In this episode, Ted Reyes subs for host Annika Dietiker and interviews the band The Sons of Guns, whose unique brand of Americana comes from a peculiar route: England to France.

Join the discussion and find out more about this emerging Folk/Americana group that is on its way to grabbing the spotlight deep within the American heartland.

Check out the APM Indie Artist website for more!

In this special Women's History Month 2025 episode, host Annika Dietiker sits down with Erica Driscoll, also known as Blondfire!

Born and raised in Michigan, Erica Driscoll grew up in a household rich in musical influences. With an American father and a Brazilian mother, she was exposed to a mix of classic rock, bossa nova, and pop from an early age. She learned to play piano and guitar as a child, later falling in love with songwriting.

Blondfire began in the early 2000s as a collaboration between Erica and her brother, Bruce Driscoll. The Michigan-born siblings, raised in a home filled with American rock and Brazilian music (thanks to their mother’s heritage), were drawn to songwriting from an early age.

Originally called Astaire, they built a buzz in the indie music scene with their dreamy, melodic pop. However, after facing legal pressure over the name, they rebranded as Blondfire.

Their 2008 debut album, My Someday, showcased their signature blend of airy vocals, shimmering guitars, and electronic elements. But it was their 2012 single “Where the Kids Are” that truly launched them into the spotlight. The song’s infectious energy caught the attention of major labels, leading to a deal with Warner Bros. and the release of Young Heart (2014), an album filled with sun-soaked indie pop anthems.

After Bruce shifted his focus to other musical projects (including Freedom Fry), Erica took full creative control of Blondfire, steering the project as a solo act while keeping its dreamy, nostalgic essence intact.

In 2024, Blondfire released a self-titled EP for APM Music under its artist-driven label Kinetik.

Check out the APM Indie Artist website for more!

In 2007, thirteen-year-old aspiring saxophone player Claudia Medina attended the XVII Jazz Festival in her home city of Lima Peru, which featured American saxophone great Cynthia Mullis and the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra.

As soon as the first note arose from Cynthia’s horn, Claudia knew that her life was never going to be the same. “That’s what I want to do in my life,” she said to herself.

After the show, she mustered enough willpower to approach Cynthia and told her how much she adored her performance and asked for her advice on how to be a great musician like her. Cynthia looked at the teenager and said something that completely changed her life: “Keep playing and never give up.”

So, Claudia kept blowing that horn and hasn’t stopped since.

Now, she is a distinguished Peruvian saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator who has garnered international acclaim for her innovative fusion of Jazz with Afro-Peruvian and Latin American rhythms. Her musical journey, marked by a deep commitment to cultural preservation and education, has positioned her as a prominent figure in contemporary Latin Jazz.

Find our more about Claudia's inspiring journey in this episode hosted by Annika Dietiker.

Check out the APM Indie Artist website for more!