Irish songwriter Steven Eli and Colorado multi-instrumentalist Leor Manelis make music from opposite sides of the world as Sun Way Street. Their new album Ghost Town captures that distance and connection in equal measure. We talk about how they write hundreds of songs remotely, why they sometimes pull tracks after scheduling them to be published, and why art should surprise its creators as much as its listeners.

Beauts from Halifax talk about the long process of writing their upcoming album Marigolds, and middle-age in-betweenness. We talk slow-burn writing, and studio craft. We talk vinyl sequencing and letting songs breathe. We talk about Fender-driven textures, a flaming-amp gig, and a lot more. After all, it’s a podcast. We talk. Guests: Jeff Lawton, Darryl Smith, Palmer Jamieson.

Songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Covenhoven (Joel Van Horne) unpacks the meaning behind his moniker, the family cabin that inspired it, and the fatherly influence that shaped his ear—plus a memorable Red Rocks mishap. We explore his shift from solo-everything to collaborations on IV, we talk grief, the The Color of the Dark and the “field notes” he recorded outdoors along the West Coast. Open tunings, nylon strings, and why patience—and place—still matter.

Drummer Tess Wilkin of The Buoys talks about their new single “Bitch,” the power of language, rediscovering drumming, and how the band built its signature energy onstage and beyond.

Rory Gillanders has the songs — now he’s fighting to be heard. The Irish indie-folk artist talks about crafting emotional anthems like Waiting and Soulless World, the realities of making it as an independent musician, and why he’s ready to take his music from small-town gigs to stages across Europe.

Indie rocker Meg Elsier joins The Underknown to talk about her debut album Spittake — a raw, genre-blending record born from years of writing songs alone in her bedroom. Meg shares how growing up biracial in small-town New England shaped her music, why vulnerability is at the heart of her songwriting, and how a Hello Kitty fuzz pedal became part of her sound. We explore her creative process, the challenge of staying authentic in today’s music industry, and how performing live — even when it’s terrifying — reconnected her to her passion. For fans of indie rock, DIY music, and artists who refuse to fit the mold.

UK indie artist Lizzie Esau joins The Underknown to talk about her new single “A Day in the Life,” the daily grind that inspired it, and her evolving sound. We explore her loop-based songwriting process, growing up in a creative household, and what it means to stay independent in today’s music industry.

Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan discusses his new album Natural Light, recorded in a cabin with longtime bandmates. He opens up about the creative process, vulnerability in songwriting, the ups and downs of a long indie music career, and why connection—not fame—is the true measure of success. Topics include: Dan Mangan interview, Canadian indie music, Natural Light album, songwriting, folk rock, music industry burnout, and artistic rediscovery.

In this episode of The Underknown, I sit down with the four members of the UK-based rock band Florentenes — a group that feels like your favorite new discovery and your favorite old record at the same time. We talk about writing lyrics that roll off the tongue, finding your sound, and how to use guitar solos and drum breaks to write fewer lyrics. They’re thoughtful, self-aware, and talented as hell — the kind of band you can’t help but root for.

Jackie and Andrew from Newcastle’s Pit Pony join The Underknown to talk about songwriting, sonic identity, and the evolution behind their latest album. They dive into the story behind some of their songs, balancing day jobs with touring, and how a spreadsheet—and a little chaos—helps the band choose what makes the cut. From stripped-down BBC sessions to big stage energy, this episode unpacks how Pit Pony crafts their sound, humor, and connection to place and each other. Featuring: songwriting process, band dynamics, parenting, touring life, social media pressure, and a cameo from mushy peas.

Victoria Bigelow: Songs That Saved Her Victoria Bigelow joins The Underknown for a raw, vulnerable conversation about the music that helped her survive. From a chaotic childhood and early addiction to becoming a young mother, she shares how songwriting—starting at age 12—became her lifeline. We explore the stories behind “Oblivion,” “Under the Tree,” “Low,” and “The Age of the Internet,” touching on everything from trauma and healing to the strange beauty of creating music in isolation. Victoria talks about working with her husband and producer, parenting in the digital age, and learning to write more deliberately—without losing the spark. If you've ever found yourself in a song, this one’s for you.

David Ramirez nearly walked away from music—then a simple pop-up show reignited everything. In this episode, he opens up about heartbreak, healing, and making an album purely for the joy of it.

From punk rock dive bars to Muscle Shoals studios, Dylan LeBlanc’s path to haunting Americana wasn’t linear—but it was honest. In this premiere episode, Dylan opens up about growing up between chaos and creativity, landing Emmylou Harris to sing backups on his debut album Paupers Field, and finding his voice over five albums. We dig into the grit, the grace, and the making of Coyote, his most personal record yet.  

In this special origin episode of The Underknown, host Yon Perullo reunites with his former bandmates from Toad House—a hard-touring, grunge-leaning rock band that tore through venues in the 1990s. Together with Jeff Soderbergh, Kurt Friel, and Troy Williams, Yon shares the untold story of the band’s formation, evolution, and relentless pursuit of a dream. From playing college parties to hauling Aerosmith’s old sound system up fire escapes, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really meant to be a working band in the pre-digital era. Expect road stories, songwriting battles, gear disasters, missed weddings, and a whole lot of laughter. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like before the Spotify streams and social media hype, Toad House is the perfect place to start. This is the soul of The Underknown: telling the stories of talented musicians—before the world catches on.