Joey’s Song

REWIND - Sierra Swan on Touring with Ringo Starr, Writing with Aimee Mann & Love for Joey's Song | Joey's Song Podcast 01.07.2026 42m

She's the scene stealer of Joey's Song — and in this episode, you'll find out exactly why.Singer-songwriter Sierra Swan joins Joey's Song Founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. From touring the world with Ringo Starr to co-writing with Aimee Mann, from growing up as the daughter of legendary songwriter Billy Swan to singing on a Frank Black solo album with a black eye and a story she probably shouldn't tell — Sierra brings the kind of warmth, candor, and rock 'n' roll wisdom that makes her one of the most beloved recurring artists in the Joey's Song family.Sierra Swan is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer who has released multiple albums and EPs, most recently sharing exclusive new music with fans through her Substack community (Sierra Swan Music). Her collaborators read like a who's who of rock royalty: Ringo Starr, Linda Perry, Aimee Mann, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), and Frank Black of the Pixies — connections that go back to her famous father, Billy Swan, the songwriter and rockabilly artist who penned "I Can Help," rubbed elbows with Kris Kristofferson at the first-ever recording of "Me and Bobby McGee," and counted John Lennon among his superfans. In this episode, Mike and Sierra cover:- What it was really like to tour with Ringo Starr — first class all the way, a tight-knit band van, and a love story backstage that Mike found deeply moving - How Linda Perry pulled strings to get Sierra signed to Interscope — and why Aimee Mann ended up co-writing AND singing on one of her records- Growing up as Billy Swan's daughter — Nashville legends, a communal music scene, and why John Lennon was obsessed with her dad's music- The Frank Black story — a black eye, a wooden ladder, too many drinks, and an impromptu studio session she and her sister still can't believe actually happened- Sierra's take on what's gone wrong in the music industry: the death of the band, the streaming economy, the "grit" that disappeared with the '90s, and why she wakes up every morning tempted to pull her catalog off Spotify- Why Joey's Song feels like "summer camp" and "recess" — and what makes the Girls vs. Boys band format one of the most pure expressions of musical joy she experiences all yearPlus: This or That (Beatles vs. Stones, Seinfeld vs. Friends, past vs. future), Overrated or Underrated (vintage guitars, eight hours of sleep, making your bed), and Sierra's Substack where paid subscribers get exclusive music you won't find anywhere on streaming.Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with one mission: raise money so that research into treatments and cures for epilepsy gets the funding it needs. Our annual flagship benefit, Freezing Man, brings together some of the most talented independent artists in rock to perform, collaborate, and raise money for a cause that matters. Every listen, subscribe, and share helps us spread the word.#SierraSwan #JoeysSong #LINERnotesPodcast #EpilepsyAwareness #EpilepsyResearch #IndieMusicPodcast #RingoStarr #LindaPerry #AimeeMann #BillySwan #FrankBlack #Pixies #DaveStewart #MusicHistory #WomenInRock #IndependentArtist #FreezingMan #MusicPodcast #RockMusic #SongwriterPodcast To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop : Chris Collingwood becomes a family member 30.06.2026 4m

The story of how Mike cornered and badgered Chris until he agreed to join Joey's Song To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Tracy Bonham: Grammys, Major Labels & Joining Joey's Song 2026 | Joey's Song Podcast 29.06.2026 40m

Two-time Grammy nominee Tracy Bonham ("Mother Mother") joins Mike Gomoll on the Joey's Song podcast for a candid conversation about her journey from major label breakout to fully independent artist. Tracy opens up about the whiplash of early fame, getting dropped from Island Def Jam, touring with Blue Man Group, and how she rebuilt her career on her own terms — plus a first look at her plans to re-record her debut album The Burdens of Being Upright for its 30th anniversary.Tracy also talks about why she said yes to performing at Joey's Song 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin, and what the show's tight-knit artist community means to her.This interview was recorded August 30, 2025.Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising money for epilepsy research and treatment. Subscribe, leave a review, and visit joeyssong.org to learn more, buy tickets, or donate.LEARN MOREJoey's Song: https://joeyssong.orgTracy Bonham: https://tracybonham.com#TracyBonham #TheBurdensOfBeingUpright #JoeysSong #LINERnotes #MikeGomoll #IndieMusic #SingerSongwriter #GrammyNominee #MusicPodcast #EpilepsyAwareness #IslandRecords #IndependentArtist #MadisonWisconsin #90sRock #MusicIndustry #SongwriterInterview To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Twilight Zone with the KIAB 29.06.2026 7m

The Know-It-All Boyfriends go into their home studios during COVID and come out with this gem ! To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Marissa Paternoster: DIY Punk, Top Guitarists & Playing for a Cause | Joey's Song Podcast 27.06.2026 32m

Marissa Paternoster — guitarist, vocalist, and visual artist best known as the frontwoman of New Jersey punk institution Screaming Females — talks with Joey's Song Founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging conversation about her life in music, her creative future, and what it was like to walk into the Joey's Song benefit concert with absolutely no idea what she was getting into. Named the 77th greatest guitarist of all time by Spin and the 150th by Rolling Stone, Marissa spent 18 years fronting Screaming Females — a band that never chased the mainstream, never got radio play, and never headlined big festivals, but toured relentlessly, built a fiercely loyal following through DIY venues and house shows, and earned those rankings purely on the strength of her playing. In this episode, Mike and Marissa talk about how Butch Vig connected them ahead of last year's Joey's Song benefit (Screaming Females once recorded a Patti Smith cover with Garbage), what it felt like to jump into the crowd during a Bikini Kill cover at the show, and the tight-knit community of artists — including Gail Greenwood, Butch Vig, and Vicki and Debbi from The Bangles — who keep coming back to Madison every January to play for a cause. They also get into life after Screaming Females: Marissa's monthly songwriting project on Patreon (the Pattern Posture Listener Alliance), her new band Universal Girlfriend, her long-running solo project Noun, and how she balances music with freelance illustration work. Plus — the weirdest venue Screaming Females ever played (hint: it doubled as a sex party warehouse), her very strong opinions on Chicago deep dish pizza, and whether she'd rather read minds or be invisible. 🎸 About Joey's SongJoey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with one mission: raise as much money as possible to fund research into treatments and cures for epilepsy. Every year, Joey's Song brings together an extraordinary community of musicians and music lovers for a benefit concert in Madison, Wisconsin — and every dollar raised goes toward changing lives.🌐 Learn more and donate: joeyssong.org▶️ Subscribe to the Joey's Song YouTube channel🎙️ Subscribe & leave a review on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more people find us! To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

REWIND - John Gourley of Portugal. The Man on Epilepsy and His Daughter Frances | Joey's Song Podcast 25.06.2026 31m

Mike Gomoll talks with John Gourley — chief songwriter, vocalist, and creative force behind Portugal. The Man — for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the future of live music touring, his daughter Frances' rare epilepsy diagnosis, and why the band keeps showing up for Joey's Song year after year.John opens up about Frances' diagnosis with a rare genetic condition called DEDS — a journey that went from a handful of seizures a day to nearly 100, and from confusion to genetic testing, specialist research, and the launch of the Francis Changed My Life Foundation. He and Mike also dig into the importance of epilepsy awareness, early diagnosis, and why funding research is the critical next frontier.On the music side, John breaks down his innovative new approach to touring — collaborating onstage with artists like Quinn Christofferson and Electric Guest's Asa Taccone through the PTM Pass the Mic Foundation — and what he sees as the future of live performance.In this conversation, John and Mike cover:- Portugal. The Man's new collaborative touring model and the Pass the Mic Foundation- Quinn Christofferson — why John calls him one of Alaska's greatest living songwriters- Writing music as a collective and PTM's ever-evolving sound- Frances' diagnosis with DEDS and the family's path to answers- Absence seizures being misread as behavioral issues — and why awareness matters- AI's potential role in accelerating rare disease research- Favorite Joey's Song memories — including Butch Vig calling an impromptu "Low" by Cracker and writing out Oasis chord charts for Sam Gomoll backstage- What the Alaska ethos of helping your neighbor has to do with how John shows up in the worldPortugal. The Man has been one of Joey's Song's most loyal supporters, donating their time and talent to the Freezing Man festival in Madison, Wisconsin — a fundraiser for epilepsy research and treatment.Support Joey's Song & Learn More:🌐 JoeyssSong.org📘 Francis Changed My Life Foundation: crashtreatment.com📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@JoeysSong🎙️ Follow the podcast on your favorite platformJoey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising funds for epilepsy research and treatment. Every like, follow, and share helps us reach more people.#JoeyssongPodcast #JohnGourley #PortugalTheMan #Epilepsy #EpilepsyAwareness #FrancisChangedMyLife #DEDS #FreezingMan #LINERnotes #LiveMusic #QuinnChristofferson #JoeyssongOrg To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Do You Wanna Know What Love Is ? 24.06.2026 7m

Cory Chisel and The Liberated Chorale absolutely stole the show in 2024 with this stunning rendition of "I Wanna Know What Love Is ?" To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop : Butch Vig joins the family 21.06.2026 4m

The Godfather of Grunge and our pal from the 1980's Madison music scene, Butch Vig, joined the crew and changed everything!!! Hear the story behind it. To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Beautiful Boy 18.06.2026 6m

Joey's big brother Sam, makes his singing debut in front of 1000 people...and kills it. He sings the John Lennon classic in his brother's memory To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

REWIND : Hugo Burnham 16.06.2026 47m

Our chat with Hugo Burnham, drum kit master from the legendary @GangOfFour..from 2025. To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

LINERnotes - Headliners & The Church Key (Madison music club history) and some really fun Bangles talk 13.06.2026 50m

Andy and Mike dig into a couple of the iconic music clubs from Madison's past. A few fun stories and then revisit the Bangles Joey's Song set for 2025 To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Take The Skinheads Bowling 12.06.2026 3m

Joey's Song concerts are an evening of "one-offs" that create some FOMO if you are not there...this one is a prime example.... To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Justin Currie is Driving With The Brakes On 10.06.2026 7m

Way back in the pandemic days, we all locked ourselves in and went online. We asked our Joey's Song artists to do the same. One of our favorites, Del Amitri front man Justin Currie, pulled out the iPhone and recrded this version of his classic Driving With The Brakes On To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Scorecards N Setlists - 5 Beers 09.06.2026 30m

Ebo and Mike talk about the artists they would like to sit down and have a beer with. To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Justin Currie & Bobby Tanzilo 08.06.2026 1h 23m

This is the story of 3 friends, 30+ years of friendship, and one of them is a rock star... To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop : Whose Gonna Drive You Home ? 04.06.2026 3m

Hear the inside story about how one song made it from rehearsal to show stealer in one day. To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Scorecards & Setlists - Protest Songs 03.06.2026 26m

Ebo and Mike talk about the value and controversy around protest songs, from the 60's thru to the 00's To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

ReWIND : Kay Hanley 27.05.2026 30m

A revisit to our chat when @letterstocleo singer #KayHanley joined the pod... To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

MIC Drop - Dirty Deeds 26.05.2026 6m

A look back at one of Joey's Song's greatest hits. The Know-It-All Girlfriends with a blazing cover of AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Scorecards and Setlists : Technical Fireworks In Music (How Much Is Too Much ?) 23.05.2026 33m

Ebo and Mike talk about the value of "technical fireworks" in music. When does it work, when does it not..with much love to Eddie Van Halen and Neil Peart. To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.