This Next Song‘s About - A Songwriter‘s Podcast

As we continue the final season of the podcast, Stevie revisits a discussion with artist Esabalu aka Jenn Mundia (she/her) from Season 2. 

This episode really resonated with Stevie as they both shared a story about their dads about their respective name changes. This episode was recorded during the pandemic and originally aired in March 2021. Esabalu talks about her journey to finding her new moniker as EsaBalu, embracing her Kenya...

In the premier episode of the final season of award nominated podcast This Next Song's About, Stevie throws it back to one of their favourite episodes as we take a trip down memory lane with Akie Bermiss, best known for his work as the keys player for the band Lake Street Dive.

This episode was originally episode #3 of the podcasts 4 years history originally published October 4th 2018 and marks the beginning of a beautiful friendsh...

Have you ever considered reinventing your artist self as a persona? Are you nervous that your fan base won't get it or won't follow your new journey? Joey Dean has thrown caution to the wind in order to do justice to his vision for his latest project, King Vagabond...  

In this episode, Stevie changes the format of the regular Q&A episode and instead walks you through the story of Joey Dean in his journey to become his new artist p...

Who doesn't struggle with writer's block? Or changing your writing habits or chord structure? Experience 'second verse hell'?? Susan Cattaneo (she/her) has 20 years as an educator teaching at Berklee College of Music so knows a thing or two about how to break the blocks. She's also an award-winning songwriter in her own right and is here to talk about all things songwriting, writer's block and being a full-time musician as a woman ...

What is all the fuss about coaches? Can they really help you achieve your goals, keep you accountable and move you forward or is it all just a big waste of money?

My guest is Heather Vickery (she/her) an award-winning entrepreneur, business owner, public speaker, author and coach. With over 20 years as an entrepreneur, Heather leverages her vast array of skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and profess...

Indianapolis based singer-songwriter Jen Edds spent most of her music career in a supporting role as the “guitar/mandolin/bass/ukulele player.” Until now...

Jen (she/her) set herself a challenge to write a song a day and it has changed her life. This challenge saw her churn out 60 songs, a podcast, 2 albums and a conference presentation. She invites us to consider the process and not the outcome. If you have been a bit stuc...

Do you want to be asked to co-writing sessions or in someone's band and keep being asked back? It's not as simple as being a good songwriter or musician, it's a little more nuanced than that...

Wendy Parr (she/her) is a multi-award-winning songwriter, world-renowned vocal coach, vocal producer, speaker, educator, and so much more. She has worked with artists such as Regina Specktor, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Allie Moss and...

Season 3 is back in February 2nd 2022 with a brand new array of expert guests to help you as a songwriter develop and hone your craft as an artist.

Host, NYC based musician and songwriter Stevie Manns asks the hard questions about being an artist to help you along your artist's journey, level-up your skills to better connect and resonate with fans from the music that you record to the way you present yourself both on and off stag...

Have you been thinking about starting a Patreon but aren't sure how to go about it? Scared no one will sign up? In this episode we revisit a conversation with independent artist Rebecca Loebe who was so successful at launching, Patreon even wrote an article about her after she raised funds for her album.

Rebecca Loebe is an independent singer-songwriter who you may remember from the Voice in 2011. Since then she has opened for Shaw...

As the new season of the podcast is being prepped and recorded, here's a little bonus from the archives - recorded in 2019 with Gretchen Peters. 

To view the photo I mention in the episode - you can check it out on instagram @iamsteviemanns.

I also mention a couple of Shure mics you can check out during the Holiday sales - 

Shure MV7 podcast and vocal mic

Shure SM58 - most durable stage & recording mic ever created!

Nashville...

Today, as we continue to celebrate Pride month my guest is Aaron Is Your Friend. Aaron is Your Friend is the project of LA-based singer, songwriter and producer Aaron Lindenberg. Aaron and I met on the New York scene a couple of years ago at a Sofar Sounds show and I really enjoyed his music and his energy so I wanted to introduce him to you on the show and we take a listen to his song "Self".

Aaron and I get deep in this episode, ...

Josh Breckenridge, is perhaps better known for his Broadway accolades, most recently starring in Come From Away. During the Broadway closure as a result of the pandemic J. wasted no time in writing and producing his debut album "Monotony" with producer James Frazee (Patti Smith, Sharan Van Etten, Loudon Wainright III, Bacon Brothers) As J. Breckenridge, the new musical artist with a pop-soul vibe, he has just released his fourth si...

Continuing our artist profiles for #Pride, today's guest is Sharisse Fransisco. She is a Queer, Afro-Latina  singer-songwriter and Vocalist, she performs as herself but also as the lead vocalist for the all-female punk soul band Top Queens. She deeply believes in the importance of intentionality in the messages we share with the world as artists; utilizing music and art for catharsis, to invoke emotions, but also to share our authe...

Have you ever wondered how to write social justice songs? How to get over your discomfort? In this episode, I am discussing social justice songwriting with my guest, D.C. based social justice songwriter Crys Matthews.

Already hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. She is made for these times and, with the releas...

Have you ever thought about whether you're "doing it right" with social medial? Or why is social media SO important for musicians and anyone with a brand, which social media platform is right for you; and how can you optimize your social media and build a following?

My guest Gabe Ekemezie and I discuss all of those things and aim to help you tighten up your social media strategy. Gabe is the founder of Unplugged Kingdom LLC, specia...

Shervin made his name as a portrait music photographer on the New York music scene over the last decade and has become one of the most sought after photographers in the industry. Having started with no formal photography training, he worked his way up the ladder and has since photographed musicians like Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Wilco, Regina Spector, Ingrid Michaelson, Fleet Foxes, Walk the moon, Sara Bareilles and many ...

In today’s episode I am chatting with songwriter and mindfulness coach, Lisa McEwen. Lisa is originally from Canada and made her way down to Nashville and  had success signing with BMG as a staff writer, penning songs for major labels and artists and is now setting out to help other artists achieve their goals as a coach and consultant. In this episode we chat about Self-doubt, determination, pivoting and how to focus...