Detroit Songwriter Dispatch

Boy Blue (or is that JW Howard?) joins Brion and Chris to discuss the downhill journey of learning guitar. The episode meanders through ghost lights, dog Ozempic, and why the Detroit music scene provided the necessary reconciliation after a wild stint in Grand Rapids. John performs two soulful originals and explains why you’ll likely never […]

Caleb Sanchez joins the Dispatch on the Ghost Light stage to trace his artistic evolution from the raw, confessional songwriting of Stoop Sesh to the high-energy, dance-driven blues of his current project, Sancho. He opens up about how a divorce, leaving the church, and a soul-crushing stint in corporate sales led him to discover Lightning […]

Scott is back from abroad so Brion decided to record a podcast talking to the OG Dispatch hosts, Dave and Scott. Dave shares plans for new music and a much anticipated show in Windsor. Brion shares the virtues of rambling on. Chris is happy to fanboy. Scott confirms his new life mission: to get the […]

Francis DeCarlo joins the Dispatch to talk about his wide-ranging approach to music, from triple albums and virtual string quartets to Detroit gigs and his time at Philip Glass’s studio. He shares how songs often arrive like transmissions, found in accidents, mistakes, and moments of openness. Along the way he reflects on Detroit’s deep musical […]

Edison Hollow’s frontman Tyler Chernoff joins us to talk heartbreak, hope, and hard rock. From open mic revelations to five-year-old superfans, Tyler shares how writing, recovery, and community helped shape his most personal song yet. Plus, he plays us an exclusive live version of “Darkness”—a breakup anthem with a time shift and a shimmer of […]

Brion and Chris sit down with Izak for a deeply personal and often hilarious conversation about songwriting, community, chronic pain, pandemic chaos, and why it’s okay to skank to a sad song.

In this episode, we lock into the weird and wonderful world of SG Bleviano—punk-hearted, bath-singing, art-slinging Detroit songwriter on a mission to drop 12 singles in 12 months. We talk beautiful garbage, DIY recording hacks, cartoon ghosts with Gretschs, and a guitar named Dolly that carries a heavy heart.

Jeff Jablonski joins the Dispatch to talk rhythm, regret, and 90 unreleased songs. We explore his roots, his writing philosophy, and why he’s more interested in live performance than recording. Along the way, he shares stories of lost compasses, poetic graffiti, and the quiet power of musical restraint. Features an exclusive deep cut: Tula.

For those who read episode descriptions… It doesn’t seem we are losing Mike. Instead, he joins us to talk about his journey as a songwriter, his time with Candlebox, his solo work, and his approach to art in all forms—music, painting, even tattooing. He shares stories from the road, performs live, and gives us a […]

Brion Riborn is joined by none other than Chris Rose to interview Checker

This week on the Detroit Songwriter Dispatch, Chris Bathgate joins the podcast to discuss his new album, Significance of Peaches. Bathgate talks about the inspiration for the album, the unique pump organ that he uses in his music, and the (then) upcoming show at Alpino in Detroit, where he will be performing with special peach-themed […]

This summer 2024, Brion and Scott sat down with Brizzl before he left Detroit to talk about his experience coming up in Detroit music. Brizzl’s links: Instagram Soundcloud Spotify

We’re back! Again! Aidan Pope joins Scott and Brion Riborn in the all new Detroit Songwriter Dispatch to discuss his album, Fast Love, available on Bandcamp. His work is available everywhere you stream, unless you’re a mega hipster with some weird streaming service. Follow him on Instagram for updates on where to catch his music […]

Lori Stratton from The Stratton Setlist comes by and talks about covering music, interviewing musicians, and looking forward to shows. WebsiteYouTube

The Dispatch is back! Again! Travis Albright joined us for an episode back in July and we had a great time talking about his process. Check out his music at travisjalbright.bandcamp.com

Dave Toennies and Cody Howard join Scott and guest cohost Allye Gaietto to talk about The Worst Excuses, Dave’s latest album! Listen and BUY IT Here

What an incredibly fun episode! We got together when that was still ok and Allye brought her piano as well as some demo recordings. Dave balks as Scott attempts a turf war with other podcasts. Check Allye out here: Bandcamp Twitter Facebook Spotify

Kate Hinote Trio plays three songs and Kate Hinote sits down for an amazing discussion on songwriting, promotion, and some accidentally prescient talk on the gig economy. Go to https://katehinote.tumblr.com/ for all the details you could wish for. Matthew Parmenter on violin David Johnson on guitar

Emilie Rivard (follow her instagram for show updates) is playing Hamtramck Music Festival this weekend. She plays in The Mishaps and solo all over Detroit.

Jackamo plays us songs and talks about how their bare bones style allows them to craft their stunningly arranged music. They are one whacky neighbor away from a sitcom. 

From her Tidal Unplugged bio: Singer-songwriter Emma Guzman, known cat enthusiast, rumored star child and compelled by unknown forces, has always felt the need to express herself through music. Choosing to spend her time humming melodies and frantically scribbling lyrics in various notebooks and on random scraps of paper, she has quietly amassed a substantial […]

Mike and Angie Ward join Scott and Dave in kicking off Season Two of the Dispatch! *train whistle noise*Being a landmark 50th episode, we get pretty meta in this one. 

Ryan Trager joins Dave and Scott to talk about creativity and the process.

One of my favorite Detroit songwriters and people, Vern! He is absolutely unmistakable and this podcast is no different. Hear how Vern developed his indelible stage presence and how a schoolyard crime ring led him to playing Piedmont blues.

Willa Rae Adamo reflects on playing music in Detroit before moving to New York.  

 Pancho Villa’s Skull is a mariachi punk band from Pontiac headed by brothers Tino and Rolando Ybarra. Bandcamp Facebook From their bio: What do you get when you cross traditional Mariachi music with Punk rock snarl and attitude? The answer: Pancho Villa’s Skull. Pancho Villa’s Skull was started by Tino Ybarra in 2011. While growing […]

Dan Minard recently moved back to Detroit. Here we reflect on the difference between Nashville and Detroit music, taking care of yourself, speaking out, and much more. Check out http://thatdandyclassicmusichour.com/ for more Dan, and look for him around town!

This week, Jack Oats comes by and talks with Dave and Scott about his stage persona, van camaraderie, and a bit about gear. Bandcamp Facebook “Jack Oats (Justin Erion) writes indie americana folk rock with its own set of twists. Solo acoustic, one man band style looping to a full band set up. Jack Oats […]

John Freeman plays with The Codgers and writes poetry. He joined the Dispatch and we discussed what ‘arrogate’ means, the natural wisdom of Doop, and Dillaha’s probable protest against what we think ‘arrogate’ means.

Bunky Hunt of Whistlepig Records invited the Dispatch to his studio to chat about all things Whistlepig! Joining Bunky and Scott are songwriters Lonnie Stump and Ryan Dillaha. Bunky Hunt Bunky Hunt is a songwriter, recording engineer, and producer from Detroit, Michigan. “Raised during the 70’s, and inspired by bands such as the Rolling Stones, […]

Paco Higdon and Tom Phillips join the Dispatch and talk about their time playing music on a cruise ship, pet pigs, arranging music for stage and studio. Paco and Tom are currently working on opening a recording studio in Roseville. https://www.tuxedoavestudios.com/ PACO HIGDON TALENTED MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, PRODUCER, ARRANGER, AND ARTIST BORN AND RAISED IN THE DETROIT […]

Darren Shelton is the proprietor of the Ghost Light and Executive Director of Planet Ant. He joins us this week to talk about the talent in Detroit and how to manage a chaotic lifestyle when you love certainty.

An incredible night at Doop’s table in River Rouge. We talked music, but mostly the value of being good to each other. The night ends with passing a guitar around. Guests Don Duprie Alison Lewis Darren Shelton Jim Diamond Wally Kravens Kelly ‘The Assassin’ Corrigan Pat Vadnais

Anthony comes on the pod and talks about why he makes music, the role TV plays in it all, and what he wants to leave the world with.

Jim Diamond joins us to talk about producing bands, a little about the Detroit garage rock scene, and a little advice to those seeking professional careers in music.  

Billy Brandt joins the Dispatch and talks about the more visceral side to songwriting and the dominance of the heart over the mind.

Jo Serrapere and John Devine join us this week for part 2 of our interview End Music – Hamtram Shimmy performed by Jo and John

Raye Williams joins us to talk about Detroit and Nashville, plus her fear of avian dinosaurs.

Jo Serrapere and John Devine join us this week to talk Delta blues and how through darkness light is best seen. End Music – Hamtram Shimmy performed by Jo and John, recorded at SCOTTCast HQ in the Dispatch Greenroom

Carmel is a songwriter from Detroit with poppy idiosyncratic songs, literally designed to make you think. Check out her music on Bandcamp, Spotify, and her website.

Audra Kubat joins the Dispatch this week to talk about her songwriting process and the Detroit House Of Music! Detroit House of Music Facebook Page This Weeks Music in Detroit

Summer Like The Season joins us for an exceptional interview! After an arduous tour battling influenza in the back of a van, spirits are only up for the band. Summer Like The Season Facebook Bandcamp Spotify Summer and Sam also joined us for my favorite ever Dispatch Greenroom, only available on Patreon.  

Drew Schultz joins us on the podcast, sharing stories about working with Motown, his projects, plus a live-on-podcast arrangement & performance of a song. Check out his show as Drew Schultz & The Broken Habits at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion on March 16th He also stuck around for the Dispatch Green Room, only […]

John Salvage came highly recommended for the Dispatch, so here he is! He is playing Hamtramck Music Festival this year. Listen to his episode here or on the podcast player of your choice. And don’t miss out on his appearance on The Dispatch Greenroom, only for Patreon supporters.

Maybe you’ve seen Courtney Hurley at New Way, or perhaps you’ve seen her singing with the Miracle Men. She may have regaled you with any number of hilarious anecdotes and, if you’re lucky – maybe you got to hear a song. On this week’s Dispatch, Courtney comes by to talk about the long road she […]

Billboard ends: 8:24 Interview begins: 11:00 Joel Douglas Gray is a fantastic performer and songwriter. He’s releasing a single this Saturday at Ghost Light in Hamtramck and stopped by for a fantastic interview. If you love this interview, check out the bonus Dispatch with Joel – only on Patreon.

Listen to this week’s featuring the return of Brion Riborn from Barelyon! You heard him first on our episode featuring open mic hosts, so hear him now as an independent songwriter. Brion’s rap albums, the rules of songwriting, the state of our music scene, and more galore!

Matt Dmits joins the Dispatch for a fantastic interview covering all facets of songwriting and performing in Detroit. Check out Matt’s Bandcamp for his latest album!

Jesse Passage joins us this week on the Dispatch, giving us hilarity and insight into his melodic mind. Interview starts around 4 minutes, 18 seconds in.

We often interview songwriters, but what about the people documenting the songwriters? Cybelle Codish & Doug Coombe are two extremely talented award-winning photographers and they’ve come on the Dispatch to share what it’s like to practice their visual art alongside iconic and world-class Detroit musicians.