From a dorm room talent show to packing venues across Minnesota, the rock band Gradients has been steadily carving their unique musical identity since 2019. In a recent interview on The Jay Franze Show, this group of passionate musicians shared their journey from college roommates to a unified musical force that defies clear genre boundaries.

The band’s origin story begins in the most quintessential way – a college talent show at MSUM College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Original members Ford and John, along with their first drummer, seized an opportunity to perform and quickly realized they had stumbled upon something special. Darian soon joined as bassist and vocalist, and by February 2020, they were performing their first show together. This formation would later welcome Trevor on drums, completing today’s lineup of the band that describes their sound as existing in the gradient between hard rock, alternative, and metal.

What makes Gradients particularly fascinating is how their diverse musical influences converge into their signature sound. While many bands claim varied inspirations, Gradients’ members genuinely come from different musical backgrounds. Ford draws from 70s hard rock like UFO and Randy Rhoads-era Ozzy, later expanding into thrash metal. Darian brings a strong Beatles foundation, citing the Fab Four as his primary influence, along with Queens of the Stone Age. John’s tastes run from modern rock acts like Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys to Chevelle, while Trevor brings punk energy from Green Day and The Offspring, with a side of Tom Petty appreciation that even surprised his bandmates.

The band’s collaborative creative process mirrors their musical diversity. Sometimes a member disappears and returns with a fully formed song idea, while other tracks emerge organically from jam sessions. “We were jamming on something for about a minute,” Darian explained about one of their songs, “and I edited it down, restructured it to have a full song structure, put vocals over it, and said ‘okay, this is the idea.'” This fluid approach to songwriting has served them well, allowing them to build and refine songs collaboratively while remaining open to scrapping elements that don’t work.

What sets Gradients apart from many emerging bands is their professional approach to recording and production. All three original members hold Bachelor of Science degrees in audio production, which explains their self-sufficient approach. Darian handles the recording with Logic Pro and Universal Audio interfaces, even going “a bit overboard” with drum miking techniques to capture the perfect sound. This technical expertise allows them complete creative control over their music from conception to final product.

Living together (except for drummer Trevor) creates an environment of constant creativity and musical growth. “It helps living together because we can just grab each other and be like ‘hey, let’s record something,'” Darian notes. This shared living situation has also fostered a playful dynamic that includes elaborate pranks – from fully carpeting a bathroom to hiding items in guitar pedals and equipment for months at a time.

For Gradients, performance energy is non-negotiable. The band emphasizes how important stage presence is to their identity. As John explained, “I’m very much a believer that when I go to shows, it could be the best sounding show, but if every band member is just standing there looking at their fretboards, it kills the mood for me.” The band works hard to ensure their playing becomes second nature, allowing them to focus on engaging with the audience during performances.

Behind every successful band is often an unsung hero, and for Gradients, that person is Emma Christensen. Their photographer and videographer has been documenting shows while helping create music videos, including their ambitious recent production for “On A Roll” that involved renting a boxing ring and Darian taking boxing lessons for a month to prepare.

As Gradients continues to build momentum with upcoming shows and their latest album “Come What May,” they represent a refreshing example of musical authenticity – friends who genuinely enjoy creating together, respecting their diverse influences while crafting something uniquely their own.

In the latest episode of the Jay Franze Show, we had the privilege of sitting down with rising country music star Stephanie Rabus, a talented vocalist with a compelling story that’s as captivating as her music. Throughout our conversation, Stephanie opened up about her musical journey, creative process, and the personal experiences that have shaped her authentic sound.

Stephanie’s musical foundation was established early, playing in her father’s band “40 South” (named after the interstate and the band members’ ages at the time) when she turned 21. This formative experience allowed her to introduce contemporary songs like Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” and Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” to a band that predominantly played oldies. This blend of traditional and contemporary influences would later become a hallmark of Stephanie’s own musical style, demonstrating her versatility and broad appeal from the beginning of her career.

The conversation took a fascinating turn as Stephanie discussed her musical influences, which span across genres and generations. From country icon Martina McBride (whose CD was the first she ever purchased with her babysitting money) to pop-rock powerhouse Kelly Clarkson, and from classical-turned-rock legend Pat Benatar to emotional balladeers like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, Stephanie’s musical palette is refreshingly diverse. These influences shine through in her album “My Time Now,” where each track presents a different facet of her artistry while maintaining cohesive quality throughout.

What sets Stephanie apart from many emerging country artists is the emotional depth and maturity in her songwriting. Rather than sticking to conventional country themes, she crafts songs that explore deeper human experiences and emotional landscapes. Her approach to music is refreshingly authentic, particularly in an industry that often pushes artists toward formulaic sounds. As an independent artist, Stephanie cherishes the creative control she has over her music, allowing her to incorporate bluesy elements in songs like “I Want What I Shouldn’t Have,” pop ballad vibes in “Safe Place to Fall,” and rock-country fusion in the track “Buying Time, Living Now.”

The interview took a poignant turn when Stephanie discussed her latest single “Pray You Down,” a song that wasn’t self-written but resonated deeply with her personal experiences of loss. After losing a close friend from her band and her boyfriend’s mother in separate incidents, the song took on profound meaning for her. The raw emotion in her vocal performance comes from these real-life experiences, giving the track an authenticity that connects powerfully with listeners who have experienced similar grief.

Stephanie offered fascinating insights into her recording process, working with producer Justine Blazer on her album and later with Brandon Heneger on subsequent singles. She described how she provides reference points for her desired sound (such as wanting a Keith Urban-style guitar solo) and the collaborative process of bringing these visions to life. This behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the thoughtful intentionality behind her music production.

The conversation also explored Stephanie’s experiences opening for established country artists like Brian White, Lee Brice, and Confederate Railroad. These opportunities have allowed her to connect with industry professionals and receive validation from artists she admires. Her genuine appreciation for these experiences reflects her humble approach to her career, valuing each opportunity and connection. She specifically highlighted Lee Brice’s exceptional live vocal abilities and his kindness in making time to meet her band—something that doesn’t always happen when opening for major artists.

In a particularly moving segment, Stephanie courageously opened up about personal challenges she faced growing up, including body image issues, corrective eye surgery, and heart surgery. She shared how music became a source of confidence for her during these difficult times, offering her validation when she felt most vulnerable. This emotional honesty provides context for the depth and empathy in her songwriting and her desire to create music that helps listeners feel seen and understood.

The discussion about the pros and cons of being an independent artist versus signing with a label offered valuable insights for aspiring musicians. While Stephanie appreciates the creative freedom of independence, allowing her to explore different musical styles, she acknowledges the financial challenges that come without label support. However, her career has progressed to the point where she can now focus solely on music without needing side jobs—a significant milestone for any independent artist.

Throughout the interview, Stephanie’s authenticity, talent, and resilience shine through. Her journey from playing in her father’s band to creating her own distinctive sound demonstrates her musical growth.

In a captivating episode of The Jay Franze Show, Broadway veteran and recording artist Ann Kittredge takes listeners on a journey through her fascinating career in theater and music. What emerges is a masterclass in authentic performance, creative persistence, and the courage to reinvent oneself artistically after life’s inevitable detours.

Kittredge establishes early in the conversation that her approach to music is fundamentally driven by storytelling rather than showcasing her vocal abilities. “What really intrigues me is what does this song need?” she explains, detailing how her album “Romantic Notions” spans genres from country and folk to jazz and swing. This versatility isn’t random – it’s purposeful, allowing her to serve each song’s unique narrative requirements. As she puts it, “I don’t ever want it to be about my voice. I always want it to be about the storytelling.” This philosophy, firmly rooted in her theatrical background, illuminates why Kittredge refuses to be confined to any single vocal style or genre.

The conversation delves into the fascinating distinction between performing as a character versus performing as oneself. Kittredge makes the compelling observation that “it’s harder to be yourself than a character.” Drawing from her extensive theater experience, she explains how performers often find parts that unconsciously force them to confront aspects of their personality requiring attention or growth. The vulnerability required to perform without the safety net of a character represents both a challenge and an artistic breakthrough. This authenticity becomes particularly evident in her solo shows, where she must remain present and adaptable, responding to audience reactions rather than rigidly following prepared dialogue.

One of the most compelling stories Kittredge shares involves her determination to include Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” on her album against her team’s resistance. Over four months, she repeatedly brought the song back to her team, ultimately declaring that she “had to do this song” even if it meant finding new collaborators. This artistic stand-off exemplifies her creative conviction and willingness to take personal risks. The song ultimately became one of the most requested from the album, validating her artistic intuition and demonstrating how creative friction can lead to breakthrough moments. As she reflects, “It’s courage to really believe, sometimes, even when the people that you respect the most think you’re crazy.”

Perhaps most inspirational is Kittredge’s candid discussion about her career path, which included a ten-year hiatus to raise her children. When she returned to performing, she faced significant confidence challenges, admitting, “At first I knew I wasn’t good. I was rusty, I was trying something I’d never done before.” Yet she persisted through that discomfort, recognizing that growth required pushing through initial inadequacy. Her journey from Broadway performer to recording artist showcases the resilience needed in creative careers, particularly when navigating life’s complexities and personal priorities. This vulnerability and honesty make her current success – including over a million streams on Spotify – all the more meaningful.

Throughout the interview, Kittredge returns to themes of artistic integrity, personal growth, and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive, honest collaborators. Her experiences offer valuable insights for anyone pursuing creative endeavors, particularly those who may have stepped away from their passions and wonder if returning is possible. Kittredge’s story definitively answers: yes, with courage, persistence, and willingness to be vulnerable, creative reinvention is always possible – sometimes leading to unexpectedly beautiful new chapters.