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No, it’s not like the movies… it’s even better. We’re talking to Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm on Season 04, Episode 13 of “Load-In Through the Back.” Since bursting onto the alternative rock scene in the early 2000s with hits like “Movies” and their iconic take on Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” California rockers Alien Ant Farm have been a mainstay of festival lineups and radio programming for nearly three decades.  Dryden joins us remotely to discuss the grey area between Sade and SLAYER, how bus tours broke the band, tour buy-on’s, finding your authentic voice, and denouncing self-doubt.  AAF recently released a brand-new single entitled “Reasons” via Judge and Jury Records. The 25th Anniversary Edition of their breakthrough album “ANThology” is also available for purchase at AlienAntFarm.com As always– be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

Humble… Kind… we can use all sorts of flattering descriptors to describe today’s guests, especially since Troy almost had them banned from the ZOOM meeting. We’re chatting with Jordan Caiola and Jeff Lucci of Mo Lowda & the Humble on “Load-In Through the Back” Season 04, Episode 12! Formed in Philadelphia, PA, Mo Lowda & the Humble have built a ravenous and dedicated fanbase on the back of emotionally-driven indie folk songs and energized live performances.  Their latest record, “Tailing the Ghost,” was released in June of 2025. Jordan and Jeff join us remotely to discuss their songs living dual lives, life on the road, navigating multiple creative projects, maintaining their DIY ethos, and much more.  Visit MoLowda.com and follow @MoLowda on social media to stay in-the-know about the band and upcoming tour dates.As always– be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

Chad Wolf and Brian Ulery of Carolina Liar join Troy to chat about their upcoming spring tour. Click Date for Tickets! April 17th - Taffeta Music Hall - Lowell, MA April 18th - Stowe Cider - Stowe, VT April 19th - the Bitter End - New York, NY April 20th - CONNArtists House Concert - Southbury, CT April 21st - Jammin' Java - Vienna, VA April 22nd - WaR3house 3 - Swarthmore, PA

We love Steve Poltz. Steve Poltz loves us… and Steve Poltz. Lucky for everyone, he’s our guest on Season 04, Episode 11 of “Load-In Through the Back”. Fair warning– if you’re hoping for a traditional interview episode, this one IS NOT for you. We field a phone call, and you get to listen. It’s absurd. It’s brash. It’s everything we’re thankful for about this friendship.  We chatted about his new album. We talked about his iconic band The Rugburns. We also get in the weeds about politics, films, and Buc-ee’s.  You know what, maybe listen anyway?  Poltzy is chronically on tour. He released his brand-new album “Joyride” in January of this year. Visit Poltz.com and follow @StevePoltz to hear the tracks and find out when he is *inevitably* coming to a town near you. Be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

Whoever said “things can only get better” clearly has never spent an afternoon chatting with New-Wave icon Howard Jones, our guest on Season 04, Episode 10 of “Load-In Through the Back.” A pioneer of synth-driven rock music in the 1980s, Howard has enjoyed a 40-plus-year career on the back of hits such as “New Song,” “What Is Love?,” and “Things Can Only Get Better.” His albums “Human’s Lib” and “Dream Into Action” have gone platinum twice over, and he continues to perform his music to ravenous listeners around the globe.Howard joins us remotely to chat about longevity, Don Henley, narrative voice, and the irony of Ticketmaster fees.  Howard recently announced a slew of tour dates for 2026. Find more information at HowardJones.com or by following @HowardJonesOfficial on social media. Be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

The other podcasts are going to know we’re tourists if we keep staring up at Damn Tall Buildings, so instead, why don’t we chat with them on Season 04, Episode 09 of “Load-In Through the Back”? Since forming at Berklee College of Music in 2013, Damn Tall Building’s unique three-part vocals and pop-driven folk songs has made them a perennial favorite on bluegrass and americana festivals across the country.  We’re joined by violinist, banjo-player, and vocalist Avery Ballotta to discuss independently recording their newest album, lifting very heavy things, marketing your art, and so much more.  Their latest album, “The Universe is Hungry” was self-recorded and released in October of 2025. The band begins an intensive month-long UK tour on May 12th before returning to the US. Stay up-to-date with the band by following @GramTallBuildings on Instagram and visiting their official website: DamnTallBuildings.com. Be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

Season 04, Episode 08 of “Load-In Through the Back” features great songs (and great conversation) by a great artist– unlike the SPIN Magazine’s list of the “50 Worst Songs by Great Artists” that Troy and Pauly dive into during the Cold Open. Our guest today sticks your lips, loneliness, and the two coins of your eyes into his pockets and puts a helluva lot of butts in seats. We’re talking to singer/songwriter Pete Francis, founding member of DISPATCH. Pete formed DISPATCH with classmates Chadwich Stokes and Brad Corrigan at Middlebury College (VT REPRESENT!) in 1996 and grew the band into a global touring juggernaut on the shoulders of hits like “Two Coins,” “Bang Bang,” and “the General.”  Despite five consecutive sell-outs at Madison Square Garden and drawing over 100,000 people to Boston’s Hatch Shell, Pete’s thirst for creativity has never been quenched. Since 2001, he has released over a dozen full-length LP’s and Extended Plays under his own name, and amassed a cult following of lyric-forward indie-folk and soul fans that transcend the iconic band.  Pete joins us to discuss beekeepers, legacy, remaining creatively viable, starting over, and so much more.  A new self-engineered record entitled “Homemade” will be released this spring. Pete is currently on the road, and those dates can be found at PeteFrancis.com or by following @PeteFrancis3 on social media.  “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

With the record-breaking snowfall, it’s hard to be a man of the north these days, but that isn’t stopping our guest on Season 04, Episode 07 of “Load-In Through the Back”: Liam St. John. Since appearing on Season 20 of NBC’s The Voice, Liam St. John has clawed his way to the top of the Spotify and Apple Music charts with his unique blend of blues, country, and americana.  He joins us to discuss his time on the acclaimed television show, finding his voice, the city of Montreal, and more.  Liam is heading out on a European Tour this spring. Find dates at LiamStJohn.com, and follow him @MrLiamStJohn on social media.  Be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

The 100th Episode excitement might be fading in the rearview, but not to worry (because no one likes a worrier... you’ll get that joke in a minute), we’re talking to Al Olender on Season 04, Episode 06 of “Load-In Through the Back”! Wielding a box of Kleenex and a narrative voice that is both conversation and confession, Al Olender is quickly rising to the forefront of the indie folk movement. Her second full-length album, “The Worrier”, dropped February 13th, and is a collection of mature, meticulously crafted tunes on the subjects of love, grief, and the human condition.  This is not an interview, it’s a joyous back-and-forth conversation.  Al joins us to discuss the new LP, her extensive upcoming tour, busted merch, Chappell Roan’s iconic (?) GRAMMY dress, the Baltimore Public School System, the importance of keeping authenticity at the center of your art, and much more.  Be sure to visit AlOlender.com and follow @AlOlender on social media for tour dates, streaming links, merchandise, and maybe some moderate oversharing.  As always, “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

IT’S OUR 100TH EPISODE! Thank you so much to everyone for listening to “Load-In Through the Back” whether you’re joining us for the very first time, or the 100th.  Our guest on Season 04, Episode 05 is a true renaissance man of the entertainment industry– he’s a singer, songwriter, comedian, author, and one of the most successful TEDx presenters of all time– we’re talking to Stephen Kellogg. Stephen joins us on a rare day off from his Road to 3,000 Tour as he rapidly approaches his 3,000th career performance to discuss legacy, skyrocketing ticket prices, consumer trends, the art of specifics in songwriting, Counting Crows, and much more.  His latest record, “To You, Old Friend” is available now wherever you stream, purchase, or otherwise consume music.  Visit StephenKellogg.com for tour dates, merchandise, and more. He is @Stephen_Kellogg on social media. Be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms for more information. This episode is sponsored in part by Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT.

We’re really just stringing them together, eh? Our 99th Episode– Season 04, Episode 04– features a conversation with the incredible singer and banjo player of one of the most beloved modern bluegrass outfits of all time: Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters! Since their formation in 2005, The Infamous Stringdusters have cemented their legacy as the bridge between traditional bluegrass ala Bill Monroe and jam-scene party-rockers such as The Disco Biscuits. Known for their transcendent live performances and vast recorded catalogue, the Stringdusters are festival and theater-circuit staples. In 2018, their album “Laws of Gravity” received the GRAMMY Award for Best Bluegrass Album. Their newest effort, “20/20” arrives on February 13th, 2026.  Chris joins us remotely, from the road, to discuss the upcoming album, hosting his own, incredible podcast: Inside the Musician’s Brain, beta-testing new material, building a brotherhood, and how one tumultuous relationship changed his outlook on art and creativity.  Be sure to follow @Stringdusters on social media and visit TheStringdusters.com for tour dates, pre-order information, and to purchase additional merchandise.  Before you close your browser, be sure to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to our show wherever you are listening. Show us some extra love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms for more information.

Today’s guest is the type of artist that makes you feel homesick for a place you’ve never been. We’re not sure of his eye color, but we can attest that he has a heart of gold. We’re talking about Zachary Williams of The Lone Bellow. Wielding one of the most powerful voices in folk music history, The Lone Bellow have built a strong, grassroots following on the back of stunning vocal harmonies, authentic lyricism, and provocative instrumentation. They have collaborated with industry heavyweights such as The National’s Aaron Dessner and country music legend Dave Cobb. Their sixth record, “What A Time to Be Alive,”arrives February 13th, and is their first self-produced and independently-released album. Zach joins us from his Nashville home to discuss the unimaginable accident which led to the band’s formation, the perks (and pressures) of releasing music without major label support, My Morning Jacket starting the matcha craze, and having a merch game that outlasts your band. Pre-orders for the new album are live at TheLoneBellow.com, as well as a slew of tour dates and merch packages. You can stay up-to-date on Zach and The Lone Bellow by following @TheLoneBellow across social media. Please “follow” our show wherever you are listening, and show us some love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms for more information.

When they were young, they knew everything… and after this conversation, I’m pretty sure they still do. We’re talking with Brian Vander Ark, the esteemed songwriter and frontman of The Verve Pipe on Season 04, Episode 02 of “Load-In Through the Back!” One of the most successful independent bands of all-time, Michigan’s The Verve Pipe broke through with their hit-studded LP “Villains” and the era-defining hit “The Freshmen.” Following their mainstream peak, the group maintained relevance and accrued a rabid fanbase through relentless touring, releasing new music, and surprising fans with smart, well-loved children’s albums. We might argue that all those accolades pale in comparison to starring in and contributing songs to the 2001 masterpiece Rock Star starring Mark Wahlberg.  Brian joins us remotely on a rare day off to chat Farm Aid, opening for KISS, how Marlon Brando contributed to their massive hit, they ways streaming services actually benefit artists, NSFW vocal warm-ups, and much more. The Verve Pipe is prepping a North American tour with Our Lady Peace this spring. Follow @TheVervePipe on social media or visit TheVervePipe.com for more information.  Be sure to “follow” our show wherever you are listening, and show us some love by leaving a comment or a review!  Visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms for more information.

We’re back, baby! The holiday haze has lifted, the microphones are officially thawed, and we’re diving head-first into a brand-new season of Load-In Through the Back. Kicking off Season 04, Episode 01, we’re joined by Pittstown, New Jersey indie-rockers The Happy Fits. An unexpected overnight success, the band rocketed to the top of Spotify’s Top Viral chart with their self-released debut EP “Awfully Apeelin’”—a DIY effort by frontman Calvin Langman and original guitarist Ross Monteith, recorded and released just before heading off to college. Since then, The Happy Fits have been on a steady climb, releasing their debut LP “Concentrate" in 2018, followed by “What Could Be Better?”, “Under the Shade of Green”, and their 2025 breakout album “LOVESICK”. Calvin, Luke, Nico, and Raina (yes—all four of them) stop by to talk about the upcoming LOVESICK tour, growing up in the shadows of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, having a  “successful” pandemic, and why you should absolutely never operate video equipment while playing the cello. You can find tour dates, merchandise, and more by visiting TheHappyFits.com, and by following the band on social media— they are @TheHappyFits.  You know the drill— be sure to “follow” our show wherever you are listening, and show us some love by leaving a comment or a review!  If you’re hungry for more Load-In Through the Back, visit LoadInPodcast.com and give us a follow @LoadInPodcast on all major social media platforms.

Drum roll please– it’s the Season 3 finale of “Load-In Through the Back,” and it’s an absolute BANGER. Tired of drum puns yet? Too bad! Our guest on Episode 20 is iconic rocker Josh Freese. Josh has been a percussive force for over three decades, lending his unmistakable groove to artists such as A Perfect Circle, DEVO, and Bruce Springsteen. He further cemented his legacy with the Foo Fighters, stepping into one of modern rock’s most high-profile drum chairs with both authority and musicality. Along the way, he’s shared stages—and album credits—with Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses, The Vandals, and many, many more. Josh joins us to talk about his brand-new album of 60-second songs, “Just A Minute, Volume 2”; growing up in the orbit of the Walt Disney Band; filling the shoes behind some of rock’s most iconic drum parts; and how his wife Nicole—who makes a bonus appearance in this episode—deserves credit for naming his latest release. Just because Season 3 has wrapped doesn’t mean the hustle stops. You can support the show by clicking “Follow” or “Subscribe” wherever you listen. Leaving a comment or review is another great (and free!) way to show some love. We are @LoadInPodcast on Instagram and Threads, and “Load-In Through the Back Podcast” on Facebook.