Backstage Bucks County

Matt Freedman

Backstage Bucks County showcases the region’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, musicians, creatives, and business leaders. Hosted by Matt Freedman — entrepreneur, musician, and founder of Rhythm, LLC — the show dives into the raw grind, creative hustle, and personal stories shaping Bucks County’s culture and economy. Produced inside Rhythm, LLC — Bucks County’s premier podcast and content studio — the show is part of our mission to spotlight the region’s most influential and creative minds while giving the community a voice of its own.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or simply curious about the people shaping Bucks County, Backstage Bucks County is your all-access pass to the energy, ideas, and people making it happen.Subscribe now and come backstage — where the real stories are told.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 16: Love Saves the Day, Madonna & the Bouncer Who Came Back | Stasia Kauriga

    Stasia Kauriga runs Love Saves the Day, the vintage shop on Main Street in New Hope, PA that started in New York's East Village in 1966 and once hosted Madonna on the set of Desperately Seeking Susan.   In this episode of Backstage Bucks County, hosts Matt Freedman and Dustin Napoli talk with Stasia about how the store landed in New Hope, leaving a decade at Harley-Davidson to run it, and the time the building almost got sold until the town pushed back. She tells the story of a Trocadero bouncer who rescued her at a Beastie Boys show and then walked into her store decades later, plus run-ins with Daryl Hannah, Priscilla Presley, Jason Segel and the Indigo Girls. She also shares why New Hope's vintage shops send customers to each other, her perfect New Hope meal, and the local history she wants people to remember.   Chapters: 0:00 Cold Open 0:29 Meet Stasia Kauriga of Love Saves the Day 1:25 1966: Love Saves the Day Opens in the East Village 3:07 Madonna, Pee-wee Herman & the Autograph Wall 5:21 How Love Saves the Day Landed in New Hope 6:32 "I'm Gonna Own That Building One Day" 7:53 New Hope Is Changing. Can It Stay Quirky? 11:53 Why Vintage Shops Send You to Each Other 13:30 Love What You Do and You'll Never Work a Day 15:09 From Art School to Harley-Davidson Manager 17:59 A Meeting With the Bobs 21:45 Learning From Leslie (and Telling a Biker Off) 22:49 The Love Saves the Day Family 29:56 Meet Bethamphetamine 31:28 Laid Off the Morning After the CMA Awards 38:04 "The Minute You Stop Getting Nervous..." 38:46 Growing Up in a House of Musicians 43:56 Who Makes You Starstruck? 46:44 How Corporate Prepped Her to Run Her Own Shop 49:15 The Building Almost Got Sold 50:41 "Rip the Paperwork Up. It's Not Time Yet." 52:35 The Window Complaint & Why Everyone's Welcome 55:43 When Did the 90s Become Vintage? 57:27 Radio Mixtapes & Trocadero Memories 1:00:04 Beastie Boys, House of Pain & Run-DMC at the Trocadero 1:02:25 The Bouncer Who Walked Into Her Store Years Later 1:06:16 Fred Durst, Daryl Hannah & a 1930s Zipper 1:08:02 Jason Segel & Stasia's Christian Slater Grudge 1:10:37 Indigo Girls, Didi Conn & Chasing a TV Mom 1:13:55 Meeting Priscilla Presley 1:17:42 What's on Repeat: Elvis & Tom Waits 1:20:44 The Tom Waits Ticket Quiz & Elvis Costello 1:22:33 Stasia's Perfect New Hope Meal 1:26:28 What Only a Local Knows: Don't Forget the History 1:32:39 Find Stasia & Love Saves the Day   All episodes: https://rhythm.house/backstage-bucks-county Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s7zPq7fKzMU Follow @backstagebuckscounty

  2. Sep 30

    He Didn't Know It Was a Candlebox Audition | Brian Quinn Ep.15

    Brian Quinn went to a studio to play one guitar solo. He walked in, saw the whole band standing there, and thought, "I think this might be an audition." Not long after, he was in Candlebox. In Episode 15 of Backstage Bucks County, hosts Matt Freedman and Dustin Napoli sit down with rock guitarist, songwriter and producer Brian Quinn. Brian started the Pennsylvania rock band Octane, played in Fosterchild and Burial Ground, spent years as a Candlebox guitarist, and now he's releasing solo music that mixes hard rock, slide guitar and country. He calls it dark country. This Brian Quinn interview is for Candlebox fans, guitar players, songwriters and anyone who has ever sat on a song they were scared to share. Brian talks about recording 12 guitar songs in 6 hours on Candlebox's Wolves, learning slide guitar from Warren Haynes, church basement hardcore shows and how "bloodcore" got its name, working at Tower Records, what cover songs taught him about songwriting, his honest take on AI in songwriting, and his new song "Until Fall." Plus his pick for the best bowl of pho around and what he loves about Bucks County. Chapters: 0:00 An Unexpected Candlebox Audition 0:38 Meet Brian Quinn 2:00 Two Brothers, Kiss & Randy Rhoads 7:54 Church Basement Hardcore Shows 9:33 Burial Ground & How "Bloodcore" Got Its Name 11:11 Tower Records, Octane & Learning Songs Note for Note 14:12 How Playing Covers Taught Him to Write 17:12 Writing for Yourself & the Song "Cardinal" 18:45 Leaving Octane & Starting Fosterchild 21:39 How Fosterchild Met Candlebox 22:47 "I Think This Might Be an Audition" 24:18 Joining Candlebox & Making Records in Two Weeks 25:55 6 Hours to Record 12 Guitar Songs 29:22 Building a Music Career on Relationships 32:29 Until Fall & Brian's Solo Sound 33:29 How Warren Haynes Showed Him Slide 36:29 Dark Country & the New Music 39:31 Stephen Wilson Jr., Hudson Freeman & Finding New Music 44:36 How Brian Writes: Voice Memos & Morning Warm-Ups 48:42 Brian on AI in Songwriting 51:43 The Song That Didn't Fit Any Band 53:13 What's Next: Cardinal & the Full Album 55:15 Testing Songs Live & the Fear of Being Honest 59:51 The Song He Played at a Friend's Life Celebration 1:04:24 "What Do You Sound Like?" 1:05:15 What's on Repeat, Wild Game & the Best Pho Around 1:09:17 Bucks County Secrets & Where to Find Brian's Music Listen to Brian's music: https://brianquinnguitar.com Watch the full video on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/ttr5ofPIXc8] More episodes and guests: https://rhythm.house/backstage-bucks-county If you like the show, follow us, leave a review, and send this one to a friend who plays guitar. Backstage Bucks County is produced by Rhythm House. https://rhythm.house

  3. Sep 23

    He Told Keith Richards To Turn Down (Then Dave Grohl Called)! Ep.14

    He auditioned for the Rolling Stones and had the nerve to ask Keith Richards to turn his amps down. Weeks later, Dave Grohl tracked him down backstage to say thank you. This week on Backstage Bucks County, host Matt Freedman sits down with two legends: David Uosikkinen, drummer for The Hooters, and Kenny Aaronson, the bass player and producer who has shared a stage with Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Derringer, and nearly the Rolling Stones. David tells the story of the yellow Tama drum kit he played on MTV, the one Dave Grohl bought as a kid because he thought it looked cool, and later used to record Nirvana's Nevermind. Kenny walks through his Rolling Stones bass audition, from a cassette tape sent to Mick Jagger's camp to the moment he told Keith Richards to turn his amps down so he could hear Charlie Watts. Along the way: the drummer Kenny turned down for King Crimson (and who he told them to call instead), Rod Stewart's secret model train obsession, why Brother Louie almost went to a different band entirely, and what it actually takes to keep a band like The Hooters together for 46 years. CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: Keith Richards and Dave Grohl 00:46 Welcoming David and Kenny to the show 01:28 Catching up on Ilan Rubin and the Foo Fighters 02:36 Ilan Rubin at nine years old, a John Bonham disciple 06:12 The viral Dave Grohl moment 06:50 Backstage with Dave Grohl at a pop-up show 07:55 The yellow Tama kit and the Nevermind story 09:57 Introducing Kenny Aaronson 10:19 Blue Sparkle Rogers drums and Brooklyn beginnings 13:49 Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector, and Hal Blaine 17:20 Session legends and drummer worship 18:36 Seeing Kenny play with Derringer as a kid 20:32 Derringer, Vinnie Appice, and life on the road 23:25 Second on the bill to Led Zeppelin 26:19 How Brother Louie ended up on Kenny's resume 27:12 The Gorham Hotel and meeting Cream 28:39 Central Park with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood 29:20 Rod Stewart's secret model train obsession 46:47 Why hire Kenny if you want generic 48:40 The King Crimson call that wasn't for him 50:57 Recommending Tony Levin 51:30 Auditioning for the Rolling Stones 53:34 Get out of the shower, Mick Jagger's on the phone 57:23 Keith Richards' ashtray and the Stoli offer 59:45 Telling Keith Richards to turn down 1:19:53 What keeps The Hooters together after 46 years 1:23:05 The Brother Louie royalty fight 1:26:26 Pocket at Ardmore Music Hall, September 26th About the guests: David Uosikkinen is the drummer for The Hooters, together for 46 years, and a returning guest on Backstage Bucks County. Kenny Aaronson is a bass player and producer whose credits include Derringer, Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Hall & Oates, and a Rolling Stones bass audition most players only dream about. Backstage Bucks County is hosted by Matt Freedman and Dustin Napoli. New episodes drop regularly, wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by Rhythm House. www.Rhythm.House #BackstageBucksCounty #TheHooters #DaveGrohl #RollingStones #KeithRichards #PodcastClips #ClassicRock #DrummerInterview #BassistInterview #NirvanaNevermind

  4. Sep 16

    Given a 1% Chance: Tim Chiarolanza on Life After Brain Injury | Episode 13!

    Tim Chiarolanza's brain injury recovery did not look like anyone expected, including the doctor who gave him a 1% chance of living. In November 2021, Tim was a strength and conditioning coach in Bucks County when a freak accident left him fighting for his life. Three days after surviving being hit by a car, his brain bled and swelled without warning, and doctors told his wife and father to plan a funeral. He has no memory of the 7 weeks that followed. On episode 13 of Backstage Bucks County, Tim joins longtime friend Matt Freedman to walk through the accident, the coma, the week he spent convinced he was dreaming, and the slow work of relearning how to walk, talk, and live. He also introduces the Today Effect, the four daily anchors (purpose, action, presence, connection) that keep him grounded, and explains why his foundation, Triumph in Recovery, exists to support survivors and their caregivers. 00:00 A 1% chance and 7 missing weeks 01:38 Growing up in Bucks County together 03:30 Finding strength and conditioning 06:24 Why Tim tells parents to stop specializing their kids 15:48 The night everything changed 22:58 A doctor tells the family to plan a funeral 25:46 Waking up and thinking it's all a dream 30:59 Changing the question from why to what now 36:54 Getting his license back and his independence 39:03 Why caregivers need as much support as survivors 41:36 The Today Effect explained 51:23 Different person, same core 53:22 What people can't see about a brain injury 59:50 A hometown show steps up for the foundation 1:06:56 The book Tim is writing and how to help About Backstage Bucks County: hosted by Matt Freedman, entrepreneur, musician, and founder of Rhythm, LLC, the show spotlights the entrepreneurs, musicians, creatives, and business leaders shaping Bucks County. Produced inside Rhythm, a Bucks County content studio. Learn more about Tim's foundation, get involved, or donate at triumphinrecovery.com. Guest: Tim Chiarolanza, co-founder and president of Triumph in Recovery. Instagram @TimChiarolanza. Foundation Instagram @Triumph_in_Recovery. Thank you to FTL Bags for sponsoring this episode. Go to https://www.ftlbags.com/ #BackstageBucksCounty #TriumphInRecovery #BrainInjuryRecovery #TBIAwareness #BucksCountyPodcast

  5. May 1

    Backstage Bucks County – Episode 12 with Nicolas and Stephen Servis

    🎙 Backstage Bucks County – Episode 12 with Nicolas and Stephen Servis Host: Matt Freedman — Founder of Rhythm & Award-Winning Country Artist Guest: Nicolas and Stephen Servis Recorded at Rhythm Studios, New Hope, PA Episode 11 of Backstage Bucks County welcomes the Servis Bros! Nicolas and Stephen Servis are the owners of Servis Events, a private dining service that offers health-focused meals made with locally-sourced ingredients of the highest quality.  After being forced to leave their restaurant jobs due to COVID, the identical twins start their own food business based Bucks County. From animal butchery, gardening, growing under lights, tapping maple trees for syrup, raising bees and spinning the honey, making their own hot sauces & vinegars, to foraging for garnish- these bros have perfected the process of pairing delicous, natural meals with luxury service.  Read more about the Servis Bros and their mission here:  Our education started at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology where we were both enrolled in the Culinary Arts program. After completion, we went on to get our associates degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Bucks County Community College. The rest was taught in the kitchen. We both truly became deeply interested in the farm-to-table world when holding chef de partie positions at The Mainland Inn. Yes, we have worked in a lot of the same restaurants! We did full animal butchery, gardening, growing under lights, tapping maple trees for syrup, raising bees and spinning the honey, making our own hot sauces & vinegars, foraging for garnish and such. We were in our own little heaven of a restaurant. When volunteering at Quarry Hill Farm, Stephen was told about the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program, a pitch that said you could travel for free, as long as you offer your work to the farmers in exchange for housing and meals. Well, five years later, the time was just right and we spent 2 months on Flying Pond Farm in Vienna, Maine in the summer of 2020. That’s where this whole idea became just a distant reality. After countless conversations with the farmer and his family (Harold and the Grams), we had somewhat of a plan of attack for when we returned home to start cooking these private events. After a little bit of revising, we had our vision! 📚 Resources & Links Website: servis-events.com Instagram: @servisevents Facebook: Servis Events   Follow Matt Freedman & Backstage Bucks County Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com YouTube: ‪@mattfreedmanmusic‬  Instagram: @MattFreedmanmusic, @backstagebuckscounty Tiktok: @backstagebuckscounty Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com

  6. Mar 30

    Backstage Bucks County- Episode 11 with Dr. Beth Kaplan

    🎙 Backstage Bucks County – Episode 11 with Dr. Beth Kalplan Host: Matt Freedman — Founder of Rhythm & Award-Winning Country Artist Guest: Dr. Beth Kaplan Recorded at Rhythm Studios, New Hope, PA Episode 12 of Backstage Bucks County welcomes Dr. Beth Kaplan, a life-long resident of Bucks County and author of "Braving the Workplace." Dr. Kaplan is a keynote speaker dedicated to helping employee's find belonging in the workplace. She helps organizations strengthen trust, increase retention, and build cultures rooted in psychological safety and accountability. Her research-backed keynotes translate belonging into measurable performance outcomes. MORE ABOUT DR. BETH KAPLAN FROM HER WEBSITE:  Dr. Beth Kaplan helps leaders build high-performance cultures rooted in psychological safety and accountability. She bridges research and real-world execution and practical frameworks leaders can implement immediately. Her work focuses on: • Increasing retention • Reducing burnout • Strengthening trust • Improving cross-functional collaboration • Elevating accountability Belonging becomes the lever. Performance becomes the outcome. 📚 Resources & Links Website: drbethkaplan.com Instagram: @drbethkaplan Tiktok: @belongingdoc Facebook: Dr. Beth Kaplan, Ed. D.  LinkedIn: Dr. Beth Kaplan X: @DrBethKaplan Follow Matt Freedman & Backstage Bucks County Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com YouTube: ‪@mattfreedmanmusic‬  Instagram: @MattFreedmanmusic, @backstagebuckscounty Tiktok: @backstagebuckscounty Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com

  7. 12/05/2025

    Backstage Bucks County – Episode 10 with Blake Guss

    🎙 Backstage Bucks County – Episode 8 with Blake Guss, Motivational Speaker, Meditation Workshop Facilitator, and Co-Founder of Online Meditation Events: Guided Meditation for All Host: Matt Freedman — Founder of Rhythm & Award-Winning Country Artist Guest: Blake Guss Recorded at Rhythm Studios, New Hope, PA Introduction: Sharing Truth That Heals Episode 9 of Backstage Bucks County welcomes Blake Guss, a celebrated motivational speaker and the co-founder of Online Meditation Events- a company desined to assist clients with guided meditation practices. Blake and our host, Matt Freedman, first crossed paths in middle school, and reunited to discuss how an unhealthy mind can negatively impact every aspect of someone's life. Despite his struggles with self-hatred, isolation, and addiction, Blake made the courageous decision to overcoem his struggles through meditation and intensive therapy. He now dedicates his life to helping others heal from their trauma and learn how to direct positive energy pack into their lives. MORE ABOUT BLAKE GUSS: Blake is the Co-founder of OnlineMeditationEvents.com. With over 13 years of dedicated practice and enriched by extensive retreats across Asia, South America, and the United States under the guidance of masters, Blake’s journey is a testament to personal development through meditation. Having conquered high anxiety and navigated challenges in his 20s, he discovered and embodies True Peace through meditation. Blake has successfully led more than 300 meditation events and delivered illuminating lectures and transformative workshops at prestigious institutions such as NYU, St John’s University, and Square Inc. Over the past decade, he has guided thousands through personalized sessions, believing deeply that the answers to life’s challenges lie within oneself. Blake is committed to helping others unlock their potential and discover profound personal growth. A MESSAGE FROM ONLINE MEDITATION EVENTS: Break free from your blockages and embark on self-discovery in our Personal Development Meditation. Overcome mental barriers holding you back from your potential. Our guides introduce powerful meditation techniques to unlock inner wisdom and catalyze transformation. Gain clarity on life’s purpose, boost confidence, and develop tools to pursue goals. Through exercises and guided meditations, tap into innate strengths and cultivate a growth mindset. Join us to unlock your true potential and become your most authentic self. Discover how personal development leads to improved relationships, career success, and life satisfaction. 📚 Resources & Links YouTube:  @blakeguss &  @OMEmeditation   Instagram: @blakeguss & @onlinemeditationevents Facebook: Blake Guss & Online Meditation Events Website: onlinemeditationevents.com Follow Matt Freedman & Backstage Bucks County YouTube: ‪@mattfreedmanmusic‬  Instagram: @MattFreedmanmusic, @backstagebuckscounty Tiktok: @backstagebuckscounty Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com

  8. 11/28/2025

    Backstage Bucks County - Episode 9 with Jeff Mattes & Josh Frank from the Live Like Brent Foundation

    🎙 Backstage Bucks County – Episode 8 with Jeff Mattes & Josh Frank from the Live Like Brent Foundation Host: Matt Freedman — Founder of Rhythm & Award-Winning Country Artist Guest: Executive Director Jeff Mattes & President Josh Frank of the Live Like Brent Foundation Recorded at Rhythm Studios, New Hope, PA Introduction: Honoring the Life of Brent P. Evans Through the Live Like Brent Foundation Episode 8 of Backstage Bucks County is proud to welcome two very special guests, Jeff Mattes & Josh Frank. As executive director and president of the Live Like Brent Foundation, Jeff and Josh have devoted the past 15 years to supporting cancer patients and families who are in need of financial assistance. The LLBF was established to honor the life of Brent P. Evans, their upbeat and magnetic friend who founded the first official "Carve 4 Cancer" event as a way to raise funds for those battling blood cancer. ABOUT THE LLBF: The Live Like Brent Foundation stands as a beacon of hope for blood cancer patients, tirelessly working to lighten the heavy load they carry during their fight for survival. We understand that a diagnosis brings not only physical challenges but also overwhelming financial and emotional stress. That’s why we’re dedicated to transforming lives by creating comfort funds at hospitals—lifelines that empower patients to cover critical out-of-pocket costs such as life-saving medications, travel to treatments, nourishing meals, comfortable lodging, and essential utilities. Our mission goes beyond financial aid. By forging powerful partnerships with like-minded nonprofit organizations, we amplify our impact, weaving a network of compassion and support that tackles both the practical and emotional hardships of cancer. Every dollar donated, and every volunteer hour contributed fuels this vital work—offering relief, restoring dignity, and reminding patients they’re not alone. Your donation isn't just a contribution; it's a lifeline for individuals and families facing the uphill battle against blood cancer. Join us in this critically important mission to honor our late founder, Brent, and his legacy and make a tangible difference for those battling blood cancer. Together, we can ease their journey and inspire hope, one life at a time. BRENT'S STORY: A LEGEND NAMED BRENT In 2010, Brent was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The diagnosis changed Brent's life forever, but he remained the same upbeat, funny, cheerful, electric human he always was. Brent went on to receive treatment at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. It was there when he envisioned an epic snowboarding event to raise funds to 'shred blood cancer,' which he called Carve 4 Cancer. By 2012, Brent was in remission, and the first Carve 4 Cancer (C4C) fundraiser was underway in the Pocono Mountains. The event was a huge success, raising thousands by bringing live music, ski/snowboard competitions, and a party atmosphere to the heart of a ski resort. In the following years, Brent stayed focused and committed to helping others who were going through what he went through. He grew C4C annually and recruited dozens of volunteers and sponsors to join his vision. In 2017, Brent’s cancer returned, and the world lost an extraordinary soul. But his vision lives on. Today, the Live Like Brent Foundation continues his work, offering hope, support, and relief to those walking the path he once walked. Brent's legacy is not just a foundation—it’s a movement to live boldly, give generously, and fight with heart. 📚 Resources & Links YouTube:  @livelikebrent   Instagram: @livelikebrent Facebook: Live Like Brent Foundation Website: livelikebrent.com Follow Matt Freedman & Backstage Bucks County YouTube: ‪@mattfreedmanmusic‬  Instagram: @MattFreedmanmusic, @backstagebuckscounty Tiktok: @backstagebuckscounty Website: MattFreedmanmusic.com

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About

Backstage Bucks County showcases the region’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, musicians, creatives, and business leaders. Hosted by Matt Freedman — entrepreneur, musician, and founder of Rhythm, LLC — the show dives into the raw grind, creative hustle, and personal stories shaping Bucks County’s culture and economy. Produced inside Rhythm, LLC — Bucks County’s premier podcast and content studio — the show is part of our mission to spotlight the region’s most influential and creative minds while giving the community a voice of its own.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or simply curious about the people shaping Bucks County, Backstage Bucks County is your all-access pass to the energy, ideas, and people making it happen.Subscribe now and come backstage — where the real stories are told.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Freedman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Backstage Bucks County
  • Show Website
    Backstage Bucks County

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