interview
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In conversation with Nectarine Girl: hyperfixations and ‘Good Excuses for Laziness’
Nectarine Girl’s name stems from a two-week hyperfixation on her namesake fruit, which gradually grew to represent the sensitive girl she is on the inside. If she had to change her name to her current obsession, though, she says it would be Orchids. “I’m excited about the challenge,” she says, the smile evident in her…
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In conversation with James Maddock: unraveling the mystery of songwriting
British-born singer/songwriter James Maddock is renowned for his rousing live performances, deeply emotional music, and his innate ability to connect with audiences everywhere. For Maddock, his passion for music began at a very young age, under the wing of his grandfather, a semi-professional ukulele player. Learning to play the instrument himself, Maddock soon understood the…
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In conversation with Kiersten Blue: looking at the ‘Girl In The Mirror’
On the outside, Kiersten Blue is exactly what her name suggests: blue hair, melancholic lyrics, and even a single appropriately titled “Blue.” On the inside, though, Kiersten is overcome by an unmistakable drive and love for creating music. The singer is relatively new to the music world, having started during the COVID-19 pandemic almost six…
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In conversation with Ron Gallo: honesty over expectation
Ron Gallo never set out to be a musician. In fact, picking up a guitar came without much intention at all. “I can’t say there really was much of a passion to play guitar,” he admits. “I kind of just thought it was a thing I should have.” “I think the thing I was most…
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In conversation with Ricky Byrd: bringing stories of rock ’n’ roll and recovery to RiverJAM Music
Like many musicians of his generation, Ricky Byrd’s relationship with music shifted the moment he watched The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. “There was a lot of music in my house,” Byrd recalled. “My parents were divorced at that point, so we were living with my grandparents, and there was always music playing—but…
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In conversation with Uchenna Agbu: educating future artists
Uchenna Agbu wears many hats: director, writer, arts manager, HR consultant, just to name a few. But her most important hat, one that encompasses her fullest passion and career, is educator. In 2024, Uchenna made her Broadway debut as a management fellow in the revival of Our Town while freelance directing. Most recently, she created…
