In Conversation With: Asteria

While Goodnight Sunrise was touring the country on their 2009 Pop, Rock, and Drop It Tour (sponsored by none other than Crunk Energy Drink), they would face a catastrophic setback of their van dying. This led to Dan and Jud playing a few acoustic shows, hitching rides with fellow bands on the tour to the next cities, and where our lives intersected in Richmond, Virginia.We talk about that tour, their songwriting process, what it was like being from Montana (and moving a band to LA), how they did everything DIY and in-house, Jud's early knack for production, some crazy tour stories, and what they are both up to now in the music world. It was such a treat to talk with them. Go find their music at the links below or wherever you consume your music! Or MySpace when it comes back!Dan's Website | Jud's Bandcamp | The Goodnight YouTube PageWe are also on Instagram if you want to join in! @NostalgicEmoDads

Cook brother from another mother alert! David Cook of My Favorite Highway joins the podcast to talk about his band My Favorite Highway, and his current role as producer in the Nashville scene as Splash of Soda.We talk about how Derek found the band (it's a cute story, promise), how My Favorite Highway remained independent and found tremendous success, what it was like signing to a major label, and some more specific questions like:How do you perform and sing such positive songs while touring as an indie band on the road?What is it like to revisit the material now?What were the bands/songs that influenced you musically?And much more!David was such a joy and a gentleman to have on the show. Go listen to My Favorite Highway again! Check out all the artists he has worked over the years as a producer! Were you lucky enough to get a ticket to the 20ish Year Reunion Show?!Splash Of Soda | MFH InstaWe are also on instagram at @NostalgicEmoDads

Our guest for this episode is Tim Cossor, drummer of the beloved Charlotte, NC band HRVRD. HRVRD is one of those incredible bands that deserves way more recognition than they got. Derek's band had a chance to play a show (or two?) with them at Alley Katz back in the late 2000s, when they still had the A's in their name, and it "changed the brain chemistry," as the kids like to say. They seamlessly blended elements of post hardcore, jazz, emo, post rock, and experimental, and truly created a sound like no one else, let alone experiencing their live performances was incredibly special and theatrical.We dive into how the band wrote music, but specifically how Tim approached his playing, because there is something fantastic and fundamental about his playing as it led the pulse of the songs. A self-proclaimed "overplayer," Tim has a technical prowess that makes listening to HRVRD songs like finding easter eggs of tonality. Every member is so talented, so it was a joy to be able to pick the brain of a HRVRD alum. Is that too on the nose?Go listen to HRVRD! And ...Of Sinking Ships! We are also on instagram @NostalgicEmoDads

What a treat to talk with Mr John Van Deusen! His album "As Long As I Am In The Tent Of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise (Pt 1)" was one of Derek's favorites of 2026, and Part 2 is proving to be no different for 2027! We talk about his upbringing in Anacortes, Washington, the "Rock Retreats" his dad set up for him and his friends, finding success in The Lonely Forest, and some of the processes and tools he uses for songwriting. Go listen to all of his music! John's Website | John's InstagramYou can follow us on insta too @NostalgicEmoDads

This chat with drummer Reed Murray was such a blast! We talked about his upbringing in Tampa, FL, making lifelong friends in a homeschool drama class, joining a band with your regular customers at Starbucks, signing to a record label, playing alongside legendary emo musicians, leaving the touring life to pursue a family and fatherhood, and what exactly MDSFWL means. Go listen to Tallhart! And Carrollhood! And Say Anything! We are also on instagram if you feel so inclined. @NostalgicEmoDads

We get to sit down with 3 of the 5 members of Crown Point's finest: Asteria! Brandon, Seth, and Terrence join us to talk about the founding of the band, having their own studio as a resource for songwriting, being incredibly DIY, the iconic intro to "The Taste, The Touch," writing second verses, and how they were able to blend so many styles together into their own sound. Seth still works out of the studio alwaysbegenius, so if you want to write and record with him definitely reach out! Or if you just want to see all the incredible bands he's worked with! Here are the links:Studio Website | Seth/Studio's Insta | Asteria InstaAsteria BandcampWe're also in instagram if you want to follow us there too! @NostalgicEmoDads

Wow wow wow, what an incredible conversation with Jason Maffucci, vocalist and bassist of Just Surrender (and vocalist of With Abandon)! Jason takes us through his childhood finding music and the scene (which mirrors mine in pretty wild ways), recording with John Naclerio, songwriting, developing as a vocalist, the emotional and physical demands of touring, and finding himself living as a character he felt was at odds with who he actually wanted to be.We also dive into the Just Surrender catalogue to talk about specific songs and what makes the Just Surrender DNA (is it really just Disney Songs + Story of the Year?), the sensation of "Your Life and Mine," and how Derek regrets skipping Phoenix. What a great album.They are playing some If These Streets Could Talk anniversary shows this summer, so check those out! And Warped Tour!Jason also fronts an incredible emo/pop-punk project called With Abandon, go follow them as well!Links:Just Surrender Tickets To Shows With Abandon With Abandon BandcampWe are also on Instagram if ya feel like it! @NostalgicEmoDads

For this episode, we are joined by an extremely cool newer, yet experienced, band called So Much Hope, Buried. I've been a fan for a while now, and with their new album Wither | Grow coming out in a couple months (June 12), we just had to get together for a chat!We talk about how SMH,B. is a sort-of super-group of the Wilkes-Barre scene, how their style transcends genre labeling (but we tried, with "cool" "gloomy" "theatrical" "dark" "melancholic" as some descriptors), fatherhood, professionalism, musicality, and what to look forward to with the new album! Go pre-order yourself something nice!Oh yeah, and favorite Pokemon. (shout out punchy-rock)Follow them on socials, and here:bandcamp | website | instaWe are also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

For the latest episode in the Friends & Family Series, I get to chat with my incredibly talented cousin Karl! We talk about the age difference between us in our large family, growing up in Tacoma/Seattle, finding music at an early age, the constant search for new music and/or music to be challenged by, graphic design, growing as an artist, commercial art, skateboarding and Tony Hawk, packaging design, and his recent fine arts solo show Light Pilots (of which I am now a proud owner of one of the pieces! Thanks Mom and Pop!). Karl is just as thoughtful and purposeful in his exploration of music as he is with his art, which is why I knew I just HAD to talk with him. I'm stoked to share this conversation with you!Follow him at these locations:karlzurfluh.com@karlzurfluhWe are also on instagram should you choose to accept! @NostalgicEmoDads

This week's guest is hiking enthusiast, thru-hiker, and Derek's Wife's Cousin, Mr. Sean McCracken! It was such a treat to talk with Sean about his musical upbringing, what he was listening to growing up with his brother and parents, finding music through friends, piano lessons, and eventually finding his own "scene" later in college.But even more enjoyable was talking with him about his thru-hiking experiences! Sean has now hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. We talk about his motivation (or lack thereof) for such a grueling adventure, learning as you go, how much it costs to do, slack-packing, calorie intake, and, of course, what you listen to to pass the time as you make those miles!Sean's a great dude. We're on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads