The Sound Podcast with Ira Haberman

I’ve been following the trajectory of Tom Hamilton’s career ever since his Brother’s Past days in the late 90s back at the Wetlands in New York. Since that time he has moved on to form a new band American Babies and is one of two guitar players and vocalists in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead . I’ve always heard he’s fairly outspoken about the music he makes and the general jamband scene and was excited to talk to a young veteran of said scene about all his current projects including American Babies, Electron and of course JRAD……

If there was ever a musician's musician, a spiritual leader for the likes of Phish, Blues Traveler, Derek Trucks and the like, that individual is Col. Bruce Hampton (Retired). He has had a storied music and movie career, and is absolutely a genius for those who know and understand. His tutelage and guidance to musicians reads like a who's who of the jamband community. When I sat down to talk to him, I had no idea where the conversation would go, but it was, as he is, legendary.  

Imagine living in the shadows of the world's premiere jambands. That's the case for Twiddle who hail from Vermont and often compared to Phish pioneers in the improvisational jamband scene. The truth though, is that the only thing worth of comparison is the extensive touring and playing the bands do. Both have their own community, musical style (funk, reggae, bluegrass, rock) and sensibilities. I sat down with Brook Jordan, Twiddle's drummer to learn more about the band, and get his take on the comparison. 

Show opens with an interesting take on The Grateful Dead's Bertha. Though they are relatively fresh on the jamband scene Aqueous has quickly built up a reputation as a solid groove band who has toured and played many festivals around North America. Hailing from Buffalo New York, the quartet has shared the stage with the likes of Umphrey’s McGee, Twiddle and others. I sat down with Mike Gantzer to learn about the band’s formation, and overall story….. 

The Dark Star Orchestra in it's 20 year existence has become the premier Grateful Dead tribute band. Playing a show from the band's history each night, has rekindled a fan base's love for the music and it's community. Jeff Mattson has played the role of Jerry Garcia for 7 of those years. We sat down and talked to Jeff about his role and a whole lot more. 

Given his lineage, prowess and ability, it's no surprise that teaming with his equally gifted wife Susan Tedeschi was bound to create an extremely rewarding project for Derek Trucks. 7 years in The Tedeschi Trucks Band has proven to be a musical tour de force (pun intended) and is now his sole focus. So when we sat down to talk about the Tedeschi Trucks upcoming live release Live from Oakland at The Fox which is also a must see film, I wasn't surprised that he's excited about where things are at....

When blues musician Susan Tedeschi joined forces with her ace guitar playing husband Derek Trucks to create the Tedeschi Trucks Band 7 years ago, it was a matched made in musical heaven all over again. With the Tedeschi Trucks Band set to release their second live album and first concert film Live from Oakland at The Fox, I had the opportunity to catch up with Susan and asked if things 7 years are going as expected....

Inspiration can come from all kinds of places. When Adam and his brother Matthew decided to put together Jazz is Phish, they weren't only inspired by the music of Phish, but also the Jazz is Dead project. The idea to bring a jazz sensibility to Phish's music seemed like a natural way to tackle the band they love and the music they make.

You may know her name from her work with The Trey Anastasio Band, but Natalie Cressman's work with that group, only scratches the surface of her ability and story. We had a chance to sit down with her to talk about this trombonist solo work, her time with TAB and much more. 

We started The Sound Podcast to give rise to music and musicians inspired by the Grateful Dead and the Jamband community. In my little Deadhead community, Mars Hotel is doing just that. Friends? Sure. Musicians? Positively. A great vibe? Absolutely. We sat down with Mars Hotel last week after a rehearsal and got the scoop on what makes them tick. 

Blackberry Smoke are a rock n roll band out of Georgia, that contend with an old notion that a band, of its stature needs to fit into some neat marketing box of yesteryear. Charlie Starr the band's front man knows exactly what they are, and thats how our conversation started...  

Living beyond the borders of where your favorite bands make and tour their music can be a touch annoying. Sure there are always opportunities to travel, but being able to hear the music you love with your community in your own town is also easiest. Those were the thoughts of Rich Grossman who fronts The Lizards, Canada's Premiere Phish Tribute Band out of Toronto. 

You may recognize Marco's name from his work with the Benevento/Russo duo, Joe Russo's Almost Dead and countless other projects. It's his solo projects that Marco Benevento though may be most excited by. When you are as accomplished as Marco Benevento is, making records and touring is just part of life. We sat down recently to discuss his new live record The Woodstock Sessions out February 17th. Since he's on the road with the trio he fronts we also talked about touring, his evolution as a musician and much more. 

David Gans is a radio host, a writer, a musician, a lecturer and a historian. Few people have lived a professional life inspired by the Grateful Dead and their fans. You probably recognize his name as the host of the syndicated radio show the Grateful Dead Hour or his Sirius XM Show with Gary Lambert. David though, is a serious musician in his own right and his written extensively about the band as well. 

Scott Metzger has played guitar with a diverse group including Trixie Whitely, Phil Lesh and Trey Anastasio amongst others. Aside from also participating in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Metzger fronts Wolf! A trio that came to be after he and the other two guys now in Wolf were left stranded without a singer one fateful night….I asked Scott how it all happened….