The Jay Franze Show: Music - News | Reviews | Interviews

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest music – news, reviews, and interviews, providing valuable insights and entertaining stories, stories you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted by industry veteran and master dry humorist Jay Franze, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of music. Jay brings you behind the scenes with insider insights, untold stories, and candid conversations with seasoned artists, industry pros, and rising stars each week. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the information, or to be part of The Crew (his family), he’s got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised, because nothing is off the table here.

The Jay Franze Show: Music - News | Reviews | Interviews is a music podcast hosted by Jay Franze, with 231 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jay Franze hosts The Jay Franze Show: Music - News | Reviews | Interviews, a music show with 231 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #231

  Asayda (Mark Frye)

  Sep 6, 20261h 1m

  Cincinnati is full of rooms where a band can level up fast, but only if you know where to look. We talk with hard rock artist Mark Frye from Asayda about the Cincinnati live music scene as a real map of neighborhoods, venues, and crowds, and why the city feels like a “big small town” for musicians. From Bogarts to Annie’s Music Center to Ludlow Garage and Riverbend, we compare what each space rewards, what it costs to be close to the stage, and what makes a show feel electric when the band is still on the rise. We also get into the less glamorous truth behind every solid band: people. Mark breaks down how Aseda came together after multiple projects, why “good hang” matters as much as chops, and how lineup changes happen when life, family, careers, and health collide with rehearsal schedules. If you’ve ever wondered why some groups sound great but still fall apart, this part hits home with practical, real-world honesty. Then we go deep on the craft and the gear. Mark shares how Asayda is building a new album with a DIY studio approach, how drum tracking can work with an e-kit and triggered sounds, and why flexibility can be a blessing and a curse when you can always tweak “one more” part. We talk guitars, stage visibility, and the modern debate over modelers and “real” instruments, plus what’s next including the Swine City Brewing show on September 4 and the band’s release strategy for Spotify and beyond. If you like Cincinnati rock stories, recording process talk, and behind-the-scenes band building, hit follow, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Everywhere: @jayfranze Services Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/ Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/ Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/ Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/ Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/ Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/ VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

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  Episode #230

  Ivey Leighton

  Aug 30, 202632 min

  A debut single is never just a song. It’s ten years of drafts, late-night voice memos, and learning how to trust your own taste long enough to hit release. We sit down with Tennessee pop rock recording artist Ivy Leighton to unpack the real work behind her first official drop, “Good Girl,” out September 1st, 2026. Ivy shares the moment she got serious about songwriting at 14, the mix of influences that shaped her sound (Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Paramore, Wet Leg, Radiohead), and why she keeps coming back to angry, dramatic lyrics even when she tries to write something happy. She also gets specific about craft: starting with guitar or piano chords, finding lyrics through “gibberish” melodies, pulling one-liners from her Notes app, and turning a root feeling into a fictional story that still hits hard. Then we go deep on music production and recording. Ivy walks us through capturing ideas on iPhone Voice Memos, tracking with a full band at a studio in Dunlap, Tennessee, and building vocal harmonies by experimenting in GarageBand on her phone before stepping up to the mic. We also talk mixing with nine-time Grammy winner Bob Bullock and what it feels like to hear your music come back with real punch for the first time. After the livestream, we share a major update: Jay Franze officially steps in to manage Ivy, setting the stage for bigger shows, smarter career moves, and a long release runway. Listen, follow Ivy’s journey, and if “Good Girl” hits you, share it, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find the music. Episode Links Ivey Leighton: https://iveyleighton.com/ Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Everywhere: @jayfranze Services Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/ Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/ Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/ Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/ Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/ Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/ VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

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  Episode #229

  Tom Rentz, Concert Photographer

  Aug 23, 20261h 15m

  Three songs. That’s the window most concert photographers get to capture an entire night of energy, emotion, and chaos and somehow deliver photos that look like they belong on a tour poster. We sit down with Ohio concert photographer Tom Rentz to talk about what really creates a signature look in live music photography, from tight portrait framing to the decisions you make before you ever lift the camera. Tom breaks down the craft behind the “lucky” shots: studying performances ahead of time, reading choreography, using burst shooting to catch micro-expressions, and choosing where to stand so the moment lands in your frame. We also dig into the unglamorous problems that every live music photographer faces, like harsh red lighting, microphones covering faces, underlit drummers, and the constant pressure of the three-song sprint. Then we go nerdy in the best way: focus points, cropping choices, why he loves wide glass like a 14-24, and what changes when you’re stuck at front of house with a long lens, a monopod, and an ISO ceiling you may or may not want to cross. We also talk credentials, band restrictions, and the etiquette that keeps you getting invited back. If you shoot concerts, want to shoot concerts, or just love the behind-the-scenes reality of live music, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a photographer friend. After you listen, what’s the hardest part of concert photography for you right now? Episode Links Tom Rentz: https://rentzphotography.com/ Jeff King: https://jayfranze.com/episode6/ Chris Leuzinger: https://jayfranze.com/episode17/ Bruce Reiter: https://jayfranze.com/episode67/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Everywhere: @jayfranze Services Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/ Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/ Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/ Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/ Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/ Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/ VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

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  Episode #228

  Archers Gate

  Aug 16, 202650 min

  A heavy song doesn’t start as a finished riff and a perfect hook. It starts as a feeling, a voice memo, a half-built demo, and a band willing to tear it down and rebuild it until it finally hits. We sit down with Ohio rock band Archer’s Gate for a deep, practical talk about collaboration, vocal harmonies, and the real behind-the-scenes work that turns an idea into a release you can blast in the car. We get specific about their songwriting process, from who brings the first spark to how they pressure-test arrangements in pre-production with scratch tracks, pads, and evolving structures. The band also breaks down their studio workflow with Sonic Lounge Studios and engineer-producer Joe Viers, including why producer coaching changes vocal performances, how Pro Tools sessions move back and forth, and why recording clean stems for re-amping keeps tones flexible without losing personality. If you love gear talk, you’ll hear how they think about guitar roles, drum impact, and bass tone shaping with clean plus dirt blending. Then we go straight into the heart of the music. Emily shares the story behind “Metamorphosis,” using the butterfly lifecycle as a metaphor for life transformation and the hard seasons that come before growth. The band also unpacks “Suffocate,” weaving anxiety, pressure, and breathwork-inspired vocal textures into a track that feels as tense as the message. We wrap with what’s next: album plans, marketing support, building the right team, and what they actually want from management. Subscribe for more artist interviews, share this with a musician friend, and leave a review if you want more deep dives like this. What part of the band’s process do you want to hear more about next? Episode Links Archers Gate: https://www.archersgateband.com/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Everywhere: @jayfranze Services Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/ Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/ Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/ Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/ Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/ Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/ VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

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  Episode #227

  Life After This (Matthew Fritsch)

  Aug 9, 202651 min

  A great heavy band does two jobs at once: it punches you in the chest with sound, then pulls you closer with truth. Jay Franze sits down with Ohio recording artist Matthew Fritsch, vocalist for Life After This, to talk about the moments that shaped his approach to modern metal and hard rock, starting with the impact of Papa Roach. We get into what “stage energy” really means, how crowds become one unit, and why the most powerful lyrics are often the most direct ones. Matthew breaks down his songwriting process as a vocalist who doesn’t play instruments, building songs collaboratively from a riff-first foundation and then writing melody and lyrics after the music reveals its mood. We also talk about why he pushes for variety across the catalog, keeping every track on the same street but not in the same house, and how vulnerability in vocal performance can be just as heavy as screaming. Then we go behind the curtain: building a real music community through presale ticket hustle, hanging with fans after sets, and even renting a school bus party ride to bring supporters to a show. On the production side, Matthew shares what it’s like recording at Sonic Lounge with engineer Joe Viers, trusting creative ideas, and dialing in a mix with feedback that serves the song. Subscribe for more interviews, share this with a friend who loves heavy music, and leave a review with the one band that taught you to be braver. Episode Links Life After This: https://lifeafterthis.com/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Everywhere: @jayfranze Services Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/ Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/ Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/ Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/ Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/ Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/ VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

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