Queen City Music Podcast
Music
About
A podcast dedicated to the local music scene in Charlotte, North Carolina. The show host speaks with local musicians, music venues, shop owners and artisans in around the Charlotte metro region.
Episodes
- E98 - Mike Prescott, guitarist
This month on episode 98 of the QCMP I'm talking with guitarist Mike Prescott. You may know Mike best for his amazing guitar playing with The Hawthornes - a genre bending group whose music is hard to classify. Mike's unique sound and broad…
- E97 - Payton Rose Velligan, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist
This month on episode 97 of the Queen City Music Podcast I'm sitting down with singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Payton Rose Velligan for what is the longest episode of the QCMP to date. You may recall Payton was on the podcast…
- E96 - Edward Crowther, guitarist
This month on episode 96 of the Queen City Music Podcast. This month I'm speaking with guitarist Edward Crowther who is quickly making a name for himself on the Charlotte scene. He's a musician unafraid of wearing his influences like a bad…
- E95 - Kristi Ormand, singer/songwriter
2026 is off to a great start and on this episode 95 of the QCMP I'm pleased to be speaking with my friend singer/songwriter Kristi Ormand. Kristi has released several new singles recently and fronts the cover group StellaRising. I sat down…
- E94 - Coconut Groove Band, cover band
To kick off 2026 and this episode 94 of the QCMP I'm speaking with members of Charlotte's most notable cover group - Coconut Groove Band. The group formed in the late 90's and have developed a broad repertoire of songs which spans decades…
- E93 - The Spongetones, power pop band
This month on episode 93 of the QCMP I'm speaking with local music legends The Spongetones! The group formed in 1979 from a desire to play the music of the Beatles and other artists of the 1960s they admired. Their music can best be descri…
- E92 - Rick Thurmond, Confluence
This month on episode 92 of the QCMP I'm speaking with Rick Thurmond from Confluence. If you are not familiar with Confluence, it is the must-attend annual gathering for music professionals, artists, and industry leaders across the Carolin…
- E91 - Sean Michael Smith, composer
This month on episode 91 of the QCMP I'm speaking with self-trained composer Sean Michael Smith. Sean has an interesting background as a metal musician, with a foot in the classical realm. His first symphony "The Wolf" is to be performed o…
- E90 - Local Music Business Roundtable, w/ Pam Taylor, Ephraim Sommers and Nicholas Rhodes
This month on episode 90 the QCMP has its first rountable! We're talking the business of music as a local musician. Host Matthew Ablan is joined by Ephraim Scott Sommers, Pam Taylor and Nicholas Rhodes. It's an interesting discussion betwe…
- E89 - Philip Funderburk, cover artist
This month on episode 89 cover artist Philip Funderburk who can be found tickling the ivories as a soloist and dualing pianist. Philip digs into his background as a pianist, what brought him to Charlotte and a whole lot more! _____________…
- E88 - Big Greg, rap artist
This month on episode 88 rap artist Big Greg also known as PLK "The Punch Line Kid"stops by to talk. Big Greg can best be described as "genre less" and has been cited as one of the most diverse artists in the south. Not to mention he's rec…
- E87 - Desmond McDonald, bassist
This month on episode 87 of the QCMP I'm speaking with bassist Desmond McDonald who recently finished a tour with blues/rock guitarist Eric Gales. Dez fills us in on his music background, what attracted him to the bass, plugging into the C…
- E86 - Tara Taylor, vocalist
This month on episode 86 of the QCMP vocalist and good friend Tara Taylor stops by to discuss her musical history, plugging into the Charlotte music scene and the various groups she performs with. __________________________________________…
- E85 - Matt Stratford, cover artist
This month on episode 85 of the QCMP local cover artist Matt Stratford stops by to discuss his musical background, the local Charlotte scene, live sound and lots more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP __…
- E84 - Nathan Harris, touring/session guitarist
This month on episode 84 of the QCMP I'm speaking with Nathan Harris. Nathan is multi-talented and is a touring and session guitarist as well as a singer/songwriter. His recent release is the EP Moving On. _________________________________…
- E83 - Joe May, Independent Artist
This month on episode 83 of the QCMP I'm pleased to be speaking with independent artist Joe May. You may remember Joe from episode 40 of the QCMP when he was on with several band members from his Pluto Gang. This month Joe is back talking…
- E82 - Greazy Keyz
Happy New Year and I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. This month on episode 82 of the QCMP Greazy Keyz is back and this time in the studio! The last time he was featured on the podcast was back in 2020 on episode 33 and we needed…
- E81 - Troy Conn, guitarist
This month on Episode 81 of the Queen City Music Podcast Matthew speaks with guitarist Troy Conn. The two talk about Troy's musical history, performing, working with like minded musicians, teaching and navigating social media! ____________…
- E80 - Flame Tides
This month on Episode 80 of the Queen City Music Podcast Matthew speaks with Flame Tides. A melodic heavy groove duo featuring Hayley Moran and Rocketman McNeely. The duo discuss how they came together, navigating the Charlotte scene, what…
- E79 - DJ Citron, Electronic Dance Music
This month Matthew talks with DJ Citron. Citron talks about the history of DJ'ing - what it is and what it's all about, how he became a DJ, a run down of the Charlotte scene, and a whole lot more! __________________________________________…
- E78 - Nicholas Rhodes, The Raven & The Road
This month Matthew talks with Charlotte native Nicholas Rhodes who works under the moniker "The Raven & The Road". The two discuss Noicholas' journey in music from jazz to rock, from ensemble to solo performer guitar teaching, his podcast…
- E77 - Douglas Armstrong, Midwood Guitar Studio
This month on Episode 77 Matthew speaks with Douglas Armstrong owner of Midwood Guitar Studio. It's been some time since Douglas was last on the podcast, but he's back to update us on what's been happening at MGS. _________________________…
- E76 - Fault Reset, metal band
This month on episode 76 of the Queen City Music Podcast host Matthew Ablan speaks with Patrick "PJ" Justice and Warren Wheless founding members of the metal band Fault Reset. The guys discuss how the band came together, the song writing p…
- E75 - Matthew Ablan, musician/educator
The Queen City Music Podcast celebrates its 75th episode! This month the microphone is turned on Matthew Ablan as his old friend Ken Kellner visits and sets out to interview the interviewer. Ken and I dig into growing up and getting into m…
- E74 - Scott McLaughlin, media composer/multi-instrumentalist
This month Matthew Ablan speaks with media-composer, multi-instrumentalist and former music educator Scott McLaughlin! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ S…
- E73 - Prog for Wishes
This month Matthew Ablan speaks with Matthew Hedrick, founder of Prog for Wishes . Prog For Wishes is an annual Progressive Rock Concert of All-Star Charlotte Musicians Benefiting Make-A-Wish. ______________________________________________…
- E72 - Neal Carter, solo acoustic cover artist
This month Matthew Ablan speaks with solo acoustic cover artist Neal Carter. Matthew and Neal discuss playing out, cover tunes, being a solo acoustic player, stage attire and more! _________________________________________________ Donate t…
- E71 - Earshot, event promotion platform
This month Matthew Ablan speaks with John Bureau from Earshot - an events promotion platform which connects hosts & creators through a digitized booking process & shares event details with fans. The platform enables people to find and foll…
- E70 - Vadim Kolpakov, The King of Seven Strings
Happy New Year! To kick off 2024 host Matthew Ablan speaks with The King Of Seven Strings - Vadim Kolpakov. Vadim is one of the most prominent and renowned Gypsy 7-string guitarists in the world, as well as a vocalist, dancer and composer.…
- E69 - Kevin Marshall, Smiling Moon Guitars
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Kevin Marshall from Smiling Moon Guitars. Kevin is a luthier and sing-songwriter who has been a staple on the Charlotte music scene for over two decades. ___________________________________________…
- E68 - Chris Suter, Ginger Cat Sounds
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Chris Suter of Ginger Cat Sounds - a recording studio designed to meet all of your audio production needs. Queen _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _______________…
- E67 - Troy Kryzalka, Number Drummer
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Troy Kryzalka the Number Drummer . Troy is a former educator, curriculum and instruction trainer, coach and developer. He is the creator and teacher of the Number Drummer program which he brings sc…
- E66 - Jason Hausman, composer/sound designer
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Jason Hausman who is a composer, sound designer and founder of the audio branding studio Hot Sakē. The two discuss Jason's evolution into composition and sound design, developing Hot Sake , what it…
- E65 - Lowcats, lo-fi indie pop band
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Chris Suter and Paul Ward who form Lowcats - an enigmatic duo who's sound can best be defined as "Lo-Fi Indie Pop." The two discuss how they the duo came to be, how the gravitated to their current…
- E64 - Curtis Wingfield, drummer/composer
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with drummer/composer Curtis Wingfield who has been a staple on the local Charlotte music scene since the later 90's! Curtis talks about his back ground, the formation of Jazz is Led , his history with…
- E63 - 2022 The Year in Review
For this final episode of 2022 I go back and take interesting parts from the years past episodes (52 - 56) which feature: E52 - Daniel Grimmett, Dark Label Music E53 - Ron Brendle, bassist E54 - Marina Alexandra, classical guitarist E55 -…
- E62 - Jennifer Givens, singer/songwriter
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with singer/songwriter Jennifer Givens. Jennifer talks about her love of music, evolving into a songwriter, her new recording and a whole lot more! _________________________________________________ Jenn…
- E61 - Pete Lents, Brookstone Bards
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with musician Pete Lents from the entertainment company Brookstone Bards. Pete spills the facts on his Twitch stream, original music with Art & Pete, the yacht rock spectacular Thurston Howell a much mo…
- E60 - Todd Johnson, musician
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with musician Todd Johnson who you may know from his solo recordings or performances with Todd Johnson and the Revolvers. The two discuss Todd's music background, studying audio recording, his approach…
- E59 - Courtney Lynn & Quinn, Americana duo
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Courtney Lynn & Quinn - who's amazing harmonies make them a stand-out in Americana music! The ladies discuss how they met, their approach to songwriting, the role social media plays for indie artis…
- E58 - Chad Andrew Harris, guitarist
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with guitarist Chad Andrew Harris who has been making a name for himself on the Charlotte scene as both a teacher and performer. The two discuss Chad's music background, his evolution into Bluegrass mus…
- E57 - Colby Dobbs, singer/pianist
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with singer/pianist Colby Dobbs. The two discuss Colby's music background, coming into his own as a singer, the murder mystery of the Lawn Friends, what it's like working with booking agencies and so mu…
- E56 - Jeremy Radio, Four Finger Records/Thousand Dollar Movie
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Jeremy Radio from Four Finger Records. The two discuss Jeremy's music background, how Four Finger Records formed, it's devotion to the Charlotte music scene, his band Thousand Dollar Movie and so m…
- E55 - Jim Brock, percussionist
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with renowned percussionist Jim Brock who is an innovator in the world of drums of drums and percussion. Jim has traveled the world extensively as a performer and appeared on hundreds of recordings with…
- March Extra - Teddy Johnson, Middle C Jazz
This month Matthew speaks with Teddy Johnson from Middle C Jazz . The two discuss what happening at MCJ regarding Covid updates, local artists, rennovations and a whole lot more! _________________________________________________ If you'd l…
- E54 - Marina Alexandra, classical guitarist
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with classical guitarist Marina Alexandra . The two discuss Marina's musical background, her various recordings , solo vs ensemble playing and the Southern Guitar Festival & Competition among other thin…
- E53 - Ron Brendle, bassist
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks bassist Ron Brendle who is staple on the Charlotte music scene. Ron has been named "Best Bass Player" by Charlotte magazine and "Jazz Artist of the Year" by Creative Loafing. Then two discuss Ron' s mus…
- E52 - Daniel Grimmett, Dark Label Music
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with Daniel Grimmett founder of Dark Label Music . Daniel talks about his music background, his journey into the music business and everything that DLM does. Follow Dark Label Music on Instagram , Faceb…
- E51 - The Wormholes
This month Matthew Ablan speaks with Chris and Ben from The Wormholes a band who's music has been described as a blend of "art-pop and psychedelic rock". The duo discuss the band's history, their unique sound, their creative process and th…
- E50 - The Mood Kings
This month host Matthew Ablan speaks with The Mood Kings - Herman Ospina - guitar/singer, Joey Townsend - bass/vocals and Mark Schwarze - drums. The band discusses their history, the fun of creating music later in life, their acclaimed sin…