"Two Roads Music Podcast" by Calvin Ramsey is a heartening story of passion and perseverance in the world of music. Calvin Ramsey, a 32-year-old married man, traces his love for music back to his childhood, surrounded by the eclectic tastes of his family. His mother's fondness for Paul McCartney and Wings, and his father's diverse playlist ranging from Led Zeppelin to James Taylor, laid the foundation for his musical inclinations. The turning point came during his middle school years when his cousin Kirk introduced him to indie music, a genre that opened a new horizon of musical exploration for him.
Living in a small rural town in southern Missouri, Calvin didn't find many who shared his newfound interest. This isolation, coupled with his enthusiasm for discussing music and bands, led him to create a blog. The blog, started as a platform for sharing his musical discoveries and fostering discussions, accompanied him into his college years. However, the demands of working two jobs and full-time studies eventually led to the blog's demise.
A decade later, Calvin's passion for music hadn't waned, but the avenues for sharing and discussing it had. Craving a project to pour his heart into, he contemplated various ideas before settling on a podcast. The concept was to create a radio-like show featuring a diverse range of music. Despite initial reservations about music rights and licensing, he drew inspiration from Nardwuar the Human Serviette, a figure known for his bold and unconventional interviews. Nardwuar's approach of simply asking for what he wanted encouraged Calvin to do the same. He reached out to bands and labels for permission to use their music and was heartened by the positive responses he received, with many agreeing under the condition that the podcast remains non-commercial.
Calvin's passion for music was ignited by his parents' love for Classic Rock and expanded through his cousin's introduction to indie music. His small Missouri town's pop-dominated scene changed when he shared indie music with friends. Calvin's music blog, though short-lived due to college and work pressures, evolved into the "Two Roads Music Podcast." Influenced by Nardwuar, he focuses on authentic representation and securing music rights with respect for artists. The podcast, prioritizing personal enjoyment in music selection, has broadened his musical exposure and reignited his passion for discussing music. Calvin advises aspiring music project starters to dive in, welcome feedback, and respect musicians.
Calvin's journey with the "Two Roads Music Podcast" is not just about sharing music but also about discovering new tunes. His podcast has become a conduit for his continued exploration of the music world. Unmotivated by profit, Calvin's venture is a testament to his love for music and his desire to create a space for music enthusiasts to discover and enjoy diverse sounds. The "Two Roads Music Podcast" stands as a vibrant, community-driven platform, embodying Calvin Ramsey's lifelong journey with music and his dedication to sharing it with the world.
The Interview
Calvin, can you share more about your earliest musical memories and how they influenced your passion for music?
-Both of my parents were avid listeners of Classic Rock: ZZ Top, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Santana... both of them have a wide variety of interests in music and
always had music playing. Led Zeppelin is still, to this day, my favorite band, which may seem strange from someone who is so into "indie" music. But they were a staple of my childhood.
I also was big into Green Day, Simple Plan, and at one point in Elementary School I was a huge fan of NSYNC.
What was it about indie music that captivated you so deeply when you were first introduced to it in middle school?
-It's funny you ask this because I was recently reflecting on this very question.
I want to say "Pictures in an Exhibition" by Deathcab for Cutie was my first exposure to "indie" music. My cousin Kirk told me to check them out (as well as Postal Service).
It was a much more light version of Rock and the production was more lo-fi (?). I just remember how less "produced" the track sounded and it was odd to me. But I liked it. And I wanted to hear more.
Before then everything I would listen to was music you would hear on the radio, television, etc, you know, high production, super polished mixes.
Can you describe the music scene in your small rural town in southern Missouri and how it shaped your musical journey?
-The music scene where I grew up was pretty much all radio/pop hits. Not many individuals exploring music outside of what was on the radio.
Kirk (my cousin) kind of sent off a ripple effect when he showed me indie music. I went on to tell my friends and then we all started diving in and exploring more indie bands.
We would come to school and share new bands, mix cds with each other with new bands that we found. But I honestly don't think we would have been discussing any of that music, had it not been for Kirk. I was just the messenger after the fact.
What led you to start a music blog, and what were your initial goals for this platform?
-I just wanted to share music and talk about it. One of the best feelings is when you tell someone about music and they come back to you saying "That was incredible I love it"! Or vice versa.
When people show me new music and I like it I have the urge to just gush out gratitude to them for showing me.
How did you manage to balance your blog with the demanding schedule of working two jobs and attending college full-time?
-Well, I really wasn't able to do it. The blog didn't last once I went full time at college. My posts started getting shorter and less effort was put into them. So, I finally just had to end it.
I enjoyed it while it lasted though. It wasn't wildly successful by any means, but it was still a fun creative outlet.
Reflecting on the transition from your blog to the "Two Roads Music Podcast", what were some of the key lessons or insights you gained?
-It's been so long since that blog that it's a little hard to tell at this point. I guess now since my voice is on this thing, I feel a little more vulnerable and have higher expectations to really make sure what I'm saying about the music/bands/creators is correct. The last thing I want to do is misrepresent a band/artist's music.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting the podcast, especially regarding music rights and licensing?
-This was the most terrifying part about starting the pod. I thought of trying different formats but none of them seemed like they would work without actually having the music to play. I guess the biggest challenge is
finding the right people to reach out to for permission. I've had to do some extensive digging on some of the songs I've used to request permission.
How did Nardwuar the Human Serviette's approach inspire you in your quest to secure music for your podcast?
-This was huge for me. I mean, that dude has interviewed everyone from King Gizzard to Seth Rogan to Snoop Dog. He said it plainly in his Ted Talk...how did he get the interview?? "I asked"! He just asked them. And it worked!
So I figured I would do the same thing. Find a band and just...ask them if I can use their music. Big shout out to Nardwuar.
Could you elaborate on the process of reaching out to bands and labels for permission to use their music?
-Usually I try to start with the label that songs were put out on (if they came out on a label) and ask them, through email, to use specific songs. The first one I was granted was from Deep Elm Records (shout out to Deep Elm) who let me use an AppleSeed Cast song. I also reached out to Chris Crisci (main person behind Appleseed Cast) and he was cool with it. I've had some labels say that it would cost to use their music and I've had other labels tell me I could use anything I wanted from their catalogue! I completely understand labels requiring a fee to use the music. I really do. And I have no hard feelings towards that. These are bands/individuals who have spent hours pouring time and money into their music. So it's a lot to ask to use music for free. I absolutely think they deserve the money.
How do you select the music featured in your podcast, and what criteria do you use to ensure variety and quality?
-My first rule about this is that I have to like the song/music. I want to be passionate and excited about the music I play. There are no boundaries to the music/genres that I will use. Hell, I'll even play country music if it sounds good.
That's another thing I seek to explore with this podcast; expanding musical interests, challenging people (and myself!) to drop their guardrails and give new styles a try. I used to be one of those people who would say "I'll listen to anything but country". Which I think is a little ignorant. Later on I found myself enjoying country music (some). So I want to try and help people do the same thing with their own musical interests.
In what ways has the podcast allowed you to discover new music, and how has this influenced your personal musical taste?
-I've had many great bands reach out to me. A lot of killer solo projects and bands trying to get their sound out. One of my favorites so far has been this psychedelic, post-punk band called Gonies, from Cincinnati.
It has been refreshing because ever since I stopped that blog, it has been a little hard to find good new music. So now I'm having to really dig and seek out new stuff. And I've found a lot of cool new stuff.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of running the "Two Roads Music Podcast"?
-Overall just talking about music again. I've missed it. And I've learned a bunch of cool stuff about bands I've listened to for years that I didn't know. I've had some good feedback too from some listeners, always nice to hear that.
How do you envision the future of your podcast, and are there any new directions or ideas you're excited to explore?
-Hmmmm, I'm not sure I've thought that far ahead. I guess it would be cool to maybe start doing some interviews somehow with some of the artists and incorporating that into the show.
Could you share a memorable moment or interaction that occurred as a result of your podcast?
-Talking directly (even though it was only through email) with Chris Crisci (Appleseed Cast) was cool. I've been a huge fan of him and his music since the inception of my "indie" music interests (this was another Kirk recommendation).
Honestly, hearing responses from the bands that I've reached out to has been kind of a trip. They took time to reply back to me and that means a lot.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own music-based project or podcast?
-Take Nardwuar's advice and just do it! Jump right in and give it a shot. And stick with it, allow yourself to hear feedback (good and bad), and be able to adapt.
Also, if it's music-based, I would suggest having a deep sense of respect for the musicians and their time.
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