Pop Fuss

Spencer Grammer and Davis IL of Belle & Chain stop by to discuss their debut single “Don’t You Worry Babe,” how the project came to life during a deeply transformative chapter for Spencer — and how that eventually grew into something worth sharing with the world. We also get into the duo’s collaborative songwriting process, the cinematic gothic Americana sound they’re crafting, and what it’s been like taking these songs on the road for their very first tour. Be sure to follow the band @belleandchain and its members @spencergrammer and @davis.il Visit their website belleandchain.com for tour dates, substack info and more! Check out Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's best emerging artists! Blending Western-tinged rock with haunting folk and nostalgic Americana, Belle and Chain craft songs layered with shimmering textures, breathy vocals, and stoic lyricism. The project began as the musical alias of actor, filmmaker, and musician Spencer Grammer and has since evolved into a full band featuring multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Davis IL. Raised between New York City and Los Angeles in a deeply artistic family—her father a celebrated TV actor and her mother a Broadway dancer— Grammer was immersed in the performing arts from an early age. She went on to build a career as an actress, director, and voice performer, becoming widely known as the voice of Summer Smith on the Adult Swim hit Rick and Morty. Music became a central focus of Grammer’s life during her recovery from a violent attack in 2020, when she was stabbed in the right forearm, severing her median nerve and two tendons and leaving lasting damage to her hand. As part of her rehabilitation, she was encouraged to pick up the guitar, and in 2024 she began writing songs, discovering that playing and singing offered a powerful outlet for processing trauma and rebuilding confidence.

For episode 125, we are joined by Maggie and Alex of glimmers! In this chat, we talk about how the band first came together, how their sound has evolved over the years, and the journey from their early EPs all the way to their debut full-length album "The Art of Shattering." We also get into the incredible response the new record has been getting, what it was like taking more creative control on this project, the vinyl release, women in pop punk, what’s next for the band, and more! Be sure to follow this duo @glimmersband and check out their website glimmersband.com for music, merch, and more! Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's coolest bands!

Quickly rising indie band Meldrop join us for a fun conversation! We talk about how the band came together in Tacoma, their rapid ascension, their upcoming release, life on tour in their refurbished school bus, and the business side of navigating momentum as things keep getting bigger. Follow the guys @meldrop_official and snag merch and LP's from their website meldropband.com Find today's hottest emerging bands @popfusspod on Instagram!

The Romance joins the show! Straight from his Air B&B where he is touring, Cody Hoffman talks his latest single, early streaming success, and placement on the Billboard charts and in Rolling Stone magazine. Cody also gets frank about the grind of touring and surviving as an independent artist… we cover it all! Be sure to follow Cody @theromancemusic and check him out on tour! Follow our podcast @popfusspod for today's best emerging artists!

Caroline Romano joins the show! We caught up with this rising pop artist just hours before the release of her new EP It Took Me Falling — talking nerves, rituals, and what it feels like to finally let these songs out into the world. From leaving Mississippi to chase music in Nashville, to crafting one of her most personal projects yet, this conversation dives into the new songs, the evolution of her sound, the reality of growing up in the music industry, and what fans can expect from her live show. Follow Caroline @carolineromanomusic and stream It Took Me Falling now! Follow @popfusspod fon Instagram for today’s brightest rising artists!

We celebrate the debut EP from Kiss the Scientist! This LA alt-rock band may be new to the scene, but they’ve already crafted a killer, radio-ready record for fans of Foo Fighters and emo favorites like Jimmy Eat World, Acceptance, and Story of the Year. We talk about how the band came together, the story behind their unique name, producing the record with some heavy hitters, and going viral on TikTok with their cover of a PinkPantheress track! Follow the band @kissthescientist and stream the EP everywhere! Find Pop Fuss on Insta @popfusspod for today's BEST emerging bands!

Nian Tong joins the show! The London-based indie pop artist stops by to talk about his whimsical new single “What’s On Your Mind.” Blending warm melodies and playful ‘60s-inspired pop, Nian turns a very modern story — moving across the world for love… only to get ghosted — into something surprisingly sweet and uplifting. We also talk about his path from behind-the-scenes songwriter, producer, and composer to stepping out as a solo artist, and the upcoming EP "Gradually." Follow Nian on Instagram @niantongmusic and check out the new single! Follow @popfusspod on Insta for today’s brightest indie pop artists.

Danny Ayala joins the show! We caught up with him just hours before kicking off his West Coast tour in support of his album Only Fools Love Again. In this episode, we talk about how his songwriting process has evolved over the years, revisit his first project Dr. Danny, and hear what he thinks his next record might sound like. We also get into what it’s like hearing new songs from The Lemon Twigs for the first time as a member of their touring band — and what it was like performing on late-night TV with appearances on Fallon, Colbert, and Conan. Then we switch gears and dive into Danny’s love of 2000s emo — especially My Chemical Romance — where he fronts a tribute band. Follow Danny @drdannymusic and grab his LP from reminderrecords.com Follow @popfusspod for today’s best power pop artists!

Some chapters don’t close — they fight for one more verse. Donnie Vie joins us at a pivotal crossroads: a new deal with Wicked Cool Records — and what he calls his last real shot. We talk legacy. The music still waiting to be made. And the years that nearly pushed him away from it all. Donnie opens up about the battles he’s faced, the moments he thought he was done for good — and how this unexpected opportunity pulled him back from closing the door on music entirely. We also revisit the induction of Enuff Z'Nuff into the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum — and what it was like reuniting with Chip for the first time in years. As the unmistakable voice behind Enuff Z'Nuff, Donnie helped define an era of glam-tinged power pop, earning heavy MTV rotation and a fiercely loyal cult following. Grab the 45 vinyl single of “Plain Jane” and look out for the full release of Beautiful Things — available through Wicked Cool Records or at donnievie.com. Follow Donnie on Insta @donnievieofficial1 Follow @popfusspod on Instagram for today’s edgiest pop acts!

Andrew Devin — aka TORTURETWINN — joins the show! We talk obsession, atmosphere, and the pull of music that refuses to let go — including his decision to leave the corporate world behind and fully embrace the art. Many first discovered TORTURETWINN through his striking covers of classic alternative and goth icons like The Cure, which quickly earned him thousands of followers. But it’s his original music where everything locks into place — brooding, melodic, and unmistakably his own. Follow @torturetwinn and visit torturetwinn.com for vinyl, merch, and more. Follow @popfusspod for today’s coolest emerging artists — and a few beloved veterans along the way.

NEW EPISODE and GIVEAWAY! Alt pop duo Pony joins the show to discuss their brilliant new LP "Clearly Cursed!" And you can win a vinyl copy! Toronto's Pony have been churning out infectious indie pop with grungy guitars for several years, and now they return with their best album yet! Matty and Sam discuss the origins of the album title, several real life paranormal experiences they have had, their songwriting process, and songs they've already written for the next album. It's a fun conversation with this engaging duo. ** RULES FOR ENTRY** You can win a vinyl copy of the new album courtesy of @takethistoheartrecords (domestic US only) 1) Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod 2) Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate on Spotify 3) screenshot that and DM Pop Fuss on Instagram That's it! A winner will drawn a week from the day this episode has dropped. Follow the band @ponytheband and order merch at takethistoheartrecords.store Follow Pop Fuss across social media for today's raddest bands!

🎙️ Brazilian pop sensations Banda AL9 join the show! After racking up 2.5 million followers with their stunning harmonies, these brothers are bringing classic pop back in a big way. Inspired by The Beatles and the golden era of melody-driven songwriting, Banda AL9 are proof that timeless hooks never go out of style. Fresh off signing their first label deal, they’re now setting their sights on America. We talk Beatles influence, praise from legends like Stevie Van Zandt, Justin Hawkins (The Darkness), and Steve Aoki, and their first live U.S. appearance! Follow the brothers @bandaal9official and their label @wickedcoolrecords Check out @popfusspod for today's best emerging artists!

It’s a class reunion! 🎓 For Episode 114, we’re joined by the guys from Ridel High! The band signed to A&M Records in 1998, and now they’ve unearthed a collection of demos and unreleased songs from that era. We dig into those rediscovered tracks, revisit the band’s history, and talk about what the L.A. scene was really like back then. Kevin Ridel is the voice and songwriter behind ’90s power-pop favorites Ridel High and later AM Radio. He got his start in the ’80s fronting Avant Garde alongside a pre-Weezer Rivers Cuomo and has remained a fixture of the L.A. music scene ever since. Steve Coulter, drummer for Ridel High, is also an author and editor under the name S.W. Lauden. Beyond playing in the scene, he’s helped document it—co-editing the power-pop anthology Go All the Way, curating the Generation Blue oral history project, and writing the must-read Substack Remember the Lightning. 📲 Follow the band @ridel_high on Insta 🎶 Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today’s coolest power-pop heroes—both new and classic

Spandex and sugar hooks! In this round table, Linus of Hollywood and comedian/writer Courtney Cronin join us to nerd out on the glam rock era ('85 to '92) and the hooks under the hairspray! It's a fun conversation that will keep your head bangin' and toes tappin'! Find our chat wherever you get your favorite podcasts, just search "Pop Fuss." Follow @linusdotson - solo artist, and member of Able Machines and Nerf Herder Check out @courtcrodold - comedian and writer Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's best in alt pop, indie rock and power pop artists!