Voice & Verse Podcast
43 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 8 years ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsThe stories behind your favorite songs
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Episodes
Episode 043: Stephen Christian (Anchor & Braille/Anberlin)
February 03, 2016 13:55 - 38 minutes - 36.8 MBThis week I'm joined by Stephen Christian, mastermind behind the project Anchor & Braille and former frontman of Florida alternative rock band Anberlin. Anberlin was a mainstay of the punk and emo scene throughout the 2000s, releasing celebrated albums like Never Take Friendship Personal and Cities; they also had a bona fide hit single, "Feel Good Drag," which went gold and at one point held the record for most consecutive weeks spent on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The band broke u...
Episode 042: Sam Means
January 20, 2016 18:55 - 52 minutes - 49.6 MBAlong with his writing partner, Nate Ruess, Sam Means was responsible for making some of the most compelling and forward-thinking pop music of the new millennium as one-half of indie-pop band The Format. The band's debut album, Interventions and Lullabies, produced the minor hit "The First Single" – but the follow-up, 2006's Dog Problems, was an instant classic, blending big band, folk, pop, rock and Broadway into an undeniable blend of fun. Musically, things have been quiet for Sam since th...
Episode 041: Steven Page
November 11, 2015 13:18 - 38 minutes - 36.8 MBEpisode 041 is a really special one for me, because I'm joined by Steven Page, co-founder and former frontman of Barenaked Ladies and my all-time favorite songwriter. With BNL, Steven's songs—including "Brian Wilson," "If I Had $1,000,000," "The Old Apartment," "It's All Been Done," and more—were undeniable smash hits in the '90s and early '00s. All told, BNL have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. Since leaving the band in 2009, Steven's been busy: He released a solo album, Page On...
Episode 040: Max Schneider
October 23, 2015 12:49 - 33 minutes - 32.1 MB(photo credit: Jade Ehlers) This week, I'm joined by singer, songwriter and actor Max Schneider, known as MAX. You might have seen him out on the road this summer with Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa, or on YouTube, where he's a prolific cover artist. MAX truly does it all. He got his start on Broadway before moving to Nickelodeon, where he starred in the show How To Rock. His new EP, Ms. Anonymous, was recently released on Pete Wentz's DCD2 label, and MAX has a part in the film Love & Mercy, a...
Episode 039: Casey Crescenzo (The Dear Hunter)
September 16, 2015 19:11 - 37 minutes - 36.3 MBI've had the pleasure of knowing Casey Crescenzo for 11 years, back when he was playing in The Receiving End of Sirens. Since then, he's gone on to become one of the most prolific and praiseworthy songwriters in the scene as frontman and brain trust of The Dear Hunter. In addition to releasing four of the band's six-part Acts series, Casey has penned seven EPs worth of material based on the color spectrum, composed a symphony, and much more. To celebrate the release of The Dear Hunter's new ...
Episode 038: Dan Wilson
August 06, 2015 13:08 - 40 minutes - 39.3 MBDan Wilson's first hit single came in the late '90s, when his band, Semisonic, released the seminal sing-along "Closing Time" – a song that practically feels like a federally mandated inclusion to any karaoke night. But his songwriting prowess didn't stop there. Overseas, Semisonic enjoyed another smash hit with "Secret Smile," and Dan parlayed that success – along with the desire to branch out and start collaborating with outside writers – into a career as one of the most well-respected song...
Episode 037: Sam Harris (X Ambassadors)
July 22, 2015 13:13 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBIf you own a TV, odds are you've heard an X Ambasasdors song. This New York quartet have exploded recently, with their hit singles "Jungle" and "Renegades" appearing everywhere from Beats and Jeep commercials to a promo for the 2014 World Cup. But the band are more than just jingle writers; the group's debut album, VHS, is an intoxicating mix of rock, hip-hop, soul and funk anchored by frontman Sam Harris' powerful vocals. On this episode, Sam and I chat about the band's early influences, the...
Episode 036: Dan Schwartz (Good Old War)
July 08, 2015 13:01 - 57 minutes - 54.2 MBGood Old War's new album, Broken Into Better Shape, was just released a few weeks ago, but it's already in contention for one of my favorite albums of the year. Combining the band's knack for picture-perfect folk with a newly tuned melodic precision, songs like "Never Gonna See Me Cry" and "Tell Me What You Want From Me" seem destined to find a home on a radio dial near you. But this is the culmination of years of hard work for the Philadelphia-based band; rising from the ashes of Fueled By R...
Episode 035: Frank Iero
June 25, 2015 19:33 - 29 minutes - 28.6 MBFrank Iero is best known for his time spent in My Chemical Romance, but the guitarist shouldn't just be defined by that decade-plus period. He's also fronted hardcore band Leathermouth, joined up with My Chem and Get Up Kids keyboardist (and Reggie and the Full Effect bandleader) James Dewees in Death Spells, and, most recently, released an album of solo material under the name FrnkIero AndTh Cellabration. On this episode, Frank stops by to chat about his fantastic new solo album, Stomachach...
Episode 034: Ryan Miller (Guster)
June 11, 2015 14:23 - 37 minutes - 36.2 MBWhat a thrill it is for me to welcome Guster's Ryan Miller, one of my all-time favorite songwriters, onto the show. I first heard Guster in 2000, but they'd already been making music for nine years at that point. Their 1999 major-label debut, Lost And Gone Forever, pushed them into more mainstream popularity, as did subsequent tours with the likes of Barenaked Ladies and John Mayer. Since then they've been a pop-rock mainstay, releasing four more albums – including 2015's awesome Evermotion. ...
Episode 033: Stacy Jones (American Hi-Fi)
May 27, 2015 14:04 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBYou'd be hard pressed to find a more iconic couplet in the early '00s than "He's too stoned/Nintendo," from American Hi-Fi's hit single "Flavor of the Weak." That's why I'm thrilled to have Hi-Fi frontman Stacy Jones joining me on Episode 033. In addition to fronting Hi-Fi – who released their fifth (and really, really great) album, Blood & Lemonade, last year on Rude Records – Stacy serves as the musical director and live drummer for Miley Cyrus, live drummer for Matchbox Twenty, and an accl...
Episode 032: Gatsbys American Dream (10-Year Retrospective)
May 13, 2015 16:33 - 49 minutes - 46.9 MBWe're serving up another blast from the past this week with a deep dive into Gatsbys American Dream's beloved album Volcano. Released on April 12, 2005, Volcano was GAD's debut release for Fearless Records and cemented the Seattle-based band as one of the most intelligent, forward-thinking acts in the scene. The album loosely centered around the story of Pompeii and its volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, while also exploring themes of humanity and emotion in a package that was equal parts mathematical an...
Episode 031: Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low)
April 29, 2015 12:50 - 58 minutes - 55.2 MBPhoto: Tom Falcone Alex from All Time Low drops by on Episode 031, just after topping both the US and UK sales charts with a brand-new album, Future Hearts. In this hour-long chat, Alex and I discuss our shared musical interests, how his opinions on co-writing have changed over the years, and the singular event that spurred him and his All Time Low bandmates to ditch the covers and begin writing songs of their own. Plus, stick around until the end of the show to find out how you can win a p...
Episode 030: The Receiving End of Sirens (10-Year Retrospective)
April 16, 2015 15:36 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBOn Episode 030, I chronicle the making of one of my all-time favorite albums: The Receiving End of Sirens' Between The Heart And The Synapse. Released on April 26, 2005, Between The Heart And The Synapse was TREOS' debut full-length album – and marked the introduction of newcomer Casey Crescenzo, who stepped into the Boston-based group after original singer Ben Potrykus left the band in 2003. Crescenzo's musical versatility – bordering on genius – was immediately felt, and he pushed his new b...
Episode 029: John O’Callaghan (The Maine)
April 01, 2015 12:42 - 58 minutes - 54.9 MBPhoto credit: Alex Liscio (Twitter | Instagram) On Episode 029, John O'Callaghan, frontman for Arizona-based rock band The Maine, stops by. The Maine formed in 2007 and quickly became one of the hottest young acts in the late-00s pop-punk/emo scene thanks to a mix of unbridled energy and sugary hooks. That formula landed them a major-label record deal, which, as you'll hear, forced the band into some uncomfortable collaboration situations. Undeterred, The Maine have been a fearless DIY force...
Episode 028: Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon)
March 04, 2015 15:34 - 58 minutes - 54.9 MBOn Episode 028, Matt from Vertical Horizon calls in for a great chat. As the frontman and chief songwriter of Vertical Horizon, Matt penned some of the biggest hits of the late '90s and early '00s including "Everything You Want" (which eventually hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "You're A God." Scannell formed Vertical Horizon in the early '90s at Georgetown University along with fellow student and songwriter Keith Kane. The duo released two albums, 1992's There And Back Again and 1995...
Episode 027: Dave Elkins (10-Year Mae Retrospective)
February 11, 2015 18:37 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBWe're back with another look at an album celebrating its tenth anniversary: The Everglow by Mae. Released on March 29, 2005, The Everglow marked Mae's second release for Tooth & Nail – and an album that to this day remains their most beloved. The Everglow is a rare concept album that doesn't collapse under its own self-importance, instead brimming with optimism and limitless potential while seamlessly marrying indie-rock and emo. The band is celebrating the album's anniversary this year; in J...
Episode 026: Sam Hollander
January 28, 2015 14:04 - 58 minutes - 55.6 MBOn Episode 026, I sit down with Sam Hollander, an Emmy-nominated producer/songwriter who was one of the true architects of the late '00s emo/pop-punk scene. Boys Like Girls' "The Great Escape"? Yeah, that's Sam. Cobra Starship's "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)"? Also Sam. Along with his longtime writing partner, Dave Katz (the two dubbed themselves S*A*M and Sluggo), Hollander wrote songs with acts Gym Class Heroes, The Academy Is..., Metro Station, All Time Low, Mayday Parade and many more. Th...
Episode 025: Justin Pierre (10-Year Motion City Soundtrack Retrospective)
January 14, 2015 13:44 - 48 minutes - 46.5 MBFor our first show of the new year, we're heading back to 2005 to chronicle Motion City Soundtrack's breakthrough album, Commit This To Memory. Released on June 7, 2005, the Mark Hoppus-produced album served as Motion City Soundtrack's coming-out party and established them as one of the strongest acts in the burgeoning pop-punk/emo music scene thanks to songs like "Everything Is Alright" and "When 'You're' Around." To celebrate the album's 10-year anniversary, MCS are embarking on a US tour, ...
Episode 024: Kevin Devine
December 03, 2014 14:01 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBThis week, I'm joined by Kevin Devine, an indie-rock singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Since the early 2000s, Devine has been making some of the most forward-thinking (and thoughtful) songs in the folk rock genre, drawing on political unrest and personal heartache alike to create songs that are often beautiful but never boring. He's also a member of indie-rock super group Bad Books, featuring Manchester Orchestra; together, the band has released two albums: 2010's self-titled effort ...
Episode 023: Andrew McMahon
November 19, 2014 14:45 - 41 minutes - 40.1 MBThis week, I sit down with Emmy-nominated songwriter Andrew McMahon to chat about his new project, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. In high school, McMahon and friends formed Something Corporate, a piano-pop group that would go on to be at the forefront of the early 2000s pop-punk/emo scenes and release two albums for major label MCA Records: 2002's Leaving Through the Window and 2003's North. After SoCo dissolved, McMahon formed Jack's Mannequin, releasing the instant classic Everything In ...
Episode 022: John Nolan (Straylight Run 10-Year Retrospective)
October 29, 2014 14:10 - 49 minutes - 46.8 MBAs you might be able to tell from the retro photo above, we're traveling back to 2004 to explore the origins of Straylight Run's self-titled debut album with the help of frontman, guitarist and pianist John Nolan. After leaving Taking Back Sunday in 2003 amidst a sea of controversy, Nolan formed Straylight Run with fellow TBSer Shaun Cooper on bass – eventually rounding out the group with his sister, Michelle, and drummer Will Noon. From the opening strains of Straylight Run, it's clear Nolan...
Episode 021: Graham Colton
October 15, 2014 13:01 - 55 minutes - 52.5 MBGraham Colton's seen it all in the business: In college, he developed a fervent grassroots fanbase (aided by the advent of file-sharing), and soon was plucked from pubs and coffeehouses by Counting Crows' Adam Duritz, who'd go on to serve as one of his two musical mentors. From there, Colton formed the aptly named Graham Colton Band, released a major-label album filled with radio-ready pop-rock (2004's Drive), and began a high-profile romance with pop star Kelly Clarkson. Along the way, he en...
Episode 020: Max Collins (Eve 6)
October 01, 2014 11:28 - 52 minutes - 49.8 MBWith hits like "Inside Out," "Promise," and "Here's To the Night" under his belt, Max Collins helped pen iconic alt-rock staples that live on to this day. In addition to fronting Eve 6, the band he formed in high school with a pair of childhood friends that would go on to enjoy gold- and platinum-selling success, Collins is a solo artist these days. His debut solo album, the crowdfunded Honey From the Ice Box, was released earlier this year and finds Collins tapping into artists like The Lemo...
Episode 019: Nick Thompson (Hit The Lights)
September 17, 2014 12:47 - 54 minutes - 52.1 MBJoining me this week is Nick Thompson, frontman of pop-punk bands Hit The Lights and Thief Club. Known for a buoyant sound that incorporates elements of hardcore along with a tried-and-true pop-punk bite, Hit The Lights have been a scene staple since forming back in 2003 in Ohio. The group released two albums for Triple Crown Records – 2006's This Is A Stick Up ... Don't Make It A Murder and 2008's Skip School, Start Fights – before jumping to Razor & Tie for 2012's Invicta. Nick's Thief Club...
Episode 018: John Feldmann
September 03, 2014 11:44 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBIf you're like me, your first introduction to John Feldmann's work came in the classic Tony Hawk's Pro Skater videogame, which featured Goldfinger's ska classic "Superman." That might have been much of the mainstream's introduction to Feldmann's musical skills, but he's followed it up in a huge way ever since. In addition to fronting Goldfinger, Feldmann is an acclaimed producer and songwriter, helping guide albums for the likes of Black Veil Brides, Panic! at the Disco, The Used, and 5 Secon...
Episode 017: Ace Enders (The Early November/I Can Make A Mess)
August 20, 2014 11:31 - 47 minutes - 45.3 MBThroughout his long and accomplished career, Ace Enders has put his musical mark on many projects, including Drive Thru Records emo favorites The Early November and the folky side project I Can Make a Mess. He's also an accomplished producer and songwriter, helming projects for the likes of Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties, a side project/character study of The Wonder Years' Dan Campbell. With so many parts of his musical life working in concert, Ace is the perfect guest for the show. I caug...
Episode 016: Matt Carter (Emery)
August 06, 2014 11:47 - 52 minutes - 50.2 MBFrom the opening cries of "Are you listening?" on "Walls," the first track on 2004's The Weak's End, Emery have been a staple in the post-hardcore scene. The Seattle-by-way-of-South-Carolina quintet have released several acclaimed albums since breaking onto the scene back in 2004, including The Question and We Do What We Want. These days, they're stepping out of the traditional record label life with Bad Christian, an alternative faith-based label, blog and media collective they founded in 20...
Episode 015: Mid-Year Songs, Cowriting & More
July 23, 2014 11:27 - 57 minutes - 54 MBWe're changing things up this week; instead of your regularly scheduled songwriter interview, I sat down with label owner, music blogger and band manager Zack Zarrillo to chat about our favorite songs of 2014 so far -- along with some hot-button issues. We delve into the practice of cowriting, whether bands should be scorned for the practice and why the perception of the practice differs for different musical genres. We close things out with a discussion on bands whose lyrics are penned by so...
Episode 014: Aaron Gillespie (10-Year Underoath Retrospective)
July 09, 2014 12:34 - 49 minutes - 46.7 MBThis week, we're firing up the time machine to head back to 2004 in order to chronicle Underoath's game-changing album They're Only Chasing Safety. The album is still to this day heralded as a landmark release in the metalcore genre thanks to its blend of muscle and melody -- provided by frontman Spencer Chamberlain and drummer/singer Aaron Gillespie, respectively. Songs like "Reinventing Your Exit" became staples on MySpace pages around the world and inspired countless bands to try their han...
Episode 013: Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional/Twin Forks)
June 25, 2014 12:20 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBThrough his work in Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional, Chris Carrabba has been one of the most successful and idolized scene-based songwriters of the past 15 years. His work in Dashboard has earned him three gold records, the lead single to the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack and even a stint at Madison Square Garden -- not bad for a gig that was originally a side project. These days, his focus is on Twin Forks, a boot-stompin' folk band he started with friends from Florida. I caught ...
Episode 012: Brian Dales (The Summer Set)
June 11, 2014 11:37 - 44 minutes - 42.4 MBPhoto credit: Catherine Powell If you're headed to Warped Tour this summer, odds are you'll hear The Summer Set's name thrown around quite a bit. Since forming in 2007, the Scottsdale band has risen to become one of the more popular acts in the pop-rock genre, even earning some much-desired crossover success by performing at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Just before the band headed out for Warped, I caught up with frontm...
Episode 011: Jonathan Diener (The Swellers)
May 28, 2014 11:44 - 46 minutes - 44.5 MBAs drummer and half of the songwriting team behind The Swellers, Jonathan Diener's punk proficiency has helped the Flint, Michigan quartet grow a cult following and tour with everyone from Paramore to Anti-Flag. Since 2002, the band has released four full-length albums and two EPs; their most recent release, 2013's The Light Under Closed Doors finds the band at a crossroads in life, imbuing the music with a sense of urgency and desperation that made it one of the year's best albums. I caught...
Episode 010: Gabe Saporta (Midtown 10-Year Retrospective)
May 07, 2014 13:34 - 37 minutes - 36.3 MBIn June 2004, New Jersey rock band Midtown released Forget What You Know, their third and what would go on to be their final album. The quartet cut their teeth on Drive-Thru Records in the early 2000s, releasing albums that launched them onto tours with the likes of Blink-182, but it wasn't until years after the group's 2005 breakup that they achieved cult-like status. After disbanding, bassist/frontman Gabe Saporta went on to form Manic Panic-painted electro-pop act Cobra Starship, while gui...
Episode 009: Taking Back Sunday
April 30, 2014 09:30 - 38 minutes - 36.7 MBTaking Back Sunday is truly a band that needs little introduction. The Long Island quintet changed the emo and contemporary punk games forever back in 2002 with the release of Tell All Your Friends, and they went on to enjoy mainstream success thanks to hits like "MakeDamnSure." Of course, none of this was without turmoil; guitarist/vocalist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper unceremoniously departed the band in 2003, later going on to form Straylight Run before returning to TBS in 2010. I ...
Episode 008: Will Pugh (Cartel)
April 16, 2014 09:58 - 53 minutes - 50.9 MBI've had the pleasure of knowing Will Pugh since 2004, back before his band Cartel struck pop-punk gold with Chroma, their debut full-length. From there, the group went on to star in Band In A Bubble, a high-profile MTV reality show and live web series that thrust them even further into the mainstream fray. These days, Cartel is enjoying independent life; their new album, the self-funded and self-produced Collider, hit digital retailers in March 2013. Aside from his involvement in Cartel, Wil...
Episode 007: William Beckett
April 02, 2014 04:51 - 33 minutes - 32.6 MBWelcome to Episode 007, featuring the ever-so-talented William Beckett. You might know Mr. Beckett from his time spent fronting Chicago-based band The Academy Is... from 2003 to 2011, but these days, he's a hard-touring solo artist. His debut full-length album, Genuine & Counterfeit, was released last year on Equal Vision Records. I caught up with William on a rainy Saturday evening in Vienna, Virginia to talk about his involvement with Downwrite (a service that connects fans and artists to ...
Episode 006: Mike Herrera (MxPx)
March 19, 2014 06:27 - 40 minutes - 39 MBMike Herrera from MxPx stops by on this week's show to chat about the early days of MxPx, how songs like "Chick Magnet" and "Well Adjusted" came to be, and why being compared to Jimmy Eat World actually turned out to be a bad thing. Stay tuned to the end of the show, because we'll reveal the winner of last week's contest and give away a signed copy of A Rocket to the Moon's Wild & Free album. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss a single ...
Episode 005: Nick Santino
March 05, 2014 12:55 - 35 minutes - 34 MBOn Episode 005, I sat down with Nick Santino, formerly of A Rocket to the Moon and currently of Nick Santino and the Northern Wind. During the conversation, which was recorded back in November while Nick was opening the Up Close & Personal Tour alongside This Century, we talked about his feeling toward co-writing culture and about the genesis of several of his songs, including Rocket's hit single "Like We Used To." Stay tuned to the end of the show, because you'll find out how to enter to win...
Episode 004: Never Shout Never
February 19, 2014 12:00 - 32 minutes - 46.5 MBOn Episode 004 of the show, I sat down with the members of Never Shout Never to talk shop. We chatted about Bandhappy (a songwriting lecture Christofer Drew gave on last summer's Warped Tour), the push-and-pull of major label politics, and even heard Chris play the very first song he ever wrote. Chris also gave us some exclusive insight into the band's upcoming plans for 2014, which includes an album of re-done Never Shout Never classics, an NSN release of brand-new songs and a solo album. I...
Episode 003: Brendon Urie (Panic! at the Disco)
February 05, 2014 10:00 - 34 minutes - 33.1 MBOn Episode 003 of the Voice & Verse Podcast, my guest is Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco. Panic!'s new album, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!, hit stores last November and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, matching their best chart position ever. You can pick it up on iTunes here, and read more about the making of the album in Alternative Press issue 304 (written by yours truly). I caught up with Brendon backstage at Rams Head Live in Baltimore to talk about writing a song wit...
Episode 002: Matt Pryor
January 21, 2014 23:00 - 26 minutes - 26.5 MBWelcome to Episode 002! This week, my guest is Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids, The New Amsterdams and The Terrible Twos. Matt's also an accomplished solo musician; you can pick up his new solo album, Wrist Slitter, here. Additionally, he's a member of the service Downwrite, which connects fans and songwriters to create customized, commissioned songs. I caught up with Matt backstage at The Ottobar in Baltimore to talk about his involvement with Downwrite and why songwriting is at times a bit l...
Episode 001: Joel Madden
January 08, 2014 12:00 - 38 minutes - 37.1 MBHello, and welcome to the very first episode of the Voice & Verse Podcast. This week, I'm pleased to welcome my buddy Joel Madden to the show. Joel is best known as the singer of (and half of the songwriting duo behind) multi-platinum rock band Good Charlotte. These days, he's staying busy as a songwriter and producer, working with newer acts like Emblem3, 5 Seconds of Summer and Krewella. He and his brother Benji are also hard at work on a new album from their band the Madden Brothers. I ca...