In this episode of Songs That Built Me, Matt Firestine sits down with Jason Singer—better known as Michigander—to break down three songs that shaped his life and sound.

From learning his first guitar riff with The White Stripes, to discovering Coldplay in a video rental store, to finding artistic identity through The National, Jason walks through the moments that defined his musical journey.

This conversation dives into nostalgia, music discovery before streaming, and how formative songs continue to influence artists today.

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In this episode, Matt sits down with singer-songwriter Riley Pearce to talk about his journey as an independent artist, his latest album, and the realities of building a music career today.

Riley shares insights into touring across Australia and Europe, explaining how geography and audience culture shape the live music experience. He also dives deep into his songwriting process, from early acoustic influences to writing emotionally driven songs like “Left Side View.”

The conversation also explores:

• The evolution of his music over the past decade
• Collaborating with other artists and writing for different genres
• The meaning behind his cover of “Amsterdam” by Gregory Alan Isakov
• Navigating social media as a modern musician
• Creativity, unfinished songs, and artistic growth

This is a thoughtful and honest look at what it means to create, grow, and stay authentic as an artist.

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Jack and Harry of Seafret join the podcast to talk about their new album Fear of Emotion, the evolution of their sound, and navigating today’s music industry.

From their viral hit “Atlantis” taking off years later to the realities of modern music promotion, Seafret opens up about balancing authenticity with content creation, writing from real-life experiences, and how the industry has changed over the past decade.

They also dive into:

• The meaning behind Fear of Emotion
• Writing emotionally honest music
• The pressure (or lack thereof) after going viral
• Touring, streaming, and what success looks like today
• Their songwriting process and creative evolution

If you’re a fan of indie, acoustic-driven music, or want insight into how artists survive in the streaming era, this episode is for you.

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Jayson of Coyote Theory joins the podcast to break down the band’s unexpected viral resurgence with “This Side of Paradise” and their return after a 10+ year hiatus.

We dive into how a dormant song exploded on TikTok, the reality of navigating label attention as a DIY band, and the pressure that followed. Jayson also shares how the group organically reunited before the viral moment, how their songwriting process has evolved, and what went into their latest EP.

Plus, a deep conversation on modern music releases—singles vs albums, streaming-era expectations, and what release day really means today.

If you’re into indie music, music marketing, or artist journeys, this is a must-listen.

Topics include:

• Viral music moments & TikTok discovery
• Indie band comeback stories
• Songwriting evolution over time
• DIY vs label dynamics
• The future of albums vs singles

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In this episode, Matt sits down with New Constellations (Harlee Case and Josh) to discuss their breakout track “Hot Blooded,” their debut album It Comes in Waves, and their evolution as an indie pop duo.

The band shares how their first-ever release turned into a long-term viral success, generating hundreds of millions of user-created videos, and why it never felt like an overnight moment.

They also dive into their collaborative songwriting process, from early acoustic demos to fully produced tracks, and how they’ve developed a unique creative rhythm over the years.

Other topics include:

• Musical influences like Prince, Madonna, Gorillaz, and Florence + The Machine
• The emotional depth behind songs like “Dandelion” and “I’m Waiting Now”
• Balancing artistry with streaming culture and social media
• The meaning behind It Comes in Waves
• Touring, new music, and what’s ahead

This is a deep conversation about creativity, persistence, and making music you truly stand behind.

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What songs actually shape an artist? The Songs That Built Me is inspired by some lyrics of a Miranda Lambert song called "The House That Built Me". Songs throughout our lives stick with us for various reasons and these are the stories associated with those.

In the debut episode of Songs That Built Me, Nico of Proxima Parada joins host Matt Firestine to reflect on the songs that shaped his life, sound, and musical journey.

From performing All My Life at a childhood talent show to discovering piano through Let It Be by The Beatles, Nico shares deeply personal stories about how music leaves lasting emotional imprints.

He also dives into learning Ordinary People by John Legend, his love for 90s R&B, and how those early influences helped shape the soulful sound of Proxima Parada.

If you’ve ever tied a memory to a song, this series is for you.

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Wrabel joins Fuegostine’s Music Club to talk about his latest album, the deeply personal journey behind it, and how his approach to songwriting has evolved over the years.

From writing more independently and co-producing his own work to exploring existential themes like impermanence and love, Wrabel shares what makes this project his favorite to date.

He also reflects on the impact of his song “The Village,” why it remains the most meaningful piece in his catalog, and how it changed his perspective on music and purpose.

Plus, a candid conversation about the pressures of social media, TikTok’s role in music discovery, and how artists can stay authentic in an increasingly fast-paced digital world.

If you’re passionate about music, creativity, and the stories behind the songs, this episode is for you.

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Athens, Georgia indie pop band Hotel Fiction stop by to discuss the deluxe edition of Staring at the Sun, the evolution from Soft Focus to now, and what it means to grow up through music.

We talk about writing songs that won’t leave the vault, revisiting old versions of yourself through records, seasonal depression and songwriting, and how AI is reshaping the music industry. The band also shares their thoughts on social media promotion, live performance authenticity, and why humanity in art still matters.

Plus:
• The meaning behind “Emily”
• Their favorite songs from their catalog
• Albums they’d teach in a music class
• New album plans for Summer 2026
• Upcoming tour announcement

If you enjoy thoughtful music conversations, indie pop storytelling, and behind-the-scenes creative process discussions — this episode is for you.

New episodes weekly on Fuegostine’s Music Club.

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