LIAT Intro

After a year away, the mic is back on and this time, the host is in the hot seat. Alex Bass sits down with cultural curator and event producer Sonali Fernando for an honest conversation about her journey in music and live events: the early days figuring it out, the pivots, the lessons, and what it finally took to build a life and career on her own terms in Tulum. This is the story behind the podcast — and the start of Season 2.

In this episode of Life Is A Tour, Alex Bass chats with Grammy-nominated producer, artist manager, and cultural advocate Nate Cameron Jr. Nate shares his music industry journey, advocating for marginalized communities, and the importance of financial literacy for young artists. He also discusses his work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation, helping the next generation succeed through mentorship and collaboration.

In this episode of Life Is A Tour, host Alex Bass chats with Brittany Barnett, a trailblazer in live event production. Brittany shares her journey from an unconventional start to leading projects like Super Bowl Live and the Grammys Independent Celebration. She opens up about navigating challenges as a Black woman in the industry, mentorship, career pivots, and breaking into roles like show calling. Don’t miss her advice and insights into creating space for diversity in live events!

In this episode of Life Is A Tour, Alex Bass talks with Charles Ford of Vue Show Design Group. Charles shares how he turned a childhood passion for stage design into a career crafting stunning productions. They explore creativity, diversity, mentorship, and pushing boundaries in production design. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

On this episode of Life Is A Tour, host Alex Bass chats with Erica D. Hayes, a lighting designer with 17+ years of experience, including tours with Fantasia and Jason Derulo and work on HBO's Westworld. Erica opens up about being a Black woman in entertainment, balancing motherhood, advocating for fairness, and building strong industry relationships. She shares advice for aspiring designers, highlighting the power of asking for opportunities and embracing growth.

Join Alex Bass and special guest, Giovanni Vargas, as they dive into his incredible journey through the music industry. From guerrilla street marketing to managing tours for legends like Lil Wayne & The Rolling Stones. In this episode, Gio shares invaluable insights around his strategies for success, the evolving industry landscape, and balancing life on the road.

In this episode of Life Is A Tour, host Alex Bass talks with Ashley Shabankareh, a music professional dedicated to uplifting BIPOC voices. Ashley discusses her work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation, teaching roles, leadership in music organizations, and the importance of diverse representation on music organization boards. The episode explores DEI challenges in the industry, Arabic music education, and advice for aspiring music industry professionals.

In this quick introduction, we’re laying the foundation for what Life Is A Tour is all about. Join me, Alex Bass, as I discuss the inspiration behind this podcast.