🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 15: Fiddlin' Around with Catherine Robertson
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💛 Title Sponsor: Happy Ending Divorce and Separation
♻️ Community Partner: Chop Value YYC

This week, Seth and Mac sit down with Catherine Robertson, a fiddle player, violinist, and luthier who’s been immersed in music since she was three years old. Catherine breaks down the real difference between “violin” and “fiddle” (hint: it’s not the instrument), how she moved from classical training into traditional music, and why chasing perfection can drain the joy from playing if you’re not careful.

They dig into her path from early gigs and music store life into full-time work with artists, touring, and instrument repair, including how being a luthier has saved the day on the road more than once. There’s lots of love for Alberta’s music community, her long-running connection with Ryan Lindsay, and what it’s like to move in and out of projects while keeping relationships intact.

And because it’s S'MAC Talk, the conversation takes a hard left into small-town road stops, A&W coffee club culture, and the internet-famous apple reviews, including the great Red Delicious debate. Plus, a perfectly chaotic tour story involving two identical SUVs, the Premier’s security team, and one very unlucky band member opening the wrong door.

🎶 Songs of the Week:
Jade Elephant – “Listen to the Beatles”
Jessie Dans - "Summer 2016"
Ryan Lindsay – “Three Long Hauls” (unreleased)

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 14: Taking The Plunge
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♻️ Segment Sponsor: Chop Value YYC

Seth and Mackenzie are back in the studio for Episode 14 with Calgary musician, producer, and Plunge Audio partner Justin Kudding. After a laid-back (and slightly forced) holiday reset, the crew dives into Justin’s journey from junior high bass assignment to touring professionally, winning JUNO and CCMA recognition, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship through custom in-ear monitors.

Justin breaks down how Plunge Audio grew from a tinkering side-hustle into a thriving company, why he’d rather be a Chief In-Ear Officer than a CEO, and what it’s like balancing a life in music with building a scalable business. They also talk bass inspirations from Flea to John Paul Jones, the realities of chasing a unique “lane” in the industry, and one of the most stressful live performance moments imaginable: learning a brand-new Bebe Rexha arrangement hours before going on national live TV.

The conversation wraps with a look ahead to 2026 goals, giving back to the music community through flexible creative-friendly work, and Plunge Audio’s support of the YYC Songwriter Showdown — including gifting in-ear monitors to the Elite 8 and Justin joining the judging panel.

🎶 Songs of the Week (Chop Value YYC):
Justine Vandergrift – “Stay”
Veronica Raine – “August”
Kaia Gamble – “Photographs”

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 13: King of Monday Nights With DuddyPowered by Blue Willow Entertainment🏡 Title Sponsor: F1 Realty – Family First Realty with Dave Rogers💛 Episode Sponsor: Happy Ending Divorce and Separation

This week, Seth and Mac sit down with Jeff “Duddy” Dudder, host of The Deets With Duddy and self-proclaimed king of Monday nights. From late-night TV inspirations to building a full talk-show style set in his house, Duddy walks through how a simple idea to vlog with his son turned into one of Calgary’s most eclectic interview shows.

They dig into his journey from the bar and restaurant world into home sales and podcasting, what he’s learned from talking with artists, actors, entrepreneurs and community leaders, and how a Calgary Arts Development grant is helping him take the show live on stage.

The trio also dive into Calgary’s exploding music scene, the power of highlighting local charities and mental health work, and the realities of editing until 2 a.m. There’s plenty of side quests too: being recognized with and without the signature glasses, Christmas movies and alarm tones, Dave Chappelle at the ‘Dome, sports vs. theatre, and why everyone seems to know everyone in this city’s arts community.

🎶 Songs of the Week:
Kate Reed – “Christmas Stay With Us”
Carter Felker – “Nothing But Net”
Shy Friend – “Freaky Nightmare”

👕 Merch Partner: Rapid Artist Merch – Got Merch?♻️ Community Partner: Chop Value YYC

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 12: The World of Micah Sage
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🏡 Title Sponsor: F1 Realty – Family First Realty (Dave Rogers)
👕 Music Support: Chop Value YYC + Rapid Artist Merch

This week, Seth & Mac sit down with rising Calgary pop artist Micah Sage for a conversation filled with creativity, honesty, and heart. Fresh off her EP release show and gearing up for the arrival of GIRLFRIEND, Micah dives into her artistic evolution, why this project feels like a fully imagined world, and how she blends pop, ballads, storytelling, and pure emotion into one cohesive artistic identity.

Micah opens up about her writing process (including spontaneous 48-hour songwriting trips to Edmonton), the joy of embracing pop unapologetically, and the importance of trusting your path as an emerging artist. They explore personal growth, navigating uncertainty, and why leaning into silliness, satire, and character is shaping her new sound.

The trio also revisit Micah’s journey from open mics to festival stages, the first time she met Seth and did a podcast in a field under a tent, and the magic of Calgary’s fast-rising pop scene. Plus: a heart-melting moment where Mac shares how much Micah’s music means to her daughter.

🎶 Songs of the Week:
• Jennie Harluk – Georgia
• Kailee Duggan – Lola
• Robert Adam – Moonlight Magic, Bailing Twine, Diane
• The Marias – Nobody Knows / Sienna (bonus picks)

A warm, inspiring, joy-filled episode with one of Calgary’s brightest young artists.

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 11: Not So Silent Calgary with Lyle Peterman

This week, Seth and Mac sit down with Lyle Peterman – in-arena voice of the Calgary Wranglers, longtime Calgary Canucks game ops lead, realtor, and co-founder of A Not So Silent Night / A Not So Silent Summer – to explore where sports, community, and live music collide.

Lyle shares his path from junior hockey rinks to the Saddledome, what makes the AHL experience so special, and how Calgary can truly claim “music city” status. The crew dives into his work with Not In My City and the fight against human trafficking, the impact of intentional live-music fundraising, and why simply choosing venues with live music can change a scene.

They also chat about supporting local artists, Sundays with Blue Willow at Canucks games, and wrap with Songs of the Week featuring Amy Nelson, Justine Vandergrift, Micah Sage & Dempsey Bolton, Bon Iver, and Mariah Stokes.

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 10: Streams, Splits & Sanity with Jasen Samford
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🏡 Title Sponsor: David Rogers – F1 Family First Realty
👕 Music Support: Rapid Artist Merch – Got Merch?

This week, Seth and Mac sit down with Jasen Samford, former Director of Education and Artist Relations at DistroKid, for a deep dive into the world of music distribution, royalties, and metadata — or, as Jasen calls it, “the plumbing that keeps your music flowing.”

From building DistroKid in its early days to helping thousands of artists make sense of their releases, Jasen shares hard-earned insight on how to protect your catalog, get paid cleanly, and avoid the fraud flags that can take down even legitimate songs.

The conversation spans Seattle’s evolving music scene, the challenges of venue closures, the rise of AI and “ghost artists,” and how independent creators can build sustainable careers in a noisy digital world. Plus, a look at Jasen’s annual Last Waltz benefit concert — a 40-artist tribute raising funds for Northwest Harvest.

🎶 Songs of the Week: Marcus Trummer – “Holding Out For You”, The Great Fuss – “Overdue”, Jeff Rosenstock – “Worry”

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 9: Un-Conundrum Things with Kue Varo
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🏡 Title Sponsor: David Rogers – F1 Family First Realty👕 Music Support: Rapid Artist Merch – Got Merch?

This week, Seth and Mac dive deep with Kue Varo, Calgary’s art-rock powerhouse, for a conversation that blends music, mindfulness, and meaning.

From her YYC Music Award-winning year and performances at Germany’s Reeperbahn Festival to reflections on inner wisdom, advice culture, and creative authenticity, Kue brings insight and humour in equal measure. The trio explore why “internet time” makes the 2000s feel like yesterday, how to stay grounded in a digital world, and what it means to create honest art that connects.

They also touch on Calgary’s vibrant multi-genre scene, Lilo Music Fest, and the power of letters, community, and kindness in the creative process.

🎶 Songs of the Week: Emmett Jerome – “It Ain’t Me,” Ryan Lindsay – “If Your Heart Ain’t In It,” plus new releases from Kue’s world.

S’MAC TALK – Weekend Edition: Heart & Heritage with Ashley Ghostkeeper
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Fresh off a 16-date tour and newly crowned YYC Music Awards Indigenous Artist of the Year, Ashley Ghostkeeper joins Seth & Mackenzie for a special weekend sit-down about love, lineage, and leveling up.

Ashley opens up about her next chapter: a 90s-country-inspired album (think Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Patty Loveless), steel and fiddle textures, and her first love song. She shares the story behind “Grandpa’s Song”—co-written with Evan Redsky, partially in Cree, and recorded with gospel piano and choir—honoring her family and roots in Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement. We also talk about the CBC x SOCAN Indigenous Music Residency, filming music videos in Texas, and her new fan community Backstage with Ashley.

Plus: mini-memories from U18 AAA hockey (hello, silver at Nationals), why caring about people > rules, and a cozy in-studio performance of “She’s Easy to Love.”

Live performances in this episode:
• “Grandpa’s Song” (unreleased)
• “She’s Easy to Love”