The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine!

Almost Famous Magazine
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  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
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Welcome to The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine – your ultimate destination for everything music! Dive deep into the world of music production, backstage stories, and creative insights with our exclusive content. We bring you engaging conversations with a diverse range of talents, including musicians, lighting and stage designers, sound engineers, and other creatives in the music industry. almostfamousmagazine.com Our channel features in-depth interviews with top artists such as Tony Scalzo of Fastball, Nic Collins, Ben McKelvey, Tim Howar, Steve ”Smiley” Barnard, Rob Ruckus, Kate Clover, Gizz Lazlo, Scott Mayo, Kris Dollimore, Lightnin Woodcock, Sharif Dumani, Yolanda Charles, Jim McDermott, Gary O’Toole, Dave Kerzner, Salim Nourallah, Dean Friedman, Jonas Reingold, Sub-Radio, Lilith Clockwork, C**t-45, The Baboon Show, Skwert Gunn of Public Serpents, FIDLAR, The Toasters, Jack McBannon, and many more. Join us as we explore the stories behind the music, the technical aspects of live performances, and the creative processes that bring unforgettable shows to life. Subscribe now to Almost Famous Magazine and stay updated with the latest in the music world!

  1. Ick on DIY Punk, Community, and Breaking Genre Rules and Doll Fest!

    5H AGO

    Ick on DIY Punk, Community, and Breaking Genre Rules and Doll Fest!

    In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Ick, a feral two-piece punk band from Modesto, California, whose sound pulls from hardcore, noise rock, sludge, and experimental punk without ever settling into one box. Growing up just blocks apart, guitarist/vocalist Jackie Westcott and drummer Eli Alsop built Ick from friendship, frustration, and a shared belief that punk isn’t about perfection—it’s about doing it yourself and doing it honestly. The conversation traces their early influences, how being from a smaller Central Valley city shaped their independence, and why DIY culture continues to be the backbone of everything they create. Ick opens up about their songwriting process, where riffs grow organically, lyrics come from lived emotion, and collaboration means trusting each other enough to challenge ideas without ego. Jackie discusses how writing becomes a way to survive heavy emotions, while Eli explains how simplicity, feel, and originality guide his drumming rather than genre expectations. The episode also dives into Ick’s involvement with Doll Fest, a festival rooted in inclusion and community. For Ick, supporting diverse and local bands isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility.  This is a conversation about making music without permission, building community from the ground up, and trusting that if it’s real, people will feel it. https://www.instagram.com/ick.official/ https://ickofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ick https://www.dollfest.net/ Instagram  Mexico City Pre-Party Tickets Doll Fest Volume III in Mexico City Tickets Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland)  Doll Fest Volume II  #IckBand #PunkDIY #TheHangPodcast #DollFest #UndergroundPunk #independentmusic #ick  The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine

    49 min
  2. Damage Party on Punk, DIY Ethics, Building Chaos Together And Doll Fest!

    4D AGO

    Damage Party on Punk, DIY Ethics, Building Chaos Together And Doll Fest!

    In this episode of The Hang, we sit down with Oakland punk band Damage Party for a raw, unfiltered conversation about music, identity, and why punk still matters. This isn’t just a band interview—it’s a deep dive into how different musical paths collide to form something loud, personal, and intentional. Each member of Damage Party brings a distinct background to the table, shaping a sound rooted in punk but stretched by lived experience, instinct, and experimentation. They talk openly about how their songwriting process works as a true collaboration—riffs, rhythms, and lyrics evolving together rather than following a rigid formula. Punk, for them, isn’t a costume or a genre checkbox. It’s about individuality, refusal, and creating space to exist loudly on your own terms. The band also reflects on the power of live shows, where their music fully comes alive, and why community support is essential for artists trying to survive outside traditional industry systems. From the weight of language and naming to the idea that “your words are spells,” Damage Party unpack how meaning, chaos, and intention shape everything they create. If you care about punk as a living, evolving force—and not just nostalgia—this episode shows why Damage Party is a band worth paying attention to right now. https://www.instagram.com/damage_party/ https://damageparty.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCrKZnbabrg0_wX3aNa7Ppwg  https://www.dollfest.net/ Instagram  Mexico City Pre-Party Tickets   Doll Fest Volume III in Mexico City Tickets  Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland) Doll Fest Volume II  #DamageParty #OaklandPunk #PunkRock #DIYMusic #WomenInPunk #TheHangPodcast #IndependentMusic The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine

    1h 11m
  3. Bloody Benders’ Taty on Horror Punk, Rebellion & Doll Fest 2026!

    FEB 17

    Bloody Benders’ Taty on Horror Punk, Rebellion & Doll Fest 2026!

    In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Taty Bloody Batty, frontwoman of Mexico City horror-punk powerhouse Bloody Benders. As part of Doll Fest 2026 coverage, Taty shares the story of how music found her before she was even born—shaped by early exposure to David Bowie, punk philosophy, and a lifelong love of horror culture. The conversation explores Bloody Benders’ signature blend of macabre aesthetics, raw punk energy, and social urgency. Taty breaks down the band’s collaborative songwriting process, how their album 13 came together, and why songs like “Por Las Que Ya No Están” exist as both protest and remembrance amid ongoing violence against women in Mexico. Taty also speaks openly about empowerment—why Bloody Benders want young women to feel rebellious, loud, and unapologetically themselves—and how punk remains a vital platform for resistance. Influences ranging from Alice Cooper to Riot Grrrl icons and horror cinema shape the band’s evolving identity, while their community-driven spirit continues to grow what Taty calls “the Bloody Benders monster.” The episode closes with a look ahead to Doll Fest 2026, the importance of supporting female-fronted artists, and the vibrant, defiant energy of the Mexican underground punk scene. YouTube  Instagram https://www.dollfest.net/ Instagram   Mexico City Pre-Party Tickets   Doll Fest Volume III in Mexico City Tickets  Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland)   Doll Fest Volume II #BloodyBenders #HorrorPunk #DollFest2026 #WomenInPunk #MexicoCityMusic #thehangpodcast #dollfest  The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    37 min
  4. Alice Bag on Punk, Identity, and Why You Can’t Go Back!

    FEB 14

    Alice Bag on Punk, Identity, and Why You Can’t Go Back!

    In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with punk icon Alice Bag, co-founder and lead singer of The Bags, for a deeply personal conversation about music, identity, and evolution. Raised in East Los Angeles, Alice reflects on a childhood shaped by sound, creativity, and a family that encouraged her artistic instincts long before punk gave her a name for them. Alice shares how early performances helped her understand who she was—and why punk became the perfect outlet for someone who always felt like an outsider. She opens up about the profound influence of artists like David Bowie, whose openness around gender and self-expression helped her find confidence, clarity, and self-acceptance at a formative time. The conversation moves through the early LA punk scene, the rise of women in punk, and why inclusivity and representation remain essential to the genre’s survival. Alice reflects on punk’s longevity, arguing that its power lies in its ability to evolve without losing its truth. After living in Mexico City, Alice talks about how cultural shifts, daily life, and creative freedom have reshaped her songwriting. She also hints at new collaborations and a continued commitment to pushing her musical boundaries. Honest, thoughtful, and energized, this episode captures an artist who never stopped questioning, creating, or believing in punk as a living, breathing force. Website Instagram BandCamp Doll Fest Website Instagram  Mexico City Pre-Party Tickets  Doll Fest Volume III in Mexico City Tickets   Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland)  Doll Fest Volume II

    1h 10m
  5. Doll Fest: Inside the building a Femme-Fronted, Inclusive Music Festival!

    FEB 10

    Doll Fest: Inside the building a Femme-Fronted, Inclusive Music Festival!

    In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Maria Chaos and Freya Yamamoto for a powerful conversation about music, representation, and building safer, more inclusive live events through Doll Fest. What began as a response to exclusionary festival lineups has grown into a femme-fronted, femme-owned, and femme-operated movement amplifying marginalized voices across punk, hip hop, and alternative scenes. Maria and Freya unpack how community feedback has shaped Doll Fest’s accessibility, affordability, and safety-first approach—without losing its DIY punk energy. The episode looks ahead to Doll Fest 2026 in Oakland and Mexico City, highlights artists like Wheelchair Sports Camp, DAMAG3, Bad Cop / Bad Cop, and icon Alice Bag, and underscores the role of Punk Rock Saves Lives in supporting mental health and community care. Loud, radical, and deeply human, Doll Fest proves that festivals can be fun and transformative. Episode Highlights • How Doll Fest was born from the need for real representation on and off stage • Why femme-fronted, marginalized voices are central—not supplemental—to the lineup • Building accessibility, safety, and affordability without sacrificing punk’s DIY spirit • Community impact moments, including The Femmes Are Giving fundraiser • What to expect from Doll Fest 2026 in Oakland and Mexico City • Genre-spanning artists and why intentional curation matters • The power of asking, showing up, and building spaces where everyone belongs Website Mexico City Pre-Party Tickets  Doll Fest Volume III in Mexico City Tickets  Doll Fest Volume II Pre-Party Tickets (Oakland)  Doll Fest Volume II Tickets  Instagram   #DollFest #InclusiveMusic #FemmeFronted #PunkCommunity #MusicWithPurpose #lgbt #lgbtq

    39 min

  6. FEB 8

    Inside Billy Joel Jr.’s Album You’re a Star and What’s Next on The Hang!

    In this episode of The Hang, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Chicago-based indie rock band Billy Joel Jr. for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about music, identity, and building a band in today’s ever-shifting industry. Far from a novelty name, Billy Joel Jr. is a deeply collaborative project rooted in honesty, texture, and a fiercely DIY ethos. Frontman Ari Levin traces his journey from classical piano and immigrant-family expectations to writing emotionally direct indie rock songs, while guitarist Nate Perez shares how Latin rhythms, pop punk, and audio engineering shape the band’s sound both on stage and in the studio. Bassist Charlie adds a layer of dream pop, shoegaze, and classical discipline, giving the band its dynamic low-end depth. Together, they unpack how wildly different influences—from emo and Midwest indie to Middle Eastern rhythms—somehow meet in the middle. The conversation also dives into mentorship, balancing day jobs with creative ambition, and why collaboration matters more than perfection. With their debut full-length You’re a Star out now and new material already taking shape, Billy Joel Jr. is focused on growing their audience without losing the soul that got them here. Episode Highlights: • How the band formed and found its collaborative sound • The real story behind the name “Billy Joel Jr.” • Musical influences spanning emo, Latin music, dream pop, and indie rock • Why mentorship matters in the modern music scene • Balancing creative passion with day jobs • Inside the album You’re a Star • What Billy Joel Jr. is building   Bandcamp: https://billyjoeljr.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyjoel.jr Website: https://billyjoeljr.mmm.page/hello   #BillyJoelJr #IndieRockInterview #ChicagoMusicScene #TheHangPodcast #diymusic The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine

    54 min
  7. Dear Jack Foundation: How Young Adults With Cancer Find Real Support!

    FEB 6

    Dear Jack Foundation: How Young Adults With Cancer Find Real Support!

    In this powerful episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Susan Wandishin, Senior Director of Operations at the Dear Jack Foundation, for a deeply human conversation about what young adults with cancer truly need beyond medical care. Every six minutes, a young adult between 15 and 39 is diagnosed with cancer in the U.S.—and many are left emotionally isolated once treatment ends. Susan shares how Dear Jack fills that gap through wish-granting experiences, personalized letters of support, virtual community programming, and restorative survivor retreats. Founded by musician Andrew McMahon, the foundation was born from lived experience and built around the belief that healing the heart and mind is just as important as healing the body. From unforgettable music-based wishes to simple handwritten notes that change mental health outcomes, this episode highlights the power of community, volunteerism, and showing up for others. Whether you’re a music fan, nonprofit supporter, or someone looking to make a real difference, this conversation shows how small acts can create life-changing impact for young adults navigating cancer. #DearJackFoundation #YoungAdultCancer #CancerSupport #MentalHealthMatters #TheHangPodcast #Cancer #AndrewMcMahon Instagram Facebook   Volunteer  Donate Merch    The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine

    28 min
  8. Nick Faye on Songwriting, Prairie Roots & Staying Human in Music on The Hang!

    FEB 3

    Nick Faye on Songwriting, Prairie Roots & Staying Human in Music on The Hang!

    In this episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Canadian singer-songwriter Nick Faye for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about music, mental health, and staying grounded in an industry that often rewards noise over nuance. Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Nick has spent years crafting indie pop songs that feel less like performances and more like late-night conversations with an old friend—honest, reflective, and quietly powerful. Nick traces his musical beginnings back to childhood lessons encouraged by his parents, before discovering songwriting at summer camps where music was celebrated as a shared language. That sense of community would later shape his artistic philosophy: making art for friends first, not algorithms. Throughout the conversation, Nick opens up about the chaotic yet rewarding process of creating his 2025 album Good Love, recorded across distances, life changes, and limited resources—an experience that tested both patience and mental resilience. The discussion dives deeply into mental health in the modern music industry, particularly the emotional toll of social media, metrics, and constant self-promotion. Nick speaks openly about burnout, comparison culture, and the pressure artists face to turn themselves into brands rather than people. His perspective is refreshingly grounded: success isn’t measured in streams alone, but in meaningful connections, honest art, and personal well-being. Nick also reflects on prairie life and the unique challenges of building a music career far from major industry hubs. From watching friends leave small scenes to grieving creative communities that constantly shift, he shares how place influences songwriting and identity. Along the way, he highlights the importance of supporting local artists, touring communities, and showing up—whether that means buying a record, attending a show, or simply listening with intention. The episode wraps with Nick recommending key entry points into his catalog, discussing artists who inspire him, and imagining future collaborations rooted in storytelling rather than hype. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this conversation captures exactly what The Hang! is about: letting artists tell their stories in their own voice. Instagram TikTok  Facebook Apple Music

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine – your ultimate destination for everything music! Dive deep into the world of music production, backstage stories, and creative insights with our exclusive content. We bring you engaging conversations with a diverse range of talents, including musicians, lighting and stage designers, sound engineers, and other creatives in the music industry. almostfamousmagazine.com Our channel features in-depth interviews with top artists such as Tony Scalzo of Fastball, Nic Collins, Ben McKelvey, Tim Howar, Steve ”Smiley” Barnard, Rob Ruckus, Kate Clover, Gizz Lazlo, Scott Mayo, Kris Dollimore, Lightnin Woodcock, Sharif Dumani, Yolanda Charles, Jim McDermott, Gary O’Toole, Dave Kerzner, Salim Nourallah, Dean Friedman, Jonas Reingold, Sub-Radio, Lilith Clockwork, C**t-45, The Baboon Show, Skwert Gunn of Public Serpents, FIDLAR, The Toasters, Jack McBannon, and many more. Join us as we explore the stories behind the music, the technical aspects of live performances, and the creative processes that bring unforgettable shows to life. Subscribe now to Almost Famous Magazine and stay updated with the latest in the music world!

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