She Creates Noise

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Oct 21, 2026 35 min

Russ & Jelly Roll Started Independent—Do Artists Need a Label? | Andreea Gleeson

Season 3, Episode 33

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/andreeagleeson/

On this episode you will learn how the smartest independent artists aren’t just making great songs, they’re building leverage. Sarah sits down with globally recognized music executive and strategic advisor Andreea Gleeson, former CEO of TuneCore and current CEO of beatBread, to unpack what “ownership” really looks like in 2026 and why the business mindset matters as much as the creative one. We talk candidly about the moment independent stopped sounding like a backup plan and started sounding like power, plus what artists can learn from artists who refuse to have a Plan B.

Topics include:

• Building a sustainable music career through great music, community, and a strong presence online and live.
• Knowing when to hire a team versus signing a deal.
• What happens when label promises don’t match execution—and understanding who is truly on your team.
• How streaming and global discovery can help artists find their first meaningful audience far from home.
• Independent music distribution, artist financing, and ownership.
• AI in music: detection, labeling, missing metadata, and documenting a song’s origins during creation.
• The responsible AI principles Andreea helped put into practice with Grimes: consent, control, compensation, and transparency.
• follow Andreea here

https://www.instagram.com/beatbread/

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Oct 7, 2026 51 min

No Permission, No Compromise—Kam Franklin on Owning Her Work

Season 3, Episode 32

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/bamitskam/

Kam Franklin didn’t “wait for the right moment” to make a solo album, she built it from the ground up. After years as the dynamic frontwoman of Houston soul band The Suffers, Kam steps forward with Land of the Neon Sun, a fiercely personal record shaped by touring, survival, and a deep need to own her work. We talk candidly about what it takes to fund an album independently, why ownership matters more than hype, and how learning the business can save you years of heartbreak.

Our conversation goes straight into the realities of the music industry for Black women in roots, Americana, and country-leaning spaces: the gatekeeping, the stereotypes, the theft of labor, and the moments that test whether you’ll keep going. Kam also shares what mentorship really looks like, from “a mentor for a day” to long-term allies who put real time, skill, and support behind their words. If you care about women in music, producer representation, and sustainable music careers, you’ll hear both the hard truths and the practical strategies.

We also get into activism and songwriting craft: how Nina Simone’s legacy shows up in her work, why she chooses to put the message in the lyrics, how COVID unexpectedly pushed her to learn guitar through a Broadway audition, and what she’s hopeful about when everything feels complicated. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review wherever you listen so more people can find these stories.

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Sep 23, 2026 1 hr

How Sammy Rae Built A Band—and A Movement

Season 3, Episode 31

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/sammyraemusic/?hl=en

A band can be a lineup, or it can be a place people belong. Songwriter, singer, and bandleader Sammy Rae joins us to explain how Sammy Rae and The Friends grew from New York City hustle into a live show that feels like a movement, with fans who come back, bring friends, and treat the room like a community. We talk about what she learned by getting as close as possible to the scene, pulling musicians together, and choosing the long game over quick wins.

We also go deep on the craft side: what Sammy absorbed while hanging around Flux Studios, how she rebuilt after a rough early producer situation, and how her studio confidence evolved from observer to leader. With Grammy-winning producer Fab DuPont now helping shape the next chapter, we dig into the real balancing act of music production: staying true to the artist, capturing the band’s “live” energy, and still making records that connect beyond the core crowd. If you care about building a sustainable music career, producing your own work, or growing a loyal fanbase without chasing trends, this conversation delivers.

Then we get honest about the industry. Sammy shares the pressure to simplify a genre-blending sound, the reality of being underestimated as a female bandleader, and why allies matters when the room defaults to listening to men first. We also talk about the encouraging uptick of women in touring and tech roles, and why labels, venues, and executives still need more women in decision-making jobs.

Press play, then subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. If you got something from this, share it with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen.

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Sep 9, 2026 40 min

How Streaming Reshaped Songwriters' Lives | Michelle Lewis, CEO of SONA.

Season 2, Episode 30

Show notes

https://www.wearesona.com/

Every song you stream makes money. Just not necessarily for the person who wrote it.

We’re joined by Emmy-winning songwriter and composer Michelle Lewis, whose credits span major pop cuts and television favorites, and who now leads one of the strongest songwriter advocacy efforts in the business as co-founder and CEO of Songwriters of North America (SONA).

Streaming didn't just change how fans listen—it fundamentally changed how songwriters get paid. Michelle Lewis discusses the economics of modern music, the policies shaping songwriter income, and what needs to change if songwriting is going to remain a sustainable career.

Michelle walks us through her path from growing up in New York with working-musician parents to making a living in music as a kid, then building a career that pivots from artist life to writing songs for other performers and eventually creating music for characters and story. We talk about what “contextual music” really means in TV and animation, why she refuses to dumb anything down for kids, and how finding the right creative lane can be the difference between burnout and momentum.

Then we get into the money and the policy: why the “songwriters are rich on royalties” myth won’t die, how YouTube and streaming reshaped the value of a song, and why the split between sound recording and composition revenue leaves songwriters behind. Michelle explains the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), what it was designed to solve, and why new threats like AI can dilute value all over again. We also dig into survival strategies for modern creators, the need to diversify skills, and why women investing in women can change who gets to build lasting careers.

If you care about songwriter rights, fair pay, streaming royalties, and the future of women in music, listen now, then subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more creators can find these conversations.

https://www.instagram.com/mlewey/

https://www.instagram.com/wearesona_/

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Jul 1, 2026 33 min

How Hitmaker Tiffany Red Makes Sure Songwriters Get Paid

Season 2, Episode 28

Show notes

https://www.the100percenters.com/

Millions of streams don't guarantee a living wage. Tiffany Red explains why—and what songwriters can do about it.

Platinum selling, Grammy nominated songwriter Tiffany Red, is major spokesperson for songwriters rights. From writing poems at age 12 in her New Jersey home to landing major credits with artists like Zendaya and Jason Derulo, contributing to a Grammy-winning Jennifer Hudson project, and earning another Grammy nomination with Fantasia, Tiffany’s story makes one thing clear: talent is real, but the system determines whether talent gets paid properly and it often doesn’t. She wants to change that.

We talk about the exact moment the music business math changed, from CDs and iTunes downloads to the streaming era where massive numbers can still mean shockingly small checks. Tiffany breaks down how standard publishing contracts miss modern reality, why format shifts like EPs can quietly reduce what “counts,” and how fear keeps creators silent when they should be advocating for themselves. She also connects the dots between power, education, and enforcement, including what she has learned through her advocacy work with the 100%-ers.

Then we get practical. Tiffany shares negotiation tactics from her book “How to Negotiate with A$$holes in the Music Business", including how to spot manipulation early, what stonewalling looks like once you’re in a deal, and why building a paper trail can protect your rights. We also zoom out to women in music: sisterhood, women-led community, safer studio spaces, and advice for younger artists who want longevity without losing themselves.

Subscribe to She Creates Noise, share this conversation with a creator who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

https://www.instagram.com/iamtiffanyred/

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Jun 17, 2026 51 min

How The Song She Wrote Five Weeks After Giving Birth Led to 300 Million Streams | Ella Vos

Season 2, Episode 27

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/ellavos

300 Million Streams Without a Major Label !

In this episode of She Creates Noise, indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer Ella Vos shares the remarkable journey behind her breakout hit "White Noise" and the career she built independently—amassing more than 300 million streams while staying true to her creative vision.

Ella takes us from her childhood as a classically trained pianist to life on the road, the lessons she learned navigating the music business, and the unexpected success of "White Noise" during the early days of streaming. We explore how motherhood shaped her artistry, why she resisted oversharing before it became an industry expectation, and what artists lose when authenticity becomes a marketing strategy.

We also dive into the realities of sustaining a creative career: balancing motherhood and ambition, navigating burnout, protecting mental health, and building a support system that allows great work to flourish. Ella shares her unique approach to songwriting, artist development, and the creative freedom she found in fully self-producing her latest album, Rosebuds.

Whether you're an artist, songwriter, music fan, or simply someone trying to build a meaningful creative life, this conversation is an honest and inspiring look at what it takes to succeed on your own terms.

https://www.ellavos.com/

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Jun 3, 2026 39 min

Caro Durán’s Unstoppable Rise - From Rural Colombia to NYC’s Top Recording Studio

Season 2, Episode 26

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/caroduranh/

From recording the sounds of the Colombian forest as a child to producing music inside New York’s legendary Flux Studios, Caro built her career by trusting her instincts, ignoring gatekeepers, and never waiting for permission.

Sitting with us at Flux in New York City, Caro shares how a childhood filled with music, curiosity, and experimentation evolved into a career in production, education, and community building. We talk about the realities of stepping into a male-dominated industry, learning to trust your own creative voice, and why waiting until you feel “ready” can quietly keep artists stuck for years. Caro also opens up about setting emotional boundaries in the studio, balancing collaboration without losing yourself, and how mindfulness helps her stay creatively grounded in a city constantly pulling artists in different directions.

We also explore:
• Building a sonic identity as a producer
• Knowing when a song is finished — and when to let it go
• Working with Ableton Live and live looping early in her career
• Teaching and mentoring the next generation through 343 Labs and On the Wave
• Creating more accessible pathways into music technology through scholarships and bilingual education

It’s a conversation full of honesty, creative energy, and practical insight — and Caro’s warmth, focus, and positive outlook are completely infectious.

for more info on Caro:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2quGRhVrtjN0w3HRpcA8Zf?si=jqTxx_dDTp68xv0eAKsxfg

Caro on Tiktok

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May 20, 2026 45 min

Mental Health in the Music Industry — When “Not Okay” Becomes Normal | Cathy Olson & Erica Ramon

Season 2, Episode 25

Show notes

https://www.hollywood-mind.com

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for this special episode of She Creates Noise, we bring together two powerful advocates for a conversation the music industry can’t afford to sideline. The same business that creates magic can also grind people down until “not okay” starts to feel normal.

Here, we explore that tension through two distinct perspectives: Cathy Applefeld Olson, founder of Hollywood & Mind and longtime entertainment journalist, and Erica Ramon, a veteran executive and manager who has worked closely with artists under intense pressure. Erica has represented Fergie, The Pretty Reckless and Passion pit among others. Together, they discuss what happens when creativity and vulnerability coexist—and why mental health can no longer be treated as a side conversation, but as central to the future of the industry.

We dig into the patterns that show up on the road and behind the scenes: insomnia, imposter syndrome, addiction recovery, burnout, and the loneliness of touring. We challenge the myth that great art requires suffering, and we explore how artists can stay authentic without romanticizing instability as the price of genius. We also get specific about what structural change looks like in the music business, from smarter tour routing and building in recovery time to new resources like on-tour mental health support and industry-specific crisis help.

Then we widen the lens to music and wellness: how functional music and sound can help regulate the nervous system, support focus, and ground people through daily life. We talk data, research, and why listening behavior already proves that many of us use music as a mental health tool, whether we call it that or not. We also address women in music, including the ongoing gaps in support around pregnancy, motherhood, and career continuity.

For more about Cathy Olson's work go to

For more info on Erica Ramon

http://www.cacmg.com

http://www.chillpalm.com

http://www.ericaramon.com

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May 6, 2026 41 min

"10 Global #1 Hits — Including Katy Perry's Biggest — songwriter Bonnie McKee".

Season 2, Episode 24

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/bonniemckee/

You’ve sung these songs in your car, at weddings, and at the top of your lungs—now you can hear from the songwriter who wrote them.

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Sarah sits down with Grammy-nominated songwriter and pop artist Bonnie McKee, the songwriter behind many of Katy Perry’s biggest hits, as well as Taio Cruz, for a candid conversation about what pop success really looks like behind the scenes.

Bonnie takes us from a teenage major-label deal and an early crash course in the business to being dropped, rebuilding through demo work, and eventually writing era-defining songs that reached number one around the world. She shares what it actually feels like when a song explodes, why she still writes lyrics by hand in notebooks, and the craft lessons she learned the hard way about simplicity, collaboration, and not getting too precious about what a pop song “should” be.

We also go deeper than chart stories. Bonnie speaks openly about safety in studio spaces, the shift after Me Too, and why women still have to guard their boundaries in intimate writing rooms. She makes a powerful case for creator economics too: production credit, master points, and why every songwriter should learn engineering and production tools like Pro Tools, Logic, or Ableton to become more self-sufficient.

The conversation closes with her expansion into filmmaking, the victory of re-recording shelved music to independently release Hot City, and a mindset shift earned through experience: don’t make success your higher power.

If you want to know more about:

• writing 10 #1 major pop hits
• working with Katy Perry
• how hit songs are really made
• songwriting craft and collaboration
• women’s safety in studio rooms
• producer credit and songwriter income
• the value of learning Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton
• reinventing your career independently

A smart, funny, and revealing conversation with one of pop music’s most important modern hitmakers.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

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Apr 22, 2026 38 min

From Touring with Rob Thomas to Creative Reinvention — Toby Lightman

Season 2, Episode 23

Show notes

What happens when success comes fast—and you have to figure out who you are in real time?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, singer-songwriter Toby Lightman reflects on the early breakthrough that launched her career—from a record deal just one year out of college to touring with Rob Thomas—and the long, deliberate path to creative reinvention.

One year out of college, Toby Lightman had a record deal, a breakout moment, and an impressive touring schedule with multiple TV appearance. That kind of fast success sounds glamorous, but it can also be disorienting, especially when you’re still learning who you are as a songwriter, vocalist, and performer. We talk through what it felt like to be launched so young and how Toby learned to turn that pressure into skill, confidence, and a sustainable creative life.

From major-label releases and intimidating studio rooms to the slow, determined work of teaching herself music production, Toby shares the real mechanics of reinvention. We get into building a home studio, why she sticks with Pro Tools, and what changes when an artist can shape their own sound without waiting on anyone else. She also reflects on advice she once got from Prince that stayed with her for years: you can do more than you think, and you don’t have to outsource your power.

The conversation goes deeper into songwriting as a survival tool. Toby opens up about fertility struggles, miscarriage, and the loneliness that can come with those experiences, then connects that honesty to making empowering music about resilience and motherhood. We also dig into advocacy and leadership, including her work with the Recording Academy, SONA, and She Is The Music, plus practical realities like sync licensing, composing for kids programming, and diversifying income in today’s music business.

If you care about women in music, independent artists, music production, and building a sustainable creative career, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review on your favorite so more listeners can find the show.

Instagram

Toby Lightman on spotify

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Apr 8, 2026 32 min

Writing “Genie in a Bottle” for Christina Aguilera — Pam Sheyne

Season 2, Episode 22

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/pamsheyne/

How do you write a song the whole world ends up singing?

We’re joined by Pam Sheyne, the multi-platinum songwriter behind Christina Aguilera’s breakout hit “Genie in a Bottle,” to talk about what actually happens in the room when a career-defining track comes together, why you can feel you wrote “a good song” and still never predict a smash, and how preparation separates pros from wishful thinking.

We also zoom out to the modern music industry: writing as a chameleon for different artists, doing the homework on vocal range and style, and navigating the subtle politics of helping an artist feel true ownership. Pam shares what she’s seeing through her songwriting camps, including sync licensing sessions built around real briefs and the practical business details that matter, like one-stop clearance and keeping song ownership intact.

Then we get into songwriter rights and advocacy. Pam reflects on her work with SONA and the fight that led to the Music Modernization Act, what streaming royalties exposed, and why conversations about master rights, fair pay, and even healthcare aren’t optional if we want sustainable songwriting careers. We close with a return to artistry through her duo Eva and the healing power of singing, plus grounded advice for anyone trying to build a life in music.

Subscribe, share this with a songwriter friend, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

https://www.songwritercamps.com/

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Mar 25, 2026 36 min

Interviewing Madonna, Taylor Swift & Everyone In Between — Inside Music Media with Andrea Dresdale

Season 2, Episode 21

Show notes

On this episode I sit down with Andrea Dresdale—a two-time Gracie Award winner and longtime ABC radio host who has interviewed everyone from Elton John to Madonna, Taylor Swift to Adele and Teddy Swims among many others. A voting member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame —Andrea and I chat about the real levers of access, trust, and influence in today’s music media.

Andrea traces her path from a teenage radio obsessive to syndicated programming, where small stations gain national access. From there, we explore how the interview landscape shifted as podcasts, YouTube, and social platforms splintered attention. With more outlets chasing the same 20 minutes and listeners, she shows why relationship capital with publicists and managers beats clout chasing—and tells the story of how a smart early bet led to three Madonna interviews. We also revisit the VMAs and hear how a kept promise turned into a rare, respectful conversation with Taylor Swift right after the Kanye call.

The red carpet gets its own spotlight: tactics for breaking through the noise and the value of a long boom mic, and how split-second prep differs from a studio sit-down. Then we zoom into newsroom reality at ABC: independent verification, high standards around celebrity news, and why being second but right still matters in a social-first cycle. Andrea opens up about navigating rock spaces as a woman, the quiet ways women's expertise gets questioned, and tangible signs of progress as voting bodies broaden and gatekeeping weakens.

When the conversation turns to legacy, Andrea votes with influence over pure sales—naming artists whose impact echoes through other artists, like Amy Winehouse. We challenge old industry myths with a look at Bad Bunny’s rise: a Spanish-first catalog, minimal traditional media, massive global demand, and deals that flip the script on power. The takeaway is clear: authenticity travels fast, research earns trust, and relationships endure longer than trends. We close on a love letter to radio as a living discovery engine that still surprises, one local station at a time.

If this conversation shifted how you see music journalism and artist access, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find us.

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Mar 11, 2026 28 min

It’s Never Too Late —Find your voice in the Music Industry - AC Scott & Kate Hyman

Season 2, Episode 20

Show notes

What happens when you write your first song in your sixties — and someone hears it instantly?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, artist AC Scott and legendary A&R executive Kate Hyman explore an extraordinary second act in the music industry — from late-blooming creativity to the power of instinct, mentorship, and emotional truth in songwriting.

A voice that waited decades to be heard meets an A&R ear that knows in seconds. AC Scott began writing songs in her sixties, turning a life-altering diagnosis into creative fuel. What followed was a partnership grounded in trust, instinct, and a shared belief that emotion—not perfection—drives great music.

From the intimate ache of “Sometimes” to the sweep of “Highlands” and the clarity of “Never Too Late,” AC’s songwriting blends hard-won honesty with melodies that land on first listen.

Kate Hyman takes us inside her decision-making process: why authenticity must cut through, how an unvarnished take can outshine perfection, and what it means to say yes—or no—when 40 to 50 strong songs land at once.

AC shares the transatlantic journey—crossing by ship to collaborate in person—and the moments of creative breakthrough that followed. The conversation opens up to the realities of today’s music industry: ageism, niche audiences, and how story and substance are finding their place again.

We also talk about women mentoring women, the courage to share imperfect work, and the trust required to let something real take shape.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start, this conversation offers a clear answer: keep living, keep writing, and let belief meet craft at the right time.

If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

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Feb 25, 2026 46 min

How Ebonie Smith is Changing Who Gets Heard — on Music, Tech, and Power in the Music Industry

Season 2, Episode 19

Show notes

Who gets heard in the music industry—and who gets left out?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, producer, engineer, and Gender Amplified founder Ebonie Smith shares how she’s building a more open, collaborative, and equitable future for music—from the studio to the systems behind it.

Ebonie Smith discusses her production work and origin story. From Memphis, where hymns and call-and-response shaped her music, to New York and LA, where Grammy-nominated projects and Broadway musical recording filled her credits, Ebonie shows how leadership, faith, and enlightened approach to engineering can create an open environment in the studio and elevate the artist’s voice. We spotlight her journey and follow the choices that built her reputation: invite artists to the console, demystify the gear, and treat technology as a shared canvas and support system instead of an obstacle.

The story doesn’t stop at credits. While building records for Hamilton, Janelle Monáe, and Cardi B, Ebonie launched Gender Amplified, first as a college thesis, then as a movement. She uncovered a vibrant, often unseen network of women producers and DJs, then built platforms where their work could be found, hired, and celebrated. We dig into why charts show where power sits—not where value lives—and how storytelling, community, and access can shift who gets heard and who gets paid. The conversation widens into the AI surge and why fear isn’t a strategy: audio jobs will change, and those who learn new tools, refine taste, and lead collaboration will thrive.

From her Recording Academy leadership to her AES keynote, Ebonie pushes a provocative idea: artists should build the tech that moves their art. Distribution solved a problem and created a gap between creators and their money. Her playbook points to ownership—of masters, publishing, audience, and the rails themselves. We talk indie wins, sustainable revenue, and the courage to design your own ecosystem. Then we look ahead: more records, daily piano, new content, and Gender Amplified camps in New York and LA that bring gender-expansive producers into rooms built for their success.

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more creators find these stories—and tell us: what would you build to put artists back in control? https://www.instagram.com/eboniesmithmusic

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Feb 11, 2026 42 min

On Managing Pharrell — Caron Veazey on Women, Power & Leadership in Music

Season 2, Episode 18

Show notes

What does it take to help guide one of the most influential artists in the world—and turn that experience into lasting leadership in the music industry?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Sarah sits down with Caron Veazey to discuss her years managing Pharrell Williams, and how that chapter helped shape her perspective on women’s leadership, artist development, and real change across the music business.

From an early break as a page at Saturday Night Live to senior roles at MCA, RCA, Island Def Jam, and Sony’s global marketing team, Caron built a rare career path rooted in instinct, strategy, and people-first thinking.

She shares how refusing narrow categories opened doors for artists like Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, and Duffy—and why creating your own opportunities can still be the most powerful move.

We also discuss the Pharrell years: building I Am Other as a multi-platform vision where music, fashion, film, and philanthropy fueled one another, and navigating the global success of “Get Lucky,” “Blurred Lines,” and “Happy.”

If you want to know more about:

• managing major artists
• Pharrell’s creative world
• women’s leadership in the music industry
• artist branding and career growth
• building influence behind the scenes
• marketing artists globally
• creating opportunity in the music business
• long-term career strategy

A sharp and inspiring conversation with one of the industry’s most respected executives and advocates for progress.

If the conversation resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review—your support helps more listeners find stories that open doors.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

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Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

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Jan 28, 2026 35 min

Writing “Complicated” | Lauren Christy on Hit songs, Reinvention & The Matrix

Season 2, Episode 17

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenchristy/?hl=en

24 years later, “Complicated” is still one of the defining songs of a generation. The woman who helped write it shares the story behind the hit—and the setbacks, reinventions, and hard-won lessons that shaped her career.

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Sarah sits down with Lauren Christy, songwriter, producer, and co-creator of The Matrix, for a candid conversation about resilience, reinvention, and writing some of the defining pop hits of the 2000s.

From early artist struggles and label disappointments to building The Matrix with Graham Edwards and Scott Spock, Lauren shares how instinct, craft, and persistence led to songs like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” for Avril Lavigne—and a new era of pop-rock success.

We also talk faith, family, women in production, and what it really takes to create a lasting life in music.

If you want to know more about:

• writing hits like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi”
• how producer teams really work
• starting over after setbacks
• women in music production
• songwriting craft and melody building
• balancing career success with family life
• artist development in the 2000s music industry
• how to build longevity in music

Lauren’s story is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, adapting when the business shifts, and creating success on your own terms.

If stories of resilience, real-world tactics, and transparent mentorship fuel you, press play and join us. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s building their music career, and leave a review so more creators can find these conversations.

lauren@laurenchristy.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

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shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Jan 14, 2026 50 min

Season 2 Preview — How Music Gets Made—and the Women Who Make It Happen Bonus

Season 1, Episode 16

Show notes

What does it really take to make music—and who’s behind the moments we hear?

After a debut season that landed in the top 80% of new podcasts and the top 98% of most shared shows, She Creates Noise returns with a bigger, bolder Season Two—continuing to explore how music gets made, and who makes it happen.

If you care about songwriting craft, studio engineering, music production, artist development, and the real mechanics of the music industry, this season is built for you. We’ll keep the warmth and honesty you’ve come to expect while delivering more diverse voices, and conversations that move from inspiration to application.

Thanks for listening, sharing, and being part of this growing community. Hit follow, send this teaser to a friend who loves music, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find these stories. Your support helps us keep amplifying the women who move the industry forward.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

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shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Dec 16, 2025 3 min

A Favorite of Bob Dylan — Valerie June on Where Her Creativity Comes From

Season 1, Episode 15

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/thevaleriejune/?hl=en

Where does creativity come from—and how do you stay open enough to receive it?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter, and poet Valerie June shares how everyday life becomes a creative channel, and how she protects the space where songs first arrive.

Valerie traces her roots to Tennessee and a childhood surrounded by music. We talk about her father’s involvement as a promoter of performers like Prince, Jojo and Jodeci. That early vantage point meets a deep well of influence—Appalachian folk, gospel, blues, dream soul, and how her music draws from artist’s as diverse as Curtis Mayfield, Tracy Chapman and Leonard Cohen.

She shares how her ideas and melodies show up unannounced, how she protects the solitude of writing before inviting collaborators to add their contribution in the studio, and how her three-breath meditative reset keeps her centered. We listen to and talk about a song from her newest album, Owls, Omens and Oracles. The song “Endless Tree,” is a radiant experience that asks whether we can be free and still disagree, and we also unpack the quiet power of opening doors as a Black woman in Americana without having to explain it at every turn.

Style becomes another instrument in this conversation: Bowie-inspired silhouettes, thrift-store treasures, and street-stall finds that build a living mood board around her music. Valerie describes the slow climb from fly-on-the-wall sessions with Dan Auerbach to co-producing with conviction, and she opens up about poetry arriving after loss, spoken lines in her poetry that later find their way into her songs. Beyond the stage, she is a mentor and brings mindfulness into classrooms, helping students turn attention into art and courage into performance.

Listen to hear about her songwriting secrets, stay for the practices you can use today—portable meditation, patient craft, and the reminder that creativity thrives when we listen and engage. If this conversation moves you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find these stories.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

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shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Nov 18, 2025 38 min

How Anastasia Brown Became a Nashville Insider — Sync, Artist Development, and Leadership

Season 1, Episode 14

Show notes

https://www.instagram.com/anastasiabrownnashville/?hl=en

What makes Nashville such a powerful engine for artist development—and how has it evolved alongside film, television, and the changing music industry?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Nashville-based music supervisor, consultant, and author Anastasia Brown shares how she helped shape the city’s growing role in film and television, while building a career grounded in instinct, strategy, and resilience.

From her early days as a manager, the Bluebird Cafe revelation that led to signing Keith Urban to his first record deal; Anastasia shows how conviction, curiosity, and grit can lift you to new career heights.

We unpack the real Nashville: a ten-year town for artist development because of the density of talent and the apprenticeship needed for songwriting. Anastasia explains how sync licensing became her pivot as mechanical royalties for record sales fell, why authentic archival recordings can save a budget without shortchanging writers, and what it takes to spot an artist before the market does. We talk frankly about songwriter pay, the realities of streaming royalties, and the practical ways supervisors and producers can protect value for the people who create the songs. If you’re searching for artist development, music supervision strategy, sync licensing, Nashville music scene, or songwriter rights, this conversation delivers an insider’s view.

The episode also moves into leadership and resilience. Anastasia shares how women in Nashville pushed through outdated norms, the mentors who opened doors, and her goal to build a self-sustaining scoring industry in Music City—highlighted by recording The Shack with a 74-piece orchestra at Ocean Way. Finally, she opens up about her own loss and purpose, launching “There Are No Words, But We Have A Few” to give grieving parents a community and a voice.

If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves music and stories that matter, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Your support keeps these conversations—and the songwriters behind them—thriving.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

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