This week on No Simple Road, we’re stepping straight into the heart of Pacific Northwest bluegrass culture with the amazing organizers of the Newgrass Festival in Newberg, Oregon, joined by our dear friends Christian DeBenedetti and Rachel Bonnett of Newgrass Fest as well as Joe Suskind and Crystal Lariza of the band Never Come Down! If you’ve ever wondered how a festival becomes a living, breathing community—or what it takes to keep the spirit of roots music evolving—this episode is going to light you up.

Aaron, Mel, and Apple sit down with the folks behind Newberg’s newest musical gathering to talk about the festival’s origin story, the passion that fuels it, and the vision for creating a space where tradition and innovation dance together. We explore the challenges and joys of building a festival from the ground up, cultivating a family vibe, and weaving music into the cultural fabric of a small Oregon town.

Joe and Crystal of Never Come Down share their own journey with the festival, what it means to be part of this musical renaissance, and how the bluegrass and newgrass scenes continue to push boundaries while staying rooted in soul and storytelling. From songwriting and touring to nurturing community and supporting upcoming artists, their perspective brings heart and depth to the conversation.

Together, we dig into the magic of gatherings, the power of collaboration, and the way live music creates connection that lasts far beyond the final note.

If you love bluegrass, newgrass, festival culture, or the PNW music scene, this episode is a beautiful, behind-the-scenes ride into the people who make the music happen.

For tickets and info head to: www.newgrassfest.com

Follow Newgrass on IG @newgrassfest

Follow Never Come Down on IG @nevercomedownband

Follow Wolves and People Brewing on IG @wolvesandpeople

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This week the No Simple Road Family welcomes the incredible Natalie Brooke — keyboard wizard, powerhouse vocalist, bandleader, and radiant force in the jam / funk / fusion universe! Natalie joins Aaron, Mel, and Apple to talk about her journey through music, creativity, self-discovery, and what it means to show up fully as yourself both on and off the stage.

We get into the early sparks that ignited her musical fire, the teachers and bands that shaped her sound, and how she found her own voice as a performer in a scene that’s always evolving. Natalie opens up about the magic of improvisation, channeling energy through her keys, and the deep trust it takes to step out into the unknown every night in front of a live audience.

But this conversation isn't just about music — it’s about growth, empowerment, and remembering why we create in the first place. Natalie shares how she stays grounded while touring, how collaboration fuels her spirit, and how she keeps music fun, playful, and deeply connected to joy.

Together, we explore the community that forms around live music, how art becomes a language for the soul, and the ways in which sound can bring us home to ourselves.

Head over to https: nataliebrookemusic.com for tour info and more and follow her on IG @noodlybrooke

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover!

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Get ready, family — this week on No Simple Road, we’re hanging with the one and only Larry Keel, a bluegrass legend, master picker, and true steward of the jamgrass spirit! Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome Larry into the circle for a real, heart-forward conversation that goes way beyond the usual talk of tours and records.

We dive deep into the magic of community and connection that lives inside the music — from the Northwest String Summit memories and Larry’s long friendship with Yonder Mountain String Band, to the way shared stages become sacred spaces. Larry opens up about his incredible musical partnership with his wife, Jenny, and how their bond has shaped both their sound and their lives.

The crew explores the evolution of bluegrass — how pioneers like Sam Bush and modern trailblazers like Billy Strings are expanding the boundaries of the genre while honoring its roots. Larry shares stories from the road and the river, including his experiences at Carnegie Hall, Japan, and his own music-meets-nature gathering, Bass and Grass.

If you love bluegrass, jamgrass, or just the feeling of deep connection that music brings, this one’s for you.

Head over to https: larrykeel.com for tour info and more and follow larry on IG @larrykeel

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover!

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between!

This week's rewind takes us into a discussion around how healing can show up at the oddest of times and our willingness to take the medicine we are served.

This is old school NSR at its best... Aaron, Mel, and Apple working it out in real-time, with a little help from our NSR Family and The Tepid Line.

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

This week on No Simple Road, we sit down with Brad Zerman, founder of Seven Point Cannabis, to explore how cannabis, music, and culture intersect to create something bigger than business.

Brad shares his journey of opening and running dispensaries across Illinois and beyond, and how his latest project in Danville, Illinois with Seven Point is redefining what a cannabis experience can be. Imagine an outdoor market, food trucks, nightly live music, and a smoke lounge — all designed to bring people together around community and creativity.

With a background in navigating highly regulated industries, Brad has been at the forefront of cannabis compliance, security, and business operations. But at the heart of his vision is something deeper: building an ecosystem where cannabis is a catalyst for cultural connection, live events, and shared experiences.

✨ Topics We Cover:

• The inspiration and vision behind Seven Point Cannabis

• How dispensaries can become hubs for music, food, and community

• Balancing compliance with creativity in the cannabis industry

• The cultural value of cannabis and its role in connection

Whether you’re curious about the future of cannabis culture, passionate about live music and local communities, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening beyond the dispensary doors, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on where cannabis and culture meet.

Tune in now and discover how Seven Point Cannabis is creating more than a dispensary — it’s creating an experience.

For schedule of events, menu, specials, and more head over to: sevenpoint.org

Visit ⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover!

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This week on No Simple Road, we welcome guitarist and composer Ben Garnett to dive into the stories, sounds, and inspirations behind his brand-new album, Kites Keep.

Ben takes us on a journey through the making of Kites Keep, exploring how his love of film and visual storytelling shapes his approach to composition and improvisation. We discuss the interplay between music and cinema, the way sound can evoke imagery and emotion, and how creativity bridges the gap between what we hear and what we see.

From his roots as a guitarist to his evolution as a bold, imaginative composer, Ben shares insights into his process, the challenges of pushing musical boundaries, and the joy of creating work that resonates with both ears and eyes.

Topics We Cover:

• The inspiration and process behind Kites Keep

• How film and visual art influence Ben’s music

• The crossover between storytelling, composition, and improvisation

• Building bridges between the jam world, jazz, and cinematic soundscapes

Whether you’re a fan of jam bands, jazz, cinematic music, or the creative process itself, this episode offers a deep look into the artistry of a rising voice in today’s music world.

Head over to ⁠www.bengarnett.net⁠ for show info and more and follow him on IG ⁠@kidgarnett

Visit ⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover!

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between!

This week's rewind has us in the studio (without Mel) with our special guests Kris and Chelsea Howland! Kris is the man at the helm of Heady Wax Fiends. We talk about the state of the union in the scene today, what Kris' origin story with collecting vinyl is, how Kris and Chelsea met on a bench at Dick's and a ton more!

Come hang with us!

Follow HWF on IG @heady_wax_fiends and on FB HERE

Visit them online at www.headywaxfiends.com

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

On this episode of No Simple Road, we sit down with Trish Imbrogno, aka Trish Plays Bass! From her early days training in classical music to diving headfirst into bluegrass, Trish shares the story of how music has shaped her path.

We talk about the shift from structured classical training to the freedom of improvisation, the energy of the bluegrass scene, and what it means to be part of a thriving community. Trish opens up about collaboration, creativity, and the magic of live music that connects us all.

If you love jam bands, bluegrass, improvisation, the Grateful Dead, Phish, or live music culture, this conversation will strike a chord.

Listen now and join us for an inspiring journey with Trish Plays Bass!

Head over to www.trishplaysbass.com for show info and more and follow her on IG @trishplaysbass

Visit ⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover!

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between!

This week's rewind has it all! We're talking about the upcoming Billy Strings shows here in Eugene this weekend which leads to a discussion around the genius surrounding the center of that particular whirlwind. Blending genres into something completely new is no small feat and were here for it!

Then, our A.I chat buddy gave us a suggestion for a topic of conversation: Is the lot scene a microcosm of the wider world, is is total chaos, is it a representation of how things could be if we all work together? Listen in and see what we came up with!

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between!

This week's rewind has all three of us back in the studio catching y'all up with Mel and Apple and diggin into some theories and thoughts on EMF smog, sunlight exposure, mitochondria, cold water therapy, small town people, overstimulation, and of course... Aaron's opinion of the recent GD60 shows in San Francisco.

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between!

This week's rewind is a throwback to the very first episode of NSR. Aaron is here, solo, sharing what had been going on with him lately. Going through a re-examination of choices made, finding the strength to see the good, and reminders of how important community, friends, and family really are. It's all in here.

Thanks for listening to us and for being here to support us. We love y'all.

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No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music