Podcast
Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer
Hosted by Ruinous Media · EN
Joe Plummer and friends share their stories from life on the road. We hear funny, sad and sometimes scary tales from musicians, comedians and writers. He's also "Checks-In" with artists to hear new music, find out what they've been up to and whats next on the creative docket. Have a tour story? Want to get in touch with Joe? Send a message to hello@ruinousmedia.com. Tour Stories is produced by Ruinous Media. http://www.ruinousmedia.com/tourstories/
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Episodes
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The Check-In with Mallory Hawk
1w ago00:25:34Tap to summarizeMallory Hawk is a singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia by way of Fayetteville NC. Her self-released debut record Chinook is out July 31st. Mallory shares her experience growing up in a music rich household and why she ultimately settled with guitar as her main instrument. We learn how her songwriting style has evolved for the new record, she tells us the story behind the record title and how a military upbringing influenced the concept. The two discuss Mallory's process in the studio, how this elaborate group of songs retain a cohesion as a record over all and why she was more comfortable collaborating on Chinook. Joe admits he thought he incorrectly heard a guest singer on the record and we hear two new tunes. Mallory HawkSummer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now.Episode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comMentioned in this episode:Kuma CoffeeIzotopeDistrokidKingston UnionKingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com
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The Check-In with Lily Wolter-Penelope Isles
2w ago00:43:11Tap to summarizeLily Wolter is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and along with her brother Jack, a founding member of Brighton based band, Penelope Isles. Their newest release, 3 is due out September 25th via Bella Union. Lily shares her experience growing up on the Ilse of Mann, how that shaped her relationship with music and what motivated her and her brother to start playing music together. She tells us why the band took a three-year break, what they did with that time, and why Penelope Isles feels stronger than ever. Joe and Lily discuss her story telling style, the songwriting connection that these siblings have, and how their collaboration has evolved. The two bond on video making and content creation, how breaking the fourth wall drove the concept for their newest video, and we hear some new tunes. Penelope IslesBella UnionSummer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now.Episode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comMentioned in this episode:IzotopeDistrokidKingston UnionKingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Kuma Coffee
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The Check-In with Dent May
3w ago00:36:05Tap to summarizeDent May is an LA based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His 7th full length record The Big One is due out August 14th via Carpark Records. Dent share’s his experience growing up in Mississippi and why his connection to music was so meaningful both as a child and in his formative years. He tells us how his production approach rides the line of maximalist and minimalist, why he chose to track live and how he wrangled his array of influences to create a unique sound for The Big One. Dent and Joe talk about the connection that artist Joe Brainard has to the single I Remember, and we hear about the efforts it took for the song to finally be make in on a record. We get a look into Dent’s mixing approach, and we hear a couple new songs.Dent MayCar Park RecordsSummer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now.Episode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comMentioned in this episode:Kuma CoffeeIzotopeKingston UnionKingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com Distrokid
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The Check In with Evil Island- Cody Votolato-Johnny Whitney
4w ago00:48:46Tap to summarizeEvil Island have announced their debut album, Terraform The Afterlife, arriving August 14 via Blowed Out Records. Born from the creative firestorm that followed The Blood Brothers' 2024 reunion tour, the record finds Johnny Whitney, Cody Votolato, Mark Gajadhar and Autry Fulbright pushing their collective chemistry into bold new territory. In this episode, Johnny and Cody explain the story behind Evil Island, how The Blood Brothers 2024 tour was the springboard for the new band and why it feels like they are operating at the height of their songwriting. The two share their views on the importance of a good producer/band relationship and why longtime friend Ross Robinson was not only a perfect fit for the record, but more like a 5th member. Johnny shares his experience of relearning to sing after a 9-year break, why he was motivated to become a singer again and why he feels like he’s reached his best singer and lyricist self. The two explain how creating uncomfortable space in the studio led to a deeper comradery, more reliance on instincts and yielded better performance. They discuss how their songwriting has developed from their younger selves, how that allows more freedom of expression, and we hear some new songs from Terraform The Afterlife.Evil Island Blowed Out RecordsTour Stories supported by Kingston Union who is having their Summer Slip On sale now. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 for 25% All Slip-On's. Go here Kingston UnionTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidSummer Slip On Sale at Kingston Union. Add a little leisure and style to your summer vibrations with our classic Slip-On. Right now we're offering 25% Off on ALL Slip-On's. Pre beach, post beach, breezy nights on the deck or be your chillest self on your daily errands. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 to get yours now.Mentioned in this episode:DistrokidKingston UnionKingston Union, your home for the original Wino shoes Kingstonunionmfg.com IzotopeSchecter Guitars
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The Check-In with Dawson Daugherty-Almost Monday
Jun 2600:29:42Tap to summarizeDawson Daugherty is a singer, songwriter and founding member of Almost Monday. Their second album Thank God It’s Almost Monday is due out September 9 via Hollywood Records and are on tour now with Young The Giant and Cold War Kids. This week Joe reports from the back of a tour bus where Dawson share’s the unique origin of Almost Monday, how surfing played a role in the formation of the band and why Dawson with inspired to delve into songwriting as a youngster. The two discuss the sophomoric pressure for the new record, how it came from extreme highs and lows for the band and why that lends to its diverse song to song sound. Dawson tells us why the lead single Leaving Is Easy is an important song for the band, he shares some insight into his writing process, and we get a sample of the newest single, Delicate.Almost MondayTour Stories supported by Kingston Union who is having their Summer Slip On sale now. Use code SUMMERSLIPS25 for 25% All Slip-On's. Go here Kingston UnionTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode:IzotopeDistrokidKuma Coffee
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Special Episode! As Many Weirdos As Possible with Steve Manning
Jun 1900:13:27Tap to summarizeThis is a special episode. We would like to present As Many Weirdos As Possible, a documentary photography project honoring the Pacific Northwest music scene from 1985 to 1995. A team of photographers is capturing portraits of bartenders, musicians, engineers, journalists and others from the community, in places that tie them to their stories. Through portraits and handwritten memories, it spotlights the creators and unsung figures who shaped a movement that changed the world. In this episode we hear from Steve Manning at a Seattle Town Hall event on April 17th 2026. Steve Manning has lived everywhere cool in the PNW (Tacoma, Olympia, Seattle), is a 9+ year Sub Pop Records veteran and Joe's occasional pickleball pal. Introduction by John Roderick (Harvey Danger, Long Winters).As Many Weirdos As PossiblePoser ProductionsVideo at Town HallTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode: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.IzotopeDistrokidKuma Coffee
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The Check in with Bob Bert- Beach Bongo Bloodbath, Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls
Jun 1200:16:58Tap to summarizeBob Bert is a New Jersey based drummer, writer, and punk rock veteran whose resume includes Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls and Lydia Lunch. His debut solo record Beach Bongo Bloodbath is due out June 12th via Bar None Records. Bob shares the process and inspiration behind the new record, which is largely made up of an eclectic collection of covers. We learn how a specific percussion setup shaped the record, how he chose the songs to record and why Beach Bongo Bloodbath is a guitar-free recording.The two discuss Bob’s recording process, Bob shares the details for the jam-packed record release event and we hear some new tunes. Bob BertBar None RecordsTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode:DistrokidKuma CoffeeHeil 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.Izotope
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The Check-In with Melanie Radford
Jun 500:22:51Tap to summarizeMelanie Radford is a bassist, singer and songwriter based in Seattle. Her debut solo album For The Sake Of Stillness is due out June 26th via Jealous Butcher Record. Melanie shares her experience in the Boise music scene and why she shifted her playing from jazz to rock. We learn how For The Sake Of Stillness is both a personal mediation and a need for stillness and grounding. She tells us why field recordings operate as the core of the record and how they operate as a living collaborator. Joe and Melanie discuss her writing and recording process, why bass is necessary to contextualize her songwriting and how the lush ambient presence was achieved. Melanie tells us about her approach to performing the record and we hear a couple new songs.Melanie RadfordJealous Butcher RecordsTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode:Schecter GuitarsKuma CoffeeHeil 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.Izotope
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The Check-In with Beck Zegans
May 2900:26:57Tap to summarizeBeck Zegans is a Queens based singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Her newest record Engraving Of Armor is out now via Exploding in Sound records. Beck tells us why Engraving Of Armor has taken her to a new level and sound in songwriting. She shares the collaborative process it took to make the new record and how arranging, mixing, and writing simultaneously shaped the overall sound. We learn how she accidently joined a ska band as a youngster, Joe and Beck discuss the art of the photobooth relay and we hear some tunes of the new record.Beck ZegansExploding In SoundTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode:Kuma CoffeeIzotopeHeil 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.
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The Check-In with Alden Hellmuth
May 2200:33:57Tap to summarizeAlden Hellmuth is a NY based saxophonist and composer. Following her acclaimed 2024 debut album Good Intentions, Hellmuth returns with the aptly titled Tether, an eight-track exploration of jazz, punk and freeform improvisation. Alden share’s the inspiration behind the new direction and sound on Tether, what it was like writing for two basses and how mixing and processing played a role on not only in the production, but the composition as well. The two discuss the significance of texture in Alden’s recordings and she unpacks the personel that contributed to Tethers ambiance. Alden tells us how she was likely “tricked” into playing the saxophone at a young age, she shares her experience of first discovering the magic of improvisational music and how she eventually steered toward free noise rockers Deerhoof and Otoboke Beaver. We get some insight into Alden’s writing and recording process and hear a couple tunes.Alden HellmuthLeiter RecordingsTour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from origin and pay well over fair trade pricing to farmers. This guarantees the highest quality, while supporting rural farming communities throughout the Global SouthThey also just launched an instant coffee… (Joe’s favorite instant)Find everything Kuma at Kumacoffee.comEpisode supported by our friends 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 12 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokidEp supported by 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.Mentioned in this episode:DistrokidKuma CoffeeIzotope
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