In this episode we're talking with Tantric frontman Hugo Ferreira about founding the hugely popular grunge band in Louisville, his musical family, his fondness for Frank Sinatra, the power of yesteryear's recording industry, and putting together his first new album in over decade.

Luciano Messenjah captures the roots reggae vibe in his Conscious Reggae Music. Here he tells us about learning guitar on one his father made for him, working to get a break in the Jamaican music industry, his early experiences with record producers, and his philosophy that music is not a competition.

MUSIC:

Stay Away

Messenger

Sweep Over My Soul

Steve Sweeney has a new film that will be screening here at The Cut on January 16th. It's about his childhood growing up in Charlestown, and in this episode he talks about his voyage from there to his life now.

Johnny A has been establishing himself as one of the North Shore's outstanding guitar virtuosos, and his Jeff Beck tribute project, Beck-Ola, has been leaving crowds in heartfelt standing ovations. In this episode he talks about his beginnings, some of the stars he's played with, his recording technique, and his dedication to the art of groundbreaking rock musicianship.

MUSIC:

Ghost

Morning Dew

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away

Performing since he was in his mid-teens, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Zane Christopher has his musical roots in Americana, The Beatles, and classic rock. Along with his lead guitarist Nick Fawza, Zane talks about his recording process, the many hats musicians have to wear today to get heard, and how coming back to The Cut rates out of all the music venues in New England.

MUSIC:

Road Song

Young

Gaslight

Founder and ex-Outlaw guitarist/vocalist Chris Anderson leads his new band Once an Outlaw and talks to us about his roots in the blues, playing with Stevie Ray Vaughn's Double Trouble as his backup band, rumors of the death of rock, AI in music today and the importance of the human element in all art, and songwriting vs. performing.

MUSIC:

Old Friend

Born to Be Bad

Once an Outlaw (The Outlaws)

Danielia talks about growing up in New Jersey in a "Small White Town," retreating into a room with a guitar as a child to teach herself how to play, the trap of social media for young people , country music's first black superstar, and advice she's received from the musicians she's shared a stage with.

MUSIC:

It's Only Life

Good Day

So Afraid of Losing You

Talking with Mike Francis, lead vocal and guitar for Soul Rebel Project. Mike remembers some of the reggae legends SRP has shared the stage with, why reggae became his chosen path, the music industry's cycles and business advice for musicians.

YOU CAN HELP: The island of Jamaica is reeling from the devastating damage caused by hurricane Melissa. There are several relief agencies actively helping Jamaicans, one of them is The American Friends of Jamaica based in NYC (theaft.org) With US international relief funds at an all-time low, the help is needed urgently.

MUSIC:

Spark

Pure Love

Mellow Down