Podunk Perspective

Hosted By Seth Packan
Shot in Nashville, TN. Produced by Nolan Sritan Photo.
Kat Velasco
The newest breakout star on the pop-country scene, Kat Velasco, has charmed Nashville revelers, music theater aficionados, and southern merrymakers alike. South Carolina native, she developed a love for musical theater early, honing her stage presence from a young age. That passion eventually found its way into songwriting, shaping her dynamic, rootsy sound. Her breakout single, “Leave Me Wild,” quickly garnered attention with its bright, chirpy instrumentation and vibrant vocal delivery. A twanging slide guitar landed her on New Music Weekly and Fresh Finds Country, two of Spotify’s hottest playlists. Velasco has released numerous singles featured in Music Connection, CMA, Holler, and Wide Open Country. She has also performed across the country with acts like Love and Theft, BRELAND, David Nail, and Tierra Kennedy. Recent tracks push her toward a more edgy, refined sound. As Wide Open Country put it, “just fun,” letting loose and allowing the now Nashville-based singer to revel in the momentary bliss of a callout. In contrast, the darker, more introspective “Breaking My Own Heart” reveals a softer, vulnerable side. balancing her lively, impassioned persona with raw emotional honesty. Velasco’s remarkable range: crafting warm, deeply sincere country music while also commanding the stage as a bold, unstoppable presence in today’s music scene.

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yQUEBrCLsgRvH8ceG7TTM?si=U-w4lmDFS3OReEPw4Twu_Q
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@wantedkatvelasco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kat.velasco.music?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Johnny Gates
Johnny Gates is originally from Rhode Island. After high school, he played guitar and sang in a punk/rock-influenced band called The Invite, which later evolved into Runaway Saints, grinding through small venues, VFW halls and dive bars on the East Coast. His early exposure to rock, touring life and band-culture set the foundation for his artistry. Driven by a love for country songwriting and the desire to grow, Gates and Runaway Saints moved to Nashville. With the band, he signed a major label deal, moved to Los Angeles, and supported major artists including opening for Rod Stewart on tour. Yet over time the band felt the pressures of chasing hits and big-label expectations; they eventually parted ways. After the run with the band, Gates transitioned into a solo career. He auditioned for The Voice (U.S. season 12) and made a memorable impression with his performance of “Maggie May,” earning turns from multiple coaches. This exposure opened doors for his solo artist identity, beyond just the rock-band frontman persona. At a turning point in his mid-30s, Johnny returned to Nashville for good, shifting focus from solely performing to songwriting and production. He signed a publishing deal with Deluge Music and released his solo work while exploring artist development. He co-founded the label/collective East Music Row Records (with David Robkin and Austin Luther) which places an emphasis on “artist-first” development and blends the indie/alt spirit of Nashville with Music Row professionalism. Through the label he works with rising talents and serves as songwriter/producer/A&R, while still releasing his own material.

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qwlFTAV2LVhQ01ljAyWJz?si=ydahxKy6TVqpZSQF3v3SaQ
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/johnnysings?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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