Episode 376
The Empty Pockets, Chicago-based band
Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, the podcast where we explore the intersection of imagination and innovation across industries and disciplines.
Today, we’re talking music, creativity, and collaboration with the genre-defying band, The Empty Pockets. This Chicago-based quartet has backed legends like Kenny Loggins and Al Stewart, topped the Billboard Blues charts—twice—and brought their folksy Midwestern rock-blues blend to stadiums and stages around the world. Their latest release is a Live in Buffalo album just out
Joining us today are Josh Solomon, Erika Brett, Nate Bellon, and Adam Balasco—the musical family behind The Empty Pockets.
1: Genre-Bending Identity
You’ve been described as everything from Americana to Chicago-style yacht rock—with a side of blues and soul. How do you describe your sound? And how has your style evolved across the years and albums? What do you think it is about your sound that resonates across such a wide audience—from MLB stadiums to blues charts?
2: Life on the Road + Collaboration
You’ve toured with iconic artists. How have those collaborations shaped your sound or songwriting process? What’s it like writing and performing as a group with such tight chemistry? Is there a secret to staying creatively in sync? Touring this summer with Al Stewart.
3: Inside Gotta Find the Moon
Your latest #1 album Gotta Find the Moon was recorded with a unique, ‘one-room’ process—much of it at Abbey Road Studios. What was that experience like, and how did it influence the vibe of the record? You’ve mentioned tributes to family, political inspiration, and even puns—how personal do these songs get, and how do you balance the intimate with the universal?
4: Performance Moments + Live Magic
Your latest release Live in Buffalo album captures that spontaneous, road-tested energy. What’s the difference between your studio work and your live shows—and do you have a favorite on-stage memory that captures your creative spark? How does adding collaborators like jazz saxophonist Elliot Scozzaro or guitarists from Marbin and Vulfpeck elevate your performances?
5: Creativity in Motion
You’ve made your own creative lane, and done it as an independent band. What advice would you give to other creatives—musicians or otherwise—about building a lasting, authentic career in today’s world? What’s next for The Empty Pockets? Any new directions, surprises, or dream collaborations coming up?
Josh, Erika, Nate, Adam—thank you so much for sharing your creativity and stories with us today. Your passion and joy for music is contagious.
And thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee Roasters—listeners can get 10% off their first order at WhiteCloudCoffee.com with the code CREATIVITY at checkout.
Until next time, keep creating, keep sharing your light—and be sure to subscribe, rate, and review Your World of Creativity wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m Mark Stinson. See you next time!
The Empty Pockets' versatile pedigree backing up renowned 70’s artists like Al Stewart, Gary Wright, Simon Kirke, and Kenny Loggins, gives life to a genre-bending Folksy Midwestern Blues jam with killer vocals and memorable songs. You could call it Chicago-style yacht rock. Or call it something else entirely. But this “baseball band” makes good; hitting up MLB and MiLB stadiums all over the country while touring in support of their two independently-released #1 Billboard Blues albums.
