Ric Robertson: Gathering Souls in the Quiet Corners of New York

Ep. 434

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome singer-songwriter Ric Robertson for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about place, purpose, creativity, and the beautiful ways life and art intertwine.

Ric joins us from his home in rural New York — a space that has organically evolved into something far more than a residence. Part sanctuary, part community hub, part intimate music venue, it’s a gathering place where songs are shared, connections are forged, and strangers often leave as family. We talk about the magic of creating intentional spaces for people to come together, especially in quieter corners of the world where culture doesn’t always arrive on its own.

The conversation also turns toward Ric’s upcoming (and currently unnamed) new album, exploring the creative headspace he’s been living in and what listeners can expect from this next chapter of his musical journey.

We also dive into Ric’s collaboration with the developers of the The Flow music app — a platform designed to help artists and fans connect in more meaningful, sustainable ways. Ric discusses why he believes tools like Flow could reshape how independent musicians share their art and build community in the digital age.

And because life isn’t just about music, we celebrate the human milestones too: Ric opens up about his upcoming wedding and the grounding joy of building a life with someone while continuing to follow the unpredictable road of an artist.

Like all things No Simple Road, this episode moves beyond career highlights into the deeper terrain — belonging, partnership, creativity, and the quiet courage it takes to build a life aligned with your values.

For tour info, music, and more head over to: ⁠ricrobertsonmusic.com⁠

Matthew McDonald: The Long Groove from Perpetual Groove to Somnal

Ep. 433

This week on No Simple Road, Aaron, Mel, and Apple welcome Matthew McDonald, keyboardist of Perpetual Groove, for a deep and thoughtful conversation that celebrates 25 years of music, community, and the ever-evolving journey of creativity.

Matthew takes us behind the scenes of Perpetual Groove’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on the band’s origins in the Southeast jam scene, the relationships that have carried them through decades of touring, and the powerful connection that forms between band and fans over years of shared musical experience. We talk about some of the special things the band has planned to celebrate a quarter century of playing, the lessons learned from life on the road, and what it means to keep a musical project vibrant after a quarter century.

But the conversation goes beyond the stage. Matthew also introduces us to his newest passion project, Somnal, a veteran-owned wellness initiative that blends live music, yoga, breathwork, and immersive sound experiences. Drawing on more than 30 years of live performance experience, Matthew is creating intentional spaces where music becomes a vehicle for healing, presence, and connection.

Matthew shares how his journey as a musician led him to explore mindfulness practices and how Somnal represents a natural evolution of the same intention that drives great live music: bringing people together in a shared, meaningful experience.

As always on No Simple Road, this episode dives into the deeper layers — creativity, community, healing, and the paths that open when artists follow their curiosity beyond the stage.

If you’re a fan of Perpetual Groove, jam bands, live music culture, or the intersection of music and wellness, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

To find out more on Somnal head over to: ⁠somnalwellness.com⁠

... and for tour info, merch, music, and more head over to: ⁠www.pgroove.net