The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine!

Jessica Perry and Jim Finley, the duo known as Ghostbells, join Scott Saldinger on The Hang! from Almost Famous Magazine for a deep dive into the music, imagery, and creative force behind one of the most compelling new names in darkwave and EBM.
In this episode, Jessica and Jim discuss how Ghostbells formed, why their collaboration clicked so quickly, and how their shared instincts helped shape a sound that blends icy synths, pulsing bass, haunting vocal melodies, new wave influence, industrial textures, and dark electronic atmosphere. This interview explores the making of their sonic identity, their debut EP Catacouture, and the breakout single “Darkness Saves.”
The conversation dives into Jessica’s lifelong relationship with music, from piano and synths to guitar, bass, trumpet, and French horn, along with Jim’s background in bands, production, recording, and sound design. Together, they reveal how Ghostbells create songs that feel cinematic, emotional, danceable, and visually charged.
In this episode:
• How Ghostbells turned darkwave, EBM, and new wave influences into their own gothic electronic sound• The story behind “Darkness Saves,” including its succubus-in-a-graveyard imagery and haunting lyrical world• Why Jessica Perry and Jim Finley approach Ghostbells as both art and business, with videos, visuals, and strategy behind every song• How Ghostbells connect with fans live, from immersive light shows to a fan getting the first Ghostbells tattoo
This episode is for fans of darkwave, gothic electronic music, industrial music, EBM, synth-driven alternative music, Nine Inch Nails, Crystal Castles, Health, Sidewalks and Skeletons, and artists who turn darkness into something magnetic.
Watch the full Ghostbells interview, like the episode, comment with your favorite moment, and subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine / The Hang! for more conversations with artists shaping the future of music.
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#Ghostbells #darkwave #ebm #musicians #interview #podcast 
Chapters:00:00 — Welcome to The Hang! with Ghostbells02:58 — Jessica Perry’s Musical Roots and Early Instruments05:25 — How Jessica Perry and Jim Finley Formed Ghostbells06:02 — Why Their Creative Collaboration Worked Instantly09:26 — What Drew Ghostbells Into Darkwave and EBM12:01 — Why “Darkness Saves” Is the Perfect First Listen13:53 — The Graveyard Story Behind “Darkness Saves”16:12 — Cinematic Lyrics, Visual Storytelling, and Dark Imagery26:15 — The Business Reality Behind Making Music Today31:18 — Ghostbells Live Shows, Fan Connection, and the First Tattoo

Black Gold Sun is back on The Hang! and this time, they’re arriving at the exact moment every music fan hopes to discover a band: right before everything gets louder, bolder, and impossible to ignore.
After lighting up Dollfest with a raw, eclectic, high-energy performance, the all-female Black punk band returns to talk about their upcoming self-titled EP, the stories behind the songs, and the creative chemistry that makes Anita, Veronica, and Q such a powerful live force.
In this episode, Black Gold Sun walks through the EP track by track, starting with “Feel The Up,” which Anita describes as a “loving punch in the face” designed to wake people up and pull them into the band’s world from the very first beat. From there, they dig into the groove, trust, timing, and collaboration behind “Trust and Believe,” the modern-day struggle reflected in “Fight,” and the larger message running through the project: every day brings its battles, but you keep moving, keep believing, and keep showing up.
The band opens up about their live energy, why their shows are less about performing at an audience and more about bringing everyone into the party, how their music shifts between clean, gritty, groovy, and intense depending on the moment, and why “the song always wins.”
If you’re looking for fresh punk music with heart, urgency, resistance, groove, and a live experience that pulls you in, Black Gold Sun needs to be on your radar!
Support Black Gold Sun. Buy the EP. Buy the merch. Go to the shows. Tell your friends.
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In this episode of The Hang!, Latchkey Kids open up about turning New Brunswick basement-show energy into one of the most emotionally charged emo punk albums of 2026.
Host Scott Saldinger sits down with Hanny Ramadan, Joey Grzybowski, and Cyle Morris of Latchkey Kids for a raw, funny, and deeply human conversation about music, friendship, loss, community, and the making of Year Of Summers. 
This interview explores how a New Jersey punk trio built its sound from basement shows, long drives, heartbreak, Greek tragedy, and the kind of resilience that turns pain into an anthem.
The band talks about growing up around music, finding belonging in the New Brunswick DIY scene, writing songs that feel like campfire stories, and how grief, identity, family, love, and alienation shape their catalog. From “Athena” to “Morning Anthem” to “Saturn,” Latchkey Kids explain what makes a song connect—and why emo punk still matters when it tells the truth.
Subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine for more artist interviews, punk stories, emo bands, indie music discovery, and conversations that go beyond the songs.
#latchkeykids #punk #emo #interview #musicpodcast 

Mad Tab has been grinding through the Orange County and Huntington Beach punk underground since 2006 — surviving lineup changes, DIY shows, reggae and rocksteady detours, long silences, and the kind of chaos most bands never make it through. Now, with the release of “Awake” and the upcoming full-length album "Alas! The Bomb Voyage…", Mad Tab is stepping into a new era with the backing of Norwood Fisher, founding member and bassist of the legendary genre-breaking band Fishbone.
Dave and Graham talk about growing up together, discovering punk, ska, reggae, and hardcore, and turning years of friendship into a creative partnership built on lyrics, riffs, chaos, and instinct. Graham shares how influences like Fishbone, The Specials, Madness, Sublime, NOFX, Strung Out, and classic ska helped shape his playing, while Dave explains how keyboards, synths, organ, and cinematic ideas became part of Mad Tab’s punk identity.
Norwood explains why Mad Tab became the first artist he chose to back through InnaNuttshell Reekordingz, calling the band a complete package because of their songwriting, production, and fully realized creative vision.
The conversation also dives into the band’s DIY videos, their love of film, the possibility of Norwood appearing in a future Mad Tab video, dream collaborations, touring plans, and why supporting independent music matters now more than ever.
This is more than a band interview. It is the story of a SoCal punk band that went through everything, kept writing, built its own machine, and finally sounds fully awake.
👉 Subscribe to The Hang! for more artist interviews, music stories, punk rock conversations, and behind-the-scenes episodes with the people keeping independent music alive.
#MadTab #NorwoodFisher #punk #skamusic #skapunk
 
 

Jesus Christ Taxi Driver breaks down their sound, their story, and why they’re redefining what punk can be.
In this episode, Scott Saldinger sits down with Ian, Colin, and Miles of Jesus Christ Taxi Driver for a raw, hilarious, and completely unfiltered conversation. From the accidental origin of their band name to the creation of their latest album Taxi the Rich, this interview explores how chaos, collaboration, and zero rules shaped their identity.
Here’s what makes this episode hit: this band doesn’t just play music—they experiment, collide genres, and build songs in real time. Punk, jazz, country, disco—it’s all in play. They call it “lounge punk”… and honestly, it fits.This interview explores songwriting without limits, building a band with shared creative ownership, and turning weird ideas into something fans can’t ignore.
What You’ll Learn:
• The real story behind the name!• How Taxi the Rich was created from pure experimentation• Why “lounge punk” might be the next evolution of punk rock• The best songs to start with if you’re new to the band
If you’re into garage rock, indie bands, punk energy, or discovering artists before they blow up—this is your episode.
 
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Leah Nawy breaks down Quicksand, indie pop songwriting, music production, and navigating the modern music industry as an independent artist in New York City.
In this episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Leah Nawy,  a Taiwanese American indie pop artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist — for a powerful conversation on creativity, identity, and building a sound that blends indie rock, folk, soul, and electronic textures.
This interview explores Leah Nawy’s journey from the New Jersey live music scene to the New York City indie music world, and the emotional story behind her single “Quicksand.” Written as a conversation between her present self and her inner child, the song captures anxiety, growth, and self-reflection in a way that resonates deeply with listeners.
In this episode, Leah also shares how she taught herself music without perfect pitch, developed her own songwriting system, and evolved into a self-producing artist experimenting with synths, guitar layers, and vocal production.
What you’ll learn about Leah:
• How Leah Nawy first connected with music through piano, performance, and family• The story behind “Quicksand” and its inner-child perspective• Why production, texture, synth bass, guitar, and vocal stacks shape her sound• How independent artists navigate creativity, social media, singles, EPs, and albums
Leah also discusses her dream collaboration with Brittany Howard, the influence of mentors from Lakehouse Music Academy, and what comes next as she prepares new singles, an EP, and eventually a full album.
Subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine for more artist interviews, music journalism, and deep conversations on The Hang!
 
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In this episode of The Hang!, EZ Band breaks down their viral success, touring growth, and genre-defying sound.
In this episode, host Scott Saldinger sits down with EZ Band—Jaime, Aldo, Johnny, and Nate—to uncover how they transformed viral TikTok covers into a national touring phenomenon. This interview explores their unique ability to fuse Norteño, rock, hip-hop, and pop into a sound that connects with diverse audiences across the U.S.
From early experimentation to selling out shows and performing for massive crowds, EZ Band shares the strategy, creativity, and hustle behind their rise. Here’s what you’ll learn about building a viral music brand, mastering live performance, and standing out in today’s music industry.
Whether you're a music fan, artist, or creator, this episode delivers real insight into how modern bands break through using social media, originality, and performance.
👉 Subscribe for more music interviews, artist stories, and behind-the-scenes industry insights👉 Follow EZ Band and catch them live on tour
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In this episode of The Hang! from Almost Famous Magazine, Scott Saldinger sits down with Khurram, a Pakistani American rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer whose music blends hip-hop, melodic rap, and South Asian influence into something deeply personal.
Khurram traces his journey back to a family rooted in Pakistani music, growing up between cultural tradition and the realities of life in America. He talks about how basketball, freestyle sessions, and later the Los Angeles dance community helped shape his creative path, eventually pushing him from movement into music. What comes through in this conversation is an artist who is not chasing trends. He is building a sound that reflects where he comes from, what he believes, and how he wants to connect with people.
The conversation also dives into Khurram’s socially conscious side, including the story behind his song inspired by Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza and why he believes hip-hop should still report on what is happening in the world. He shares the songs new listeners should start with, why timeless music matters more than hype, and how independence has helped him protect his creative identity.
If you care about conscious rap, cultural fusion, independent artists, and music with something real to say, this is a powerful episode to watch.
#Khurram #ConsciousRap #DesiHipHop #pakistaniamerican #independenthiphopartist 
Chapters:0:00 Intro to The Hang! and guest Khurram2:08 Meeting Khurram + shared values and connection4:21 Pakistani roots and early musical influences6:29 Basketball, freestyle rap, and hip-hop beginnings9:46 LA move, dance community, and creative awakening12:15 Transition into music and cultural fusion sound14:45 The story behind “River to the Sea”19:49 Songs to start with: “Love Torture,” “World of Hate,” Elevate26:16 Creating timeless music vs chasing trends33:43 Independence, consistency, and Spotify growth strategy34:53 Dream collaboration: why Macklemore39:32 Artists Khurram is listening to right now42:41 Final thoughts, supporting artists, and closing message
The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine
https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

Vancouver pop-punk band Chief State joins Scott Saldinger on The Hang! for a candid conversation about friendship, creativity, and the emotional fuel behind their latest album Keep Your Friends Closer.
The band shares the story behind their newest record and how its themes of loyalty, betrayal, and reconnection shaped the songwriting process. Rather than writing individually, the group spent months collaborating together in a room, building songs organically and creating a space where every idea could be explored freely.
In this episode, the band dives into their individual musical origins—from discovering punk through Green Day and MTV to learning instruments by ear and forming bands before they even knew how to play. That early passion eventually led to the formation of Chief State after a Craigslist post connected founding members Fraser and Nik in Vancouver.
They also reflect on the importance of community in music, the impact friends and mentors have had on their careers, and the reality of being an independent band navigating touring costs and the evolving music industry.Along the way, each member highlights a song from their catalog that best represents the band—from fan favorites like “Team Wiped,” “No Breaks,” and “Metaphors” to the title track “Keep Your Friends Closer.”
If you love modern pop-punk, honest songwriting, and stories from the road, this episode offers an inside look at the friendships and experiences that keep Chief State moving forward.
Listen now and discover why Chief State is one of the most exciting bands emerging from Vancouver’s punk scene.

What does it take to stay authentic in punk for decades?
In this episode of The Hang, Scott Saldinger sits down with Kevin Wilcox, the unmistakable voice behind Las Vegas punk band Suburban Resistance. From growing up in Rochester surrounded by classic rock to fronting a band that blends hardcore grit with melodic punk energy, Kevin shares the journey that shaped his sound and identity.
Kevin opens up about learning Ramones songs as a kid, why he chose vocals over guitar, and how years of live performance—not social media—built his confidence and style. He dives into the evolution of Suburban Resistance, from garage jams and cover songs to a fully realized original sound that pulls from punk, hardcore, and beyond.
The conversation also explores the modern music landscape, the importance of community in the Las Vegas punk scene, and why staying open to new influences has helped the band grow. Kevin reflects on lessons learned from fellow musicians, the reality of putting in the work, and what keeps him creating after decades in the underground.
If you care about real music, real stories, and the culture that keeps punk alive—this one hits.
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