ep54 Sean Burns is very comfortable

From all-ages punk basements and touring North America with Captain Tractor to Juno nominations with dance-punk trailblazers Shout Out Out Out Out, Nik Kozub built a relentless, DIY music career entirely on his own terms. We dig into the stark realities of independent touring, the shift from analog tape to digital streaming, navigating major-label distribution deals, and how mastering hundreds of records a year - alongside craft brewing - became his most sustainable creative outlet.Key TopicsA DIY start in Edmonton: Kozub describes growing up around music, organizing all-ages punk shows, making a zine, and finding his way into recording.From Veal to Shout Out Out Out Out: He recounts a near-breakthrough with Veal and how an unexpected soundtrack project led to forming an inventive electronic band.The realities of a music career: Kozub and Erickson discuss touring costs, changing music formats, industry signals, and the difference between recognition and personal measures of success.Building a career on his own terms: Kozub traces how recording, electronic music, brewing, and mastering grew from a DIY approach—and why Edmonton’s supportive scene mattered.KeywordsNik Kozub, Glen Erickson, Alexi, Edmonton music scene, DIY punk, independent music, music production, recording engineer, mastering engineer, electronic music, Shout Out Out Out Out, Veal, Captain Tractor, Normal’s Welcome, The Lackeys, Systematics, The Cleats, Juno nomination, Mass Effect soundtrack, Six Shooter Records, Edmonton, Alberta, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Portland, New York, London, UK, Germany, New Zealand, Montreal, Saskatchewanep55 Nik Kozub is just lucky released Nov 12, 2026 2:03:38https://nikkozub.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nikseven https://www.shoutoutoutoutout.com/hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson https://www.almostfamousenough.com https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zPAlmost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:04:41 Welcomes, and the Music Scene00:15:03 Nik’s Musical Upbringing00:22:23 Choosing Recording and Production00:26:24 Touring with Captain Tractor00:32:12 Joining Veal and Almost Breaking Through00:37:01 Making a Living in Music00:42:13 Networking and Finding Your Place00:46:19 Staying in Edmonton and Going Electronic00:49:46 The Origin of Shout Out Out Out Out00:59:00 The Band’s Chemistry and Growing Reach01:03:25 Building a Label and Touring01:08:30 Changing Music Formats and Mass Effect01:16:49 Success, Expectations, and Doubt01:24:05 Recording, Brewing, and the Pandemic01:33:04 Mastering at Scale01:40:24 DIY and Edmonton’s Music Community01:48:33 Post-Fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Glen Erickson talks with Winnipeg musician, radio host and country historian Sean Burns. Sean is the frontman of Lost Country and the bassist for Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans. They talk about a career built on work ethic, from Ontario bar gigs at 17 to a sold-out Winnipeg release show. Sean also explains his shift from lost Canadian honky-tonk to Texas dance hall country on his new record, Better Off in Time and Other Songs for the Dance Floor.Key TopicsBlue-collar musicianship: Sean never had a plan B. He has gigged for a living since 2001 and describes himself as a working musician, whether solo, with Lost Country or with Corb Lund.Country music as an inheritance: He avoided his father's music as a kid, then dug into his dad's record collection. The conversation covers their complicated relationship and his dad's passing nine years ago.Preservation of lost Canadian country: Sean shines a light on regional labels and barroom singers from the 60s to the 80s, and on the Texas dance hall tradition behind his new record.Earning the Corb Lund gig: Sean was not the best bassist at the audition. He bet on himself, learned 40 songs when he was given 15, and got the job through preparation and getting along with the band.Keywords, names and placesPeople: Corb Lund, Grant Siemens, Lyle Molzan, Joanna Miller, Skinny Dyck (Ryan), Scott Franchuk, Roy Payne, Ian Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Steve Earl, Johnny Bush, Ray Price, Faron Young, Jake Vaadeland, Danny MichelBands, labels and projects: Lost Country, Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans, Leaf Rapids, The Wheat Pool, Department Store Records, Boots and Saddle Show, ARC, Paragon, Marathon, Banff Records, Rodeo RecordsPlaces: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, Southern Ontario, Toronto, Texas, Crown and Anchor (Edmonton), The Aviary, Folk FestPost-fame music recs: Kiwi Jr., Midnight Faces, Slow Pulp, The Haunted Youth, Allegra Kriegerep54 Sean Burns is very comfortable released November 5, 2026 1:25:49https://seanburns.ca https://www.instagram.com/seanburnsmusic https://www.youtube.com/@seanburnsmusichosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:23 - Fresh off the road: a Western Canada run and the exhaustion of coming home00:06:26 - Touring with a four-year-old at home and feeling the road differently in your forties00:08:28 - How Glen and Sean first crossed paths at a birthday show in Edmonton00:10:25 - Gigging for a living since 2001: Ontario bars, cruise ships and early touring00:14:00 - Better Off in Time and a run of themed albums00:15:47 - Rejecting his dad's music, a punk-rock adolescence and a country bar job00:20:24 - A complicated father-son relationship and what music resolved00:27:35 - Lost Canadian country: Roy Payne and regional labels00:31:57 - Texas dance halls and the sound of the new record00:34:12 - Stage patter, throwback delivery and what radio taught him about confidence00:38:54 - A tight band: three lead players and knowing when not to play00:42:23 - Drummer Joanna Miller and a nine-year musical partnership00:47:37 - Juggling Corb Lund's touring schedule with his own band00:50:34 - Adjusting from loud bars to polished theaters and in-ear monitors00:54:32 - Winning the Corb Lund bass audition through preparation and betting on himself01:00:00 - Skinny Dyck as producer and the friendship behind the record01:03:54 - What's next: a short-term view and no big trajectory01:07:30 - The Boots and Saddle Show and curating traditional country on the radio01:13:19 - Post-fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and CBC Music host Damhnait Doyle returns with her deeply authentic EP, Bird and Flame. We dig into her surreal start being discovered in Newfoundland at 17, navigating major label pressures, and writing songs alongside icons like Steve Earle. Damhnait opens up about late-diagnosed ADHD, creative burnout, breaking up with the music industry, and finally rediscovering the pure joy of making rhythm-driven indie records strictly on her own terms.Featured topicsA return to herself: Damhnait describes how Bird and Flame feels like a full-circle return to the creativity and authenticity she had as a teenager.Grief as a catalyst: The loss of her mother prompted Damhnait to reconsider how she wanted to spend her time and what she wanted to pursue.ADHD and rejection sensitivity: She discusses how her late ADHD diagnosis helped her understand the emotional challenges she faced in the music business.Creating without pressure: Damhnait explains how making music without depending on it for income or identity has brought more freedom and joy to her work.ep53 Damhnait Doyle is finally free released October 29, 2026 1:27:18https://www.damhnaitdoyle.com/ https://www.instagram.com/damhnaitdoyle https://www.youtube.com/user/damhnaitdoylehosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:00 - Pronouncing Damhnait's name and the new EP Bird in Flames 00:10:31 - Her mother's passing as a catalyst, breaking up with music, and making it now without career pressure 00:14:29 - Late-diagnosed ADHD, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and why the music business feels like constant rejection 00:19:48 - ADHD isn't always a superpower: reading every room, burnout, introvert vs. extrovert, and guarding her energy 00:24:42 - Discovered at 17 in a St. John's record shop, signing with an East Coast label, and her first Juno nomination 00:28:48 - A versatile voice, the trio Shea with Kim Stockwood, and a Juno night beside Nickelback's Chad Kroeger 00:32:37 - Imposter syndrome after sudden fame, opening for Steve Earle, learning guitar, and working with producer Jay Joyce 00:39:35 - The long waits behind a "fast" career, the Montreal record, The Heartbroken, and Serena Ryder's advice to let go 00:44:24 - Grieving a music career, Glen's band reunion, and how CBC and Canadian artists made her want to create again 00:49:47 - The meaning of Bird in Flames and her long road to hosting CBC Mornings 00:55:19 - Writing the EP through COVID, her mother's death and her divorce, and getting the songs out in one sitting 00:58:46 - The fear before release, the relief after, and her all-time favourite songs 01:06:10 - Future plans, how music is curated at CBC Mornings, advice for artists, and the goodbye 01:15:00 - Post-fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Brandon on Yukon Blonde, solo music, and building a sustainable creative lifeBrandon talks with Glen Erickson about balancing his long-running role in Yukon Blonde with solo work, how a busy Canadian indie career has evolved over 20 years, and what it takes to keep making music without burning out. They also discuss the Vancouver music scene, trusted collaborators, and how visual art continues to shape his songwriting.Feature momentsBrandon reflects on early acclaim, touring momentum, and the burnout that followed.He explains how Yukon Blonde rebuilt its team and made the band more sustainable.Brandon and Glen discuss Vancouver’s music community and why Green Auto matters.Brandon shares how collaboration helped shape his solo EP Pressed Flowers. ep52 Brandon Wolfe Scott non blondereleased October 22, 20261:32:01https://brandonwolfescott.bandcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/brandonwolfescott/https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscott1984hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi EricksonAFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.comAFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenoughAFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:03:11 Balancing solo work with a full-time band00:05:09 Why Yukon Blonde stays the priority00:07:28 The awkward middle stage of a music career00:09:10 How longtime fans respond as the band evolves00:11:25 Early acclaim, CBC Radio 3, and what success felt like00:13:26 Touring, burnout, and writing solo songs00:16:13 Mismanagement and hard lessons00:18:23 Rebuilding the team and making the band sustainable00:20:43 Vancouver bands and scene connections00:23:17 Flaming Lips as an early creative influence00:24:20 Growing up in Quesnel and finding a path into music00:27:23 The long runway to becoming a solid band00:28:23 Women, Calgary’s indie scene, and musical peers00:30:07 What’s thriving in music and why Green Auto matters00:33:15 Green Auto Fest and DIY infrastructure00:35:17 Shape and Space, visual art, and film-adjacent work00:38:42 Creative control over art direction and album visuals00:41:02 How the solo records differ from Yukon Blonde00:43:14 Slide guitar, harmonies, and Beatles influences00:47:09 Pressed Flowers and letting go of control00:48:11 Collaborating with Gavin and James00:52:28 Playing live with Dan Mangan and testing new songs00:54:29 Why the solo project has stayed EP-based00:58:30 Post-fame with AlexiAlmost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way. Alexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Joel Plaskett on music, identity, and the tension between analog life and AIJoel Plaskett joins Glen Erickson for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from privacy and digital fatigue to the realities of sustaining a long music career. They unpack what it means to make art in an increasingly algorithmic world, reflecting on place, age, and the changing shape of creative work. Joel shares how his life has been split between Nova Scotia and Vancouver Island, why that tension remains creatively productive, and how honors like the Order of Nova Scotia and the Portia White Award fit alongside his local identity. The conversation also explores Thrush Hermit, the Halifax music scene of the 1990s, building a studio, and why he still feels compelled to make new work rather than settle into legacy mode.Key topicsJoel’s move to Vancouver Island while maintaining ties to Nova Scotia, family, and his studio and business.Digital privacy, data collection, AI, and the risks of algorithmic culture.Why humanities, philosophy, and art matter beyond material efficiency.Aging, touring, and the realities of sustaining a music career into your fifties.Thrush Hermit, the Halifax scene, and regional music identity.Artists like Nick Lowe and Gillian Welch as examples of staying creatively vital over time.ep51 Joel Plaskett thinking out loudreleased October 15, 20261:47:18https://joelplaskett.com/https://www.instagram.com/joelplasketthttps://www.youtube.com/@joelplasketthosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi EricksonAFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.comAFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenoughAFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:02:24 Moving to Vancouver Island and living between coasts00:07:37 Nova Scotia, recognition, and identity00:12:20 Turning 50 and finding a sustainable pace00:18:45 Defining success beyond recognition00:25:37 Building a studio, shop, and creative community00:31:23 Restlessness, risk-taking, and creative focus00:35:47 Burnout, aging, and digital saturation00:38:31 Maps, algorithms, and the value of getting lost00:41:12 Speed, communication, and Marshall McLuhan00:44:26 AI, meaning, and the limits of efficiency00:47:07 Imperfection, analogue sound, and making art human00:50:14 The efficiency paradox and the cost of “more”00:55:07 Making space to think instead of react01:01:15 Thrush Hermit and the Halifax indie-rock scene01:07:21 Touring lore, regional scenes, and early career lessons01:15:42 Staying creatively alive across a long music career01:19:12 Playing the hits while still making new work01:23:10 Why long-form conversations still matter01:26:35 Post-Fame with Alexi Alexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Chevy Beaulieu talks through the long road from playing family gigs in the Northwest Territories to signing with 604 Records and releasing his self-titled album. He also shares how his roots, his mixed background, and a wide range of influences shaped a sound that sits between traditional country, outlaw country, rock, and a little bit of everything else.This is a story about learning the craft first, then learning the business later. Chevy also gets honest about the frustration of being ignored by labels, the value of staying authentic, and why he believes “overnight success” is a myth.Key topicsChevy Beaulieu explains the pronunciation of his last name and the family history behind it, including his father, a three-time Canadian fiddle champion.Music was always around him at home through fiddle tunes, family band performances, and influences like Merle Haggard, Texas Tornadoes, Doug Kershaw, and Cajun music.Family gigs meant being “always ready,” with little rehearsal and a set list built around weddings, bars, First Nations gatherings, funerals, and old standards.His first self-released album, Firecracker, came out in 2019 while he was still working full time at a diamond mine and had no real understanding of royalties, registrations, or the business side of music.Chevy describes the frustration of submitting demos and often getting no response, including blunt rejections from labels that did not even listen to the songs.He eventually signed with 604 Records after being invited down for what he thought was just an acoustic office performance, not a real audition.He also talks about the realities of touring, casino gigs, and why live music pay has become harder for working musicians.https://chevybeaulieumusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chevy_beaulieu_music https://www.youtube.com/@chevybeaulieu2294ep50 Chevy Beaulieu is a bush babyreleased October 8, 20261:34:44hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:42 - Meeting Chevy Beaulieu00:07:01 - Roots, Heritage, and Identity00:09:12 - A Family Legacy of Music00:14:32 - The Family Band and Learning the Craft00:18:33 - Early Songwriting and Finding Direction00:23:37 - Developing a Voice as an Artist00:25:16 - Funding the First Record00:32:13 - The Story Behind the Name Chevy00:33:26 - Rejection, Demos, and Breaking Into the Industry00:36:54 - Finding a Home at 604 Records00:42:02 - Country Music Influences and Musical Identity00:49:25 - Songs, Covers, and Country Music Legacy00:53:24 - Signing a Deal, Waiting, and Building a Team01:00:59 - New Music, Awards, and Life on the Road01:15:08 - Post-Fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Glen Erickson talks with Jon Bryant about the winding path from art school album covers to a career in indie folk, acting, and voice work. The conversation traces the moments that shaped Jon’s creative identity, including early luck, personal loss, the Nexium experience, pandemic disruption, and how fatherhood and returning home to Nova Scotia informed his upcoming record Harbor. They also dig into what it means to market art honestly in the age of social media, how vulnerability can deepen connection without becoming a gimmick, and why Jon sees his voice as the center of everything he makes.Key topicsJon’s art-school assignment that sparked his first album, and the unexpected Apple Canada breakthrough.Building an audience through DIY touring, visual design, and changing approaches to marketing.His reflections on church culture, Nexium, and the complex mix of harm and belonging.The pandemic’s impact on his career, his creative identity, and connecting with fans.Acting, voice work, fatherhood, and the return to Nova Scotia that shaped Harbor.https://www.jonbryantmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jonrbryant https://www.youtube.com/@JonBryantep49 Jon Bryant is more at homereleased October 1, 20261:55:17hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 — Introduction00:02:37 — Glen and Jon’s First Connection00:07:39 — From First Record to a Music Career00:10:22 — Art, Design, and Finding a Creative Voice00:13:04 — Growing Up and Leaving Home00:15:57 — Learning the Independent Artist’s Grind00:21:35 — Early Breakthroughs and Building Momentum00:24:27 — Marketing Music Without Losing the Story00:31:52 — Vulnerability, Social Media, and Self-Doubt00:39:06 — Life Changes, Cult Classic, and Creative Growth00:46:36 — The Pandemic and Finding a New Path00:51:28 — Therapy Notes, Mental Health, and Songwriting00:56:58 — When Songs Become Part of Someone Else’s Story00:58:20 — Acting, Voice Work, and New Creative Outlets01:02:31 — Identity, Adaptation, and Being Yourself01:09:49 — The Connection of Live Performance01:12:01 — Harbor, Parenthood, and Returning Home01:24:16 — Post-fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

Freelance musician and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Jacobs joins me to discuss her diverse career as an award-winning bass player and a dedicated music therapist. We dive into the grit of touring, studio recording sessions, and how she balances the energy of massive festival stages with the quiet intimacy of clinical music therapy. Lisa shares her unique mindset on finding longevity in the music industry, overcoming performance anxiety, and the real definition of confidence.ep48 Lisa Jacobs finds little joys released June 18, 20261:53:26https://www.instagram.com/lisajuliejacobs/Key TakeawaysDual Dualities & Symbiotic Career Paths: Lisa successfully balances a high-energy performance career with the quiet intimacy of music therapy, allowing both worlds to uniquely inform and feed into each other .The Clinical Power of Music Memory: Because music is stored across multiple areas of the brain, it acts as a powerful non-verbal tool to unlock memories and restore personal identity for dementia and palliative care patients .The Reality of Passion Projects: Disproving the cliché myth that loving your job means never working, Lisa emphasizes that even dream careers require immense sacrifice, unglamorous behind-the-scenes toil, and dealing with burnout .True Confidence is Earned Through Failure: Genuine confidence is not unearned bravado; rather, it is built incrementally by leaning into discomfort, making mistakes, and actively working to get better at a skill over time .Strategic Cultivation of Small Joys: To survive the grueling demands of the music industry and prevent professional misery, Lisa intentionally hunts for tiny moments of connection and beauty on and off the stage .hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson https://www.almostfamousenough.comAFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenoughAFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:04:15 Catching up with Lisa Jacobs00:06:44 Life as a Freelance Musician00:09:42 The Dual Role: Musician and Music Therapist00:12:43 The Power of Music Therapy00:15:45 Connecting Through Music: A Personal Story00:18:43 Finding Balance: The Performer and the Healer00:24:34 Rediscovering Self: The Journey of Balance00:31:40 Understanding Emotional Patterns00:34:07 The Journey of a Musician00:37:58 Early Musical Influences and Opportunities00:41:06 The Freelance Musician's Path00:46:45 Finding Joy in the Journey00:53:55 Authenticity on Stage and Off01:00:01 The Value of Vulnerability in Music01:03:22 Fashion Influences and Sisterhood01:06:02 The Power of Personal Style01:09:17 The Balance of Light and Dark in Music and Fashion01:14:24 Confidence Through Experience01:19:23 The Journey of a Musician01:24:26 Embracing Opportunities and Personal Growth01:33:04 Post-Fame with Alexi Alexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

What does it take to sustain a 12-year independent music career? Canadian rock-and-folk artist Skye Wallace joins the conversation to dissect the realities of the modern touring landscape, independent album funding, and shifting toward DIY touring sustainability. From her classical vocal roots to heavy guitar distortion , Skye shares how raw adaptability has defined her trajectory. Plus, she opens up about challenging music industry ageism and sexism while proudly navigating new parenthood on the road.ep47 Skye Wallace is adaptable released June 11, 2026 1:49:55Key TakeawaysNavigating Parasocial Dynamics: Independent artists must balance a unique social dynamic where fans online and in public feel a deep, one-sided personal connection with them.Early DIY Grit: Building a long-term music career often requires a foundation of intense solo hustle, booking grassroots gigs, and navigating early touring challenges independently.The Power of Creative Adaptability: Longevity in a volatile industry relies heavily on an artist’s willingness to constantly adapt, whether by upgrading live performance technology or shifting musical directions.Pivoting for Touring Sustainability: Rising industry costs and widespread artist burnout are forcing creators to return to grassroots, DIY touring models like intimate house shows for better financial feasibility.Reclaiming Agency in Motherhood: Choosing to openly balance a rock-and-roll career with new parenthood allows female artists to directly challenge systemic industry ageism and sexism.https://www.skyewallace.com/ https://www.instagram.com/skyewallacemusic/ https://www.youtube.com/c/Skyewallacehosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:03:09 Navigating Social Dynamics in Music00:06:14 Returning to the Stage: A Musician's Journey00:09:10 The Evolution of Live Performance Technology00:12:09 From Classical Training to Creative Expression00:14:59 The Path of a Solo Artist: Challenges and Triumphs00:18:12 Support Systems: The Role of Family in Music00:21:12 Speaking Out: The Artist's Voice in Society00:29:50 Embracing Authenticity in Music00:31:25 Navigating a Decade of Music Production00:34:02 Building Connections in the Music Industry00:36:49 Evolving as an Artist Through Collaboration00:40:00 The Impact of Production on Artistic Growth00:42:31 The Importance of Learning from Experience00:45:40 Adapting to Change in the Music Landscape00:49:18 The Role of Public Funding in Music Careers00:52:43 Sustainability and DIY Approaches in Music00:56:51 Facing Challenges as a Female Artist00:58:33 Parenthood and Its Impact on Artistic Expression00:59:05 The Iced Tea Incident01:01:16 Flag in the Ground Moments01:02:58 Living Your Truth01:06:11 The Journey of Parenthood and Career01:11:04 The New Record and Creative Process01:15:11 Performance Dynamics: Solo vs. Band01:24:19 Post-Fame with AlexiAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.

What does music genre even mean anymore? Former guest Matthew Willox returns to challenge traditional Billboard classifications like rock, country, and classical. This Hot Take sends us on a deep dive into how digital streaming platforms and Spotify algorithms have completely shifted the landscape, swapping rigid labels for curated aesthetic vibe playlists, workout tracks, and hyper-niche sub-genres. Discover how, we think, music listeners are taking back control from corporate power structures, ultimately democratizing how we define, discover, and consume new music in the modern streaming era.s3 Post-Fame Plus presents Hot Takes with Matthewreleased June 4, 2026 49:20Key Moments[05:56] The Rise of the "Vibe" Genre: Matthew drops his primary hot take, arguing that traditional Billboard categories like rock and country are dead, replaced by context-driven vibe genres like lo-fi, hype, and workout tracks.[08:37] The 90s Rock Club Abomination: The guys share a laugh over a modern algorithmic playlist that mashed Tool and Blink-182 together - a chaotic musical pairing that never would have survived the strict sub-culture divides of the 1990s.[11:40] Context-Driven Listening: Glen explores how modern music taxonomy has fundamentally flipped. Instead of labels telling us what we're listening to, genres are now built entirely around the user’s immediate context: where they are, how they feel, and what they want to feel.[24:00] Triangulating Music Tastes: The guys unpack how the younger generation completely struggles to define their music taste. Instead of naming genres, listeners now list a trio of hyper-specific artists to help others "triangulate" their exact sonic aesthetic.https://matthewwillox.art/hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.Chapters00:00:08 Introduction to Hot Takes00:02:15 Self-Policing and Personal Freedom00:06:10 The Evolution of Music Genres00:07:07 Vibe Over Genre: A New Perspective00:11:12 The Contextual Nature of Music Genres00:20:01 The Influence of Technology on Music Creation00:23:28 The Evolution of Music Taste00:26:19 Defining Genres in a Blended Era00:30:32 The Impact of Historical Context on Music00:33:25 Listener Influence on Genre Creation00:37:38 The Democratization of Music Consumption00:41:39 The Knowledgeable Listener and Genre FluidityAlexi pitches her dad's upcoming show with this old band, The Wheat Pool, Nov.21/2026 at The Aviary in Edmonton.