ATX Metal Podcast

*DISCLAIMER* (Ryan and Robert really nerd out on the gear)Ryan reached out to Robert to see what things were like down in the RGV area where Robert lives. Robert is in telecommunications and has been for a long time for his line of work. They talk about how he hasn't been impacted too much due to being able to remotely work. The slight change is that the kids are home and he feels like its summer time. He advises them to grab a spoon and go dig in the dirt like we used to, haha. Ryan reflects on his childhood and trying to split a boulder to find quartz.As for the band, they are a regularly practicing band since they live close. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, they can no longer practice in person and have to resort to other means. Robert and Ryan go way into detail about how they have worked around their "in house issues" such as WiFi signal and solutions. It really was boring. Fortunately, Robert tells us how they "Train-wreck" their songs into existence. There was more rambling about WiFi and gear.The song heard in this episode is "In The End We Died" off their album "Possession"

Saul Castillo is a good buddy that wears many hats. Vocalist, Guitarist, Videographer and more. Ryan calls to check in. Saul works in the service industry so he was directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has had to stay home due to his work place reducing staff. Saul goes into detail about how he has been working with Eric Meyer of the Noiz Faktory here in Georgetown, TX. Since the social distancing makes going to live shows hard to do, they are having bands perform in the studio so they can film it and share it with the fans. You can check out those videos on their YouTube Channels. Ryan goes on a rant about supporting local music which means, when things go back to normal one day, don't forget about those that helped others during these times.

In the on going phone calls, Ryan rings up Hanna Barakat to see how she is doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanna is doing ok and is taking it day by day like the rest of us. She is a full time musician here in Austin, TX and was really impacted when venues and events started calling it quits. She had plenty of gigs lined up but one by one, they started dropping. That is when she knew, something was up.To re-live memories from the past, Ryan and Hanna talk about how the band was formed. Lisa, their drummer, went to Berkeley with Hanna. Lisa was on a road trip and Hanna asked her to stop in and play a set during ACL (Austin City Limits Fest). Hanna talks about that and how they found Anthony (guitarist) and goes on to tell how she found Ali (bass).Later in the show, they discuss HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) and how they are a crucial life line for Austin musicians and some of the services they provide. Ryan finds it odd that Hep C treatment has been singled out and wonders, whats up with that?

As we continue on the journey to talk to the locals, we come to find that both Andy and Blake have been directly affected in their personal lives. We continue to hear that the local band members have been affected due to a lot of them working in the service industry. Andy works in construction and has had to take time off like many others.The good news is that they haven't stopped writing new music. The guys in Koningsor announce some thing new and upcoming that should be good news for fans. The guys talk about some of the services that they could offer during times of need such as mowing lawns and walking children with drones. Ryan throws out the idea to add shock collars with geo-fencing. This idea may not pan out but who know.

As we continue on our journey to talk to a large amount of band members and people involved with our music scene, Ryan called Brandon, who is all the way in Hereford Texas and Dylan to talk about their day to day.Brandon goes into some detail about his current situation, which with the virus becoming a pandemic, was really bad timing for him in his efforts to move down to Austin Texas. The guys chat about 5G tower conspiracy causing the pandemic (yeah, its a thing), They talk about their writing process and the new single "Isolation" which you hear small clips of inside this episode. "Isolation" is the latest single from Doubting Thieves and can be found on all major platforms.

So, as everyone is aware, there's a pandemic going on with the COVID-19 virus. We are trying to do our part by staying indoors and social distancing and also, staying in contact with the locals.In this episode, Ryan has a conversation with Hunter Nagar of Chernobyl The Secret, a band based out of Austin, TX. They recently ventured off on tour (and made it back) in early March when the pandemic was really starting to pick up pace. They did a west coast run and Hunter did not have such a great first day or so which he explains a little more in detail.As for the band, they have been practicing in person twice a week to stay tight for the longest time but now have had to resort to staying home and working remotely. Hunter talks about how he is being personally affected as well.The music heard in this episode is Chernobyl's latest single "In Search of Solace". Hunter talks about his new found clean singing that is featured in this new track. Hunter also plays guitar in the band as lead and has a some tasty riffs for you as well.Enjoy!

Since the COVID-19 virus has quickly spread across the globe, we have all had to make adjustments in our lives. Some big, some small. Some of the hardest hit people are musicians. Especially the locals. Now that social distancing has been pushed to stay at home orders buy local governments, we have all been forced to try and figure out how to keep going.Ryan sets up show in his downstairs bedrooms closet due to not being able to go over to the studio at Chirs's house. For us, we have only lost the ability to do in person interviews but still have the audio platform to live on. On the other hand for people like Brien and CJ, they have had to make bigger adjustments.Ryan calls them both while "locked in the closet" to find out how they are coping with the pandemic.