Fuegostine's Music Club

In this episode of Songs That Built Me, Matt Firestine sits down with Jason Singer—better known as Michigander—to break down three songs that shaped his life and sound.
From learning his first guitar riff with The White Stripes, to discovering Coldplay in a video rental store, to finding artistic identity through The National, Jason walks through the moments that defined his musical journey.
This conversation dives into nostalgia, music discovery before streaming, and how formative songs continue to influence artists today.
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In this episode, Matt sits down with singer-songwriter Riley Pearce to talk about his journey as an independent artist, his latest album, and the realities of building a music career today.
Riley shares insights into touring across Australia and Europe, explaining how geography and audience culture shape the live music experience. He also dives deep into his songwriting process, from early acoustic influences to writing emotionally driven songs like “Left Side View.”
The conversation also explores:
The evolution of his music over the past decade
Collaborating with other artists and writing for different genres
The meaning behind his cover of “Amsterdam” by Gregory Alan Isakov
Navigating social media as a modern musician
Creativity, unfinished songs, and artistic growth
This is a thoughtful and honest look at what it means to create, grow, and stay authentic as an artist.
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Jack and Harry of Seafret join the podcast to talk about their new album Fear of Emotion, the evolution of their sound, and navigating today’s music industry.
From their viral hit “Atlantis” taking off years later to the realities of modern music promotion, Seafret opens up about balancing authenticity with content creation, writing from real-life experiences, and how the industry has changed over the past decade.
They also dive into:
The meaning behind Fear of Emotion
Writing emotionally honest music
The pressure (or lack thereof) after going viral
Touring, streaming, and what success looks like today
Their songwriting process and creative evolution
If you’re a fan of indie, acoustic-driven music, or want insight into how artists survive in the streaming era, this episode is for you.
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Jayson of Coyote Theory joins the podcast to break down the band’s unexpected viral resurgence with “This Side of Paradise” and their return after a 10+ year hiatus.
We dive into how a dormant song exploded on TikTok, the reality of navigating label attention as a DIY band, and the pressure that followed. Jayson also shares how the group organically reunited before the viral moment, how their songwriting process has evolved, and what went into their latest EP.
Plus, a deep conversation on modern music releases—singles vs albums, streaming-era expectations, and what release day really means today.
If you’re into indie music, music marketing, or artist journeys, this is a must-listen.
Topics include:
Viral music moments & TikTok discovery
Indie band comeback stories
Songwriting evolution over time
DIY vs label dynamics
The future of albums vs singles
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In this episode, Matt sits down with New Constellations (Harlee Case and Josh) to discuss their breakout track “Hot Blooded,” their debut album It Comes in Waves, and their evolution as an indie pop duo.
The band shares how their first-ever release turned into a long-term viral success, generating hundreds of millions of user-created videos, and why it never felt like an overnight moment.
They also dive into their collaborative songwriting process, from early acoustic demos to fully produced tracks, and how they’ve developed a unique creative rhythm over the years.
Other topics include:
Musical influences like Prince, Madonna, Gorillaz, and Florence + The Machine
The emotional depth behind songs like “Dandelion” and “I’m Waiting Now”
Balancing artistry with streaming culture and social media
The meaning behind It Comes in Waves
Touring, new music, and what’s ahead
This is a deep conversation about creativity, persistence, and making music you truly stand behind.
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