After hearing the well-received album, "Middle West," it's easy to understand why Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts have created a strong footprint in the region that bears their album's name.

Nominated for several awards, including three Radio Milwaukee listener awards and a Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) nod -- along with a spot among the top 30 Chicago releases of 2009, Will Phalen and company have established themselves as fixtures in the Midwest music scene.

Phalen, who has been actively playing in bands from his time at the University of Wisconsin, has put together a Milwaukee "supergroup" of sorts. Uber-utility man Eric "Doc" Holliday and drummer Aaron Vold helped set the coarse of Milwaukee music as members of Decibully. Guitarist Andy Gulotta was right there with them as a member of Freshwater Collins, while bass player Joe Ledger has been actively involved with several leading Milwaukee bands.

While the quintet works on a followup to "Middle West," Phalen and Holliday stopped by Mindpool Live headquarters to play a few tunes and talk about their dynamic approach to songwriting on this episode of "Sound Pass."