The world of music is full of people who are talented, but only a handful "make it big". There are many musical artists of all genres who put in the work that never end up in Rolling Stone or AP Magazine. Yet, the artistic desire never stops burning. The temperature may change, and the colors evolve, but the fire is still there. Such artists gain respect without the fame. These are the ones that influence local scenes and entire underground movements.

For the first episode of 2026, I am joined by Jason Szeman, lead singer of Toronto-based band Burning Out. Jason is a member of the Furnace Fest Community, known for both music and a love of horror movies. This is a conversation of the former, and the story(s) of Jason's life in the hardcore and punk scene. From starting as a drummer to being possibly forced into the role of frontman, Jason is an artist forged by the underground scene that has definitely put in his time. Now a bit older and with an idea of just how valuable time is, Jason fronts Burning Out, a punk/emo band some would call a local supergroup (Jason would not), recently signed to friends of the pod Limestone Records. As we share pit calls and stories of our musical experiences, Jason talks about the journey that brought him where he is now. And where that is is a band with fellow musicians who have been through the fires and are still burning together.

Burning Out Bandcamp

Limestone Records Store

Pit Calls on ⁠⁠Instagram

Pit Calls now on TikTok