And Now The Band

EP323 Ben Koller (Converge / High on Fire) on Touring Chaos, Real Estate, Royalties & Life in Heavy Music

In this episode of And Now The Band, Tom Robbins talks with Ben Koller — drummer for Converge, High on Fire, Mutoid Man, and Killer Be Killed — about the realities of balancing a relentless touring schedule with family, business, and the changing music industry.The conversation opens with tour life memories and a shared love of live music, including Ben bringing his 11-year-old son to his first metal show — a rite of passage complete with moshing and earplugs.Outside of music, Ben discusses an unexpected second career: real estate. After frustrating personal experiences with agents, he got licensed to better serve friends and family. With multiple bands keeping him on the road, he currently operates as a referral agent — a practical way to stay involved without sacrificing touring. Tom, also a realtor, relates to the desire to guide people through one of life’s biggest transactions with integrity.From there, the discussion dives into:The realities of touring logistics and broken gear mid-setWhy traveling with backup equipment is non-negotiableScheduling tours a year out — and how life, health, and cancellations still disrupt plansBeing the main provider while chasing every opportunityProtecting family time and mental healthThey also explore modern challenges facing musicians, including technology burnout, social media overload, and the growing role of AI in music creation. Ben expresses concern about losing the human imperfections that make heavy music feel real.A major highlight is Ben’s deep dive into songwriter royalties and rights. After discovering unclaimed mechanical royalties through the Music Modernization Act and the Mechanical Licensing Collective, he began educating other musicians and launched the Heavy Music Collective to help artists understand how to properly collect what they’re owed.At its core, this episode is about sustainability — how to build a long-term life in heavy music without burning out, financially or personally.Key TakeawaysTouring demands preparation, redundancy, and adaptabilityReal estate can provide stability alongside creative careersFamily balance becomes more critical with age and responsibilityTech boundaries are essential for mental clarityAI threatens to dilute the human core of musicMany artists leave royalties unclaimed due to lack of educationUnderstanding publishing and mechanical rights is crucial for survivalCommunity knowledge-sharing strengthens the heavy music ecosystem#BenKoller#Converge#HighOnFire#MutoidMan#KillerBeKilled#HeavyMusic#MetalPodcast#DIYMusic#SongwriterRights#AndNowTheBand

EP322 Conan x Weedeater Round Three: Jon Davis on US Tours, Vinyl DIY & Life in Heavy Music

In Episode 322 of And Now The Band, Tom Robbins sits down with Jon Davis of UK doom/sludge powerhouse Conan for a wide-ranging conversation about touring life, creative independence, and building a sustainable music career without sacrificing happiness. Jon opens up about recovering from illness and the realities of staying healthy on the road, recalling past strep throat scares while touring the U.S. The focus quickly shifts to Conan’s upcoming American run with Weedeater — their third tour together — a pairing Jon has loved since first discovering the band long before meeting them on their 2016 Australia/New Zealand dates. The two discuss the benefits of co-headline style tours, sharing audiences in smaller venues, and playing with bands at similar levels rather than traditional top-heavy bills. Jon also talks about recent lineup changes, with David stepping in, which has pushed Conan into noisier, more experimental territory. On the recording front, Jon breaks down the band’s DIY ethos, including plans for a new 10-inch release, writing riffs at home with a drum machine, and maintaining long-term continuity with their trusted producer Chris. The conversation highlights Conan’s balance between consistency and evolution — protecting their core sound while still allowing creative risk. Beyond music, the episode gets personal. Jon reflects on: * Navigating U.S. immigration and touring logistics (CARN paperwork, airport checks, red tape) * The realities of UK visa requirements for touring bands * Aging in heavy music and staying passionate * Leaving a stable HR job to pursue music full-time * Choosing fulfillment over financial security Family also plays a central role. Jon shares stories about attending metal shows with his kids, including Cannibal Corpse and Cryptopsy, and how his career shapes their perception of music and life choices — from prideful moments to hilarious embarrassment, like a teacher playing his band in class. At its core, this episode is about longevity, authenticity, and betting on yourself — a candid look at what it takes to survive and thrive in underground heavy music. * Touring with like-minded bands creates stronger, more engaged shows * DIY formats like 10-inch vinyl keep releases creative and personal * A stable production team helps preserve sonic identity * Immigration and touring logistics remain a major hurdle for international bands * Long-term happiness often requires risk over security * Heavy music can strengthen family bonds across generations * Aging doesn’t diminish passion — it deepens it #ConanBand #JonDavis #Weedeater #DoomMetal #SludgeMetal #AndNowTheBand #HeavyMusicPodcast #DIYMusic #Vinyl

EP321 EP321 From Punk to Post-Rock: Nico of Aphea on Albums, Atmosphere & Artistic Evolution

In Episode 321 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Nico (Nikolaos) of Aphea for a thoughtful conversation centered on post-rock, artistic evolution, and the importance of albums as complete narratives. Despite early audio technical difficulties, the conversation quickly settles into a deep discussion of Aphea’s origins and creative direction. Nico explains how Aphea emerged after the dissolution of his previous punk rock band during COVID, marking a shift away from extroverted, party-driven music toward introspective, atmospheric post-rock. Their debut album, “Ego and Archetype,” released in December 2024, reflects this transition—favoring mood, patience, and emotional weight over immediacy. Tom and Nico explore the value of album-focused storytelling, pushing back against playlist culture and single-driven consumption. Nico shares how moving from drummer to guitar-focused composer reshaped his creative mindset, and how Aphea’s writing process begins with rehearsal-space demos before being refined in his home studio. Both agree that albums with intention and flow create deeper listener connections than isolated tracks. The episode also examines artistic evolution, referencing bands like Metallica, Deftones, and Anathema as examples of artists who changed dramatically without losing their identity. Nico discusses early ideas for Aphea’s second album, which may feature fewer guitar layers, analog synthesizers, and influences drawn from 1970s and 1980s experimental electronic music. A broader discussion unfolds around post-rock authenticity, where Nico emphasizes that Aphea aims to create a personal and honest musical statement rather than replicate genre templates. Influences such as Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, and Caspian are acknowledged, while maintaining that Aphea’s music is shaped by lived experience rather than imitation. Tom and Nico also reflect on the post-rock live experience, highlighting its lack of rigid audience expectations compared to metal and hardcore shows. They celebrate the genre’s openness—where interpretation, movement, and emotional response are entirely personal. The episode closes with a candid look at the state of underground music, including declining physical sales, aging concert demographics in Europe, and the importance of supporting artists through Bandcamp, vinyl purchases, and live attendance. Nico discusses Aphea’s self-released 180-gram vinyl, noting that fewer than 20 copies remain, and reiterates the band’s philosophy of prioritizing music quality over excessive merchandising. This episode is essential listening for fans of post-rock, album-driven artists, and musicians navigating creative reinvention. Key Takeaways * Post-rock allows for deeply personal, unstructured expression * Albums remain the strongest medium for storytelling and connection * Artistic evolution is necessary for longevity * Authenticity matters more than genre imitation * Underground scenes depend on direct listener support * Vinyl and Bandcamp remain vital tools for independent artists #Aphea #PostRock #AndNowTheBand #PostRockPodcast #UndergroundMusic #AlbumFocused #IndependentArtists #AtmosphericMusic

EP320 From School Project to Serious Contender: Unburier on Growth, EPs & the Future

In Episode 320 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Ben and Stan of UK-based death metal band Unburier for an in-depth conversation about the band’s evolution, creative discipline, and long-term vision. Formed in 2018 and releasing their first music in 2022, Unburier’s momentum truly accelerated once the right lineup and shared mindset locked into place. Ben and Stan break down how lineup changes shaped the band’s identity, why collaboration over ego is central to their process, and how each member contributes to songwriting with the goal of serving the song—not individual technique. The discussion dives deep into Unburier’s collaborative writing workflow, from Ben and Blake’s initial instrumental foundations to full-band refinement, consensus-based decision making, and Stan’s unconventional bass-first-late approach. They also explore the balance between technical death metal precision and memorable songwriting, emphasizing hooks, live impact, and emotional weight over empty virtuosity. Ben and Stan discuss the creation of their latest EP “As Time Awaits,” the lessons learned from remote writing and production, and how EPs function as modern-day demo statements rather than final destinations. While the band initially planned a full-length album, they explain why EPs have allowed them to experiment, sharpen their sound, and build momentum ahead of a proper debut LP. The conversation also touches on live performance goals, standout shows with bands like Crypta, Evile, Psychoptic, and Mithras, upcoming UK dates including a London release show, and long-term ambitions of eventually touring the United States. Throughout the episode, Unburier makes one thing clear: patience, cohesion, and shared vision matter more than rushing releases. This episode is essential listening for fans of modern death metal, underground band development, and artists focused on longevity over hype.

EP319 Post Fest Gets Bigger: Matt McCray Announces Preface Pre-Show & Festival Vision

In Episode 319 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Matt McCray of Idlestar Productions for the first official announcement of the Preface Pre-Show for Post Fest—a new event designed to expand the festival experience while staying rooted in the values that made Post Fest special from the start. Matt and Tom dive into the power of music as a unifying force, discussing how festivals like Post Fest create shared experiences that transcend generations, genres, and backgrounds. The conversation explores the origins of the Preface pre-show, why it matters, and how it adds depth and narrative to the broader Post Fest weekend. They also discuss the challenges of growth versus preservation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity, affordability, and community as festivals evolve. Matt highlights the intentional curation behind the lineup, focusing on emerging and underground bands, thematic storytelling, and the role local venues play in sustaining healthy music ecosystems. This episode underscores why supporting local artists, promoters, and venues is essential, and how festivals can remain inclusive while still growing in scale and ambition. At its core, the conversation centers on friendship, shared passion, and the anticipation that drives live music culture forward. Whether you’re a Post Fest regular, a festival organizer, or a fan of underground and post-heavy music, this episode offers valuable insight into how community-driven festivals are built—and protected. #PostFest #PrefacePreShow #IdlestarProductions #MattMcCray #MusicCommunity #UndergroundMusic #MusicFestival #AndNowTheBand #LiveMusicCulture