Podcast
Top Hill Recording Podcast
Hosted by Neil Johnstone/Brad Weston · EN
Whether you write music, record music, play music.......or just LOVE music, this podcast is for you!
Note: Mix equal parts Top Hill Recording Podcast and bourbon.
Visit "One Shot One Mic One Song" on YouTube to hear artists from this podcast recorded live with a minimalist one mic approach from the past.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ian Abel
6d ago00:52:39Tap to summarizeNashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Ian Abel brings a powerful, stripped-down approach to the Top Hill Recording Podcast with his solo acoustic performances. Known as the frontman of the Ian Abel Band, Abel has built a reputation for blending heartfelt songwriting with dynamic guitar work that ranges from intimate and soulful to energetic and commanding.An international award-winning guitarist, Ian gained widespread recognition when the Ian Abel Band’s breakout track “Shoes” was licensed by All Elite Wrestling for the Cody and Dustin Rhodes promo featured at the inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view. The video earned a nomination for Best Song/Score in a Trailer at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.Ian has toured as lead guitarist for T. Graham Brown and has shared stages with artists including Dillon Carmichael, Canadian trio The Heels, and Australian artist Brittany Elise. His music has been featured on Spotify and Apple Music and praised by outlets such as 91.9 WFPK, which described his sound as “an expansive, stadium-ready rock sound.”As a solo acoustic performer, Abel offers a more personal side of his music — delivering emotionally driven originals, engaging storytelling, and reimagined versions of his rock-driven catalog with raw authenticity and skilled musicianship. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and iconic venues including the Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go, and Viper Room, captivating audiences with performances that showcase both his technical ability and heartfelt songwriting.
Transcribe →Midday Mayday
3w ago00:39:01Tap to summarizeMidday Mayday is a Louisville-based punk/metalcore band delivering crushing riffs, chaotic energy, and just the right amount of self-awareness. Describing themselves as “a very professional and serious band that plays our serious songs with professionalism and seriousness,” the group blends heavy breakdowns with an unmistakable sense of humor that keeps crowds guessing. Equal parts aggression and satire, Midday Mayday feels like the soundtrack to your older brother’s burned CD collection — loud enough to shake the walls and sharp enough to leave a mark. Whether they’re tearing through a packed basement show or a local venue stage, Midday Mayday proves that being your older brother’s favorite band is still a title worth fighting for.
Transcribe →THREEGON
Apr 800:53:12Tap to summarizeFormed in 2020, this young four-piece has quickly built a reputation for sounding far beyond their years. The lineup features Zach Yates on guitar, Shawn Blu holding down the bass, Andrew Barnes on vocals, and Max Comings behind the drums—each bringing a distinct musical voice despite their age.Their sound is a melting pot of American roots and classic styles, blending elements of rock, blues, soul, jazz, funk, country, and folk into something that feels both fresh and familiar. There’s a timeless quality to their music—listeners often find echoes of legendary acts woven into their sound, yet never in a way that feels derivative.The band leans fully into that old-school spirit. From their look to their musicianship, they channel the energy of a different era, delivering performances with a level of confidence and authenticity that’s rare for a group this young. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a genuine connection to the craft.
Transcribe →Cowboy Preachers Club
Mar 2501:22:50Tap to summarizeWe are Cowboy Preachers Club - A group of friends from Louisville, KY bringing together psychedelic, Americana, and even Midwest-Emo flavors in a kaleidoscopic gumbo that still feels at home on a back porch.Songs are long-simmered in a home-studio until the taste is just right—about the strangeness of love, the fiery hope behind loss, and the strength it takes to leave misery behind you, coughing in the dust.Join the club!
Transcribe →After You Left
Feb 2400:57:51Tap to summarizeMaterializing from Louisville, KY, After You Left channels the raw emotion of bands like Title Fight and Joyce Manor while delivering a versatile range of musicality. From slow and somber to melodic and dancey, all the way to hard and heavy, After You Left isn’t afraid to challenge their sound while staying true to the core of their music, which is raw, unfiltered emotion. Founded in 2025, the band features frontman and vocalist Zaq Wilcher, bassist Jared Lewis, drummer Justin Watkins, lead guitarist Ben Michels, and rhythm guitarist Jacob Doss. On the surface, an After You Left show is high-energy and fun, but beneath that energy lies deep emotional expression, with heartfelt vocals and lyrics layered with unique harmonies, catchy guitar riffs, and a solid rhythmic foundation. After You Left brings honesty, passion, and intensity to every stage they step on, creating an experience that connects deeply with anyone who listens.
Transcribe →Adrian Taylor
Jan 3101:00:42Tap to summarizeAdrian Taylor, born Sacramento and raised in Anderson, CA, is a self-taught guitarist who began writing lyrics at the age of 14. By 16, he was performing in local bars, and at 21, he relocated to Louisville, KY, to explore new musical opportunities. Since moving to Louisville, Adrian has opened for several Nashville recording artists, including Thompson Square, Kip Moore, Nikko Moon, and Mitchell Tenpenny.
Transcribe →Spookie
Nov 1901:17:46Tap to summarizeJake "Spookie" Smith w/ his band
Transcribe →Watkins
Oct 1701:03:25Tap to summarizeWith a desire to open the mind of the modern music scene, Watkins brings flavors of Classic Pop and Alternative Rock into the world with an experimental twist. Their folk-rock and indie influence comes across in the dynamics of the music. Lead Singer, Taylor Watkins, has created a grassroots following across the country, known for his new age guitar picking and unique vocal performance. The band brings love and energy to the stage and always leaves the crowd with a deeper sense of community. The love for traveling and psychedelic spirituality shines through in the lyrics and keeps the band motivated to spread their message.
Transcribe →Lucy & the Love Letters
Sep 2601:03:40Tap to summarizeLucy & The Love Letters isn’t just a band—it’s a living, breathing love story told through sweet melodies, vivid memories, and meaningful words. Founded by Kentucky singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Lucy Becker, the project was born from an unexpected spark: a songwriting assignment that ignited a lifelong passion for transforming emotion into music. From that first tune, Becker knew she was meant to write more than songs—she was meant to craft love letters in sound.Blending jazz, pop, and touches of bluegrass, Lucy & The Love Letters creates a spellbinding sound marked by sultry undertones and an unapologetically unique flair. The band features a rotating cast of musicians, each bringing their own influences and sonic secrets to the stage. No two performances are ever the same, making every show a one-of-a-kind experience.Their debut performance unfolded inside the cozy magic of Hidden Chapter Bookstore in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, followed just two months later by a headlining New Year’s Eve celebration at 21C Museum & Hotel in Lexington, where they partnered with Sora Aerial Arts for a fully immersive night of music and movement.Lucy & The Love Letters released their first single, “Sweetest Shade of Rose,” on August 29, 2025, now available on all streaming platforms. More than just music, the band invites listeners to slow down, notice the beauty hidden in ordinary moments, and let those fleeting details linger long after the final note.
Transcribe →Fuzzstration
Sep 2101:42:58Tap to summarizeFuzzstration was formed in 2018 by Eric Rhodes, Matt Seelye and Ryan Smith in Crandall, Indiana. The musical style can be summed up as “modern classic rock” with a wide variety of influences. In 2021, Fuzzstration started the “Fuzzy Pig Festival” in Milltown, Indiana. From building the venue from the ground up, it has become a hit in the local community featuring original bands of any style from the area.
Transcribe →