The Bandwich Tapes

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Texas songwriter Amber Westerman for a conversation about new chapters, creative honesty, and the courage it takes to build a life that actually fits. Amber’s journey has taken her from farming in Hawaii to writing songs in Nashville, and now back to a place that feels more like home.

We talk about that turning point—recognizing when a path that once felt exciting no longer feels right. Amber shares what it meant to leave Nashville behind and return to Texas, and how that decision helped reconnect her with the reasons she started writing songs in the first place.

Amber also speaks candidly about the less glamorous parts of being a modern artist, including social media burnout and the pressure to chase trends. Instead of leaning into the constant push for visibility, she’s chosen to focus on authenticity and genuine connection with listeners—something that comes through clearly in both her songwriting and the way she approaches her career.

Along the way, we talk about the story behind her single “Barefoot Days,” how Hawaii continues to shape her musical perspective, and what’s coming next as she moves forward with new music and her band. It’s an honest conversation about staying grounded, trusting your instincts, and building a creative life on your own terms.

Key Takeaways
Creative paths evolve — sometimes the most important move is recognizing when it’s time for a new chapter.
Place shapes the music — Amber’s time in Hawaii and Texas both deeply influence her songwriting voice.
Authenticity matters more than trends — real connection with listeners lasts longer than viral moments.
Social media pressure is real for artists — navigating that landscape requires intention and boundaries.
Songwriting grows from lived experience — personal shifts often lead to deeper creative work.
Returning home can reset perspective — reconnecting with roots can bring clarity and purpose.
Building a sustainable music life requires honesty — both with yourself and with your audience.
Music from the Episode
Barefoot Days - Amber Westerman
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams, featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the influences, decisions, and experiences that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Billy Allen and Jay Burgess from Billy Allen + The Pollies for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like hanging out with musicians who care deeply about feel: the kind of musical quality you can’t really quantify. Still, you know immediately when you hear it.

We start with a full-circle moment: the band was scheduled to play Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta the night of our conversation, a venue I know well. That quickly turns into stories about the realities of life as a working band: stairs, load-ins, and the kind of shared touring experiences that musicians everywhere instantly understand.

From there, we trace the long arc of how Billy and Jay’s collaboration actually came together. Their connection began years earlier when Jay first heard Billy singing in a bar, but it took time for the right musical moment to develop. That theme of timing runs through the entire conversation, how artists grow into themselves, and how patience can be the difference between a short-lived project and something sustainable.

One of my favorite parts of the conversation centers on their philosophy about recording. Billy and Jay talk about their love for capturing music as a band in the room, embracing the push and pull of human tempo and the small imperfections that give a track its life. Jay describes himself as a “perfectionist at imperfection,” and we unpack that idea through classic records that breathe, groove as personality, and what “Southern” really means musically, less about technical flash and more about emotional honesty.

We close by talking about what’s ahead: the creative pressure of follow-up releases, the temptation to chase past successes, and why the healthiest path forward might be to keep writing, recording, and trusting the process.

Key Takeaways
Feel whether the foundation of great music — groove and emotion often matters more than technical perfection.
Timing matters in creative partnerships — the right collaboration can sometimes take years to develop fully.
Touring creates a shared language among musicians — the realities of life on the road shape the band experience.
Recording together captures something unique — the push and pull of human tempo can’t be replicated digitally.
Imperfection can be musical strength — small flaws often give recordings their personality.
Southern musical traditions emphasize soul and storytelling — emotional honesty over technical showmanship.
Trusting the process is essential — the best songs often reveal themselves when artists give them time.
Music from the Episode
All of Me - Billy Allen + the Pollies
Lady Luck - Billy Allen + the Pollies
If You Want Me to Stay - Billy Allen + the Pollies
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams, featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the stories, influences, and experiences that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with percussionist Jake Nissly, Principal Percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony, for a conversation about what it actually takes to build and sustain a career at the highest level of orchestral playing. Jake’s résumé is remarkable, but what stands out even more is the range of hats he wears: orchestral musician, soloist, educator, department chair at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, drum set player, former drum corps kid, and even Little League coach.

We spend time unpacking the reality of orchestral auditions, the intense preparation, the psychological pressure of playing behind a screen, and the almost figure-skating-level precision required to compete in that world. Jake walks through his own path: winning the Detroit Symphony job at 26, then later the Cleveland Orchestra, and ultimately facing the difficult experience of not receiving tenure. Rather than ending his trajectory, that moment reshaped it and eventually led him to the San Francisco Symphony.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation centers on Jake’s concept of feel. He credits much of his orchestral success to his background in drum set and drum corps, where groove, flexibility, and listening are everything. That experience, he says, translates directly into orchestral playing, even in repertoire like Mahler or Ravel’s Bolero, where there’s still a pocket to find if you’re listening closely enough.

We also talk about teaching and the changing landscape for young musicians. Jake shares thoughtful insights about how YouTube and digital access have transformed preparation, often producing incredibly polished players who sometimes struggle to develop ownership, personality, and soul in their playing. It’s an honest conversation about pedagogy, resilience, and the kind of musicianship that lifts everyone in the room.

Key Takeaways
Orchestral auditions demand extraordinary precision — success often comes down to microscopic musical details.
Career paths are rarely linear — setbacks can become turning points rather than endings.
Groove matters in orchestral music — Jake’s drum set and drum corps background inform his orchestral feel.
Listening is the core skill — great musicians adjust in real time to the ensemble around them.
Technical mastery alone isn’t enough — personality and ownership bring music to life.
Teaching requires adapting to new generations — digital resources have reshaped how students prepare.
Leadership in music is collaborative — the best players elevate the entire ensemble.
Music from the Episode
John Adams - City Noir: I. The City and its Double - St. Louis Symphony (David Robertson, conductor) - Jake Nissly - drum set
Adam Schoenberg - Losing Earth: Concerto for Percussion & Wind Ensemble - The University of Texas Wind Ensemble (Jerry Junkin, conductor) - Jake Nissly - percussion
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams, featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the influences, decisions, and experiences that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Elizabeth Ziman of Elizabeth & the Catapult, and at the time of this conversation, she’s about to release her new album. Now that the record is officially out in the world, we get to talk about everything that went into bringing it to life.

We begin right at that moment, standing on the edge of a release. Elizabeth describes the feeling of finally letting go of a project after years of writing, recording, and refining, comparing it to sending something deeply personal out into the world and hoping it finds its place.

From there, we dig into how this album differs from her past work. What started as scattered home recordings across multiple cities eventually became a deeply collaborative project, bringing together friends, choir members, and longtime collaborators. It’s a record shaped not just by sound, but by movement, transition, and a desire to reconnect after a period of isolation.

We also spend time talking about something that really resonates: the balance between perfectionism and letting go. Elizabeth shares how some songs took years to finish, while others were written and recorded quickly, and how learning to trust both processes has been a major part of her growth as an artist.

There’s also a fascinating conversation about the realities of being an independent artist today, the tension between creating meaningful work and navigating the demands of social media, promotion, and constant visibility. Elizabeth speaks candidly about that push and pull, and how she tries to stay grounded in what actually matters: the music and the connection it creates.

One of my favorite moments in this episode is going full circle, talking about seeing her live back in 2009 at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. That moment becomes a springboard into reflecting on a nearly 20-year career, and how her perspective on music has shifted from “this is hard” to “I get to do this.”

We also explore her background, from classical piano and Manhattan School of Music competitions to Berklee, where she found her artistic voice and began collaborating with musicians like Esperanza Spalding. Along the way, we talk about film scoring, directing a women’s choir, and the many creative paths that continue to shape her work.

This is a conversation about evolution, perspective, and learning to hold both discipline and freedom at once.

Key Takeaways
Elizabeth Ziman’s new album is now out, marking a deeply collaborative and expansive creative chapter.
The project began as home recordings across multiple cities before evolving into a full studio production.
Balancing perfectionism with spontaneity has become central to her songwriting process.
The modern music landscape presents both opportunities and challenges, especially around visibility and promotion.
Nearly 20 years into her career, her perspective has shifted toward gratitude and creative freedom.
Her background in classical piano and Berklee continues to influence her work today.
Collaborating across disciplines—film scoring, choir directing, and teaching—feeds her creativity.
Music from the Episode
Responsible Friend - Elizabeth and the Catapult
50/50 - Elizabeth and the Catapult
Bored of Myself - Elizabeth and the Catapult
I Love You Still - Elizabeth and the Catapult
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is my chance to sit down with musicians, songwriters, and creative artists for thoughtful conversations about their craft, their journey, and the experiences that shape the music we hear.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with singer-songwriter Ryan Dart for a conversation that goes far beyond music, into growth, healing, and what it really means to live honestly as an artist.

We start with Ryan’s songwriting process, which is less of a routine and more of a way of life. Whether he’s hiking, sitting in a restaurant, or wrapping up the day, writing has become a daily practice, one that serves as both therapy and a way to process the world around him.

From there, we rewind to his early years, growing up in rural Arkansas, surrounded by music from artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Townes Van Zandt. That foundation shaped not only his sound but also his approach to storytelling and songwriting.

Ryan shares his unique journey through the music industry, working as a producer, engineer, tour manager, and guitar tech, including time on major tours with bands like The Who, Aerosmith, and Van Halen. Seeing the industry from every angle could have pushed him away from music, but instead, it clarified his purpose.

We spend a lot of time discussing something at the center of this episode: growth through hardship. Ryan opens up about going through a divorce, rebuilding his life, and how that process completely reshaped his songwriting. Rather than rushing to document heartbreak, he allowed time and healing to transform those experiences into something deeper and more honest.

That same honesty carries into a conversation about sobriety, self-awareness, and learning to let go of people-pleasing. Ryan talks about how removing those layers has opened his creativity in ways he never had access to before, and how writing from a place of truth has changed everything.

We also get into the practical side of his current creative life, recording his new album in Colorado, committing to writing and releasing a new song every week, and building a body of work that reflects who he is right now.

This is a conversation about starting over, trusting the process, and creating from a place that’s real.

Key Takeaways
Ryan Dart approaches songwriting as a daily practice rooted in observation and emotion.
His early influences—from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash—shaped his storytelling voice.
Working behind the scenes in the music industry gave him a full perspective on the business.
Growth through divorce and personal reflection led to a completely new songwriting voice.
Sobriety and self-awareness have opened up a deeper level of creativity.
Letting go of people-pleasing has allowed him to write more honestly.
His weekly songwriting project is building both discipline and a large creative catalog.
Music from the Episode
If Love Don't Break You - Ryan Dart
Dirt Road Woman - Ryan Dart
Dancin' On Your Porch - Ryan Dart
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is my chance to sit down with musicians, songwriters, and creative artists for thoughtful conversations about their craft, their journey, and the experiences that shape the music we hear.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]