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 🎶

In this episode, we explore the moral courage of artists versus the corporate pressures from billionaire stadium owners, focusing on the recent controversy involving Ed Sheeran and Palestinian advocacy. We analyze how the music industry and pop culture reflect broader issues of integrity, free speech, and social responsibility.Sound Bites

"Criticism of Israel is in no way a criticism of you"
"Palestinian lives are worth protecting"
"How much more learning do you need to realize that bombing civilians is wrong?"

Here are the official websites for the six Palestinian relief organizations designated in Macklemore's donation pledge[1]:

Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) www.pcrf.net

HEAL Palestine www.healpalestine.org
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)www.map.org.uk

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA): www.anera.org

Gaza Soup Kitchen www.gazasoupkitchen.org

UNRWA USA www.unrwausa.org]

Explore music industry ethics and the tension between corporate profits and the demands placed on modern performers.Steve Yusko examines the moral courage required for artists to maintain true artist integrity in a landscape dominated by major promoters. We look at the blueprint provided by Ed Sheeran’s recent album titles and question whether these financial pressures are overshadowing the creative spirit.The discussion analyzes the culture of silence versus the classic approach of performers like McLamore, who delivered a powerful message without naming specific entities. We also break down how stadium concerts impact the way fans connect with their favorite music, offering a fresh perspective on why music industry ethics matter now more than ever.Subscribe for weekly industry breakdowns, and comment below with your thoughts on where the line should be drawn.

00:00 Introduction: The moral crisis in pop culture
00:32 The Ed Sheeran controversy and the Palestinian protest
02:02 The role of billionaire stadium owners in silencing activism
03:32 Hypocrisy in the entertainment industry
04:33 The response of supporting acts and their moral stand
06:57 Ed Sheeran's response and the silence on stage
09:09 The moral failure of silence and corporate influence
10:29 The importance of moral courage in art
11:54 Call to action: Support artists who stand for justice 🤔

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! 🎶

Mark Newman on Long Island roots, slide guitar, and songs with a conscience
Steve Yusko reconnects with guitarist and songwriter Mark Newman for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, from Bleecker Street clubs and West Coast sessions to touring with The Blues Project and writing socially conscious songs like Tulsa and Ghosts.

https://marknewman.us/
Mark also shares stories from the road with Sam the Sham, Willie DeVille, Bobby Whitlock, and John Oates, plus the gear, influences, and instincts that shaped his slide playing.

The Dobro resonator guitar Mark uses for acoustic slide, how it’s set up in open D or open E, and how he mixes mic and pickup tones through amps like a Fender Twin or Deluxe.

Playing with Sam the Sham, including the fast crash course in blues tradition Mark got from being handed Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters records after trying to play too flashy on stage.
Mark shares: Lessons from Willie DeVille and Bobby Whitlock about making the song his own while still respecting signature parts when necessary.
In this episode: How he was chosen to open for the Doobie Brothers at the Paramount, plus how he pulled together a last-minute band from old collaborators.

His songwriting process for topical songs, especially Tulsa, which addresses the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the Greenwood district.
Mark shares: Ghosts, a single co-written with Mike Mills, built around memory, regret, and the way the past keeps resurfacing.

At the Border, written in response to the war in Ukraine and broader refugee and asylum issues, and how current events often drive his lyric ideas.
Mark shares: The musicians he works with now, including Naomi Margolin, Sean Murray, John Cardone, Mike DeMayo, Kevin McKendry, and others across his various projects.

Learn the story of Mark Newman, a master slide guitar and dobro player, in this exclusive interview about his music career.

Mark Newman joins us on the podcast to discuss his journey as a musician and the collaborations that have defined his path in the industry. We explore his approach to playing the dobro and the unique techniques he uses to stand out on the slide guitar. This conversation offers listeners a look at the dedication required to build a lasting career as a professional artist.

Subscribe for weekly interviews with talented musicians, and comment below with which artist you want to hear from next.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Expectations on Mark Newman Interview
01:49 - Welcome to The Long Island Sound and Mark Newman’s return
04:06 - Joining The Blues Project and touring the West Coast
07:13 - Life on Bleecker Street in the 70s and 80s
09:58 - Early guitar history and the ukulele correction
12:14 - Playing with Delbert McClinton, Don Felder, and David Bromberg
12:50 - Opening for the Doobie Brothers at the Paramount
14:26 - Why Mark moved to Los Angeles from Atlanta
17:21 - Lowell George, Duane Allman, and slide-guitar influences
18:33 - The Dobro from Willy DeVille’s estate
21:25 - Little Feat, Sailing Shoes, and “Waiting for Columbus”
21:53 - The story behind Tulsa and the Greenwood district
26:21 - Releasing Ghosts as a single
28:23 - Memory, regret, and the meaning of the song’s shadow imagery
29:15 - What Mark learned from Sam the Sham
35:32 - Willie DeVille’s energy, humor, and artistic freedom
38:51 - Bobby Whitlock, Layla, and making the part your own
42:36 - John Oates, solo identity, and the challenge of being typecast

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

Join host Steve Yusko for a special episode on 9/11 remembrance, reflecting on the power of community resilience.

Every September, the crisp air on Long Island brings back quiet, personal memories of 2001. This conversation honors those stories of loss and strength, looking at how we hold onto our history while finding meaningful ways to move forward. We explore how individuals and organizations continue to build legacies of hope in the aftermath of the tragedy.


This episode explores how the music community responded to the 9/11 tragedy, highlighting songs, performances, and initiatives that fostered healing, unity, and remembrance.

🤔 Http://www.youtube.com/@thelongislandsoundpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
Family & Survivor Support Organizations

Tuesday’s Children
Provides long-term healing, youth mentoring, mental health support, and community engagement for families impacted by 9/11 and subsequent military service.

Website: tuesdayschildren.orgPhone: (516) 569-3009 (https://911memorial.org/about/our-partners),

VOICES Center for Resilience (formerly Voices of September 11th)Focus: Offers long-term mental health care, wellness resources, and support navigating healthcare systems for victims' families, responders, and survivors.Website: voicescenter.org

Phone: (866) 505-3911 (https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/charities-borne-911-attacks-give-hope-during-holiday-season),

(https://voicescenter.org/), (https://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/downloads/pdf/wtc/wtc-resource.pdf)

Where to Turn
Provides crisis services, information, and project-based community referrals for those affected by the tragedy.Website: where-to-turn.orgPhone: (718) 966-6531 (https://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/downloads/pdf/wtc/wtc-resource.pdf)

First Responder & Housing Charities

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Honors the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller by providing mortgage-free smart homes to catastrophically injured first responders and veterans, as well as Gold Star and fallen first responder families.Website: t2t.orgPhone: (718) 987-1931
(https://t2t.org/)

HEART 9/11
A disaster response organization formed by 9/11 first responders that utilizes the skills of volunteer emergency workers and building trades to rebuild communities affected by natural and man-made disasters globally.
Website: heart911.orgPhone: (212) 376-7870 (https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/charities-borne-911-attacks-give-hope-during-holiday-season)

A musician's car accident & survivor shares his story of resilience and how he reclaimed his life as a guitar player.

He recounts the terrifying moment his vehicle flipped and the life-altering injuries that followed, including the loss of fingers and a severe ear injury requiring reattachment. This conversation explores the emotional and physical reality of managing a major injury recovery while facing the uncertainty of a career in the arts.

Timestamps
00:00 - Life-threatening car crash and devastating injuries
00:57 - Steve introduces John Borland and Sons of Elvis
02:37 - Rockaway Beach roots and the Fordham University connection
06:24 - Dave Hill’s obsession with the business side of the band
09:17 - Why studio time, demos, and promotion were so expensive
10:11 - Teaching at Saint Bridget’s while chasing a record deal
11:18 - The buzz, showcases, and Joe Grillo’s interest
12:44 - American Empire Records and the first real deal
14:12 - Recording in Hoboken with Doug Olson
15:37 - Tightening songs for radio-friendly lengths
16:29 - The label collapse and the move to Priority Records
17:13 - Naming Glodeen and meeting Barry White
18:29 - Making the music video and being pushed by Priority
20:22 - Touring with Bush and old-school radio promotion
21:47 - Higher Learning and hearing the song in a movie theater
23:30 - The John Stewart show and the Coyote Ugly connection
26:09 - What makes a frontman and how Borland approached it
29:16 - Pressure from the label on album two
31:22 - Cleveland radio support, big shows, and touring economics
32:45 - Hearing Sons of Elvis on WDRE and calling the station
35:10 - Back to New York, backyard gigs, and the Johnny Irish identity
36:01 - The Ocean Parkway rollover and the severity of the injuries
37:24 - The priest, the roadside rescue, and the surreal aftermath
38:53 - Choosing teaching, marriage, and stability
42:39 - What frontman skills brought into the classroom
44:35 - Music, meditation, and keeping the guitar in the classroom

Despite the devastating setback to his strumming hand, he explains why he never stopped seeing himself as a guitar player and a dedicated singer songwriter. His story serves as a testament to the persistent need to create, even when the body demands a different path forward.John Borland on Sons of Elvis, the 90s rock grind, and finding a second act in teaching

John Borland shares the full arc of his life in music, from fronting Sons of Elvis and chasing a record deal in the pre internet era to becoming a high school English language arts teacher on Long Island. It is a story about craft, luck, business, resilience, and how performance skills can translate far beyond the stage.

We discuss the rise and fall of a 90s alternative rock band, the realities of recording and promoting without digital tools, and how a major life accident changed the course of his career and personal life. Steve Yusko also brings in his own background as a musician and interviewer, making this both a music story and a conversation about purpose.

Priority Records’ involvement changed everything, bringing funding, video production, radio promotion, and wider exposure, even though the label was better suited to rap than rock.

The conversation turns to the band’s collapse, the pressure of a rushed second album, label politics, debt from touring support, and the hard economics of selling records.

A devastating car accident on the Ocean Parkway becomes the turning point in his life, leading to severe injuries, a reevaluation of priorities, and eventually a decision to return to teaching and build a family life.
John explains how the same skills that made him effective onstage, especially connection, presence, and reading an audience, now help him engage students in the classroom.

Hank Stone on late-blooming, folk protest music, and finding your voice.

HankStone.music

Steve Yusko talks with Patchogue-based singer-songwriter Hank Stone about his path from Queens rock bands to a decades-long break from performing, then a return through Long Island open mics, recordings, and community collaboration. The conversation centers on the resurgence of folk and protest music, how songwriting evolves over a lifetime, and why live music and local scenes still matter.

Hank traces his early guitar education in Queens, from school lunch-break lessons to studying Spanish guitar with Don Felice Alfino.


Hank talks about the community-driven recording process behind his albums, including Tony Di Stepano, Bill Herman, Bill Ayas, and a long list of guest players and backing vocalists.
He breaks down how a partial capo opened up new instrumental ideas and became part of his signature fingerstyle approach.
He shares how his songwriting can start with lyrics, a groove, a character, or a melodic idea, with no single formula.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Steve frames the episode around the resurgence of folk and protest music
01:24 - Hank Stone’s Queens roots and the late-bloomer arc
03:19 - Early guitar lessons, Spanish guitar training, and the Beatles-era band years
05:38 - Why he stepped away from the stage for decades but never stopped writing
06:35 - Returning in 2001 through open mics, benefits, and first recording opportunities
07:40 - How Long Island’s collaborative music scene shaped his albums
08:38 - Tribute records, Christmas songs, and the making of Pie for Breakfast
10:59 - Writing from memory, story, and character-driven perspectives
12:27 - Alternate tunings, early experiments, and discovering the partial capo
14:52 - Fingerstyle playing, quiet late-night practice, and his no-pick technique
16:04 - Lyrics first, melody first, or both at once
17:29 - What it felt like to return to open mics after years away
18:28 - The trio Rough Folk and the band version of the project
19:25 - Running an open mic and coaching newer performers through stage nerves
21:48 - How harmonica fits into his sound without becoming a blues or Dylan imitation
22:19 - Reimagining “I Pity the Poor Immigrant” for the Dylan tribute project
24:19 - Why folk still matters in the era of protest songs and social witnessing
24:48 - The writing and emotional toll behind “Once Again”
26:09 - “This Is My Country,” immigration, and the power of collaboration
29:12 - Scott Cook, hopeful protest writing, and songs that point toward action
30:53 - Hosting Down Home Country on WUSB and learning classic country on the fly
34:08 - The Hucksters, neglected covers, and new live gigs
36:18 - Video presence, live clips, and how musicians get discovered now
38:11 - Pandemic Zoom songwriting prompts with Ben Diamond
39:23 - Becoming more open to collaboration after years of writing mostly alone
39:46 - Pie for Breakfast and the hopeful imagery in “The Sun Rose Right Out of the Sea”
41:16 - Why Hank refuses to pin himself to one genre
44:46 - Using Suno for demos, not as a replacement for human songwriting
49:49 - Advice for late bloomers: play every day, then play for people

Play guitar every day, even if it is only 30 minutes.
Try open mics to build stage confidence and learn from other players.
Record rough demos however you can, then share them with potential collaborators.
Seek out local live music scenes, house concerts, and community radio.🤔
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