The Jay Franze Show: Music - News | Reviews | Interviews

Jay Franze
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest music – news, reviews, and interviews, providing valuable insights and entertaining stories, stories you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted by industry veteran and master dry humorist Jay Franze, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of music. Jay brings you behind the scenes with insider insights, untold stories, and candid conversations with seasoned artists, industry pros, and rising stars each week. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the information, or to be part of The Crew (his family), he’s got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised, because nothing is off the table here.

  1. 2d ago

    Ivey Leighton

    A debut single is never just a song. It’s ten years of drafts, late-night voice memos, and learning how to trust your own taste long enough to hit release. We sit down with Tennessee pop rock recording artist Ivy Leighton to unpack the real work behind her first official drop, “Good Girl,” out September 1st, 2026. Ivy shares the moment she got serious about songwriting at 14, the mix of influences that shaped her sound (Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Paramore, Wet Leg, Radiohead), and why she keeps coming back to angry, dramatic lyrics even when she tries to write something happy. She also gets specific about craft: starting with guitar or piano chords, finding lyrics through “gibberish” melodies, pulling one-liners from her Notes app, and turning a root feeling into a fictional story that still hits hard. Then we go deep on music production and recording. Ivy walks us through capturing ideas on iPhone Voice Memos, tracking with a full band at a studio in Dunlap, Tennessee, and building vocal harmonies by experimenting in GarageBand on her phone before stepping up to the mic. We also talk mixing with nine-time Grammy winner Bob Bullock and what it feels like to hear your music come back with real punch for the first time. After the livestream, we share a major update: Jay Franze officially steps in to manage Ivy, setting the stage for bigger shows, smarter career moves, and a long release runway. Listen, follow Ivy’s journey, and if “Good Girl” hits you, share it, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find the music. Episode Links Ivey Leighton: https://iveyleighton.com/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Ivey Leighton

  2. Aug 24

    Tom Rentz, Concert Photographer

    Three songs. That’s the window most concert photographers get to capture an entire night of energy, emotion, and chaos and somehow deliver photos that look like they belong on a tour poster. We sit down with Ohio concert photographer Tom Rentz to talk about what really creates a signature look in live music photography, from tight portrait framing to the decisions you make before you ever lift the camera. Tom breaks down the craft behind the “lucky” shots: studying performances ahead of time, reading choreography, using burst shooting to catch micro-expressions, and choosing where to stand so the moment lands in your frame. We also dig into the unglamorous problems that every live music photographer faces, like harsh red lighting, microphones covering faces, underlit drummers, and the constant pressure of the three-song sprint. Then we go nerdy in the best way: focus points, cropping choices, why he loves wide glass like a 14-24, and what changes when you’re stuck at front of house with a long lens, a monopod, and an ISO ceiling you may or may not want to cross. We also talk credentials, band restrictions, and the etiquette that keeps you getting invited back. If you shoot concerts, want to shoot concerts, or just love the behind-the-scenes reality of live music, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a photographer friend. After you listen, what’s the hardest part of concert photography for you right now? Episode Links Tom Rentz: https://rentzphotography.com/Jeff King: https://jayfranze.com/episode6/Chris Leuzinger: https://jayfranze.com/episode17/Bruce Reiter: https://jayfranze.com/episode67/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Tom Rentz, Concert Photographer

  3. Aug 17

    Archers Gate

    A heavy song doesn’t start as a finished riff and a perfect hook. It starts as a feeling, a voice memo, a half-built demo, and a band willing to tear it down and rebuild it until it finally hits. We sit down with Ohio rock band Archer’s Gate for a deep, practical talk about collaboration, vocal harmonies, and the real behind-the-scenes work that turns an idea into a release you can blast in the car. We get specific about their songwriting process, from who brings the first spark to how they pressure-test arrangements in pre-production with scratch tracks, pads, and evolving structures. The band also breaks down their studio workflow with Sonic Lounge Studios and engineer-producer Joe Viers, including why producer coaching changes vocal performances, how Pro Tools sessions move back and forth, and why recording clean stems for re-amping keeps tones flexible without losing personality. If you love gear talk, you’ll hear how they think about guitar roles, drum impact, and bass tone shaping with clean plus dirt blending. Then we go straight into the heart of the music. Emily shares the story behind “Metamorphosis,” using the butterfly lifecycle as a metaphor for life transformation and the hard seasons that come before growth. The band also unpacks “Suffocate,” weaving anxiety, pressure, and breathwork-inspired vocal textures into a track that feels as tense as the message. We wrap with what’s next: album plans, marketing support, building the right team, and what they actually want from management. Subscribe for more artist interviews, share this with a musician friend, and leave a review if you want more deep dives like this. What part of the band’s process do you want to hear more about next? Episode Links Archers Gate: https://www.archersgateband.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Archers Gate

  4. Aug 10

    Life After This (Matthew Fritsch)

    A great heavy band does two jobs at once: it punches you in the chest with sound, then pulls you closer with truth. Jay Franze sits down with Ohio recording artist Matthew Fritsch, vocalist for Life After This, to talk about the moments that shaped his approach to modern metal and hard rock, starting with the impact of Papa Roach. We get into what “stage energy” really means, how crowds become one unit, and why the most powerful lyrics are often the most direct ones. Matthew breaks down his songwriting process as a vocalist who doesn’t play instruments, building songs collaboratively from a riff-first foundation and then writing melody and lyrics after the music reveals its mood. We also talk about why he pushes for variety across the catalog, keeping every track on the same street but not in the same house, and how vulnerability in vocal performance can be just as heavy as screaming. Then we go behind the curtain: building a real music community through presale ticket hustle, hanging with fans after sets, and even renting a school bus party ride to bring supporters to a show. On the production side, Matthew shares what it’s like recording at Sonic Lounge with engineer Joe Viers, trusting creative ideas, and dialing in a mix with feedback that serves the song. Subscribe for more interviews, share this with a friend who loves heavy music, and leave a review with the one band that taught you to be braver. Episode Links Life After This: https://lifeafterthis.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Life After This (Matthew Fritsch)

  5. Aug 3

    Les Jansson, Musician (Steve Augieri)

    One scoop of vanilla ice cream after dinner sounds harmless until it turns into a band tradition, and it’s the perfect opener for a conversation that quickly gets real about what a working musician’s life actually looks like. We’re joined by Les Janssen, a New York bassist with deep roots in rock, a love for great feel, and the kind of touring experience that forces you to think about everything from stage sound to airport baggage claims. We talk about playing at Daryl’s House and why consistent production changes the entire night for both musicians and the crowd. From there, Les walks us through his early start on bass, the influence of growing up in a musical family, and how the discipline of learning technical music (hello, Rush) can be a gift and a challenge when you’re trying to get back to pure rock and roll groove. He also shares advice he gives younger players: don’t become a pattern player, learn the basics, and stay open-minded so you don’t trap yourself in one lane. Then we dig into gear and career realities: the Michael Kelly bass he helped design for real-world fly dates, the small design choices that make an instrument feel “high-end,” and what the NAMM show is like when you’re working a booth, meeting other pros, and still squeezing in performances. Les also connects the dots between Journey tribute worlds like The Voyage and playing with Steve Augieri, plus the travel stories that come with it including a private jet sprint stuffed with gear. We wrap with studio life, from tape-era lessons and apprenticeship habits to modern home recording with Universal Audio Apollo interfaces, Cubase, and remote session work. If you’re a bass player, producer, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of touring and recording, this one is packed with practical takeaways. Subscribe, share this with a musician friend, and leave a review with your favorite road or studio lesson. Episode Links Les Jansson: https://www.lesjansson.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Les Jansson, Musician (Steve Augieri)

  6. Jul 27

    Trey Calloway - 7/20/26

    You can hear it in Trey Calloway’s voice: the grind is still there, but something has shifted. The work feels more focused, the circle is tighter, and the next steps look a lot more like a real Nashville plan than a hopeful guess. Jay Franze sits down with Trey to talk through the behind-the-scenes moves that actually change a country artist’s trajectory: signing with manager Jerry Hines, learning how to lead with confidence, and building a team that believes in you when you are tempted to doubt yourself. We dig into the advice Trey is getting from Jerry and Craig Morgan, especially the part most artists struggle with: stop selling yourself so hard and start trusting what you do well. Trey shares how he used to turn rejection inward, how that mindset can poison your momentum, and why positivity matters when you are the “CEO” of your own career. If you care about artist development, music industry mentorship, and the mental health side of chasing big goals, this conversation gets specific fast. Then we go deep on the practical craft: working with producer Phil O’Donnell, recording at Soundstage Studios on Music Row, and why collaboration with great players can elevate a record without losing the heart of the song. Trey also breaks down a huge weekend as Craig Morgan’s special guest, what the tour bus life taught him, and how a single onstage introduction can translate into real social media growth. We close with big news about Broken Compass and the broader mission of building careers the right way, plus plenty of road stories along the way. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share it with a friend who loves country music, and leave a review that tells us what part hit you the hardest. Episode Links Trey Calloway: https://treycallowaymusic.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Trey Calloway - 7/20/26

  7. Jul 20

    David Chatfield, Founder and CEO of Harmony Records

    Streaming promised unlimited music, but it also trained us to treat songs like disposable wallpaper. We sit down with Harmony Records founder and CEO David Chatfield to talk about what that shift costs artists and listeners, and why he thinks the next wave is about bringing music back to being an experience you choose, not noise that happens to you.  David walks us through building a record label from the ground up, from the early 1980s world of $125,000 recording budgets and indie distribution to today’s reality of home studios, cheaper lockouts, and the brutal competition of constant new releases on Spotify. We dig into what actually holds up across every era: writing better songs, crafting memorable hooks, arranging music for records, and following through on promotion when things inevitably go sideways.  Then we get practical about music marketing and artist development. David explains why a million streams can still mean nothing if you do not tour, how a small base of superfans can fund a real career through merch and direct support, and why physical media like CDs and vinyl is trending again when the packaging gives people something to hold, read, and keep. We also talk legacy artists, catalog revival, cinematic music videos, radio strategy, and thinking globally about where fans still buy records.  If you got value from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more artists and music fans can find the show. What part of today’s music business do you want us to tackle next? Episode Links David Chatfield: https://davidblakechatfield.org/Harmony Records: https://harmonyrecordsmusic.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    David Chatfield, Founder and CEO of Harmony Records

  8. Jul 13

    Tropidelic

    A band that adopts a highway, cleans it with fans, then goes straight back to building a tightly synced live show is the kind of story we can’t stop talking about. I’m joined by Rex Larkman, drummer for Tropidelic, for a conversation that moves from Cleveland pride to the real mechanics of modern touring, with plenty of laughs and hard-earned lessons in between.  We get into the Cleveland music scene and how a “Lake Erie ocean” mindset can fuel a band whose sound blends reggae rock, funk, hip-hop, and high-energy drumming. Rex breaks down the drummers who shaped him, from Neil Peart and Trey Cool to Joey Jordison and Carter Beauford, and explains how he approaches recording versus performing so the parts serve the song but the stage still hits like a rush.  Then we go deep on the gear and the why behind it: click track philosophy, backing tracks used as layered support rather than shortcuts, and Rex’s practical Roland SPD-SX setup with count-offs and a kill switch for the nights when tech fights back. We also talk tour life, Warped Tour chaos, rain-soaked shows, and the surreal feeling of playing Red Rocks, plus the “basement of Red Rocks” vibe at The Caverns. We wrap with Tropidelic’s new album First Light, DIY music video production, and a shout-out to the unsung heroes behind every great show.  If you like artist interviews, touring stories, drumming talk, and behind-the-scenes music production, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What’s the best live venue you’ve ever been to? Episode Links Tropidelic: https://tropidelic.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Tropidelic
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest music – news, reviews, and interviews, providing valuable insights and entertaining stories, stories you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted by industry veteran and master dry humorist Jay Franze, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of music. Jay brings you behind the scenes with insider insights, untold stories, and candid conversations with seasoned artists, industry pros, and rising stars each week. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the information, or to be part of The Crew (his family), he’s got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised, because nothing is off the table here.

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