VAN TASTIK joins the podcast for a deep dive into his wild, foot-stompin’ world of Western Gothic Dark Delta Rock.Born in the United States and now tearing up stages across Europe, VAN TASTIK is a Roots artist with a sound and stage presence that feels like a lost travelling revival meeting. Blending Dark Delta Rock, Roots Blues, and Western Gothic storytelling, his performances are equal parts sermon, celebration, and sonic explosion. Expect hollerin’, humour, crowd participation, and the kind of raw energy that turns every show into a shared experience.In this episode, we sit down with VAN to talk about his journey, the stories behind the music, and the philosophy behind what he calls “lighting up the dark.” According to the Fallen Reverend, the darkness has simply been misbranded — it’s really just a room where people come together to celebrate life through music.VAN TASTIK has shared stages with artists such as Cam Cole, The Bridge City Sinners, Left Lane Cruiser, Dirty Deep, and Lightning Luke, and has appeared at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival, Muddy Roots Tennessee, Muddy Roots Buenos Aires, and Muddy Roots Europe for three consecutive years. His breakout performance at Culemborg Blues helped launch a sold-out debut album release tour and cement his reputation as one of the most electrifying roots performers on the circuit.If you love Western Gothic, Dark Delta Rock, raw Roots Blues, and unforgettable live performers, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Watch the full episode and step into the world of VAN TASTIK.

Walker Tex and Wilson Lyons are an alt-country duo with a deep connection to storytelling and a modern twist on traditional country music. Hailing from Glasgow, Walker’s love for country blossomed during his time living in Northern Ireland, where he met Northern Irish-born Wilson Lyons as young lads. The two began playing together early on, bonding over their shared passion for music.With Walker’s rich vocals and Wilson’s intricate guitar work, their sound blends nostalgia with a fresh edge. They're joined by drummer, backing vocalist, and producer , who runs Ear Bonez Studios in Athens, Georgia, and shapes their distinctive sound. Together, they create songs that resonate with authenticity, drawing listeners into their unique blend of alt-country.

Johanna Wacker & Acelia join Camden for an honest conversation on the Podcast.From Country, to Appalachian and Folk influences, they share their stories behind their sound and creative process.Tune in!

Philip Bowen is one of the most exciting voices in modern Americana. Born and raised in West Virginia, this Appalachian fiddle virtuoso has built a global following through electrifying live performances, viral momentum, and a sound deeply rooted in Appalachian tradition.In this episode of The Rugged Revival Podcast, Philip talks about growing up in Appalachia, picking up the fiddle at just four years old, and how his West Virginia roots continue to shape his identity and music. From winning TikTok’s Greatest Talent competition to reaching the semifinals of America’s Got Talent (Season 18), Philip’s rise has been anything but ordinary.We dive into his debut album Old Kanawha and his sophomore release Appalachia Forever, and what it means to represent Appalachian culture on national stages like NPR’s Mountain Stage, The Bluebird Café, and Americanafest. Philip also shares insights from working as a session player with artists including Noah Kahan, Sam Barber, Jenna Paulette, and Zandi Holup, as well as touring alongside Darius Rucker, Charles Wesley Godwin, 49 Winchester, Ian Munsick, and Wyatt Flores.This is a conversation about West Virginia pride, viral success, traditional fiddle music, Americana storytelling, and the modern resurgence of Appalachian soul.If you care about authentic roots music, Appalachian identity, and the future of Americana, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations with independent country, Americana, and roots artists shaping today’s scene.

Mitchell Palmer-Gage is the owner of Brass Tacks Provisions. They are an all American-made western and work wear business based out of Oklahoma. The store focuses on heritage goods and only stocks high quality, durable, American-made items. Mitchell began working on this idea in 2021, during his last year at Oklahoma City University. In 2022 - three weeks before opening - he had a hemorrhagic stroke that caused Holme's tremors. Everything he was working on had to close...However, things eventually began to look up. In 2023 after surgeries and moving back in with his parents, Mitchell moved back to the city, married his supportive husband, continued therapies, and began to work towards the store.Brass Tacks Provisions finally opened on February 23rd, 2024!

Born out of the ashes of other Texas projects, Coby Rotan & The Naturals is less a band than a brotherhood. Fronted by Permian Basin native Coby Rotan — now based in Canyon Lake — the group delivers a sound that’s gritty, soulful, and unmistakably their own. Rotan first surfaced with a string of independent singles in 2023, including “The Yeti Song” and “Place Outside of Austin,” showcasing a blend of West Texas grit and Southern warmth. His songwriting has been compared to troubadours like Robert Earl Keen, with a mission to “write songs people can feel.”In early 2025, Rotan teamed up with bassist Lucas “Honky Tonk Red” Copeland, drummer Lincoln “Love” Lankford, and manager Jon Paul “JP” “Hogleg” Long to form The Naturals — a band built on chemistry, groove, and truth-telling songs. The lineup quickly expanded to include Ryan Igler (lead guitar), Rolando “Rolo” Ramon (fiddle), Brad Sosebee (keys), and Kevin Garinger (harmonica).

If patience is a virtue, then the current state of Magnolia Boulevard plays right into the long-held notion that sonic grandeur evolves in its own time and place — one where the Lexington, Kentucky, rock-n-soul act is aiming to break into a national audience ready and roaring for the quintet’s soaring talents.“Things happen when they’re supposed to happen,” lead singer/guitarist Maggie Noelle says. “And I’m so proud of this music coming out now with this group of dudes — it’s like we’re finally getting what we kind of deserve.”“We know who we are now, and we know what we want to do,” adds keyboardist Ryan Allen. “We know what we want to sound like. Everybody involved is on the same path. We’ve got the same mission and we feel good about it. These songs have been cared for and thought about, where everything is happening with intention — there’s purpose behind the music.”That mission of luminous tone and honest intent is no more apparent than Magnolia Boulevard’s latest self-titled album. Captured by legendary Kentucky producer Duane Lundy, the eight-song LP runs the gamut of genres, all with thick threads of the blues and soul radiating from the tracks.“We like a lot of different things, so let’s start a band that’s blues and soul, the rest being whatever else we feel like adding,” Allen says. “These are songs and stories of the struggles of Appalachian people, these little snapshots of time of what it’s like to live around here.”“Inspiration comes and goes,” Noelle adds. “I’ve realized, in these later years of songwriting, I tend to write about my current life and where my heart is.”Formed in 2017 by Noelle and Allen, the band came together when other creative endeavors weren’t fulfilling the artistic desires and professional expectations of what the duo were envisioning. It was time to push down the gas pedal on the possibility and potential of what Magnolia Boulevard could be, and ultimately has become — in sonic design and in the live realm. “The sound has been described as ‘Appalachian Soul,’ and I really like that because of our Appalachian roots,” Noelle says. “You get a taste of folk with the songwriting portion, but you also have that rock and soul foundation.”Watching Noelle under the bright lights, her stage presence immediately conjures whispers in the audience, where her fiery vocal talents are compared to the likes of Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, and Grace Potter. And yet, Magnolia Boulevard remains unique and steadfast in its approach. The powerhouse group is rounded out by Roddy Puckett (bass), Austin Lewis (guitar) and Brandon Johnson (drums). With this bountiful lineup, Magnolia Boulevard has been making the rounds around Southern Appalachia and beyond, each show an opportunity to once again justify its reputation as one of the rising, “must see” rock shows anywhere in the country.“It feels a lot better when it is the sum of all the parts, when you have five people all going after the same thing,” Allen says. “We’re not sacrificing or compromising anything, and in a way that we maybe had before. It feels like we’re got something substantial here that we’re really proud of.”“Everybody in the band is also interpreting the lyrics and showing emotion, because they’re into it, too,” Noelle adds. “They feel the same emotions, and there’s something magic about it [when we’re playing].” And as Magnolia Boulevard grows and evolves into a national act, the core essence and melodic attitude of the unit will proudly reside in the rich, vibrant music scene of its native Lexington and greater Kentucky.“In Kentucky, we’ve got a little bit of everything, and we just have this real sense of community,” Noelle says. “Everybody has always been supportive of each other’s projects, no matter the genre, and I think that’s important.”

Brandon Legion is the host of the Horrorwolf666 Podcast and fronts the synth metal project "Abraxashorn".