Arizona Backroads - A2Z

May 21, 2026

Jemini Rising: From COVID Chaos to Arizona Festival Stages

April 9, 2026

From Coffee Shops to Change: The Purpose-Driven Sound of Tia Penny

<p class="p1">On this episode of <span class="s1"><strong>Arizona Backroads</strong></span>, Birdman sits down at the intimate <span class="s1"><strong>Z-Bar</strong></span> inside the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort with one of Arizona's most promising young voices — <span class="s1"><strong>Tia Penny</strong></span>.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">At just 18 years old, Tia has already built an impressive musical foundation. From receiving her first ukulele at age seven to performing in coffee shops across Arizona, her journey reflects both talent and purpose. With influences ranging from <span class="s1"><strong>Pink Floyd</strong></span> and <span class="s1"><strong>Led Zeppelin</strong></span> to <span class="s1"><strong>Bob Dylan</strong></span>, her soulful sound carries a depth far beyond her years.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">But Tia's story goes beyond music.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">She shares the inspiration behind her powerful original song <span class="s1"><strong>"Goodbye,"</strong></span> written after intervening in a friend's mental health crisis. The song led to a meaningful partnership with <a href= "chatgpt://generic-entity?number=0"><span class="s2"><strong>Teen Lifeline</strong></span></a>, a teen suicide prevention organization. Through this collaboration, Tia has performed at their gala events and helped raise awareness by incorporating the hotline number into her music video—using her platform to make a real difference.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">In this episode, you'll hear about:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">🎸 Starting her musical journey with a ukulele and piano</p> <p class="p1">🎶 Influences from classic rock and folk legends</p> <p class="p1">🧠 Plans to study psychobiology at UCLA with a potential music minor</p> <p class="p1">✍️ Writing songs focused on social impact and mental health awareness</p> <p class="p1">💙 The story behind "Goodbye" and her partnership with Teen Lifeline</p> <p class="p1">🌴 Moving to Los Angeles to pursue both academics and music</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Tia Penny represents the next generation of artists—musicians who blend artistry with advocacy, using their voices not only to entertain but to inspire change.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p><a href="http://www.tiapenny.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">http://www.tiapenny.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiapennysings/" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.instagram.com/tiapennysings/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.tiapenny.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">youtube.tiapenny.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tiapennysings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/tiapennysings</a></p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3"><strong>Arizona Backroads — Get out and explore.</strong></p>

March 23, 2026

Black Moods & Backrooms: How The Black Moods Cut Their Teeth in Tempe

<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Origin:</strong></span> Tempe, Arizona</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Genre:</strong></span> Rock / Blues Rock</p> <p class="p2"><strong>Core Members:</strong></p> <p class="p3"> </p> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Josh Kennedy — Guitar, Vocals</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Chico Diaz — Drums</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Brandon Kuntz — Bass</p> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p class="p1">On this episode of <span class="s1"><strong>Arizona Backroads</strong></span>, Birdman sits down with Arizona rock powerhouse <span class="s1"><strong>The Black Moods</strong></span> to talk about how it really starts.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Before the tours.</p> <p class="p1">Before the big stages.</p> <p class="p1">Before opening for national acts.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">It was four-hour bar gigs.</p> <p class="p1">Moving pool tables out of the way.</p> <p class="p1">Playing to eight people at the Yucca Tap Room.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Josh, Chico, and Brandon break down:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">🎸 How the band name "The Black Moods" came from a shared obsession with The Doors and rock biographies</p> <p class="p1">🥁 The first chaotic gigs that were "train wreck after train wreck"</p> <p class="p1">🚐 Getting thrown into booked shows with no safety net</p> <p class="p1">🎤 Why playing to tiny crowds was essential to building real stage chops</p> <p class="p1">🛣️ Road etiquette — what separates seasoned touring bands from rookies</p> <p class="p1">🔥 The moment they went all-in on music</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">They talk about inheritance money funding the leap, grinding through early gigs, surviving COVID by gigging harder than ever, and why you can't learn stage presence sitting in your bedroom studio.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">This is the part of the music story people don't glamorize — but it's the part that builds you.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Arizona Backroads — Get out and explore.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p class="p1"> </p>