The SoCal Setlist

Brian Jensen
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  • Music

Based in Temecula, CA, The SoCal Setlist with Brian Jensen is an independent podcast featuring conversations with musicians, bands, venue owners, promoters, and fans from Southern California’s live music community. Each episode goes behind the scenes with local artists and music community voices to explore the stories behind the songs, the realities of performing live, and the work that goes into building a music career. From gear and set lists to landing gigs, open mics, promotion, venues, and backstage stories, The SoCal Setlist brings listeners closer to the people keeping local music alive.

  1. 12h ago

    Kate Morris: Building a Country Career Around Motherhood

    Kate Morris has been writing songs since childhood, and her path to the stage took shape after years as a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters. Once both girls were in school, she began performing her originals publicly and found a place in Southern California’s country scene. In this episode of The SoCal Setlist, Kate talks about growing up in a musical family in small-town New Hampshire and getting her first shot at a Writers' Round Orange County when another performer offered her one of his slots. She shares how motherhood has shaped her writing, including “Little Hands,” an unreleased song about her daughters that has moved audience members to tears. Kate also explains the family story behind “Preach” and how a Chris Stapleton chord helped spark “Tumbleweeds,” arriving August 14. She talks about performing at writers rounds in Nashville, building her full band and making room for gigs in the middle of family life. “Performing in general fills my cup.” Follow Kate on Instagram: @katemorrismusic Listen to “Preach” on Spotify. Support for this episode comes from Tsunami Cables. Their cables are built in Southern California and backed by a lifetime warranty. Visit TsunamiCables.com and use code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off. Follow The SoCal Setlist for more conversations with the artists shaping Southern California’s live music scene.

    Kate Morris: Building a Country Career Around Motherhood

  2. Jul 22

    Meet Greg Boulet: The Bassist Behind Indica Roots and Eastlake Rhythm Section

    Southern California bassist Greg Boulet discovered the electric bass almost by accident after spotting it on a middle-school instrument list. Within a year, he was playing his first show at the Old Town Temecula Theater at just 13 years old—and headbanging through nearly the entire performance. That early experience began a musical path through marching band, jazz band, Palomar College, original projects and regular trips to perform in San Francisco with Lunar Hand. Today, Greg holds down the low end for reggae-rock band Indica Roots and Eastlake Rhythm Section, a Temecula-based collective performing classic rock, funk, pop and yacht rock favorites. Greg also teaches at Leading Note Studios in San Marcos, where he directs the Rock Band Program and helps young musicians become more confident performers. Brian and Greg discuss what makes a rhythm section work, how bass and drums create the pocket, learning from live performances, recovering from mistakes and why the ultimate goal is always to make the audience feel the music. In this episode How Greg discovered the electric bass in middle schoolPerforming his first show at 13 at the Old Town Temecula TheaterHow marching band and jazz band shaped his musicianshipThe private lessons that changed how he approached the fretboardFinding a supportive original-music community in San Francisco with Lunar HandJoining Indica Roots and helping expand the band’s soundForming Eastlake Rhythm Section with longtime friendsWhat makes a tight rhythm section—and Greg’s definition of “the pocket”Teaching students not to fear mistakesLearning from Marcus Miller, Jaime Preciado and Tony KanalRecording social-media tracks for Ampeg and building his live bass rigConnect with Greg Greg on InstagramIndica Roots on InstagramEastlake Rhythm Section on InstagramEastlake Rhythm Section websiteGreg at Leading Note StudiosSponsor The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. Proudly built in Southern California and backed by a lifetime warranty, Tsunami Cables are made for musicians who care about clean signal transfer, reliable tone and gear that can handle real wear and tear. Visit TsunamiCables.com and use promo code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off. Offer valid through May 29, 2027.

    Meet Greg Boulet: The Bassist Behind Indica Roots and Eastlake Rhythm Section

  3. Jul 20

    Meet Gary Stanionis: Four Decades in Music and the Story Behind SoleMusiq

    Gary Stanionis has spent nearly four decades building a life in music—as a drummer, world percussionist, vocalist, touring musician, record label executive and artist manager. His journey began at 17, when his mother discovered one of his graffiti pieces and asked what it would take to make him stop. His answer was simple: a drum set. Within months, Gary had started his first band and was performing professionally by 18. From the Southern California funk and acid-jazz scene to smooth-jazz tours, megachurch stages, recording sessions and artist management, Gary has experienced almost every side of the music business. He also helped musicians working with artists such as Stevie Wonder secure endorsements and build their careers. Today, Gary has returned to the stage with SoleMusiq - a deeply personal solo project shaped by his late mother, her song recommendations and his desire to bring people together. With hundreds of songs, no setlist and no breaks, Gary reads the room and creates what he calls a “soundtrack of connection.” In this episode How a graffiti piece led to Gary’s first drum setDiscovering funk, jazz and the idea that “everything has a groove”Starting the original funk and acid-jazz band Middle EarthDevoting five years to learning world percussionPerforming on the smooth-jazz circuit and major church stagesWhat Gary learned from working as a professional sidemanWhy he left his record-label position to protect an artist’s musicLaunching GÁM Representation and helping touring musicians build their careersHow his mother’s song recommendations inspired SoleMusiqWhy Gary performs for three hours without a setlist or breakFinding a second chance in Temecula’s live-music communityWhy Gary believes musicians are ultimately there to serve the audience Connect with Gary Gary Stanionis: https://www.instagram.com/garystanionis/SoleMusiq: https://www.instagram.com/sole_concert/ The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊 When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com

    Meet Gary Stanionis: Four Decades in Music and the Story Behind SoleMusiq

  4. Jul 14

    Meet Angel Vega: RubbaSoul, Headbangers Ball and a Life in Music

    Angel Vega is a Southern California singer, songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist who performs solo as RubbaSoul and fronts the 80s powerhouse rock tribute band Headbangers Ball. In this episode of The SoCal Setlist, Angel talks about growing up in Orange County, discovering guitar after one of his brother’s friends played a Batman riff, and later teaching himself through YouTube videos, tabs, classic rock songs, and a lot of trial and error. Early influences included Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Eagles, and the heavier bands that made him want to pick up an electric guitar — Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer. Angel also shares how he got started playing in bands, from garage rock and surf-inspired original music in San Marcos to the thrash metal project Xypher after moving to Murrieta. Along the way, he played house shows, backyard parties, skate parks, and dusty mosh-pit gigs that helped shape his confidence as a performer. The conversation also digs into Headbangers Ball, the 80s hard rock and metal tribute band where Angel takes on songs from artists like Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Skid Row, Scorpions, and Guns N’ Roses. Angel talks about building setlists like a rollercoaster, opening with “Mr. Crowley,” reading the crowd, and why those songs still connect with people who grew up hearing them. Angel also talks about launching RubbaSoul after an open mic at Bailey’s, realizing he already had the songs, gear, and drive to start booking solo shows. He shares the story behind his album Delusions, which he recorded at home using GarageBand, a Blue Yeti mic, and a Focusrite interface. The Beatles are a major influence on Angel’s songwriting, and the name RubbaSoul is a play on his favorite Beatles album, Rubber Soul. This episode is about self-teaching, taking chances, putting yourself out there, and staying connected to the feeling that made you want to play music in the first place. Follow Angel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubbasoul/ Follow Headbangers Ball on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headbangersballmusic/ The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊 When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSETLIST at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.

    Meet Angel Vega: RubbaSoul, Headbangers Ball and a Life in Music

  5. Jul 12

    Meet Anthony Necerato: From Rock Band Drums to Those Guys

    “If you can’t dance, they can’t dance.” That line really sums up how Anthony Necerato approaches performing. Playing shirtless, standing on the drum throne, throwing sticks and pointing at people in the crowd, Anthony has the kind of stage presence that pulls people into the show. His bandmates in Those Guys describe him as a “frontman drummer,” - he isn’t just there to provide a backbeat - he’s there to help turn every show into a party. In this episode, Anthony talks about growing up in Murrieta, finding his feel for the drums through the video game Rock Band, getting his first kit from Kyle Hudson and his dad, and helping build Those Guys from their first show at The Cove into one of the most fun and respected bands in the local SoCal scene. He also talks about being a dad and keeping that balance, his bowling league, and how rewarding it’s been to watch Those Guys keep growing - playing bigger stages for bigger crowds. As Anthony put it, “We stuck with it.” Anthony plays in the pocket. And a big part of that is the connection he has with Steven - locking into accent hits, catching each other’s changes, and sometimes looking at each other mid-song like, “that was sick.” He plays for the room. He watches the crowd. He wants people to dance, forget their problems for a few hours, and feel like they’re part of the party. “The reason I’m having such a good time is other people are having a good time.” Meet Anthony Necerato. Follow Anthony on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/anthonynecerato/ The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊 When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSETLIST at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.

    Meet Anthony Necerato: From Rock Band Drums to Those Guys

  6. Jul 6

    Michael D’Santi: Blues Rock, B-Sides and Growing Up in Southern California’s Music Scene

    “For me nowadays, when we get together and play, it’s like a celebration of just being together.” For Michael D’Santi, that togetherness has lasted for more than 30 years. The Southern California blues-rock guitarist started D’Santi with his brother and friends he met in high school. After decades of gigs, changing music scenes, families, careers, and everything that can pull a band apart, they are still playing together. They know each other so well that they rarely need to make eye contact onstage. Everyone already knows where the music is going. As Michael put it, “People pick up on that. They see that we’re enjoying it rather than trying to make money or be famous.” But before D’Santi, there was a house filled with instruments. Michael’s father was a guitarist who played around Los Angeles during the late ’60s and early ’70s. He introduced Michael and his brother Paul to everything from jazz, R&B, and funk to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jeff Beck, Albert King, and B.B. King. Michael originally started on drums, but while accompanying his brother to drum lessons, the guitars hanging on the music-store walls kept catching his attention. Once he picked one up, everything changed. By 13 or 14, Michael was already gigging with older musicians. By 1989, D’Santi had begun taking shape, blending guitar-driven blues rock with elements of funk, reggae, R&B, and the sound of ’70s bands like Humble Pie and the Faces. They also developed a reputation as what Michael calls a “B-side cover band,” choosing deeper cuts instead of playing the same familiar songs audiences hear every weekend. The goal was not to follow the crowd. It was to stay true to themselves. In this episode of The SoCal Setlist, Michael talks about growing up in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire music scenes, watching Albert King and B.B. King as a kid, seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan twice, and learning guitar by listening closely to the musicians around him. He also shares stories from his years as a full-time working musician, including opening shows for major artists, performing on USO tours, recording and touring with Nickelodeon star Drake Bell, and spending years driving between San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and the desert for gigs. Michael also talks about D’Santi’s original music, playing with the Honey Lickers, teaching guitar, building a simple but expressive guitar rig, and why tone has far more to do with a player’s personality and touch than the equipment they use. As Michael explains, five guitarists can play through the exact same rig and still sound completely different. The episode also gets into one of the hardest parts of making music: keeping a band together. Even after decades of friendship, Michael says it still takes patience, trust, compromise, and a shared commitment to keep moving forward. From touring the country to returning to the stage with his brother and lifelong friends, Michael’s story is a reminder that a successful life in music is not always measured by fame. Sometimes it is measured by the people still standing beside you when the next song begins. Meet Michael D’Santi. 🎧 Full episode out now. Link in bio. Follow D'Santi on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063541774004 The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊 When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSETLIST at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.

    Michael D’Santi: Blues Rock, B-Sides and Growing Up in Southern California’s Music Scene

  7. Jun 29

    Shred Sean: Blessed by a Broken Heart, Those Guys, and a Life Built on Guitar

    “I can’t stop. I’ll stop when I die.” That line sums up Sean Maier’s story. Known to many as Shred Sean, Sean is a guitarist, songwriter, teacher, and performer whose life with music started the way so many great stories do: with one song that changed everything. For Sean, that song was Bush’s “Glycerine.” He heard it as a kid, picked up the guitar, and never really put it down. What started with a seventh-grade guitar class and a few power chords quickly turned into hours of practice, a deep dive into players like Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, and Paul Gilbert, and a lifelong obsession with getting better. In this episode of The SoCal Setlist with Brian Jensen, Sean talks about growing up in Long Island, working in his parents’ deli, trading sandwiches for VHS shred guitar lessons, building confidence through small wins, and eventually joining Blessed by a Broken Heart after answering a MySpace bulletin looking for a shred guitar player. By 21, Sean had left New York to join the band in Montreal, and by 22 he was touring Europe, signing record deals, recording in major studios, and touring with the band globally. But this conversation is not just about the highlight reel. Sean also talks about the grind: sleeping on floors, touring out of vans, dealing with criticism, watching opportunities come and go, and learning that a career in music requires serious thick skin. As he puts it, people are going to doubt you, and you have to really believe in yourself. From playing large stages in front of thousands, to finding new ways to keep his original music alive, Sean’s story is a reminder that the path is rarely straight, but the people who last are the ones who keep finding a way. This is the story of someone who has passion, purpose, and relentless drive. In This Episode Sean and Brian talk about:How Bush’s “Glycerine” sparked Sean’s love for guitarGrowing up in Long Island and working in his parents’ deliLearning guitar in seventh grade and getting laughed at during an early performanceBuilding confidence through small winsDiscovering Van Halen, Yngwie, George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, and Paul GilbertTrading deli sandwiches for VHS shred guitar lessonsJoining Blessed by a Broken Heart through MySpaceLeaving New York for Montreal at 21Touring Europe and signing international record dealsRecording Pedal to the Metal Playing in JapanWhy musicians need thick skinWhy Sean says he’ll keep playing music no matter whatHis current work with Those Guys and his own original musicFollow Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shredstarz/ Watch the official video for "Megadrive" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9MZlI5Ux94 SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.

    Shred Sean: Blessed by a Broken Heart, Those Guys, and a Life Built on Guitar

  8. Jun 24

    Chris Lozano: From a Coal Mining Town to Nashville’s Studio C

    Country-rock artist Chris Lozano didn’t come from a music industry family. He grew up in Paonia, Colorado, a small coal mining town where his graduating class had just 40 people - and where hard work wasn’t a slogan, it was a way of life. In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Chris shares the story behind his journey: singing Motown and classic country as a kid, getting pulled out of middle school detention by a choir teacher who heard something in his voice, meeting the woman who would become his wife, serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually finding his way into country music. Chris also talks about how his military background shaped his songwriting, especially on songs like “Boots on Sacred Ground,” written for the Marines, military members who never came home, and the Gold Star families who carry that loss every day. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Chris explains that he doesn’t write to impress everyone — he writes so the people the song is meant for can feel seen. The episode also goes deep into Chris’s Nashville recording experience at Historic RCA Studio C, working with producer Eddie Gore, and learning from the kind of session musicians who have played with major artists across country, rock, and Americana. Chris shares stories about walking the same halls as legends, tracking with Nashville players, and learning how small changes in songwriting, phrasing, production, and performance can turn a song into something that connects. Chris also opens up about the grind of booking, building a band, getting rejected, and staying persistent: “For every yes I’ve got, I’ve gotten probably like 20, 30 no’s. So don’t take the no’s as you’re a failure.” That mindset runs through the whole conversation - from Paonia to the Marine Corps, from karaoke nights to Nashville, from local shows to national stages. In this episode Growing up in a small coal mining town in ColoradoHow Chris first discovered his voiceMeeting his wife in middle schoolServing in the Marine Corps and learning guitar while stationed in HawaiiWriting songs with emotional weight and personal meaningThe story behind “Boots on Sacred Ground”Recording at Historic RCA Studio C in NashvilleWorking with producer Eddie GoreNashville takeaways, session players, and songwriting lessonsThe reality of booking shows and hearing “no” again and againBuilding the Chris Lozano Band and taking country-rock on the roadFeatured/mentioned: Chris Lozano Band, Eddie Gore, Historic RCA Studio C, Bekka Bramlett, Tim Buppert, Steve Mackey, Dane Bryant, Tyler Cain, Jared Kneale, Erik Peterson, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson. Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrislozanocountry/ Website: https://chrislozanoband.com/ SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.

    Chris Lozano: From a Coal Mining Town to Nashville’s Studio C
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About

Based in Temecula, CA, The SoCal Setlist with Brian Jensen is an independent podcast featuring conversations with musicians, bands, venue owners, promoters, and fans from Southern California’s live music community. Each episode goes behind the scenes with local artists and music community voices to explore the stories behind the songs, the realities of performing live, and the work that goes into building a music career. From gear and set lists to landing gigs, open mics, promotion, venues, and backstage stories, The SoCal Setlist brings listeners closer to the people keeping local music alive.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Jensen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © SoCal Soundcheck
  • Show Website
    The SoCal Setlist