed Dweezil’s ongoing deep-dive into the music of his father, the late composer, bandleader and guitarist supreme Frank Zappa, as well as his April 29th appearance at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY.  But we also spent an awful lot of time talking about a shared passion - our love for the iconic and dearly missed  Edward Van Halen. 
Going down the Van Halen rabbit-hole with Dweezil gave me an idea, so I called my friends Michael Lee Jackson and Geno McManus and invited them to stop by the studio and join me in a free-form chat on all things Van Halen. Michael is a guitarist, songwriter and bandleader with a long history in entertainment law and artist management. Geno is a professional musician who certainly qualifies as one of the hardest-working men in Buffalo show-business. All three of us have been bonding over our love and admiration for Edward Van Halen for a few decades, at this point. And the topic never gets old - for us, at least.
So sit back, grab a beverage, and join us as we dig deep, and do our best to get to the heart of Why Van Halen Matters, to us and so many others.

Singer/Songwriter Marc Scibilla: From Buffalo, to Nashville, to the World

Hey there, music lovers. 
Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives.  
I’m your host, Jeff Miers.
My guest to day is the singer/songwriter MarcScibilla.  
Born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in a musical environment, Marc packed his belongings and headed south to Nashville, TN, when he was fresh out of high school, with dreams of becoming a songwriter living and working on the fabled Music Row dancing through his head. 
This brave leap into the unknown may not have worked out exactly as Marc planned it, but as is often the case, the universe takes away with one hand while it gives with the other. And so, some 20 years into his career, Marc has become a success as a truly independent artist, one who has racked up hundreds of millions of listens and views across multiple streaming platforms and earned a devoted audience for his refreshingly passionate blend of folk, country, alternative and pop stylings. 
Marc recently completed his first sold-out headline tour, with multiple-night runs in major markets like Chicago, Nashville, and NYC. Now, he’s halfway into his first world tour as a headliner, and appears to be on the brink of a major breakthrough. 
Marc joined me in the studio a few hours before performing a raucous and well-received show at Buffalo’s Electric City, his first hometown gig in years. 
We talked about his journey thus far, and his hopes for the future.
Welcome to Why Music Matters, Marc Scibilla…