In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with the incredible Maeve Gilchrist, a Scottish harpist, composer, and innovator whose work bridges folk traditions and contemporary sounds. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Maeve was immersed in Celtic music from a young age and later studied at Berklee College of Music, where she expanded her approach to the harp through jazz, improvisation, and world music influences.

Maeve and I talk about her journey as an artist—from her early exposure to traditional Scottish and Irish music to her boundary-pushing projects in the worlds of contemporary classical, jazz, and film scoring. She shares how motherhood has deepened her relationship to her craft, and how she continues to evolve her voice while remaining rooted in tradition.

We explore her role as Artistic Director of the Rockport Celtic Festival, and dig into her album The Harp Weaver, a deeply personal work inspired by poetry and memory. Maeve reflects on the creative process, the power of collaboration, and the delicate balance between honoring tradition and forging new musical paths.

This is a rich and thoughtful conversation with one of today’s most original voices on the harp.

To learn more about Maeve, please visit her website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I reconnect with my old friend and fellow musician Eddie Brumlow for a heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation. We talk about the unexpected turns life takes and how those shifts have shaped our paths as performers and educators.

Eddie opens up about the formative moments and mentors that helped shape his musical identity, the joy (and chaos) of memorable gigs, and the quiet victories of the classroom. We dig into what it means to teach music today, how collaboration fuels creativity, and why the communities we build through music might be the most essential part of the journey.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Brett Dietz, Director of Percussion at LSU, and someone who had a tremendous impact on my own family. Brett taught my son Skyler throughout his college years, and I've long admired him as both an educator and an artist. This was a special and personal conversation.

We discuss Brett's journey from studying under Michael Burritt at Northwestern to his unexpected opportunity at LSU in 2003, where he has been teaching for over two decades. He reflects on the evolution of the percussion studio, the effects of the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic on student development, and how the landscape of music education has shifted over the years.

We delve into teaching philosophies and how Brett identifies the most minor technical issues that unlock major improvements, and why teaching is ultimately about remembering what it's like to struggle. We also cover the deceptively complex art of triangle and tambourine playing, and how Brett balances classical rigor with kindness and adaptability.

And then there's Brett the composer. He shares the backstory behind his works, such as Sharpened Stick and Headcase, and how his early days in a high school garage band with Doug Perkins (yes, that Doug Perkins) led to a lifelong love of composing. He discusses studying under legends like Stanley Leonard, David Stock, and J. Allen Yim, and how those mentors shaped his artistic voice.

Whether you're a percussionist, a teacher, or just someone who loves stories about finding your path and making an impact, this episode is packed with insight, warmth, and some great laughs.

To learn more about Brett, visit his website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.