What Are You Jamming?

Epside 14 with Laurent Lebec of Pelican

On this episode of What Are You Jamming?, I'm joined by Laurent Schroeder-Lebec of Pelican - a band that has spent the last two decades proving you don't need vocals to absolutely level people. We talk about the band's roots in the Chicago hardcore scene, how their sound has evolved over time, and why trying to pin a genre on Pelican is kind of missing the point. Laurent also gets into the creative process behind their latest record, Flickering Resonance, which pushes into more melodic territory without losing the weight they're known for. There's also a look at life outside the band - including his work in bar management - plus how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped both the music industry and personal priorities. We get into gear, live performance, and the unique challenge of connecting with audiences through instrumental music that says a lot without saying anything at all. And of course, we close it out the only way we know how: What is Laurent jamming right now? Intro track: "Cascading Crescent" Outro track: "Evergreen"

Episode 13 with Bryn from Stay Inside!

This week on What Are You Jamming?, I'm joined by Bryn Niebohr of Stay Inside. We talk about the band's origins, Bryn's musical upbringing, and how a wide range of influences eventually gets filtered into something that feels distinctly their own. There's a lot in here about evolution - not just in sound, but in process - from more individual writing to something increasingly collaborative and fluid. We also get into the making of Lunger, including the natural (and correct) decision to bring horns into the mix, the role New York plays in shaping the band's identity, and the push-and-pull between genre labels and just making what feels right. Along the way, we talk touring, fan connection, and the idea of artistic integrity - not as some fixed standard, but as a moving target that's more about honesty than perfection. And, of course, Bryn answers the question that gives this show its name: What are you jamming? Featuring: Counting Electric Sheep (intro) Ain't That a Daisy? (outro)

Episode 12 with Brandon Watkins of Year of the Knife

On this episode What Are You Jamming? I'm joined by Brandon Watkins from Year of the Knife. Brandon is involved in multiple bands and has spent years immersed in the heavier corners of hardcore, metalcore, and death metal. In this conversation we talk about the music that shaped him, the bands and records that pushed him toward brutal hardcore, and how songwriting works in a band whose lineup and dynamics have changed over the years. Brandon also opens up about living with bipolar disorder and how mental health has shaped his relationship with music and performance. We talk about the catharsis of playing live, the collaborative process behind the band's songs, and the gear and production choices that help bring that sound to life. The conversation also touches on the life-altering accident involving his wife Maddie and how that experience shifted his perspective on life, creativity, and what it means to connect with people through music. It's a conversation about heavy music, real life, and why sometimes the loudest music comes from the most honest places. Intro song: "Mourning the Living" - Year of the Knife Outro song: "No Love Lost" - Year of the Knife Got a record you can't stop listening to? Tell me what you're jamming. DM the show or send an extremely retro email to: whatareyoujammingpodcast@gmail.com

Episode 11 with Dennis of Ghost Bath

On this episode of What Are You Jamming?, I'm joined by Dennis Mikula of Ghost Bath for a deep dive into the band's latest record, Rose Thorn Necklace. Dennis opens up about starting Ghost Bath as a college side project and how early influences in hardcore, post-hardcore, and black metal shaped his musical identity. We talk about why he describes what he does as "rock and roll," how internal emotion drives the band's sound more than geography, and what it was like creating music through periods of depression. We also get into: * The creative process behind Rose Thorn Necklace * Writing music first and adding lyrics later * The impact of the pandemic on past releases * Touring - exhausting, cathartic, and necessary * His love for Fender guitars and tonal clarity * The personal meaning behind the name Ghost Bath It's an honest, thoughtful conversation about creativity, survival, and making heavy music that actually means something. Listen now and tell me… what are you jamming?

Episode 10 with Scott Osment of Glassing, Deaf Club and Planet B

Scott Osment (Glassing, Deaf Club, Planet B) crashes in to talk drums, chaos, and the art of juggling multiple bands without completely losing your mind. We dive into Scott's early days behind the kit, early-2000s heavy music that scrambled his brain, and the drummers who rewired his style. He breaks down why being in the room still matters when writing music, how Glassing, Deaf Club and Planet B scratch very different creative itches, and the mental gymnastics of switching between projects. We also cover genre labels (helpful/dumb paradox), favorite cities to playand what's coming next for both bands. Hit play, turn it up, and stick around for the end to hear Scott's answer to the show's namesake question: What are you jamming?