Join the Long Island Sound Podcast for a conversation on songwriting and live performance. Get practical tips for your set.

Host Steve Yusko welcomes guest Tara Haack for a candid music discussion about the creative process. They explore the nuances of guitar playing and how to approach singing with a fresh perspective for the upcoming summer season.

Chapters:

0:00 The Art of Street Performance
3:14 Navigating the MTA Audition Process
5:59 The Emotional Power of a Song
9:13 Essential Tips for Aspiring Buskers
13:52 Taking the Show Across the Atlantic

The pair also breaks down the technical side of the craft, specifically sharing insights on a practical mic setup for home recording and live stages. Whether you are a fellow musician or a fan of acoustic performances, this episode offers a look at what goes into preparing a set.

Find Tara's Music Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJMmsm3Fg8U1gzwMY0czO8

Subscribe for weekly music breakdowns, and comment below with which artist you would love to hear more about next. 🤔
Http://www.youtube.com/@thelongislandsoundpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Welcome to The Long Island Sound, your go-to place where music, comedy, drama and entertainment discovery truly begins!

Are you curious about the journeys, inspirations, and hidden gems within the world of artists, singer-songwriters, entertainers and musicians? We delve deep to bring you the backstories you won't hear anywhere else.

Hit play and join the adventure! 👇 We do deep dives into the venues and events that bring you the best in entertainment, not just on Long Island and in New York City, but what's happening around the United States of America.

Don't forget to COMMENT below with your favorite artist or who you'd love to hear more about! And if you're hungry for more musical insights and discoveries, SUBSCRIBE now so you never miss an episode! Let's explore the sound together! 🎶

Why You Don't Need To Be A Pro To Join This Choir

Meet Rock Voices, a choir of 200 Long Islanders performing rock hits without auditions or sheet music.

Https://RockVoices.com

We sit down to discuss the story behind Rock Voices, a unique group that brings together everyday people to perform classic rock and roll hits. Unlike a traditional choir, this ensemble focuses on inclusivity, requiring no auditions or formal music reading skills to join the stage.

Timestamps:

00:00 — What Rock Voices is

00:39 — Meet Nick Ambrosino

02:15 — How Nick joined Rock Voices

03:37 — Making choir welcoming and relaxed

04:38 — Building a supportive community

06:31 — The magic of Tuesday-night rehearsals

07:57 — How Rock Voices works

09:22 — The three-week trial period

10:18 — Finding your vocal section

11:40 — Why you do not need to read music

13:08 — From beginner to concert-ready

14:31 — Familiar songs and community

16:37 — Auditioning for solos

17:34 — Why nerves can lead to growth

19:47 — Concert moments that move people

21:40 — Flexible commitment and rehearsals

23:08 — Supporting new singers

25:25 — Performing with a professional band

27:20 — Music as healing

29:31 — Advice for new members

30:29 — Challenging the “tone deaf” label

32:17 — Why singing is learnable

34:11 — How to join Rock Voices Long Island West

35:36 — Preparing for the next season

37:01 — Closing thoughts on music and joy

Https://Rockvoices.com

In this episode, Steve and Nick discuss how Rock Voices lowers the barrier to entry for adult singers, how newcomers are placed into parts, and why the group’s supportive atmosphere matters as much as the music. Nick also explains the teaching approach behind the choir, the seasonal format, and the impact the program has on confidence, friendship, and local charities.

Why Rock Voices feels accessible to beginners and returning singers because it has no auditions and no requirement to read music

How the choir builds confidence through a relaxed, supportive rehearsal culture where nervousness is treated as part of growth

How singers are placed in the right section with a quick vocal check and a recommendation based on range and comfort

Why learning happens by ear using part recordings, repetition, and weekly rehearsal until the group blends as a choir

The power of community in a group that attracts adults looking for friendship, belonging, and a shared creative outlet🤔

Http://www.youtube.com/@thelongislandsoundpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Welcome to The Long Island Sound, your go-to place where music, comedy, drama and entertainment discovery truly begins! Are you curious about the journeys, inspirations, and hidden gems within the world of artists, singer-songwriters, entertainers and musicians? We delve deep to bring you the backstories you won't hear anywhere else. Hit play and join the adventure! 👇 We do deep dives into the venues and events that bring you the best in entertainment, not just on Long Island and in New York City, but what's happening around the United States of America.

Don't forget to COMMENT below with your favorite artist or who you'd love to hear more about! And if you're hungry for more musical insights and discoveries, SUBSCRIBE now so you never miss an episode! Let's explore the sound together! 🎶

Subscribe for weekly music breakdowns, and comment below with your favorite local musical group you would love to hear more about!

Joshua Radin joins us to discuss his journey as a singer-songwriter and the inspiration behind his folk music career.In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Radin to explore his unique path in the music industry. Known for his intimate folk music sound, he shares stories about his songwriting process and the experiences that have shaped his professional life.This podcast interview offers listeners a look at the dedication required to maintain a lasting career as a singer-songwriter. We discuss how Joshua Radin approaches his craft and the creative instincts that help him connect with audiences around the world.Subscribe for weekly musical artist interviews, and comment below with which artist you want to hear from next.
He describes his evolving voice, saying he still feels like he is finding his sound, especially now that he is writing in a quieter, more reflective country setting.

Timestamps
00:00 - How a whispering folk sound became Joshua Radin’s signature
00:34 - Stephen Talkhouse, North Shore Animal League, and the benefit show
02:06 - Revisiting We Were Here for its 20th anniversary
03:38 - Why vinyl matters and what makes a live acoustic release different
04:06 - From visual arts to screenwriting to songwriting
06:01 - How “Winter” reached Scrubs through Zach Braff
08:27 - Hotel Cafe, music supervisors, and the early sync era
10:37 - Still finding his voice after 22 years
11:41 - Why Joshua plays loose sets and engages the audience
13:45 - Turning down the pop-hits path at Columbia
16:37 - Being an artist “without a home” after label upheaval
17:05 - Playing for Rick Rubin on a couch and finishing the album
18:43 - The nomadic years: suitcase, guitar, and seven continents
21:03 - Writing from experience without writing literal road songs
22:32 - The Ellen DeGeneres wedding story
27:47 - Meeting Ted Sarandos on a flight
29:22 - Performing for Michelle Obama with Quincy Jones and Berry Gordy in the room
31:20 - Why staying open creates serendipity
32:20 - Fall tour dates, vinyl, and the Stephen Talkhouse benefit
Steve and Joshua explore:

Accidental Beginnings: How a noise-sensitive NYC neighbor inadvertently forced the quiet fingerpicking and "whispering folk" vocal delivery that launched his career.

Artistic Sovereignty: Returning his advance to Columbia Records when executives demanded a pop hit, choosing creative freedom over corporate funding

Life as a Nomad: Selling his Los Angeles home in 2022 to live out of a backpack with just an acoustic guitar, finding new inspiration across global travels.Connecting Live: Why he discards rigid setlists to take audience requests, taking the stage at intimate venues like The Stephen Talkhouse, and his long-standing work in animal rescue.

Official Links

Official Website & Album Pre-Orders: 🌐 [www.joshuaradin.com*Stephen Talkhouse Concert Tickets (Sept 25, 2026): 🎟️ [Buy Tickets on Seated Flink.seated.com VIP Meet & Greet Passes (Stephen Talkhouse): ⭐ [VIP Meet 'n Greet Passes: Flink.seated.com 🤔

Http://www.youtube.com/@thelongislandsoundpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 🎶