Tom DeGeorge, co-host of a new Tampa podcast ‘Current Conversations.’ Credit: Deco Studios

This summer, after 20 years in the district, Ybor City’s famed Crowbar music venue will close its doors for good. But its co-founder has already found another microphone.

This morning, Tom DeGeorge and Tampa Water Limo founder Matt Rollie launched a new podcast recorded in a unique studio. Produced by Deco Studios, Current Conversations is the brainchild of Tampa Water Limo founder Matt Rollie who offers private charters to locals and visitors alike along the Hillsborough River onboard “Dulcinea”—a ‘60s-era vessel modeled after Northeastern picnic boats and Venetian water taxis. While Rollie, 51, is the captain DeGeorge drives the conversation.

On the first episode released today, DeGeorge and Rollie welcome Garrett Greco, a fifth generation Tampeño, grandson of four-time Tampa mayor Dick Greco, and founder of the Tampa Bay Developer Podcast. Over the course of 75 minutes, the 33-year-old up-and-comer and 52-year-old unofficial mayor of Ybor City bring their views—opposing and overlapping—to the table in a way that few other local podcasts have accomplished.

“We’re going to save the world before the boat rides over,” Greco joked at one point in the discussion, which even spills a bit of tea on a venue that wanted to open on 7th Avenue before powerful forces objected to its liquor license.

Throughout the ride, DeGeorge revisits many of the talking points from his ongoing crusade to save the country’s independent music venues while Greco pulls no punches about how the city can do more. DeGeorge again floats the idea of a night mayor role for someone who can act as a liaison between after-dusk businesses and the government.

A hearty part of the talk centers around what local leaders have to do to balance bigger development while supporting smaller homegrown businesses. “It’s hard to have people in local government that are courageous enough to have those conversations in the open,” Greco added.

The entire production is chamber of commerce ready, too, thanks to the sunshine and scenery. In the first episode, DeGeorge is barefoot in a boat shirt while Rollie’s Dulcinea travels between Tampa Armature Works, to the Tampa Bay History Center, and back. The University of Tampa, and downtown glide by in the background. Greco also gets DeGeorge to commit to appearing on his Tampa Bay Developer Podcast for a second round.

In full disclosure, this writer is also a guest on the podcast where DeGeorge hopes to welcome more guests with viewpoints that will help viewers get out of their echo chambers.