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Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would. Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwards is a powerhouse, performing with Macca Pazza, whose Wikipedia page describes as "an interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble." As part of a group that can number 30 players, Edwards has written pieces for the group, such as "Stupid Icarus" that flares with energy drums, vocal bass, loops, vox and Jesse Crydeman playing guitar, loops, and vox as well. It is a rich auditory concoction that explores different genres of music and sound. Both groups perform regularly in Chicago and throughout the world. But there's also Edwards the instructor, mentoring students as he himself had been mentored at the University of Illinois. He teaches at Musical Expressions of Naperville on the kit as well as instruction in voice. This first interview delves into his background, growing up and how he ended up pursuing a musical path. Another strong example that independent musicians can create their journey, make a living from it and deserve recognition and respect for being artisans in a world (especially in the US) that dismisses such ingenuity. In this second interview, Edwards talks about how he goes about writing his music. He reveals the various methods of capturing melody, as well as lyric writing. These skills are also passed along to the students he teaches.

For Edward's teaching, go to:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/musicalexpressions/staff/hershyl-edwards/

https://www.facebook.com/hershyl.edwards.2025/
https://bifunkal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muccapazza

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Send us a text

Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would. Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwards is a powerhouse, performing with Macca Pazza, whose Wikipedia page describes as "an interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble." As part of a group that can number 30 players, Edwards has written pieces for the group, such as "Stupid Icarus" that flares with energy drums, vocal bass, loops, vox and Jesse Crydeman playing guitar, loops, and vox as well. It is a rich auditory concoction that explores different genres of music and sound. Both groups perform regularly in Chicago and throughout the world. But, there's also Edwards the instructor, mentoring students as he himself had been mentored at the University of Illinois. He teaches at Musical Expressions of Naperville on the kit as well as instruction in voice. This first interview delves into his background, growing up and how he ended up pursuing a musical path. Another strong example that independent musicians can create their journey, make a living from it and deserve recognition and respect for being artisans in a world (especially in the US) that dismisses such ingenuity.

For Edward's teaching, go to:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/musicalexpressions/staff/hershyl-edwards/

https://www.facebook.com/hershyl.edwards.2025/
https://bifunkal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muccapazza

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

FACEBOOK
Facebook
...

Send us a text

Nic Nepomiachi (aka DoctorStarcrumbs) in his second interview, lifts the curtain on his creative process in making a song. Nepomiachi is a great songwriter, arranger and performer. The song takes front seat when it comes to how to present it. Therefore, one can hear various influences in service to the lyrics and mood Nepomiachi wants the listener to hear. He also creates with a great sensitivity to the artists who have come before him. It is one thing to write a song in the style of Dr. Hook or Leon Redbone. It's an entirely different thing to record in New Orleans to deliberately channel the energy of that town into the music.
Nepomiachi's story is intriguing as his music is eclectic: Running a club in Telluride, Colorado with his dad. Playing drums in different bands in Colorado. Opening a club in Chicago. Closing that club in Chicago. Playing in bands in Chicago. Collaborating on albums. Writing solo albums. He is a quiet, reticent individual that when first talking to him, you would have no idea of where he has been and where next he wants to go. And in between songs and gigs he and his wife are raising a family. A great example of what it takes to be an independent musician. Don’t let his soft-spoken demeanor fool you. He is definitely one of the more authentically lived artistic lives I have had the pleasure of hearing about in a long time. His latest album on his Spotify page (there are five featured offerings to pick from there) Horse Shirt has an Americana slant to it. He is not afraid to channel Dr. Hook or Leon Redbone for a New Orleans-style song, like Winds in China on his self-titled Starcrumbs album (which you can hear on his YouTube channel) and his lyrics are witty and self-reflecting.
His Facebook page is where you can track the comings and goings of this artist. Where his next show will be and who he will be with. Or it may just be a picture of him being a dad. Whatever you do, take the time to listen to his music and enjoy an authentic craftsman who is not afraid to experiment, borrow, improvise and call Chicago home.

https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.nepomiachi

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

FACEBOOK
Facebook
...