Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman

Getting to know the music makers out on the fringes

On Whatever Comes Next I explore the world of independent and underground music making. I talk with music makers, producers and label owners to hear their stories. I like music with a sense of mystery. I like surprises and unique stories... and noise... and weirdness... and darkness... and I want to learn more. tomosman.substack.com

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 122: Dan Volohov (Discipline PR)

    2026 marks the five-year anniversary of Discipline PR, the agency founded by former Ohm Resistance head of PR, Dan Volohov. Catering to musicians and bands across all genres, Dan and Discipline PR have been serving the underground, DIY music world with heart, enthusiasm and creativity since their inception in 2021. With Dan being so embedded in the musical underground it should be no surprise that Discipline PR has had a hand in many of the projects that have been highlighted on this here podcast Whatever Comes Next. Dan in fact helped set up my conversation with Peter Stahl of Scream for the very first ever episode of WCN. As with my conversations with Dave Brenner of Earsplit PR (Episode 100: DIY Special), Clément Duboscq of Vous Connaissez ? PR (Episode 104) and Howard Wuelfing of Howlin’ Wuelf Media (Episode 118) I was delighted to get a chance to pick Dan’s brain on a bunch of music topics as he sees them from his position in PR. It’s a great pleasure for me, both to get insights from people behind the scenes who’ve been great supporters of my own DIY music investigations, but also just to get to chat in real time to people I’m so often firing emails back and forth with. Featuring tales of Keith Levene (of PiL), Touch & Go Records, Mick Harris (of Napalm Death and Scorn) and plenty more. Closing track: “Fixer (with Megan Osztrosits of COUCH SLUT) (SKiN GRAFT Records/ Overdrive, 2024) Agency website: Discipline PR Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/ Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

    1h 42m
  2. DIY Special: CODA

    JAN 6

    DIY Special: CODA

    Back in September 2025, with the help of Dave Brenner of Earsplit PR, I put together a special 100th episode of Whatever Comes Next with eight different guests (including Dave). For this episode, I wanted to dedicate more of the time with my guests to getting their takes and insights on the music business—as it is for independent artists (whether from the position of touring and recording artists, producers, label owners or publicists). As a little extra, I thought it would be fun to ask each of my guests to tell me about some musical experience that changed their lives. Whether it was Dave Brenner having his mind blown at a Neurosis show in the 90s, or Steve Austin of Today Is The Day pretty much fleeing town after being so unnerved by a Jesus Lizard show, I got some great, entertaining stories. Hopefully you’ll feel the same. Check out Dave Brenner’s latest album as Gridfailure Visit Nefarious Industries for all their latest releases Check out the latest Today Is The Day record Check out Urlo’s latest record as THE MON Visit Malleus for all their work and forthcoming Tarot Kickstarter project Visit Black Matter Mastering Visit Exile On Mainstream Intro: 00:00 Dave Brenner (Earsplit PR/ Gridfailure): 03:17 Greg Meisenberg (Nefarious Industries): 14:28 Steve Austin (Today Is The Day): 19:33 Lu, Urlo, Poia (Malleus/ Supernatural Cat/ Ufomammut): 34:22 Dan Emery (Black Matter Mastering): 40:29 Andreas Kohl (Exile On Mainstream): 44:05 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

    46 min
  3. 12/19/2025

    Episode 118: Howard Wuelfing

    Howard Wuelfing started making music, and writing about it in the 70s, first in New Jersey and subsequently Washington D.C. where he found himself in the midst of the burgeoning local underground scene of that time. Descenes and Discords: An Anthology (out now on DiWulf Publishing) presents complete facsimiles of two important fanzines that Wuelfing edited and wrote for during this key time in U.S. DIY music history—including reviews, live reports, interviews and letters and early coverage of bands like Bad Brains and Mission of Burma. In this conversation we discuss the story of both fanzines and Wuelfing’s place in the D.C. underground of the time—the bands, the writers and the community—his subsequent move into music PR and his thoughts on DIY music making today. Closing track: Underheaven “Adding Up To Nothing” (2023) Buy ⁠Descenes and Discords: An Anthology⁠ from DiWulf Publishing Howard Wuelfing on ⁠bandcamp⁠ Underheaven on ⁠facebook⁠ Support the show and get bonus content at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/ Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

    1h 16m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On Whatever Comes Next I explore the world of independent and underground music making. I talk with music makers, producers and label owners to hear their stories. I like music with a sense of mystery. I like surprises and unique stories... and noise... and weirdness... and darkness... and I want to learn more. tomosman.substack.com