interview
Every episode of The Rugged Revival featuring interview — conversations with independent country, Americana, and roots artists.
Capt'n Scum
Capt'n Scum - Frankfurt-based Country, Folk, and Western Musician | Rugged Revival
In this episode, Camden sits down for a conversation with Capt'n Scum, who is a Frankfurt-based country, folk, and western musician.
Sunny War
Sunny War - From Hardship to Folk-Blues Star | Rugged Revival
Sunny War enlivens traditional folk and blues by freshening her musical attack and writing lyrics that reflect 21st century concerns. Her first album, "Worthless", arrived in 2014, and she continued to gain attention as she built up a cult following that crested with the release of 2018's "With the Sun".Born Sydney Lyndella Ward to a single mother in Nashville, the singer/songwriter spent her childhood moving around the United States with her parent, spending significant time in both Nashville and the Detroit suburb of Rochester. During this time, she learned to love a wide variety of music, picking up the guitar at the age of 13. After she spent a rough period combating substance abuse and poverty, she gravitated to blues and folk and relocated to California settling in Venice Beach.Adopting the performing name Sunny War, she'd sometimes moonlight with her punk side band Anus Kings, but it was her folk-blues showcased on a self-released album that began to gain notice from local scenesters - including critics at LA Weekly. After a few years, she released her official debut, "Worthless", which appeared in 2014. A second independent record, "Red White and Blue", arrived in 2016.In 2018 Sunny War released, via Hen House Studios, "With the Sun", After that album, she moved from Venice Beach to downtown Los Angeles, quickly delivering her next LP also on Hen House "Shell of a Girl", the following year. Her critically acclaimed EP "Can I Sit With You" premiered in 2020.
Spencer Hatcher
Spencer Hatcher - Virginia Bluegrass Country Star | “When She Calls Me Cowboy” | Honky Tonk Hideaway EP | Rugged Revival
Stone Country Records’ Spencer Hatcher is a bluegrass-influenced country artist who was raised on a farm in the heartland of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. By the age of 11, he was already playing his five-string banjo in his family’s bluegrass band. In 2020, Hatcher formed his own country band, backed by younger brother Connor Hatcher, a bass prodigy and “blood harmony” supporting vocalist. Dubbed the “String King” by his hometown newspaper and quickly developing a reputation across Virginia and neighboring states as an exciting live performer, Hatcher played more than 150 shows a year in both 2023 and 2024, often setting venue attendance records. He has also built a strong online fan base, including more than 900,000 social media followers. Hatcher’s debut EP, Honky Tonk Hideaway—a good-time destination for music fans who prefer their country served stone cold—is available now. The EP features Hatcher’s debut single, “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” which was a Top 10 Most Added Song at U.S. Country Radio (Mediabase) out-of-the-box. Saving Country Music has lauded the young old-fashioned gentleman as “one of the most promising up-and-coming voices in traditional country music.”
Miller Carter
Miller Carter - Travelling Texas Barber | Western Style, Faith & Culture | Rugged Revival
Meet Miller Carter, a barber based in San Angelo, Texas, working both stationary and on the road. He specialises in men’s western and contemporary styles, serving everyone from bands and bikers to hardworking individuals who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and character.Miller believes barbering is more than a service - it's a reflection of integrity. He approaches his work with a commitment to honouring the Lord through the way he lives, works, and treats people, whether that’s behind the chair or in a good pair of boots.In addition to his work as a barber and men’s stylist, Miller is an ambassador for Brasstacks Provisions out of Oklahoma City and Out Yonder, a Dallas-based lifestyle brand that aligns with his values and the culture he represents.He genuinely loves what he does and the people he gets to engage with. Thank you for taking the time to listen in - be sure you check him out!
Tommy 2 Wolves
Tommy 2 Wolves - NYC model and actor | Instagram LIVE | Rugged Revival
Camden sits down with Tommy 2 Wolves — model, actor, and storyteller — for an honest talk about life, recovery, and the journey from chaos to creativity. #streetfashion #nycfashion #vintagefashion
Anders Thomsen
Anders Thomsen – Honky Tonk Guitar Legend on Blues, Country & Rock | Instagram LIVE | Rugged Revival
In this episode, we sit down with Anders Thomsen – a true American original.A master of honky tonk, blues, country, and roots rock, Anders has spent a lifetime on the road playing everywhere from dive bars to international stages. He’s shared the stage with legends like Chuck Berry, Billy Joe Shaver, Martha Reeves, and Dale Watson, and fronted The Ex-Husbands — twice landing in the Top 10 of the Americana charts.Anders brings gritty storytelling, soulful guitar slinging, and decades of experience to every note. https://bookanders.com/
Ramona Martinez
Ramona & The Holy Smokes – The New Honky-Tonk Sound
In this episode, Camden speaks to Ramona Martinez from Ramona and The Holy Smokes.Based in Central Virginia and with family roots in South Texas, Ramona and the Holy Smokes represent a new generation of honky tonk music. With powerful female vocals that cover an emotional range from determined to comic to vulnerable and a talented backing band steeped in classic country and western styles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the band exhibits a “clarity and sincerity that bring Patsy Cline to mind” (Nashville Scene, 2025). Fronted by Ramona Martinez, whose songwriting has earned her recognition from Wide Open Country as one of the "15 Latino Artists Shaping Country Music," this Charlottesville, Virginia-based band is rooted in the traditional sounds of country music but unafraid of pushing boundaries and highlighting the connections across border cultures. They have appeared at several Americana festivals including Red Wing Roots (2024), Rooster Walk (2025), and has opened for touring artists like Margo Cilker, Colby Acuff, Willi Carlisle, Redd Volkaert, Joshua Hedley, Donna the Buffalo, and Kashus Culpepper. Their self-produced debut album, Ramona and the Holy Smokes, a collection of original songs about heartache and resiliency, will be released on September26. www.theruggedrevival.com https://www.vigilantehaircare.com/ #countrymusic #classiccountry #musicinterview #musicpodcast
Addie Levy
Addie Levy – Bluegrass Mandolin Virtuoso
Meet Addie Levy, a captivating American bluegrass-country artist who effortlessly weaves tradition and vision into exciting, progressive movements. Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Addie has emerged as a true multi-talent in the world of music, captivating audiences with her powerful vocals and exciting mandolin improvisation. From the early age of 10, she has been a powerful performer mentored by the bluegrass and old-time community. Enchanted by the resonating tales and camaraderie embedded within the "happy music" of Bluegrass, Addie swiftly cultivated a deep love for its rich history and stories. Her radiant energy and boundless enthusiasm have transformed her into a sought-after collaborator, drawing the attention of organizations, fellow musicians, businesses, and festivals. Through her music, Addie Levy has breathed new life into traditional sounds and forged a vibrant and ever-expanding landscape for its future.
Ricky Forbes
Ricky Forbes – Storm Chasing & Netflix’s “Tornado Hunters”
Ricky Forbes is a man who stops at nothing to chase his passions. From documenting the wildest storms on the planet, to spending time with loved ones at home, Ricky's pursuits are all in the quest of a life well lived.For over a decade, Ricky has immersed himself in the heart of tempests, chasing storms that most would seek shelter from. With a career spanning 11 years in storm chasing, Ricky has witnessed over 500 tornadoes, including a heart-pounding encounter being caught inside the world's largest tornado—measuring an astonishing 4km/2.6m wide. This relentless pursuit of the extraordinary has opened doors to numerous opportunities, from documentaries and media appearances to guest starring on various shows, culminating in the creation of his own Netflix series, "Tornado Hunters." But why expose oneself to the formidable forces of nature? For Ricky, being beneath these colossal storms brings a momentary suspension of life, leaving one feeling truly alive. He finds purpose in reporting on these storms to local and national organizations to get the word out and get others to safety. Fueled by his love for photography and videography, Ricky's journey is an undeniable pursuit of capturing the awe-inspiring beauty and raw power of the natural world. #tornado #stormchaser #twisters #tornadohunters