Bands To Fans

Cris Cohen
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music
  • Updated Monthly

Cris Cohen interviews professional musicians to get the stories behind every beat, chord, and lyric.

  1. May 11

    Dan Wheetman of Marley's Ghost

    After 40 years together, the Southern California roots band Marley's Ghost shows no signs of slowing down — and their latest album proves it. Honky Tonk is a deep dive into the music that shaped them, featuring songs from Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, and other giants of country music, recorded live in the studio with producer Larry Campbell. It's an album that smirks and stomps, carrying the weight of a lifetime spent in smoky bars and on stages across the country. Dan Wheetman, vocalist and founding member, sat down to talk about what it means to really live inside a song, how four decades of friendship shapes a band's sound, and why an older voice is sometimes exactly what a honky tonk tune needs.

    39 min

  2. May 4

    The Funeral Portrait's Lee Jennings

    The Funeral Portrait's Lee Jennings on Arena Rock, the song “Dark Thoughts,” and Dealing with Sadness After a year of spending 290 days on tour, the success of the album Suffocate City, and a lineup change, Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait has arrived at something rare: clarity. Recorded before their performance at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, Jennings opens up about learning to stop running from hard emotions, why he's letting the fans own "Stay Weird," and how a decade of grinding finally gave the band both the songs and the stage presence for arenas. -- Bands To Fans: Grow your fan base in just one hour a month and never deal with social media again.

    19 min

  3. Apr 3

    Steve Gorman of the Black Crowes

    Steve Gorman spent nearly three decades providing the backbeat for one of rock’s most turbulent bands — and he’s got the memoir to prove it. In his book, “Hard to Handle,” the Black Crowes’ drummer laid bare the dysfunction, drama, and grind of life inside a band that was as volatile offstage as it was electric on it. Now, with the Crowes nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Gorman deep into a new project — the supergroup Howl Owl Howl, alongside Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills — he’s got plenty of perspective on what it takes to survive a legendary band, trust the groove, and enjoy the ride.

    57 min

  4. Mar 25

    Dwight + Nicole on Love, Loss, and the Ferocious Heart Behind Their New Album

    In this intimate and wide‑ranging conversation, musicians Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson open up about the creative forces, personal histories, and emotional truths behind their new album. They reflect on apocalyptic imagery, artistic integrity, and the healing power of making music. Nicole shares how she finds beauty even in turbulent times, while Dwight reveals the quiet, meticulous process behind shaping songs from scraps of riffs and iPhone recordings. Together, they explore vulnerability, ferocity, grief, and joy, offering a look into the inner world of two artists determined to create on their own terms. Their new album is Day or Night.

    43 min

  5. Mar 13

    Nili Brosh on Crafting Eventide: Retro Futures & Inner Worlds

    Guitarist and composer Nili Brosh returns with Eventide, an album that blends retro‑modern synth textures, genre‑bending arrangements, and an unexpectedly emotional undercurrent. In this conversation, she opens up about writing away from the guitar, the color‑driven instincts that shape her music and visuals, and the internal intensity that fuels her playing. From the retro‑futurist artwork to the nuanced percussion choices, Brosh reveals how every element of Eventide was crafted with intention—and how her work with Cirque du Soleil, Danny Elfman, and Dethklok subtly seeped into the final sound.

    31 min

  6. Jan 22

    Joel Ekelöf of Soen: Finding Hope in the Darkness

    In this illuminating conversation, Joel Ekelöf, vocalist of progressive metal band Soen, discusses the philosophy behind their album Reliance. From exploring the tension between darkness and hope to examining how technology shapes modern society, Ekelöf offers insight into the band's creative process, their willingness to embrace vulnerability, and why sometimes less is more. He also reveals how writing lyrics in a non-native language has shaped their distinctive voice.

    24 min

  7. Jan 7

    John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton: The Art of Songwriting

    Folk music veterans John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton discuss their collaborative album "Together Again" with interviewer Cris Cohen. The conversation explores their songwriting philosophy of addressing macro issues through intimate personal stories, their creative partnership that has flourished through Zoom co-writing sessions, and their optimistic view of folk music's current health. They reflect on mentorship from Pete Seeger, the importance of surrendering to the creative process, finding success outside mainstream formulas, and maintaining artistic vitality throughout their careers. The interview touches on specific songs from the album while offering insights into collaboration, the role of technology in creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling in music. (Note: At one point Tom drops from the call and is unable to reconnect.)

    1h 7m

  8. 11/21/2025

    Afton Wolfe on "Ophiuchus": Astronomy, Vulnerability, and the Sacred Calling of Art

    Singer-songwriter Afton Wolfe discusses his album "Ophiuchus," named after the 13th zodiac constellation. He explores themes of astronomy versus astrology, the balance between high concepts and intimate moments, vulnerability in songwriting, and navigating the attention economy as an artist. Wolfe also shares the deeply personal story behind "Crooked Roads," written the night before his wife's brain surgery, and reflects on the collaborative process with illustrator Cora Lee.

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Cris Cohen interviews professional musicians to get the stories behind every beat, chord, and lyric.

Information

  • Creator
    Cris Cohen
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Cris Cohen
  • Show Website
    Bands To Fans