Live Performance
Every episode of The Rugged Revival featuring Live Performance — conversations with independent country, Americana, and roots artists.
Van Tastik
Van Tastik – Western Gothic & Dark Delta Rock | Rugged Revival
VAN TASTIK joins the podcast for a deep dive into his wild, foot-stompin’ world of Western Gothic Dark Delta Rock.Born in the United States and now tearing up stages across Europe, VAN TASTIK is a Roots artist with a sound and stage presence that feels like a lost travelling revival meeting. Blending Dark Delta Rock, Roots Blues, and Western Gothic storytelling, his performances are equal parts sermon, celebration, and sonic explosion. Expect hollerin’, humour, crowd participation, and the kind of raw energy that turns every show into a shared experience.In this episode, we sit down with VAN to talk about his journey, the stories behind the music, and the philosophy behind what he calls “lighting up the dark.” According to the Fallen Reverend, the darkness has simply been misbranded — it’s really just a room where people come together to celebrate life through music.VAN TASTIK has shared stages with artists such as Cam Cole, The Bridge City Sinners, Left Lane Cruiser, Dirty Deep, and Lightning Luke, and has appeared at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival, Muddy Roots Tennessee, Muddy Roots Buenos Aires, and Muddy Roots Europe for three consecutive years. His breakout performance at Culemborg Blues helped launch a sold-out debut album release tour and cement his reputation as one of the most electrifying roots performers on the circuit.If you love Western Gothic, Dark Delta Rock, raw Roots Blues, and unforgettable live performers, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. Watch the full episode and step into the world of VAN TASTIK.
Cory Cross
Cory Cross - Texas Country Musician | Instagram Live | Rugged Revival
Texas native Cory Cross has been honing his specific brand of country music for over a decade. Getting his start playing guitar in church, Cory began crafting his own songs after being inspired by songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and John Prine. Now making the rounds at dance halls and dives across Texas, as well as sold out shows in Los Angeles and New York City, Cory and his band put on a performance that is equal parts rough-n-rowdy and tenderly intimate. Utilizing classic country instrumentation from steel guitars and fiddle, Cory’s band infuses their style of honky tonk with garage rock energy coming from fuzzy electrics and a thumping rhythm section. T he Burden is made up of musicians that each bring their wide and unique influences to create a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Cory‘s debut full length album, “There’s More”, is a culmination of years of paying dues and cutting teeth. The fourteen songs are an honest look into the life of a working musician that has lived the words he wrote. Cory Cross and the Burden have played with notable and established acts such as Joshua Ray Walker, Summer Dean, and Jeremy Pinnel. They continue to play regularly around Texas at legendary venues like Continental Club in Austin and the famous Stockyards in Fort Worth, as well as national tours through Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City.
Jacob Paul Allen
Jacob Paul Allen - Live at The Burl | Rugged Revival
At the legendary Burl in Lexington, KY, five incredible artists stepped onto the stage for the "For The Love of Appalachia" showcase - each competing for a life-changing opportunity: a fully-funded UK tour.In this interview, Rugged Revival's Kenzie Traylor sits down with Jacob Paul Allen to talk music, dreams, and what is means to represent Kentucky's thriving independent scene.This is just the beginning - we'll be sharing interviews with all five artists from this unforgettable night. Hit subscribe and join us in celebrating the voices that keep independent music alive!#kentuckymusic #independentmusic #countrymusic #appalachianmusic
Micky Braun
Micky Braun – Life on the Road with Micky & The Motorcars
Micky & The Motorcars are a powerhouse of a group. Led by brothers Micky Braun (Vocals/Guitar) and Gary Braun (Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica/Mandolin) rounded out with Bill Corbin (Bass), Pablo Trujillio (Guitar/Pedal Steel), and Bobby Paugh (Drums). Micky and the Motorcars hail from Austin, Texas by way of Stanley, Idaho. Micky and Gary are the sons of Western Swing musician Muzzie Braun and along with their brothers Willy and Cody (Reckless Kelly) spent their childhood on the stage and were veterans of the stage. Once moving from Idaho and settling in Austin the band released Which Way From Here (2002), Ain't in it for the Money (2005), Careless (2007), Naive (2008), Raise My Glass (2011) , Hearts From Above (2014), Across The Pond - Live in Germany (2015) and Long Time Comin' (2019). The band tours the country, averaging 100+ shows a year and continues to draw fans nearly 20 years after forming.
Kenny Feidler
Kenny Feidler – Gritty Western Rock from the Rodeo Circuit
Kenny Feidler’s sound is dark, gritty, western rock n roll filled with thoughtful, honest songwriting. Feidler’s path to the stage started on the rodeo circuit, writing songs about the life and selling his music from the trunk of an old Cadillac. Now he racks up the miles with his band, traveling from his home on the plains of Western South Dakota, to venues across the country.
Summer Dean
Summer Dean – The Queen of Texas Country
Summer Dean is considered by most to be the reigning queen of Texas country music. Armed with three albums, constant tours, and a hot band behind her, Summer struts onto every stage with the confidence and vulnerability of a songstress that has cemented her place among the top rank Texas tunesmiths. Her live show takes the concert goer on a ride of original songs blending bravado, vulnerability, and a novelist’s eye for detail. Whether with her full band or all by herself, listeners are treated to an authentic, funny, and honest storyteller performing her way into legendary status.