Pop Fuss

LA-based alt-pop provocateur Chloe Star joins the show! Chloe has this mix of raw honesty and full-on rockstar energy that really stands out. She’s part of that next wave of artists doing things on her own terms—pulling from rock, pop, and wherever else the song needs to go. Her background plays a big role in that. She’s of Indigenous and Persian heritage, grew up between LA and her family’s reservation in San Bernardino, and you can really hear that layered identity in her music. She’s also outspoken about representation and queer visibility, and that perspective comes through naturally in everything she creates. We get into her latest singles, her new video, and some heavy, real-life experiences behind the music—she’s got great insight and it’s a really great conversation! Follow her on social media @frenchtoastkiller and check out her website https://www.chloestar.shop/ for tour dates, videos, merch, and more! Check out Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's best emerging stars!

Spencer Grammer and Davis IL of Belle & Chain stop by to discuss their debut single “Don’t You Worry Babe,” how the project came to life during a deeply transformative chapter for Spencer — and how that eventually grew into something worth sharing with the world. We also get into the duo’s collaborative songwriting process, the cinematic gothic Americana sound they’re crafting, and what it’s been like taking these songs on the road for their very first tour. Be sure to follow the band @belleandchain and its members @spencergrammer and @davis.il Visit their website belleandchain.com for tour dates, substack info and more! Check out Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's best emerging artists! Blending Western-tinged rock with haunting folk and nostalgic Americana, Belle and Chain craft songs layered with shimmering textures, breathy vocals, and stoic lyricism. The project began as the musical alias of actor, filmmaker, and musician Spencer Grammer and has since evolved into a full band featuring multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Davis IL. Raised between New York City and Los Angeles in a deeply artistic family—her father a celebrated TV actor and her mother a Broadway dancer— Grammer was immersed in the performing arts from an early age. She went on to build a career as an actress, director, and voice performer, becoming widely known as the voice of Summer Smith on the Adult Swim hit Rick and Morty. Music became a central focus of Grammer’s life during her recovery from a violent attack in 2020, when she was stabbed in the right forearm, severing her median nerve and two tendons and leaving lasting damage to her hand. As part of her rehabilitation, she was encouraged to pick up the guitar, and in 2024 she began writing songs, discovering that playing and singing offered a powerful outlet for processing trauma and rebuilding confidence.

Quickly rising indie band Meldrop join us for a fun conversation! We talk about how the band came together in Tacoma, their rapid ascension, their upcoming release, life on tour in their refurbished school bus, and the business side of navigating momentum as things keep getting bigger. Follow the guys @meldrop_official and snag merch and LP's from their website meldropband.com Find today's hottest emerging bands @popfusspod on Instagram!

Caroline Romano joins the show! We caught up with this rising pop artist just hours before the release of her new EP It Took Me Falling — talking nerves, rituals, and what it feels like to finally let these songs out into the world. From leaving Mississippi to chase music in Nashville, to crafting one of her most personal projects yet, this conversation dives into the new songs, the evolution of her sound, the reality of growing up in the music industry, and what fans can expect from her live show. Follow Caroline @carolineromanomusic and stream It Took Me Falling now! Follow @popfusspod fon Instagram for today’s brightest rising artists!

Nian Tong joins the show! The London-based indie pop artist stops by to talk about his whimsical new single “What’s On Your Mind.” Blending warm melodies and playful ‘60s-inspired pop, Nian turns a very modern story — moving across the world for love… only to get ghosted — into something surprisingly sweet and uplifting. We also talk about his path from behind-the-scenes songwriter, producer, and composer to stepping out as a solo artist, and the upcoming EP "Gradually." Follow Nian on Instagram @niantongmusic and check out the new single! Follow @popfusspod on Insta for today’s brightest indie pop artists.

Some chapters don’t close —they fight for one more verse. Donnie Vie joins us at a pivotal crossroads: a new deal with Wicked Cool Records — and what he calls his last real shot. We talk legacy.The music still waiting to be made.And the years that nearly pushed him away from it all. Donnie opens up about the battles he’s faced, the moments he thought he was done for good — and how this unexpected opportunity pulled him back from closing the door on music entirely. We also revisit the induction of Enuff Z'Nuff into the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum — and what it was like reuniting with Chip for the first time in years. As the unmistakable voice behind Enuff Z'Nuff, Donnie helped define an era of glam-tinged power pop, earning heavy MTV rotation and a fiercely loyal cult following. Grab the 45 vinyl single of “Plain Jane” and look out for the full release of Beautiful Things — available through Wicked Cool Records or at donnievie.com. Follow Donnie on Insta @donnievieofficial1 Follow @popfusspod on Instagram for today’s edgiest pop acts!

NEW EPISODE and GIVEAWAY! Alt pop duo Pony joins the show to discuss their brilliant new LP "Clearly Cursed!" And you can win a vinyl copy! Toronto's Pony have been churning out infectious indie pop with grungy guitars for several years, and now they return with their best album yet! Matty and Sam discuss the origins of the album title, several real life paranormal experiences they have had, their songwriting process, and songs they've already written for the next album. It's a fun conversation with this engaging duo. ** RULES FOR ENTRY** You can win a vinyl copy of the new album courtesy of @takethistoheartrecords (domestic US only) 1) Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod 2) Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate on Spotify 3) screenshot that and DM Pop Fuss on Instagram That's it! A winner will drawn a week from the day this episode has dropped. Follow the band @ponytheband and order merch at takethistoheartrecords.store Follow Pop Fuss across social media for today's raddest bands!

It’s a class reunion! 🎓For Episode 114, we’re joined by the guys from Ridel High! The band signed to A&M Records in 1998, and now they’ve unearthed a collection of demos and unreleased songs from that era. We dig into those rediscovered tracks, revisit the band’s history, and talk about what the L.A. scene was really like back then. Kevin Ridel is the voice and songwriter behind ’90s power-pop favorites Ridel High and later AM Radio. He got his start in the ’80s fronting Avant Garde alongside a pre-Weezer Rivers Cuomo and has remained a fixture of the L.A. music scene ever since. Steve Coulter, drummer for Ridel High, is also an author and editor under the name S.W. Lauden. Beyond playing in the scene, he’s helped document it—co-editing the power-pop anthology Go All the Way, curating the Generation Blue oral history project, and writing the must-read Substack Remember the Lightning. 📲 Follow the band @ridel_high on Insta 🎶 Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today’s coolest power-pop heroes—both new and classic

Hannah Duckworth joins the show! Blending pop, indie rock, and pop-punk, Hannah burst onto the scene in 2023 with high-energy songs packed with hooks and attitude. Her debut EP, I Swear I’ll Bite!, dropped just a few months ago and delivers a sound that feels instantly radio-ready. We talk about her decision to shift her life toward music, what’s coming next with her upcoming EP, and some standout live experiences. 🎧 Catch our chat wherever you get your podcasts — just search Pop Fuss! RIYL: Paramore, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannah_duckworth and TikTok @hannahduckworthmusic Check out today's brightest pop artists on Instagram @popfusspod

🎙️ Our latest obsession, Bellvie, joins the show! Hailing from Sweden, Bellvie may be a young, emerging band with just a handful of songs out so far — but you’d never know it from the sound. Their melodic indie pop feels assured, polished, and far beyond their years. With crystalline songs that recall The Sundays meeting CHVRCHES, Bellvie already sound like a band that’s been doing this for a long time. 🎧 Catch our chat wherever you get your podcasts — just search Pop Fuss! Follow the band on Insta @bellviemusic and check them out on the web at bellviemusic.com Follow Pop Fuss on Instagram @popfusspod for today's best emerging bands and some amazing veterans!

Dream pop / indie rock band Silk Daisys join the show! This Atlanta-based duo stops by to discuss their stunning debut LP. Drawing from late ’80s–early ’90s jangle and dream-pop touchstones like The Sundays, The Primitives, Darling Buds, Lush, and The Cure, Silk Daisys deliver a sound that perfectly scratches that nostalgic itch! The album has already generated serious buzz, landing on multiple Album of the Year lists. Led by husband-and-wife duo James Abercrombie and Karla Jean Davis, Silk Daisies blend creativity from all angles — he’s a designer, she’s a photographer and filmmaker, and together they’re raising two wildly talented daughters. Their oldest has already appeared in Stranger Things, Percy Jackson, and The Haunting of Hill House, while their youngest is already showing an incredible ear for songwriting and pop melodies. We talk about influences, creativity, family, and why they believe their kids may one day outshine them all. Follow the band on Instagram @silkdaisysband and pick up the vinyl on their Bandcamp! Check out @popfusspod for more interviews with today's brightest artists!

Cas Cleo returns to the show! Fresh off the release of her debut album, Cas joins us to talk all about the journey behind it. Blending indie and dream pop with touches of indie rock, she brings raw honesty, strong melodies, and fearless songwriting to every track. We dig into the road to this LP, signing with a record label, and navigating deeply personal songwriting. Listen to our chat wherever you find your favorite podcasts - just search Pop Fuss! Be sure to follow her on Insta @cas.cleo and TikTok @cascleo and stream her music everywhere! Follow Pop Fuss @popfusspod for today's BEST emerging artists.