Joey’s Song

Joey’s Song

Joey's Song is the official podcast of the Joey's Song Foundation — the Madison, Wisconsin nonprofit behind the annual Freezing Man Festival, a benefit concert for epilepsy research featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy winners, and iconic 80s and 90s rock artists. Each episode features in-depth interviews with musicians, industry leaders, and advocates. We cover music history, stories behind the songs, personal connections to epilepsy awareness, and why musicians are giving back through music. Artists from Garbage, The Bangles, Letters to Cleo, Goo Goo Dolls, Tears for Fears, Soul Asylum, Fountains of Wayne, and Gang of Four have all shared their stories here. The Joseph Gomoll Foundation was established in honor of Joey Gomoll, who passed away in 2010 from Dravet Syndrome. Follow us at joeyssong.org and @joeyssong on all platforms.

  1. 5h ago ·  Video

    REWIND - Sierra Swan on Touring with Ringo Starr, Writing with Aimee Mann & Love for Joey's Song | Joey's Song Podcast

    She's the scene stealer of Joey's Song — and in this episode, you'll find out exactly why. Singer-songwriter Sierra Swan joins Joey's Song Founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. From touring the world with Ringo Starr to co-writing with Aimee Mann, from growing up as the daughter of legendary songwriter Billy Swan to singing on a Frank Black solo album with a black eye and a story she probably shouldn't tell — Sierra brings the kind of warmth, candor, and rock 'n' roll wisdom that makes her one of the most beloved recurring artists in the Joey's Song family. Sierra Swan is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer who has released multiple albums and EPs, most recently sharing exclusive new music with fans through her Substack community (Sierra Swan Music). Her collaborators read like a who's who of rock royalty: Ringo Starr, Linda Perry, Aimee Mann, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), and Frank Black of the Pixies — connections that go back to her famous father, Billy Swan, the songwriter and rockabilly artist who penned "I Can Help," rubbed elbows with Kris Kristofferson at the first-ever recording of "Me and Bobby McGee," and counted John Lennon among his superfans. In this episode, Mike and Sierra cover: - What it was really like to tour with Ringo Starr — first class all the way, a tight-knit band van, and a love story backstage that Mike found deeply moving - How Linda Perry pulled strings to get Sierra signed to Interscope — and why Aimee Mann ended up co-writing AND singing on one of her records - Growing up as Billy Swan's daughter — Nashville legends, a communal music scene, and why John Lennon was obsessed with her dad's music - The Frank Black story — a black eye, a wooden ladder, too many drinks, and an impromptu studio session she and her sister still can't believe actually happened - Sierra's take on what's gone wrong in the music industry: the death of the band, the streaming economy, the "grit" that disappeared with the '90s, and why she wakes up every morning tempted to pull her catalog off Spotify - Why Joey's Song feels like "summer camp" and "recess" — and what makes the Girls vs. Boys band format one of the most pure expressions of musical joy she experiences all year Plus: This or That (Beatles vs. Stones, Seinfeld vs. Friends, past vs. future), Overrated or Underrated (vintage guitars, eight hours of sleep, making your bed), and Sierra's Substack where paid subscribers get exclusive music you won't find anywhere on streaming. Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with one mission: raise money so that research into treatments and cures for epilepsy gets the funding it needs. Our annual flagship benefit, Freezing Man, brings together some of the most talented independent artists in rock to perform, collaborate, and raise money for a cause that matters. Every listen, subscribe, and share helps us spread the word. #SierraSwan #JoeysSong #LINERnotesPodcast #EpilepsyAwareness #EpilepsyResearch #IndieMusicPodcast #RingoStarr #LindaPerry #AimeeMann #BillySwan #FrankBlack #Pixies #DaveStewart #MusicHistory #WomenInRock #IndependentArtist #FreezingMan #MusicPodcast #RockMusic #SongwriterPodcast To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

    43 min
  2. Tracy Bonham: Grammys, Major Labels & Joining Joey's Song 2026 | Joey's Song Podcast

    1d ago ·  Video

    Tracy Bonham: Grammys, Major Labels & Joining Joey's Song 2026 | Joey's Song Podcast

    Two-time Grammy nominee Tracy Bonham ("Mother Mother") joins Mike Gomoll on the Joey's Song podcast for a candid conversation about her journey from major label breakout to fully independent artist. Tracy opens up about the whiplash of early fame, getting dropped from Island Def Jam, touring with Blue Man Group, and how she rebuilt her career on her own terms — plus a first look at her plans to re-record her debut album The Burdens of Being Upright for its 30th anniversary. Tracy also talks about why she said yes to performing at Joey's Song 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin, and what the show's tight-knit artist community means to her. This interview was recorded August 30, 2025. Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising money for epilepsy research and treatment. Subscribe, leave a review, and visit joeyssong.org to learn more, buy tickets, or donate. LEARN MORE Joey's Song: https://joeyssong.org Tracy Bonham: https://tracybonham.com #TracyBonham #TheBurdensOfBeingUpright #JoeysSong #LINERnotes #MikeGomoll #IndieMusic #SingerSongwriter #GrammyNominee #MusicPodcast #EpilepsyAwareness #IslandRecords #IndependentArtist #MadisonWisconsin #90sRock #MusicIndustry #SongwriterInterview To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

    41 min
  3. 3d ago ·  Video

    Marissa Paternoster: DIY Punk, Top Guitarists & Playing for a Cause | Joey's Song Podcast

    Marissa Paternoster — guitarist, vocalist, and visual artist best known as the frontwoman of New Jersey punk institution Screaming Females — talks with Joey's Song Founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging conversation about her life in music, her creative future, and what it was like to walk into the Joey's Song benefit concert with absolutely no idea what she was getting into. Named the 77th greatest guitarist of all time by Spin and the 150th by Rolling Stone, Marissa spent 18 years fronting Screaming Females — a band that never chased the mainstream, never got radio play, and never headlined big festivals, but toured relentlessly, built a fiercely loyal following through DIY venues and house shows, and earned those rankings purely on the strength of her playing. In this episode, Mike and Marissa talk about how Butch Vig connected them ahead of last year's Joey's Song benefit (Screaming Females once recorded a Patti Smith cover with Garbage), what it felt like to jump into the crowd during a Bikini Kill cover at the show, and the tight-knit community of artists — including Gail Greenwood, Butch Vig, and Vicki and Debbi from The Bangles — who keep coming back to Madison every January to play for a cause. They also get into life after Screaming Females: Marissa's monthly songwriting project on Patreon (the Pattern Posture Listener Alliance), her new band Universal Girlfriend, her long-running solo project Noun, and how she balances music with freelance illustration work. Plus — the weirdest venue Screaming Females ever played (hint: it doubled as a sex party warehouse), her very strong opinions on Chicago deep dish pizza, and whether she'd rather read minds or be invisible. 🎸 About Joey's Song Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with one mission: raise as much money as possible to fund research into treatments and cures for epilepsy. Every year, Joey's Song brings together an extraordinary community of musicians and music lovers for a benefit concert in Madison, Wisconsin — and every dollar raised goes toward changing lives. 🌐 Learn more and donate: joeyssong.org ▶️ Subscribe to the Joey's Song YouTube channel 🎙️ Subscribe & leave a review on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more people find us! To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

    32 min
  4. 6d ago

    REWIND - John Gourley of Portugal. The Man on Epilepsy and His Daughter Frances | Joey's Song Podcast

    Mike Gomoll talks with John Gourley — chief songwriter, vocalist, and creative force behind Portugal. The Man — for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the future of live music touring, his daughter Frances' rare epilepsy diagnosis, and why the band keeps showing up for Joey's Song year after year. John opens up about Frances' diagnosis with a rare genetic condition called DEDS — a journey that went from a handful of seizures a day to nearly 100, and from confusion to genetic testing, specialist research, and the launch of the Francis Changed My Life Foundation. He and Mike also dig into the importance of epilepsy awareness, early diagnosis, and why funding research is the critical next frontier. On the music side, John breaks down his innovative new approach to touring — collaborating onstage with artists like Quinn Christofferson and Electric Guest's Asa Taccone through the PTM Pass the Mic Foundation — and what he sees as the future of live performance. In this conversation, John and Mike cover: - Portugal. The Man's new collaborative touring model and the Pass the Mic Foundation - Quinn Christofferson — why John calls him one of Alaska's greatest living songwriters - Writing music as a collective and PTM's ever-evolving sound - Frances' diagnosis with DEDS and the family's path to answers - Absence seizures being misread as behavioral issues — and why awareness matters - AI's potential role in accelerating rare disease research - Favorite Joey's Song memories — including Butch Vig calling an impromptu "Low" by Cracker and writing out Oasis chord charts for Sam Gomoll backstage - What the Alaska ethos of helping your neighbor has to do with how John shows up in the world Portugal. The Man has been one of Joey's Song's most loyal supporters, donating their time and talent to the Freezing Man festival in Madison, Wisconsin — a fundraiser for epilepsy research and treatment. Support Joey's Song & Learn More: 🌐 JoeyssS​ong.org 📘 Francis Changed My Life Foundation: crashtreatment.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@JoeysSong 🎙️ Follow the podcast on your favorite platform Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising funds for epilepsy research and treatment. Every like, follow, and share helps us reach more people. #JoeyssongPodcast #JohnGourley #PortugalTheMan #Epilepsy #EpilepsyAwareness #FrancisChangedMyLife #DEDS #FreezingMan #LINERnotes #LiveMusic #QuinnChristofferson #JoeyssongOrg To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

    31 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Joey's Song is the official podcast of the Joey's Song Foundation — the Madison, Wisconsin nonprofit behind the annual Freezing Man Festival, a benefit concert for epilepsy research featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy winners, and iconic 80s and 90s rock artists. Each episode features in-depth interviews with musicians, industry leaders, and advocates. We cover music history, stories behind the songs, personal connections to epilepsy awareness, and why musicians are giving back through music. Artists from Garbage, The Bangles, Letters to Cleo, Goo Goo Dolls, Tears for Fears, Soul Asylum, Fountains of Wayne, and Gang of Four have all shared their stories here. The Joseph Gomoll Foundation was established in honor of Joey Gomoll, who passed away in 2010 from Dravet Syndrome. Follow us at joeyssong.org and @joeyssong on all platforms.

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