Rough Pumpkins
Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray is a hangout for anyone who accidentally built a life outside the traditional 9-to-5. After 15 years on the road as a working musician, Travis sits down with fellow artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs to swap stories about the highs, lows, chaos, triumphs, and questionable decisions that come with chasing a life on your own terms.
Some episodes are hilarious. Some get real. Most are both.
If you’ve ever slept in a van, quit a “real job,” followed a wild idea, or wondered how the hell anyone makes a creative life work… this is your place.
Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray
“Real stories from people who should’ve gotten real jobs.”
Episodes
12 episodes
Episode 11: Travis Solo 1
Ten episodes in, and I’m starting to realize this whole “just make great music and everything will work out” idea… isn’t exactly how it goes anymore.In this solo episode, I’m riffing on what it actually feels like to be an independent mu...
Episode 10: Kay Goutos
This week on the podcast, Travis talks with Kay Goutos, a stand-up comic from Glens Falls, about getting started in comedy, what it really feels like to bomb on stage, and the mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t land. They dig i...
Episode 9: Rich Derbyshire
In this episode, I sit down with Rich Derbyshire, bass player for Wild Adriatic/ Andy Frasco and the UN, for a grounded, honest conversation about musicianship, taste, and what it actually means to jam.We talk about why real j...
Episode 8: Andi Gray
This episode is a little different.Travis sits down with his wife for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to build a creative life together. They talk about anxiety, uncertainty, and the quieter forms of support...
Episode 7: Hannah Williams
In this episode of Rough Pumpkins, Travis sits down with Hannah Williams, a mural artist based in Glens Falls, to talk about the deeper realities of living a creative life.Hannah shares what it’s like to paint mura...
Episode 6: Frankie Cavone
Travis sits down with Photographer/Videographer Frankie Cavone of Mirth Films. They talk about the passion and motivation it takes to keep going in your chosen creative field, and share some old stories. You might even get to hear about when Fr...
Episode 5: Joe Mansman
Travis sits down with Joe Mansman of Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band for a laid-back conversation full of old memories, chaotic band stories, and the funny moments you only appreciate in hindsight.They talk about the unglamoro...
Episode 4: Mikey Baish- Schenectady Surf Rock
This week on Rough Pumpkins, Travis hangs with Mikey Baish from The Sugar Hold — one of the wildest, most entertaining bands in the Capital Region. We get into everything: how the band came together, Mikey’s role at The Jive Hive, and why Upsta...
Episode 3: Josh Morris- Music City Moves
Travis sits down with drummer/singer/guitarist Josh Morris, who moved to Nashville just two years ago and already found himself playing for country artist Caylee Hammack—including a surreal moment opening for Stevie Nicks.Josh shares wh...
Episode 2: Dustin Deluke - Behind The Keys
In this episode, Travis sits down with longtime friend and keys wizard Dustin DeLuke to talk about the journey from small-town beginnings to professional stages. They break down the realities of being a modern working musician, shaping your sou...
Episode 1: Joe Defelice - The Truth About Being a Working Musician
Episode 1 of Rough Pumpkins is here.Travis sits down with longtime friend and fellow musician Joe Defelice to break down what life really looks like when you choose music as a career instead of a “real job.”They talk about:• sta...