First Spin
Hey, I’m Hayden Thomas—musician, lifelong music fan, and the guy who still makes mixtapes for road trips.
First Spin is my weekly interview show where I sit down with emerging artists who I genuinely believe are doing something special. You might not know their names yet, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to change that.
This show isn’t about hype. It’s about real conversations—about the first gigs, the late-night doubts, the sound that finally clicks. It’s a space for new voices to tell their stories, and for all of us to listen a little closer.
If you’re always on the hunt for the next song that’ll mean something to you—welcome. You’re in the right place.
New artists. Real stories. Weekly drops. Let’s give ‘em their first spin.
Podcasting since 2025 • 19 episodes
First Spin
Latest Episodes
The Penske File on the challenges of touring in the USA
This week on First Spin, Hayden sits down with Travis Miles—vocalist/guitarist for Ontario’s long-running punk trio The Penske File—for a conversation that’s equal parts road-tested wisdom and wide-eyed love of making loud, honest songs with yo...
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41:08
The Dead & Down’s Taylor Burlage on Montana and using space to make The Black Keys a little more Bon Iver
In this week’s episode of First Spin, Hayden sits down with Taylor Burlage, founding member, lead singer, and guitarist of The Dead and Down, a Montana-based band that’s carving out a distinctive space in the indie and ro...
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40:36
Dylan Flynn on dead poets, co-writing, and SXSW
On this episode of First Spin, Hayden sits down with Irish artist Dylan Flynn, frontman of Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets. From the band’s beginnings in Limerick to building a passionate following at home and abroad, ...
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52:40
RYLY on creative droughts, genuine fans, and the influence of The Killers.
On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Nashville-based artist Riley Smith (RYLY) to talk about the journey from Atlanta to Music City, shaping a sound that blends arena-ready indie pop/rock with songwriter roots, and wha...
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35:22
Taylor Lansdale on Appalachia, ignoring internet trolls, and the influence of Jason Isbell
On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Taylor Lansdale, a Kentucky-born singer-songwriter whose heartfelt Americana sound is beginning to turn heads. Taylor talks us through his relatively new path into music, finding hi...
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54:37