Episode 299: Joe Funk of Kitchen Dwellers

I’m excited to be back in Chicago after an EPIC European holiday and Joe Funk  of Kitchen Dwellers is back for a second round with me on Roadcase for this week’s episode!  Joe’s always down for a fun conversation, and he not only talks to me about his growing family, but also about the impact of Kitchen Dwellers steady rise over the past decade of grinding it out on the road, and how band member roles are constantly changing and evolving… in a good way. The Dwellers latest album, Seven Devils, is an intriguing ode to Dante’s Inferno — a concept album that ultimately found its conceptual direction pulled — literally — from the depths of Hell. It’s a heady concept that only a heady band such as the Dwellers could have pulled off, and they nailed it.It’s always fun to have Joe on the show — he’s smart, personable, and very much aware of his own role and how it’s evolved over time. The Dwellers are out on the road this Winter and coming to a Western ski town near you, so go check out this extraordinary (and trippy) band of brothers!!====================================Episode Chapters: 00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg04:27 Technical Challenges and Introductions07:28 Parenthood and Personal Growth10:25 Life on the Road and Family Dynamics13:30 Nature and Environment16:35 Transitioning in Music Career19:21 Creative Processes and Challenges22:25 Inspiration and Life Events27:37 Maintaining Emotional Connections Through Technology29:16 The Journey of Growth in Music30:10 Taking Risks for Production Quality31:47 The Benefits of a Steady Climb33:18 The Challenges of Sudden Fame34:35 Investing in Future Success36:37 Creative Collaboration in Music39:48 The Evolution of Improvisation44:09 Conceptualizing the New Album48:57 Differences in Album Production Styles53:15 Navigating the Balance of Jamming and Structure56:21 The Unique Charm of Bluegrass Bands56:37 Pine Creek: A Growing Music Venue1:00:18 Themed Performances and Creative Shows01:04:28 Meal Prepping and Culinary Adventures01:07:51 New Music and Upcoming Projects01:10:52 Episode Outro with Host Josh Rosenberg====================================For Kitchen Dwellers tour dates, click hereFor more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email:  [email protected] theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer