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

Latest Episodes:

Kaylyn Marie, Exclusive Music Video Premiere "At Work" Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Kaylyn Marie, one of my best friends and one of the best musicians I've ever seen. Kaylyn is a singer-songwriter-guitarist, bandleader, and actress with over 16 years of performing experience from national TV to local venues. Her solo work has been described as “Soulful Americana” echoing writing and vocal traits of Sara Bareilles and Laura Marling.

She is releasing music from her sophomore EP “Forget Me Not” from January to June 2021. She has won a Kennedy Center Award of Excellence in the Arts, was a finalist on American Idol, starred in a leading role in a new musical titled “Music City” from the producers of Hadestown & Dear Evan Hansen, she has completed multiple artist residencies in New York City (Rockwood, Joe’s Pub, Pete’s Candy store) recorded 3 records, carried a lead role on a Lifetime TV film, and performing as a Protest singer in Steven Spielberg’s “The Post”. But for all of her accomplishments and achievements she is one of my best friends, as a result of this podcast actually, we first met in podcast number 4 if you care to dig through the archives. She is one of the most lovely people I’ve ever met and she has such a unique ability to connect with people both as a human and as a performer.

This episode was recorded as a live podcast on March 3rd to celebrate the launch of the new season of the show and I recommend you listen to this episode and then go and check out the video for what I hope will be an immersive experience for her new single “At Work” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8JUq_9Aj1Y

If however you prefer to watch this whole interview as a video, you can do so now, head over to the Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/thisnextsongsabout

Most of the pods are not live, but the unedited videos are shared exclusively to the Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tnsainnercircle

You can follow Kaylyn here:

@kaylynmariemusic on instagram http://instagram.com/kaylynmariemusic and on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/102QYwp628UkmPIBKqP4zO

"Embracing my Kenyan roots in my artist persona" Ft. Esbalu Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

In this episode Stevie sits down with artist Esabalu (Es-a-BA-lu) to take a visual look at her video Wildfire.

You should check out the video for Wildfire here and come back to listen to the episode: https://youtu.be/9dnjUCdM21E

You can also watch the full unedited interview in our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tsnainnercircle

We also talk about her journey to finding her new moniker as EsaBalu, embracing her Kenyan roots and taking time as a musician to process the events of the Black Lives Matter movement through storytelling and songwriting with her single “Say Their Names”.

Esabalu is an LA based artist with Kenyan roots bringing her listeners an earthy and grounded vocal that bellows from the center of the earth. Her debut single, "Wildfire”, out now, is an exciting journey to the past about forgetting your cares and diving head first into steamy summer love. As a graduate of Berklee College of Music, Esabalu found herself working on the production and engineering side of the business right out of school but found her way back to stages throughout New York (Saturday Night Live w/ Kacey Musgraves, Jimmy Fallon w/ Bastille and Wallows, and Seth Meyers) and now the West coast! Esabalu's audio engineering background has really come in handy during quarantine, with one of her latest at home projects landing her a placement in the two most recent national @ultabeauty ads, airing now. Vocal arrangement, original composition, and background vocalist are only a few of the things that define this powerhouse vocalist.

Insta: http://instagram.com/esabalumusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KvgJF4TQQ3T4ZRBbdLoDg

"Creating My Solo Sound" Ft. Kyle Lacy Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

For the first episode of a brand new season of TNSA, Stevie kicks it all off with inimitable rockabilly musician, Kyle Lacy.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia but now an NYC transplant, Kyle's unmistakable sound and energy will have you chair-dancing at the very least! Kyle notes his influences from the 50s and 60s sounds of blues, soul and rock from Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin to the swing of Brian Setzer. Kyle tours tirelessly and his band deliver the kind of Rock'n'Roll excitement that the music world has mourned for decades. “The Road To Tomorrow” is his first Full-Length Album and is out now on Dala Records.

Stevie and Kyle discuss everything from how he produced his album to have an authentic live sound with Billy Aukstik (Sharon Jones, Mark Ronson, Charles Bradley), how he writes with a band and sometimes on the spot in the studio, to the positive outlook he has taken on the pandemic and what he's learned from it as an artist.

http://kylelacymusic.com

http://instagram.com/kylelacywrites

Kyle's Spotify playlist mentioned in the episode is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0c4RohhuHctInItBjw0Goo?si=t-gBiFlKQ9GYS1qQqwwcQw

And you can join the TNSA Inner Circle Facebook groups for early-access un-edited interviews, exclusive offers, and the chance to hear new music and connect with other artists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tsnainnercircle

This Next Song's About Season 2 Trailer Feb 07, 2021

Show notes

Stevie Manns, musician and host, talks with some of most exciting songwriters and music experts to take a closer look behind the scenes of the music industry. Think SongExploder meets Tiny Desk!

Season 2 launches March 3rd 2021, subscribe now and check out all of the past episodes and get ready for a brand new season with exciting new artists, "how to" episodes, live shows and much more!

Join our mailing list for exclusive behind the scenes clips and interviews here: https://mailchi.mp/680b31647b5c/this-next-songs-about

"Writing Up A Storm" Ft. Jacob McCurdy Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

Mustachioed Mainer, Jacob McCurdy, blends Folk, Rock, and Roots into his very own brand of Indie-Americana. Love, heartbreak, joy, and the perfect moment; all pitched against the lush backdrop of honest harmony.

On July 24th, McCurdy released For the Weekend (FTW), his first fully produced solo EP in 9 years. Normally filling his time with weddings and pub gigs with his cover band The Dapper Gents or playing bass with The Johnny Clay Shanks band, McCurdy started focusing on writing new original material in the beginning of 2020. With the extra time on his hands due to the current pandemic, he’s been writing up a storm.

First up are the five songs off the new EP comprised mostly of songs related to love (maybe more so about heartbreak). With plans for a full length album to be released in 2021, he shows no signs of stopping. With numerous virtual co-writing sessions a week, McCurdy has thrown himself into a full-time schedule of collaboration.

https://www.instagram.com/jacobmccurdymusic

"The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury" Ft. Gretchen Peters Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Gretchen Peters joins us once again on the show to talk about her new album... For two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville’s most beloved and respected artists.

“If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as ‘On A Bus To St. Cloud,'” People Magazine wrote, “she has already earned herself a spot among country’s upper echelon of contemporary composers.”

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her “both a songwriter and a poet (who) sings as beautifully as she writes,” and said her song “The Matador”, “moved me so greatly, I cried from the soles of my feet”, Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day”, recorded by Martina McBride, won a CMA Song of the Year award in 1995. She has been nominated for 2 Grammys (“Independence Day/Martina McBride, “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”/Patty Loveless), a Golden Globe (“Here I Am”/Bryan Adams), and numerous other awards.

Her 2015 album, ‘Blackbirds’ was awarded International Album of the Year and Song of the Year by the UK Americana Association. In 2015, The Telegraph named her one of the greatest 60 female singer-songwriters of all time. Her latest album, The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury, is a loving tribute to another Hall of Fame songwriter and a profound influence on Peters’ own writing. https://www.gretchenpeters.com

"Producing an Album From New York City to the Rocky Mountains" ft. Megan Burtt Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Rocky Mountain raised, and international touring artist, Megan Burtt is a decorated performing songwriter. Since her sophomore release “The Bargain”, she has performed at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, been featured with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, toured Europe, toured across the US, and supported artist like Gregory Alan Isakov, Chris Isaak, Leann Rimes and Marc Cohn. Guitar World calls band leader, Megan Burtt “Pulsing, powerful and lovely. Burtt gracefully manipulates words and melody into a sultry delight.” Burtt is a Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Kerrville, and Westword Songwriter of the Year. She is currently working on her fourth and fifth full-length albums One with with New York City with producer Louis Cato (Stephen Colbert house band, Stay Human) and the other on her home turf in Colorado. https://www.meganburtt.com

Virtual 'In The Round' series with Rockwood Music Hall ft. Megan Burtt, Ben Grace and Wild Whispers Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

NYAC teamed up with New York's famous venue Rockwood Music Hall to put on our first virtual "In The Round" series. Our artists include...

Ben Grace: Now based in San Diego, but born and raised in Sydney, Ben’s exodus from the beliefs and structures of his working class Christian childhood weaves poignantly through his lyrics, revealing itself in his deep commitment to justice and willingness to call forward the darker themes in American politics. With the lens of an outsider and the bold voice of a witness, Ben writes to challenge and disrupt our comfort with the status quo. @bengracemusic

Megan Burtt: Rocky Mountain raised, and international touring artist, Megan Burtt is a decorated performing songwriter. Since her sophomore release “The Bargain”, she has performed at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, been featured with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, toured Europe, toured across the US, and supported artist like Gregory Alan Isakov, Chris Isaak, Leann Rimes and Marc Cohn. @meganburtt

Megan Leigh: Known for her angelic voice, perfectly blended harmonies, and engaging rhythms, the up-and-coming female singer songwriter from Western Maryland has been performing to audiences in the Washington DC area and all over the country. @meganleighmusic

"Far From Home" Ft. Aubrie Sellers Jul 22, 2020

Show notes

Aubrie Sellers released Far From Home - the follow up to her critically acclaimed album New City Blues - in February 2020. Rolling Stone called the record “halting and poignant” and Paste Magazine says ”she’s an honest storyteller with a singular personality. She can both float in on a cloud of love songs and crank out existential country-rock.” Having previously toured with Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, and Robert Earl Keen among others, she is set to head out on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour with Tanya Tucker in 2021. When she’s not on the road, Aubrie spends her time supporting non-profits and organizations like Girls to the Moon, Feminist Camp, Imagination Library, and World Vision and promoting her love of reading with her book club Biblioclique. Her new EP of cover songs, World On Fire, comes out in August 7th 2020. https://aubriesellers.com

"Planning Ahead" ft. CBS Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

Jill Schlesinger joins Steph to demystify the current economic situation and will seek to provide some practical advice to help. Join us live on Facebook to watch these lockdown podcasts as they happen, Wednesday nights at 8PM EST on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/Newyorkartistscollective Or join our Inner Circle page for music fans and artists alike! www.facebook.com/groups/619728222098700 Jill Schlesinger, CFP®, is the Emmy-nominated and Gracie Award Winning Business Analyst for CBS News. Jill appears on CBS radio and television stations nationwide covering the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign. She translates complicated business and economic news into understandable, relatable topics for everyday viewers and listeners. She is a weekly guest on NPR’s “Here and Now” and writes the nationally syndicated column “Jill on Money” for Tribune Media Services. Jill’s first book, The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs, was published in February 2019 by Ballantine Books. Resources Jill mentioned in the book include: The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money - Jill Schlesinger Get Your Financial Life Together - Beth Kobliner Worth It, Not Worth It - Jack Otter

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