This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, I sit down with Dave Costarella and Loyd from Hand Up Partners to talk about one of the most unique community initiatives happening in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.==GET TICKETS TO THE JUNE 14th FUNDRAISER:Hand Up Partners Fundraiser ExtravaganzaPresented by Jimmy Juice & Tellus 360https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/hand-up-partners-fundraiser-extravaganza-2026-06-14-tellus360-lancaster-b2e064==Many people know Dave as the bandleader of DC & Co., a horn-powered rock and blues band that has been performing for more than 30 years. But for nearly a decade, Dave has also dedicated his life to helping Lancaster's homeless community through programs like My People On The Streets and Hand Up Partners.What started as a mission to provide support and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness has evolved into a program that empowers individuals through meaningful work, community involvement, and daily opportunities to earn income while helping beautify Lancaster's parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces.In this conversation, we discuss:• The origins of My People On The Streets• Why traditional approaches to homelessness often fall short• The creation of Hand Up Partners• How daily clean-up initiatives are changing lives• Restoring dignity, purpose, and self-worth• The challenges facing Lancaster's homeless population• Building stronger connections between housed and unhoused neighbors• Community partnerships and local support• The impact of music, storytelling, and advocacy• Dave's award-winning music video "Just Let Me Lay Down"Hand Up Partners has helped provide thousands of work opportunities while creating cleaner neighborhoods and stronger communities throughout Lancaster. More importantly, the organization focuses on seeing people as people first and helping them take meaningful steps toward long-term self-sufficiency.If you've ever wondered what effective community outreach looks like, this episode offers a powerful perspective from people doing the work every day.Learn more about Hand Up Partners:https://handuppartners.orgIf you enjoy conversations about music, community leaders, local business, and the people making a difference across Lancaster and Central Pennsylvania, be sure to subscribe and follow the podcast.#LancasterPA

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, I sit down with Lancaster musician Alex Hart to talk about the local music scene, songwriting, recording, touring, Guitar Hero, social media, and the reality of being a working musician in 2026.Alex is involved in several projects across Central Pennsylvania, including Still Flow, Samaritan Snare, AARDVAARK, and their solo work. Throughout the conversation, we talk about how they first picked up a guitar, the journey from learning riffs in middle school to performing throughout the region, and why staying involved in multiple bands keeps them creatively inspired.Follow & Listen Alex Hart's Music: https://www.instagram.com/alexhartpark/Follow & Listen to Stillflow: https://www.instagram.com/stillflowband/Follow & Listen to Samaritan Snare: https://www.instagram.com/samaritansnare/Follow & Listen to AARDVAARK:https://www.instagram.com/aardvaarkjams/We spend time discussing Alex’s recently released solo single, “Lip Stain,” a vulnerable and personal song that explores heartbreak, healing, and self-reflection. Alex shares what it was like stepping into the role of lead vocalist after years of focusing primarily on guitar and why releasing solo material feels completely different from performing in a band.We also dive into the inner workings of Samaritan Snare, the creative chemistry between band members, and how collaboration helps everyone push each other to become better musicians. Alex explains how Lancaster’s music scene has become one of the most supportive and interconnected communities they’ve experienced, with artists constantly helping one another, sharing opportunities, and building something bigger than themselves.Along the way, we discuss:• The state of Lancaster’s music scene in 2026• Why musicians should attend shows even when they’re not performing• Recording music with friends and keeping the process fun• Social media, promotion, and being the public face of a band• Burnout, balancing music with work, and creative obsession• Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and whether they actually helped create musicians• Why rock music isn’t dead despite what people say• Post Malone’s impact on modern music• Fish at The Sphere• Unique venues and unconventional places to perform• The challenges of building an audience todayAlex also gives updates on what’s next for Still Flow, including an upcoming EP that the band has spent years carefully crafting and preparing for release. We also talk about upcoming plans for Samaritan Snare, new music in the works, and future performances with AARDVAARK.If you’re a musician, songwriter, producer, or simply someone who loves discovering the people shaping Lancaster’s music community, this episode is for you.Follow Alex Hart and check out:🎸 Still Flow🎸 Samaritan Snare🎸 AARDVAARK🎸 Lip StainSubscribe for more conversations with the musicians, venue owners, producers, engineers, and creators helping make Central Pennsylvania one of the most interesting music scenes in the country.

This week on the Tone Tailors Podcast, Levi sits down with local guitar builder and luthier Will Shea, founder of Shea Guitars right here in Central Pennsylvania. From learning the craft through guitar factories and luthier school to building fully handmade instruments in his own shop, Will breaks down what really goes into creating boutique guitars from scratch. We get into everything from tonewoods and neck profiles to roasted woods, hand-oiled finishes, custom pickups, and the reality of building guitars one at a time. Will also shares the story behind his signature horseshoe crab logo, his philosophy on craftsmanship, and why customer relationships matter just as much as the instrument itself. Topics in this episode include:🎸 Will’s path from New Jersey to full-time guitar building🎸 The difference between handmade and “homemade” guitars🎸 Why boutique guitars feel different🎸 Roasted woods and tone science🎸 Building guitars without CNC shortcuts🎸 The realities of social media for creators and builders🎸 AI, creativity, and where things are headed🎸 The process behind Shea GuitarsIf you’ve ever wondered what separates a handcrafted instrument from something coming off a production line, or if you’ve ever dreamed of building your own guitar, this is a fun one.Check out Shea Guitars:https://sheaguitars.comStop by Tone Tailors:https://tonetailors.com📍 Tone Tailors | Lancaster, PA#ToneTailors #SheaGuitars #GuitarPodcast #Luthier #BoutiqueGuitars