Fuegostine's Music Club

In this episode, Matt speaks with Terra Lopez, artist and Community Manager at Backline, the nonprofit delivering free mental health and wellness services to musicians and music industry workers.

Terra shares powerful insights about the realities of touring, the emotional and financial barriers artists face when seeking help, and how social media has intensified the mental health challenges within the music world.

We discuss Backline...

On this episode of Fuegostine's Music Club, Matt talks with Colby Acuff who opens up about his path from Idaho to Nashville, the creative process behind his albums, and the challenges facing musicians in a rapidly changing industry.

Colby dives into:

• The influences that shaped his sound, from classic rock to modern country
• The inspiration and stories behind his songs, including Rolling With the Wind
• The impact of AI-generated ...

In this episode of Fuegostine's Music Club, I sit down with BIG SPECIAL, a rising punk duo known for vulnerable, soulful style. We talk about their creative process, the story behind their music, how they developed their sound, and what’s coming next.

If you love discovering new music, underground gems, and artists before they blow up, this conversation is for you.

In this conversation on Fuegostine's Music Club, Joe of BIG...

In this episode of Fuegostine’s Music Club, Harrison Storm sits down for a heartfelt and honest conversation about the experiences that shaped his new album Empty Garden. Fresh off a six-week European tour, he reflects on the breakup that sparked much of the record, the emotional core behind “Someone Else,” and what it means to make music that feels both vulnerable and grounding.

We explore the realities of touring, the pressure (an...

In this episode, I sit down with HARMLESS (Nacho Cano) to discuss the evolution of music culture, the impact of social media on creativity, and the meaning behind his latest album. We explore what it takes to stay true to your art in an industry swayed by algorithms and trends.

Key Topics Covered:

• The journey that shaped HARMLESS as an artist
• Music consumption, social media, and staying authentic
• The making and meaning of his new a...

Join me as I sit down with singer-songwriter Daffo to explore their journey through music, the making of their debut album Where the Earth Bends, and how emotional honesty shapes their songwriting.

In This Episode:

• Their background, influences, and how she developed her sound
• Deep dive into tracks and themes from the album
• Balancing vulnerability with creative expression
• The realities of touring, connecting with fans, and creating i...

How do you evolve as a band when the lineup changes — without losing your identity? In this episode of Fuegostine’s Music Club, I chat with indie-pop duo JOSEPH about re-imagining themselves as a sister duo, how their music has changed, and what’s coming next.

What we cover:

• The shift from trio to duo — challenges, growth, and creative redefinition
• The evolution of their sound: what stayed, what ...

In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Andrews — a small-town musician who swapped a blue-collar job for a guitar and a dream. We talk about his journey, his influence, and what inspires his music.

What to Expect:

• His upbringing and how he found music later in life
• The transition from welding/working to pursuing music full-time
• Stories behind his songs — life, hardship, hope
• Insights into being an independent artist in country/rock ...

What does it mean to stay true to yourself — even when the internet is watching? In this episode of Fuegostine’s Music Club, I sit down with indie-folk singer-songwriter Luca Fogale to explore his musical evolution, personal growth, and what “authenticity” really looks like in 2025.

What we cover:

• How Luca found his voice — from early influences to his modern sound
• The journey behind his upcoming...

In this episode of Fuegostine’s Music Club, I sit down with singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly to discuss one of the most intense and honest journeys in modern Americana / alt-country music. We cover his early years, battles with addiction, heartbreak, and the long road to healing — but also how through all of that he discovered his voice, harnessed pain into purpose, and found a new sense of self.

What You’ll Hear

• His musical roots ...

OIn this episode of Fuegostine’s Music Club, The Brummies sit down for an incredibly candid conversation about the highs and lows of being in a band. They open up about the moment they nearly called it quits, how they found their way back to each other, and why their newest music feels more intentional and grounded than anything they’ve made before.

We dive into the emotional side of collaboration, the struggle to stay hopeful durin...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Nate from Motherfolk for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about artistic evolution, growing up on classic rock, moving through musical eras, and how the band has continued to reshape its sound for over a decade.

Nate opens up about the transition from folk-driven beginnings to their shoegaze-influenced new album Eternal Joy, how life changes shaped the record, and why Motherfolk continu...

This episode features a full sit-down with Briscoe, the Texas folk-rock duo made up of Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman. We talk about their upcoming album “Heat of July,” their early days meeting at summer camp, discovering 70s folk-rock influences, and the story behind fan favorites like Hooped Earrings, Rough, and The Well.

They share how life on the road, getting married, and navigating the modern expectations of social medi...

Australian indie-folk trio Sons of the East have spent over ten years building a passionate global audience, even before gaining the same recognition at home. In this episode, Nic shares how the band evolved from three friends with a kick drum and a banjo into a world-touring five-piece known for their warm production and rousing live shows.

He reflects on the classic artists he grew up hearing—Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, the Stones—...

Indie-alternative artist Windser joins Matt for a deeply honest conversation about creativity, vulnerability, and the making of his self-titled debut album. Known for cinematic soundscapes and introspective storytelling, Windser opens up about growing up in Santa Cruz’s DIY scene, discovering his artistic voice, and how therapy, nature, and reflection shaped the emotional arc of his new record.

He shares the inspiration behind stand...

Austrian singer-songwriter OSKA (Maria) joins Matt for a heartfelt and deeply honest conversation about her new album Refined Believer, her creative evolution, and the journey from a small countryside upbringing to performing on stages with Coldplay.

Maria opens up about the cultural differences between Austria and the U.S., the challenge of being an artist in a country where music careers aren’t commonly encouraged, and how traveli...

On this episode of Fuegostine's Music Club, Matt (fuegostine) sits down with country artist Matt Schuster to talk about some of his recently released music, what connecting with fans means to him as well as finding ways to stay authentic to himself in the realm of social media. I hope you enjoy the conversation I had with Matt. 

About Matt Schuster:

Matt Schuster, an emerging country talent, embodies a unique...

Join Matt Firestine as he sits down with singer-songwriter Lily Kershaw to discuss her decade-long music career, her latest album Pain and More, and the creative process behind writing deeply personal songs about depression and growth. Lily shares candid insights on touring, producing her own music, and how music can heal and connect us. From her influences like Simon & Garfunkel and Imogen Heap to her favorite songs today, thi...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Brian Fennell — the artist you know as SYML — for an honest, layered conversation about music, identity, and the strange expectations placed on artists today. Brian opens up about the soundtrack of his childhood, the grunge-soaked streets of Seattle, and how those early melodic influences still echo through his work.

We explore his evolution from his early band Barcelona to his solo career, the m...