Holy Fool Podcast hosts Ben Sooy and Nick Webber are joined by Josaleigh Pollett and Jordan Watko, who write and release music together as "Josaleigh Pollett".

Josaleigh and Jordan discuss the joys of working with a trusted and beloved creative partner, the strengths of the music scene in Salt Lake City, and how being an enthusiast for good music makes the lives of everyone around you better.

josaleighpollett.bandcamp.com

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy is joined by Connor Erickson and Isaac Marquardt from Milwaukee emo band Barely Civil. They discuss the joys and struggles of being in a DIY band for over a decade, and how collective action and support is needed to ensure that art keeps getting made by working class people. 

Barely Civil just released a split EP with fellow Milwaukee band Known Moons, available on their Bandcamp. 

barelycivil.bandcamp.com

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy is joined by James Thome and Jimmy Kildea from Florida emo punk band Walking Blue. 

Walking Blue is a young band who takes the craft of songwriting, recording, and playing live seriously (even if they don’t take themselves that serious, they call their music “pajama pant emo flower rock”). They discuss the excitement of playing Warped Tour, the struggles of trying to be a band without going into debt, and the moment their parents started to believe in the dream of being in a rock band.

walkingbluefl.com

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy speaks with Bob Andrews and Jayne Ballantyne from the Undertow Music Collective about their DIY approach to artist management, the importance of house shows, and the evolving landscape of the music industry. They share personal stories of how they got involved in supporting working musicians, the challenges artists face today, and the significance of building direct relationships with fans. Bob and Jayne give practical advice to working musicians based on their 30+ years supporting artists. The Undertow Music Collective began in 1996 as a group of friends sharing ideas, resources and a love of music. They work closely with a select roster of artists they love, respect and call their friends. Their goal is to create a friendly and productive environment for these people to make music while keeping their integrity and artistic vision intact. undertowmusic.com

In this episode of the Holy Fool podcast, host Ben Sooy and co-host Daniel Perez welcome Tim Foreman, a member of San Diego rock band Switchfoot and solo artist under the name Bongo Chico. They discuss the joy of music, the creative process, the dynamics of being in a band, and the challenges faced by musicians in the current industry. Tim shares insights on songwriting, the importance of community, and how to maintain a childlike curiosity in creativity. The conversation emphasizes the need for vulnerability, collaboration, and support among artists.

switchfoot.com

bongochico.com 

Holy Fool Podcast hosts Ben Sooy and Nick Webber interview Arthur Alligood, otherwise known as Phoneswithchords. 

We discuss Arthur’s creative process, his journey as a 20 year musician and songwriter, and how songwriting is just one manifestation of a life that’s getting more healthy and whole. 

Phoneswithchords is a Tennesee-based lofi diy project which integrates influences from folk, Americana, slowcore, and pop rock.

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy interviews Jared Barnes and Dan Carlson from Denver emo band Creek. 

Creek is an emo / grungegaze band based in Denver, Colorado. The band discusses their creative process, the growing Denver music scene, and how making music is a form of communication as essential as speaking.

Creek Bandcamp - creekco.bandcamp.com/
Creek Instagram - instagram.com/creek_band/

Holy Fool is a Colorado-based nonprofit community of musicians and patrons who hold all things in common. Our mission is to provide encouragement, peer coaching, and strategizing help to musicians who are not yet financially independent. We lend resources, equipment, and micro grants to musicians in need.

On the Holy Fool Podcast, we interview bands, songwriters, patrons, and others doing redemptive work in their music scenes.

You can support Holy Fool at holyfoolco.com

Holy Fool Podcast hosts Ben Sooy and Nick Webber are joined by Will Lindsay, the lead singer of Philadelphia indie punk band Caracara and the collaborative drum and bliss project Buying Fireworks in Indiana.

Watch on YouTube. Listen on Spotify and Apple.

Will discusses his obsessive drive to create music with others, his efforts to create a life of financial and personal sustainability, and the work he’s done to become a more healthy and whole person, while still prioritizing creating music.

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy interviews the members of Colorado folk rock band Mercy Club.

We asked Mercy Club about their creative process, why they write songs, what struggles they're facing as working musicians, and how a community of musicians and patrons could support their creative work.

Holy Fool Podcast host Ben Sooy is joined by Lauren Beecher from Denver emo band Broken Record.

We asked Lauren about her creative process, why she writes songs, and what struggles she and her band face as working musicians.

Holy Fool Podcast hosts Ben Sooy and Nick Webber (from Denver emo band A Place For Owls) are joined by Joey and Christian from Denver emo band Buddy Bench.

We want to thrive in the world as it is, but we also want to imagine together the world as it should be. What world could we create, where working musicians are honored and fairly compensated? We want to help musicians get organized and build diverse friendships and coalitions with others with a like mind and similar calling…

I have found that by becoming a good and steadfast friend to others, I find myself surrounded by good and steadfast friends. By taking care of others, I am actually helping build the sort of community that will take care of me when I need it…

Hey, this is Ben Sooy from Holy Fool!

For many of us, music is essential to life. On a good day, we throw on our favorite record and dance around the kitchen. On a bad day, we throw on the saddest songs we can find and have a good cry.

But we live in an age where life is harder and harder for working musicians…