independent music
Every episode of The Rugged Revival featuring independent music — conversations with independent country, Americana, and roots artists.
Justin Wells
The Time for Bullsh*t Has Passed | Justin Wells on Honest Music in an Artificial Age
Justin Wells is a Kentucky singer-songwriter and former frontman of Fifth on the Floor, known for honest songwriting, a fiercely independent spirit, and years spent earning his stripes on the road. We talk about finding your own voice, the DIY years, life on tour, modern country music, and why making something that actually means something still matters. Learn more about Justin Wells: https://justinwellsmusic.com/ Chapters 00:00 Growing Up, Kentucky & Picking Up the Guitar 05:02 Finding Your Voice in an Artificial Age 07:00 DIY Touring & the Early Fifth on the Floor Years 11:04 Authenticity, Performing & “The Time for Bullsh*t Has Passed” 19:36 Life on the Road, Blown Vocal Cords & Dad Mode Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Shane Boeker
Inside Life on the Road with American Aquarium | Guitarist Shane Boeker
Shane Boeker, guitarist for American Aquarium, joins Camden to talk about life on the road, playing guitar for a living, and the experiences that have shaped him as a musician. We get into how Shane got started on guitar, touring and playing live with American Aquarium, his approach to gear and playing, side projects, new music, and plenty of stories from along the way. A laid-back conversation about guitars, music, touring, and what life in a working band actually looks like. Chapters 00:00 Meet Shane Boeker & His First Guitar 02:08 From Local Bands to Touring Musician 04:38 Life on Stage, Style & the Road 10:02 American Aquarium’s New Record & What’s Next #altcountry #americanamusic #guitarist Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Pat Reedy
Pat Reedy on Busking, Nashville & Building a Country Music Career
Pat Reedy joins Camden to discuss leaving construction behind for country music, busking in New Orleans, life in Nashville, ...
Meg and the Wheelers
Chicago’s Honky Tonk Revival | Meg and the Wheelers Podcast
The Rugged Revival — independent Country, Americana & Roots music. Live sessions, artist interviews and real music discovery."Meg and the Wheelers are a Country Western band from Chicago, Illinois. Their sharp-witted lyrics, solid harmonies, classic steel guitar twang, and enthusiasm for drinking the pain away will make you want to boot-scoot your regrets out all over the dance floor"More independent Country, Americana and Roots music conversations on The Rugged Revival.Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music!Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628Follow The Rugged Revival:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevivalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679Website: www.theruggedrevival.comEmail: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Daniel Young
Daniel Young - Indie Folk Americana | Another Golden Hour | Rugged Revival
The Rugged Revival — independent Country, Americana & Roots music. Live sessions, artist interviews and real music discovery. Daniel Young is the kind of artist who doesn’t just make music—he lives inside it. A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, and producer from Salt Lake City, Daniel has spent over two decades honing a craft that runs as deep as the mountains he grew up on. That sense of elevation—of something vast, fleeting, and quietly powerful—echoes through every note he creates. His latest project, Another Golden Hour, captures that rare, glowing moment just before the light fades—when everything feels suspended between what is and what’s about to disappear. These songs were born in the open air of a side patio, shaped in a basement studio, and now return to the world carrying that same warmth, weight, and wonder. Recorded over just two days at Orchard Studios with minimal overdubs, the album reunites Daniel with the Rambling Roses—the same group behind 2024’s Leave It Out to Dry. Together, they create something remarkable: a sound that feels immediate yet timeless, raw yet carefully held together. Each track reflects a different thread of Daniel’s world: • “Baby, Baby Blue” pays tribute to the late KSOP (AM 1370), a pillar of country music history • “Holdin’ Up” wrestles with the quiet weight of modern struggles • “Fires Shall Be Ceased” and “Ways to Communicate” channel the enduring spirit of protest and folk tradition • The title track, “Another Golden Hour,” distills it all into something fluid, shimmering, and deeply human This is music about fleeting light, about holding on, about letting go—and about finding hope anyway. Another day. Another golden hour. Listen now and experience it for yourself. #folksong #countrysongs #americanamusic Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Caleb Henry
Caleb Henry - “Black Flag” Country from the Wild West | Love, Loss & Redemption | Rugged Revival
Caleb Henry is a singer and songwriter from the Wild Wild West of California. With his own brand of "Black Flag" Country, Caleb writes from real life experiences of love, loss, and redemption, with an eye for a better future from lessons learned. Backed by his loyal gang of musicians known as "The Customs," Caleb Henry and The Customs turn every stage into an energetic, heartfelt home for those who like to live on the wild side.
Canción Franklin
Canción Franklin - Singer-Songwriter from Tuscon, Arizona | Rugged Revival
In this interview Camden speaks with Canción Franklin, an American roots musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Tucson, Arizona, whose authentic sound draws on deep grooves of Americana, country, blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll. From discovering the blues as a teenager to tirelessly honing his craft in dive bars and on the road, Canción’s music is defined by heartfelt lyrics, raw guitar work and a commitment to honesty and emotional expression. His performances - whether solo, with a band, or as a hired gun - are marked by a vulnerable presence and a powerful connection with audiences. Canción’s songs explore resilience, life’s hardships and the beauty found in perseverance, making him a compelling voice in modern roots music.
The Soda Crackers
The Soda Crackers - Talk Bakersfield Sound, B-Sides & Classic Country | Rugged Revival
With a goal to bring back the “classics,” The Soda Crackers – a five-piece band whose average age barely cracks the 30-something barrier – are in full swing. Make that – full Bakersfield Sound with a nice helping of Western Swing thrown in as a side dish of sorts. The Soda Crackers celebrate the unsung heroes of the Bakersfield Sound, the B-side hits that never get played, and the showmanship plus the instrumentation that all the greats brought to the smoky ol’ beer joints & dance halls from years gone by.
Evan Golden Hopper
Evan Golden Hopper - From Bluegrass Roots to Punk Rebellion | Rugged Revival
From bluegrass porches to punk basements, Evan Golden Hopper has lived a wild musical evolution.In this episode, Camden dives into Evan’s early influences, from his grandparents’ old‑time picking sessions to recording his first DIY punk demos on a Yamaha analog deck. They talk about creative honesty, finding identity through sound, and how artists like Townes Van Zandt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sierra Ferrell still shape his songwriting today.Evan also teases new music from his project Quell, with a brand‑new single dropping around Thanksgiving - plus insight into what it means to stay real in a world full of noise.
Slim Chance Cowboy
Slim Chance Cowboy - The Sharpest Dressed Men In The West | Rugged Revival
Camden meets up with Rugged Revival's new kid on the block - Slim Chance Cowboy - to talk fashion... mainly.
Dalton Dailey
Dalton Dailey - 14-year Prodigy From Southeast Kentucky | Rugged Revival
Kenzie from The Rugged Revival catches up with Dalton Dailey at The Burl in Lexington, Kentucky. Dalton is a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from Rocholds, Kentucky, who’s quickly making a name for himself with a voice well beyond his years. Though new to the music scene, Dalton is a natural talent whose smooth tone and soulful delivery give his country sound a fresh and heartfelt edge. With raw talent and a genuine love for music, Dalton Dailey is a rising star you won’t want to miss!
Dakota Saylor
Dakota Saylor - 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 Dakota Saylor 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
Jesse Williams
Jesse Williams – Blues & Soul Music From North Georgia
Singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jesse Williams, is a mountain mama with roots grounded in Blues & Soul. Hailing from North Georgia with the deep belief that it’s best savored when simmered. Her melody medicine is an invitation of sultry vocals and earthy lyrics that explore Life's many winding paths. These serenades are supported with guitar grooves and rhythms that play off the feeling of the Music. Capturing and offering the raw essence of Spirit as it moves listeners within. Jesse's works include her 2020 debut EP, “Off the Vine". Which was recorded in 2019 at InCrowd Recordings in Atlanta, GA. In 2024 she released another EP, “Take My Place”. Recorded in 2018 at The Vault in Marietta, GA. Outside of her EP's, Jesse Williams is featured on other songs and projects. She makes two appearances on the album. Belting on a cover of Renee Geyer’s, , as well as co-writing and singing on . Recently, she joined creative forces with on his melancholic tune, . Her latest accomplishment is winning the Eddie's Attic 55th Bi-Annual Songwriter Shootout in November 2024. Joining the list of winners that include Jennifer Nettles & Cory Jones, John Mayer & Clay Cook, Tyler Childers, and more. She is currently working on recording her first full-length album, “Keep Steady”. More home-grown medicine coming in June 2025.
Leon Majcen
Leon Majcen – Florida Folk-Country from Bosnian Roots
Leon Majcen is a musician whose story is one of resilience and determination. He grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the son of Bosnian war refugees who had fled the country in search of a better life for their children. From a young age, Leon was drawn to the power of storytelling through music, particularly the work of artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan and Guy Clark. Leon began playing in local bars while still in high school, honing his craft and building a loyal following. After high school, he decided to pursue his passion for music in New York City, while attending college at New York University and playing shows around town. After a while, Leon came to the realisation that the hustle and bustle of the city wasn't where his heart was at and returned home to take a job at a commercial fishing dock while planning his next move to Nashville. Since arriving in music city, Leon has continued to develop his unique blend of Folk, Country and Americana, drawing on his experiences and love of the outdoors to craft songs that are honest and powerful.
Eli Cain
Eli Cain – Georgia Americana from Housepainter to Artist
Eli Cain is a talented singer-songwriter from Watkinsville, Georgia. His journey from housepainter to a rising star in the music industry is awe inspiring. Come and join Eli and The Rugged Revival for a captivating conversation! #musicpodcast #musicinterview #countrymusicartists #americana
Steel Saddle
Steel Saddle – Montreal Country-Rockers with Soulful Edge
Imagine if 1960s country-rock visionaries The Flying Burrito Brothers traveled to Muscle Shoals, Alabama’s fabled Fame Studios, home to recording artists like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, and Joe Tex, to record an album and let the studio’s characteristic R ‘n’ B sound shape the resulting tracks. What you’d have would be a unique blending of country rock instrumentation and bluegrass harmonies with a funky soul horn section. That, my friends, is the sound of Canadian rockers Steel Saddle: distinctive, well-crafted, and shit-kickin’ exciting. The six-piece band from Montreal offer an authentic representation of the pioneering country-rock style along with a heapin’ helpin’ of Southern soul to forge a truly original Americana roots sound. #country #rockmusic #southernsoul #bluegrass #canadiancountry
Rugged Ronnie
Bonus Episode – Meet Rugged Ronnie!
Rugged Ronnie finally makes his debut on the podcast! Listen as we talk about Country Music, Whiskey, and our upcoming ideas and projects for the Rugged Revival! Opening song: Josh Mitcham - When You Lose, You Learn #countrymusic #realcountrymusic #countryartist #musicpodcast #countrysingersongwriter
Anna Scott
Anna Scott – Nashville Country with Rock & Blues Edge
Anna Scott uniquely incorporates glitz and power into country music. She grew up with a hard work ethic in her hometown of Cleveland Ohio, where she fell in love with music of many genres, and played any venue that would let her sing. She blends elements of rock and blues and is comparable to Kassi Ashton, Jo Dee Messina and Ashley McBryde. She has been able to perform alongside the likes of Russell Dickerson and Carrie Underwood as a background vocalist. As a recent alumnus of Belmont University, Anna continues to release music and play multiple shows to hone in her craft and blossom into the artist she is today. #countrymusic #nashville #countryartist #musicpodcast