Part 2 of our chat with Hozoji (Helms Alee, Lozen, Uukwuuk, Tacos!) and Justine of the Northwest 2 piece rippers, LOZEN. The exciting conclusion of an alcohol fueled stumble through tour memories. Is it secret? Is it safe? Falling asleep at the wheel. Montana dude compounds. Suspended licenses.By Jon Weisnewski and Jeff McNulty

Part 1 of a chat with Hozoji (Helms Alee, Lozen, Uukwuuk) and Justine of the Northwest 2 piece rippers, LOZEN. For the first time on the show we revisit past tour stories with a new perspective. Vans held hostage, hairy border crossings into Juarez, and of course no TWD episode would complete without a hand job at knife point.…

A long overdue chat with one of the kindest and most humble musicians out there (who also happens to be a living legend), Tad Doyle of the band Tad and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. We talk about the early days of Seattle's heavy music scene, set a new record for near-death tour stories in a single show, and Tad drops a true stunner of a tour story …

Part 2 of our hand held skip along memory lane, window shopping the best tour stories from Red Fang's prolific career as road warriors. A gingko-biloba trust is breached, myths are busted, the grim truths of stage diving are revealed, and an endearing moment during a deadly van crash is exposed. Bryan falls asleep.…

Part 1 of two interviews with Aaron Beam and Bryan Giles of the fabulous RED FANG, possibly one of the hardest working touring bands in America today. We discuss saxophonic beginnings, how not to tantrum on stage, and the origin of The Hand Shake. A deeply shameful amount of cat feces is also discussed.…

A deep relaxing soak into the soothing baritone of Kayhan Vaziri as he enlightens our hosts with stories from Yautja, Coliseum, and Die Young. How fast can one procure a passport prior to a border crossing? What hell awaits the damned who have clothes stolen on day one of tour? How many dogs are required to find Mexican shwag at a military checkpoi…

In episode 20 we catch up with our old friend Rob Hampton who played with hardly known The New Mexicans, and the greatly known Band of Horses. Joining us is also his current band mate Jonathan Carman who brings us tour stories from his former bands Leslie, and Farewell to Fashion. Together they play in Majic Dust. Never ask to see a stranger's gun …

A business/casual interview with friends and road-mates Laura Pleasants and Corey Barhorst, who for 15 years crushed the underground metal scene in Kylesa. Buying a used van from an ex cop! Touring in vans without seats! Touring in cars that aren't vans! None of these are good ideas! We also discuss the lifestyle choices one makes to support 'the l…

A fantastic talk with solo touring musician Kelli Frances Corrado, who brings a unique and mystical approach to her art and how she tours. What kind of encounters fall into your lap when you consult a seer prior to tour? How do dream rituals help one prepare for a six week tour alone in a rental car? Literally our most magical interview yet.…

Part 2 of our interview with Meg Castellanos and Tony Aguilar, the tremendous couple behind All Souls and Totimoshi. Tony finds himself in fisticuffs in a driving van, Meg face plants, and both of them offer soulful perspectives to the boring white male hosts on what it's like to tour in their shoes.…

Part 1 of a long interview with Meg Castellanos and Toni Aguilar, the talented couple behind All Souls and Totimoshi. Insane times with a party-wild drummer. Nature calls amidst a domestic suicide attempt. Skin heads thwarted. A border crossing gets very personal.By Jon Weisnewski and Jeff McNulty

Our first and likely only interview with a touring artist and self taught robotics expert, JBOT, the DIY warrior behind Captured! By Robots; a touring and recording band of actual hand built robots. We talk about his touring origins during the third wave of ska in the 90's, and how travelling with a nine piece band can drive one to a solitary life …

A fun and hilarious chat with Rob Sheridan, who for many years was the Art Director and creative force behind Nine Inch Nails' stunning live show. Rob tells us what is involved with bringing a live show of this magnitude on the road, how not to piss off Trent Reznor, and gives us the best hotbag story ever told on the airwaves.…

A long delicious talk with Coady WIllis, drummer of Big Business, Melvins, Murder City Devils, Dead Low Tide and more. A dirty punk show begets a lap dance which begets a full on brawl. Bladed Christmas gifts are not enough to impress Lemmy. A nefarious Texas State Trooper returns. A rare Rick James is spotted in his element. A foreign tour through…

We talk with tour veteran Conan Neutron about his decades of touring in Replicator, Victory and Associates, and Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends. Circus metal is mutually denigrated. Box Elder is pondered. A most unfortunate happy hour is discovered. Band fights beget band make-ups. Boris the cat wins initiative.…

Jon Weisnewski (host) invites his long time friends Nat Damm (Akimbo, Sandrider), TJ Cowgill (King Dude, Teen Cthulhu), Brandon Nakamura (Teen Cthulhu, Doomsday 1999), and Travis Nakamura (Teen Cthulhu, Doomsday 1999) to tell the story of their first tour together 20 years ago. In part 2 we discuss the second half of the tour: Bakersfield, LA, and …

Jon Weisnewski (host) invites his long time friends Nat Damm (Akimbo, Sandrider), TJ Cowgill (King Dude, Teen Cthulhu), Brandon Nakamura (Teen Cthulhu, Doomsday 1999), and Travis Nakamura (Teen Cthulhu, Doomsday 1999) to tell the story of their first tour together 20 years ago. In part 1 we detail the first half of the tour: Seattle to San Francisc…

We share a few clips from individual sessions. Jesse Roberts (Sandrider, Old Iron, The Ruby Doe, Kid Congo Powers) sets a record for most U-Hauls used in a weekend warrior tour. Joe Plummer (Cold War Kids, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Black Heart's Procession) may or may not have broken into a parked vehicle to swap parts for a parking lot van fix. Sea…

A mimosa fueled chat with the charming Ethan Anderson of Seattle americana group Massy Ferguson. He reminisces about early days touring the college circuit, a patchwork European tour featuring a pre-deployment send off show for the US Army's 1st Armored Tank Division, what really happens when the band passes the tequila bottle, and an endearing sto…

Field trip episode featuring Christian Lembach, Casey Maxwell, and Joel Willis of the Atlanta band WHORES. Jon chats with them about European toilet situations, how much tour earns the right for a hashtag, illegal apples, and how one navigates a 15 passenger van plus trailer through a Taco Bell drive thru (one doesn't). Also joining are Matt Koroul…

Brian Cook, legendary shredder from Botch, These Arms Are Snakes, Roy, Russian Circles, Mammifer, Sumac, and probably a few dozen more talks with us about his career as a touring human. We find out what it's like to tour Hawaii and/or Russia, how tough The Get Up Kids truly are, and make a crucial connection back to a fateful night in Dayton, Ohio.…

Shane Mehling and Demian Johnston talk to us about touring in Great Falls, Playing Enemy, Hemmingway, NineIronSpitFire, and Undertow. Important questions are asked! Would you wave at a cop? Do you bring a towel? Where is my shirt and why is it not on my torso? Where would you like to be tazed? Answers await!…

Our first field trip (out of studio interview) with Kyle Shutt of The Sword. Jon talks to Kyle about his tour life with The Sword, meeting Lars Ulrich and supporting Metallica on the road, meeting even more famous people, Russian mafia, Phil Anselmo's male heritage, and more.By Jon Weisnewski and Jeff McNulty

Lisa Mungo and Brian McClelland talk with us about touring in Fucked & Bound, He Whose Ox is Gored, and more. We learn about hot bagging and savage brews, hear a harrowing story of being chased down by a crazy psycho, and discover the universal magnetic pull of Albequerque New Mexico.By Jon Weisnewski and Jeff McNulty

Corey J Brewer talks to us about touring with his solo music, and as a roadie/merch slinger for Murder City Devils, Dead Low Tide, and GODHEADSILO. Topics discussed include the allure of Weed, CA, practical hazards of touring in arctic conditions, and what happens to cheeseburgers after being rejected by legendary rap artists.…

Episode 1 of TOMORROW WE DIE! a podcast bringing you interviews with underground touring musicians, telling crazy stories from life on tour. Episode 1 features Lupe Flores, the ferocious drummer of Tacos!, Wild Powwers, LORBO, and Sugar Sugar Sugar.www.wildpowwers.comhttps://tacosband.bandcamp.comwww.twitter.com/TomorrowWeDiePC…

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Advice to millennials, emerging artists, and so much more on Podcast #25 with the irreverent, and always gregarious Don Hall. The best and worst thing a parent can do is tell a child their "special". Words to live by from director of live events at WBEZ, Don Hall. Saved by the universe at a young age - at least according to his mother - Don Hall ha…

In Episode 24 I sit down Faheem Majeed, educator, builder, and community engaged artist. Majeed's work does more than explore the material world through the built environment; it challenges our relationships to it. Yet, were it not for his varied - and admittedly, circuitous career path - his work might lack the interdisciplinarity that critic Patr…

The improv stylings of Jazz musician Andy Baker influenced our conversation in many ways and informed my understanding of how a veteran trombonist, composer and arranger was able to find success by "goin' with the flow". In this episode we take a trip down memory lane. We revisit life lessons learned - perhaps the hard way - but how, in effect, the…

Have you ever asked yourself, "How am I ever going to make this work in today's economy?" Do you incessantly rant about how Pandora and Spotify are ruining the music industry? If the answer is yes, then you'll most definitely find this week's podcast inspiring. Listen to DJ, Music Producer and Musician Jesse Hoz as he reflects on his 20 year career…

Sitting down with Chicago-based sculptor and art educator Sabina Ott, I learned the do's, dont's and everything in between. Sitting together in her home/studio/art space (a.k.a Terrain) Sabina offers earnest advice to emerging artists. Reflecting on 20+ years of working and making, Sabina admits that it is the relationships she's built and her unwa…

WE'VE MADE IT! The long-awaited 20th episode of Artists Mean Business is here. In advance of Thanksgiving, I've take time this month to feature New York based photographer, Ben Ritter - an artist who shares his gratitude for an early internship opportunity that opened the floodgates to a prolific career as an arts entrepreneur and freelance photogr…

Welcome to Episode 19 of Artists Mean Business. This month we recognize an award winning artist, educator, and activist, Sophia Nahli Allison. Her upcoming installation and photo essay will be featured in Fall, 2013 at Columbia College Chicago (details at www.chicagograduation.tumblr.com). Her work explores the lives of Chicago's youth and how they…

Welcome to Episode 18 of Artists Mean Business. This February we celebrate a heroine of the Chicago visual arts scene: Stephanie Dawn Burke. As an artist, her photography shows audiences unseen, although sometimes disturbing, moments in time. However, in this episode I talk with Stephanie about what it takes to be both artist and arts blogger. For …

This month I sat down with world renown photographer, educator, and multimedia artist Matt Siber. Getting his start as a commercial artist, Siber has explored a variety of media and worn more hats than he can count. What does Matt say is the one thing every artist entrepreneur needs to sustain their professional practice? Listen in and find out. Th…

Welcome to Episode 16 of Artists Mean Business. This week I met with artist, entrepreneur, and designer extraordinaire Mattie Vandersteen, founder of MattieMade. Mattie has been hitting the Chicago craft fair scene hard, making a splash with her ecofelt onsies. She shares her experiences as a craft artist and what she wishes she had done differentl…

Welcome to Episode 14 of Artists Mean Business. This week I sat down with young entrepreneur and networking maven Rachel Cherny of Rachel Street Press. You know what they say, big things come in small packages! I'm referring to her business cards of course! Rachel is my go-to when I need anything print-related, so its only natural I have her on the…

Welcome to Episode 13 of Artists Mean Business. This week, rather than focusing on an individual artist, I have instead focused on one organization in particular, LINKS HALL. Dance and performing artists listen up...this one is for you. In this episode I speak with Shawn Lent and Debra Giunta - members of Links Hall's Associates Board. We discuss w…

Video: HZ Podcast PromoBy Leo d'l Hoz

Welcome to Episode 11 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. The talented Nat Soti Joined me for this nutrient rich podcast. Listen in for a truly entrepreneurial artist who started his own business and art gallery. Now in its 10th year, Chicago Art Department is the foundation of Pilsen art scene, and a formidable collective of artists. Wh…

HOZDJ's Podcast Episode 1 (Preview)By Leo d'l Hoz

Welcome to Episode 10 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. After many months of scheduling snafus, we finally found time to connect. Tom's career as a painter and artist shows that talent and dedication truly do trump all. As the creative hand behind one of my all time favorite political satire blogs, The Daily Punch, Tom takes cartooning…

Welcome to Episode 9 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. I'm here after hours with Nicole Garneau, the creative mind behind the Uprising Series! We discuss what it means to live multiple lives, as artist, cultural worker, bread winner, etc. Nicole's incites offer a "this-is-how-it-is" approach, if you want to make successful art. For Nic…

Welcome to Episode 8 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. Taking time away from our busy schedule at the One State in the Arts Conference in Bloomington, I sat down with Kevin Coval, Spoken Word artist and co-founder of Louder Than a Bomb. We chatted about what it takes to start an art education program in this city and what it means to s…

Welcome to Episode 6 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. This week I met with the founders of Sixty Inches from Center, Nicolette Caldwell and Tempestt Hazel. We discuss what it takes to start a bold new project in the contemporary art world, regardless of the skepticism that may surround us. These women are a powerhouse to be reckoned w…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 5. This week I meet with Janice Bond of SAVANT/SAVANT, sitting in the fabulous space at Creative Lounge in Wicker Park: the location for this Saturday's MO:Global POPs event (2-8pm). Listen in as I grill this entrepreneurial maven about how she started her own business as artist rep…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 4. This week I interview Paul Klein, Founder of Klein Artist Works here in Chicago. In this episode Paul has subtly suggested a more organic format for our interview. So listen in as we get into the nitty gritty of what it takes to "make it" in the visual arts community. Also, don't…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 3. This week I interview Abra Johnson and Meida McNeal, Co-Curators for the upcoming "To Art and Profit" festival. In this episode I chatted with these two inspiring women who saw a need in the arts community and made their vision a reality. I am looking forward to their kickoff per…