Ep. 11 - Chris Benson (Benson Amps)

Tim and Tyler from The Midnight join us for some really great discussion. They talk about how the band started, writing music in different cities, the origins of Synth Wave, what it was like crafting music for L.A. commercials, and the intricacies of what it looks like to go on tour. We've been chatting with the band and going to shows since they first started touring so it was an honor to host them in the shop for a truly special day.

Stu G is a Swiss Army knife based in the Tennessee village called Nashville. He’s a solo artist, producer, and lead guitarist for a slew of names but also the rock band Delirious?. What happened between the band’s UK birth and when this podcast was taped? PUSH PLAY, MAN.

Esty Flores fronts the band: project/genius-guerrilla-marketing-campaign called Slow Joy. Listen through as he tells us how he made and branded his own genre, starting from just a few licks on the guitar and ending in a sold out tour.

Ryan Lerman has a lot of irons in the fire. From his band Scary Pockets where they create epic funk covers in tiny windows of time, to his solo music and production projects working with incredible artists all over the world. In this episode we talk about how he met Jack Conte, how their projects like Scary Pockets and Dead Wax started, and he tells us some fun stories from being on the road, including the unpredictable manner in which he came to be Ben Folds Bassist.

Andrew Osenga, singer-songwriter, touring and session guitar player, space travel album maker, and producer, talks with Colt and Philip about small town to big town transitions, first guitar, his moment of fame/unfame on TRL, and what inspires him to make solo records.Saddle up as the cast of Deep Tracks Only takes you on a journey through the b-sides of the brains and hearts of some of their favorite people on earth. Colt and Philip bypass the "what" of people's lives and move to the "why."

James Valentine, Colt, and Philip chat about James’ journey from Lincoln Nebraska to LA, being obsessed with cardio exercise, pickle ball, and one of Colt’s favorite guitars ever designed, the Music Man Valentine. James talks through what it’s like to play and write in a global band that has painted the backdrop of moments for so many people with songs played at the pool, television, radio, Target, etc. Maroon 5 is everywhere. So, what’s that like?

Chris Shiflett plays guitar for the small start-up band called FOO FIGHTERS. Here we discuss his personal music, what it’s like to write and play with two other guitar players in a band, horse allergies, surfing, Dawes, That Pedal Show, and more.

Chris Benson, of Benson Amps, is a designer of amps and guitar pedals out of Portland, OR. In this episode, Colt and Philip talk with him about what inspires him to make what we think are some of the greatest amps ever designed.

Colt and Philip talk with Isaac Hanson, the oldest of the three brothers who make up the American pop band, Hanson. They discuss the history of the band, the ways they have built and maintained their unique and loyal fanbase, and the process of creating a set list.

In this episode, Dan Wilson blesses us with his wisdom, stories, and legendary insight on creating. Dan is the lead singer of the band Semisonic and has been writing songs for and with Taylor Swift, Jason Marz, Rachel Yamagata, Adele, and many more. In-short – he’s a history maker. Dan Wilson, everybody!