Australian singer-songwriter Katie Cole talks about the path to finding her songwriting voice, the one “real” day job that she’s ever had and the importance of finding people that you can trust.
Walter Salas-Humara On Using John Cale’s Rehearsal Space and the Secret to an Amazing Life in Music
Walter Salas-Humara recalls taking an Uber 120 miles to get to a gig, a memorable song that he wrote when he was 17 and an unforgettable day job working with the likes of Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg.
Rhydian Dafydd of The Joy Formidable on the Business of Music and a Shambolic First Gig
The Joy Formidable’s Rhydian Dafydd recalls a snowball-laced band bonding moment and rehearsing on a farm with barnyard animals providing background vocals.
Michelle Malone Shares Ten Tips for Building a Career in Music
Michelle Malone discusses the steady decline in recording music income and recalls playing drums in her first band.
Travis Meadows Recalls the First Song He Wrote and Explains Why He Avoids Day Jobs
Songwriter Travis Meadows talks about the benefit of left-overs while touring and why he’s never been good at projecting where his career will go.
Brother Dege on “Van Quixote” and Rehearsing in Near-Condemned Buildings
New Orleans artist Brother Dege describes his band’s frugal touring strategies, some colorful day jobs and overcoming shaky hands at his first gig.
Jacob Groopman of Front Country on the Lure of Combo’s Baked Snacks and Why Music is a Full-Time Job
Front Country’s Jacob Groopman talks about yelling, crying and light wrestling at rehearsals and a future that will either be more money or hellscape.
Nobody’s Girl Discuss The Importance of Hustling, Both Financially and in Pursuit of Career Goals
The members of Austin trio Nobody’s Girl talk about the value of a good cooler while touring and cranking the rehearsal space PA as loud as they can. Member Grace Pettis also shares a song she wrote when she was 10 years old.
Lyrics Born Dishes on Speeding Tickets and Some Notable Day Jobs
Berkeley, CA rapper/MC Lyrics Born explains why he’s permanently ineligible for traffic school, leaving the funk on the stage and why he had an Egg McMuffin before his first gig.
Steep Canyon Rangers’ Graham Sharp on a Memorable First Gig and the Paradox of Making Money
Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers reflects on making the jump from an RV to a tour bus (and strategies for stocking it) and getting paid in beer and chili cheese fries at their first gig.