Warm the Room with Shoeless Sounds

Shoeless Sounds
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Music Interviews

Warming the Room with Shoeless Sounds is an intimate musician interview series celebrating the grit and heart of independent music. Join us for deep (and occasionally ridiculous) conversations about songwriting, the "glamour" of an artistic career, and the creative resilience it takes to survive life on the road. From moving stories to tour mishaps, we’re bringing you the backstage vibe before the shoes even come off.

Episodes

  1. Oct 21

    Nathans & Ronstadt: Stories, Songs, and Strings

    What happens when you record a podcast from a community theater during a rehearsal? You get a lively conversation with Nathans & Ronstadt, complete with a soundtrack of distant music, voices, and all the wonderfully real-life moments happening while Aaron waits for his daughter's theater rehearsal to finish. In this episode, we sit down with the acclaimed folk duo Nathans & Ronstadt, featuring the legendary Ronstadt musical lineage alongside rich harmonies, thoughtful songwriting, and stories from the road. We talk about music, inspiration, collaboration, and Michael's aunt, Linda Ronstadt. For fellow musicians, and especially cellists, this episode offers a unique opportunity to hear from Michael Ronstadt, whose accomplished and innovative cello work has become a defining part of the duo's sound. If you're fascinated by the versatility of the cello outside the classical world, you won't want to miss his insights and cello hacks! Better yet, come hear them perform live at our upcoming house concert and experience that artistry up close. Be sure to visit their website, follow them on Spotify, and discover why audiences across the country are falling in love with Nathans & Ronstadt's music. If you like what you hear, don't miss your chance to experience them live at our Shoeless Sounds House Concert on November 21st. There's nothing quite like hearing these songs in an intimate listening-room setting, and this is one show that folk fans, singer-songwriters, and cello enthusiasts alike won't want to miss. Stick around to the very end of the episode, where we close things out with a full performance by Nathans & Ronstadt.

  2. Sep 29

    Hiroya Tsukamoto - Stories in Motion

    In this episode, we sit down with guitarist and composer Hiroya Tsukamoto for a conversation filled with story, craft, and the quiet magic behind his music. Hiroya’s blend of fingerstyle technique and cinematic storytelling makes every piece feel like a journey, and this interview offers a beautiful window into the inspirations that shape his work. The interview ends with an excerpt of his piece, "Hobbomock." If you want to experience Hiroya’s artistry in person and hear the story behind this piece, join us for his upcoming house concert on Oct. 17, 2026 in Ashburn, VA, USA.Shoeless Sounds is proudly supported by All Around Travel — helping you plan trips that turn into lifelong memories.

  3. Sep 8

    Rupert Wates: His Words, His Music, His Journey

    Rupert Wates joins Shoeless Sounds for a powerful conversation about the journey behind his songs — the early days, the turning points, the years on the road, meeting his American wife, and how his definition of success has transformed over time. You’ll hear clips of Rupert’s music woven throughout the episode, bringing his stories to life as you listen. It’s an intimate look at an award-winning songwriter who has spent decades living the craft. We’re grateful to our first sponsor, All Around Travel.Their support helps us expand children’s musical education programs — giving young people the chance to discover songwriting, creativity, and the joy of making music. Visit Rupert's website here.

  4. Aug 19

    From Our First Performer to the National Stage: The Music and Journey of Halley Neal

    What does it take to build an unforgettable house concert series? You start with an artist who can captivate a room with nothing but a guitar and a story. Today, we are catching up with the incredible Halley Neal—the very first performer to ever grace the stage at the Shoeless Sounds House Concerts series. Halley originally blew us away with her full trio lineup in 2024 and returned in 2025 as an intimate duo. In this episode, we dive into her musical journey, her '70s-inspired folk-Americana sound, and her latest album that we helped sponsor (with Kickstarter) called "Letter for a Friend." Whether you've been with us since day one or are discovering her music for the first time, Halley's soaring vocals and peaceful songwriting are guaranteed to make you an instant fan. Discover Halley’s Music: 🎵 Listen to her latest albums on the Halley Neal Spotify Page. ✨ Watch her live sets and music videos on the Halley Neal YouTube Channel. 🔮 Check out her touring schedule, including her special Fleetwood Mac tribute show, at her official website: HalleyNeal.com. 📱 Follow her journey on Instagram @halleyneal.

  5. Jun 10

    Erin Ash Sullivan - Stories that Sing: Songwriting, Storytelling, and Acoustic Indie Music

    Erin Ash Sullivan writes songs that feel like they were meant just for you — tender, wise, and quietly powerful. In this episode of Warm the Room with Shoeless Sounds, Erin opens up about the stories behind her music, the moments that shaped her, and the craft that makes her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary folk. We explore Erin’s creative process and the themes that run through her work. If you love singer‑songwriters, acoustic music, and stories that sing, this episode is for you.Listen in, fall under her spell, and then come experience her live in our living room at the next Shoeless Sounds house concert on July 18, 2026. Reserve your spot here. Check out Erin's website! Also check out Emma Frances. Listen to know why!

  6. May 21

    Mark Rust - Where Family Becomes Music

    Jessica first heard Mark Rust play in a tiny collegecoffeehouse back in the 1980s — and even then, his music felt like it carried generations with it. Today, we’re thrilled to share our newest Shoeless Sounds episode featuring Mark, whose musical roots stretch from his grandmother’s nightclub “Swiss Trudy’s” to stages across the U.S., Canada, and Japan. A multi‑instrumentalist, songwriter of around 200 songs, former Broadway performer, and lifelong storyteller, Mark brings a depth of history and heart you can feel in every note. Give this conversation a listen —it’s a beautiful journey through family, craft, and a life built around music. He reminisces on his time with Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul& Mary. And listen for snippets of his mesmerizing hammered dulcimer tunes. Check out his website here. See images of  RPI’scoffeehouse lineups in the 80s here.

  7. Apr 26

    Jeremy Facknitz - Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

    When we started our house concert series, we wanted to getpast small talk. This musician interview series installment features Jeremy Facknitz for a musician guest conversation titled “Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back.” Jeremy has a rare gift for using humor to navigate difficult topics, pulling belly laughs from trying situations to create remarkably light, entertaining concerts. He believes letting fear stop you is "just dumb,"a perspective earned from facing profound loss and silencing nay-sayers. This episode delivers the heartfelt music conversations we aim for—blending live music interviews with real-world live music conversations about artistic grit. These musicians’ interviews and music artist conversations provide clarity for anyone who has ever doubted their own path. Jeremy said something during our time together that reallystuck with us: “What a stupid way to live, to let fear hold you back. It is just dumb.” It’s a blunt statement, but it comes from a place of hard-earned perspective. Jeremy has faced more than his share of darkness, including losing loved ones to suicide and dealing with years of people telling him a career inmusic was a pipe dream. Instead of folding, he used those experiences to fuel a career that is as rewarding as it is honest. These are the kind of stories we love to tell—the ones thatremind us why we do this. Our discussions aren’t about PR; they are about the reality of being an artist. We hope you’ll join us as we sit down with Jeremy and learn what it actually looks like to choose courage over fear. In this episode, we talk about: The "Dumbness" of Fear: Why Jeremy stopped letting "what ifs" run his life.Finding Resilience: Processing grief and loss through the lens of creative work.The Power of Humor: How Jeremy uses laughter to bridge the gap between heavy lyrics and an entertaining show.Proving Doubters Wrong: How he ignored the skeptics to build a sustainable, successful life in music.Connect with Jeremy Facknitz on his website!

  8. Apr 14

    Carrie Welling: Grit, Heart, and the Stories Behind the Songs

    Get ready for an intimate session with the luminous and gifted Carrie Welling, whose voice masterfully blends the grit of Sheryl Crow, the heart of Stevie Nicks, and the twang of Natalie Maines. Singer‑songwriter Carrie Welling joins us for a deep dive into her songwriting process, her evolution as an independent musician, and the raw, soulful energy that defines her sound. We talk about the stories behind her most powerful songs, the grit it takes to build a career in indie music, and the joy of connecting with listeners through honest, unfiltered performance. A must‑listen for fans of acoustic music, storytelling, and artist‑centered conversations. Join us for the conversation behind the craft—your seat is waiting. To reserve your seat at the April 2026 house concert: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carrie-welling-bold-voice-radiant-soul-tickets-1984387796317

  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Warming the Room with Shoeless Sounds is an intimate musician interview series celebrating the grit and heart of independent music. Join us for deep (and occasionally ridiculous) conversations about songwriting, the "glamour" of an artistic career, and the creative resilience it takes to survive life on the road. From moving stories to tour mishaps, we’re bringing you the backstage vibe before the shoes even come off.

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