Sex, Drugs, and Disappointment

Welcome to Season 3! Dustin and Melody are kicking off the year with a deep dive into their personal feelings, thoughts, and predictions about the music industry in 2025. From the game-changing role of AI in music creation to the financialization of intellectual property, they break down the trends shaping the industry’s future and what they mean for artists and fans. This episode also takes a personal turn as the hosts reflect on ...

For many independent musicians, getting music broadcasted onto the radio or television seems like an impossible feat! With a journey that started from turning dials on AM/FM radio to now running the entire podcast department at Georgia Public Broadcasting, Jeremy Powell has extensive experience in understanding the topsy-turvy world of broadcasting and podcasting. In this episode, Dustin and Melody ask Jeremy some of the most press...

As society and technology change, governments must create new guidelines and laws for the safety and security of their nations and citizens. With the proliferation of the internet in the 90s and early 2000s, almost everyone gained the ability to share files across the globe instantaneously. Entire catalogues of music, film, and visual art suddenly became free to anyone who wanted them. Governments had to scramble to put systems in ...

Whether you play a musical instrument or not, most average people can name at least a few famous guitarists, drummers, or singers. But there's one part of the band that is often forgotten...until they aren't there! While not always the flashiest or most out-going, bass players fill a role that no other musician can. They are the bridge between the rhythm and the melody. The very nature of the instrument is to serve the song and pro...

It's a widely-known fact that a career in the music industry is not an easy path... Long hours, creative frustrations, mental and physical exhaustion, and little pay are everyday realities for many musicians. However, when stressful periods extend beyond normal feelings of simply feeling "stressed out," coping with the ever-so-real phenomenon of burnout can seem insurmountable. In this episode, Dustin and Melody share their recent ...

Going on tour can be exhausting and difficult no matter what level of success an artist is at. Wether you're riding in a million dollar tour bus for months at a time or an 80s Chevy Astro as a weekend warrior, Murphy's Law reigns supreme. It's impossible to plan for every single scenario, but there are some steps you can take to be more prepared, and to lighten the mental and physical load. In this episode, Melody and Dustin share ...

Becoming a teacher is a common pathway taken by many people along their never-ending musical journeys. For some, it can be a great way to make a little extra money during college or between gigs. For others, it can be a life-long passion and career. Regardless of how you approach it, there are a plethora of reasons to consider stepping into the world of music education; and some reasons why you shouldn't...In this episode, Melody a...

Sometimes the idea of personal property is easy to understand. Take for example, the ownership of a house, a car, or a guitar. These physical items come with deeds, registration, or receipts that legally verify in writing who owns them and provide evidence of that ownership in cases of theft and disputes. But what about the intangible things like ideas and songs? You can't see or touch a thought, and sounds are just vibrations tran...

Whether you're a film aficionado, an aspiring composer, or simply someone fascinated by the art of storytelling, the creative process of cinematic creation and the music that brings cinema to life is multi-faceted and can be complex to navigate. Donnie Gee takes listeners through his unique journey from film school to being part of a production company currently creating a full-length feature film titled "Tom Doesn't Care." Join Me...

Trust is a valuable and intimate thing to share with another person. It can make or break relationships, bands, and even entire nations. Having another person's trust is like holding their heart and soul in your very hands and must be treated in a similar manner. In this episode, Melody and Dustin sit down with their incredibly talented friends, Hannah Zale and Carly Gibson of The Pussywillows, to discuss the importance of trust in...

Few other periods of American history are as emotionally potent and relevant as The Civil Rights movement. While the invention and proliferation of the television gave us a first-hand look at the injustice being inflicted around the nation, the radio provided a timeless soundtrack for freedom fighters and activists everywhere. In today's episode, Melody and Dustin discuss the music of artists like Curtis Mayfield, Gil Scott-Heron, ...

Almost everyone who celebrates would probably agree that Christmas is not quite complete without the massive catalogue of music that makes up the soundtrack of this world-famous holiday. From the old classics like "Carol Of The Bells" and Bing Crosby's take on "White Christmas," to that one 1994 pop hit that every retail worker dreads (Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You."), one thing can be sure: These songs are here t...