The Riff Lounge w/ Nick Tello

'The Riff Lounge' is a music podcast. Its host, Nick Tello, invites guests involved in the music scene; from artists, to producers, to everyone in between.

The Riff Lounge w/ Nick Tello is a music podcast hosted by Nick Tello, with 32 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Nick Tello hosts The Riff Lounge w/ Nick Tello, a music show with 32 episodes published.

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  Episode #32

  Abigail Bexx | Ep. 32

  Sep 16, 20261h 14m

  Abigail Bexx is a death metal and deathcore vocalist. She is known for her virality on social media and is recently known for working alongside the band Burial Path on their collaborated song, “Lilitu.” Nick Tello sits down with death metal and deathcore vocalist Abigail Bexx for a conversation about her return to the metal scene after losing her voice for a year. Abigail opens up about rebuilding her scream, the months she spent learning proper vocal technique, and what it has been like navigating a male-dominated field of art. The episode also touches on her experience performing with her friends in AngelMaker, the release of her song “Lilitu,” her Kentucky roots, horseback riding and barrel racing, high school sports, fitness gyms, dogs, and a few fun detours; the most metal soda, and why Sweden feels so connected to metal culture. Video is available on https://www.youtube.com/@nicktelloguitar/videos Follow The Riff Lounge on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riffloungepod

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  Episode #31

  Sancho Pancho Villa | Ep. 31

  Sep 2, 20261h 55m

  Juan ‘Sancho Pancho’ Villa is a comedian from Seguin, Texas, whose path to comedy has been shaped by discipline, service, education, and a willingness to take big risks. Sancho Pancho graduated high school at 17 and joined the Marines the same year after originally considering the Navy, choosing the Marines because he did not want to let his brother down. After getting out of the Marines at 21, he went to college and graduated from Texas State, Summa cum laude; at the top of his class. He later worked as a supervisor at a manufacturing plant, became heavy-equipment certified for a cement plant at 22, moved into a six-figure job, and attended acting school while working. His acting work earned him Best Male Actor of the Year and three agency offers, and he has appeared in commercials as well as the Tubi movie The Voice of The Comforter. Although Villa says he has technically been doing comedy since sixth grade, he began taking it seriously in 2019 in San Antonio before eventually quitting his full-time job to pursue comedy full time. Nick Tello sits down with Juan Sancho Pancho Villa. During the interview, Nick Tello and Juan Sancho Pancho Villa talk through several major moments in Villa’s comedy journey, including his recent arrest that was recorded live and the chance to clear up what happened. Villa also discusses being selected three times on Kill Tony, the discipline it takes to trim a joke down to one minute for the show, and some of the pet peeves many comedians share. He talks about introducing Uncle Lazer to Chingo Bling, critiques Nick’s first-ever joke, explains how to write a proper joke, and shares gambling stories along the way. Video is available on https://www.youtube.com/@nicktelloguitar/videos Follow The Riff Lounge on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riffloungepod

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  Episode #30

  Jarred Taylor | Ep. 30

  Aug 19, 20261h 21m

  Jarred Taylor is a United States Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, media creator, and musician best known as a co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee and for his work in veteran-driven media and entertainment. In this episode, Nick Tello sits down Jarred Taylor for an honest conversation about military service, creativity, music, business, and the unexpected paths that shaped his career. Jarred talks with Nick about serving 11 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including his time as a Tactical Air Control Party Specialist and Munitions Systems Apprentice, and how that experience eventually led him into entrepreneurship and media. The conversation gets into Jarred’s work as a co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee and Hard AF Seltzer, his involvement with Article 15 Clothing and Leadslingers Spirits, and his role in producing the veteran-focused film Range 15 alongside Mat Best and other military content creators. Nick and Jarred also dive into a side of Jarred that some people may not know as well: his life in music. Jarred shares stories about playing acoustic guitar in Florida, working on music and video projects after work, and eventually joining the pop-punk band This Saturday after the group transitioned from its metal roots as Drayton Sawyer. He talks about meeting the band at a battle of the bands, making them a music video because he liked them so much, and later becoming their singer in 2020. The episode also covers Jarred’s philosophy on building the ideal setlist for an audience, taking all five members of August Burns Red to the shooting range, his background as a skateboarder, and the story behind writing “Deep Scythe” in just 24 days. Video is available on https://www.youtube.com/@nicktelloguitar/videos Follow The Riff Lounge on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riffloungepod

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  Episode #29

  A Fan | Ep. 29

  Aug 5, 20262h 19m

  Zach is a music fan, fan of the show, family man, barback, ice cream man, and bass player with a deep connection to the San Antonio music scene. He is a longtime supporter of the metal band Life Cycles and has known their guitarist, Chris Buckner, since high school. Zach loves going to shows, is looking forward to Sick New World in October, and brings a genuine fan’s perspective shaped by bands like Down, Pantera, Staind, Life Cycles, Korn, Snot, P.O.D., Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Porch Dream, A Perfect Circle, and Darkthrone. Outside of music, he shares stories about his favorite drinks, favorite ice cream, his love for Six Flags, the time Wemby visited the bar where he works, and how missing a hair appointment led him to start growing out his hair. In this episode of the podcast, Nick Tello sits down with Zach for an unconventional but meaningful conversation about music, fandom, local shows, and the experiences that brought them together. They talk about how Zach first recognized Nick at Paper Tiger before a Life Cycles show, how they crossed paths again at an Upon a Burning Body show, and why Zach was curious about the significance of the dinosaur skull logo. Throughout the conversation, Nick and Zach discuss Zach’s favorite bands, his love of live music, playing bass guitar, San Antonio metal, ice cream, drinks, Six Flags, Sick New World, and the everyday stories that make Zach’s perspective feel honest, personal, and memorable. Video is available on https://www.youtube.com/@nicktelloguitar/videos Follow The Riff Lounge on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riffloungepod

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  Episode #28

  Clay Hollis | Ep. 28

  Jul 21, 20261h 25m

  Clay Hollis is a Texas country artist from San Antonio whose music blends catchy hooks, true country grit, and a modern honky-tonk sound. Since releasing his debut EP in 2017, Clay has built a name for himself across the Texas country scene with multiple projects, charting singles, and a live-show schedule that keeps him on the road for more than 100 shows a year. His songs reflect the lifestyle he lives: country music, Texas roots, offshore fishing, coastal weekends, and good-time stories that connect with fans. Clay has worked on music written by respected Nashville songwriters and has released songs like “Beer’s Better on a Boat” with Jesse Raub Jr., “Blue Collar Prayers,” and “Regular Guy.” When he is not performing, Clay is usually connected to the water, especially offshore fishing in the Gulf. His story is rooted in hard work, Texas pride, and a love for music that has taken him from local honky-tonks to stages alongside respected names in country music. Nick Tello sits down with country artist and former high school classmate Clay Hollis for an honest conversation about music, touring, fishing, and the realities of today’s country music industry. Clay talks with Nick about the making of his music video for “Beer’s Better on a Boat” with Jesse Raub Jr., what a typical week looks like while traveling and playing shows, and the real grind that comes with performing for a living. The conversation also gets into the business side of music, including the rise of door deals, where artists may not have a guaranteed payout and their income depends heavily on ticket sales. Clay explains how that risk impacts artists and why marketing individual shows has become more important than ever. Nick and Clay also discuss Clay’s San Antonio roots, why Port Aransas feels like a second home, his love for offshore fishing, his favorite fishing-geared boats, and the story behind skipping junior and senior prom for fishing and lake trips. Clay also shares his gratitude for Randall King giving him the opportunity to sing on stage with Willie Nelson, while giving Nick a memorable singing critique and a quick cowboy hat 101. Video is available on https://www.youtube.com/@nicktelloguitar/videos Follow The Riff Lounge on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riffloungepod You can listen to the audio version of this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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