The Sharp Notes with Evan Toth

• Holding the Line: Buckcherry's Josh Todd and the Power of Persistence

  Through addiction, industry upheavals, and personal reinvention, a rock survivor’s unwavering path forward.Perseverance is more than just endurance—it is the art of weathering storms without losing sight of the horizon. For Josh Todd - the last remaining original member of Buckcherry - survival in rock and roll has never been about mere resistance; it has been about forward motion, an unrelenting push toward something greater. With the recent vinyl reissue of 15 on Real Gone Music, Todd finds himself looking back—not to dwell, but to recognize the grit and resolve that have kept him moving when so many others have faded.Todd’s journey is one of endurance sharpened by intention. From the early days of Slamhound, where raw energy often outpaced direction, to the seasoned clarity of his present self, his career has been less about reinvention and more about refinement—a steady chiseling away at anything that does not serve the greater vision. His long-standing sobriety, maintained since the mid-1990s, has been more than a personal victory; it has been a quiet, steadfast rebellion against the industry’s norms. While countless peers were undone by excess or disillusionment, Todd stayed the course, his focus cutting through the noise like a compass pointing toward blue skies in the midst of a storm.That same drive extends beyond music. When the world stood still during the pandemic, Todd refused to stagnate, earning a certification in phlebotomy rather than succumbing to inertia. For him, perseverance is not just about surviving hardship—it is about carving meaning from it, about turning each setback into a stepping stone rather than a stopping point.Today, we explore his ethos: the lessons forged in decades of relentless touring, the will to hold a band together when gravity pulls it apart, and the mindset that transforms obstacles into momentum.

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• Michael Mayo Takes Flight: Jazz, Soul, and the Art of Letting Go

  Some artists walk, some artists run—but Michael Mayo flies. His latest album, Fly, isn’t just a title—it’s a philosophy. It’s about soaring past self-doubt, catching the updraft of creativity, and trusting that the music will take you exactly where you need to go. Raised in the rarefied air of music professionality—his mother has served as a powerhouse vocalist for Luther Vandross and Beyoncé, and his father is a multi-instrumentalist who was at one time Sérgio Mendes’ musical director—Mayo grew up with his feet barely touching the ground, swept up in a world of sound that would shape his own journey.Now, with Fly, he’s reached his own altitude. The album was created at lightning speed—written, recorded, and pressed in what felt like the blink of an eye—and it captures the exhilaration of letting go and allowing the music to take to the sky. In this conversation, Mayo shares how he assembled an all-star crew to navigate this sonic adventure. He talks about the freedom of composing, the discipline of performing, and the lessons he learned from legends like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.But just as important as the music itself is the journey—the travel, the late nights, the rigor required to sustain a career in jazz. Mayo opens up about life on the road, the reality of touring as a vocalist, and the balance between artistic freedom and the demands of performance. With wisdom passed down from both his parents and his mentors, he shares how he’s learned to protect his instrument—his voice—while still embracing the thrill of the ride.So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for takeoff—because Michael Mayo is here, and you’re invited to join him in the friendly skies.

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• Pressing Records From the Sugar Beet? Larry Jaffee and Kevin Da Costa Explain Their Icelandic Experiments to Create a More Sustainable Record

  In 1979, Blondie released their fourth album, Eat to the Beat. Little did the band know that nearly a half-century later, there would be a discussion of pressing beats onto a record made of beets that one could - in theory - actually eat.Through a shared love of vinyl and an interest in investigating new and unique ways to make the process of pressing discs more environmentally sustainable, two record fans have joined forces to investigate the possibilities of starting a vinyl pressing plant in Iceland and - instead of using PVC - using the sugar beet! Meet Larry Jaffe - author of Record Store Day: The Most Improbable Comeback of the 21st Century and co-founder of the Making Vinyl Conference and Kevin DaCosta, a vinyl record manufacturing consultant & technical director for Evolution Music. The name of their new company is Thermal Beets.Larry and Kevin describe the origin of their vision, why Iceland is an ideal location for their pursuits, and how the functionality of their new product may supersede that of the audio record as we know it today. 

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• Wine, Music, and Philanthropy, the Heartbeat of Michael Dorf Founder the Knitting Factory and City Winery

  In vino veritas, is a Latin expression which - when translated - means, “In wine, there is truth.” While that concept might be slightly romanticized, there’s no doubt that a little bit of truth, and a whole lot of vision - with nice cabernet - can influence an adventurous idea, or two. But, you’ve got to have the follow through the next morning to make all of those lofty thoughts reality.With, or without wine, Michael Dorf is a visionary, someone who has the ability to see opportunities that others miss. It all started in the 1980s when he took a chance on opening the Knitting Factory in New York City. That club became a beacon of cutting-edge taste and style during the 80s and 90s at a time that was ripe for indie music to make its impact on the city’s larger cultural milieu. His next major venture was the City Winery food, wine, and performance space brand which - though originated in NYC - has since been expanded to several other locations nationwide.While the success of those businesses no doubt make him proud, it’s the philanthropic angle to his imaginativeness that really inspires him. Michael Dorf Presents has produced several concerts with philanthropy in mind paying tribute to some of his favorite music and often featuring guest appearances by legends of the performing arts community.March 26th at Carnegie Hall finds Dorf producing People Have the Power: A Celebration of  Patti Smith which also happens to be the 20th anniversary of his concert series. 100% of net proceeds will go to music education for underserved youth, and concertgoers can expect to see Michael Stipe, Ben Harper, Kim Godon, Flea, and many other surprise guests on stage.So, you might want to find yourself a safe space to listen to this episode and enjoy a glass of wine, and let Michael’s vision inspire your own. What are your dreams? What skills and interests do you have that can make the world a better place? Enjoy that pinot noir, but - like Michael - get ready to put in the work.

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• Goldiie Lux Talks About Her New EP, S.I.N. in the Midst of the Los Angeles Fires

  Determination is an incredibly important part of success in any industry. But, in music and media, one must be constantly doing their thing in front of as many audiences as possible, all the time. Sure, this is an exhausting part of the gig, but - in many ways - it’s mandatory. Based in Los Angeles, Goldiie Lux had an interview scheduled with me during a week where the City of Angels experienced the worst fires it’s ever known.While Goldiie (born Naomi Simon Summers) was just outside of the evacuation zone, she managed to meet me for this chat, even if it meant sitting in a car parked nearby her home as she checked on news about the fire's progress. As the saying goes, the show must go on, and it’s a showbiz lesson that Goldiie has clearly learned well. She didn’t let a once in a lifetime catastrophe stop her from meeting with me to talk about her recently released EP, SIN (South Music Group).So, join me for a chat with Goldiie: it’s interesting to speak with an artist right at the beginning of their career, to try and guess the directions it might take. Here’s an artist who is eager to talk about her new music and plans even as the haze from the fires in Los Angeles surrounded her car and threatened the place she currently calls home. That’s determination: that’s Goldiie Lux.

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