On this episode of Caught on the Mike, Michael Clark sits down with Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and musician Stephen Day for one of the most personal conversations of the show.

Stephen opens up about his journey from discovering his mom’s guitar as a kid in Georgia to building a career with more than 200 million streams, touring alongside artists like Teddy Swims, Stephen Sanchez, Allen Stone, Lawrence, and Ben Rector, and finding his voice as an artist.

At the center of the conversation is Stephen’s upcoming self-titled album, Stephen Day, arriving October 2, 2026. We talk about why he waited more than a decade to make a record bearing his own name, the difference between imitating your heroes and emulating them, and the vulnerability that comes with finally saying, “This is me.”

Stephen also shares the deeply personal stories behind his songs, he discusses recording the album live with a full band, the philosophy of in with the old, out with the new,” his latest single “Back In My Bed,” and what he hopes this next chapter says about who he is as a songwriter and storyteller.

It's a conversation about music, family, fear, love, identity, and the courage it takes to become exactly who you're supposed to be.

Stephen Day is stepping into his own name. This is his story.

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Southern California alternative rock band Strange Case joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about their journey from the local DIY scene to becoming one of the fastest-rising bands in modern alternative rock.

Mikey and Zayno discuss the band's evolution over the past decade, being the very first artist signed to Jakob Nowell's SVN/BVRNT label, touring alongside Jakobs Castle, Strawberry Fuzz, and Spray Allen, and performing with Sublime at major festivals and headline shows. They also reflect on the success of their million-stream single "27 Club," hearing their music featured in Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer, and what they've learned from building a career rooted in hard work, authenticity, and Southern California's rich musical legacy.

The conversation also dives into the creative process behind their brand-new album, Gone For A While, the stories behind the songs, life on the road, and where Strange Case is headed next.

Whether you're a longtime fan of alternative rock, punk, surf rock, or discovering Strange Case for the first time, this episode offers an honest look at a band carving out its own place in today's music scene.

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Some conversations feel like they're years in the making. This one has been nearly three decades.

John Feldmann, frontman of Goldfinger, Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, A&R visionary, and one of the most influential architects of modern punk rock- joins me for a conversation I'll never forget.

Goldfinger has been part of my life since the late '90s. I saw the band tear through Midwest clubs, covered their songs with my own ska band, watched them become one of the defining acts of the third-wave ska movement, and years later found myself introducing their music to my son, who insisted on hearing "Mable" (or as he called it, "the She's the bomb song") every time we got in the car. Sitting down with John felt like one of those rare full-circle moments that reminds me why I started Caught On The Mike.

We dive into Goldfinger's incredible journey, the stories behind the band's longevity, and the making of their latest album, Nine Lives. John also pulls back the curtain on a career that extends far beyond Goldfinger. As a producer and songwriter, he's helped shape the sound of generations, working with artists including Blink-182, Good Charlotte, The Used, Story of the Year, 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, Panic! At The Disco, Sleeping With Sirens, Black Veil Brides, Avril Lavigne, and countless others. We talk about discovering talent, making timeless records, navigating an ever-changing music industry, and what separates artists who last from those who fade away.

Whether you know John Feldmann as the voice of Goldfinger, the producer behind some of the biggest rock records of the last 30 years, or the creative force who has helped launch and develop countless artists, this is a conversation about passion, perseverance, reinvention, and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.

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Alejandro Aranda—also known as Scarypoolparty—joins Caught on the Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about his musical journey, his creative process, and the release of his new EP, Baroque.

After captivating audiences as the runner-up on American Idol in 2019, Alejandro has continued to chart his own artistic path, releasing acclaimed projects including Exit Form, Doom Hologram, The Act of Forgiveness, and now Baroque. Rather than following trends, he's built a reputation for blending classical, jazz, indie rock, electronic music, pop, and drum & bass into a sound that's entirely his own.

In this episode, Alejandro discusses the inspiration behind Baroque, how the project reflects both his musical influences and personal evolution, and why he continues to challenge himself creatively with every release. We revisit his American Idol experience, explore his distinctive fingerstyle guitar technique, and talk about songwriting, artistic independence, and the freedom that comes from creating music without being confined by expectations or genre labels.

Whether you've followed Alejandro since his American Idol days or recently discovered his work as Scarypoolparty, this conversation offers an insightful look at one of today's most inventive singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, as well as the mindset that continues to shape his evolving career.

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J.Lately joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about his new album, Room to Grow, and the journey that's made him one of the Bay Area's most respected independent hip-hop artists.

In this episode, we explore the inspiration behind Room to Grow, how his songwriting has evolved, and why authenticity continues to drive everything he creates. J.Lately shares what it's like building a loyal fanbase without compromising his artistic vision, balancing introspective lyricism with laid-back production, and navigating today's music industry as an independent artist.

We also talk about collaborating with artists like Travis Thompson, Wrekonize (¡MAYDAY!), Evil Ebenezer, and Mouse Powell, life on the road, and the lessons he's learned from years of touring and staying true to his craft. From creative growth to the realities of the independent grind, this conversation offers an honest look at the mindset behind the music and what continues to fuel his career.

Whether you're a longtime fan of J.Lately, a supporter of independent hip-hop, or simply enjoy conversations that go beyond the music, this episode delivers thoughtful insight, compelling stories, and an inside look at an artist continuing to carve out his own lane.

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🚨 BIG CHANGES ARE HAPPENING AT CAUGHT ON THE MIKE 🚨

For the past several weeks, I've been working behind the scenes to take this show to the next level.

🎥 Full video episodes are coming to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
📺 The YouTube channel has been completely reorganized to make discovering past interviews easier than ever.
🎙️ The studio has been upgraded—both aesthetically and technologically.
🤝 New business relationships are creating exciting opportunities for bigger guests, collaborations, giveaways, and more.
🔥 And the content? I'm pouring more into every single episode than ever before.

Will there be a few bumps along the way? Probably. That's part of growth.

But I truly believe the future of Caught on the Mike has never looked brighter.

Thank you to everyone who's listened, watched, subscribed, shared an episode, or believed in this show over the last five years. None of this happens without you.

We're just getting started.

🎧 Listen | 📺 Watch | 🔗 Follow:
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#CaughtOnTheMike #Podcast #VideoPodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts #YouTubeCreator #ContentCreator #MusicPodcast #InterviewPodcast #PodcastLife #CreatorEconomy #BehindTheScenes

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www.caughtonthemike.com

caughtonthemike@gmail.com

www.caughtonthemike.com

caughtonthemike@gmail.com