Takin' Off The Ritz

Conversation with Xavier Boyer

Dan sits down with laser and lighting designer extraordinaire Xavier Boyer for a chat about career, pandemic catharsis, and navigating life even after it throws you entirely off course. Xav is now the production and sales manager for the award winning company DNR Labs, a company that does high end installs for audio/visual equipment in all venues from local libraries to high end concert arenas. Xav is also an incredible distance runner who has recently started competing in ultra marathons across the world! Xav's running instagram which documents his incredible recovery: https://www.instagram.com/xav.runs/ [https://www.instagram.com/xav.runs/] Xav's website with links to his laser and lighting work: https://xavierboyer.net/ [https://xavierboyer.net/]

Conversation with Jenn Bostic

Dan sits down with internationally renowned, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Jenn Bostic for a candid conversation about her life, how she has navigated the music industry, and how achieving success doesn't usually manifest in the way you expect it to! Jenn's hit song “Jealous of the Angels,” written for her late father, has over 50 million collective streams on YouTube, has gone #1 on various iTunes charts by various artists in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The song was covered by the US Army Band, has been played on Sirius XM's The Pulse and other mainstream ACs reaching that format's Top 40, and the Positive Country and Southern Gospel Charts Top 10. Jenn's website (with tour dates): https://www.jennbostic.com/ [https://www.jennbostic.com/] Jenn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennbostic/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/jennbostic/?hl=en] Jenn's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jennbostic [https://www.youtube.com/@jennbostic]

Conversation with Matthew Johnson Harris

Dan sits down with the multi-hyphenate artist & Broadway sensation, not to mention incredibly profound soul Matthew Johnson Harris! He recently associate directed Jason Robert Brown’s revival of Parade on Broadway. He is a dance and fitness instructor at the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. He also started “The Mosaic Project”, which raises money for different marginalized groups through concerts and production, raising over $100,000 for various causes since its inception in 2016. Check out Matthew's website: https://matthewjohnsonharris.com/ [https://matthewjohnsonharris.com/] Follow Matthew on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjohnsonharris/ [https://www.instagram.com/matthewjohnsonharris/] Tickets for The Mosaic Project's 7th Anniversary concert on December 11th in NYC: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-anniversary-mosaic-concert-tickets-760844535487 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-anniversary-mosaic-concert-tickets-760844535487]

Conversation with Stephen Spencer

Dan sits down with his brilliant friend Stephen Spencer, a double PhD in composition and music theory as well as lecturer in composition and more at Hunter College in NYC! They discuss the realities of a making a living in academia and higher education as well as creativity, Canadian vs American arts grant systems, and more!

Conversation with Josh Roberts

Dan sits down with his friend and incredible human Josh Roberts, voted one of Drummerworld's top 3 'up and coming' drummers, for a conversation about career, passion, and life. Josh currently holds the drum chair for & Juliet on Broadway and lends his talents to many other B-way shows including The Lion King and Some Like It Hot. He has played with countless artists across the world and is currently on the LP national tour opening act Vérité! Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuarobertsdrums/ [https://www.instagram.com/joshuarobertsdrums/] Josh's Youtube channel (with the Starsearch video we talk about!) https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshuaRobertsDrums/videos [https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshuaRobertsDrums/videos] Josh's Website: https://www.joshuarobertsmusic.com/ [https://www.joshuarobertsmusic.com/]