Ep 297 Matt Vaughan (Easy Street Records)

I'm so pleased to host Cedric Ross on the Couch Riffs Podcast! IMIJ was a hugely important band to my formative times in the 90s Seattle music scene and I was a big fan, for sure. The band is releasing an LP of unreleased material and playing a show at Neumo's in Seattle on November 6. Strap in, this is a long-from conversation. I hope you enjoy as much as I did! https://www.latentprintrecords.com/blog-2-1/lost-seattle-rock-archive-to-receive-first-ever-vinyl-release https://couchriffs.com https://patreon.com/couchriffs  

Our guest this episode is Seattle's own Eva Walker of The Black Tones who will be releasing their new album, Diamond Ruby Night, on October 30 (2026). We cover a lot of ground in this conversation including some of Eva's musical history, our shared experience with music projects in the prison system, and loads more. I hope you enjoy as much as we did! Thanks for your support! Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support Couch Riffs: https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://www.theblacktones.com  

I was so happy to meet and host D'Vonne Lewis, a Seattle-born, award-winning jazz drummer, for this Couch Riffs conversation. D'Vonne has a Jazz Alley run coming up as well as tour dates with Brittany Davis through the end of 2026. He is also involved in the Seattle Jazz Fellowship and can be seen performing in the Monday night jams in Pioneer Square. As always, it is a pleasure and a privilege to get to speak with musicians that I would not likely otherwise get to cross paths with and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! keep up to date with D'Vonne Lewis: https://www.instagram.com/dvonnelewis/ https://seattlejazzfellowship.org If you'd like to check out Couch Riffs things: https://couchriffs.com https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://instagram.com/couch_riffs https://instagram.com/themikesquires  

I'm happy to finally get to sit down with Amanda Hardy, frontperson of Seattle's own Bexley. In a sea of great bands in Seattle, Bexley stands out on the shoulders Amanda's powerful and dynamic vocals and the band's approach to production and crisp songwriting. Their new album, Dark Noise, will be out on August 18 with a record release show in Pioneer Square's Baba Yaga. See you there!  COUCH RIFFS WEBSITE If you'd like to support Couch Riffs, find out Patreon HERE.  If you'd like to find out more about Bexley follow them here: https://www.bexleyofficial.com Find Couch Riffs' cover of Starship Trooper with Amanda Hardy on vocals HERE: STARSHIP TROOPER

Vic Bondi is a punk rock legend that is still putting out vital, energetic punk that matters. It was my absolutely pleasure to host him on this episode of Couch Riffs Podcast. Vic Bondi and His Issues have recently released their debut EP on Alternative Tentacles and are touring and playing through the end of 2026. Check out Vic's social media for tour dates (links below). I hope you enjoy our conversation!  If you'd like to support COUCH RIFFS please visit our PATREON HERE!  ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES INSTAGRAM

Our guest this episode is a Northwest legend, Mr Tommy Niemeyer of The Accused and later Gruntruck. One of the earliest bands in the crossover punk/metal movement, The Accused stood out from much of what was happening in Seattle in the 80s and were trailblazers for the scene. It was a genuine pleasure to have Tommy as a guest on the Couch and I hope you enjoy this episode!  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please consider supporting us at PATREON https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Robb Benson, singer/songwriter of just about a hundred bands over the years and most recently the dynamic Planets In The Ocean who just released The Loud Silence. Robb is one of the most rawly talented multi-instrumentalists I've ever played with and is a prolific writer/recordist, sometimes writing and self-recording entire albums-worth of songs in a week on his own. We caught up as Robb was just getting home from a solo road trip and it was a pleasure to hang with an old friend and hear about what he's been keeping busy with. I hope you enjoy! If you're enjoying Couch Riffs Podcast please consider supporting us on PATREON!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Seattle's Caspian Coberly, a young man with an old soul. At 25 years old, Caspian has been playing guitar for 20 years already and it is evident. He will be releasing his new album, Starlight, this week and playing a record release party on May 14th in LA. Be sure to check him out whenever you get the chance. I hope you enjoy!  If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please consider supporting us on PATREON. Its how we keep the lights on and the cameras rolling. Thanks for the support!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episdoe is veteran comedian Craig Gass who happened to be in town to work on a show with our host, Me! Craig came in for a latenight podcast recording immediately following a Mariners game and we talked for longer than either of us thought we would, but fun was had and I for sure laughed a lot. I hope you enjoy this one!  If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please check out all of our episodes and consider supporting us on PATREON! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Matt Vaughan, owner of Easy Street Records in West Seattle and former manager/tour manager of Seattle's Gruntruck. His shop is legendary for its variety of music and next-level in-store performances over the years. Matt Vaughan and Easy Street will celebrate Record Store Day on April 18, along with many many other record stores around the country. Go support independent businesses everywhere! If you're enjoying COUCH RIFFS PODCAST please consider supporting at PATREON. https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com