Sunshine Sound Podcast

Christine and Tom are moving to New Mexico! This isn’t the end of the Sunshine Sound Podcast, but this is the final episode in the San Diego run (although, when we take this thing on tour, we certainly be back). To switch things up, and to cap off this San Diego experience, Tom interviews Christine. In this podcast, we chat about why we started the podcast, reflect on the experience, and the local music scene. Christine also talks about her experience with music, from playing jazz in undergrad, to giving up music completely, then renewing the love of performing in law school, of all places. We cover Christine’s experience playing with Freight, Doll Fight, Brown Gold, and Steady Betty in Vermont, then forming Denim Robot in Boston/San Diego. We talk about songwriting, writer’s block, insecurities, learning an instrument as an adult, and some other stuff. Plus, we’ll listen to a … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Isaiah and Glen from Quali, a kinda-shoegaze band based in San Diego. We chat about how the band came together, the creative process (and trusting things to come together when they’re ready to), defying genres and pushing song-lengths, and more. Plus, we nerd out over guitar pedals, and have the chance to listen to a few of their tracks off of their most recent album, Awaken the Quietus. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Marc and Eve of Strange Ages, a guitar-less 3 piece band based in San Diego. We chat about how they got into music, the messages and inspiration behind their songs, the fun of making music videos in public spaces, getting your friends to come to shows, and other fun stuff. As always, we have a chance to listen to one of their tracks, Fine Print. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Jason and Chris, organizers of the Punk Rock Food Drive and band members of local hard punk-rock band Parade of Horribles. Although punk rock isn’t the best descriptor, as their music is a little more, shall we say, complex. In this interview, they talk all about the Punk Rock Food Drive – how it started, what it’s like to put it together, and why they’re still at it after nearly 10 years. We’ll also have a chance to listen to a couple of their tracks and learn how they create such a full sound in a guitar-less two-piece, although they do have a guitarist join them in the studio. And the fun of recording, oh the fun of recording. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Lindsay White, a singer-songwriter based in San Diego. You may know Lindsay from the Lovebirds, a popular folk duo she was in with Veronica May. Lindsay talks about her experience getting into music, her connection to lyric-writing as a tool to process the world, touring, connecting with fans, working with publicists, making money as a musician, and much more. We’ll also listen to a couple tracks off of Lights Out, an album chronicling the experience of losing her estranged mother to brain cancer. This interview is full of Lindsay’s beautifully open insights and emotions, just like her music.  … Continue reading →

Every 10th episode, we share the tracks from the artists on the last 9 podcasts, hosted by the one and only Tommy Bobcat. Enjoy the sounds of San Diego and Tommy’s colorful commentary. Featuring: The Trees – Hexa New River –  Parker Meridien Long Distance Runner –  Parker Meridien Westbound – prettyhowtown Dust and Shadow – prettyhowtown Let Me In – Blood Ponies The Greater Good – Blood Ponies Stir Crazy – Dixie Maxwell & drums by Paige Miller Strange Love – Bad Vibes She Reverie –  Bad Vibes Rock n’ Roll Camp For Girls San Diego Theme Song – Melissa Grove Same Difference – Aquarium Wand –  Aquarium Bela Surf – Mark Sgarbossa Wow – The Shirlies … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Mark Sgarbossa, local musician and visual artist. He’s played in bands like the Shirlies, Rotator, the Canadian Press, and he currently plays in SeaBase and Thieves Like Us, in addition to creating his own original electronic music. As an incredibly talented and prolific visual artist, he has created posters and graphics for tons of musicians all over, from local acts to Ice Cube and Soundgarden. Listen in to learn about how his artistic career really took off and his experience in the local music scene. Plus, listen to a fantastic track of his solo stuff and an older track of the Shirlies. … Continue reading →

In this episode of the podcast, Christine interviews Christian and Ronnie of Aquarium, a kinda-surf-rock band based in San Diego. We talk about how the band started as a solo project of Christian’s, and how he created these really cool low-fi tracks with GarageBand and a Casio keyboard, even using a computer keyboard to emulate different instruments. Christian shares his experience moving to San Diego from Virginia (just like Paige!), letting go some control of your music as you bring on new musicians, and some great tips for booking shows, even as a band new to the scene. As always, we’ll have the chance to listen to a few of their tracks. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Melissa Grove of the Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls San Diego, a 501(c)(3) music organization based in San Diego. Girls Rock Camps help girls build self-esteem and find their voices through unique programming that combines music education and performance; empowerment and social justice workshops; positive role models, and collaboration and leadership skill building. Melissa and her co-founders brought rock camp to San Diego in 2016. In the podcast, Melissa talks about the process of getting the camp started, why she stressed out over the theme song, what rock camp means to her and the community, and much more. Mel is an amazing force of positive energy, and this interview is sure to leave you feeling inspired. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews Jason Meyers and Rory Morison of Bad Vibes, an alt-country/blues/psychedelic swap rock band based in San Diego. As artists on the Blind Owl label, these guys are gaining a lot of momentum in the local scene. In the interview, they talk about the history of the band, their upcoming album (which they actually recorded analog onto tape), touring antics, trying to make it as a band, and much more. Plus, you’ll have a chance to listen to a couple of tracks off of their first album, No One’s Safe. … Continue reading →

In episode 15, Christine interviews Paige Miller, a talented drummer who recently relocated to to San Diego from Virginia. Paige plays with a lot of great musicians around here, including Dixie Maxwell and Becca Jay. In this podcast, Paige talks about how she got into drums at a young age, her experience playing in school bands and theater, the San Diego Rock Camp for Girls, her approach to learning new styles, and more. Plus, we’ll have the chance to listen to a song by Dixie that Paige performed on. … Continue reading →

In episode #14 of the Sunshine Sound Podcast, Christine interviews Blood Ponies, a dark post-punk band based in San Diego. Listen in to find out why Jeff and Candice are drawn to the mysterious and gruesome sides of art and life, how they started off by playing a set as a Cure cover band, how their songs come together, their opinions on politics and art, and much more. As always, you’ll have a chance to listen to a few of their dark and driving tracks. … Continue reading →

In this episode, Christine interviews John Noble, also known as prettyhowtown. He’s known for his live improvised electronic music on a customized analog modular synthesizer. He’s a regular at Open Oscillator and well known in the electronic scene for unique performances. In this episode, John goes into great detail on his gear, his technical background, and how he’s able to perform with nobs and joysticks. He also talks about things like microtonal music, analog vs. digital, and the San Diego music scene. As always, you’ll have the chance to listen to a couple of his tracks. And, here’s his modular synthesizer. Look at this thing. … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interviewed Parker Edison and Nate Hubbard of The Parker Meridien, a live rap act based in San Diego. Their band has a unique sound, weaving in elements of funk, trap, old school hip hop, and experimental music. I loved hearing about how they create and recreate their songs, often adding and subtracting instruments. We chat about all that, plus the collaborative and creative local scene, the problems with genres, tambourines, and much more. … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interview Carrie and Acacia from Hexa, an experimental/dark electronic/pop act based in San Diego. Their music is gothic and ethereal, much like their aesthetic and music videos. We chat about stuff like the local music scene, connecting with other creative people, what it’s like to be in an all-female band, and making music videos. We also have the chance to listen to The Trees, off their upcoming full-length album, and you have to check out this music video. These ladies are so cool. … Continue reading →

Every 10th episode is an All Music Podcast, hosted by the one and only Tommy Bobcat. Listen back to the artists from the first 9 episodes, with colorful commentary from Mr. Bobcat. Rotator – Orb of Light Moans – Body Type Beta Lion – Tonight at Whisperz Tommy Bobcat – Chloroform Tommy Bobcat – Bosintang Pony Death Ride – Your Cats are Crap Pony Death Ride – (It’s A) Tom Waits Christmas GrooveSquatch – Righteous Dude Fistfights with Wolves – Maud’Dib Fistfights with Wolves – Plot Armor Emma Byrd – I Have Seen Love Veronica May – Rise Veronica May– There is Hope MC Flow – Free MC Flow – Oh Charlotte … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interview MC Flow, a San Diego musician known for her cannabis-infused raps like Pot in the Latkes and Welcome to the Dispensary. We chat about her newest EP, Her Highness, which was released on 4/20, shortly after the legalization of weed in California. We also talk about the cannabis industry generally, as well as other topics like the songwriting process, the role of activism in music, making music videos, the struggles we all seem to have with marketing, balancing motherhood with career, and a lot more. … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interview the talented Veronica May. She’s a local musician and mental health advocate, as well as an amazing songwriter and performer. We chat about the different facets of being a musician and creating a life around music, and the struggles we all seem to have with marketing. Veronica also discusses her experience educating on mental health, and what it’s like to live with Bipolar 1 Disorder. As always, we have the chance to listen to a few of her powerful and beautiful tracks. … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interview Emma Byrd, a music therapist based in San Diego. We talk all about music therapy – what it is, who can benefit from it, and how it’s done. We also talk about Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls San Diego, what it means to empower women, finding your voice, and the San Diego music scene (particularly as it compares to New England, where we both are from). We also have the chance to listen to one of Emma’s beautiful original songs. … Continue reading →

In this episode, I interview Mat Rakers and Ryan Bradley of Fistfights With Wolves and the San Diego Music and Art Cooperative. Fistfights is an 8-piece progressive math rock band based here in San Diego, and their music is harmonically and rhythmically complex, weaving in elements of classical, folks, and rock music. We talk about the process of creating and performing these epic tracks, pushing yourself as a musician, their experience in running and teaching at SDMAC, and much more … Continue reading →