Tour Stories

Ruinous Media

Joe Plummer's friends share their stories from life on the road. We hear funny, sad and sometimes scary tales from musicians and comedians. Have a tour story? Send a message to [email protected]. Tour Stories is produced by Ruinous Media. htt...

  • 23 minutes 29 seconds
    The Check-In with tofusmell

    Rae Chen is a singer, songwriter and guitarist operating under the moniker tofusmell. His debut full length album All My Time is due out April 24th via Hardly Art. Rae tells us how he grew up in Florida on the edges of both a pop punk and worship scene, and why he picked up the guitar and eventually found himself in Winnipeg. We hear how his approach to writing gives a feeling of sonic closeness, how he responded to more production on All My Time and the role ambiance plays on the new record. Joe and Rae discuss how collaboration is important to the visual side of tofusmell, why he looks forward to the “band” version of live performance and we hear the new single (me tomorrow).

    tofusmell

    Hardly Art

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs.

    or 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Distrokid

    Schecter Guitars

    Izotope

    Heil sound

    "For 60 years, Heil Sound has provided innovative, professional quality sound for stage, studio, broadcast, and podcast. Grammy-winning artists and sound engineers worldwide trust Heil microphones for their legendary sound. To find out more about the full line of Heil microphones and products, visit heilsound.com.

    3 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 27 minutes 18 seconds
    The Check-In with Carla J Easton

    Carla J Easton is a Glasgow based singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. Her newest record, I Think That I Might Love You is due may 8th via Ernest Jenning Records. Carla tells us why the new record is more guitar focused than her previous releases and how it changed her view on the creative process. We learn why she in more comfortable with her lyrics and how that has has translated into a more evocative delivery on I Think That I Might Love You. Carla share’s her collaborative experience of making the record and why a more live approach captured the energy she was looking for. She explains how her brother’s advice at a young age influenced her artistic life and we sample some new tunes.

    CARLA J EASTON

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Distrokid

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    27 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 22 minutes
    The Check-In with Billy Fuller-Beak

    Billy Fuller is a song writer, bass player and founding member of the band Beak>. Billy’s debut solo album Fragments is a sonic journey that spans time as it collects fragments of Billy creating alone in his home studio over the last few years. The songs not only inspire the visual, but they hypnotize, pulse and guide the listener through a hazy, atmospheric, and groovy motorik landscape. Fragments is available April 3rd via Invada Records, with two singles out now. Billy tells us how this record came to fruition, and he shares his process for compiling the songs, which were selected from a pool of 60+ pieces. He tells us why Fragments is a great example of Billy enjoying himself, we learn what his main goals in songwriting are, and he shares his approach to tracking songs. Joe and Billy discuss the making of the video for the single Three Blind Mice, Billy tells us why he celebrates owning the sole responsibility for the success of Fragments and Joe hedges on his usual critique of Billy’s artistic output.

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Schecter Guitars

    Izotope

    Distrokid

    20 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 49 minutes 4 seconds
    The Check-In with Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor-BACH ARTILLERIE

    Bach Artillerie is made up of multi-instrumental wizards Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) and Curt Sydnor. This absurdist take on the nine canons from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations and his Brandenburg concerto no. 5. will be released on April 24th via Ernest Jenning Records. We get a unique perspective from both Greg and Curt not only on Bach’s musicality, but his work ethic, the root of his dissonance and why Bach has a grounding influence on their own music creation. They discuss how a Lutheran work ethic relates to music making today and why being less productive may be better for our species in general. Greg and Curt explain why it’s important to “play tempo to the room”, they share their experience of making the record in one day and the three discuss why AI is more of an indication of a lack of trust rather than a lack of competence. Curt tells us how a re-arrangement of a Deerhoof song brought he and Greg together, we hear a new tune and somehow the topic of The Red Hot Chili Peppers sneaks into the conversation.

    Bach Artillerie

    Ernest Jenning Records

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    13 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 24 minutes 47 seconds
    The Check-In with Alex Edkins-Weird Nightmare

    Alex Edkins is a singer, song writer and guitarist for Weird Nightmare, Noble Rot and Metz. The newest Weird Nightmare album Hoopla is out May 1 via Sup Pop Records and is the quintessence of power pop punk rock and roll. Alex tells us why the new record leans into a more direct and fun approach and where his love for power pop began. We learn how his lyrics have moved to a more personal delivery and why Hoopla is in many ways a sentimental and reminiscent journey. Alex share’s how his song writing and level of effort for Weird Nightmare differs from the dissonant riffage of Metz and why he sees Hoopla as an overall serendipitous experience. Joe and Alex share their love for producer Jim Eno, discuss the “twofer” nature of the Hoopla and we sample a couple new tunes.

    Weird Nightmare

    Sub Pop Records

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union is YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    1. Club Saw
    2. Three Penny Opera
    3. Hayden
    4. Noble Rot
    5. Spoon
    6. Juliana Riolino
    7. Red Cross
    8. Buzzcocks
    9. Robin Hitchcock
    10. Cleaners from Venus
    11. Undertones
    12. Oasis

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Distrokid

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    6 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 29 minutes 20 seconds
    The Check-In with Austin Brose-The Nude Party

    Austin Brose is the percussionist, drummer, and a founding member of The Nude Party. Their newest record, Look Who’s Back” is out now just ahead of an extensive North American tour. Austin shares the origin of The Nude Party, the inseparable and nomadic nature of the group and why he thinks learning to play their instruments together has forged a healthy evolution of song writing. He tells us why the band landed in Joshua Tree to make the new record, how 70’s NYC and glam rock may have seeped into some of the recording, and he shares a wild and shirtless studio moment. The two drummers dig into Austin’s approach to tracking percussion and his experience of moving to the drum kit after 10 years as the percussionist. Austin hips Joe to a performance of the national anthem on congas and we hear a couple bangers from Look Who’s Back.

    The Nude Party

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Our newest sponsor Kingston Union YOUR store for the legendary Winos.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    Distrokid

    27 February 2026, 7:00 am
  • 25 minutes 16 seconds
    The Check-In with Grrl Gang

    Formed in Yogyakarta, based in Jakarta, Grrl Gang is an Indonesian indie pop band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Angee Sentana, bassist/vocalist Akbar Rumandung, and guitarist/vocalist Edo Alventa. Their newest maxi-single release Online 24/7 is out now via Green Island Music. Angee and Akbar share the origin of the band and how The Stone Roses not only changed Akbar’s life but played a role in the formation of the Grrl Gang. Angee tells us why her approach to the new songs is more direct and how their fans influenced this approach. She explains why she wanted to address the subject of femicide on the song O, My Love and why it was important to come from an empathetic perspective. The three discuss touring in Southeast Asia, the “guitarist personality” and we sample a few tunes from Online 24/7.

    Grrl Gang

    Green Island Music

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Kingston Union YOUR store for the legendary Winos


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Izotope

    Distrokid

    Schecter Guitars

    20 February 2026, 7:00 am
  • 40 minutes 34 seconds
    The Check-In with Asher White

    Asher White is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC. Her newest release, Jessica Pratt, is a full album cover of Jessica Pratt’s self-titled debut LP (out now on Joyful Noise). Asher share’s her love for the Pratt record, the motivation behind covering an entire record and how the kernel of this idea may have stemmed from a tiny fib. She explains why the recording already written songs was both challenging and fun, how that changed her approach and how trust in someone else’s writing played a role in the process. Asher tells us how she deals with noise and ambiance in her songwriting, why drums are the typically the last instrument on her recordings and Joe and Asher discuss the beauty of the “family computer”.

    Asher White

    Joyful Noise

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Kingston Union

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    Distrokid

    13 February 2026, 7:00 am
  • 32 minutes 10 seconds
    The Check-In with James Petralli-WHITE DENIM (13)

    James Petralli is the singer, songwriter and founding member of the now Los Angeles based band, White Denim. The newest release 13 will hit the streets on April 24th via Bella Union. Second time guest Petralli share’s the thoughtful and sonically aggressive nature behind the new record and how it relates to his personal experience his community and the state of affairs in the US. The two discuss James’s approach to recording and his adherence to a collective process. They share thoughts on the band Geese, idiosyncratic songwriting, and creative integrity. Joe and James express their love for Italy, doodles and we get a taste of the newest, rip roaring, hard funk blues single, (God Created) Lock And Key.

    White Denim

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Kingston Union

    1. White Denim
    2. Bella Union

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    Distrokid

    6 February 2026, 7:00 am
  • 39 minutes 20 seconds
    The Check-In with Andrew Becker-Human Potential

    Andrew Becker is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and founder Human Potential. The newest release Eel Sparkles in out on March 6th via What Delicate Recordings. Andrew tells us how band dynamic drove him start his solo project and why he puts music before self in his expression. He shares his approach to learning other instruments outside of drumming and why he dedicated himself to the craft of song writing. Joe and Andrew commiserate on the life changing power of the Bad Brains record Rock For Light, Charles Hayward’s (This Heat) drumming iconic drumming style and we sample some tunes from Eel Sparkles.

    Human Potential

    Rock For Light

    This Heat

    Het

    This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.

    Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid

    Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs

    Ruinous Media

    Kingston Union

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Schecter Guitars

    Izotope

    Distrokid

    30 January 2026, 7:00 am
  • 36 minutes 37 seconds
    Special Episode. Zak Sally and the Minneapolis response to the ICE invasion.

    Zak Sally, a Minneapolis resident, talks with Joe about the unwarranted and ill planned ICE invasion of his city that resulted in the murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

    Read Zak's thoughts on the ICE invasion here. Zak Sally

    Zak's music here. The Hand

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Distrokid

    Izotope

    Schecter Guitars

    27 January 2026, 3:56 pm
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