In this episode, I’m joined by Jessie Powell, vocalist of Dream State, and we go through her journey as an artist: from singing in choirs as a kid to fronting bands, taking a break from music, and finding her way back to it.

We talk about pressure, burnout, feeling like you’re “too late”, and how scary it can be to step into something new, especially when people are watching and comparing. Jessie shares what it felt like to join an already established band, deal with doubt (her own and other people’s), and slowly grow into her place.

There’s also a lot about growth, looking back at your younger self, and realizing that maybe everything made sense in the end.

A soft but honest conversation about music, identity, and learning to trust yourself a bit more.

Catch Dream State on their EU/UK tour with Solence.

Follow Dream State: @dreamstateuk

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

In this episode, I sit down with Hansol from Shoreline just days before the release of their new album Is This the Low Point or the Moment After? (out now)

We start with their song Good Times and talk about what it really feels like to be in a band for 10 years: the highs, the numbness, and the strange moments where something you love starts to feel distant. From playing shows on autopilot to questioning your place in it all, this conversation goes deep into the reality behind the music.

We also dive into the meaning behind their song Synchronize, exploring themes of emotional burnout, drifting friendships, and learning to accept change.

Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? by Shoreline is out now, and I absolutely recommend you to listen to it.

Follow Shoreline: @shoreline_band

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

Arne from Fyrn joins me to talk about the ideas behind their upcoming EP Hope Despair. We dive into lyrics from their song Grip, about feeling stuck in modern life, and a line from La Dispute’s I Shaved My Head, which leads us into a conversation about forcing change when you feel trapped.

We also talk about boredom and creativity, building a band from scratch, cutting back on drinking and smoking, and trying to find a place for yourself somewhere between hope and despair.

Fyrn's EP Hope Despair comes out March 19.

Follow Fyrn: @fyrnband

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

I’m joined by Mathias from Heisskalt, one of the most beloved bands of the German post-hardcore scene.

We discuss lyrics from their latest album, “Vom Tun und Lassen,” feelings of anger at the world we live in, and the weird balance between hope and despair that is present in heavy music.

Mathias shares lyrics from the post-hardcore band Koolhaus:

“Dance, dance, like we could still change the world.”

From war, politics, self-doubts, music, dancing, and the power of being at shows together, we discuss how music still has the power to make us feel something despite the world we live in.

Follow Heisskalt: @heisskaltmusic

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

In this episode, David and Chris from FJØRT join me to talk about anger, the kind that comes from loving humanity deeply.

We dive into their new album Belle Époque, a sarcastic title for a world that feels anything but beautiful. We talk about growing fascism, historical responsibility, the weight of staying informed, and the quiet battle between hope and cynicism. We dive into lyrics of their songs Messer and '43.

What does it mean to use your platform responsibly?

How do you stay human in inhuman times?

And how do you protect your own heart without turning away from the world?

Follow FJØRT: @fjort_laerm

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

In this episode of I’m joined by Alex of sharpened.lives.

We talk about a line from their song Trenches that was written during a particularly difficult period: when both a band and relationship ended. That moment became the real starting point for sharpened.lives.

From there, we move into how their songwriting evolved: from deeply personal reflections to a wider, political lens on the world we’re living in today.

We discuss their upcoming song Doompunk, social media overload, billionaires, fascism, social batteries, and the importance of community.

Follow sharpened.lives: @sharpened.lives

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

Rob from Death of Youth joins me to talk about heartbreak, healing, and the uncertainty that comes when something beautiful ends.

We dive into the making of their new album Nothing Is the Same Anymore, the tough decisions that shaped it, and the line “An unfamiliar story with an all too familiar ending.”

Rob opens up about grief, therapy, long-distance love, optimism, and learning to sit with uncertainty.

We also talk about Thursday, post-hardcore influences, and how sometimes the right song arrives exactly when you need it.

Follow Death of Youth: @deathofyouthukhc

Follow Into the Cave: @intothecavepod

Mae and George of WREX join me for a conversation about vulnerability, emotional release, and letting songs be imperfect on purpose.

We talk about writing and recording their new EP Sad World, keeping first takes, resisting perfection, and how playing live reshaped their confidence. Together, we dive into spoken-word moments from their own music, the feeling of emotional numbness, and what it means to “own” your emotions without blaming yourself.

We also explore lyrics by Billie Eilish, Noah Kahan, and Gregory Alan Isakov, touching on uncertainty, growing up without clear answers, and the pressure to have life figured out.