Every week, the State of Sound podcast welcomes an artist from our monthly concert series into the studio to go deep on one of their songs. Our live shows are done for the year, but we’ll be back with more of Wisconsin’s best musicians in 2025.
Imagine a musical fusion that transports you back to the neon-lit dance floors of the ’80s, where Italo Disco and HI-NRG (high energy) reigned supreme. Sonic time travel like that requires talent — two talents, actually.
Bonnie Drinkard is the captivating vocalist from Detroit’s country-folk sensation Drinkard Sisters. Producer Martin Defatte (better known as Tron Jovi) is one-half of Milwaukee noise-rap duo Guerrilla Ghost. This unlikely pairing is the heart and soul of Diamond Life, a musical pact that bridges genres and blends influences as the past and future collide on the dance floor.
On this episode of the State of Sound podcast, Bonnie and I talk about Diamond Life’s bouncy, ’80s-infused “pep talk” jam “Matador” — a track about pattern recognition and positive changes, bolstered by an army of vocal layers and synths. You can hear our conversation, as well as part of Diamond Life’s set for the September State of Sound showcase, using the player on this page or your podcast app of choice.
