March Forth with Mike Bauman

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Bran Merritt and Joey Lauretta of Sleep Nation!
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Sleep Nation is an alternative rock duo comprised of Merritt (vocals, guitar) and Lauretta (drums). Initially founded in 2010, Sleep Nation has made a name for themselves in the Music City with their own style and energetic live shows.
Their single "I Want You Back" and its accompanying music video got them love from Nashville's rock radio station 102.9 The Buzz in 2014, earning a spot on the station's "Local Buzz Top 25." In 2016, Sleep Nation's single "Slip" off their debut album earned "Local Buzz Cut of the Week." 
After becoming a duo in 2020, Sleep Nation has been hard at work releasing numerous singles and videos. This past September, they dropped their sophomore album entitled AND THEN THERE WERE 2, their first release as a two-piece.
In this episode, Bran and Joey talk with Mike about how they first got into music, linking up for Sleep Nation, becoming a two-piece after COVID-19, making their 20-song quasi concept album AND THEN THERE WERE 2, music's importance in their lives, the creativity that goes into their art, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the song "SPACEman" from Sleep Nation off their album AND THEN THERE WERE 2, available where you get your music!
Follow Sleep Nation on Instagram @sleepnationtv. To stay up-to-date on Sleep Nation, visit https://www.slpntn.com/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Chad Czerniak!
Chad is one of Mike's best friends who he's known since they were 10 years old. Since January 2021, Chad has been sober.
In Chad's return to the podcast, he speaks with Mike about what his life in sobriety has been like since his last visit to the pod in 2022, including his work in addiction recovery, what has kept him on a sober path, how motivating and helpful music has been in his recovery, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the song "Not This Time" from the band OnceOver, available where you get your music!
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you'd like to check out the nursing home music documentary mentioned in the episode, visit https://www.aliveinside.us/#land.
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Sean Fitz & Ryan Kienle!
Based in Arizona, Sean is a musician and singer with Midwest roots who has been active in the rock and metal genres for nearly a decade. He currently plays bass on tour in hard rock mainstays Otherwise, in addition to releasing his own solo music under Sean Fitz.
Ryan is a Nashville-based studio and live performing bass player who has toured around the world, both at land and sea. Many will know him from the Poughkeepsie, New York band Matchbook Romance. Their 2006 sophomore album Voices went on to crack the Top 50 of the Billboard 200, while their single "Monsters" became a global hit that is still popular on music streaming platforms to this day. 
Sean, Ryan and Shane Gann all teamed up for the single "AMMO," a heartbreak anthem that just dropped on 2/2.
In this episode, Sean and Ryan speak with Mike about how they got connected for "AMMO," Warped Tour and road life lessons with Matchbook Romance, life at sea as a professional musician on cruise ships, the Shiprocked incident, being a hired gun, building positive relationships in the music industry, going all in on your art as a creative, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the aforementioned "AMMO" from Sean Fitz, Ryan Kienle and Shane Gann, available where you get your music!
Follow Sean on Instagram @fakefitz. Follow Ryan on Instagram @rkplaysbass. To stay up-to-date with Sean, visit https://linktr.ee/seanfitz. To stay up-to-date with Ryan, visit https://www.rkbass.com/. 
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Josh Bauserman and Dave Fulford-Brown of Royalty Kult!
Josh and Dave's friendship and music partnership goes back more than a decade, as both were formerly in the band Interim Divine. The duo launched Royalty Kult in June 2020, and built a name for the band in the Los Angeles scene with their cinematic blend of hard rock and alternative metal. Over the years, they've shared the stage with the likes of Soulfly, Gemini Syndrome, and headlined multiple shows at the historic Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip.
In December 2020, Royalty Kult released their debut album entitled Enjoying the End, the title track of which featured Doc Coyle (The Ex-Man with Doc Coyle podcast, Bad Wolves, God Forbid, Vagus Nerve). Since that time, Royalty Kult has dropped multiple singles and music videos, the latest of which is "The Dying." Released on 1/26/24, the heartfelt track features the late Jeff Sills, a close friend of Royalty Kult. 
On this episode, Josh and Dave speak with Mike about their friendship and music partnership, what it was like building a band in the LA music scene, Josh's relocation to Nashville, their moving tribute to Jeff Sills in the video for "The Dying," persevering through tragedy and difficult times, what's on deck for Royalty Kult in 2024, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features Royalty Kult's latest single entitled "The Dying" featuring Jeff Sills, available where you get your music!
To stay up-to-date with Royalty Kult, follow the band on Instagram @royaltykultmusic. To watch the video for "The Dying," click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ot79sFlNLU. To get tickets to Royalty Kult's upcoming 4/24 show at the Whisky a Go Go with Taproot, visit https://whiskyagogo.com/calendar/events/13290323/taproot-slant-royalty-kult-chasing-yesterday/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Maks Gabriel!
Based in Nashville, Maks is a Canadian-American music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Having studied classical piano growing up at The McGill Conservatory of Music in Montreal, Maks had a love and drive for music in his youth that propelled him to where he is today.
Prior to moving to the Music City, Maks worked closely with Ryan Kowarsky of the group RyanDan. Together, they wrote and produced numerous hit songs with multiple Canadian artists, including Massari, Danny Fernandes, Belly, and Mia Martina. That success included a Juno nomination for "Dance Recording of the Year" for their work on Mia Martina's Devotion album.
With a love for songwriting that eventually led him to Nashville, Maks continued to make a name for himself and build upon the musical foundation he built in Canada. Over the years, he's worked with artists ranging from Clint Lowery of Sevendust, members of 3 Doors Down, Honey County, Muscadine Bloodline, Cassadee Pope, and CB30, among others. He also produced and co-wrote the song "Got It From My Mama" from Honey County, which reached 1 billion views on TikTok.
Additionally, Maks' love for TV & film has led to his songs being placed on hit shows like Yellowstone, Nashville, True Blood, The Mindy Project, and Roswell New Mexico, among others.
In this episode, Maks talks with Mike about his early love for music, including studying classical piano under the renowned Russian piano virtuoso Marina Goglidze-Mdivani, what he learned about music from that experience, turning down multiple job promotions to chase his songwriting dreams, what it was like starting over in the Music City, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the cinematic remix of the song "I Mean This" from Maks Gabriel and Clint Lowery, available where you get your music!
Follow Maks on Instagram @maks_gabriel. To stay up-to-date with Maks and learn more about his work, visit http://www.maksgabriel.com/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Anthony Church!
Hailing from Alliance, Ohio, Anthony is a music producer and host of the Proven Knowledge podcast. Proven Knowledge is a collective, brand, and podcast Anthony created with his friend and rapper JayTrey to inspire and spark people's dreams. Since 2016, Anthony has been active as a producer in the hip hop, R&B, and pop realms.
From releasing EPs of his own beats, to working with artists like the aforementioned JayTrey, Grizz, Cherry Luna, and Blak, to sharing the stories of numerous creators on the Proven Knowledge podcast, Anthony is continuing to showcase both his skills as a producer, as well as his positive impact as a podcast host. In 2023, Proven Knowledge released their first compilation album entitled Forms of Escapism, a collaborative effort with multiple artists in the hip hop and R&B genres.
In this episode, Mike and Anthony catch up to talk about a big year in 2023 for Proven Knowledge, the process of putting together Forms of Escapism, finding balance as a producer and podcaster, what's inspiring him creatively, advice for other creatives, what's on deck for 2024, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features an exclusive listen of Anthony Church's instrumental track entitled "Fruitful" off his forthcoming EP!
Follow Anthony on Instagram @anthonychurch_24, and Proven Knowledge @proven_knowledge. To stay up-to-date with Anthony and Proven Knowledge, visit https://linktr.ee/anthony_church24 & https://linktr.ee/prvnknwldge. 
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Zak Kanary of Bearded Bird Fitness & Nutrition!
Based in Northwest Ohio, Bearded Bird Fitness & Nutrition is the husband & wife team of Bridget & Zak Kanary. Together, they provide both personal training and nutrition plans to their clients to help them create sustainable and healthy lifestyles despite the hustle and bustle that comes with everyday life. As parents of four young children (including a set of twin boys!), Bridge & Zak know all about that hustle and bustle. They use their social media platforms to not only spread the word on Bearded Fitness & Nutrition, but also to help inspire others to know that if they can do it, you can do it, too.
On this episode of the podcast, Mike catches up with Zak to talk about 2024 New Year's resolutions when it comes to fitness, nutrition, setting goals and sticking to them, finding your purpose, fatherhood, building his business over the years, and more.
To learn more about Bearded Bird Fitness & Nutrition, follow them on Instagram @beardedbirdfitnessnutrition and @bridgeypat, or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049903496967.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Hani Abadi!
Born in the former Yugoslavia, Hani is a Bay Area-based alternative singer-songwriter, musician, and longtime bassist of the metal band Bilocate. On 11/30/23, he dropped his debut solo album Tiamat, which takes listeners on an acoustic trip that covers topics such as death, love, loss, and the emotions that come with the human experience.
Alongside the musical release for Tiamat, Hani has also released numerous lyric videos and music videos on YouTube from the album. Among those are a claymation music video for the song "My Story," which tackles the journey of a broken heart, as well as an AI-driven music video for the song "Dementia." The latter is Hani's tribute to his late grandfather, who suffered from the disease.
In this conversation, Hani speaks with Mike about his early interest in metal music and Metallica, the satanic labels and forbidden nature that came with being in a metal band in the Middle East at that time, relocating to the Bay Area in the states not long before the COVID pandemic, tackling death and paying homage to his lost loved ones on Tiamat, using his music to process pain, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the song "Take It Away" from Hani Abadi off his debut album Tiamat, available where you get your music!
Follow Hani on Instagram @haniabadimusic. To stay up-to-date with Hani, visit https://www.haniabadi.com/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Ryan Wayton of Tropic Bombs!
Hailing from Mike's hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Ryan (vocals, drums, producer) and Tropic Bombs stormed onto the Toledo music scene back in 2011. They quickly built a dedicated fan base with their high-energy live shows and fusion of rock, reggae, hip-hop, and even elements of metalcore vocals. Tropic Bombs released their debut LP Nuclear Honeymoon in 2012, EP Return to Bomber Bay in 2014, and several singles in the years since.
In this 2024 kickoff episode of the podcast, Ryan gives Mike an exclusive conversation to discuss Tropic Bombs' forthcoming new music and accompanying Kickstarter project entitled: "Escape From Bomber Bay: New Album Vinyl LP & Board Game!" Ryan talks with Mike about the project's influence of 80's action movies, Kurt Russell, retro gaming, board games, and the desire to create an exclusive package for fans that goes beyond the typical pre-orders with new music releases. 
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman also features the song "Reignite" from Tropic Bombs, available where you get your music!
To stay up-to-date on Tropic Bombs, visit https://www.tropicbombs.com/.
To participate in the "Escape From Bomber Bay: New Album Vinyl LP & Board Game!" Kickstarter, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tropicbombs/escape-from-bomber-bay-new-album-vinyl-lp-and-board-game.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another. Happy New Year!

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Zhaklina Spencer!
Originally from New York, Zhaklina is an independent, alternative pop artist based in Nashville. With a strong faith as her driving force, she uses her music to encourage others to live from a place of knowing they are loved and inspire messages of mental well-being.
Mental health is a central focus for Zhaklina's purpose and message as an artist. In addition to contributing to mental health organizations like NoStigmas, To Write Love On Her Arms, and Project Semicolon, Zhaklina also founded Mental Health Songwriter Nights in Nashville. Established in March, 2022, Mental Health Songwriter Nights gives back to both mental health organizations and local artists. To date, that community has raised more than $3,405 for mental health.
In this conversation, Zhaklina speaks with Mike about being into music for as long as she can remember, her mental health journey and processing childhood trauma, her strong faith in God, her personal connection to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, the impetus for founding Mental Health Songwriter Nights in Nashville, and more.
This episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman features the song "You Can't Have My Mind" from Zhaklina, available where you get your music!
Follow Zhaklina on Instagram @iamzhaklina. Follow Mental Health Songwriter Nights on Instagram @mentalhealthsongwriternights. To get more info on Zhaklina's 12/30 show at The Cobra in Nashville and stay up-to-date with Mental Health Songwriter Nights events, visit https://www.zhaklina.com/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.