The Desert Vibe

We sit down with Tempe music mainstay Amy Hansen to talk about how a truly welcoming open mic works, why the local scene feels like a musician co-op, and how community support turns into real action. Amy's Website: https://www.facebook.com/ebonysbud• Amy’s path from Chicago to Arizona and into the Tempe music scene • Unity Through Community and why nonprofits matter for local art • Native American flute songwriting, multiple keys, and tuning challenges • How a list-free open mic helps nearly everyone get stage time • Creating a no-judgment room where new performers feel safe • Fundraising shows as a lifeline for friends in hard times • DJ Amy Hansen wedding work and the realities of gig logistics • White Mountains venue picks plus a tease of Lake Havasu music spots • Tips for tracking Arizona open mics and upcoming festival dates Just Google the Levine Folk Festival Support the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We sit down with Diana Lee Messana to trace the real path from a Glendale music store to major stages, studio sessions, and a life built around performance. We also map out where live music is vibing across Arizona right now, from Jerome and Bisbee to Flagstaff and Prescott.Website: https://www.facebook.com/diana.lee.5872682• her first recordings and how format changes shape a career• favorite Arizona studios and what great producers pull out of artists• why Diana Lee’s Soul Kitchen starts during COVID to support working musicians• Arizona family history, musical roots, and why she uses the name Diana Lee• the mentors and teachers who sharpen her ear, confidence, and versatility• how she builds a career by doing the work every day• why the Phoenix music community feels like a “great co-op” of musicians• the harmonica and flute moments that win a crowd• upcoming performances plus the Donnie Dean “Oakland Sessions” project• weekend getaway music picks in Jerome and Bisbee• summer concert and tribute show notes for Flagstaff and Prescott• open mic updates and ways to find local listingsSupport the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We sit down with Justin Olson, aka PTNA, to talk about the leap from writing songs in private to sharing them on real stages and letting people see what the music is really made of. We also tour the Arizona live music map with venue picks and open mic nights across Sedona, Queen Creek, Tucson, Show Low, and Tempe. Listen to Justin Olson "PTNA": http://Ptna.bandcamp.com• first open mic memories and why Tempe Center for the Arts felt like turning pro • performing as vulnerability and self-healing rather than “being confident” • what listener feedback means when a song lands deeply • balancing parks and recreation work with a serious music practice • how Arizona nature and solitude feed the songwriting process • Why the Arizona music scene feels open across styles • Justin’s studio approach with guitar, synths, drum machines, and field recordings • the real meaning behind the PTNA name and the desert patina story • what’s next: EP vs album thinking, upcoming shows, and licensing goals Check out "PTNA" (Justin Olson) on BandCamp: http://Ptna.bandcamp.comSupport the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We catch up with blues guitarist Chuck Hall as he looks back on decades in the Arizona music scene and talks through a bold, open-ended move to Bend, Oregon. We also share fresh live music intel across the state, from an all-arts open stage in Casa Grande to festival news up in Flagstaff. WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/chuckhallmusic.page• Chuck’s first leap into Arizona and how jam nights turned into a band • Why the Bend, Oregon move is about equal footing and new ears • How the duo works without rehearsals and why that sparks songs • The “free range music” solo show and the early influences behind it • What makes the Phoenix and Arizona musician network feel like a co-op • Studio memories, last gigs before the road, and the guitars he’s packing • Flagstaff Folk Festival changes plus a Route 66 songwriting contest • Our summer travel notes on venues, heat escapes, and where to scout stages Support the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We talk with Tempe Mayor Corey Woods about how a personal decision to put down roots turns into long-term public service and a hands-on approach to community building. We also dig into why live music and entertainment are not a luxury in Tempe, but part of the city’s identity, economy, and future. https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-woods-29817169/• Corey’s path to Tempe through ASU and why he stays • Losing an early council race then building deeper community ties • Turning a love of cooking into nonprofit fundraising • Tempe’s live music culture and how parks help it grow • Entertainment as economic development and a citywide differentiator • The Mill Avenue refresh and why infrastructure shapes nightlife • Ideas for a signature Tempe music festival that honors legacy acts and lifts new artists • How cities can support local musicians through resources, permits, and getting to yes • Why small local shows matter as much as big festivalsSupport the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We sit down with Blaise Lantana as she closes out a long run at KJZZ, tracing how a working musician became a trusted jazz voice for Arizona. We talk honestly about loneliness, sobriety, creative drive, and what it means to step into a new chapter after a life spent serving listeners and local music. Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1196271322• retiring as music director and on-air jazz presenter at KJZZ • getting into radio after the 1980s Texas gig economy collapsed • learning to speak to one listener at a time and mean it • sobriety, depression, and why late-night radio can be a lifeline • building bands as a singer and shaping a personal sound • curating jazz programming, balancing classics with new releases • the flood of weekly submissions and how quality gets judged • losing gigs during COVID, moving homes, and broadcasting remotely • the growth of the Phoenix jazz scene, venues, and music education • letting other artists record your songs and releasing control • what live concerts and great performances give back over timeSupport the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We catch up with Laura Joy to compare what it really feels like to build a music life in Phoenix and Los Angeles, from getting paid solo gigs to finding your people in a huge scene. We also dig into her percussive acoustic style, the extra pressure women face in the industry, and why DIY infrastructure can be the smartest path forward.Website: www.laurajoymusic.com• comparing Phoenix and LA for access, pay, and day-to-day gigging• where working gigs come from, including private events and agency pipelines• using humor and presence to win loud rooms and mixed crowds• navigating gendered expectations and setting hard boundaries• building a percussive acoustic guitar approach through fingerstyle and classical technique• playing with high-level musicians who listen and leave space• the real cost of touring, including gas prices and travel logistics• why many great songs stay unreleased and how to think about value nowSupport the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We sit down with Arizona violinist Tim Sadow and dig into how he becomes the rare kind of musician who can jump genres, find the right part, and make a band feel bigger without getting in the way. Along the way, we talk Arizona community, live music authenticity in an AI era, and the choices that separate playing a lot from playing what matters. Tim's Website: www.timsadow.com• Tim’s early classical training plus learning by ear • Building a versatile violin style through funk, Irish rock, and constant sitting in • How we first crossed paths and why the Arizona scene keeps connections alive • Playing within the music, leaving space, and knowing when not to play • Why live performance still beats synthetic instruments and AI tracks • The jump from “classical only” to improvising confidently on stage • Studio approach, supporting vocals, and elevating original songs Support the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We sit down with singer and arts leader Sandra Bassett to trace how a business mindset can protect a creative life and expand opportunity across a whole community. We dig into fair pay, authentic performance, and why the arts are not background noise but real economic power in Arizona. Website: www.thesandrabassett.com• negotiating a business major while keeping music central • leaving corporate life and proving herself through a Japan audition • rebuilding spaces and programs at Phoenix Center for the Arts • teaching artists the business of being an artist through BIPOC Arts • calling out stagnant musician pay and defining venue-artist partnership • moving between Motown, blues, and jazz with authenticity • using music as ministry and healing in healthcare settings • making covers personal through key choice, arrangement, and leadership • reframing Motown history through women’s leadership and civil rights impact • explaining arts advocacy through economic impact and the “BIPOC dollar” Support the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ

We talk with guitarist and songwriter Hannes Guevara about friendship, craft, and the quiet skills that make a musician indispensable onstage. The conversation moves from global life stories to concrete songwriting systems, plus the Tempe and Phoenix live music community that keeps pulling great players together. Website: HannesK.com• Seeing economics and music as the same search for patterns • Growing up in Iceland, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines before Arizona • The Phoenix and Tempe music scene as a co-op built on trust • Favorite gig memories and how family moments cement friendships • Songwriting approach built on constraints, chords first, and “inside the box” thinking • Using chord replacement formulas to generate new progressions • Finding a lyrical cue that turns into a whole song idea • Home demo workflow using Band-in-a-Box and GarageBand • “Tears Of Light” and the idea of flushing out excess light • How to sit in with strangers by watching hands and serving the song • Building tone with minimal effects and using a looper tastefully • Family stories, grandkids, and the Phoenix Boys Choir tours • Long-form song cycles that turn history and philosophy into music • Remembering Penny and the origin story of a lifelong musical bond Support the showConnect with The Desert Vibe PodcastWebsite: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcastGet the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-productsThe Desert Vibe Hosts: • Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com   • Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net   • Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/  The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ