Episodes
Episodes
Are you a creative dreaming of a second chance at music? Second Verse is the podcast that celebrates independent musicians, singer-songwriters, and artists who got started—or started again—after a more traditional career.
Join host Becky Boyland, a singer-songwriter and music branding expert, as she interviews indie artists who prove that success isn’t just for the young and major-label backed. Each episode dives into real-life stories of artists navigating their second verse in music—overcoming fears, finding their audience, and making their creative dreams a reality.
Songwriter and former entertainment executive Tom Sykes shares about his long, indirect path in music. Sykes recounts cold-calling legendary A&R man John Hammond, but eventually moving into the video and entertainment business, working at Embassy Pictures, Turner, WEA, Showtime, and later running New Light Entertainment, while continuing to write and record.
After the traumatic ending of his first marriage, Chris Aarons turned to songwriting for healing, found love again, worked in software, became a full-time dad, and kept releasing music while learning production. With his “reduce to the ridiculous” habit of daily 10-minute music sessions, he's kept momentum, releasing eight original songs and three covers.
Dan from Downingtown, an independent artist who performs behind a mask and built an alternative rock project, describes growing up near Philadelphia, moving to Boston as a touring drummer, then turning isolation and a friend’s advice into a new artist identity.
Nick Stefanacci has a one-word philosophy—“yes”—that guides his career. Nick shares his origin story: growing up in a New Jersey musician family, choosing saxophone in fourth grade, early performance moments that hooked him, and mentors including teacher J. Chuck Sastre, who inspired his teaching and his decision to step away and pursue music full time.
LA–born Egyptian American musician Michael Isaak talks about developing his hybrid style “arabesque folk.” Raised on Umm Kulthum, Fairouz, and Coptic hymns, Isaak learned production, made indie folk, then took time off college to pursue music. A first trip to Egypt at 19 sparked deeper cultural immersion; he returned with an oud, transferred to Columbia...
Host Becky Boyland interviews New Jersey–based music producer, author, and educator Prin, who began playing piano by ear at age three, gigged from 15, and built a thriving college music life in New York City before a series of apparent setbacks became the foundation of her return to music.
Artist Sophie Bickerdike discovered a new world of sound creation out of necessity during the COVID pandemic. Sophie shares her journey of creating soothing and experimental music for her yoga classes, which led her to produce various tracks under multiple artist personas.
Adriana Douglas, a music artist and creative guide who left a 10-year corporate career to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, talks about how "The Artist’s Way" book reignited her creativity, her move to Nashville to be surrounded by like-minded individuals, and how she balances building a music career with previous business experience.
Becky interviews Kathi Fran, diving deep into Kathi's lifelong passion for music. She recounts her journey from performing in garage bands and clubs to teaching math and eventually becoming a full-time music teacher. Kathi discusses the pivotal moments that led her to shift her focus, the impact of her health struggles, and her re-entry into...
Becky sits down with musician Joshua David Thayer, a longstanding bassist in the Northampton, Massachusetts, music scene. Thayer discusses how the sudden passing of his father in 2023 spurred a profound creative shift, inspiring him to create and release solo music for the first time at age 50.
