エピソード

  • American Vanity (formerly Burn The Jukebox)
    2026/03/04
    American Vanity joins Caught on the Mike for a deep dive into identity, image, and the evolution of modern rock.

    Led by dual vocalists Virginia Franks (bass) and Luke Hoffman (guitar), alongside Luke Vanchure on lead guitar and Carter Dennis on drums, the band opens up about stepping into a bold new era after years of national touring as Burn The Jukebox. Now reintroduced as American Vanity, they’re sharpening their songwriting, amplifying their hooks, and confronting the tension between authenticity and performance in the attention economy.

    We talk creative reinvention, the pressure of being seen, lessons from the road, and what it was like working with Grammy-nominated producer Matt Squire on their upcoming full-length album. This episode goes beyond music — it’s about growth, risk, and owning who you are when the spotlight fades.

    Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with artists pushing culture forward.
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    40 分
  • Sam and Ceschi of Codefendants
    2026/03/02
    On this episode of Caught On The Mike, Mike sits down with The Codefendants — the genre-smashing group of Sam King (Get Dead) and Julio “Ceschi” Ramos to talk about their explosive new chapter. We also talk about Fat Mike (of NoFx) recently taking the band to trio status.

    We dive deep into their latest single “Rivals” featuring hip-hop legend The D.O.C., and how their second collaboration pushes the conversation about punk and hip-hop’s shared countercultural roots. The band opens up about blending scenes, battling gatekeepers, and why Crime Wave isn’t a genre — it’s a confession.

    We also get into the upcoming single “Lonely Life”, starring Jakob Nowell of Sublime in the video, and what fans can expect from their sophomore album LIFERS dropping April 3. From touring on NOFX’s farewell run to sharing stages with hip-hop heavyweights, this conversation covers chaos, collaboration, and carving your own lane.

    Punk. Hip-hop. No rules.
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    37 分
  • Dylan Espeseth
    2026/02/25
    On this episode of Caught on the Mike, I sit down with Seattle singer-songwriter Dylan Espeseth to talk about his new single “Whine” — a stripped-back, emotionally direct track that came together in a burst of instinct and honesty.

    We dive into the 15-minute writing session that sparked the song, why he intentionally leaned into a raw acoustic sound, and how teaching himself production during the pandemic completely reshaped his relationship with music. Dylan also reflects on the vulnerability behind “Falling Faster,” opening for The Rocket Summer, and what fans can expect from his debut full-length album arriving in 2026.

    This conversation is about trusting your instincts, embracing imperfection, and writing the songs that feel too real to fake.
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    不明
  • Jake Thistle- Singer, songwriter, contestant on American Idol
    2026/02/23
    Fresh off his February 16th premiere on American Idol, Jake Thistle joins me on Caught on the Mike to talk about his latest single, “Sleep On Me” — a bold, confident statement from an artist stepping into his moment.

    We break down the meaning behind the track, the edge and urgency in the songwriting, and how it reflects where Jake is mentally and creatively right now. With a sound rooted in classic ’70s and ’80s influence but sharpened for today, “Sleep On Me” feels like both a warning shot and a breakthrough.

    We also get into his Idol experience, working with powerhouse producer Butch Walker, and how national exposure collides with years of groundwork.

    This episode is about belief, timing, and what happens when the world finally starts paying attention.
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    37 分
  • Kevin and Mike of Great Danes
    2026/02/16
    On this week’s episode of Caught on the Mike, I sit down with Kevin and Mike of Great Danes — a project built on experience, reinvention, and unfinished business.

    Longtime fans will remember Kevin and Mike from their earlier chapter in Halifax, the melodic pop-punk/emo band that helped soundtrack the mid-2000s alternative scene with high-energy anthems and emotionally charged songwriting. After years of growth, perspective, and life beyond that era, they’ve reemerged with Great Danes — a band that feels more refined, more intentional, and creatively fearless.

    In this conversation, we talk about what it really means to evolve as artists, how their Halifax years shaped them, and why Great Danes isn’t about chasing nostalgia — it’s about building something that reflects who they are right now. From touring memories to the creative risks that come with starting fresh, this one hits on legacy, growth, and the hunger to keep making meaningful music.
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    46 分
  • Author: Carla Ondrasik
    2026/02/12
    What if the one word holding you back is the word you use the most?

    On this episode of Caught on the Mike, Mike sits down with Carla Ondrasik—bestselling author of STOP TRYING!, former Vice President of Creative Writer Development at EMI Music Publishing, and the creator of the powerful No Try philosophy.

    Carla spent over 20 years helping sell millions of records, working with legendary artists like Mariah Carey, Cher, NSYNC, and Christina Aguilera, and famously discovered John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting) by hearing him sing through a wall—and choosing to act. In this conversation, she breaks down how the word “try” quietly programs hesitation and excuses, why incomplete intentions drain mental energy, how replacing “try” with decisive action activates momentum, confidence, and dopamine, and why trying harder often leads to worse results. Most importantly, she shares simple, science-backed ways to turn intention into action and finally do the things we keep saying we’ll try.
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    43 分
  • Sonia of Weakenend Friends
    2026/02/09
    On this episode of Caught on the Mike, I’m joined by Sonia of Weakened Friends for a powerful conversation about resisting numbness, reclaiming creative freedom, and screaming without self-censorship when the world feels heavy.

    We dive deep into the band’s latest album, Feels Like Hell, a raw, instinct-driven response to burnout, apathy, and the quiet nihilism of modern life. Sonia opens up about the emotional toll of overthinking their previous record Quitter, and how intentionally doing the opposite this time: writing fast, trusting impulse, and letting songs stay sharp and unpolished-reignited their creative spirit.

    This conversation explores art as resistance, songwriting as a form of world-building, and the importance of being loud, honest, and emotionally present in a time when so much music feels restrained or muted. We also talk about identity, creative burnout, post-punk energy, and what it means to imagine better worlds through sound.

    Honest, cathartic, and unfiltered ; this episode hits straight to the solar plexus.
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    34 分
  • Author- Justin C. Key
    2026/02/02
    Author and psychiatrist Justin C. Key returns to Caught on the Mike for a powerful, in-depth conversation surrounding his new novel The Hospital at the End of the World. In this episode, we dive into AI in healthcare, the dangers of automation, the human cost of data-driven medicine, and how real-world medical training inspired one of the most timely speculative fiction novels of the year.

    Justin shares insight from his work as a practicing psychiatrist, the evolution from short fiction to novel writing, and why human connection in medicine can never be replaced by technology. We also talk Afrofuturism, dystopian fiction, medical ethics, and the future of storytelling in the age of AI.

    📘 The Hospital at the End of the World is available February 3, 2026.
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    51 分