Emerald City Electric with Jerry Tislow!Emerald City Electric with Jerry Tislow!
The Peace On Drugs
Aaron Akulis and guitarist Jerry Tislow talk through the making of Emerald City Electric’s album, from hurricane-hit gear loss to studio sessions and a planned CD release show. The conversation blends guitar nerdiness with personal stories of grief, change and music becoming a central lifeline.
1:45:45•6 Oct 2026
Guitars, Grief and Emerald City Electric: Jerry Tislow’s Road to the Record
Episode Overview
- Music can become a primary way to cope with grief and major life changes, offering structure and identity.
- Losing gear in a disaster like hurricane Ian can push musicians to rethink what really matters and simplify their setups.
- Recording in a professional studio often feels intimidating at first, but repeated takes and honest collaboration usually produce the best results.
- Influences from 80s hair metal, 90s grunge, nu-metal and church music can coexist in one project, creating a unique rock sound.
- Planning a release show around acoustic arrangements and limited personnel shows how flexibility can keep creative plans moving forward.
“So at that point, you know, it was more than just, you know, a piece of wood and some strings. You know, it was like, I'm all in. I'm a guitar player.”
Ever wondered what it takes to turn years of gigging, grief, and guitar obsession into a full-length rock record? This chat between host Aaron Akulis and guitarist Jerry Tislow follows that exact journey, framed by their band Emerald City Electric and the soon-to-drop album. You’ll hear Jerry talk about losing gear in hurricane Ian yet saving his most treasured guitars, and how that shook up his whole relationship with equipment and tone.
There’s plenty of geeky fun around amps, pedals, and the eternal quest for the perfect clean sound, but behind it sits something deeper: music as a lifeline. Jerry shares how, after his mum died, his friends paid off the guitar he’d been buying in instalments, telling him, “So at that point, you know, it was more than just, you know, a piece of wood and some strings. You know, it was like, I'm all in.
I'm a guitar player.” The episode jumps through 80s hair metal, grunge, nu-metal and church-trained musicians, showing how those influences shape the sound of Emerald City Electric. Aaron and Jerry swap stories about Green Day, Pearl Jam, Korn, Tool and Led Zeppelin, touching on the messier side of rock culture while still clearly loving guitars-and-drums music.
For anyone in recovery, it’s easy to spot the parallels: finding identity after loss, shifting out of life’s “Groundhog Day”, and using creativity as a healthier outlet than old coping habits. There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at recording the album: the stressful first studio sessions, meeting producer Caleb, learning to work under pressure, and planning a CD release show that’ll lean into acoustic arrangements and psychedelic textures (theremin included).
If you’re someone who leans on music to get through tough times, this episode might nudge you to pick up your own instrument or creative hobby again. What song first made you feel like life could change?
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