Ep.37: Some bands write songs; Stella Ruze builds whole worlds. In this conversation with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Katie O’Donnell, we get into how a “folky funk” seven-piece from Philly ends up blending New Orleans brass, Americana storytelling, and R&B-leaning ballads into one ridiculously cohesive sound. Katie shares the decade-long evolution of the band, why they let songs breathe instead of chasing three-minute “hits,” and how their latest record Origin finally captures the live energy that blew the roof off Johnny Brenda’s. We also talk about the story behind “Blue,” the documentary that accidentally documented one of the hardest seasons of her life, and what it looks like to keep saying yes to music while you’re raising kids, baking cupcakes, and redefining what success means in year ten of a band.

We Chat About:

• How Stella Ruze evolved from a folk quartet into a seven-piece “folky funk” band
• Letting long arrangements and solos breathe instead of chasing radio-length songs
• The story and layered grief behind “Blue” and Katie’s first writing credit with the band
• Recording Origin mostly live in one room to finally capture their onstage chemistry
• Balancing motherhood, day-to-day life, and staying connected to music you still “need”
• Why playing “bad gigs” and corner bar shows is crucial for developing as a musician
• Katie’s advice for younger artists on building confidence, taking every rep, and doing it for love, not just for money

About Stella Ruze:

Stella Ruze is an award-winning folk rock band from Philadelphia known for rich vocal harmonies, infectious rhythms, and bold horn arrangements. Formed in 2014 by Brendan Johnson and Katie O’Donnell, the group expanded from a quartet to a seven-piece, earning acclaim from WXPN and Radio 104.5 and winning the 2019 PHL LIVE Folk Award. They have played major festivals including XPoNential, Philly Music Fest, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and shared stages with acts like Pete Francis (Dispatch), Kuinka, and Blue Water Highway. Their 2020 album The Greater Dog followed earlier releases So Here and a self-titled EP. With new music slated for 2025, Stella Ruze continues to evolve their genre-bending sound.

Connect with Katie & Stella Ruze:

Follow Stella Ruze on Instagram: @stellaruze_

Follow Katie on Instagram: @katieburkeodonnell

Dive into Stella Ruze’s music and tour dates: Visit the Stella Ruze website

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads:

Ep.36: Taylor Brooke is the kind of host who can have you cackling over a rant about Staples one minute and tearing up over purpose and creative calling the next. In this episode, I sit down with the voice behind Taylor, Taylor, Taylor to talk about what really goes into building a show that’s unhinged in the best way, fiercely women-centered without being exclusionary, and grounded in a sense of purpose bigger than the algorithm. We get into the pressure of staying “on brand” as a blonde media girl, the anxiety of letting other people touch your work, and how she’s learning to scale a show without losing the raw honesty that makes people feel like they’re on the phone with their funniest friend.

We Chat About:

• How Taylor, Taylor, Taylor became a space where guests can “expect the unexpected”
• Why her solo “Sunday Spiral” episodes resonate so deeply with listeners
• The mission to support English schools in Bangladesh and why it matters to her
• The episode she’s most proud of so far and what made it different
• Lessons from working in Philly radio and taking the training wheels off
• Her research process and the advice she gives young women in media
• Growing up in a music-heavy household and releasing her own song “Parking Lot”

About Taylor Brooke:

Taylor’s got the charm of your funniest friend, the wisdom of someone who’s Googled it at 2 a.m., and the guts to spill the tea on her own life, embarrassing moments and all. Whether she’s interviewing intriguing guests, sharing industry secrets, roasting pop culture, or riffing on whatever’s trending, she’ll have you hooked faster than you can say “Taylor” (three times, obviously). It’s equal parts laugh therapy, real talk, and the kind of chaos you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Connect with Taylor:

Listen to her podcast: Taylor Taylor Taylor Show

Check out her other links: Linktree

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RL

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

• “Bowling Alley” – Audrey Hobert
• “Parking Lot” – Taylor Brooke
• “Female Robbery” – The Neighbourhood
• “Chocolate” – The 1975
• “Love in an Elevator” – Aerosmith

Albums & Projects:

• Taylor...

Ep.35: There’s a certain kind of artist who makes you lean in before you even realize it, and Joe Bachman has that effect from the second he starts talking. From Key West songwriter rounds to Nashville radio tours, from managing breakout looping phenom Carl Wockner to writing military anthems that have literally saved lives, Joe’s career is the definition of heart, hustle, and purpose. In this conversation, we dig into the stories behind his biggest songs, the moment his performance intersected with global history, why Sex, Drugs & Country Music is the album he needed to write before anything else, and how one song became a lifeline for veterans navigating PTSD. Joe’s a storyteller to the bone, and his journey is a masterclass in loyalty, craft, and showing up for something bigger than yourself.

We Chat About:

• The night Joe announced Bin Laden’s death onstage in Key West
• How a looping guitarist in Australia changed the trajectory of Joe’s management career
• The song A Soldier’s Memoir (PTSD Song), and the veterans who said it saved their lives
• Writing Sex, Drugs & Country Music as his final personal album
• The Philly cover scene and why it’s unmatched in the country
• Leaving the mortgage industry to play 5,000+ shows worldwide
• Building Vacation Jams and curating destination festivals
• The faith, family, discipline, and integrity that shape Joe’s songwriting
• Why he says country music is “three chords and the truth”
• What he believes is the next major genre to explode

About Joe Bachman:

Joe Bachman is a country singer/songwriter with more than 5,000 live shows behind him, a 25+ year career, and a reputation for writing music that hits straight to the heart. After early years gigging the East Coast club circuit, Joe moved to Key West, then Nashville, building relationships with mentors like Lee Brice, Big Kenny Alphin, Cliff Cody, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line. His debut single “Lookatchu” broke into the Top 30, but Joe’s most meaningful work has always been his music for the military, including the viral hit A Soldier’s Memoir (PTSD Song), a video with over 5 million views and life-changing impact for veterans around the world. Today, Joe lives with his family at the Delaware beaches and runs Dream Big Dreams Management and Vacation Jams, managing artists like Carl Wockner and curating destination music festivals that blend community, travel, and unforgettable performances.

Connect with Joe:

Facebook: Follow Joe on Facebook

Instagram: Follow Joe on Instagram

YouTube: Watch on YouTube

Twitter/X: Follow on X

Spotify: Listen on Spotify

Apple Music: Stream on Apple Music

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: