Part-Time Rockstar Podcast

Episode 359: Hannah Sandoz (performer-composer) [Chicago, IL]

Episode 359 features Hannah Sandoz, a performer-composer out of Chicago. In the interview we talked a lot about DIY touring, songwriting, and the ChiTown music scene. I featured “dominator1” on this episode, and if you like it you can stream it wherever you listen to music.    Hann Sandoz creates music that holds you while you cry, weaving tender lyrics with lush, intimate arrangements for guitar, vocals, and laptop. After first writing songs as a teen using scrappy recording techniques and candid, emotionally raw lyrics, they went on to study classical composition and production at the Oberlin Conservatory. That background shaped a reverent creative practice centered on tenderness, shared experience, and emotional memory.   We also dive into their latest release, MF / HS, which came out in October 2025, four years after relocating to Chicago. To support the record, Hann hit the road for a true DIY run, touring 6,000 miles in just two weeks across the West Coast, playing independent venues like Junior High in LA and Kilowatt in San Francisco. With ethereal vocals and gauzy, rural-tinged instrumentals that will resonate with fans of Adrianne Lenker, Grouper, and Animal Collective, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.   Please follow, rate, or review the podcast wherever you are streaming if you’d like to help us out.  -- Part-Time Rockstar Productions is available in the DMV for music videos and live filming.

Episode 358: Loose Panic (Philly/NJ) [Indie Rock]

Episode 358 features Loose Panic from the greater Philadelphia area. In the interview, I spoke with singer songwriter and guitarist Jarret Crawford. We discussed the local music scene, his work in the psychology field, the evolution of Loose Panic from a solo project into a full band, and their upcoming debut LP Weightbearing, due out in June 2026.   We also touched on their brand new single, The Cruelty is the Point, which is the first single off Weightbearing. Loose Panic began as Jarret’s project before taking shape as a full band following the release of their five song EP In Hindsight, recorded at Cambridge Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Since then, the lineup has solidified with Anthony Carlisi on bass, Liam Hare on drums, and Max Blauer on lead guitar and backing vocals.   Blending folk and Americana inspired songwriting with 90s and 2000s indie and alternative rock sonics, Loose Panic creates guitar driven songs that balance loathing and hope, isolation and connection. The band has become a regular presence at venues like John and Peter’s in New Hope, PA and has played throughout the Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey areas. Their music has also been featured on 88.5 WXPN and other regional radio programs.   This was a great conversation diving into creativity, mental health, and building a band from the ground up. Check out Loose Panic wherever you listen to music.

Episode 357: Grandma Drinks (Alt Rock/Grunge) [NYC/staten island]

Episode 375 features Grandma Drinks from NYC. They are an alt rock band mixing grunge, new wave, and punk. They have a brand new EP out called Rapture, and I featured their tracks “Gone” and “Chemical” on the episode. In the interview, I spoke with Deke Blackburn and Jeremy Dirzis. We talk about the Staten Island and NYC music scene, inspirations, Oasis, face tattoos, trends, and staying true to yourself. If you like their stuff, you can find the band on any social media platform and give them a follow. Thanks for listening and supporting local artists!   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susto-schmidt-house-tickets-1980430363529 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susto-schmidt-house-tickets-1980430363529]   Please follow, rate, or review the podcast wherever you are streaming if you’d like to help us out.  -- Part-Time Rockstar Productions is available in the DMV for music videos and live filming.

Episode 356: Justin Osborne of SUSTO [Charleston/Austin] (Pyschedelic Americana)

Episode 356 features Justin Osborne of Susto! He’s definitely a full-time rock star, and I honestly don’t know where to begin with this one, because they’re easily in my top five favorite bands of all time. It was incredibly humbling and exciting to have Justin on the show. I’ve always described Susto to my friends as a sort of psychedelic Americana, but of course they have a whole host of other influences in their sound. At the core of it all, though, is Justin’s songwriting and storytelling, which is often off-the-wall, honest, comedic, clever, and zen all at the same time. I first found Susto through a YouTube series called Susto Stories and was immediately hooked. The originality of the stories and lyrics, the soft, textural environment, and the soothing Southern influences in the music create such a calm, warm, yet engaging sound. One that stands apart from anything else I’ve ever heard. If you’re looking for a place to start, I’d definitely suggest their first album or that video series. In the conversation, we talked about Justin’s musical journey, starting out in Charleston, his short venture studying abroad in Cuba, the intricacies of psychedelics, songwriting, the Austin music scene, The String Band, and much more. I primarily wanted to get Justin on the show this week because he’s playing solo again at Schmidt House in Catonsville, MD, on February 11 (ticket link in the episode notes), and we’re all super excited about it. I also can’t say enough good things about Schmidt House shows and how much fun they are in general. I’ve often referred to Mark Schmidt as the Great Gatsby of Catonsville, and I continue to stand by that. Lastly, I’ve never had a more difficult time picking a song from a band for an episode—because I could literally feature any of them—but I figured I’d include the song that first introduced me to Susto, “Drug Money,” as well as one of their most recent releases, “Break Free, Rolling Stone.” If you’re in the neighborhood, I highly recommend coming out to this show and having some beers with us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susto-schmidt-house-tickets-1980430363529 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susto-schmidt-house-tickets-1980430363529]   Please follow, rate, or review the podcast wherever you are streaming if you’d like to help us out.  -- Part-Time Rockstar Productions is available in the DMV for music videos and live filming.

Episode 355: LJR (Luke Justin Roberts) [Indie/pop] {Washington DC}

Episode 355 features my longtime friend, bandmate, and fellow artist LJR (Luke Justin Roberts). He's been on the show a number of times now, and it was fun to catch up in his home studio to talk about our new collaboration song “Show People” by Frank Turner, which comes out Thursday this week. We also have a show this weekend on Friday, January 23, in Baltimore at Dicks Halfway Inn with Will Sims, Old Eastern, Peace by Peace, and A Band of Misfits. We talked about the recording process for both the audio and video of the song, as well as a lot of other mutual projects we have going on. We also dove into what it means to be an artist in 2026 and everything related to that. Luke, of course, also runs his Amplify video series for artists all over the DMV, and you can check him out at @ljrcreative for more info on that. Feel free to follow any of us on the socials and come out to the show this weekend if you're in Baltimore. Thanks for listening and supporting local musicians.   Please follow, rate, or review the podcast wherever you are streaming if you’d like to help us out.  -- Part-Time Rockstar Productions is available in the DMV for music videos and live filming.