No Simple Road Podcast By Osiris Media / No Simple Road Media cover art

No Simple Road

No Simple Road

By: Osiris Media / No Simple Road Media
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More than just a Grateful Dead Podcast, more than a music and culture show, something other than a family of cosmic wanderers.... Join the hosts of No Simple Road as they dive deep into the world of psychedelic exploration, music, art, and spirituality. Each week, they bring you captivating interviews with musicians, artists, authors, and visionaries from all walks of life. Join them on their long strange trip! Support this show http://www.patreon.com/nosimpleroad© 2025 No Simple Road Media LLC Music
Episodes
  • Orca the Band: Following the Adventure

    Orca the Band: Following the Adventure
    Apr 3 2026
    This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome John Tyson and James McPhillips of Denver’s own Orca the Band — a group that’s carving out their own lane in the modern jam and indie landscape with what they call an “Adventure Band” spirit. From the jump, this conversation dives into the origin story of Orca the Band — how the project came together, the chemistry that sparked between members, and the shared vision that continues to guide their sound. John and James take us inside their writing process, where spontaneity meets intention, and songs evolve through exploration rather than expectation. We explore the wide range of musical influences that shape Orca’s sound — from jam and indie rock to experimental textures — and how those influences aren’t just referenced, but transformed into something uniquely their own. The band’s identity as an “Adventure Band” becomes a central thread, reflecting not just their music, but their approach to creativity, performance, and life on the road. This episode also taps into the deeper layers: what it means to take risks as artists, how improvisation builds trust within a band, and why stepping into the unknown is often where the best music lives. Like all things No Simple Road, this isn’t just about songs — it’s about the journey behind them. If you’re a fan of jam bands, indie music, improvisation, and artists who aren’t afraid to explore, this conversation is going to resonate. Head over to www.orcatheband.net for merch, music, and more! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Ric Robertson: Gathering Souls in the Quiet Corners of New York

    Ric Robertson: Gathering Souls in the Quiet Corners of New York
    Mar 20 2026
    This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome singer-songwriter Ric Robertson for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about place, purpose, creativity, and the beautiful ways life and art intertwine. Ric joins us from his home in rural New York — a space that has organically evolved into something far more than a residence. Part sanctuary, part community hub, part intimate music venue, it’s a gathering place where songs are shared, connections are forged, and strangers often leave as family. We talk about the magic of creating intentional spaces for people to come together, especially in quieter corners of the world where culture doesn’t always arrive on its own. The conversation also turns toward Ric’s upcoming (and currently unnamed) new album, exploring the creative headspace he’s been living in and what listeners can expect from this next chapter of his musical journey. We also dive into Ric’s collaboration with the developers of the The Flow music app — a platform designed to help artists and fans connect in more meaningful, sustainable ways. Ric discusses why he believes tools like Flow could reshape how independent musicians share their art and build community in the digital age. And because life isn’t just about music, we celebrate the human milestones too: Ric opens up about his upcoming wedding and the grounding joy of building a life with someone while continuing to follow the unpredictable road of an artist. Like all things No Simple Road, this episode moves beyond career highlights into the deeper terrain — belonging, partnership, creativity, and the quiet courage it takes to build a life aligned with your values. For tour info, music, and more head over to: ricrobertsonmusic.com Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Matthew McDonald: The Long Groove from Perpetual Groove to Somnal

    Matthew McDonald: The Long Groove from Perpetual Groove to Somnal
    Mar 13 2026
    This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome Matthew McDonald, keyboardist of Perpetual Groove, for a deep and thoughtful conversation that celebrates 25 years of music, community, and the ever-evolving journey of creativity. Matthew takes us behind the scenes of Perpetual Groove’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on the band’s origins in the Southeast jam scene, the relationships that have carried them through decades of touring, and the powerful connection that forms between band and fans over years of shared musical experience. We talk about some of the special things the band has planned to celebrate a quarter century of playing, the lessons learned from life on the road, and what it means to keep a musical project vibrant after a quarter century. But the conversation goes beyond the stage. Matthew also introduces us to his newest passion project, Somnal, a veteran-owned wellness initiative that blends live music, yoga, breathwork, and immersive sound experiences. Drawing on more than 30 years of live performance experience, Matthew is creating intentional spaces where music becomes a vehicle for healing, presence, and connection. Matthew shares how his journey as a musician led him to explore mindfulness practices and how Somnal represents a natural evolution of the same intention that drives great live music: bringing people together in a shared, meaningful experience. As always on No Simple Road, this episode dives into the deeper layers — creativity, community, healing, and the paths that open when artists follow their curiosity beyond the stage. If you’re a fan of Perpetual Groove, jam bands, live music culture, or the intersection of music and wellness, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. To find out more on Somnal head over to: somnalwellness.com ... and for tour info, merch, music, and more head over to: www.pgroove.net Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.
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    1 hr and 33 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Great questions! Matt Greer was super insightful and cool! Really enjoyed it and never lost interest.

Great. insightful. Interesting. Authentic.

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